Page 23 of Chasing Hope

Going about his business around the room, Aarav ratted out instructions. ‘Make sure he drinks enough water. It will flush out the toxins in his body, which will help him get rid of the virus faster. Chicken soup with veggies will kick start his appetite and give him an immune boost. Raw honey will help coat his irritated throat and soothe his urge to cough; it is sweet so he will enjoy the taste. Coconut oil should ease his throat irritation. Steam inhalation in your bathroom cubicle twice a day. It should take around a week or two of good rest and he will be right as rain.’ Phoenix barked in agreement. Ethan buried his face in Phoenix's neck, relieved that there was nothing serious. Aarav shoved his hands in his pockets and the same superior look was back on his face. ‘Did you catch all that or do you need me to write it down for you?’

Ethan flipped him off and put Phoenix back on solid ground. He skimmed his hands in his pockets and gazed absently at the x-ray machine tucked away in the far corner. Right now, if Aarav read Ethan’s thoughts, he would go apeshit on him. Ethan’s face contorted as he’d prefer not to be on the receiving end of that. So he just shut his mouth and buried his thoughts.

‘Why do you look like someone just kneed you in the balls?’

Ethan shook his head. Nothing escaped the twat’s intuitive nature.

‘Spit it out. Otherwise, I’m going to start charging you by the hour.’

‘I kissed Hope,’ Ethan blurted, in order to get it over with. Aarav quirked a brow. ‘She doesn't know it was me. We kissed when I was role playing as Masked Man.’ Aarav's laughter startled both Ethan and Phoenix.

‘Fuck, man. And you’re lecturing me about morals and shit.’ He rubbed the tears from his eyes, saw the screwed-up look on Ethan’s face and had another fit. ‘Tread with caution, Ethan. You might just bite off more than you can chew,’ Aarav threw his words back at him. Ethan cringed at the unmistakable irony. ‘And who the fuck named you “Masked Man”?’ Ethan ignored his outburst, not finding it funny in the least.

Ethan bated his breath thinking about the source of hisquandary. Fuck, this shit was getting confusing. It felt like he was dealing with a split personality disorder. He sighed, rubbing his temples. The whole of last week, Hope spoke of nothing else, other than the stories of her night with “Masked Man”. And the dauntless way he dealt with Himesh’s goons. Ethan sat in his office chair putting on a pretentious act as she went on and on about his gallantry, unaware that she was praising him without knowing it was him she went gaga over. Damn, it felt like listening to a star-struck teenager. If Hope came to know she’d said all those things about him tohimof all people, she would fling herself off a cliff. Who knew that a brief kiss in the moonlight would leave such an ineradicable impression on his mind, body and soul. As much as he avoided thinking about it. Every time she came at arm’s length, it took a fuckton of strength to stop himself from going at her like those crazy-ass teenagers in the rock concert. A few nights with Hope had got him rethinking his life’s choices, uncertain for how long he would carry on with this farce. And also, if he wanted to continue living this double life. Once she learned the truth, Hope would despise him even more.

Phoenix whimpered and rubbed his cheek against Ethan’s trousers, undoubtedly sensing his unrest. Ethan wiggled out of his worries and trailed his hand over Phoenix’s head in an attempt to ease his concerns.

‘What is it that’s bothering you, Ethan?’ Aarav asked, growing concerned. ‘You haven’t been yourself lately. Is it because you are developing feelings for Hope and with this dual play you feel like you are deceiving her?’

Ethan let out a harsh breath and sagged in the cushioned chair. He slammed his eyes shut and the back of his head hit the wall. ‘I think I’m losing it, man. Hope called me a cold-blooded murderer. It was her first thought. I know she didn’t mean it. But deep down I also know that I’m very close to tipping over the line,’ he said, his voice sounding hollow. On a ragged sigh, he opened his eyes and Aarav’s penetrating gaze studied him. ‘I still wake up in a cold sweat with the horrific realisation that I came so close to snapping the heads off the two bastards who raped that poor innocent woman. This time I barely managed to pull back in time. What if the next time I can’t?’ Dread mounted his heart, cracking it in half. His blood chilled at the terrifying notion of killing another human being. Aarav trudged towards him and squeezed his shoulder.

‘It’s time to let go, Ethan.’

‘I… I don’t know how.’ Ethan’s voice choked and his eyes burned with tears.

‘Your dad’s sins do not define you. You are not him. He was a fucking traitor.Heis the reason your mom’s dead,not you. Promise me you will end this, man, before it’s too late,’ Aarav beseeched him.

Ethan’s pulse throbbed as he met Aarav’s imploring gaze. He could not bring himself to give Aarav assurance. Forcing himself to breathe, Ethan gave Aarav a small smile.

‘You are such an asshole, but I’m so grateful to have you in my life.’

Aarav slapped Ethan on the back and threw him a crazy-ass grin. ‘Just remember that when you’re writing your will.’ His expression hardened. ‘And don’t for a second think I’m dumb. You can deflect the question all you want. But soon you yourself will get tired of living this miserable binary existence. And when that happens, I just pray you will come out of it whole.’

Aarav had voiced Ethan’s thoughts out loud. A great deal of how Ethan felt about the situation depended on him and him alone. He could either make it or break it for himself.

Chapter Fourteen

‘I swear to God, that shitface gives me that lecherous look one more time, I am going to stab him with my heel.’ Anjana ground her teeth and her fingers curled around her champagne flute. The shitface in question swished around from group to group playing the perfect host. The bastard was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

‘I thank the Lord at least his nude portrait is veiled. That philandering sleazeball gives me the creeps.’ Mahika shuddered and pasted her body to Anjana’s side. Anjana glared at her, hissing a curse.

‘For the love of all that’s holy, Mahi. Stop sticking to me. I’m already roasting in this god awful leather pantsuit.’ Anjana huffed out a tired breath. Mahika snorted, glaring at her.

‘Don’t blame me for your shitty choice in dressing. I told you to wear the shocking pink sequin dress instead.’

‘Please, I’m not here for aPlayboyaudition. Keep your pathetic ideas to yourself. And you don’t necessarily have to match your dresses with your hair streaks every time.’ Anjana’s face screwed up as she gazed at Mahika’s short orange number.

Mahika flipped her orange-streaked hair and raised her chin defensively. ‘I’m not stuck up like you. I am a free-spirited soul and I do what my heart desires. You—’

‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph!’ Hope exploded. Taking notice of her surroundings, she quickly pasted a false smile for those who shot them curious glances. ‘You guys are picking fights like jealous teenagers. One would have thought I would have learnt my lesson since the last two times I let you guys tag along. Guess, I’m missing a few nuts in my brain,’ she spoke through clenched teeth. ‘Anj, for the love of God, with those ridiculously high heels you are looking taller than the tallest man in the room.’ Which was an exaggeration, but still close enough to the truth. In her heels, Anjana stood at a good six feet. Hope dragged in a breath and shifted her glare at Mahika, who was all of five feet nothing. ‘Mahi, you have the bling of a traffic light. It’s so garish that my eyes hurt. And when did you streak your hair orange? I specifically told you guys to dress down. We are supposed to blend in. Not stand out.’ Hope’s eyes crossed in exasperation. ‘Kill me. Kill me now.’ She heaved a haggard sigh.

Mahika and Anjana took a glance at each other. They loved to toy with Hope. Suppressing their smiles they waited for Hope to cool her heels. In a calculated move, Hope clutched their hands and marched ahead, dragging them to a corner of the hall. Bright gold lights emitted from a smoky grey glass chandelier illuminating the massive hall. On her way, she passed the stage where a live band played beautiful western classical music. At least something was good in this shithole place.

‘Look, he’s added a new artefact to his brass collection since the last time we were here,’ Anjana announced, pointing at the glass showcase.

‘Put your hand down,’ Hope scolded, slapping Anjana’s palm.

‘Ouch,’ Anjana said, rubbing her stinging palm. She narrowed her eyes at Hope. ‘You’re awfully meanspirited today.’ Ashamed of her behaviour, Hope grabbed Anjana in a quick hug.

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