Aarya clutched the door for support. She felt the colour draining from her face.For the next few moments, they simply stared at each other. A multitude of emotions played across his face. The room fell completely silent as few people looked to and fro.Then he blinked his eye as if coming out of the trance and somehow managed to say "Pease come in Ms Aarya Mathur".She felt a jolt on hearing his voice after so many years. He was dressed in a charcoal suit. The years had added some maturity which somehow made him even more handsome.He still had his boyish charm though.She averted her eyes and quickly walked towards the empty seat.Ishaan followed her with his eyes and then proceeded with his speech as if nothing happened.Mary's manager whispered to her "Aarya you are in real trouble"."You have no idea what a mess I have got into". She thought.Her manager said again "you know he is very strict'.""Well, then I hope he fires me".She replied.Her manager looked at her puzzled but did
It was almost 7 Aarya who was still in office. She was supposed to meet him at 7, which she very much wanted to skip. She went into the washroom and splashed cold water on her face. She looked tired and harassed. She had braved curious questions from her colleagues all day regarding Ishaan and she was pissed off.She brushed her hair and tied them in a tight ponytail. "Why should I meet him?" She thought.Many years had passed but the memories were still fresh. Showing up would mean ripping an old wound. But there was something in his eyes which was calling out to her.Sadness....there was a strange sadness in them.Ishaan was waiting in the hotel's lounge area. It was 7:30. He sighed but he was sure that she would arrive.At 8 Aarya arrived. She was dressed the same as the office.He immediately got up and offered her his hand. She didn't take it and said "Ok so what do you want to say?""Whoa, Aarya relax. Shall we sit and talk. Are you coming straight from the office?""Yes""God!!
He looked at her car until it disappeared. Seeing her again had shaken him to the core. He knew he had hurt her deeply and it was time to rectify those mistakes. Destiny had given him a second chance and he was not going to let it go again. He had yearned for her every day in the last 5 years. He would win her back and never let her go again.Aarya didn't sleep at all that night. She wasn't sure what she was feeling. She had convinced herself that she was over him. Her love for him died the day she lost his baby."Oh no! " she commented when she went down in the parking lot. Someone had busted her car. It had a big dent. She was furious but she had to leave for the office now."How can someone do this in a parking lot!" She thought angrily.She took the cab instead and reluctantly dragged herself to the office. Dreading every minute if he would pop into her cubicle and ask for another meeting.Thankfully that didn't happen. She didn't see him all day. "Maybe he didn't come today." She
The next day Ishaan was busy, rather trying to keep himself busy in the office. He was contemplating how to face Aarya.People were droning on around him at the conference. He wasn't listening. He was busy planning how to convince her to meet him again.Once back in his chamber he called in the HR manager."Yes Sir?" "Please arrange a meeting with Aarya Mathur, yourself, and me. Do it soon."The HR manager hesitated."What?" He asked."Sir please don't fire her. She is a very good resource."He suppressed a smile."Did I say anything about firing her? Just send the meeting invite but you won't attend it.""What?" She looked puzzled."Send the meeting invite but I don't want you in the meeting. Do I need to repeat?" He said.She nodded and went away.Ishaan smiled to himself.He was waiting in one of the conference rooms when Aarya arrived. She had a blank expression and he could easily make out that she had a sleepless night just like him.“Please sit down Aarya.”He checked to see th
She forgot all about that call when Preeti appeared for her usual gossip."I heard you are in trouble again.""Really? Who said so?" Aarya replied sarcastically."Umm, some people saw you going into the conference room with Ishaan Sir.""So?"Preeti came nearer and whispered, " I heard he dropped you home yesterday."Aarya's eyes widened with surprise. She tapped some random keys on her keyboard to look busy."People should mind their own damm business!" "Hey don't be angry but do you know him from before?" Aarya signed and decided to tell her the truth, at least part of it so that people would stop gossipping."Yes, I knew him in Pune. We were.....umm friends but we haven't been in touch for a long time."Preeti gasped "Oh! That's why? Wow! You had billionaire friends!"Aarya smirked."That's why whenever you are together sparks fly!" Preeti grinned.Aarya's smile vanished."There's nothing like that Preeti. We just met again by chance. Please don't repeat this." Aarya looked angry.
She looked at the watch it was 9:30."I should leave now it's late".He said "Ok I will drop you home. Its dinner time now would you like to stay for dinner?""It's ok Ishaan don't trouble yourself. I will take a taxi"."Seems like I will have to eat out alone again. Ok as you wish" He said with a wry smile.Aarya hesitated for a minute then said "Ok I will have dinner with you"His face beamed into a wide smile "Good I know a very good place for that".He took her to a nice cosy restaurant. Not too posh just a simple diner. She was surprised at how easily they conversed about nothing in particular.He seemed happy and relaxed. "So when did you come to Bangalore?" He asked."Its almost 4 years now. I came here a few months after the divorce.""And you are staying here alone?""Yes coming here was ans escape from the mess which I had created. Our parents were not very happy. In India when you decide to separate every known person and his brother in law, his maid, driver, everyone has an
"Aarya you are being stalked by someone! Why didn't you tell me?" Ishaan asked after he heard the creepy phone call."Its nothing Ishaan.Some prank callers. I have blocked him but he keeps calling from different numbers.""Aarya this is dangerous, we must report it to the police.""I had thought of reporting to the police but then I was caught up in other things.""I don't want you to stay alone either. Move-in with someone or call someone to stay with you." He looked worried."I don't have anyone here. My parents can't be here of course." She said in a small voice.He stared at her for some time. "You can stay with me." He suggested.She gave him an incredulous look."It was just a suggestion. My bad!" He said holding his hands up."Ishaan even if I stay with you. What after one month? I am used to solving my problems on my own. I would handle this as well. Dont worry." She simply said and nibbled at her food.He observed her for some time. She had changed. She wasn't that carefree g
Aarya was nervously tapping her finger on the chair's hand rest. She had never been to a police station before.Ishaan squeezed her hand reassuring her.A friendly looking inspector finally asked them."So how can I help you?""I am getting weird calls. The caller seems to be stalking me.""Hmm please let me know your phone number and the numbers from which you got those calls. Do you doubt anyone?""I am not aware of anyone like that." She said."Anyone ever troubled you? Like past boyfriend, ex, or someone you disagreed with?"Aarya looked at Ishaan. Her ex-boyfriend was sitting right next to her and Shashank wouldn't do anything like this. He wasn't even living in India so it was unlikely he would know her daily routine. She wasn't in touch with anyone else from Pune."I can't think of anyone in particular." She said."Any trouble with law earlier?""There was a guy in our group who was arrested. He used to drug and exploit girls." Ishaan interrupted.Aarya recalled Omar and she was