Page 19 of Born in Ruin

Mayukhi nodded, “Hello.”

“Hello,” he said, his voice cool with dislike. “Dhriths, what can I get you to drink?”

“Just a beer, thank you.” Dhrithi smiled at him, clearly trying to thaw the frost encasing Amay but it wasn’t working. He walked away from them and towards the humongous fridge in the kitchen.

“Don’t take my corn chips,” Ishaan called out.

Mayukhi pulled a face. “Trust you to like corn chips.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ishaan asked, sipping on his scotch and walking over to where they stood. “What’s wrong with corn chips?”

“It’s like the food of serial killers.” Mayukhi grimaced, following a laughing Dhrithi to the couch.

“Sounds about right,” Amay murmured, coming over to hand Dhrithi her beer. He sat down on the couch and dragged her closer, until she was leaning against him, her head resting on his shoulder.

The front door opened again and a new entrant strolled in. This one…this one she recognised immediately.

“Hello Mayukhi.” His serious gaze rested on her seeming to clock every inch of her in a second. “Hope you’re well.”

“Virat Jha,” she said, her eyes widening as she took him in. She’d met him a few years ago at her father’s business partner’s office. He’d been there for a meeting. She was pretty sure he was wearing the same jeans and ratty black t-shirt as he had on that day. Clearly, he didn’t share his friend’s love for fashion. It did nothing to detract from that face and body of his. Virat, the quiet, introverted nerd at school, had grown into a walking, talking embodiment of every woman’s most sinful dream.

And still, her gaze was drawn to Ishaan who was watching her closely, looking for something. The frown on his face told her he hadn’t found whatever it was.

“Of course,” she murmured, “Why am I surprised? The three of you were inseparable at school. Clearly, nothing has changed.”

“A lot has changed,” Dhrithi said from her cosy little seat beside Amay. “We’ve all grown up for one.”

“We have,” Amay confirmed. “Except for Ishaan.”

Mayukhi laughed, the sound of it startling everyone. The men looked at her like she’d sprouted horns. Dhrithi grinned, her earlier ire receding. Mayukhi looked over at her, shame at her earlier behaviour causing her to shift uncomfortably in her seat.

“I’m sorry,” she told Dhrithi. “My comment was uncalled for.”

Dhrithi stopped smiling. “It was,” she said simply, not bothering to elaborate on that response.

Mayukhi met her gaze. “Can we start over?”

Dhrithi leaned forward, her gaze warming. “I would like that. Welcome Yukhi, to our little group. Condolences on your engagement.”

“You mean congratulations?” Mayukhi asked with a small smile.

“Oh no honey.” Dhrithi laughed, loud and clear. “You’re engaged to that one.” She jabbed a thumb in Ishaan’s amused direction. “Condolences is all I have to offer.”

ELEVEN

Ishaan

“Have you got anything new?” Ishaan asked Virat as they stood out on his balcony for a smoke, or rather for Ishaan to smoke while Virat shoved his hands in his pockets and brooded.

A burst of laughter from the drawing room had them glancing inside. Dhrithi and Mayukhi were talking and laughing, Amay watching them with an indulgent smile.

“Do you trust her?” Virat asked now, not answering Ishaan’s question.

Ishaan looked to where Mayukhi took another small, controlled sip of her glass of wine. She was either the slowest drinker in the world or she was being extra careful to stay in control tonight. Knowing her, it was the control thing.

“Everything I know about her says I shouldn’t,” Ishaan said.

“But?”

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