Page 73 of Born in Grief

“So tight that none of you came to visit her in the hospital?” Amay asked, stepping forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Virat.

On the ground by their feet, Ashish moaned, stirring slightly.

“Come on Amay.” Ishaan grinned, his inner shark coming out to play. “You don’t honestly expect these highfliers to take time out of their busy lives to come and nurse someone?”

He saw the dawning awareness on the faces of the other men at the mention of his name.

“Surely, this was an exception to the rule though? She is their sister-in-law after all, and it was theirbrotherwho put her in the hospital in the first place.”

“Aatre.” Majid smiled, his gaze going from Amay to Ishaan. “And Adajania I presume. So, the three of you stuck together.”

“As did the five of you,” Virat replied. He toed a waking Ashish with his shoe making him grunt and swat at his foot. “Oh sorry! Just four now and we almost made it three.”

“Careful chutiya.” Naveen straightened from where he was leaning against the wall. “Have you forgotten what happened the last time you acted smart with us?”

Virat met his gaze, icy fire burning in his. “We haven’t forgotten a thing.”

Ashish sat up, one hand instinctively going to his jaw which had to be hurting like hell. Naveen leaned down and helped him to his feet. Parash and Majid flanked them.

It felt like school all over again, hatred and anger thickened the air as they faced each other. And yet, it was nothing like school.

“Are you looking for an action replay?” Majid asked. “Keep sticking your nose in our business, and we’ll come for you.”

“Oh please do. Come for us.” Ishaan smiled, a big, broad, grin, one that was tinged with a brutal madness. “We look forward to coming for you double.”

Amay felt a trembling hand come to rest on his back, fingertips pressing into his shirt, seeking reassurance. He reached out,his hand twisting to grasp hers and squeeze comfortingly. She clasped his hand with hers and stepped closer, her warmth seeping into his back.

“You guys have lost your minds.” Majid laughed. “You think you can come for us? Why? Just because you made a little money,” he wiggled his fingers at Ishaan. “You think you’ve become our equal?”

“You were rats then. You’re rats now. Just rats in better clothing I guess,” Parash mused.

“Aww, you like our clothes?” Ishaan pretended to preen.

Ashish stepped forward, one hand cupping his swelling jaw. “You’re going to regret this Aatre,” he sneered, like a B-grade Bollywood villain.

“I already do,” Amay told him coolly. “I would rather have spent the rest of my life never touching slime like you.”

Ashish’s furious gaze skimmed over Amay’s shoulder to where Dhrithi stood. “Sloppy seconds were always your style, especially when it came to her.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake!” Amay exploded, his clenched fist raised once more.

Ishaan caught it with one hand and stopped him. ‘You’re a surgeon. Stop damaging those precious, expensive fingers. If anymore punching is involved, I’ll take point.”

“Is this how you honour Varun’s memory?” Naveen demanded. “By fucking his enemy?”

“His enemy?” Dhrithi’s voice dripped scorn. “More like his victim. All he ever did was bully and torment others.”

“Why did you tell the cops about the other flats?” Majid asked, his gaze only on Dhrithi, ignoring the others in the room. “Revenge? Or are you looking for compensation?”

“How much do you want?” Naveen added. “We can tell Varun’s parents to fork it over.”

Amay glanced at Dhrithi, not answering for her. This was her moment to speak her truth.

“I want it all,” she said finally. “And I’m going to take it.”

Amay saw Ishaan and Virat glance at her in surprise.

“Money grabbing bitch.” Naveen’s lips twisted in an ugly sneer.

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