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
Ishaan realized the advantage of sitting on the passenger side. He could gaze at her for hours without bothering about the traffic."Ishaan if you keep staring at me I won't be able to drive.""I am not staring.""Yes, you are. Why don't you look at the scenery outside? It's beautiful?"He rested his head on his palm."Yup beautiful." Aarya chose to ignore his attention and focused on the road ahead. The Jaguar was lovely to drive."I love this car," She commented."You can have it." He said.She laughed."How is Sanchi?" She suddenly asked.His face hardened."She is fine.""And your family?""They are all doing well."He was still evasive about them."Why aren't you in Mumbai Ishaan?" He fidgeted with his phone."I have some work here. I told you I am here for a month." "Really?" She asked."What could be the other reason Aarya?""I don't know. Never been a CEO." She grinned."Shashank used to own a Jaguar as well." She said.The colour drained from Ishaan's face. He suddenly fel
It was a short and gentle kiss but it was enough to shake her to the core.She opened her eyes looking into his hazel ones. He had that typical half-smile on his face. He wasn't sure how she would react but there was no trace of anger."Aarya" he whispered."Happy Birthday Ishaan," She said.He looked happy as well as surprised."You remembered?" " Of course." She replied.He looked down and chuckled."You never fail to amaze me Aarya.""Thats my speciality." She grinned at him.He was expecting a backlash for kissing her but instead, she remembered his birthday."So what are we going to do today?" She asked.He scratched his chin pretending to think."I am hungry." "What!"" I can't think when I am hungry." He replied.She laughed ", let's have breakfast then. The dining hall must have opened by now.""We'll have breakfast here, in the garden. I'll call room service.""I would like that very much." She grinned.Soon they were enjoying a private breakfast spread in the garden. The go
"Hey what's up?" Aarya said while settling down on the sofa."I hope I didn't disturb you?" Shashank said from the other side Aarya glanced at Ishaan who was sitting on the edge of the bed buttoning up his shirt."No it's ok we can talk." "Well there is good news and I wanted you to know first.""That's sweet. What is it?""Astha's pregnant!" Shashank said.Aarya felt as if a bucket of cold water was flung at her."That's great news Shashank. Congratulations! Please convey my regards to Astha as well.""I sure will. Frankly, I am thrilled!" Ishaan's fury grew with each passing moment. He wasn't sure why he was getting overwhelmed with jealously. Perhaps because Shashank was her husband once. Something which he had failed to achieve.Aarya cut the call and stared at the black screen. Her reverie was broken when she felt the cushion sinking next to her.Ishaan plopped down next to her."Sorry I had to take his call." She said.He didn't say anything just placed his hand on hers and sq
Aarya -"Ok now what?" I said after Ishaan had ushered me in his car.He swooped down on me and crushed his lips on mine kissing me deeply.I was startled initially but then responded to his kiss. It was the best feeling.It was like a homecoming.After coming back to Earth. He kept gazing at me."What are you doing?""Making sure that all this is not a dream.""Be assured it's not. I have to catch the evening flight back btw.""Cancel it." He simply said while caressing my cheeks."Hmmm so how is this going to work out?""Just marry me and we'll work out everything. " He said trying to kiss me again."Ishaan wait," I said."I know we have been through a lot but are we going to fast? I mean you have directly jumped to the wedding " I said.He kept both his hands on the steering wheel and looked ahead."I am 31 it's about time I get married. We have waited 5 years Aarya. I am d
"May I come in?" Anjali asked.Aarya realized she had been gaping at Anjali for several minutes."Oh yes! Please come in" Aarya said and wondered at herself where were her manners."Please have a seat." She said to Anjali."Umm, would you like to have tea, coffee, or something cold maybe?" Aarya askedAnjali smiled at the nervous girl. She was indeed beautiful. No wonder Ishaan was smitten."Sit," Anjali said to Aarya.Aarya obeyed immediately. She twisted the pearl ring in her hand to fend off some anxiety."You must be wondering about the purpose of my visit," Anjali said.Aarya nodded."Well first of all thank you for bringing my son to me. He hasn't been home for years."Aarya's eyes shot up in surprise."I owe you an apology. We all do."Aarya was contemplating how to react. This was her first meeting with Ishaan's mom and "I know everything about you and Ishaan. I am sorry for what he did to you.""Aunty it's ok. I mean he has apologized already, please you don't have to do this
Aarya floated in and out of consciousness. She was having a nightmare. A nightmare where she was being stripped and violated.She woke up with a scream."Aarya it's ok. You are safe." His soothing voice said."Ishaan" she whispered in the dim light."It's ok dear. I am here for you, please go back to sleep." He patted her head until she drifted off to sleep."She woke up again?" Swati arrived from the other room."Yeah, but she went back to sleep," Ishaan replied."I am glad I rescheduled my trip," Swati said.He was quiet for a moment."I will make sure that bastard never gets out of that jail alive." Ishaan gritted his teeth in anger."It's like Priya all over again. Only this time it's worse." Swati sighed.After rescuing Aarya from the cottage. Ishaan had proceeded to file the FIR and get her medically examined.She was in a shock and been hallucinating under bouts of fever ever since.It had been 3 days now."Ishaan please get some sleep. I will look after her," Swati said.He ran
Aarya woke up with a splitting headache.The sun was already up but most of the room was still dark. She tried to sit up then realized that her hand was tied to the bedpost.She had no idea what time it was or for how many hours she had been knocked out but her growling stomach confirmed it was quiet late probably hours.Aarya recalled the events which led to this. She had cried herself to sleep after a confrontation with Ishaan.She booked a cab for Bangalore and left the hotel early morning before Ishaan could find her. She just wanted to be away from him.She remembered getting into the cab and probably fell asleep in it. She wasn't sure if she fell asleep or she was drugged.When her eyes opened she was here in this dingy room God knows where.With a hammering heart, she tugged at the ropes tying her hand to the headboard. It didn't budge.Her throat felt so dry she could barely speak. The room was sparsely furnished with just a bed and a chair.She heard footsteps. Someone was app
"Hey what's up?" Aarya said while settling down on the sofa."I hope I didn't disturb you?" Shashank said from the other side Aarya glanced at Ishaan who was sitting on the edge of the bed buttoning up his shirt."No it's ok we can talk." "Well there is good news and I wanted you to know first.""That's sweet. What is it?""Astha's pregnant!" Shashank said.Aarya felt as if a bucket of cold water was flung at her."That's great news Shashank. Congratulations! Please convey my regards to Astha as well.""I sure will. Frankly, I am thrilled!" Ishaan's fury grew with each passing moment. He wasn't sure why he was getting overwhelmed with jealously. Perhaps because Shashank was her husband once. Something which he had failed to achieve.Aarya cut the call and stared at the black screen. Her reverie was broken when she felt the cushion sinking next to her.Ishaan plopped down next to her."Sorry I had to take his call." She said.He didn't say anything just placed his hand on hers and sq
It was a short and gentle kiss but it was enough to shake her to the core.She opened her eyes looking into his hazel ones. He had that typical half-smile on his face. He wasn't sure how she would react but there was no trace of anger."Aarya" he whispered."Happy Birthday Ishaan," She said.He looked happy as well as surprised."You remembered?" " Of course." She replied.He looked down and chuckled."You never fail to amaze me Aarya.""Thats my speciality." She grinned at him.He was expecting a backlash for kissing her but instead, she remembered his birthday."So what are we going to do today?" She asked.He scratched his chin pretending to think."I am hungry." "What!"" I can't think when I am hungry." He replied.She laughed ", let's have breakfast then. The dining hall must have opened by now.""We'll have breakfast here, in the garden. I'll call room service.""I would like that very much." She grinned.Soon they were enjoying a private breakfast spread in the garden. The go
Ishaan realized the advantage of sitting on the passenger side. He could gaze at her for hours without bothering about the traffic."Ishaan if you keep staring at me I won't be able to drive.""I am not staring.""Yes, you are. Why don't you look at the scenery outside? It's beautiful?"He rested his head on his palm."Yup beautiful." Aarya chose to ignore his attention and focused on the road ahead. The Jaguar was lovely to drive."I love this car," She commented."You can have it." He said.She laughed."How is Sanchi?" She suddenly asked.His face hardened."She is fine.""And your family?""They are all doing well."He was still evasive about them."Why aren't you in Mumbai Ishaan?" He fidgeted with his phone."I have some work here. I told you I am here for a month." "Really?" She asked."What could be the other reason Aarya?""I don't know. Never been a CEO." She grinned."Shashank used to own a Jaguar as well." She said.The colour drained from Ishaan's face. He suddenly fel
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
"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