𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-32

The white Toyota gleamed in the warm sunlight, its polished surface reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding flowers and trees. Inside the car, the atmosphere was tense. The hushed conversation between the friends lent an air of mystery to the scene.

"What story will you make up?" Siddharth gripped the steering wheel firmly, glancing over his shoulder. The seatbelt stretched across his brown leather jacket.

Rudraksh, dressed in a black shirt with a matching jacket loosely hanging off his right shoulder, sat motionless in the back seat. His eyes darted restlessly behind the veil of his messy hair as he chewed on his lower lip.

Beside him, Karan, in a blue hoodie and white jeans, sat with his fingers interlocked above his knees. His gaze flickered between Rudraksh and Siddharth, his tongue occasionally darting out to moisten his dry lips, restoring their pink gloss.

Rudraksh's gaze shifted from the floor mat to Siddharth, then to Karan. "I was on a business trip for two days." His eyebrows rose slightly as he continued, "It was to gain some strategic insight from CEOs of other companies on how to revive our failed projects."

His casted hand rested against his chest, while his free hand gestured like a teacher explaining an assignment. "On my way back last night, I met with an accident. It's not serious - just mild scratches, a few stitches, and a fractured wrist."

Siddharth and Karan exchanged a look, their faces frozen as they blinked repeatedly. Siddharth's lips twitched, and Karan's mouth hung slightly open - their dumbfounded expressions perfectly mirrored each other.

"Do you think that's a believable story?" Siddharth asked, waiting for Rudraksh's response.

Rudraksh mirrored Siddharth's neutral expression. "Do you have any other option? You told them I was on a business trip. So, I was on a business trip." His voice was firm, his tone unyielding.

Karan shifted in his seat, resting an elbow on the passenger seat's frame as he turned toward Rudraksh. "And about me being with you?"

"You lied-"

"What?! Why should I be the one lying?" Karan's voice rose, his grip tightening on the leather seat.

Rudraksh closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, glaring at Karan. "First hear me out, time bomb."

Karan's face twisted. "Proceed, volcano," he shot back.

The two friends locked eyes, their glares sharp and unwavering.

"Focus on the plan, guys," Siddharth's firm voice cut through the tension, snapping them back to attention.

Rudraksh and Karan broke their stare, their chests rising and falling with agitated breaths. The silence that followed was punctuated only by the soft hum of their breathing and the distant chirping of birds. The sunlight streaming through the windows cast a warm glow over their tense faces.

Rudraksh shrugged, giving a small shake of his head. "The owner of the house isn't home. It'll be easy to fool his wife and my sister. And Maan is a child." His voice was calm and measured, his words edged with calculation.

Karan's voice cut through again, laced with frustration. "About me being the liar?!"

Rudraksh's side glare spoke volumes. "You lied because you didn't want them to worry. Simple." Each word was sharp and deliberate, his lips pressing into a thin line afterward.

Siddharth remained composed. "And about Kshay?" His eyebrows lifted slightly, his gaze fixed on Rudraksh.

Rudraksh took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. His eyes wandered over the car's interior - the leather seats, the dashboard, the faint reflection in the rearview mirror. "He's a pain. But I don't think he cares enough to check on me anyway. So, let's hope for the best."