Chapter 9

Arpit's POV

I had been waiting to meet Niharika today primarily because I had planned to apologize for my selfish deeds in the past. I couldn't control my urges and I bombarded my anger on her disturbing her throughout. Infact, the worst thing is I didn't even apologize to her before leaving the college.

I remembered that I had planned to apologize to her on the last day of college. It was our last examination of third year and we were bidding goodbye to each other marking the end of our college life. I had dressed up in a maroon T-shirt, the one which she had gifted me on Friendship Day. I had worn it almost after a year. In the exam hall, I was restless, how to talk to her and what would I say. Completing my exam in time, I rushed towards her examination room. She came out of the room after the bell rang, handing over her answer sheets to the invigilator.

She walked past me. I tried to stop her, I called her but she didn't listen. I ran past her and stood in front of her, blocking her way in the alley. She just spoke a sentence and my world came crashing down. She said, "Who are you, Mister and why are you blocking the way of a stranger. Is this what you have learnt to do?" I was dumbstruck and guilty of what I had said. I realized her pain and guilty of what I had done. I opened my mouth to say a sorry when she punched me hard on my nose and I was lying on the ground writhing in pain. She certainly had muscular hands and she was very strong.

*****

I even had to see the laboratory and meet the team members before I could prepare my proposal. Thinking this as a great alibi, I entered her office.

She was looking alluring today in a light green business attire today. Her smokey eyes and pink lips were alluring enough to make me mad. I was getting out of control today perhaps because of the thoughts I had this morning.

Ugh...

"You have worked at the best Corporate Zones worldwide still you don't know to knock the door before entering, Dr. Khandelwal. It's really shameful", I came out of my romantic trance as she chided at me literally shouting at the top of her voice.

"I am sorry, madam", I managed to speak.

"Is your project ready?", she asked, not even acknowledging my apologies.

"Not yet. I want to see the lab and staff before", I said.

Thoughtfully she said, "Okay, I will ask Mr. Bose to do that for you."

"Madam, why don't you come along? We could discuss a bit over the project with the team", I said with disappointment.

"Prepare the proposal and then, we can discuss the things. Now leave.", she said pretending to be engrossed in her files.

I stood there and gathered courage to say, "Niharika, I am sorry to hurt you."

I had expected her to shout, scream and ultimately forgive me but her words pinched right in my heart. She said, "Dr. Khandelwal, this isn't the UK or US wherein you could call your boss with her first name. Be in your limits. I am your employer and you are a hired employee. Get lost or you are fired."

I was broken into thousands of pieces. My ego was shattered. Indeed, karma was coming back.

I left the room immediately.

*****

Niharika's POV

I was shocked at his audacity.

Why is he talking again? I don't want to fall for him again. During college, I was enamored by his charm, intelligence, ambitions and sensitivity. The way he cared for me, especially after knowing about the death of my parents, made me attracted to him. Perhaps, it was love but the one incident changed everything.

Why is he apologizing for that incident now? For job security. This must be the only reason but why does he want to work here only. What are his personal reasons?

Variety of thoughts ran in my mind.

"If he wanted to apologize seriously he could have done way early. Whatever he is doing is just faking up", I concluded but somewhere I knew Arpit won't be faking things. I was into splits and the best was to avoid the discussion with him. If I had any other choice, I would have hired anyone else but he seemed the most lucrative option.

I was thinking about all this when Mr. Bose came into my cabin and informed me that Mr. Vikram Walia had come to meet me.

As if one turmoil was not enough that the other turbulence came.

Well! I asked Mr. Bose to let him in just because I could get a change of thoughts.

"Good morning, Ms. Sehgal. Hope you are doing good!", said Mr. Walia in a made up thoughtful voice and I sensed some bad news.

Vikram Walia is one of my competitors and is worried that people are preferring my product-lines instead of his, primarily because of lesser side-effects and cost effectiveness. Instead of improving his products, he tries weird ways to succeed.

"Good morning, Mr. Walia. Thanks for your concerns". I had spoken up breaking the chain of your thoughts.

"Well! I am just concerned how you will be feeling if your idea of anti-aging skincare products doesn't succeed", he said, smirking.

I said, "I am not working on anything like that." I just wanted to brush off the things.

"Miss, I have insider's information. So, I have a deal, why don't we have a merger because you will indeed be failing soon?", he said, smirking.

I was shocked at his audacity. I was annoyed but I knew it was no use arguing with him. I do believe that it is useless to waste energy on insane people.

I managed to say, "Mr. Walia, I am not interested. I am busy. Just leave."

"Yeah, Ms. Sehgal. You will be getting busier now. Contact your lawyers soon", saying this he left.

I knew something bad was coming up.