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Chapter 2
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2020-12-29 12:19:06Niharika's POV
Closing my eyes and relaxing a bit on my office chair, I went back to my college days.
It was 3rd August, fifteen years ago when I first saw Arpit. He was my classmate during graduation. Sitting alone on my college desk and waiting for the professor to come, I had been checking my emails, when he entered the class and sat down beside me. I observed his movements as he kept his almost empty bag near my bulky bag which had many books.
"Hi. Actually this is my first day and it's been a week since college has begun, I am a bit late to join the course. Please could you share your notes with me? I want to know what all topics have begun. Please guide me", he spoke timidly to me with a slurred speech as I looked at him wide-eyed.
I helped him with the notes and we even had our lunch together in the college canteen, wherein, he asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
Smiling at his innocence, I said "Niharika Sehgal" and embarrassed at my foolishness, I enquired his name.
We both laughed at our deed that we exchanged our names after sitting together for four hours.
I was happy that I got a friend in college. Being an introvert and depressed at my current state, I never made friends in college and no one came to talk to me.
*****
Mr. Bose knocked at the door of my cabin compelling me to come out of my thoughts. He enquired if I had shortlisted some candidates to which I asked are there only six applications.
"Madam, we got others too but they didn't clear the interview with the team. Out of these six, you can see since you will be heading this project. Otherwise we will publish the advertisement again", said Mr. Bose.
"Okay then, call Dr. Arpit Khandelwal for the interview at 11a.m on Monday."
"He is the best choice, madam. Having graduated from your college, he got his doctorate degree from the University of Cambridge. He had been working over plants since fifteen years in the industry. He was previously working with Jurlique in Australia", Mr. Bose began to blabber.
"Call him. Let's see if he would work with us or not", said as I picked up my bag for leaving the office.
*****
During the ride back home, I remembered the days of our college when Arpit and I used to spend time together taking classes, studying in the library and sharing our thoughts, our fears and our plans of life. People thought we were into a relationship but he was inclined towards his career and I had a responsibility for my parents' business after them. Though I had planned to propose to him on the last day of college but it never happened.
Thinking of the altercation between us, I stiffened with anger. I don't know the reason why he reacted that way even till today.
"How could he speak to me like that?"
I will definitely teach him a lesson now, I mentally planned. After all, I had a chance to show that I am his employer.
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Niharika's POVI wished the lord that everything should be fine as his mom opened the door. He announced, "Mom, misunderstanding is clear. Please let us in. We need to tell you."I believed he did so because he wanted his mom to keep calm. His sister, Meehika chirped from inside, "O! Thank God. Mom was upset so called us over. Come, spill the beans."We entered his home when I saw his brother-in-law Arnav sitting on the sofa. Yash was sleeping in his arms. Poor boy, he finally gets to spend time with his dad, my mind wondered. Meehika just came over and gave me a hug, "Are you fine, Niharika?"Nodding my head in affirmation, I wondered if she was the first to ask me this. My would-be mother-in-law was giving a silent treatment while Arnav had picked his son and taken him inside."Come on, sit and stay calm. I will get water for you." Meehika said, turning towards the kitchen only to find his husband bringing us some juice and snacks.I inwardly sm
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Niharika's POVI was finally relaxed at the turn of events. I was fortunate enough to have Arpit in my life, I realized.The chain of my thoughts were broken, when I heard Arpit's devastated voice."I am sorry, Niharika. You had to face too much because of me. I am sorry."I moved out of the café after making the payments, ignoring this idiot completely. He followed me in the parking lot. He was in deep thoughts and I was indeed, irritated at him.I sat on the passenger seat of my car and gave him the keys. I didn't want to drive. I wanted to share his company.He sat in the car and cupped my face with his trembling hands, apologizing again."Why the f*ck are you apologizing for something for which you aren't even at fault? I won't be annoyed at you because of that psycho." I screamed at him."You trusted me without judging me at once, matters me, dear. You never gave me any chance to get annoyed. The encounter with psycho doesn't matt
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Niharika's POVMy heartbeat was racing. My eyes welled up with tears as Raghav's words rang in my ears.What if he actually has a past or present clinging to him? O! Lord, not 'present' at least. I can still adjust with a past.Wiping my tears, I tried to maintain my composure as I got off the car in front of the gate of University Girls Hostel. I saw Raghav and Arpit sitting nervous in a cafe beside the hostel as Shristi reached out to call Raghav. It was already evening as the hustle-bustle of the campus seemed to be quietened.We went inside and sat in front of them.Arpit and Raghav were both looking at each other. Raghav pressed the palm of Arpit signalling to speak up."Nih.., Niharika, I..I.. am sorry. It's all.. it's all because of me." Arpit said, stuttering as he controlled his tears.My world shattered at once. My worst fear was in front of me.Fighting my tears, hiding my emotions and maintaining my composure, I
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Niharika's POVI was utterly devastated and afraid of the consequences if the pictures were released anywhere. I felt grateful to the lord to have Arpit in my life. He was so very understanding and rational. He literally didn't even judge me for once. I didn't even once plead to him to listen that it's not me. It was him who consoled me saying that it's not me and things will be fine. My man is indeed the best. I sat there thinking about everything and appreciating his personality traits as he fed me the breakfast.The doorbell rang. I was embarrassed to face Raghav or anyone. I couldn't believe these people would look at the vulgar pictures of someone with my face on it. I clutched the yellow envelope in my hands which was lying on the sofa and hid it in the kitchen.Raghav had come in with Shristi. He saw my pale face and looked at Arpit with a confused expression. He sat on one of the accent chairs and said, "Madam, what's the matter?"Ignoring him, I aske
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