caught between loyalty and betrayal

Rakshit:

The entire day at college passed with me just attending my classes and waiting for her. The seat next to me remained empty, constantly reminding me of her absence. Was she avoiding college just to stay away from me? A million thoughts swirled in my mind.

It's been a week since we kissed, but we haven't spoken about it. Every time I tried to initiate a conversation, she either dodged the topic or simply walked away. And now, I'm at my breaking point—this irritation is consuming me.

It was just a kiss. Yet she's acting as if something catastrophic happened. It wasn't forced; she was just as much a part of it as I was. She wanted it too. I could feel it. Her emotions in that kiss were no less intense than mine.

I know, maybe we should have controlled ourselves. But come on, we're teenagers. We do things without thinking. Yet, here she is, sulking over it like it's some tragic event. I am dying to talk to her, but all she's been doing is giving me the cold shoulder.

The interesting part? Aaliyah wasn't in college today either. What the hell is going on? What are they up to? Did they plan this together?

To avoid the suffocating ignorance and this frustrating distance between us, I decided to come to college alone today. And now I regret it. Maybe I should've just dragged her here by force. Or better yet, stuffed her into my car's trunk and brought her along.

God, I miss my best friend.

The fact that these ridiculous thoughts are even crossing my mind proves just how much I miss her.

Somehow, I got through the day. The moment my classes ended, I grabbed my car keys and sped off. There wasn't much traffic, thankfully. Normally, it takes me about half an hour to get home from college. Today, I covered the distance in just fifteen minutes.

I just wanted to see her.

I just hoped she was okay.

The way she has been acting for the past few days is killing me inside.

As soon as I parked in the garage, I ran towards the main entrance.

But the scene in the living room made me stop in my tracks.

Radhya sitting on the couch with another woman next to her. Holding a glass of water in her hand. Aaliyah slightly apart from them, her expression wrinkled in concern.

Who is this woman?

Why does the atmosphere feel so tense?

I entered inside, walking toward the couch, a low, grave voice swept across the room.

"I phoned the police. They'll apprehend him in no time. I will see that he remains behind bars," said Aditya Mittal, replacing his phone back into his pocket. His tone was subdued but contained a whiff of pent-up fury.

He put his hand on the woman's shoulder.

The woman, who had been slumped forward with her head in her hands, lifted her face. The instant her eyes met his, she put her shaking hand over his.

"Thank you, Aditya," she said softly. Her voice was fractured, as if she was searching for the correct words.

I stiffened.

I know this woman.

But to see her thus… bruises on her cheeks, dried tear tracks across her puffed-up eyes. Her clothes in disarray.

What is happening here?.

"Rakshit?"

I was interrupted out of my daze by Aaliyah's voice. Every eye in the room turned on me.

"When did you get here?" she asked, stepping closer.

"Just now," I replied quietly. But my eyes were fixed on Radhya.

She was staring right back at me.

I tried to read her eyes, tried to understand what was happening, but the way she was looking at me—it was like she was seeing me for the first time. Like she was trying to figure me out.

I forced myself to look away, turning my attention to Aaliyah.

"What's going on here? And where's Mom?"

I placed my hands on her shoulders, my voice calm but demanding answers.

She paused for an instant before turning around and glancing over her shoulder at Radhya and Mr. Mittal.

"Let's talk upstairs," she said, her voice unusually serious. She took my hand and led me towards the stairs.

I followed, but my eyes remained on Radhya.

She was comforting the woman beside her.

Mrs. Anika Mittal.

Or should I say… Miss Anika?

The moment we reached my room, I yanked my hand away.

"What the hell is happening?" I demanded. "And why is Radhya's mom here? In that state?"

Aaliyah pressed her lips together as if debating how to answer.

"Say it, Aaliyah!" My patience was hanging by a thread. "For god's sake, just tell me already!"

She took a deep breath before finally speaking.

"Radhya's mom was beaten up… by her husband. They had a fight, and he hit her."

She said it all in one breath, as if she was afraid she wouldn't be able to say it if she stopped midway.

I felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs.

"What?"

My voice was barely above a whisper.

What kind of nonsense was this?

"Do you even hear yourself, Aaliyah? She's a billionaire. Who would dare lay a hand on her? And where the hell were her guards?"

I couldn't wrap my head around it. Something about this situation wasn't adding up.

"She was in her bedroom. Who keeps guards in their bedroom?" Aaliyah snapped, shaking her head in frustration.

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my face with my hands.

I still couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

But I kept my expression neutral. There was no point in worrying Aaliyah any further.

"Where's Mom?" I asked, shifting the topic. "She should be here."

I sat down on the couch, trying to still my restless mind. Sitting wasn't the best solution, but I didn't want to pace around like a madman in front of Aaliyah.

She sat beside me, facing me.

"She's out for a promotional ad shoot," she answered.

I sighed.

Mom is a social influencer. She's always out for work. But for a moment, a thought had crossed my mind—what if she had left because she was upset?

But no. That wasn't the case.

"Does she know about this?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"Does Mom know?"

"Yeah. She knows. And she's fine with it." Aaliyah shrugged. "I mean, helping someone in their bad times is a good thing, right?"

She said it so casually, as if she had just rescued a stray puppy and not brought in a whole storm with her.

"She's just going to stay here for a few days and then leave." Aaliyah added nonchalantly.

"She's going to stay here?"

I nearly jumped off the couch.

"What about Mom?"

Radhya's mom staying here… meant hurting my mom.

I can't let that happen.

But the truth is, I can't upset Radhya either... I can't go against her mom.