Chapter- 28

The sky was painted in breathtaking shades of orange, pink, and violet as the moon peeked through the clouds shyly, claiming its place in the fading evening.

Eshita walked down the beach slowly, letting the water touch her feet before retreating back with the waves again.

Her thoughts were scrambled all over the place. Ritvik had called her out of nowhere and asked her to meet him on the beach. It had been a week since she had been trying to contact him, but his constant rejections were making her angry as well as upset that he was choosing silence rather than talking like adults and clearing the air.

If it had been anyone else, Eshita was sure she wouldn’t have made so many efforts from her side. She was never the kind of person to take the first step, especially when two people were equally at fault. However, for the sake of their friendship and the support he had always given her, she was doing everything in her power to set things right even if matters were slipping out of her hands.

She glanced at the screen in her hand. The news channels were hovering over specific headlines repeatedly.

The owner of Kashyap Industries, Avinash Kashyap, was arrested after money laundering and drugs worth crores were found in his factory.

Who did that or how it even happened, she didn’t understand, neither did she bother to care for it. Ritvik’s grandfather was the most manipulative man she had ever seen. He was controlling, dominating, and downright cruel, always treating Ritvik more like a caged animal than his grandson. The man deserved being dragged down from his throne, whether it was his fault or not.

The sound of a car parking near the shore caught her attention. She spun around. There he was, dressed in a black shirt and jeans, looking effortlessly intimidating, the scowl on his face put her on edge. She had a lot to ask and say, and she only hoped he was in the right state of mind for it.

“How are you doing?” She asked carefully as he approached her.

Ritivk stared at her quietly. His dark stormy orbs locked intensely with her hazel ones.

Eshita frowned. The way he was looking at her... something about it said more than she dared to admit, and the feeling unsettled her. She snapped her fingers, “What’s wrong, Ritivk?”

“You did all this, right?” Ritivk asked flatly.

Eshita looked at him cluelessly, “What did I do? I am not getting aap kis baare mai baat krr rahe hai?”

Ritivk took out his phone, opening the news articles spreading all around the city, “This!” He showed her the screen.

“You are behind all this.” His voice turned cold, “My grandfather is being insulted, he is arrested, he is being dragged through the media like a criminal. You are the one who caused this mess.”

Eshita chuckled softly, “I am not in the mood for jokes, Ritivk. I hate your grandfather but that doesn’t mean I will do something this disgusting.”

“You think I am joking?” Ritivk took a step towards her, “Tumhe yeh sabh kuch kitna serious hai samj bhi aa raha hai? Do you even realise how much our family name will be dragged through mud just because of...”

“I didn’t do anything!” Eshita’s tone firmed, “Don’t you dare accuse me for something I have no connection with. Aur mein asa krungi bhi kyu...”

“Because my grandfather tried to insult you and your so called brother.” Ritivk’s voice rose an octave, “Ek hafte phele office Mai kya hua mujhe sabh pta hai. I can’t believe just to take revenge you can stoop so low and use your brother against my family. Your brother...”

“Bss Ritivk!” Eshita snapped sharply, “Mere bhaiya ke kilaf kuch khene ka sochna bhi maat. I don’t know what’s wrong with you but this all is between us so let’s keep it that way. No need to involve anyone else.”

Ritivk scoffed, “Yeah right. Now we have to play by your highness rules. Or what? You will get upset? Hurt or end up breaking friendship with me? Just like you did weeks ago?”

Eshita stared into his eyes, “I said those words because you were the wrong one. You started to insult my brother first. Aap unhe aache se jaante bhi nhi hai. Sirf itna jitna mene bataya. Aur jaha tk mujhe pta hai, I never cursed my brother or portrayed him as a villain in my story. I was hurt and had valid reasons. I was looking for silent support, Ritivk... not you crossing the lines.”

“I can’t believe this.” Ritivk’s laugh laced with disbelief, “Fine! I am the one at fault. Wase bhi jb tk tum mujhe aapni jagha prr rakh krr nhi dekhogi tb tk kuch nhi samjhogi. Anyways when have you ever understood me?”

The accusation coated in bitter disappointment hit Eshita harder than she expected. “I have never understood you?” Her voice shook, “I have always understood you, Ritivk Kashyap. Isliye jb kuch mahino phele mere dad ke baare mai log baate baana rahe the, haar ek news channel prr unko leke debate krr rahe the... I kept quiet. Despite knowing it was your grandfather who was at fault. Your grandfather was the one who didn’t ask his manager to check the beverage samples or lab reports and we found workers dead. Everything got covered up because your grandfather easily washed his hands away while my father had to go through inquiry and what not...”

“Isliye badal rahi ho?” Ritivk cut her off coldly.

Hurt flashed in Eshita’s eyes before she masked it quickly, “Eshita Seghal agar badal lene prr aa jaye toh kisi ki itni himmat bhi na ho mere samne khade hoke bakwas krne ki.” Her voice sharpened, “Agar mere hath mein hota toh saaree proofs, signed logistic reports aur illegal supply records dekha krr aapke dadaji ko kb ka jail bhejwa deti, aapna dad ka naam clear karwa deti... but I didn’t.”

“Because you hated your father.” Ritivk stated bluntly, “But now what changed, Eshita? Achanak aapne papa prr itna pyaar kasie aa raha hai? Or did you forget what all you used to say about him?”

Eshita stepped back. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Ritivk would backfire her emotional outbursts on her like this.

“I never hated my father, Mr. Ritivk Kashyap.” She stated quietly yet firmly, “I was hurt and messed up in my mind so I shared my thoughts with a friend whom I trusted with my vulnerable side, not the one who would backfire my pain during an argument. I hated the man he became but I never hated my father. Unlike you who have always hated his grandfather. Aap mujhe puch rahe hai aaj achanak kya badal gaya toh mein bhi aapse wahi puch rahi hu. Aaj achanak kya badal gaya? That man treated you worse than animals, insulted you before the world at every opportunity he found, yet here you are standing up for him? I am not saying you should be happy that he is arrested but I don’t think you should be standing here and questioning me out of all people.”

Ritivk ran his fingers through his hair frustrated, “See Eshita, I will sort out my matters myself. For now can you please stop whatever games you are playing. I agree tumne kuch nhi kiya hoga. But your brother... maybe he might have done something to trap my grandfather. Within a few weeks itself the word has spread how ruthless Ekansh Seghal is. He has fired ten employees in his own company for leaking confidential information. Turned down the proposal from the Home Minister for the upcoming campaign usage of beverages without a second thought, even called off the deal with two international investors over corruption issues. He is titled as the most cold-hearted businessman among the younger generation. I get that he is definitely something else. I didn’t mean to mess with him. Just... just tell him to stop this all.”

“Ritivk I have had enough of your nonsense.” Eshita’s patience finally snapped, “Aap ko asa kyu lagta hai ki mere bhaiya ne aapke dadaji ko jail puchye hai mein nhi jaanti. But I am sure he has nothing to do with all this. Give me one proof on the basis of which you are accusing me and my brother.”

“And what if I give you?” Ritivk challenged quietly, “Kiska sath dogi tum? Mera ya aapne bhai ka?”

Eshita stilled for a heartbeat, “Saach ka!” Her words laced with conviction.

Ritivk stepped back, “Let’s... let’s end whatever we share here. Aaj ke baad tum mujhe nhi jaanti. Aur mein tumhe nhi jaanta. We are strangers and more than that now... rivals.”

Silence filled the air. The waves crashed heavily against the shore while the salty air felt suffocatingly cold.

Eshita felt hollowness spreading through her chest. Something inside her cracked open, the numbness filling in every corner of her soul. Years of friendship came to a pause... why? Just because of some misunderstandings or them choosing what they thought was right?

“Are you sure?” She whispered.

Ritivk gave a small nod, “That’s what’s best for us.”

Eshita stood frozen in her place as he turned, walking away. She stared at his retreating figure until it blurred before her eyes. The flashlights of the cars burned into her eyes but it didn’t affect her anymore. Hurt mingled with anger, tears burned at the back of her eyes. A friendship that began from silent understanding ended up drowning in accusations, mistrust, and broken faith.

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Ekansh removed his coat, tossing it carelessly on the couch. The office work was hectic. Maybe for the first time in years, he could say that running a café was far better than running an empire. He hated laziness, carelessness, hazards, or unnecessary delays, but that was the reality of corporate work; he couldn’t help it except for sucking it up.

One week in the office felt like a reminder to him of what he had lost-not his grip or intellect, but definitely the patience to deal with employees and their endless excuses.

He made his way toward the kitchen only to stop at the door of the dining room, finding Eshita sitting there with four coffee mugs already lined before her. His fingers fisted instantly. If the outside world tested his patience, then his stubborn-headed sister won the title of destroying it completely.

Even if he forced himself to count till a hundred to calm his nerves down, the scene before him didn’t help. With two long strides, he walked up to her, snatching the instant coffee sachet from her grip just as she tried to make another cup.

“What the hell is wrong with you!” His voice cut through the air sharply.

Eshita looked at him startled before rising to her feet. “Don’t start with your lectures, bhaiya. I need coffee. Just... leave me alone.”

Ekansh fumed as she walked back into the kitchen, reaching for that damn coffee box again. He walked in after her, snatching the sachet before picking up the whole box and dumping it into the nearby trash can. He would make sure that thing never entered his house again.

“What the fuck!” Eshita snapped. “Problem kya hai aapki? Kyu peeche pade ho mere. I told you just leave me alone, bhaiya. Ek baar mein samajh nahi aata ya mere dimag kharab karne ka theka leke baithe ho?”

“Before I remind you whom you are talking to... lower your tone.” Ekansh warned coldly.

Eshita looked away. She didn’t mean to sound rude. It had been two hours since she came back home. She had tried to shrug away her argument with Ritvik, even tried calling him back, but he had blocked her number and even her social media. She thought whatever happened was just in the heat of the moment and they would sort it out, but now... she got her answer. He was standing by his words. That meant they were rivals now, not friends, and that cut deep.

Ekansh passed her a glass of ice water.

“Nhi chahiye.” Eshita mumbled, trying to walk past him.

Ekansh held her arm, stopping her and making her stand before him. “This isn’t advice. It’s an order. Drink it.”

Eshita flinched at the edge in his tone. She reached for the glass, drinking the whole thing in one go without realizing she actually needed it. She reverted to caffeine whenever she felt sad; it helped her distract herself from emotions. The intake was always excessive and harmful, but her brain refused to focus on precautions when her emotions became tangled.

“Ab bata kya hua hai?” Ekansh asked calmly, leaning back on the counter.

“Ritvik and me... we had a fight.” Eshita murmured reluctantly. There was no point hiding anything from him when he could read her so easily.

“And?” Ekansh pressed. A simple fight wouldn’t bubble up this sort of reaction from his sister. Her caffeine intake was worsening. He was doing his best to find healthier alternatives. He had even found herbal drinks that weren’t bitter and could be taken in place of coffee, but addiction took time to loosen its grip.

Eshita sighed, reciting what went wrong. She was still trying to understand why Ritvik thought she or her bhaiya was the reason behind his grandfather landing behind bars. No matter how much she hated the man, she knew her boundaries. She could help her friend but would never interfere in his family matters.

Ritvik’s accusations didn’t sit well with her. How could he even think that way about her? Did he not know her at all? Was their friendship so weak that he doubted her without even trusting her once?

Ekansh heard her intently, shock flickering across his face. “Mr. Kashyap Ritvik ke grandfather hai?”

Eshita nodded tiredly.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Esha?” Ekansh asked worriedly. “Last week... I would have found a middle way...”

“Business and personal matters are two different things, bhaiya.” Eshita cut him off firmly. “Dad ne hume yahi sikhaya hai. Aur aapne bhi Mr. Kashyap se yahi kaha tha when he tried to bring his friendship with dad into business. Rules shouldn’t be different for me.”

“Par Esha...”

“And it’s not about the deal, bhaiya. It’s about the words he threw at me. Why the hell on earth does he think that I am the reason behind the chaos in his life... I don’t know.” Eshita muttered frustratedly. “I tried to understand and contact him back, but he just blocked me. As if my feelings don’t matter. All that matters is his grandfather.”

Ekansh wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she hugged him. Everything he was hearing was unsettling for him. He didn’t expect Ritvik to say such words to Eshita and break the friendship like that. From where he stood, and remembered the scene from hospital in that one moment, Ritvik’s eyes had spoken emotions that went far beyond friendship. Was he imagining it or something, he didn’t know.

The sane part of his heart felt bad for his sister, already thinking of ways to help her, but as his protective instincts kicked in, the brother inside him felt relieved for whatever happened. Not for his child’s sadness, but definitely for the distance it created. Maybe that was what was right. His sister was just eighteen. He don’t want her to mingle up in feelings that went far more than what she feels. He wanted her to wait, to find herself first, heal herself completely, and then think about such feelings at the right point of her life.

“Do you need my help?” he asked carefully.

Eshita shook her head against his chest. “I will deal with it my way.”

“Eshu....”

“Maine aapke aur Rajveer bhai ke beech mein kabhi kuch nahi kaha, bhaiya.” Eshita cut him off instantly. “I expect the same from you.”

She pulled back, feeling him stiffen. The mention of the past always upset him. “Sorry... I-I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just... main aur Ritvik das saal ke bacche nahi hai that we need our family to sort out our fights. We can deal with our matters ourselves. Please, bhaiya...”

Ekansh pulled her back into his warmth. He would do as she said. She was right. Friendships once weakened and questioned on trust needed time, honesty, and effort-not outside involvement. He knew that truth better than anyone else.

“Well, I am hungry.” Eshita pulled back, jumping onto the counter. “Cook something for me.”

Ekansh nodded. “I will change and come. Call Ekta too. She is always in her room. At least try to have a basic conversation with her when I am not around. I don’t want her to isolate herself in my absence.”

Eshita hopped down. “As if I didn’t try?”

Ekansh raised an eyebrow silently.

Eshita huffed. “Fine! I didn’t. Anyways, aap kya chahte ho? Kya kru mein? Even if I try, she just gives short answers. As if I am talking to the wall and then she simply walks away. So rude.”

“Esha, it took me five years for her to speak to me.” Ekansh’s tone softened. “That says a lot about what she has been through. I am not asking you to force a bond. But try at least enough that she can come to you if something goes wrong when I am not around.”

Eshita nodded. She can do that much. “I will try.” She mumbled, following behind him up the stairs.

As the siblings closed in towards Ekta’s room, the faint sound of music and soft footsteps fell on their ears. Both of them exchanged surprised glances. Eshita instantly pulled Ekansh back as he tried to push the door open. Like last time, she opened the door slightly, peeking in with curious eyes.

Ekta moved in the middle of the room gracefully and effortlessly, the sad melody filling the air perfectly matching her fluid steps as if every emotion buried inside her was pouring out through the dance instead of words.

The last string left Ekta twirling in circles before she finally collapsed down on the white rug breathlessly. Her breath came out unevenly, the sound of her breathing echoing in the silent room.

“That was awesome!” Eshita squealed, clapping her hands before barging inside the room.

Ekta looked startled. Before she could react, she found herself tackled to the ground by a giant overly excited cat. The girl would kill her or what?

“Can’t breathe!” She wheezed, tapping at Eshita’s arms helplessly.

Ekansh pulled Eshita back, helping both girls to their feet.

“Thik hai tu?” He asked Ekta.

Ekta nodded, sighing in relief. Few more seconds and her soul would have peacefully left her body.

“Will you teach me dance?” Eshita asked excitedly.

Ekta stilled, staring at Eshita like an ostrich blinking repeatedly. Did she hear it right?

Eshita frowned. “Oye... Ase kya dekh rahi ho? Mujhe prr doubt krr rahi ho ki mein dance krr sakti hu ya nhi?”

Ekta shook her head immediately. She wouldn’t dare to. She wasn’t dying to witness Eshita’s dramatic self.

But Eshita, being Eshita, picked up Ekta’s phone, replaying the song she was dancing on earlier. Eshita pushed Ekansh back unceremoniously. “Get out of my way.”

Standing in the middle of the room trying to copy the same steps she had just witnessed. Ekansh bit his lips as laughter bubbled inside him. If Ekta dancing felt like watching poetry come alive, then Eshita dancing felt like a penguin trying to survive on melting ice. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Eshita froze mid-step as the sound of laughter echoed through the air unexpectedly. Her head snapped in the direction of the voice, so did Ekansh’s.

Ekta wiped away the tears shimmering in her eyes. Eshita danced like a confused baby duck. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“You will do a great job performing in circus,” she mumbled, trying to suppress her laughter. “Why do you want to torture people?”

Eshita fake-glared. She wasn’t even offended. The smile suited Ekta. That was the third time she was seeing that unfiltered raw happiness adorning her face and it filled her heart with warmth she couldn’t explain.

“You are insulting me?” She gasped dramatically before Ekta could retreat back to her calm composed self.

Ekta shook her head and looked at Ekansh. “Aap bataiye bhaiya. Does she dance like a fairy or an injured penguin?”

Ekansh blinked out of his haze. Only his heart knew how much he had yearned to see the girl laugh freely and it was the third time he was witnessing it. It would be a lie if he said he didn’t treasure the small smiles she offered, each one of them engraved in his heart just like this one. He hoped to see more of her bubbly cheerful side.

“Why are you insulting both fairies and penguins, baacha?” He said quickly before she lost the spark shining in her eyes.

Eshita glared at her brother. She picked up the cushion lying nearby and threw it at his face.

It hit right on his nose.

Ekta gasped in shock. She had never seen someone attack Ekansh so casually before. Her eyes moved between him and Eshita, waiting for the next reaction. Both were impossible to predict.

“How dare you!” Ekansh chided, annoyed.

Eshita ignored him, pulling Ekta by her side and thrusting another cushion into her hands. “See... This is how you aim it.” She picked one up for herself and aimed at Ekansh again.

It hit right on his head.

“See... Ab tum bhi try kro.” She encouraged shamelessly.

Ekansh glared at the brat. “I am your brother, not some target board to aim at.”

Eshita nudged Ekta. “Come on, kro na...”

Ekta shook her head nervously. He was her elder brother. She couldn’t hit him.

Eshita sighed dramatically. She stood behind the girl. Luckily their height didn’t differ much. Holding Ekta’s wrist, she forcefully raised the pillow and threw it at Ekansh.

Ekansh flinched like a spring doll as it smacked him right on the face again. He glared at his sister. “You are so dead.”

“See? Nothing happened!” Eshita grinned proudly at Ekta.

Ekansh picked up a pillow and threw it straight at her.

“Ouch!” Eshita shrieked. “Ekta come on yaar help me.”

Ekansh smirked charmingly. “Ekta is a good sister unlike you.”

Eshita fumed instantly. “Excuse me? You mean... I am bad sister?” She threw another pillow at him.

She glanced at Ekta, “Stop being so damn nice. Sisters have rights, okay? It’s a sister’s birthright to annoy her brother. To make his life a living hell. To torture her brother that he pulls his hairs off annoyed or his hairs turns grey before age...” A pillow smacked straight into her face before she could dodge in time.

“Stop teaching her wrong things,” Ekansh warned, picking up another cushion. Only to get hit from behind.

Silence filled the air. He turned slowly. It was Ekta. Ekansh blinked repeatedly, trying to process if she had actually thrown that.

Ekta slowly lowered her hands, her smile fading instantly under his shocked stare. “I-I didn’t mean to...”

“Wow!” Eshita squealed proudly. “Now that’s like my sister!” She rushed towards Ekta, passing her another cushion. “Come on! Once again. Aim for his face now!”

Ekta looked at Ekansh hesitantly.

Ekansh dropped the cushion before folding up his sleeves dramatically. “Ab tum dono ko mujhse koi nahi bacha sakta.”

The girls squealed together as he attacked them with pillows in both hands mercilessly.

Eshita and Ekta ducked behind each other, hitting him back while simultaneously screaming, laughing, helping, each other within seconds. Laughter filled the room warmly, heartily. One pillow tore open from the force, white fur scattering through the air like snow around them.

Virendra, who had come hearing the noise, stood silently at the door. A faint smile rested on his lips, his eyes shining with emotions too overwhelming to describe. After five long years, his home was finally witnessing the sound it had been missing all along, happiness, chaos, laughter, and the warmth of a family healing together.

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Your take on Ritivk and Eshita conversation?

Your take on Ekansh and Eshita conversation?

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Next Update: Monday!

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