It horrified Aarush when he saw the seat in front of him empty. He scanned the whole restaurant and saw her getting out of here. Aarush was utterly confused about why she just left him behind. "Can I get the check, please?" He requested the server.
As soon as he paid the bill and took the bottle of wine which was untouched, he headed to the parking lot. She was sitting in the cab. He ran, but the cab had already left. She left, just like that. She left. He couldn't believe what he just witnessed and ran his hand through his hair. What could be the reason she had to leave like this? His head was spinning. He wanted this dinner with her for so long, 7 years of his life, he had waited for this perfect and special night.
Alas, at the very last moment, it was spoiled. He can't lose her again. Not now. A tear slipped from his eye. He sat on the pavement as he couldn't handle the burden and fear of losing her. He opened the bottle and gulped half of the bottle down. He wanted to drown the night away or possibly restart the last few hours. He would have done everything in his power to make her feel special, but he just felt helpless. It took too much strength to gather himself and he made his way to the car, driving back to his empty apartment. Now the only thing he wants is that this night gets over as soon as possible.
Aarush somehow found himself back on the bed and, wasting no minute, he drifted off to sleep, with one thought in mind that he had to get everything fixed between him and Samaira.
"Bhai!!!" someone screeched early in the morning and he sat upon his bed with a jerk, holding his head as it felt like someone was using Thor's hammer on his head. "What!!??" he shouted, annoyed as the other person, no actually more annoyed. "Bhai, we have to go on a dinner, you promised," Mukti whined, standing in front of him with her hands on her hips, looking at him like she was his mother.
"Dinner, is for nights Mukti it's fucking morning right now, why the fuck are you shouting?" "Oops, I am over-excited, sorry Bhai," she cheekily said and danced back to the living room and he dropped his head back on the pillow which looked way too tempting. He can't wait for the weekend to start, but it is still Wednesday. 'Fuck my life!'
After dragging himself to the bathroom to get on with the day, he sat for breakfast where Mukti isn't ready to shut her trap and his head is still banging with the stupid hangover. He would never drink, never ever! "Mukti, please give me a break and shut up," he shouted, keeping his head low on the table. "Here, take this aspirin. It will help with your hangover and this hangover soup. I want it to be finished before you leave. Am I clear, Aarush?" Mrs. Dani's voice was heard, which was quite authoritative. Aarush nodded and grabbed the medicine before gulping it down and heading for the soup.
It was almost impossible for him to drive, so Mukti offered. He knows she is being that good girl so she can have dinner with him. 'Gosh! siblings are born to annoy us.' After a twenty minutes long drive with Mukti, he finally headed to his cabin, "Tara, cancel all my meetings for today, I will just attend some internal conferences." He instructed her and she immediately replied. "Sure sir," and he went inside.
After six hours of three conferences, Aarush finally got some time to have something. He made his way to the cafeteria. Pushing back the lock of hair from his forehead, he walked towards the coffee machine. He was in dire need of strong coffee. He soon grabbed his cup along with an apple, walking back to his cabin, but halted just before Sam's cabin. He saw her head stuffed in files with her constantly pressing her forehead.
He stood there watching her being irritated, sometimes cursing the files, and sometimes ready to punch the laptop in front of her. Her antics were cute and his lips curved up into a mini smile. Aarush saw Tara coming his way, so he dropped the smile, trying to act as if everything was normal. "Tara, when will I get the files for the finances of this month?" he arched his eyebrow. "Sir, Samaira is working on them. I'll get them to you soon," she replied in a bit of a scared tone. "Ask Sam... I mean Samaira to meet me with the files." Saying this, he headed to his cabin.
Three hours. Damn, it's been three hours, and she isn't here yet. He gave a call to Tara. "Tara, where is Samaira?" "I... uh... I sir, just give her 5 minutes, sir." She responded and ended the call. He huffed in annoyance, chucking down the glass of water kept beside him. Within a few minutes of the call, Tara was at the door. "Come in," He Instructed her. "Tara, where is Samaira?" He asked as a frown took its place on his forehead. "Sir, she was busy, so asked me to send these to you." He rolled his eyes and told her to keep the files and leave. He was getting frustrated at Sam now. Firstly, He doesn't know the reason she left that day, and second, she is acting as if he is the villain in her life.
He got up from my seat, ready to talk with Sam when the sharp ring of the phone stopped him in mid-track. It was Mukti. 'Gosh! She always knows how to annoy me.' He picked it up and spoke in a tired tone. "What is it, Mukti?" "Bhai, it's six in the evening now. Can we leave, please?" She whined and he could imagine her pouting. "Where are you?" "In the parking lot," she answered quickly. "Fine, give me a minute or two. I am coming." "Okay!!, I am waiting." And she ended the call. "Brat," he whispered and shook his head.
Aarush grabbed the car keys and the files which Tara gave him earlier, heading to the elevator. He waited for the elevator while scrolling through his phone and finally heard the ding of its arrival. Stepping inside, he clicked the button, and the doors slid closed. He rested his back at the wall, closing his eyes.
"Bhai... wake up." Aarush opened his eyes and realized that he had reached the parking lot. "Hmm, let's go." pushing himself off the wall, they headed to his car. "Where do you want to go?"
"Umm, let's go 'Mostly Grill'. I am really craving some grilled chicken." She answered, already imagining eating grilled chicken. "Fine, let's go"
The dinner was quite interesting, with Mukti's constant blabbering and then his mental breakdown with her giving him relationship advice. How does Manik even manage her and that too for the last 7 years? Hats off to this man. Even though he is her brother, she has always spent her maximum time with Dhruv and Manik and has been crushing on Manik for three years before they officially started dating.
"Come, I will drop you home," Aarush told her as soon as they exited the restaurant. "Nope, I am fine. I will meet Manik first." Saying this, she booked a cab for herself while he left for the apartment.
He reached home by 8:30 and was going through the finance files which Samaira had prepared. He was impressed and glad that she is exhibiting her true potential. His thoughts were full of Sam when his phone ring broke the spell.
It was Amrita. "Hey, mom. How are you? When did your flight land?" Aarush asked because they were supposed to be coming on Thursday. "Our flight got postponed, and we landed like an hour ago. It would be great if you come and spend some time with your old parents right now. We have missed you."
Ahh, typical Indian mom behavior. They are so sentimental and a pro at emotional blackmailing. He smiled and shut down his laptop. "Okay, fine mom, I'm on my way." "Great! Mukti and Manik are also coming." He could hear her creak. He hung up the phone and reached the elevator.
In no time, he was at his parent's place. They live nearby his house. As he entered, the aromatic smell of vanilla cheesecake filled his nostrils.
Amrita knows how to make a family gathering perfect. As he entered the living hall, he found dad reading the Forbes magazine.
"Good evening dad!" Aarush exclaimed. "The Saxena's are right behind us." Not again. He is meeting Aarush after a month and all he has to talk about is business. He still doesn't understand the reason for Bakshi's and Saxena's rivalry. If there is a business collaboration between the two clans, they could gain the heights. However, Vijay is still the head of the family. "What is your new CMO planning?" he continued.
"Dad, she is...." but Amrita came and interrupted for good. "Oh, C'mon Vijay, I told you no business talks today. If you want to, just go to the office." she stared at him. Aarush gave her a soft smile, and she pulled him into her embrace.
Aarush felt so calm at the moment. "Excuse me, the most favorite child of mom is here," Mukti whined and mom let him go. "Come here, "she said and Mukti hugged both of them and Manik patted him on his shoulders. "All three of you are our favorite. Parents don't discriminate between their kids." Vijay told her. They all went to the dining hall and sat at the table. All of them were having a great time. Manik was like family, not because he was dating Aarush's sister, but he was his best friend. "Dad is planning to expand overseas and maybe next year, I will have to go to Singapore for a few months," Manik said and Aarush gave him an encouraging nod.
"That is great, dear," Amrita said. "Thank you, Aunty, but I would want Mukti to come with me," he said, asking for approval. "Why? Me? I can't come." Mukti said in her defense. "What! You said you would come with me if I went overseas." " Yeah, but that was years ago. Now I do have plans."
Manik looked at her with a questioning look. "Okay, I have to tell you guys something." she paused and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the aftermath. "I am going to Africa next month for 8 months. I had sent my work to an African wildlife program and they wanted me to document it. It is a great opportunity for me and I desire to go."
Everyone else at the table was surprised. They were staring at her with open mouths. "You knew it," Manik said, looking in his friend's direction with a glare. He nodded.
"Manik..." Mukti tried to speak. "What! Chip, I respect your career and your dreams, but I am sick of it. You go on an exploration 2 times a year and that too for 5-6 months. For the last couple of years, we have hardly spent time with each other. In those stupid jungles, there is not even a good network and we rarely talk. I have to wait for your messages. You said the Andaman project would be the last one and you will take a break from it. Here are you with your new project." he said in a very painful tone. "You stop eating the cheesecake," he yelled at Aarush. He never got angry or yelled at Mukti. Aarush was his punching bag when he needed to let out his frustration. "I am sorry Niks, I know but this project…"
"Every upcoming project will be like a major step for you and you will always choose them over me. Have ever celebrated festivals together. Forget me. Have you ever celebrated festivals with your family? Next month, you will go to Andaman and we all will see you directly on New Year's Eve. I am just tired of waiting for you. It is the story of every year and I am just done with it. I plan vacations for us and you make me cancel them. The ball is in your court, Mukti. Whatever will be your decision, just tell me. I don't want to come between you and your career. Just tell me what we need to do about us."
Saying this, he got up and went out. "Niks, wait. Manik listens. This....". Mukti went behind him. The awkward silence was consuming Aarush, and he decided to bid goodbyes to his parents. As he was about to leave, Aarush bumped into Mukti. She was crying and her eyes were full of tears.
She ran upstairs to her room, and he went back to the penthouse. Life couldn't get messier now. It was between Sam and him and now between Manik and Mukti. Before he could compose himself and comprehend the surroundings, the weekend passed without an event. Everything was so gloomy. Tuesday was at the bay. 5 days had passed and no sign or call from Manik or Mukti. They were not the only ones he was worried about. Samaira.
5 days... 5 fucking days have passed and Sam was hell-bent on making his life miserable. The ignorance and silence were hurting him. He tried every possible way to talk to her, to know what made her leave that night so abruptly, but she kept her lips sealed. He was beyond frustrated and ready to destroy almost everything because this silence was killing him.
Wandering in his cabin for three hours just to decide whether he should just go and confront her or wait for her to speak. But seeing her aloof nature, he decided to confront her face to face. Marching towards her cabin, he entered inside without bothering to knock.
Fuck this stupid privacy!
"I want to talk," he said, keeping his anger in check. He didn't want her to run away once again. "I am busy, Mr. Bakshi, so whatever it is, it has to wait." She spoke nonchalantly. "To remind you of the fact, I am your boss, and not the other way, Ms. Malhotra. It's better if you keep your attitude in check before I fire you, the reason being your attitude."
Aarush stated, gritting his teeth along. "What is it, Mr. Bakshi?" She said as she stood up from her chair taking slow steps towards him. "Why are you ignoring my calls, and my messages, Sam." "Samaira..." "Huh?" He looked at her, confused. "Samaira, either call me Samaira or stick to Ms. Malhotra. Maintaining professionalism, Mr. Bakshi, was still in office," she said with a startled face which only rubbed salt on his wounds. Grabbing her by her shoulder, he pinned her to the wall. Thankfully, the doors were locked.
"I will call you Sam, and no-one and I mean, no-one can stop me. I want to know the fucking reason as to why you ran off that evening?" He said slowly, realizing that he was losing patience. She turned her head to the side, but he noticed she was hiding that stray tear that was betraying her, and soon it slid down her cheeks followed by other tears. Aarush loosened his grip around her and closed his eyes, gulping down the anger. "Y-you are d-dating someone e-else, how c-could I stay there a-after listening you plan a d-dinner date with someone on the call."
Aarush stood frozen there, and realization dawned upon him. She heard the call and misunderstood it. She thought he was double-timing her? How could he when she has taken his heart with her? Yes, he dated other girls, yes, he had flings and even did one with Sonia, but he has already made his mind to clear everything with Sonia and end it off as soon as possible. But unfortunately, Samaira was still unaware of his actions and words.
He dropped his head on her shoulder, nuzzling close in the crook of her neck inhaling her smell. She smelled of lavender. "Sam..." he whispered and felt her shudder under his touch. "The call... It was Mukti asking me to have dinner with her." He explained slowly, leaving a trail of wet kisses along her neck stopping near her ear. "I have feelings for no one, not even Sonia." She shivered as he placed a chaste kiss on her jaw.
"W-what about Sonia? W-who is s-she to y-you?" She stuttered. "No-one, to be honest, I have no feelings for her and it is the same for her." Aarush pulled back, making her look at him. He traced her lower lip with the pad of his thumb, and she closed her eyes.
"I had many flings and Sonia is one of them, but during all this time, it was just for the sake of a night. It was nothing more than that." She opened her eyes, her fist clutched at his shirt. "Then why is Sonia still with you?" Aarush could see the insecurity in her eyes, the fear lingered there.
"We're going to part ways soon," he said, placing a soft kiss near her lips. He wished he could do more than this. But right now, she is in a daze and he won't take advantage of her. A sharp ring of the phone interrupted them and Sam stood straight, backing away from him. And immediately run towards the device.
"Tarun?" she whispered under her breath, but she stood close to him and he heard it. Shit, she is engaged! was the only thing on his mind as he barged out of her office. "Shit! shit!" he cursed himself all the way to his cabin.