CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6

Ekanksh sank into his bed, gently brushing his hair back, carefully considering Ansh's words.Do I really need someone? Will there ever be someone who genuinely loves me—not just for my money?

He stood up and walked toward the balcony. As he opened the door, the birds that had been chirping happily flew away. He let out a deep sigh.

"That was a really deep sigh, Eksh."

Parth had silently crept up behind Ekanksh, unnoticed.

"Damn you, Parth. You scared me."

Parth laughed as he patted his friend's back."Nothing to be scared of, my friend."

"Any calls from the head office?" Ekanksh asked, worry clouding his tone. He was anxious about how things were unfolding back in Tokyo.

"You don't have to worry about work when I'm here. Just relax with your family."

Parth sighed, leaning beside Ekanksh.

Ekanksh let out another deep sigh.

"Okay, spit it out."

"Huh?" Ekanksh looked at Parth, confused.

Parth exhaled, then continued, "I've been by your side for a couple of years now, Ekanksh. I know you. Now tell me—what's on your mind?"

Ekanksh looked at Parth."Do you really think I should get into a relationship?"

"You're scared of getting into one?"

"Yes. After what happened last time… I am."

"Ekanksh," Parth said, leaning in to meet his eyes, "I think you should forget about that girl. She was never made for you."

"So, you mean to say I wasn't invested in her?" Ekanksh asked, hurt.

"That's not what I meant, idiot. Your love for her was genuine. It was real love—but she wasn't worth it. She was never ready for your… vibrations."

"Whoa, hold on, Parth. You lost me. What vibrations?" Ekanksh asked, brows creased in frustration.

"Okay. Let's begin: Parth's Guide to Love Life," Parth announced dramatically, exhaling and briefly closing his eyes before looking at Ekanksh with a smirk.

Ekanksh scoffed."Your guide to love life? Oh please. You've been hopelessly single your whole life."

"Well, that doesn't mean I can't preach, Eksh."

"Alright then, let's hear what you've got." Ekanksh leaned on the railing.

"According to me," Parth began, gesturing wildly with his hands, "every person vibrates on a different frequency. Your soulmate—they vibrate on the same one. That's how you know they're meant for you."

"Okay, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Ekanksh said, walking back to his bed.

"That's not the point, Ekanksh. What I'm trying to say is…" Parth trailed off, struggling to find the right words.

He walked over and sat beside Ekanksh, patting his shoulder."You know, Eksh… Whenever you went to see her, your eyes never shone the way they do when you work. That's when I realized you weren't really happy with her."

"I was happy with her," Ekanksh said, refusing to say her name.

"Okay. Now look at me and say that again."

Ekanksh looked away, hating to admit that Parth was right.He had felt suffocated—but he'd assumed it was because of work. He often overworked himself. He'd thought that once they got married, things would settle, and they'd finally be happy.

"Alright. I admit you have a point. Toward the end… I did feel suffocated."

"See? That's what I'm saying. In true love, you're never supposed to feel that. It's supposed to be mutual. That girl," Parth added, jerking his head slightly, annoyed at the mention of Ekanksh's ex, "she never really tried. It was always you.

"Honestly, if I'd had a say in your relationship, trust me, my dear friend, I would've objected from the beginning. I would never have let you go through heartbreak—not over someone like her."

Ekanksh looked away.

Seeing this, Parth pulled him into a hug. At first, Ekanksh resisted. But eventually, he let his friend hold him.

"So now, if you're asking for my opinion, here's what I'll tell you." Parth placed a hand over Ekanksh's chest, just above his steadily beating heart. "Find someone who makes you feel complete. Someone who gives your heart a reason to keep beating—a reason to flutter."

Ekanksh pulled back slightly, raising a brow in surprise."When did you get so good?"

Parth scoffed."I've always been this good. You just never listened."

"Thank you. Really. I think… I'm just going to let Ansh do what he wants, while I let my heart guide me to my partner."

"There you are! I knew you were listening." Parth grinned, smacking Ekanksh's arm.

Ekanksh laughed, joining him. Their laughter echoed through the room.

It stopped almost immediately when the sweet, delicious aroma of lunch hit their noses.

Without another word, both men bounded down the stairs, racing each other to the table. The heaviness of the earlier conversation had melted away.

Unbeknownst to Ekanksh, his partner was about to unleash a storm of chaos in his perfectly organized life.