Heartless

19

"Ouch...."
Both Prachi and Shahana sat tiredly on the ground admiring their hard-work.
Shahana: "Thank God the reunion is tonight. I am so tired with all these preparations."

Prachi: "Yeah I am happy that it's over as well."
She adjusted the sling a little bit when Shahana asked: "When are you removing it?"
Prachi: "I have an appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, it will get removed."

Her best friend just nodded at her.
Shahana, jokingly: "Normally I would have asked you about your dress but tonight, we already know. School uniform... which I hate."
Prachi chuckled: "We have no option..."

Shahana's phone dinged and she checked it.
"Let's go..."
Prachi, tiredly: "Where?"
Shahana: "To meet Mayank... come."
She stood up but Prachi didn't.
"What is he doing here?"

Shahana: "We ordered drinks from his club, the delivery is here. We must check them."
Prachi: "Hmmm Shahana, you go. I will check the lights and then come."
Shahana didn't doubt anything and just nodded yes.

Prachi had already decided to stay away from Mayank and she was doing just that. Thankfully, he had stayed away too from the last past days.
She could only hope that it would stay like this.

She went to the switch board and looked at all the wires. She didn't know anything about it so she let it be; not wanting to mess with it.
She turned around but quickly collided with someone. That person held her in his arms and when she realised who it was, she immediately jerked away his hands and backed off.

Prachi, to herself: "I jinxed myself for thinking that he will stay away."
Nevertheless, she faced him bravely.

Mayank, teasingly: "Someone is trying so hard to stay away from me."
She just rolled her eyes which he was amused by. However, the amusement in his eyes quickly vanished and they widened in shock.
The word that left his mouth surprised Prachi.

"What the fuck!"
Prachi's forehead scrunched in confusion but she wasn't asking him. She wouldn't entertain him.
Prachi: "If your delivery is done, you can leave..."
But he didn't react nor response. His eyes were fixed onto something behind her.
Curiosity was a little too much. Prachi wanted to know what he was looking at, but that would mean that she would have to stay with him longer which she didn't want.

So, she attempted to move away from him but he quickly grabbed her unhurt arm and pulled her with him.
Prachi, in a low voice, as she didn't want to attract everyone's attention: "What the hell are you doing, Mayank?"

But he wouldn't answer her.
He pulled her to one quiet corner of the gym and then faced her.
Prachi: "Leave my hand or I am screaming."
He indeed released her hand but his next words shocked her.
"You are stopping Ranbir from coming to this reunion."

Prachi, confused as hell: "What the hell are you taking about?"
Mayank: "Ranbir should not come here. Stop him from coming here."
Prachi: "You need to elaborate on the reason here. Yesterday, you two were so excited for him to join you guys and today..."

Mayank, irritatedly and angrily also: "Just stop him from coming, that's it."
Prachi: "I won't until you tell me the reason."

Mayank, giving in: "You know he had a girlfriend?"
Prachi: "Yeah... one who was behind his money and cheated on him..."
Mayank: "Great, you know. Did he tell you her name? I am sure no."
She nodded yes confusedly because she couldn't see the connection.

Mayank: "Her name is Rhea Sharma..."
The anger when he said her name made it obvious that he hated her.

Prachi's eyes grew wide as if a whole ice bucket was dropped onto her. She froze immediately and let the words absorb.
Prachi's shocked eyes moved towards the crowd of people and she pointed to someone.
"R... Rhea... Shar.... Sharma..."