Die of heartache??

Throwing colourful expletives at Chiranjeev's receding back, Mriga was careful this time to not let him hear them.

"Thank you for coming at such a short notice, brother. I am sorry that I pulled you away from your work at such an early hour," Vindhya started in an apologetic tone.

"Since when have you started behaving in such distant and formal way with me?" Vidyut asked, knocking her forehead with his knuckles.

Wringing her hands, Vindhya took a second before starting to tell him about the reason for calling him here.

After listening to her apprehensions, he looked at her in confusion and spoke up, "I don't think that you would have done as badly as you are making it out to be. But even if we accept that for a minute, there is nothing that we can do about it. Just work doubly hard and make sure that your next two rounds go well."

Vindhya had started shaking her head even before he finished speaking.

"You don't understand, brother Vidyut. This tournament is my everything. If due to some reason, I don't qualify, I don't think that I will be able to live on with the ignominy of defeat," she said in despair.

Vidyut looked at his sister in disappointment and replied, "If this is your attitude in the face of the first big challenge of your life, how do you plan to undertake responsibility of decisions which would have far reaching and much serious consequences if you become the queen? It is regretful to see you act in this manner. It is not befitting your acumen. You need to have faith in yourself and strength to face the consequences of your actions."

But Vindhya was not ready to listen to his words.

"Brother, you have got to help me find my test scores and if needed, help me change them," she said in a rush.

"You have over-estimated your brother's prowess, Vindhya. I can't do this and even if I had the ability, I am not sure if I could have brought myself to do it. The most deserving person should be the one making it to the top. I am sorry to disappoint you," he delivered the firm words in a soft voice.

Vindhya bit her lower lip viciously as she contemplated his words. She was well aware of her brother's temperament. He had refused to work in the family business and was carving a niche out for himself. But she had thought that his love for her would make him a little more lenient towards her. This was the first time that he had denied her something directly. Something broke inside her heart at his firm words.

"Then, can you send a message to my parents who are also here? Please tell them that I need help," she told him in a near belligerent tone.

Vidyut controlled his emotions and told her with a heavy heart, "I shall let them know. I have to go back now. All the best for your next challenge."

Mriga came back from her run and entered the Gurukul premise cautiously. It wasn't that she was scared of anyone but she didn't want to run into Vidyut by even a chance.

It seemed that she was potentially growing her personal harem with Yash, Abhirath and now… "Ahem ahem, what's wrong with me? Such salacious thoughts. Clearly I am very hungry because of which my mental faculties are getting affected."

Before she could console herself anymore, she saw Abhirath coming towards her. She immediately schooled her features into what she thought was a normal facial expression. To be honest, she was in awe of the guy's abilities. Most of the time, he could figure out what was going on in her head just by looking at her.

Unfortunately for her, it wasn't rocket science to be able to figure out what was wrong with her. A glance was enough for any smart person. Right now, she thought that she was being smart but by controlling her expressions, her face looked contorted almost as if she was constipated.

Knowing her as intimately as he did, the first thing that Abhirath asked was, "What have you done now?"

Mriga's mouth fell open. This guy was too scary. Her mind scrambled in ten directions. She was feeling indignant as well. She hadn't done anything wrong but how could she confess that she was day dreaming about the increase in her male following! Thankfully, she saw her savior in the form of Vaishali few metres away.

"Ah, I was coming to look for you… the girl Vaishali who likes you, err, I mean who is my friend, wants to speak with you," words tumbled out of her, one blundering drum after another.

Abhirath's suspicious face now turned completely black.

Without paying heed to their surroundings, he grabbed her arm and spoke through gritted teeth, "Was I not clear enough in confessing my feeling for you on the night before the competition started? Why are you trying to send other girls to my side?"

He was inexplicably hurt by this cruel girl's behavior. Here he was, tired of thinking of her suitors, ex and future while she was plotting secret dates for him. Did she want him to die of heartache?

His brains must have stopped functioning when he fell in love with her or maybe this was his penance for his sins from the previous birth.

Mriga took a second to react to his unexpected reprimand. Slow blush spread on her face as his words sunk in. But then she gave him an angry look.

"Can you tell your ankles to leave your brains so that it can be used properly! That girl wants to talk about what happened in the maze. You think everyone is chasing you, huh, narcissistic…" she threw the last word at him, almost with pride.

A confused look appeared on Abhirath's face. Didn't she herself say that the other girl liked him?