Of Tempers and Truths

Flashback:

Hostel Room-

The room is buzzing with chatter and laughter, but it instantly dies down the moment Dhruv walks in. All eyes turn toward him, the atmosphere thick with tension.

 Dhruv: (smiling, unaware) "Hey, what's up, guys?"

 The energy in the room has shifted dramatically, and Dhruv can feel it.

 Voice from the Group: "Didn't expect this from you, Dhruv."

 Dhruv: (confused, glancing around) "Expect what? What's going on?"

The group remains tight-lipped. Dhruv's unease grows.

 Dhruv: "Why is everyone acting so weird? What happened?"

 Abhishek steps forward from the group, a mocking grin on his face. He places a heavy hand on Dhruv's shoulder, squeezing just a little too hard.

 Abhishek: (sarcastically) "And the Oscar goes to... Dhruv!"

Dhruv: (frowning, trying to laugh it off) "Seriously, guys. What's with the drama? Just tell me what's going on."

Voice from the Group: "There's nothing more to say, Dhruv. You've already said enough by your actions. Who knew you'd stab your best friend in the back like this?"

Dhruv: (voice firm, eyes narrowing) "What are you talking about? Cheating? I've never done anything like that!"

Abhishek: (crossing his arms, smug) "Oh? Since when do best friends sneak around with their buddy's girlfriend? Care to explain that, Dhruv?"

Dhruv: (angry now) "What the hell are you even saying? I'm not dating anyone! And why would I ever go after Utkarsh's girlfriend? This is insane!"

Abhishek: (coldly) "Well, let's ask Utkarsh then. I'm sure he has something to say."

Dhruv: (definitely) "Yeah, get him. I want to hear this nonsense from him."

Just then, Utkarsh enters the room, his shoulders slumped, eyes red and puffy. He looks like he's been carrying the weight of the world.

Dhruv: (softening, concerned) "Utkarsh, what's going on, man? These guys are talking crazy. They're saying I'm cheating, that I'm dating Rakshita. You know that's not true!"

Utkarsh: (voice trembling with anger and hurt) "Is it, Dhruv? Is it not true? Then what are these?" (He pulls out his phone and shows Dhruv several photos, each one more damning than the last.) "That's you, isn't it? Right there with Rakshita, smiling and laughing. How could you do this?" 

Dhruv: (stunned, shaking his head) "Utkarsh, no. This is all a misunderstanding. I swear! Rakshita didn't tell you? We met at the cafeteria last Saturday. You were at guitar practice for the fest, remember? She called me and said she needed to talk about her startup idea. I didn't tell you because I knew you were busy, and it didn't seem important enough to bother you. Someone must have taken those pictures to stir up trouble. Come on, man, you know me. Do you think I'd do that to you?"

Utkarsh's face contorts with conflicting emotions—anger, betrayal, sorrow. Tears well up in his eyes, but his voice is firm.

Utkarsh: (choked up) "If you valued our friendship, you would have told me. But you didn't. You went behind my back, and now... I can't even look at you. Just get out, Dhruv. I don't ever want to see you again."

Dhruv's heart sinks as he watches his best friend turn away, shutting him out. He tries to speak, to make Utkarsh understand, but the words die in his throat. The bond they once shared has been shattered.

 Dhruv made countless attempts to reach out, to explain, and to repair the damage. But it was too late.What was once a strong and unbreakable friendship had been reduced to nothing but cold memories. 

Flashback ends:

Back to Present:

 Dhruv sat on the cold, hard bench outside the emergency ward, his eyes fixed on the door that had just swallowed the doctor. The sterile scent of antiseptic hung heavy in the air, mingling with the distant hum of machines and muffled conversations. His mind was still, almost as if he had shut down every emotional response to the chaos around him. He didn't allow himself to feel — not fear, not relief, not even the dull ache that usually sat heavy in his chest.

The door creaked open, and the doctor stepped out, his face calm but tired. "Mr. Sharma?" he called.

Dhruv stood up slowly, his heart thudding dully in his chest. "Yes, doctor?"

"She's out of danger now. Fortunately, it was a minor heart attack. She should be back to her senses in a few hours," the doctor explained with a reassuring nod.

Dhruv's expression remained neutral as he processed the words. He simply nodded. "Thank you, doctor." 

The doctor gave a small nod of acknowledgment and left.

Dhruv's father, who had dozed off sitting on the bench after crying himself to exhaustion, stirred at the sound of voices. His eyes, red and puffy, blinked open as he looked around in confusion. Dhruv was by his side in an instant.

"She's fine, Dad. The doctor said it was a minor heart attack. She's out of danger now," Dhruv said, his voice steady and calm. The words seemed to breathe life back into his father, who took a deep breath, his shoulders finally relaxing a fraction.

"Thank God… Thank God," his father murmured, his voice cracking with emotion.

A few hours later, a nurse approached them. "She's awake now. One of you can go in and see her," she informed them kindly.

"Dad, you go," Dhruv said softly, placing a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder. "You should be the first to see her."

His father nodded, too emotional to speak, and entered the emergency room, his steps heavy with a mix of relief and lingering fear.

When his father finally emerged from the room, Dhruv handed him a small box of fried rice from the hospital canteen. "Eat something, Dad. You haven't had anything all day," Dhruv urged.

His father shook his head, his expression weary. "I'm not hungry, Dhruv."

"Dad, please. You need to keep your strength up. Just a few bites," Dhruv insisted, his voice gentle but firm. He stood there, watching his father until he relented, slowly eating the rice. Dhruv lied effortlessly when his father asked if he had eaten. "I had something earlier. Don't worry about me."

Late that night, Dhruv stood outside the hospital gate, the flicker of a cigarette lighting up his face in the dark. The night was quiet, the city's usual clamour replaced by an eerie stillness. As he took a drag, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw his sister Muskan's name.

"Hello?" Dhruv answered, trying to keep his voice casual.

"Bhai, why isn't mom picking up her phone? I've been trying to call her all day," Muskan's voice came through, tinged with concern.

Dhruv took a deep breath, glancing at the hospital entrance. "She's been resting, Muskan. She had a high fever, so I told her to sleep it off," he lied smoothly.

Muskan's worry deepened. "Is she okay now? Should I come back home?"

"No, no, it's just a fever. She's fine now. You just focus on your final semesters, okay? Don't stress over this," Dhruv reassured her, his voice calm.

Muskan hesitated. "Are you sure, Bhai?"

"I'm sure. I'll take care of everything here. You just concentrate on your studies," Dhruv said firmly.

Just then, a hospital staff member approached him, calling his name. Dhruv quickly ended the call. "I have to go, Muskan. I'll talk to you later."

The staff member informed him that they needed to shift his mother to the normal ward and asked him to come along to choose a room and complete the payment.

The next morning, Dhruv entered the room where his mother was resting. She was sitting upright on the bed, looking much better than she had the night before. Dhruv walked over to her and gently hugged her, careful not to hurt her.

"Ma, how are you feeling now?" he asked softly.

His mother smiled weakly, her eyes filled with warmth. "I'm fine, beta. But what was the need for such an expensive room? This hospital is already so costly. Why waste money on this?"

Dhruv glanced at his father, who nodded in agreement. "She's right, Dhruv. We didn't need to go for this."

Dhruv smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's not that expensive, Ma. And besides, I got a bonus from the company for a project recently, so it's not a burden. You just focus on getting better."

His mother frowned but didn't argue further, knowing her son was just trying to keep them comfortable.

The doctor called Dhruv out to discuss some tests and reports, leaving his parents to chat in the room.

That evening, Dhruv stood at the hospital's medicine counter, waiting to get the prescribed medicines for his mother. In front of him was an elderly lady, her face lined with worry. She was speaking to the chemist, her voice desperate.

"Please, can you give me the medicine? I don't have enough cash right now, and I don't know how to make online payments," she pleaded.

The chemist shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we can't dispense the medicine without full payment."

The lady looked around helplessly, clutching her knee in pain from standing too long. Seeing her distress, Dhruv stepped out of the line and approached her.

"Aunty, please come sit here," Dhruv said gently, guiding her to a nearby bench. "What's the problem?"

She explained her situation, her voice trembling. "My daughter will be here in the morning, but I need the medicine now. The chemist won't give it to me without payment, and I don't know how to do this online thing…"

Dhruv smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Aunty. Let me help you." He took the prescription from her and went to the counter, paying for the medicine himself.

When he returned with the medicine, the lady looked up at him, "I can't take this from you, beta but thank you."

Dhruv shook his head. "Please, don't think of it as a favour. You can pay me back once your daughter arrives in the morning. For now, just take care of yourself and your husband."

The lady hesitated but finally accepted the medicine, placing a hand on Dhruv's head in blessing. "God bless you, son. Thank you."

They talked for a few more minutes, and Dhruv learned that her husband was admitted in the room next to his mother's. She smiled as she mentioned the coincidence.

The next morning, there was a mix-up with the hospital staff, who mistakenly delivered the reports for Room 4 to Dhruv's mother's room, which was Room 3. Dhruv took the report and decided to deliver it himself.

He knocked on the door of Room 4 and entered, greeting the lady from the night before with a respectful "Namaste." Her husband, a stern-looking man in his late fifties, was lying on the bed, staring blankly at the TV.

Dhruv handed the report to the lady. "Aunty, the hospital staff mixed up the reports. This is uncle's."

"Thank you, beta," she said, taking the report.

Dhruv noticed the man's disinterest in the conversation. The TV was playing a religious program, but it seemed to do little to lift his spirits. Dhruv picked up the remote and switched the channel to a live sports broadcast.

The man barely reacted, his eyes flicking to the screen. Dhruv continued watching the match in silence, throwing in casual comments about the game. After a few minutes, a wicket fell, and Dhruv cheered softly.

The man finally responded, though it was just a grunt of disapproval. "That was a bad shot. He should have left it."

Dhruv smiled, sensing a breakthrough. "You're right, uncle. But their team is not in great form today. My team is definitely better."

The man's interest was piqued, and he started critiquing the players, eventually warming up to the conversation. The lady watched in surprise and delight as her husband, who had been so withdrawn, began talking animatedly with Dhruv about the match.

Just then, a young woman entered the room, rushing to her father's side. She hugged him tightly, her eyes filled with concern. The lady smiled at Dhruv and introduced her. "Beta, this is my daughter, Pritika.

"Pritika, this is the kind young man I was telling you about," the lady said with a warm smile, gesturing towards Dhruv. 

Pritika turned to Dhruv, her eyes softening with gratitude. "Thank you so much for helping my mom last night. I don't know what we would've done without you."

Dhruv shook his head, offering a modest smile. "It was nothing, really. I'm glad I could help."

Pritika smiled, her eyes lingering on him for a moment. "Still, I'd like to repay you. Can I have your number? I'll transfer the money to you."

Dhruv hesitated, but seeing her sincerity, he nodded and handed her his phone to input her contact details. She quickly saved his number and sent him a message to make sure he had hers too. 

"Done. I'll send it right away," she said, glancing down at her phone.

"No rush. Just take care of uncle," Dhruv replied.

An hour later, the early morning light was streaming in, softening the usually harsh hospital ambiance. Dhruv leaned against the windowsill, and Pritika joined him, "I have transferred the amount, you can check your phone"

"Oh, no I don't need to do that, I am sure you must have"

"So, how long have you been here?" she asked, looking over at him.

"Since last night. My mom had a minor heart attack, but she's stable now," Dhruv explained, his voice even.

Pritika's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry to hear that. It must've been a tough night."

Dhruv shrugged lightly, as if brushing off the weight of his emotions. "I'm just relieved she's okay. And you? How's your dad doing?"

"He's… better, I guess," Pritika said, her gaze dropping. "He hates hospitals, so he's been pretty cranky."

Dhruv chuckled softly. "I could tell. But cricket seemed to do the trick."

Pritika laughed, nodding. "You managed to get him to talk, which is more than we've been able to do since he got here. It's been a stressful time."

They continued talking, the conversation flowing easily between them as they shared snippets of their lives. Pritika talked about her job in Mumbai and how she had rushed back to be with her parents when she heard about her father's condition. Dhruv spoke briefly about his work. 

As they chatted, Pritika's mother stepped out of the room, looking for her daughter. She paused when she saw them by the window, laughing and talking. A soft smile touched her lips as she watched them, and she quietly returned to the room, leaving them to their conversation.

Later, Pritika and her mother decided to visit Dhruv's mother. They knocked on the door to Room 3 and were greeted warmly by Dhruv's father.

"Come in, come in," he said, stepping aside to let them in.

Dhruv's mother, who was sitting up in bed, smiled as they entered. "It's so nice to have visitors. Please, sit down."

The three of them quickly fell into conversation, with Pritika's mother sharing stories of her family and Dhruv's parents doing the same. They laughed and chatted for quite some time, the room filled with the warmth of shared experiences and the comfort of new friendships. Dhruv, however, was not present during this visit, having gone to take care of some hospital formalities.

It was late, and the hospital was quieter than usual, the day's bustle having died down to a calm hum. Pritika knocked on the door of Dhruv's mother's room, where Dhruv was now sitting with his parents. 

Dhruv answered the door, surprised to see Pritika standing there with a shy smile.

"I was just heading to get some coffee. Would you like one?" she asked.

Dhruv's face softened, the tension of the day easing slightly. "Sure, I could use one. Thanks."

Pritika nodded and left to get the coffee. A few minutes later, she returned with two cups, handing one to Dhruv. They stepped outside the room, finding a quiet corner to sit and sip their drinks.

As they drank their coffee, they continued talking, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. They shared stories from their college days, laughed about funny incidents at work, and even discussed their favourite movies and books. 

Back in her room, Pritika's father was watching the door with a knowing smile. When Pritika finally returned, he couldn't resist teasing her.

"So, how did the coffee date go with our future son-in-law?" he asked with a smirk.

Pritika blushed, trying to hide her smile as she rolled her eyes. "Papa, please. Stop looking for a partner for me everywhere."

Her mother chimed in, grinning. "But he's such a nice boy, Pritika. He's sweet, helpful, and earns well. Good boys like him don't stay single for long."

Pritika waved them off, laughing. "We've barely even talked enough to be called friends. You two need to relax."

But even as she dismissed their teasing, a small part of her knew that she liked Dhruv. 

The next morning, Dhruv's mother was discharged. Dhruv busied himself with the final paperwork and arrangements, ensuring everything was in order before they left. As they prepared to leave, Pritika and her parents came to bid them goodbye.

"It was so nice meeting all of you. I hope your mother recovers quickly," Pritika said warmly, giving Dhruv a smile that lingered a moment longer than usual.

"Thank you for everything," Dhruv replied, genuinely grateful.

They exchanged one last look before Dhruv turned to help his parents into the taxi that would take them home.

Back at the office, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Karan and Aryan were discussing plans for the weekend, trying to convince Ananya to join them for dinner.

"Come on, Ananya! It's going to be fun. We haven't hung out in a while," Karan urged, grinning. 

Ananya shook her head, her expression apologetic. "I'd love to, but I can't this time. I have to visit some relatives who are in the hospital. They're undergoing treatment, and I promised I'd check on them."

Karan and Aryan exchanged glances, understanding immediately. "No worries. Family comes first. We'll catch up next time, hopefully with Dhruv present too," Aryan said, patting her on the shoulder.

Ananya smiled, appreciating their understanding. "Thanks, guys. I'll make it up to you next time."

An hour later, Ananya entered the hospital room with a warm smile, greeting Pritika's family. They exchanged pleasantries before the conversation turned to Pritika's father, who was resting in bed. 

"How's Uncle doing now?" Ananya asked, her voice filled with genuine concern as she took a seat next to Pritika.

"He's better," Pritika's mother replied. "The doctors say he just needs to rest and take his medications on time. We're hoping he'll be back home in a few days."

Ananya nodded, relieved to hear the good news. As the conversation continued, Pritika's mother suddenly switched topics, her tone softening.

"You know, we met such a kind young man here," she began, glancing at Pritika before turning back to Ananya. "He's been through so much. His mother had a heart attack, and he's been managing everything all by himself without complaining with a smile on his face."

Pritika listened attentively, while Ananya's interest piqued. "He must be a very responsible person," Ananya commented, trying to keep her tone neutral, very uninterested in knowing about the boy.

"He is," Pritika's mother confirmed. "He even helped us when we were in need. Such a sweet boy."

Ananya smiled politely. Meanwhile, Pritika and Ananya exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to step out of the room for a private chat.

Once outside, they strolled down the hospital corridor, talking about everything from career aspirations to future plans. The conversation was light and easy until Pritika brought up the topic again.

"So, about that boy my mom was talking about," Pritika said, a playful smile on her lips. "He's really sweet—and kind of cute too."

Ananya chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? He seemed to have done something to you, look at you blushing"

"The best part is he works at SimcoTech Pvt Ltd, the same company I'm joining next week!"

Ananya stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening with excitement. "Wait, you're joining SimcoTech? That's where I work!"

Pritika's eyes lit up, and the two girls shared a moment of excited laughter. 

"That's amazing! We'll be colleagues!" Pritika exclaimed.

But then Ananya's smile faded slightly as she processed the rest of Pritika's words. "Hold on… did you say that the boy you were talking about works at SimcoTech too?"

Pritika nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I am excited to see him again."

Ananya asked out of curiosity, "So what's the name of that boy who is making you blush so much, if he works at my office so there can be a chance that I know him.

"Dhruv", Pritika replied immediately.

Ananya's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat. "D-Dhruv?" she stammered, the name echoing in her mind.

Pritika noticed the change in Ananya's expression and furrowed her brows in concern. "Yeah, do you know him?"

Ananya nodded slowly, her mind racing with memories of the last time she saw Dhruv, their conversation, and how he had disappeared without a word.

"Yes… I know him," Ananya finally replied, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and confusion. The pieces were starting to fall into place, and she couldn't help but wonder how all of this would unfold now that Dhruv was back in the picture, and so unexpectedly.

Later that night, Dhruv sat on the edge of his small bed in his cramped one-room apartment. The room was sparsely furnished, with a single chair, a small table, and a cupboard crammed with clothes. The dim light from the single bulb cast long shadows on the walls, adding to the room's sense of solitude. He was staring at his phone, lost in thought, when it suddenly rang, jolting him out of his reverie.

It was his mother.

He quickly answered, trying to keep his voice steady. "Hello, Maa."

"Dhruv, how are you, beta?" his mother asked, her voice warm but a bit strained. "I called just like that, what did you have for dinner"

"Nothing as of now, but you don't worry I will have something, " Dhruv replied, forcing a smile. "How are you doing now?"

"I am better, we're just sad we couldn't visit your flat before we left," his mother continued. "It's unfortunate that our train was on the same day as my discharge. We really wanted to see your flat and the furniture you bought. You've told us so much about your place, and we were looking forward to it."

Dhruv's grip tightened on the phone as a pang of guilt hit him. He had never actually told his parents the truth about his living situation. They assumed he lived in a decent flat, a lie he had maintained to avoid worrying them. In reality, his tiny, bare-bones room was far from the comfortable place they imagined.

"It's okay, Maa," he said, trying to sound casual. "You can visit another time. Your health is what's important, and I'm just glad you're feeling better now."

His mother sighed. "Yes, that's true. But next time, we will definitely come and see your place. We can't wait to spend some time with you in Delhi."

"Of course, Maa. Next time for sure," Dhruv replied, his voice tight.

"Just know that we are very proud of our son", Dhruv's mother said in a soft tone.

"I am glad you are Maa"

After a few more minutes of small talk, they said their goodbyes, and Dhruv hung up the phone. He let out a long breath, leaning back against the wall, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on him.

"Thank God their train was on the same day," he muttered to himself. "If they had come here, my lie would've been caught for sure."

He glanced around his room, taking in the peeling paint, the rickety furniture, and the old fan that barely worked. This wasn't the life he wanted for himself, let alone for his parents to see. The thought of them discovering the truth made his chest tighten with anxiety.

Dhruv ran a hand through his hair, feeling the stress of his dual life—the responsible son who sent money home every month, paid his sister's college fees on time and the man who lived alone, struggling to make ends meet in a city that never slept. 

"One day, things will change," he whispered to himself, though the conviction in his voice was faint. He hoped it was true, even as he struggled to believe it.

For now, he had to keep the facade up, not for himself but for the people he cared about most.

As Dhruv entered the office the next day, his mind was still swimming in the events from the hospital. However, the moment he reached his cubicle, Karan, Aryan, and Ananya rushed to him, their faces a mix of concern and urgency.

"Dhruv, wait, we need to talk—" Karan started, but before any of them could continue, a peon approached Dhruv.

"Sir, Manav is calling you. It's urgent," the peon said, interrupting their conversation.

Dhruv, still clutching his bag, looked at his friends and quickly said, "Later, guys," before hurrying off. His friends stood there, dumbfounded, watching him rush toward the elevator. 

"Is he still mad at us?" Aryan muttered, exchanging worried glances with Karan and Ananya.

"I guess so. It looks like he's avoiding us," Ananya sighed.

Dhruv hurried downstairs to Manav's cabin, curiosity buzzing in his mind. He knocked and stepped inside.

"Dhruv, come with me. We have an important meeting, and I need you to give a presentation," Manav said, not wasting a moment. Dhruv's eyes widened in shock.

"A presentation? But I haven't even seen the project!" Dhruv protested, his voice betraying his nerves.

Manav handed over a file. "That's why you'll go through this on the way. Vedant was supposed to handle this, but he's down with a fever. I know it's short notice, but don't worry. I'll explain more in the car."

Before Dhruv could argue further, Manav motioned him toward the door, and the next thing he knew, they were both sitting in the back of a car speeding through the rainy streets of New Delhi.

As Dhruv skimmed through the project file, Manav glanced at him. "Look, Dhruv, even if things don't go as planned, it's better to present something than nothing. Don't stress too much, just do your best."

Dhruv nodded, though he could feel his palms getting sweaty. As the car pulled into the company lot, Dhruv took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself.

The meeting room was intimidating. As Dhruv began his presentation, his voice steadied, and his confidence grew with each passing slide. The clients listened attentively, though some exchanged glances during certain points. After the presentation ended, the questions began. Dhruv handled most of them with poise, but then came one question that made him pause.

He took a sip of water, his mind racing. Just when it seemed like the pressure would overwhelm him, Dhruv pieced together an answer. His response seemed to satisfy the clients, though one of them pointed out his lack of preparation.

Manav quickly stepped in, apologising and explaining Vedant's absence, and that Dhruv had only stepped in at the last minute. The clients were surprisingly understanding, and one of them stood up, smiling.

"Manav, no need to worry. Dhruv did a commendable job, considering the circumstances. We're quite impressed with the roadmap, and if things go smoothly in the follow-up meeting, we'll move forward with the contract."

As they left the building, Manav clapped Dhruv on the shoulder. "You did great, Dhruv. Really."

The rain outside had turned into a downpour, and Manav insisted on driving Dhruv home. As they pulled into Dhruv's neighbourhood, Manav looked around curiously.

"So, where's your apartment?" Manav asked.

Dhruv pointed at a modest house nearby. "I live there, in one of the rooms as a tenant."

Manav raised an eyebrow. "A tenant? Looks like we don't pay you enough!"

Dhruv chuckled. "It's not that. I'm the sole earner of my family, so summing up all the monthly expenses which includes my sister's college fees also makes it very tough to afford a high rented flat in Delhi."

Manav smiled but said nothing more. As Dhruv stepped out into the rain, he waved Manav off and entered the house.

The next morning, as soon as Dhruv walked into the office, Manav summoned him again. Dhruv entered Manav's cabin, expecting more work.

"Explain everything you said at the meeting to Vedant. He's back and will take it from here," Manav said. Dhruv nodded and was about to leave when Manav tossed something at him—a small key.

Dhruv caught it mid-air, looking confused. "What's this for?"

Manav didn't even look up from his phone. "Your new flat."

Dhruv blinked in surprise. "Sir, I—"

Before he could finish, Manav looked at him with a smirk. "This isn't a favour, Dhruv. It's your performance bonus from the company. Now, no more questions. Get back to work."

Dhruv stared at the key in his hand, pride swelling in his chest. He couldn't suppress the grin that spread across his face. With a newfound spring in his step, he rushed back to his floor, eager to share the news.

Dhruv came back to the floor, his eyes searching for Karan and Aryan, but he could only see Ananya in her cubicle. He reached out to her and showed her the keys.

"What are these?", Ananya asked

"You guess" 

"I thought you weren't talking to me", Replied Ananya with a dull face.

"But why would I do that?"

"You left the office early morning yesterday and didn't talk to us even, so I thought"

Dhruv pulls the chair for Ananya, "Sit I'll explain you what happened yesterday"

Dhruv: (with full excitement ) Someone from the second floor had to give a presentation to the client, but he fell ill at the last moment, so Manav sir got in trouble, hence he took a chance and called me to give the presentation to the client at their office. I panicked at first but somehow I delivered something and the clients were pleased enough to not cancel the deal. This morning, Sir called me in the cabin and gave me these keys.

Ananya: (smiling) Very well done, but what are those keys for?

Dhruv: My new flat!!

"Oh my God! Wow, congratulations, Dhruv", Ananya exclaimed with excitement.

Ananya: Ok now so you have given the news, I have to say something.

Dhruv: Go on.

Ananya: (in a low voice) I am sorry Dhruv.

Dhruv: Sorry? For what?

Ananya: For everything!

Dhruv: Didn't you have your coffee since morning, because you are probably still asleep. (Dhruv replies sarcastically)

Ananya: I am serious Dhruv, I am very sorry for that day.

Dhruv: (suddenly remembers) Oh! That day. Come on Ananya, we are grown-ups. It's been 15 days since then, I don't even remember what exactly happened. 

Ananya: So you are forgiving me?

Dhruv: I don't think I was upset anyway.

Ananya: (smiling) Thank you.

Even though Dhruv said that he wasn't upset, Ananya felt that he was lying, but she didn't bother him much knowing he wouldn't tell her anything.

Ananya attempted to bring the truth out of Dhruv's mouth.

"By the way, you didn't tell me where you were caught up for the past two weeks?"

"I was attending a family wedding with my family", Dhruv replied after pausing.

"Oh, I see", Ananya replied without any expression staring at Dhruv.

An hour later, Dhruv called Karan.

"Where are you?"

"I can't come to the office today, just stuck with Aryan, you returned to the office?"

"Yeah, what happened, anything serious?", Dhruv asked in a serious tone.

"Nah! I will tell you later"

"Ok then, see you, bye." 

It was one of those days in the office when Dhruv had absolutely nothing to do. He sat back in his chair, lazily scrolling through his phone, tapping between apps, and occasionally checking the time. The office was bustling with the usual chatter, the sound of keyboards clattering, and phones ringing in the background.

Dhruv sighed, glancing at Ananya, who was seated across from him, fully absorbed in her work. He leaned back in his chair, watching her for a few moments before standing up and walking over to her desk.

"Hey, Ananya," he said, leaning on her cubicle divider. "Do you want me to wait for you after work today? I don't have much to do, so I can stick around if you want some company and if not I can leave as well."

Ananya looked up from her screen, her face lighting up with a soft smile. "Actually, I have a little work left, but I'd like that. Thanks, Dhruv."

Dhruv grinned and gave her a nod. "Cool. Just let me know when you're done. No rush."

He wandered back to his chair, but the boredom quickly set in again. Restless, Dhruv stood up, stretched, and began wandering around the office. He stopped by Sarthak's cubicle for a small chit-chat 

As the evening rolled in, the office started to quiet down, and the golden hues of the setting sun streamed in through the windows. Dhruv glanced outside and noticed that the weather had turned beautifully pleasant. He felt the sudden urge to step out onto the balcony and enjoy it.

He strolled over to Ananya's desk again. "The weather's pretty nice outside. You should join me on the balcony after you're done with your work. No rush, though."

Ananya, still typing away, looked up briefly and smiled. "Sure, give me a few more minutes."

Dhruv nodded and made his way to the office balcony. Stepping outside, the cool breeze hit his face, refreshing after a long day of aimless wandering. He leaned on the railing, taking in the sight of the city skyline, the sounds of traffic below blending into the peaceful atmosphere. The sky was painted in soft shades of pink and orange, with a few scattered clouds adding texture to the serene view.

After a few minutes, he heard the balcony door creak open. Ananya stepped out, rubbing her hands together and sighing in relief. "Finally done," she said with a small laugh, joining him by the railing.

"I told you it's worth it," Dhruv said, nodding toward the skyline.

Ananya smiled, staring at him, breathing in the cool air. "Yeah, this is nice."

They stood in silence for a moment, just enjoying the tranquillity. Then Ananya turned toward Dhruv.

"So, whose wedding functions were you attending? I noticed you've been a little caught up with that lately," she asked casually.

Dhruv smiled and leaned back slightly against the railing. "It was my cousin's wedding. A whole bunch of families flew in from different parts of the country, and it turned into this massive celebration. You know how Indian weddings are. Days of functions, music, rituals, and whatnot."

Ananya chuckled. "Sounds chaotic. How was it?"

"Oh, it was madness," Dhruv replied, grinning at the memory. "First, there was the engagement ceremony, which was huge. It had a live band, a dance floor, and even an outdoor dinner setup. The next day, we had the mehendi, which was a little more chilled out. But the sangeet? That was crazy. We had this whole dance competition between the bride's and groom's families. I swear, half my relatives were dancing like they were in a Bollywood movie."

Ananya's eyes widened. "That sounds so fun! Did you dance?"

Dhruv laughed, shaking his head. "Me? Dance? I tried avoiding it, but I got dragged onto the stage for one song. It was... let's just say it was embarrassing."

Ananya's frustration peaked and he stopped Dhruv in mid.

Ananya: (speaks aggressively out of frustration) Enough Dhruv! Stop it, just stop. I know you are lying, I know where you were. You were at the hospital, taking care of your mother. I want to know why you didn't call any of us. Dhruv, friends are for times like these, people call their friends in an emergency. 

Dhruv stood shocked for a moment.

Dhruv: How do you know all this?

Ananya: It doesn't matter, Dhruv. You answer me first.

Dhruv: You are overreacting Ananya, I would have called if it was an emergency, but it wasn't, the situation was in control. I managed everything without a sweat, so why would I disturb any one of you?

Ananya: Disturb? Calling your friends when you need them for support is not disturbing them, Dhruv. People share their problems with their friends, that's what friends are for.

Dhruv: I didn't need any support, I have been managing things from day 1 in my life, and I am not used to telling anyone about my problems. 

Ananya: Dhruv, sometimes I feel like you don't consider me… I mean us as your friends because I know you were hurt that day when I blamed you for not defending me. Then why didn't you tell me that I was wrong and that you defended us? Why did you lie to me when I asked you where you were for the past 15 days? You know I haven't slept well at night since the day I got to know that I was wrong and that you defended us in front of Prateek and his team that day. You could have just said it to me that you did. But why didn't you?

Dhruv stood still for a minute looking down.

Dhruv: (raising his voice a bit) I will give you your answers, don't worry. I lied to you that I was in a hospital because I didn't want anyone's sympathy. After all, I don't want anyone to feel sympathetic towards me. I don't like people to be like, "Oh poor Dhruv, he has to manage everything himself, there is no one to support him", I hate that. And yes I didn't call anyone, because I have never called anyone, I know how to deal with my problems. And talking about that day, you know Ananya, I pray to god that god forbid you to be in the same situation as I was, where you have to explain yourself to people despite you being right. I have been in that situation hundreds of times in my life and every time I have explained myself, every fucking time, and it hasn't helped me a bit. You don't know how worthless it feels after you explain yourself in front of everyone when you haven't done anything wrong but people collectively point you out as the culprit, as the cheater. For once in my life I decided not to explain myself, and I can tell you, it didn't feel good but at least I didn't feel worthless and empty. At Least I could still walk straight with self-respect. Ananya, explanation is for people who trust you, and who believe in you, not for random people. If I explain something to my parents, and my sister, they'll understand, but you ask yourself, would you have believed me, would you have trusted me if I told you that I defended you guys with my full efforts? 

Ananya's eyes get almost teary, she doesn't reply, just looks down.

Dhruv: What happened? Don't have an answer? Why are you quiet?

And let me tell you another thing, you haven't slept since the day you knew the truth not because you were worried for me, but because your guilt didn't let you have peace, because you thought that I was skipping office because of whatever you said to me. Listen to me Ananya very carefully, you and I are not the same, we are very different. I am not like you, things don't affect me the way it does to you or anyone else. It doesn't matter to me what anyone thinks of me. I am a very selfish person at heart. Do you know why I shared the news of my flat with you today even after whatever you said? Because I forget things very quickly. I don't know why I am like this but it is what it is. 

And you are blabbering so much about friends, friendship, and friends do this and that. Where your friends and their friendship were, the day when you guys accused me of stealing credit when I stayed back at the office because I had nowhere to go. And what were you doing that night, it was your first day on the floor, right? What were you doing that night? Partying with Karan and Aryan, right? You all had your reasons, Aryan thought he had a chance on you, Karan thought he should make you comfortable, and you thought partying together would be great for bonding with your new colleagues. You know why I don't hang out with you guys. I'll give you two reasons; first- I don't like partying. Second - None of you came to ask me out or even tried to convince me even once, and I am not saying that you should but doesn't this prove how much you and your so-called friends care? Look Ananya, I like to be in solitude, I literally hate being around people. I like to be alone at all times because then I am not subject to any explanation. Being in a social environment, around people, reminds me of things and experiences that I don't want to have. Nobody's presence affects me, I am an emotionless statue but if someone gets hurt by my actions I will apologise irrespective of whether it was my fault or not because anyway it doesn't matter to me. You are an absolutely perfect girl, very caring, helpful and a great teammate but please for God's sake don't try to peep into my life because you'll find nothing, I am boring as hell. 

Dhruv leaves the place, picks up his bag from his desk and leaves the office. On the other hand, Ananya is left alone, crying on the balcony. 

 Dhruv storms out of the office, his face flushed red, still simmering from his intense outburst at Ananya. His head feels heavy, thoughts swirling, as he marches down the street, too worked up to focus on anything else. Just as he reaches his neighbourhood, his phone buzzes in his pocket. It's Karan. Dhruv sighs, picking up the call. 

The next scene flashes forward to the three of them—Dhruv, Karan, and Aryan—sitting at the bar counter of a club. Aryan is already several drinks in, swaying slightly in his chair, a glass of whiskey in hand. His face is red, but not from anger like Dhruv's earlier—this time it's from pure intoxication. Karan looks concerned as he glances between Aryan and Dhruv, who seems miles away, still zoned out, replaying the events with Ananya in his mind.

"I don't know why Aryan is upset," Karan says, eyeing Aryan's swaying body. "He's been drinking like a madman since we got here."

Dhruv barely registers Karan's words, still lost in thought. Karan nudges him, snapping him out of his daze. 

"Dhruv, where the hell were you these past days? You just vanished."

Dhruv sighs and finally answers truthfully. "I was at the hospital."

Karan's concern deepens for a moment. "Hospital? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine now," Dhruv waves it off, not wanting to dwell on it.

Karan lets out a breath of relief but then frowns as he stares at Aryan's empty glasses. "I want to drink too, but I'm scared Aryan's racked up a bill the size of Manav's ego."

Dhruv chuckles, picking up a shot glass. "Don't worry about it. Let's not limit ourselves because of money." He downs the shot in one swift motion, slamming the glass on the counter. Karan's face lights up, and he grabs his drink too.

Half an hour later, the three of them are thoroughly wasted, their heads swimming in a fog of alcohol. Aryan is slumped over the counter, mumbling incoherently while Karan and Dhruv are slurring through their words, saying random, nonsensical things.

"I…I think Manav's a robot," Karan mutters, his voice thick with drunkenness. "He never blinks. Never…never blinks, man."

Dhruv snorts, swaying on his barstool. "He blinks. But…like…when no one's looking. Secret blinker."

Aryan, barely conscious, suddenly perks up and mutters, "Manvi…Manvi's the queen of bad ideas…She…she's the reason I failed in school…bad aura."

Dhruv, in his drunken stupor, nods vigorously. "Yes! Yes! Bad aura! She's like a…like a black cat but with opinions."

Karan, too far gone, slams his fist on the bar in agreement. "Exactly! Exactly, Dhruv! Manav's the king of…of whatever nonsense kingdom he's running"

"You know I think when Ronaldo defeated Federer in the Fifa World Cup, Virat Kohli cried", says Dhruv with his eyes closed.

"But Taylor Swift enjoyed it, I guess after all she married Novak Djokovic ", replies Aryan giggling like a kid.

The three of them devolve into a fit of drunken giggles, barely able to keep themselves upright. Aryan starts apologising profusely to Dhruv for no apparent reason. 

"Sorry, Dhruv. Sorry, man. For…everything."

Dhruv waves him off. "S'alright. S'alright…for everything too."

They continue babbling nonsensical complaints about the company, talking in circles about things that no longer make any sense. Dhruv and Karan keep nodding and agreeing with each other, each sentence more disconnected from reality than the last.

Hours pass in this drunken haze.

The next morning, Aryan is the first to wake up, lying uncomfortably on a hard surface. He blinks his bleary eyes open, confused. The floor? Why was he on the floor? He slowly sits up, looking around, and sees Karan and Dhruv sprawled out beside him, also on the floor, tangled in each other like a pile of human spaghetti. 

"Guys…guys, wake up," Aryan groans, shaking them both awake. Karan and Dhruv groggily open their eyes, clutching their heads.

"What…what happened?" Karan mumbles.

Dhruv squints, his head pounding. "Where…are we?"

They all sit there for a few minutes, trying to figure out where they are and how they ended up sleeping on the floor of an empty space. There's no furniture, no familiar landmarks. Just a bare hall with nothing but sunlight pouring in from the windows.

Aryan scratches his head. "Did we…get kidnapped? Why is there no furniture?"

Karan looks around, wide-eyed. "Are we…are we ghosts now? Did we die in the club?"

Dhruv stares blankly at the ceiling, then suddenly sits up straight, a light bulb going off in his head. "Wait! WAIT! I know where we are!"

Aryan and Karan both look at him expectantly.

Dhruv grins like a madman. "This is my new apartment!"

Aryan and Karan stare at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. 

"Oh my god…" Karan mutters, collapsing back onto the floor in relief. "We passed out in your new place?"

Dhruv nods proudly. "Yep!"

They all lie back down, staring at the ceiling, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment despite the pounding hangovers.

"Your apartment's pretty nice," Aryan says lazily, still sprawled out on the floor. 

"Yeah," Karan agrees. "Best nap I've ever had."

And with that, they all let out contented sighs, happy to just lie there on the cold floor of Dhruv's new place, enjoying the quiet after their chaotic night.