WebNovels

Chapter 32 - The 151 Days

Pranay's throat tightened, but he composed himself and said—"But one night… Shrey came home in a panic. His hands were covered in blood. His clothes had bloodstains all over..."

Prakhar straightened up immediately, his breath quickening—"What...? Was he hurt…?"

Pranay lowered his eyes—"He wasn't hurt... actually… he… he had committed murder… he killed Vihaan."

Prakhar's eyes widened in shock.

"What…??"His voice trembled.

Pranay took a deep breath, then said in a calm but heavy tone—"Yes… Shrey had killed Vihaan."

"But why?"Prakhar's eyes were now filled with confusion and concern.

Pranay took a sip of water, and without raising his eyes, began—"He had gone to a party… on Vihaan's invitation. At first, everything seemed normal. But later… Vihaan took him into a room and tried to force himself on him. Against his will…"

"Shrey resisted, but Vihaan became aggressive. Out of fear and panic, Shrey grabbed a nearby liquor bottle, smashed it, and stabbed him in the stomach."

Silence filled the room.

"He didn't survive… he died."Pranay's voice had begun to tremble."Shrey was shaking... Somehow, he made it home. I told Bhaiya, and he handled everything. The club's cameras, guards, clean-up—everything."

He paused, then added—"Vihaan's family wasn't very powerful… and Bhaiya… well, you can guess. He bribed the police, and kept Shrey away from it all."

Prakhar couldn't say anything—he just listened.

"Shrey went into depression… he started seeing himself as a murderer. It took a long time to get him out of that trauma. For almost two years, he stayed home and studied. He had completely cut himself off from people."

"Even in his first year of college, half the time went just in helping him step outside again… But slowly, he started getting better."

"After one vacation, he insisted on living alone… so Bhaiya didn't stop him. He sent him to this flat… but we had no idea you lived here."

"The day Shrey got that high fever and called for help… that's when we realized you were here too."

Now things started making sense to Prakhar—Pranay and Ajit's hypersensitive behavior towards Shrey, their constant protection, always looking out for his emotional state… the reason for all of it had finally surfaced.

"After spending some time with you… he really started changing. He laughed again, he talked again. Maybe subconsciously… he already recognized you."

"Bhaiya traced your identity… it came up as 'Prakhar Joshi,'"Pranay smiled softly,"But Bhaiya recognized you anyway… he was the eldest after all, nothing escapes his sharp eye."

Prakhar lowered his head and gave a faint smile.

"Is there anything else?"

"No… that was it,"Pranay took a long breath,"Look, I understand that my brother—"

Prakhar interrupted him—"It was self-defense. That's not wrong—by any means."

For a moment, both sat in silence.

"But… do you… do you consider him a murderer?"Pranay's voice trembled.

"No. Never."Prakhar's response was firm, unwavering.

"Then let go of the guilt…"he said softly,"I accept him in every way."

Pranay looked at him—eyes glistening with tears, but a sense of relief in his heart.Without a word, he pulled Prakhar into a hug.

"Now go sleep…"

"Hmm…"Pranay said with a smile,"Just one last…"He poured himself a final drink from the bottle, took it in one go, then stood up and said—"Thanks… for understanding."

When Pranay entered the room, he found Shrey sprawled across the bed, mouth open, fast asleep.He smiled gently, kissed his forehead, nudged him to the side, and hugged him as he drifted off.

Next Morning

The house was in chaos.

"I can't find my purple t-shirt!"Shrey was running around the room.

"Why are you acting like a child? Just wear anything—everything looks good on you anyway,"Pranay snapped.

"No! I want that one… only that one!"Shrey banged the door in protest.

"Go ask your Romeo,"Pranay kicked him out of the room in frustration,"You're driving me crazy…"

"I'll get you back for this!"Shrey shouted from outside, but Pranay slammed the door in his face.

"What's going on?"Prakhar came out, removing his earphones.

"My purple t-shirt is missing…"Shrey pouted.

"Did you bother to get the laundry from the terrace yesterday?"Prakhar raised his eyebrows, and Shrey remembered he had tossed the shirt in the wash.

"Please go get it for me…"Shrey pleaded.

"What's in it for me?"Prakhar asked playfully.

"What do you want?"

"So many things…"Prakhar said, eyeing him from top to bottom.

Shrey quickly wrapped himself in a towel."Stop looking at me like that…"

"Like what?"Prakhar teased.

"Offo! Just go get it or I'll be late!"Shrey groaned.

"Will you come with me for dinner tonight?"Prakhar asked suddenly.

Shrey widened his eyes, then after a pause said—"No…"

"Then go get your shirt yourself…"Prakhar shrugged and headed toward his room.

"Prakhar!"Shrey chased after him, annoyed.

"So? Will you come or not?"Prakhar turned and asked again.

"Fine… but only for half an hour! My time is very valuable…"

"Of course, you have a game to play…"Prakhar teased and headed up to the terrace, laughing.

A little while later, Shrey and Pranay were ready to leave for college when Prakhar said—"Wait, I'm heading out too. I'll drop you."

"And who will pick us up?"Shrey rolled his eyes.

"I'll come for that too. Happy?"Prakhar said, tugging his cheek.

"Oye!"Shrey huffed, but Prakhar and Pranay were already headed downstairs. Diamond (the dog) followed.

Shrey locked the door in mock anger and ran down after them.

Prakhar dropped both of them off and turned toward Bekari Café.

"Welcome, General…"Advait's smiling voice echoed as he walked in.

"I'm going to meet Kunwar…"Prakhar said, sitting down across from him.

"Hmm…"Advait handed him two cups of coffee.

There was a brief silence, then Prakhar spoke up—"I'm scared…"

"Of what?"

"After so many years, someone made me feel like I belong… I just don't want to screw it up."

Advait gave a soft smile—"Our lives are cursed, General… From the outside, it may seem all glitter and glam, but only we know the darkness within."

"You can't run from fate, Advait…"Prakhar turned to look out the window.

"Have you told Shrey?" Advait asked.

"I haven't had the courage…"

"You should. The foundation of a relationship must be strong—otherwise buildings collapse quickly…"

"I'm taking him on a dinner date tonight… I'll try."

Advait looked at him—after ages, there was peace on Prakhar's face.Advait smiled.

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