When Rudransh came downstairs, Shrey quickly sat next to Anay. Seeing Shrey's possessiveness, Rudransh smiled to himself.
Shrey, annoyed, said, "So, you gonna pick the date now…?"
Anay looked at him and replied, "What's wrong with you now…? You were just jumping around talking about throwing a party…"
Shrey hissed angrily, "Are you coming or should I go back…?"
Anay said, "I'm coming, aren't I…"
By midnight, the three of them were drinking and dancing away.
Resting his head on Anay's shoulder, Rudransh said, "It's time to leave, Thakur…" Anay himself was completely drunk.
Shrey pushed him away, swaying from his own drunkenness, "Hey, stay away from our friend… he's only ours…"
Anay grabbed Shrey and helped him up, himself barely able to stand — "Let's go home… Rajvansh, will you be able to walk…?"
Rudransh staggered and stood up — "Rudransh Rajvansh doesn't live off anyone's support, Thakur…"
The three of them leaned on each other as they walked out of the club. The night was deep and the streets were silent. Anay had to drive, so he washed his face first.
Shrey kept mumbling random nonsense in between, while Rudransh was silent, leaning on Anay's shoulder. Anay himself could barely walk; his steps were unsteady.
Somehow, they made it to Anay's jeep. Shrey collapsed into the front seat, and Rudransh slumped in the back. Anay barely managed to settle into the driver's seat and started the vehicle.
The jeep wobbled along the road. Anay drove them home with difficulty and tried to wake the other two, but they were out cold, like the eighth generation of Kumbhkaran.
Anay tried waking them up — "Hey, get up… If Amma sees this, she'll beat the hell out of all of us…"
Shrey mumbled and wrapped his arms around Anay's neck, "Anay, you're only my friend… stay away from Rajvansh…"
Anay shoved him slightly, "Dude, if you're my friend, then act like one, why are you trying to be my wife…? Stand up or I'll leave you here…"
Shrey slurred, hanging on Anay's shoulder, "You're mine… only mine…"
Anay said, "If you can't handle it, why do you drink…?"
Shrey mumbled, "Because you're here to handle me, my love…"
Anay replied, "I swear I'll leave you right here…"
Shrey said, "You won't go… never…"
Anay took Shrey and laid him in the guest house. When he came back, Rudransh was also murmuring something.
Anay said, "Rajvansh, wake up… I don't have the strength to carry you anymore…"
Rudransh, drunk, muttered, "I'll build the dam… Dad… the best one… you'll be proud…"
Anay thought to himself, "Is he talking about the dam…? Is it really that valuable to him…?"
He helped Rudransh and laid him down next to Shrey, then collapsed between them.
All three lay unconscious in the room. The first rays of the morning peeked through the window, but the darkness hadn't fully lifted. The strong smell of alcohol lingered in the air, and the room still echoed the wild night.
Anay slowly opened his eyes. His head was pounding, and his mouth felt dry. He turned and saw Shrey and Rudransh on either side of him. Shrey was still snoring heavily, one of his arms thrown carelessly across Anay's chest. On the other side, Rudransh lay quietly, but fatigue was clear on his face.
Anay started recalling the hazy events of the night — the club, the dancing, the drinking… and Rudransh's talk about the dam. He looked closely at Rudransh. There was a strange passion and pain hidden in his words. "You'll be proud…" — that line echoed in Anay's mind. Was this dam more than just a project for Rudransh?
He gently moved Shrey's hand and got up. His body felt heavy. He opened the window and a gust of fresh air gave him some relief. Down in the courtyard, the servants were busy with their chores. Amma was probably doing her prayers.
Just then, Anay saw Advika talking to the elder Thakurain. A wave of happiness swept over his face. He waited for Amma to leave so he could talk to Advika.
As soon as Amma went inside, Advika started to follow her, but Anay lightly tapped her shoulder. Advika turned around and Anay gestured with his eyes to step aside with him.
Advika pointed toward Amma with her eyes. Anay made a pleading puppy face, so Advika rolled her eyes but went inside. Anay's face fell. His hope was crushed. He also went back to his room, feeling dejected.
He had just sat down on the sofa when he heard someone coming in.
"Come in…" Anay said with his eyes closed.
Advika entered the room and slammed a glass of lemon water down in front of him, making some of the water spill.
Anay didn't even open his eyes. He already knew who would do something like that… only Advika.
She asked sharply, "Did you drink last night…?"
Anay looked at her with a smile and said, "Yeah… I confessed yesterday, remember? I was so happy, I couldn't handle it…"
Advika stared at him for a few seconds.
She said curtly, "It's lemon water. Drink it."
Anay replied with a mischievous smile, "I need two more glasses…"
Advika glared at him.
Anay toned down his smile a little and said, "Not for me — for my two… well, one friend and one business partner… they're still knocked out, so for them…"
Advika left the room without a word. Her expression gave away nothing, and Anay couldn't tell what effect his words had on her.
A little while later, Advika came back and placed two more glasses of lemon water in front of him. Just as she was about to leave, Anay said — "Get my clothes ready, I need to go out… yeah, into the city."
Advika glared at him, but he didn't care one bit.
She yanked open the wardrobe and pulled out a formal white shirt and pants. She also took out a black blazer and was about to leave when Anay stopped her again — "And make poha for breakfast, okay? And ginger tea too… and make it fast… I have to leave."
Advika clenched her teeth in frustration. Anay was her employer — how could she misbehave with him?
Anay could feel her deadly, angry eyes on him, but he intentionally ignored it.
Advika went to the kitchen and began taking things out with loud clatters. Everyone looked at her in surprise. Moli, who was working next to her, asked, "Didi, what happened…? Why are you banging the utensils like this…?"
"I'm just putting them down…" Advika said as she slammed another one, loud enough for Anay to hear even in his room.
"Didi, everyone's watching you…" Moli whispered. Advika noticed the eyes on her. A maid stepped up and said — "What do you think you are, some queen? Banging utensils like that. I'll tell the Thakurain, and she'll drag you out of the haveli by your hair…"
Advika said nothing. She quietly went back to her work. She realized she was overreacting....
To be Continued.....