The Rules Of Pursuit

24. Forever Yours

My head was reeling. Why would Avinash do this? I cursed him my mind out while I ran down the building to the bleachers, only to find it empty. It was already dusk, making it impossible to stay outdoors anymore.

 However, I desperately needed to confront Avinash for the mess he had created. The thought of giving him a call, did fleet through my mind, but I didn't have his number. I could think of only one other place he could be if he was not on the bleachers, The Sports Building.

I ran through the wet cobblestone path cleared from snow, skidding and slipping. Just when I was about to hurl into the sports building I found him walking out, his hand around Dumbini's shoulder.

"We need to talk." I growled, blocking their way.

"Later," he said nonchalantly, trying to walk away. I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the back of the building, while Dumbini tried to follow us.

"Stay where you are?" I snarled. I must have looked scary because she did not attempt to follow me and scurried away instead.

Once I knew we were out of earshot, I let go of Avinash's arm. He shrugged himself adjusting his leather jacket before looking at me menacingly.

"Don't ever do that" His voice was colder than his eyes.

"I told you not to tell anyone." I snapped "Yet you wagged your tongue before Natasha, why would you do that?"

"She has feelings for Mandy, so she of all people deserved to know the truth. At least now, she won't have any expectations of him reciprocating her feelings. Keeping your and Mandy's relationship, a secret from her, would have only fueled her feelings for him." Avinash said, faking concern.

"You want me to believe, what you did, was out of concern for Natasha?" I scoffed.

"Yes indeed." His nonchalant demeanor frustrated me.

"You are a fucking asshole." I shouted trying to shove him, but he grabbed my hands instead.

Anger shot through his hazel eyes as they drilled into mine.

"I respect women, and I expect them to respect me in return, so don't ever use those words for me Ms. Meenakshi Banerjee." He said his teeth clenched together, before letting go of my hand and striding away.

I was left stumped, staring at his retreating back. Why would he tell Natasha of all people? How did he even find out that Natasha had feelings for Mandy? The two of them never ever spoke to each other. Did he know that Mandy had feeling for Natasha too? He had once speculated it himself. What if Avinash wanted to break Mandy and me up? Does this mean Rule No. 7 had worked?

I dragged myself back to the front of the sports building lost in my thoughts, when my phone rang. It was Mia.

"Come to the gymnasium" she whispered before disconnecting without any further explanation. The gymnasium was situated on the seventh floor of the Sports Building. Thank god, I was closeby , which meant I did not have to walk much through the snow.

I was about to enter the sports building, but was stopped by the Administrative building guard, who handed Brute over to me. In my hurry to find Avinash, I had completely forgotten that I had left Brute with the guard. I profusely thanked him and pulled Brute along with me to the gymnasium. When I reached the gym, I found Mia and Naid hiding behind a reflecting glass wall. They motioned me to be silent.

I quietly padded towards them, making sure Brute didn't make any noise.

Natasha and Mandy were standing on the other side of the glass wall unaware of our presence. From their side even if they looked in our direction all they would see, would be their own reflections. We however had a clear view of them.