Evening time, at Kaushal Bhavan.
As they arrived at Chandni Chowk metro station, Ruhani and Aakriti purchased a bottle of vodka, cold drinks, and snack packets from a nearby wine shop.
Aakriti quickly called her family to inform them she'd be staying over at Ruhani's place.
They then hailed an auto to Kaushal Bhavan. Just as they arrived, they spotted Ruhani's father, Mr. Alok, pulling into the driveway in his car.
Aakriti nudged Ruhani anxiously, whispering, "Look, your dad's arrived at the worst possible time! Hold the bag tightly, hope he doesn't hear the bottle clinking."
Ruhani calmly reassured Aakriti, "Relax, I've got the bag secure. And try to act normal, or Dad will get suspicious seeing your nervous face."
As Mr. Alok approached the main gate, he spotted Aakriti alongside Ruhani and greeted her warmly, "Ah, Aakriti dear!"
Aakriti, visibly flustered, stuttered, "N-namaste, uncle."
Ruhani intervened, "Dad, Aakriti's joining us for dinner and staying over tonight."
Mr. Alok's pleasant demeanor put Aakriti at ease, unaware of the concealed vodka bottles in Ruhani's bag.
Aakriti's nervous smile persisted as Mr. Alok jovially laughed, holding up packets of kaju katli and kachoris. "So, that's why you ordered these this morning!"
The trio entered the house, chuckling. Mr. Alok's wife, Mrs. Aabha, emerged from her room, smiling at Aakriti. "Hey Aakriti dear, how are you?"
Mr. Alok handed her the packets, announcing, "Aakriti's joining us for dinner tonight."
Ruhani headed upstairs, instructing Mrs. Aabha, "Tell Naina not to disturb us, Mom. Aakriti's staying over."
Mrs. Aabha's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I would've prepared something special for dinner."
Aakriti's anxious smile continued. Ruhani justified, "Mom, she left without dinner last time, so I got upset. That's why I brought her here today."
Ruhani gestured upstairs with her eyes, beckoning Aakriti to follow.
As soon as they entered the room, Aakriti dumped her purse on the chair and collapsed onto the bed, exhaling deeply. "We made it!" she said, relieved.
Ruhani carefully placed her bag on the bedframe, raising an eyebrow. "We did, thanks to me. You were on the verge of blowing it."
Aakriti sat up, joining her eyebrows. "What did I do?"
Ruhani retorted, "You were giggling like a lunatic in front of Mom and Dad. I salvaged the situation."
Aakriti defended herself, "What could I do? We had a bottle in the bag, and I freaked out when I saw your parents."
Ruhani corrected her, "You didn't have the bottle, I did."
Aakriti's face lit up. "Forget that! You got sweets and kachoris from The Kaushal Sweets just for me! You're the best!"
Ruhani's expression turned somber. "I didn't get them for you."
Taking a deep breath, Ruhani continued, "I realized I've been so caught up in my own world, I forgot how my behavior affects my family. They don't say it, but it's affecting them. Seeing the joy on Dad's face when I ordered the sweets... I don't want to trouble anyone because of myself."
Aakriti shifted the mood, playfully saying, "But I benefited from it! Now, shall we head to dinner? We have our party to start, don't we?"
Shortly after, Ruhani and Aakriti headed downstairs for dinner.
After dinner
After dinner, everyone bid each other good night and retreated to their rooms. Ruhani and Aakriti settled into theirs, chatting for a while before starting to drink.
A few glasses of vodka later, they were both pleasantly tipsy. As they reminisced about their school days, laughter filled the room.
They enjoyed this care free moment, occasionally dancing to music on their phones and giggling uncontrollably. Suddenly, they silenced each other with fingers on lips, shushing loudly.
Ruhani whispered, "Don't laugh so loudly like witches, everyone will wake up."
Aakriti covered her mouth with both hands and nodded childishly. Ruhani smiled, amused.
Aakriti then leaned back, stretching her arms behind her, palms flat on the floor. "Today, after so many days, we're sitting together and drinking. It's so much fun! It brings back memories of old times," Akriti said, gazing upwards.
Ruhani, lost in thought, hadn't registered Aakriti's words. When Aakriti finished speaking and turned to her, Ruhani seemed engrossed in another world.
Aakriti grasped Ruhani's shoulders with both hands, shaking her vigorously. "Did you even hear what I just said? Or are you sleeping with your eyes open?"
Ruhani's expression remained unreadable. "There's something I haven't shared with you."
Aakriti, still in high spirits, asked, "What haven't you shared?"
Ruhani locked eyes with Aakriti, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I tried to end my life that day."
*******
What happens next?
What did Ruhani do that day, finally?
Why did Ruhani hide her attempt to end her life from Aakriti?
How will Aakriti react after hearing Ruhani's shocking confession?"
Let me know in the comments and likes below!
Stay tuned for the next chapter of
'Chat By Fate' exclusively on Web Novel.
.
.
Dear readers! Please don't forget to leave your valuable reviews after reading my novel.
For more engaging stories, follow me on Web Novel
and stay updated on my novels through Instagram @(author.rabina).
.
.
Thank you!