As Aarav took a few steps back, a desperate scream rang out.
"Stop! You little cockroach!" his uncle bellowed. "Do you really think you can take control of the business without messing it up? You really think you can?"
Aarav paused, unimpressed, as his uncle's voice wavered.
"Listen... there's a chance I might recover, although—"
"Shut the fuck up, would ya?" Aarav cut him off. "Do you really think I need you? What do you think I'm studying in college? It's business! And ours is really simple. All we have to do is reach out to people, find out if there's an occasion, and offer our services. We have all the assets we need, and every single one of them belongs to us! If someone who never even went to high school could run it, why the hell can't I?" Aarav chuckled coldly.
His uncle swallowed hard. "But... don't—don't share that recording with anyone. I don't want to spend the last of my days like that. Can you please delete—"
Aarav smirked. "You can suck my—" He stopped himself and scoffed. "Ugh, disgusting. What am I even saying? And look at you—you'd probably do it. Oh my god, shit." He shook his head. "Listen, if anything, why don't you tell your sister all the shit you've done yourself? I don't want to be the one to hurt her like that. Your words weren't enough for me, but maybe they'll be enough for her. You've got until evening. If you don't do it, I will."
He turned to leave, but before he could step away, his uncle called out one last time.
"Hey, kid... I know you won't forgive me, but still... I'm sorry. Sorry for what I did."
Aarav didn't stop walking.
"Fuck off. I can tell a liar at first glance, and a piece of shit like you can't persuade me." He chuckled darkly as he disappeared into the distance.
Aarav walked, still carrying a slight limp in his stride.
"Damn it... that was a piece of cake. He dug his own grave. If only he had just sat his ass down on that sofa... but I guess I'm really lucky."
He pulled out his phone, quickly sending the recorded audio to his mother. Then, without hesitation, he called her.
She picked up. "Aarav?"
"Hey, Mom... I'm sorry for what I'm about to do, okay?"
A worried pause. "Aarauu... what's wrong?"
"It's going to hurt, so prepare yourself. Stay on the line, okay? Check your phone—I sent you an audio. I'm really sorry, Mom. I love you. Stay strong."
Silence.
Then a few rustling movements on the other end, followed by an eerie stillness.
"Mom? Mom, are you there?" Aarav asked, his grip on the phone tightening. "Mom?"
A sharp, pained voice finally broke through.
"Idiot! I'm an idiot!" she cried. "How could he? He's my own brother! I knew he was in bad company, but I thought..." Her voice cracked as sobs overtook her.
Aarav clenched his jaw, listening to his mother's painful cries before ending the call. He took a deep breath and kept walking.
"I'm sorry, Mom... but it had to be done. I know you'll be fine. And do you really think I'd trust a leech like him?"
Aarav moved, step after step, until he got on a bus. His face was void of all emotion. He thought he would feel satisfaction—some kind of relief—but there was nothing. Just emptiness.
In a hurry, he pulled out his phone and called his sister. It rang once… twice… then he realized—she was probably in school.
He sighed and switched to recording a voice message instead.
"Hey, fatty—ah… no, you're not fat anymore. And I'm sorry. I barely even talked to you in these past three years, even though we live under the same roof. I have my reasons… ones you don't seem to understand.
"But listen—our house is full of leeches and liars. Every last one of them. Don't trust them. I sent you a recording… it might hurt, but I know you're strong.
"Your brother is weak. Instead of fighting, I hid myself away in the room our father used before he got married. I'm sorry… I hated Mom for being ignorant. I know I'm hopeless. But if you can… please, forgive this brother of yours.
"And also—yesterday… your slap was light, but it hurt me the most.
"Take care, you little—"
The recording ended.
"Haaa…" Aarav let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples.
"Now what? Should I go to the cops… or should sue that asshole?" He muttered to himself.
He scoffed. "Nah. I don't have money. So I guess… this might be enough for now."
A chuckle escaped his lips. A strange sense of relief washed over him, seeping into his bones. He felt… calm. His gaze drifted upward—the sky stretched endlessly, painted in a soft shade of blue, with wisps of white clouds lazily floating by. It was beautiful. For the first time in what felt like forever, he took a moment to admire it.
The bus slowed to a stop. Aarav stepped off, still carrying a slight limp as he made his way toward the college.
"Presentation, huh?" He muttered, shaking his head.
Just then, his phone buzzed. A notification popped up.
College Group Chat
"All students of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year BBA are requested to come to the auditorium as per schedule. We have to finish presentations in two days. This might be a good learning opportunity for everyone."
Aarav's face paled.
"Shit!"
"Where's the auditorium, by the way?"Aarav muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he walked into the college.
As he moved, a familiar figure passed by. His eyes narrowed.
"Gheya!"
Their eyes met for a brief moment—then Gheya simply walked past him, acting as if he hadn't seen him at all.
Aarav's fists clenched. "You little—"
Then it hit him. Right. Yesterday.
He must've looked like an absolute asshole back then. Gheya hadn't seen him give that poor kid the chocolate—he only saw the part where Aarav snapped. Damn it. He sighed. He'd have to apologize later.
Shaking his head, he made his way inside—
No way!
A massive crowd packed the entrance to the auditorium. Just looking at it made his chest tighten.
Claustrophobic!
He swallowed hard, scanning the room. Then, at the very back—an empty space.
"Guess I got no choice, do I?" He muttered, pushing through.
Just as he was about to sit down—
"Hey man, can I—"
Before he could finish his sentence, he was shoved aside. A large girl dropped into the seat, effectively cutting off his only escape.
Aarav blinked, his body stiff. He was wedged between two people, no room to move.
Just then, recognition struck.
Boy-cut raven black hair. Fair skin. Thick eyelashes over dark eyes.
The girl looked undeniably cute in that style.
And then—his brain and mouth moved at the same time.
"You were that girl from yesterday!"