Chapter 21 Game time
01:00 AM. Inside her house, Diana was still mad with the embarrassment at the Builder’s Dynasty. Sat in the living room holding a wine glass in her hand with an owlish look a vicious grin escaped her lips.
Grabbed the photo frame and stared at the tall man intently while brushing her fingers across him, “You’re indeed ruthless, Rudra.”
“You’ve successfully tricked me.” With that, she threw the wine glass, and the white marble floor was stinking with the smell of wine.
Strode towards the window, pushed the curtains aside, and glanced at the calm water, “you hurt my pride.” She mumbled. “What I didn’t do for you?” A troublesome expression settled on her face, “yet you didn’t spare me for once?”
“You’ll regret this, Rudra.” Her hands clenched while memories hit her.
“I’ll make you pay for your deeds.” She asserted and dialed Farhan.
Farhan rubbed his eyes and lifted the call, “Yes, Mam?”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
“I want the insider information on what Rudra is up to.”
“Mam…” His drowsiness vanished hearing that.
“Hm.”
“You know the rules of Chauhan Group of Companies” Scratched his head in bewilderment.
“What are you trying to say?” Her voice deepened with a scowl.
“Um… Nothing, I’ll find it out.”
…
06:30 AM, Australia.
Unable to fall asleep, Rudra grabbed his mobile. Fiddled with it for a while and dialed Tamaz.
“Hey, bro.”
Rudra heard the loud music and winced while thinking, “you’re again doing it?” Swallowed his words and questioned, “Hey. You haven’t slept yet?”
“Yep.”
With the booming sounds from the other end, Rudra asked, “Where the hell are you now?”
When the spotlight focussed on him, a blonde with perfect curves exposing her thighs approached and sat beside Tamaz when he hushed with his fingers. “At the bar.”
“Come on. I know what you’re doing. Don’t behave like a dick.”
Tamaz sighed, “Stop it. I know what you’re trying to say.”
“Huh!” Rudra frowned.
“They don’t want me. Why bother?” Tamaz said in a carefree tone while the girl in an off-shoulder one-piece threw herself onto Tamaz and kissed him while sitting on his lap.
“It’s been many years, Tamaz.” Rudra asserted.
“No matter how many years had passed. They won’t change.” Tamaz said and pecked on her cheeks while nudging.
“Have you tried?”
“I don’t want to.”
“For god sake, at least wish them.”
“What good will come out of it except pain?” Tamaz eyes turned dead serious, and the girl stopped what she’s doing in fear gazing at his expression.
Rudra gasped for air while his eyes turned moist. “Uf. I couldn’t pacify you in this.” Rudra sighed in dejection.
“You don’t need to feel bad about it,” Tamaz said while taking another sip of wine and shoved the girl away.
“I want to stay.” The girl protested in a sweet voice with doe eyes.
“Get away before I do something crazy.” Tamaz gestured while covering his mobile speaker. She came nearer and clasped her hands to hook onto his neck and he lost his tiniest bit of the left patience.
“I said out.” He said in a stern tone while racking his already messy hair, and she jumped in a panic with her eyes popped out and ran away.
Meanwhile, Rudra was listening to everything that’s happening over there and punched the wall, “you’re like this because of me.” He muttered biting his lips when his brows scrunched.
“Bro?”
“Hm.”
“Don’t fill yourself with guilt.”
“How can I not?”
“I’m telling you again, it’s not your fault.”
“Tamaz!”
“What?”
“I couldn’t deny the fact that you…” Rudra paused when a lump formed in his throat.
“I did it for my sake. According to my wish.”
“Still, it’s for me!!” Rudra mumbled slowly in a complicating tone.
“Rudra, you treated me as your brother. Even my siblings weren’t like that.”
“Hmm… You’re like my brother, maybe more than that too.” Leaned on the wall, Rudra shut his eyes to hide the distress.
“Mm. It’s worth it for you.”
“But…” Rudra struggled to say the words which tormented him.
“Anyhow, they only worry about their profits and not me. I left everything because it suffocated me.”
“You weren’t alone, You’ve me.”
“I know. Even everyone in this world abandoned me, you won’t.” Tamaz said with a proud smile on his lips and hung up.
“I don’t know what to do with you in this.” Rudra sighed and dropped onto the couch
…
04th 0ctober
Stood in front of her office surrounded by heavy traffic, honking sounds, rushing people, Tanvi said while arching her brows with pressed lips, “Mumbai traffic was awful!”
Marina glanced at her and chuckled, “It’ll be a wonder if Mumbai roads were clear.”
“Correct,” said Catherine while giving a Hi-fi, and they laughed.
“Any plans?” Tanvi asked while rolling off her white blazer sleeves.
“Nope.”
“Me neither.”
“Then, let’s go to the beach?” asked Tanvi in a perky tone while her eyes glimmered.
“Now?”
“It’s already 06:00 PM,” Marina said while moving her eyes off on her watch.
“So, what? Don’t tell me crappy reasons now.” Tanvi cut her off bluntly.
“Exactly, we know you go meet your boyfriend.”
“Er… is it that clear?” Marina tapped her forehead in mortifying herself out.
“Aw! Don’t act that innocent,” Catherine said while trying to hold her laugh.
“Yep. It didn’t suit you, Ms. Daring and dashing.”
“Ey! Stop teasing me.” Marina pouted with narrowed eyes.
“Weather looks good today, let’s go,” Catherine said and dragged Marina.
…
Aksa Beach, M City
Near the shore that glistened beneath a sea-blue kiss of brine, lay the jagged rocks of the ages in a multitude of hues, from creams to deep browns and greys in different heights while the tides were drenching them.
Tanvi glanced at the teens who were making a small pyramid with the sand while the inflations of waves hit them, and it collapsed while they hissed. A smile plastered on her rosy lips.
The small, wet pebbles that lined the beach sparkled in the lingering light of sunset. Tanvi reached down to pick one up, running her thumb over its smooth surface. It was perfectly round, with no sharp edges or ragged curves.
“Wow. It’s so refreshing.” Marina put her legs onto the water while setting her hair in the heavy breeze.
“Yep! Let’s play a game?” asked Catherine with a sneaky look while folding her cargo jeans and sat on the rust-colored rock.
“What game?” asked Tanvi while removing her sneakers and seated on the sand with a smile on her face.
“A race?”
“I’m in,” said Marina with a giggle while her eyes brightened.
“That’s it?” Tanvi gave a dubious look when her black eyes focused on Catherine while biting her lips.
Catherine shook her head in a snicker, “With a bet.”
“Now, I got you,” chuckled Tanvi when a tide drenched her while Marina shouted, “ey! take a look.”
“Hmmph. You’re late.” Tanvi sulked.
“Don’t try to flee,” Marina exclaimed in a gasp.
“Hehe. I won’t let you off though,” Catherine grabbed Tanvi’s hand and pulled her up.
“Stop moping. You’re not fully soaked.”
“Huh! What’s the bet?”
“Movie?”
“Deal!”
“Who touched that rock last lost the game!” Tanvi said while pointing her finger.
“Okay! Now 3… 2… 1….” Marina shouted and began running.
Soon. “Hey, this isn’t fair,” Catherine said while facing Marina breathing heavily when she covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Seeing the dumb look on Catherine, Tanvi burst out laughing, “You dig your own grave now. Come on, take us to a movie.”
Catherine gave a dirty look when Marina said while scrolling her fingers through her phone, “Guys, all theaters are booked for today.”
“Umm… Then tomorrow?”
“Done.”
“Not for me,” Marina said, still immersed in her phone.
“Why so?” Tanvi gave a prying look.
“I’m going to visit my parents.”
“Ooh! Any reason for the sudden visit?”
“Yep,” Marina said when her cheeks turned red.
“What’s it?” Tanvi and Catherine became nosy while their interest got piqued.
Scratching her head, Marina faced them, “I’m introducing my boyfriend to them.”
“Woo-hoo!” They both gasped while their eyes widened.
Marina tapped her forehead, “they’re rushing me to get married. So, I’ve to speed up things.”
“Hmm…” nodded Tanvi while her thoughts drifted to her parents. “Why can’t I do such things for them?”
“Huh! I’m becoming an unfilial daughter to them.” Her lips pressed into a thin line while her eyes dropped onto the sand, “I’m not even fulfilling their simple wish from many years.”
“Let’s go on Monday night, then?” Marina asked in rouse.
“Sounds perfect.”
“Fine with me!” Tanvi said while her thoughts were drifted apart.
…