Only if: A LOSING GAME (Slow updates)

//Chapter 3//

"Kehne ka kya matlab hai tumhara? Saaf saaf bolo." She rasply asked, all humiliated. The hidden anger and edge in her voice was giving out how mad she was. 

"Tum jaisi aurat ke saath koi sabhya aadmi sona bhi kyu chahega? Tumhari izzat hi kaha bachi hai jo koi aur tumhe apnaye? To ye tevar mujhe dikhane ki toh koshish bhi mat karna. Tum bas bistar tak. Dil tak pohochne ki sochna bhi mat, kyuki Aniruddha Roy Chaudhary ke paas dil hi nhi hai." He replied back. Not once he let his voice falter. 

She started shivering with anger and hurt, tears started pooling in her soft orbs. She wanted to spat all the venom back at him but she didn't have anything in her to reply back. What would she say anyway?

"Toh agli baar kuch bhi karne ya bolne se pehle hazaar dafa sochna. Tumhara muh acche se band karana aata hai mujhe." He said pointing his index finger at her. 

He swiftly turned around, picked his belt to wear. Buckling it in place, he tuned around and said bitterly, "Parso nhi aunga. Kab aunga pata nhi. Tumhari shakal dekhne ka mann nhi hai abhi mera!" 

Looking at her, he knew what his brutal words had done to her. He never wanted to say all that, that too after all the highs he gets to witness because of her. But pointing fingers at others has always been a defense mechanism for him and this time also it was no different. 

"Tum thak gyi ho. Jaake araam se so jaao." He said, a little softly this time. 

"Huh! Bol toh aise rahe ho jaise tumhe meri fikar ho. Kuch der pehle tak toh aisa lag rha tha ki sadak se uthai hui koi gandi cheez hu mai!" She replied accusingly. 

Aniruddha had had enough. She was testing him. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he commanded, "Jo karna hai karo. Mujhe koi farak nhi padta, Saudamini!" He turned on his heels and raspingly moved out. He definitely was a bad man.

The cool breeze hit his face and instead of making him all fresh and light headed, it added onto the existing stress. He took out the pack of cigarettes and match box from his pocket. He lit it, taking in a long puff. The bitter taste that left behind was relaxing enough. The smoke left his nostrils, mixing with the fog of December.  He enclosed himself more into his woolen jacket, took another drag and walked towards his home. 

* * * *

"Kaha the tum? Itni der kyu ho gyi aane me? Agar ghar der se aane wale the toh ek baar phone karke batana chahiye tha na? Kitna pareshan tha mai tumhe andaaza bhi hai?" Somnath questioned the moment he saw Aniruddha step into the haveli.

He has been pacing around in the living room since past don't know how many hours. It was freaking 2 at night and now it is when this shehzaada thought to grace everyone with his presence. 

Aniruddha was stunned by the sudden voice. He wasn't expecting his brother to be awake that too this late. But who was even joking to? He was his Som dada, his brother, the ever protective shield. He was just like his mom, worrying about the slightest of things. He was her carbon copy. He had the same honey filled eyes which were so full of warmth. His nose had that perfect curve, just like his mother's. A nose ring was missing though. He also had a similar mole under his left eye. It felt as if he was her male version. 

Even after Aniruddha being a 24 years old adult, was expected to share his minute details. This was too much! His dada definitely needed some peace of mind. He has been looking after everyone since a young age. It was when he came back, it was like, sun finally made a presence. Black clouds finally leaving the plot. He should discuss the same with his boudi. Maybe she had some tricks to calm him down?