CHAPTER XXIII
The decision had to be made about who would go first to a safe place, and who would stay behind. If both teams were combined, there were fourteen people, and now eight had to go, leaving six behind. After that, four would return, and then those four would take four more, leaving only two people in the mansion. Aliyana turned to Blue and asked, "Blue, what if we try to search the mansion for a car or some other vehicle? Maybe we'll get lucky."
Blue's expression turned serious. "That's a risk we can't take. We're currently in the outermost part of the mansion, and it's huge. If we make one wrong move and encounter an infected lion or any other animal, it could be disastrous." I felt frustrated and snapped at Blue, "You're part of the special forces, and you're talking like a coward."
Blue's face turned red with anger. "I'm not talking like a coward, but your entire team is acting like one. You've been stuck in this mansion for half a day and one night, like hostages. If you wanted to, you could have left here without any help and saved the villagers and the team that got trapped here earlier." Haider intervened, trying to calm the situation. "Head Blue, Sam's just like that. She talks like that. Please don't get angry, and tell us what to do next."
I glared at Blue. "Blue Garg, if you think what you're saying is right, then are you going to stay in the mansion until the end?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "And as for the villagers, I'm going to save them." As I turned to leave, I said to Aliyana, "I didn't think you were so weak that you'd need to call for a team like this." Aliyana looked at me and said, "Sam, you don't make decisions in life when you're frustrated. Blue is talented. Yes, you've killed many people at once, but that doesn't mean you're stronger than everyone here."
Mahi grabbed my arm and said, "Sam, don't you think you're being a bit too rude? That's why you lost the person you loved, and now are you going to destroy yourself too?" Blue is looking out for our well-being. We're not capable of fighting those animals right now. You know what happened when the lion attacked our team? One of our members tried to attack it with an axe, but it didn't even hurt the lion. Our shotguns weren't effective, and we didn't get a chance to pull out our swords. We had to escape and save ourselves."
Aarvi pleaded with me, "Please, Sam, don't go. It's dangerous." My gaze fell on Mon, who was watching me calmly. Memories started flooding back, and Mon's eyes stopped me. I looked at her, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
The tension in the room was palpable, and everyone's emotions were running high. Blue's words had struck a chord, and I knew she was right. We couldn't take on the infected animals without a solid plan. But my pride and frustration wouldn't let me back down. The argument continued, with neither side willing to give in. In the end, it was Mahi and Aarvi who managed to calm me down, reminding me of the dangers that lay ahead and the importance of working together to survive.
The storm of questions and memories raged within me like a tempest, and I couldn't find any answers. Blue's words cut through the air, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and challenge. "What's wrong, Sam? Are you not going because you're scared?" I didn't respond to Blue's taunt, instead, I turned and walked away, entering a room that seemed to hold a silence. The heart was filled with old, golden moments, and my eyes brimmed with tears.
As I stood there, the memories came flooding back, like a tidal wave crashing against the shores of my mind. I could feel the weight of the past bearing down on me, the pain and the joy, the laughter and the tears. My eyes welled up with tears, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I was trapped in a sea of emotions, unable to escape the undertow of my own memories.
The room seemed to fade away, and I was transported back to a time when life was simpler, when love was new, and when the future seemed bright. I remembered the laughter, the smiles, and the moments we shared together. The memories were bittersweet, a mix of happiness and pain that threatened to overwhelm me.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I felt a presence behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. I could sense Mon's gaze on me, her eyes filled with a deep understanding and empathy. She knew me, knew my pain, and knew my fears. In that moment, I felt a sense of comfort, a sense of being understood, that I hadn't felt in a long time.
The storm of emotions raged on, but in that moment, I felt a sense of calm, a sense of peace that came from knowing that I wasn't alone. Mon's presence was a reminder that I had someone who cared for me, someone who understood me, and someone who would stand by me through the turmoil.
Snehal and Mahi were walking together, their arms affectionately wrapped around each other's shoulders, as they chatted about the upcoming football match. The excitement in the air was palpable, and Mahi's eyes sparkled with anticipation as Snehal asked, "Mahi, what do you think? Will Sam be able to defeat Ranav in football? He's the state champion, and even the teacher knows about this match. If Sam defeats Ranav, the teacher will send him straight to the state level."
Snehal's voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and concern, and Mahi's response was measured. "Snehal, I don't know who will win today, but whatever happens, you'll see it with your own eyes." Mahi's tone was neutral, but her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.
As they continued their conversation, Mahi's expression turned serious. "Malavika is also coming to watch the match; she thinks Sam must have fought with the boys again, which is why he's now trying to resolve things through a football match. But what if she finds out Sam's real intentions?" Mahi's voice was tinged with anxiety, and Snehal's response was calm.
"Look, I don't know about Malavika, but someone else is upset now," Snehal said, her voice low. Mahi's eyes darted around, and she nodded towards the front. "Look, over there," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Snehal followed Mahi's gaze and saw Aarvi standing there, her eyes fixed intently on them with a mix of annoyance and concern. Mahi quickly removed her arm from Snehal's shoulder, looking frightened. Snehal, however, seemed oblivious to the tension and asked Aarvi, "Aarvi, what happened? Why are you upset? Did Mahi do something again?"
Aarvi's expression was stern as she walked over to them. She removed Snehal's arm from Mahi's shoulder, her movements deliberate. "Snehal, it's like this, I'll tell you later. Right now, let me talk to Mahi." Aarvi's voice was firm, but Snehal's response was calm.
"Okay, as you wish. I'm leaving," Snehal said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. As she walked away, she cast a glance at Mahi, her smile lingering in the air. The tension between Aarvi and Mahi was palpable, and Snehal's knowing smile suggested that she was aware of the underlying dynamics between the two.
The air was charged with unspoken words, and it seemed that the conversation between Aarvi and Mahi was long overdue. Aarvi's eyes sparkled with concern and annoyance as she looked at Mahi, and Mahi's nervous expression suggested that she was aware of the gravity of the situation.
Aarvi's eyes blazed with anger, her face tense with frustration. Mahi, sensing her partner's mood, reached out and gently took Aarvi's hand. "My darling, what's wrong? Why are you upset?" Mahi's voice was soft and soothing, but Aarvi's response was sharp.
"You don't care about me at all, do you? You just go around with whoever you want, whenever you want," Aarvi said, her voice laced with hurt and anger. Mahi's expression turned calm, and she wrapped her arms around Aarvi from behind, pulling her into a gentle hug.
"Aaru, there's nothing to be jealous about. I love you," Mahi said, her voice filled with affection. "Please, sorry." Aarvi's response was cold, her body stiff with tension. "No," she said, her voice firm.
Mahi's voice became more urgent, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Please, please, sorry. Don't be upset with me." Aarvi's response was still cool, her voice detached. "Let me go. I need some space."
Just as it seemed like Aarvi was about to pull away, Mahi's lips brushed against hers, a gentle, soothing kiss that seemed to melt Aarvi's resistance. But before things could escalate further, Mon's voice cut through the air, her words a stark reminder of their surroundings.
"Hey, you two, you're still in college. If any teacher sees you like this, you're in trouble," Mon said, her voice firm but amused. Mahi quickly pulled away from Aarvi, a look of surprise on her face. "Oh, Mon," she said, her voice sheepish.
Aarvi's expression was still tense, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "What do you want, Mon?" she asked, her voice cool. Mon's response was matter-of-fact. "The football match is about to start. Let's go."
The tension between Aarvi and Mahi was still palpable, but Mon's words brought a sense of reality to the situation. They were in college, and they needed to be mindful of their surroundings. As they followed Mon to the football match, the air was still charged with unspoken emotions, but the excitement of the game was about to take center stage.
To be continue....