What Aniket saw happening in that room, was beyond all his imaginations. Ritvik was trapped in between Rizwaan and Aditya, and was as motionless as a dead meat. Arnav was standing a little away from them recording a video on his smartphone of this barbarian incident, which all three of them were enjoying.

Before Arnav could understand what happened, he received a hard punch on his nose when he turned back to see who this unexpected guest was, yelling and interrupting their game. He was the first one and closest to Aniket on the way to Ritvik. The mobile handset that Arnav was holding in his hand to record the video, slipped  on the floor and its screen got multiple cracks. He himself could not tolerate the powerful punch and fell on ground, bleeding. For a moment he lost his vision and everything turned dark for him.

Aniket’s powerful punch was so effective that made Rizwan fear of his next action. Rizwan himself had a gym toned, heavy Body-built but he got scared of Aniket’s anger and punch.  His grip holding Ritvik tightly became loose, and Ritvik became almost free of his tight grip. Aditya, when saw Arnav lying on floor, bleeding, felt a shiver in his spine and stepped back, and close to Rizwan to save himself from Aniket. It was obvious, next target would be Aditya as he was closest to Aniket who was still standing near Arnav’s body lying on floor.  Arnav was still alive as he was breathing but his eyes were closed.  Aniket bent down and picked up the mobile handset from floor and kept it in his pocket.

Next, when Aniket stood up and looked at Ritvik, he found no one holding him anymore. He was set totally free, but still in the same pose. His body was still motionless, like a dead-body, collapsed on Rizwan’s body for support. Aniket got up, moved slowly to Ritvik, and held his shoulder to pick him up. Till now, Ritvik was senseless, motionless, as if he was no longer aware of what was happening around him or with him. He had not even responded to Aniket’s voice that made everyone else in the room alert. But as soon as Aniket touched his shoulder, there was a slight movement in his body. The life-less body started showing symptoms of life again. He instantly recognized the same caring and loving touch that he was familiar with. This touch brought back symptoms of life in Ritvik’s body. His dried eyes once again started overflowing and warm tears started rolling out, some of which picked the route of Rizwan’s chest where Ritvik’s head was placed so far.

Recognizing the familiar touch, and assurance from Aniket’s presence, Ritvik moved his head from near the underarms of Rizwan, where it was kept till now. His eyes were densely filled with tears, one after other, so he could not see clear faces. The unbearable pain attacked him as a fresh wound, as soon as he tried to move. Ritvik gave up all his courage to move and left his body loose in same pose. He was unable to speak. All thoughts had already disappeared hours back with his voice. His unending pain and suffering was coming out through his tears.

Aniket, who understood each and every movement of Ritvik better than Ritvik knew about himself, clearly noticed the situation. His all focus and attention was now only on Ritvik who needed help. This was no time to focus on Rizwan and others when his love of life, Ritvik, needed him. Ritvik was always his priority. He raised both his hands to support Ritvik, and helped him to stand up.

Ritvik could hardly stand straight. As soon as he turned his face toward him, he momentarily could glimpse through Ritvik’s face before he collapsed on him. Aniket embraced him in his arms tightly. It was next to impossible for Ritvik to fell or get hurt when Aniket was around him. The momentary glimpse of Ritvik’s face made him realize all the severe pain and suffering that Ritvik’s body and soul was undergoing for last few hours. That pain was unbearable for Aniket too. His eyes became watery realizing what his sweet, innocent, love has gone through. They became one body and one soul for a few moments. Ritvik’s pain and suffering were Aniket’s pain now.

Aniket hugged him tightly in his arms. Everything else surrounding him eloped. There was no room, no one else except his love Ritvik in his arms and he himself. He did not know when he started crying hugging Ritvik in his arms. Ritvik was still speechless, and almost motionless. He was unable to stand on his own. It brought Aniket back to his senses and he realized his love, Ritvik, needed his support.  He took Ritvik in is arms and turned back. He picked up Ritvik’s Jeans and his shirt lying on floor, and helped him dress up before leaving the flat.