Second Chance (Vol.1) Squandered

82: Wicked Wickham

PC: @diksha____

Post lunch some of the crowd was back in the Games Arcade while others withdrew to their rooms. But many sprawled out in the one of many lavish lounges in the hotel reception and poolside.

Adi dropped onto the sofa (in the reception) like deadweight. He desperately wanted sleep.

Adi: Why has Noor become a magnet for creeps?
Arjun: (little zonked) Huh!
Adi: What is that creep Vikram doing with Noor?
Arjun: I wish... (sigh) I wish I did not know

Adi looked at his bro.
Adi: You are just going to sit here and watch?
Arjun: What do you do when a good friend but a suffergate-enthusiast is hell bent on hurting herself? Always!

Adi: Stop her!

Arjun: Well! Best of luck trying that. Anything I do or say will only spur her on; maybe make things worse. When has Noor ever been sane?

Adi: I don't blame her.
Arjun: Why?
Adi: Come on; cut her some slack! She has no clue what a creep that guy is. We only know because we grew up with him. That face can get away with murder and more...

Arjun: And may have...

Adi threw Arjun a worried look.

Arjun: Heard some ugly stuff about him but his parents still... They are just as bad as they were when we were boys. They still think their son is a saint.

Adi: I saw him at the international airport the day I arrived...

Arjun: Yes. Just returned from the States. Took a pretty long time to finish his studies; whatever he was studying (dry laugh) We must thank the States for keeping him out of our hair for the last 10 years.

Adi: Hmmm...

Arjun: He still hates you. I heard him making his usual snide remarks on you, Pa and Ma. (Arjun skipped mentioning Pooja deliberately) Bhai please. Do not react. Ignore. Please.

Adi: Same to you. (punched Arjun's arm) What's with you these days? Poor Rishi.

Arjun had been too angry to explain. He tried now.

Arjun: When you were in Paris and I heard Rishi too was in Paris, I called and specifically asked. I told him about Mom possibly sinking into depression. And today I realize he was always in your circle of friends there. He could have at least told you how bad things were here.

Adi: Maybe we weren't in touch then It wasn't like we met everyday. He would appear and disappear. We may have crossed paths just 2-3 times.From what I hear he was also on the run so...

Arjun tensed. Adi looked back at Noor. Noor and Vikram seemed to be heading someplace. Then Vikram suddenly stopped and felt his shirt and pant pockets and then checked his jacket. He must have misplaced his bike keys. The group had come in bikes; this much Adi knew. Vikram pointed Noor to the main-doors and ran back to his friends.

Adi didn't wait to think, shot off the sofa and intercepted Noor.

Adi: Noor bored? Want to check the other games up there?

Noor: No. (all excited) I am headed to a lake; to spot turtles.

Adi: Turtles! Did you say turtles!

Noor: Yes

Adi: (buying time) Alone?

Noor: No with Vikram...

Adi: Vikram who?

Noor: I just met him.

Adi: Is that safe? Going off with someone you just met? Alone?

Noor: (irritated) They are all your friends or Rishi's friends. They are from the army...