Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Naira’s POV

Years back I promised myself that I would never break down again in front of this person but right now I was on the verge of breaking that promise.

Getting myself and the remaining all strength together, I uttered my word and pushing him off me, I stormed out of the meeting room.

I could feel few eyes on me out there in the office but without bothering that, I got out of the office building.

I was right. He wasn’t back just for business but this time I wasn’t going to let him shake my life once again.

I got back to the office thoughtlessly. Seeing me, Derek spoke up, “Did everything go fine? I hope Mr. Sinha liked our idea."

“Yeah. He liked it.” I kept it short and forwarded towards my cabin.

To get those disturbing moments out of my mind, I started working on a file.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it and I was right. I couldn’t.

I leaned against my chair and closed my eyes. The same old memories started getting into my mind.

I could still feel the pain when Ehan left me like that on that day as a tear got rolling down my cheek.

I got angry on myself and wiped the tear off immediately. I again tried to concentrated on a file when I heard a knock on my cabin.

I looked up only to find Akash entering. He got uttering, “Aren't you done for today?”

I lied and tried to focus on the file in front of me uttering, “A little bit is left. I will leave completing that. You should go home.”

He sat in front of me on a chair as he got uttering again, “Okay complete it. We will leave together.”

I got uttering, “No. You leave. I might get late.” keeping my eyes still on the file.

He got silent for a moment and then closed the file, I was working. Not working actually.

Pretending to work on it.

I got caught and I heard him uttering, “You already submitted the marketing  plan for this project.”

I gave him a blank look as he got uttering, “What happened? Where are you lost?”

Before I could utter anything, Akash again spoke up like he remembered, “You had a meeting with Ehan, right? Did he say something?”

This time I spoke up, “Yes, I had a meeting and it did go smoothly. And for the other things, let me handle it my way. I don’t want to bother your friendship.”

Akash was about to say something again but I spoke up, “Please.” only to get him stopped.

I stood up then and got uttering, “Now let's go. We should go home now.” as I forwarded towards the entrance.

Akash's P.O.V.

I got back home with Naira. Getting freshen up, I got downstairs as usual but when I didn’t get to see Naira there, I got worried.

Mom gave me a questioning look. Just nodding at her, I forwarded towards her room. The door was slightly open.

I pushed it wide open while calling her name softly, “Ira?”

My eyes wandered all around the room but got disappointed. Then I found her sitting in a chair.

I got near her and uttered her name again but still go response indicating she was lost in her thoughts.

When I touched her head, she got all startled and when she turned to me, there was tears in her eyes.

No. I wasn't supposed to handle that and really I couldn’t. Without uttering a single word, I left her room and as well as our mansion.

I called Ehan but when he didn’t answer it, I got in my car and drove towards Sinha mansion.

I was about to get towards the entrance but got stopped when I saw Ehan wandering around the swimming pool lounge.

I got in his way but he didn’t even notice and got bumped to me. Getting all startled, he turned to me and I spoke up, “What do you think you are doing, Ehan? Listen, I agreed to help you but that doesn’t mean I will keep quiet when you are making her cry again.”

He looked sad as he uttered, “I am sorry, Akash.”

Though I came to yell at him but couldn’t do it as I felt he was also hurt.

Ehan’s P.O.V.

“Ehan, stop it. Please.” uttering this after staring at me for a while, Akash left.

That’s it.

I forwarded towards the gym. I exercised like a maniac until all the energy in me drained out.

I fell on the floor panting hard.

Today from Naira’s word, I got the idea actually what had done to her.

Her eyes were filled with hatred. Hatred for me.

I could feel now how much pain, I had made Naira go through.

It’s okay that I was in pain but she didn’t do anything to get all this.

If she would be happy without me, then I shouldn’t bother her.

The next few days I didn’t get to meet Naira. Not even for once. Neither we had a meeting nor I tried to meet her despite my wish.

I got out my frustration either by making the things hard for the office staffs or in my gym.

That day early in the morning, Mack called me. I answered the call being somewhat happy.

“Hey, Mack. How are you?”

“Fine. What about you? Are you busy this weekend?” He asked me in a cheerful tone.

“Not much. Why?”

“It’s been a while, Ehan. Let’s meet in the evening and hang out. And yes bring Akash. I am not being able to reach him.”

Without bothering to think much, I got uttering, “Okay.” and cut off the line.

But then it hit my mind.

How could I bring Akash!

I couldn’t go to his house.

My mind gave a solution, “Call him”

Though Mack said, he wasn’t being able to reach Akash on phone, I called him. The result was same. It was switched off.

I thought of visiting Akash’s place with the intention of taking him only but deep in my heart, I was happy.

Because I would get a chance to see her face.

Late in the afternoon, I reached at my destination. I saw Akash sitting in the living room with his parents but Naira wasn’t there.

Seeing me, Akash gave me a questioning look only to get near them.

After greeting his parents, I turned to him and spoke up, “Mack called. Let's meet them."

Before Akash could say something, Uncle Zohan spoke up, “Friends’ gathering. Sounds good.”

I just nodded at him smilingly. When Akash still kept sitting, I spoke up, “Aren't you coming?”

Akash stared at my face for few moments and then got uttering, “Wait for 10 minutes. I will get ready and then leave together.”

I tried to get uttering like earlier times, “Akash, 10 minutes mean 10 minutes.”

He gave a small smile and forwarded towards his room. Uncle asked me to sit and I took the place where Akash was sitting earlier.

I was talking to Uncle and Aunt but got stopped when I heard the voice which I wanted to hear.

“The soup is ready. Taste it and give me your honest feedback.”

The voice got clear to clearer with every passing second like she was getting near.

“And specially you, Akash. I don’t want to hear false praise, okay?”

With this, Naira forwarded a bowl towards me.

But her eyes got widened when she understood it was me whom she wanted to see the least may be.

Her hand was still holding the bowl in front of me. I hesitated thinking what to do but got hold of the bowl as Aunt Jiana spoke up, “Naira really makes good broccoli tomato soup. Ehan, you should taste it, son.”

I felt Naira was about to get it away but got stopped hearing aunt.

I took that hesitantly and uttered, “Thank you.” almost in a whisper.

Giving soup to uncle and aunt, Naira sat beside them as she asked, “Where is Akash?”

“He is getting ready to meet his friends.” Uncle spoke up as he shoved a spoonful of soup to his mouth.

He gave Naira a pleasant look as he uttered, “It's so good, dear.”

Thanking him, Naira took her bowl.

I found her frowning at me as Uncle uttered again, “Ehan, why aren’t you starting. It's really good. Taste it.”

I couldn’t get to utter anything then and finished the bowl shoving one spoonful after another.

I coughed when I tried to utter, “It's re...really good.” my voice got hoarse by the time I gulped down the last spoon full.

I tried to act all normal in front of them but terribly failed. Red patches started getting visible on my hand and may be in my face also. My skin started burning up getting me all restless.....