Chapter 15Rishab raised his racquet and slammed the ball into the front wall so hard that it echoed like a gunshot, bounced back and caught Adrian in the shin. "Son of a bitch," his brother-in-law and best buddy said.
"Sorry." Rishab wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt. He was dripping with sweat and smelled till seventh heaven. "My point." He went back to the serving line, tossed up the ball and whacked it. "Ace."
Adrian mumbled something but Rishab din't ask what. He was playing like a manic, like he'd done everything else these past ten days. He'd lost five pounds between the games of racquetball, running and lifting. It was the only way he could stop thinking about her. He was so pissed he wanted to rip something apart and the excercise helped.
"That's it," Adrian said after a while.
Rishab pivoted. "Huh?"
"You won, Rish. Again. "
"Oh."
Adrian closed the distance between them. "Besides you have a date in two hours."
Rishab nodded. He had been packing his schedule tight from morning till evening these past ten days. And during nights, he kept hitting numerous bars as none of his dates could interest him for more than couple of minutes.
Adrian gathered up his bag and towels as Rishab did, and accompanied him out of the court, down to the locker room. Once they'd showered and dressed. Adrian checked his watch. "You have some time. Grab some coffee with me?"
"I don't think so. I'll rather..."
"It's important, Rishab."
Since Adrian called him anything but Rish, Rishab paused. He wondered if something was wrong with his sister and him. He hardly noticed what was happening around himself last ten days, and was ashamed of himself now.
"Sure."
They stopped at the Starbucks. When they were seated, Adrian faced. His shrewed eyes held a hint of what? Exasperation."I drew the short straw."
"Excuse me?"
"Your parent's, Mayra, me - we all are wondering what happened. "
"Happened, when?"
"Oh, about a week ago. You're getting all touchy, feely, mood swings.
"We are worried about you."
"Go to hell," he said good naturedly.
"Seriously"
"Thanks, " he sipped his cafe au lait enjoying its sweet taste.
"Is it a woman?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"You have all the signs of a troubled love life."
"It's not love."
"Madhubala seems in love to me."
Over the rim of the cup, he stared at Adrian, "you think so?"
"It was obvious to everyone present at the party."
Rishab ducked his head. "All right. What do I have to do, so it doesn't bite in my ass."
"Are you sure?"
He then pictured her saying her final "good bye".
Xxx
"Hold on, kiddo. I can't keep up." Nick bent at the knees and gulped fresh air. "Hell, I had no idea, you were in such good shape. "
"Good shape, oh, yeah." Madhu stopped jogging. "You used to be able to outrun me."
Finally Nick straightened up. " I think you are outrunning something else."
Madhu stretched her calf Madhu. "I have no idea what you are mean. "
Nick also stretched his muscles. "Okay, lie to your favorite person in this world. "
"Okay, I accept, its about Rishab. But believe me it's history now."
"I dont think so."
"Doesn't matter."
She felt tears prick her eyes.
"Damn it. It's over."
"After that day, I haven't seen or heard from him."
"And you haven't called him either."
"No."
"Don't tell me, you think I should call him after what he told me and what happened that day."
"I think you should join a convent."
She rolled her eyes. They started running again.
After a while, Nick spoke again. "For what's it worth, I think he is a good guy, Madhu."
She threw a sideway glance to him. "He punched you in your face, a little over a week ago."
"I know, but he thought I was your ex."
"I know."
"And you haven't set the score straight with him."
"For God's sake Nick, gimme a break. Whenever you guys see each other, you'll jump guns."
"I think he shouldn't have asked me to make a choice between you and him. Damnit, he hadn't even given me that choice. If he can't trust me and give me, my space. I can never have a relationship with him. For me Nick - you are family, my only family left. Don't push me anymore. Let's leave this here."
INDEX
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
