Chapter 121 - Arcane

| Innaya |

I failed to understand what Eshan was trying to do. I did not question him, neither I blamed my mother. She had a habit of hiding matters from others. She loved taking things in her hand, without taking help from anyone. She did not realize how this habit of hers hurt others. Asking Eshan to not share it, must have been her doing. I was not surprised.

"Eshan either leave us alone or keep quiet," Arjun cut in.

"Che diavolo è il tuo problema, Arjun? Smettila di stressarla. Smetti di interferire nella nostra vita," Eshan furiously continued in that foreign language. Perhaps because he did not want me to know. 

However, the hurt that flashed in Arjun's eyes told me that whatever Eshan said was not friendly, and Arjun's next sentence proved it.

"Interfering? I am interfering in your life?" Arjun scoffed before his eyes turned cold. "I am looking out for the people I love, who better than you know this?" A bitter smile spread on his lips. He jabbed his finger in Eshan's chest as he mumbled, "You kept pushing your nose in something you thought concerned me, and that my dear friend goes for me too."

Eshan's face lost all the anger, and he abruptly turned away not able to bear the glazed look in Arjun's eyes. The whole topic appeared as a secret between two best friends regarding something very sensitive matter so I dared not to make any inappropriate remark.

Somehow, I managed to find my voice, casting one glance at Eshan's back I said, "Eshan, you won't speak unless spoken to." Already I felt bad for being the reason for disagreement between them, but I would not drive the wedge between them nor would I let act Eshan rashly.

"Sorry about him," I apologized sincerely amidst the chocked up emotions. The apology was for the hurt Eshan caused Arjun because for a fleeting moment, I caught the sight of immense pain in Arjun's eyes.

Arjun hesitated as he looked at Eshan before he replied, "Mmm... That's fine... I have something else to show to you, but I am not sure now."

"Please," I urged helplessly.

Once again, we sat taking our seats, with Eshan still occupying one spot silently and drilling holes in the opposite wall. Shuffling through some worn-out pages Arjun pulled out stock of old pages and warily asked, "Do you want to know about the case of Ravindra Rawat?"

I contemplated for a while, why did that name ring a bell? 

Ravindra Rawat? 

A shudder ran through my body as if struck by a bolt of lightning. 

Ravindra Rawat. The man, who made my life hell, the man, because of whom I had suffered growing up, the man who tried to kill his blood. Ravindra Rawat, unfortunately, the very same man, who was the reason for my existence on this earth. 

My father.

"No," I shook my head vigorously. He was not the one I wanted to seek information about. Past was called as past because of some reason and I had learned long ago to not delude myself by indulging in the past. Grandpa taught me the importance of the present and future. I knew where my priorities lie.

"I thought so." Arjun nodded understandingly. "Look, I never intended to hurt you," he explained sincerely after keeping everything back in the folder.

"We know," Eshan replied on my behalf before he sat beside me, pulling me in his arm, "you were just looking out for her," he finished with a thankful nod. I sighed as the familiar warmth comforted me, and I relaxed in his arms. Eshan realized my need for support, and most importantly behaved as a mature adult he was.

"I love you, you know that right? I will always try my best to keep you happy. Take care of yourself and this husband of yours," Arjun said.

He placed his hand on my head affectionately before he ruffled my hair. Why did I feel he was saying goodbye? His voice though was joking on the last part, but it was laced with absolute seriousness that was hard to be mistaken.

"Arjun?" I called out just before he reached the door.

He stopped but did not turn back. "Hmm?"

"Why today and how?"

His mobile rang before I could get an answer from him.

"I have to take this, it's important. I am sorry," he briefly explained before answering the call, but he had turned towards us and leaned on the door.

"Yes."

"Okay."

This brief one-sided conversation lasted for only half a minute. However, the steely resolve in Arjun's eyes scared me. I looked towards Eshan, and he also noticed it, but he did not say anything.

"Take care both of you and don't fight. I won't be there for sorting out or being a mediator."

My heart completely missed a beat as Arjun uttered those words. He was actually scaring me. It was unusual behavior and never had I felt so unsettled for him.

"What do you mean? Where are you—"

"You aren't—"

Eshan and I both stood up and talked at the same time. However, the questions were totally opposite as if Eshan knew what was going on.

"Chill guys. I am going out of the city for a while." Arjun smiled but it did not reassure me. "And, take care of Fortune for me. I'll leave him with you guys.'

"Look, I am getting late. I will take my leave now. Bye." And, just like that, he was gone before we could stop him.

Eshan stared the way he left with complex emotions, and what I read in his eyes was fear tainted with worry. I could not bear the helpless look that crossed Eshan's feature, and the way he balled his hands tightly on his side did not escape from my eyes either.

Not being able to see the torment on his face, I moved close to him. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him before resting my head on his chest. Rather than the revelations Arjun did, my heart ached for the sudden exit he took and concluding by the rapid heartbeat of Eshan, I could only assume he felt the same.

Arcane— was the word I could use to describe Arjun. Someone very few could understand and maybe Eshan fell in that list. He was layered with the mysteries I could not comprehend.

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