Chapter 41

"Yes, Mr. Sharma. I'm well aware of our agreement and I assure you, the terms are not going to change any time in the near future. Don't worry."

 

Khushi gazed out the glass walls of Arnav's office, staring at the empty desks on the deserted first floor of AR Designs. She didn't have to think hard to know why most of the company was absent. It was tradition to end Friday evenings early, a custom she sorely missed at her new job. Not that she was complaining, of course. She would take her tiny, busy and stressful new job over her old one any day. She wouldn't and didn't put it past her old colleagues to bombard her with inappropriate questions about the nature of her relationship with their boss the second they got the chance.

 

"Perfect. I will have my secretary fax you the details," Arnav said. He was on the phone with an important client. "Have a great weekend Mr. Sharma."

 

Khushi felt his eyes drill into her back as he disconnected the call. She determinedly continued to look down at the first floor, reminiscing the days of her employment there. Did Arnav ever watch over her, like she was now? Or was he too busy with work even then?

 

A strong pair of arms suddenly encircled her frame. "What are you looking at?" he asked, his chin resting on her shoulder.

 

The hairs at the back of her neck stood up. She was yet to get used to his proximity. "Did you ever look for me from here?"  

 

He chuckled. "That's an interesting question."

 

"So you did?"

 

He pointed to the far left corner of the floor below them in answer, where a line of cabins stood, all with translucent walls. "That was your office. Of course, you being... well, you, never left that tiny room for longer than five minutes. I used to wonder why I even assigned you a cabin... I should have just given you a cubicle. At least that way I would've seen you more often."

 

She turned around in his arms, her back pressed against the glass wall. "I liked that office."

 

"I thought you would. It was another thing that I was reminded by multiple people that interns don't get offices."

 

Her eyes widened. "So, what did you tell them?"

 

"Nothing... your presentation to the board of directors on the very first day sent everyone my reasoning loud and clear - you deserved it."

 

Khushi felt herself grinning sheepishly. "So that's why you put me on the spot that day..."

 

His arms tightened around her as he leaned in closer. "I don't do anything without a reason birthday girl."

 

"And I used to think you weren't even impressed with me."

 

His breath fanned her face. "Silly."

 

A sharp knock echoed through the room. Khushi jumped as Arnav withdrew his arms -calmly- and stepped back. "Come in," he called.

 

To her utter embarrassment, a burly looking man walked in, who she instantly recognized as Jai, one of the company's trusted managers and not to mention, her close colleague back when she was an intern.

 

"Do you have the papers?" Arnav asked, his voice business-like.

 

Jai nodded and extended a blue colored file.

 

"Give me a minute," Arnav replied, collecting it and striding back to his desk.

 

"Of course."

 

As Arnav became absorbed in the file, Jai turned his attention to a rigid Khushi, sniggering shamelessly as he darted his eyes to his boss, his question clear.

 

She felt her cheeks color in answer.

 

Jai chortled with silent laughter. Fortunately, Arnav spoke just then:

 

"Get Kunal to read this over before you send it off."

 

Jai immediately sobered up and took the file back. "Sure Mr. Raizada. Have a great weekend." Then, after a quick thought, he added, "You should visit more often Khushi - we miss you here."

 

"Sure you do Jai," she muttered when he winked slyly at her before leaving.

 

Arnav looked blankly at her. "Did I miss something?"

 

"This is why I didn't want to work here," she groaned, dropping in the chair across from his desk. "The last thing we need is for people to jump to conclusions every time we stand within two feet of each other!"

 

He raised an eyebrow. "What conclusion did Jai make exactly?"

 

"He was snickering like a two year old. He thought we were snogging in the middle of your office, which by the way, has zero privacy!"

 

"Well, I'm sure Anjali didn't foresee that I would use my cabin for anything other than work while designing it."

 

"Clearly you missed the point."

 

Arnav sighed, picking up on her sour mood, before walking around his desk to settle in the chair next to hers. "That's because you don't have a point."

 

"I was your intern! Do you even know what that means? The only type of "relationship" a boss and an intern have-"

 

"-is none of anyone's business. If the whole company thinks we are just sleeping with each other, then let them. They will be in for a rude shock when they realize there is much more between us."

 

Khushi wasn't convinced. How could she possibly explain the doubts eating her away?

 

"Listen to me," he said, seriously. "You are not an affair or for that matter, a fling that started because our hormones were out of control."

 

She rolled her eyes. Sometimes he was such a gentlemen that she had a hard time believing he was even real, forget dating him.

 

He pressed on. "I liked you long before I even knew you were going to be my intern. So please stop feeling like this is some typical office romance."

 

She stopped short. "Really? You liked me even before the interview?"

 

"Yes, really. I liked you since the night of your birthday when we shared that infamous kiss."

 

She couldn't believe her ears. As far as she could remember, their encounter that night was disastrous, both throwing retorts at each other as if they were going to be sworn enemies and her storming out of the room, vowing to never see him again.

 

How did he still like her after all that?

 

"Now, if you are done brooding over what people may or may not think about you, can we get going? As much as this office is beautifully designed, I would rather spend my Friday night somewhere else."

 

Khushi nodded, dazed. He was right; the night was young and much too promising for her to worry about pesky rumors flying about them. So, when they were safely driving away from the AR Designs, she turned to him and asked:

 

"Was it really the kiss?"

 

He flashed her favorite crooked smile. "A little bit."

 

"So what was the other bit?"

 

"You," he replied simply, taking no time whatsoever to answer. "I just couldn't keep myself from falling in love with you."

 

And no matter how hard she tried Khushi couldn't stop a warm fuzzy feeling from occupying every inch of her body, as her lips pulled back for a wide, giddy grin.

 

* * *

 

"It's me!" came Payal's voice.

 

Akash didn't answer, staring determinedly at the darkening canvas in front of him. He had been mixing colors for over an hour, trying to find the perfect shade of peach for the girl that came to him just that morning.

 

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Payal walk through his studio apartment to stand right behind him. She tilted her head and gazed thoughtfully at his painting. "Is she falling or flying?"

 

Akash smiled and set down his paintbrush. "You tell me."

 

She stepped closer to the canvas and peered closely at the girl in question, while he washed his hands at the nearby sink.

 

Another day was gone.

 

Another glorious day filled with unaccounted possibilities and endless new thoughts. Even though it had only been two months since he moved into his one bedroom flat overlooking the city of Delhi, he felt as if he had been living there for years, as if he had always stood beside the scenic balcony, painting image after an image, stopping only to answer his unavoidable human needs.

 

Truly, Akash savored his independence. More than he expected and definitely, enough for him to never give it up.

 

"I give up," Payal said, exasperated. "Just tell me what it is supposed to be."

 

Akash dried his hands with small towel. "Neither."

 

Her jaw dropped. "Neither?! Then why did you ask me which one it is?"

 

He grinned. "Because it's different for everyone. I was curious to see which one you would pick."

 

Payal crossed her arms, impressed. "That's pretty deep. So, I guess you haven't given up then?"

 

Akash shrugged. "I told you I wouldn't. Besides I like it here. It's very quiet and peaceful, just what an aspiring artist needs."

 

She grinned. "I knew you would. But for the record, I wasn't the one who was hesitating about a career in painting for real."

 

"Everyone is allowed a chance to doubt themselves once in a while, okay?"

 

"I know, but I'm just saying that I never doubted you, not even for a second."

 

Akash stared at her. Did he hear right? Sometimes she talked as if they were soul mates, meant to be together for eternity and at others, she brushed him off as a mere acquaintance. How could one person give so many mixed signals?!

 

"But I'm glad you like this place," she continued, completely oblivious to his reaction.

 

He cleared his throat. "Yeah... how did you even find it though? It's too good of a deal, if you know what I mean."

 

Payal grinned sheepishly. And it suddenly hit him.

 

"You were going to move in here?!" he exclaimed, cursing himself for not putting the pieces together earlier.

 

"No, don't worry about it," she replied, quickly. "I thought I could live here. But my mom threw a fit about me living alone without being married. It was a long drawn out fight that, frankly speaking, was completely pointless. So I just gave up."

 

It was Akash's turn to be amazed. "You really do have a big heart."

 

"No," she objected. "I really love my parents. I know I will have to move out eventually, so what does it matter if it's now or later?"

 

Akash nodded, being reminded of his own conversation with Arnav about moving out. It was a month after Anjali's accident, when he had returned to Shantivaan after completing his restoration project in Jaipur. He had expected his brother to refuse outright, to throw a murderous fit, but to his utter surprise, he did neither. Arnav had simply nodded, deep in thought, and asked him if he had found a place to stay yet.

 

And that was it. Within two weeks, Payal had found him a good apartment and he had signed the lease without even a customary visit. He knew he had to move out before his brother changed his mind or Anjali became emotional.

 

However, it was during his first night in his new apartment that reality really hit. That was when he saw, up close, his entire future lying in front of him, just waiting for him make a decision. It wasn't easy. It had been a solid month before he could find his way around in that part of the city and a whole other to secure a job as an advertisement designer for a local newspaper, a less than ideal employment, but still better than what he had expected.

 

"Did you talk to Khushi?"

 

Akash blinked out of his reverie to see Payal staring at him, expectant. He had a distinct feeling she purposefully brought up the topic of his ex-girlfriend.

 

"Are you still angry?" she asked, when the silence became too long.

 

"No," he replied, turning away from her concerned face. Sometimes he felt as if she was more invested in his life than he. "I just don't know what to say."

 

"To her? Or about her?"

 

"She lost her mother Payal and I didn't even know. Regardless of what happened between us, I should have been there... with her, for her. She didn't deserve to go through all that alone. On top of that, I accused her of cheating with my brother. That's a whole other level of unforgiveable."

 

Payal let out a sigh. "You don't need to say anything Akash... sometimes our presence does all the talking for us."

 

He stubbornly stared out into the darkening sky.

 

"But for that to happen, you need to be in the same room as her and not miles away!"

 

"You don't know that. We have both been through so much-"

 

"-that it's time you make it up to each other. The least you can do is apologize for her loss."

 

Akash slowly turned back to face her. "Why do you even care about this? You and Khushi hate each other."  

 

Her face darkened significantly. "We don't hate each other."

 

He snorted. "Really? Then why were you both fighting worse than cats and dogs?"

 

"I don't expect you to understand," she said frankly. "But there are some things that me and Khushi relate very well with. And I know she would want you to be there for her, no matter what happened."

 

"So that's why you are vouching for her then?"

 

"I'm vouching for you Akash, whether you see it or not! Every day you wait to talk to her, the harder it is going to be for you to reconcile with her. And don't tell me you don't miss her."

 

He pressed his lips.

 

He did miss her. A lot. He missed her endless chatter, her unreasonable demands and perhaps, the most important, her constant reassurance. He missed Lavanya too for that matter. Her quirky fashion sense, her unnecessary melodrama and her genuine care were all impossible to simply forget.

 

His two best friends, really, were the best part of his life.

 

"There," Payal said, victorious. "It's settled then. You will talk to Khushi."

 

Akash sighed and dropped onto an old couch he bought only a few days ago. The seller had given him such a good price that he just couldn't refuse, even though it was completely unnecessary in his studio apartment.

 

"I wish it was that simple," he said, calm. "But forget this. How come you are here?"

 

Payal shook her head. She didn't like being sidetracked, a trait that was remarkably similar to Khushi's. "I had to drop something off."

 

A line appeared on his forehead. "What?"

 

She walked to the doorstep in answer, where lying beside her handbag, was a big box, wrapped in an old newspaper. She picked it up and hurried back to him. "I thought you could use this."

 

Akash curiously took the parcel and began opening it. Nothing could have prepared him for the nostalgia that hit when he ripped away the last of the wrapping to see a smiling photo of him and his siblings in front of their ancestral mansion in Lucknow.

 

"You could hang it up here," Payal said, briskly turning away from him to point to a wall at the far end of room. It was her subtle way of giving him privacy. 

 

He cleared his throat, his heart pulling at both the memory of his family and the utmost care she had unknowingly expressed. "Are you sure?" he said, trying to keep his voice even.

 

She paused, but didn't turn around.

 

Akash slowly walked up to her, the frame in hand and stood, shoulder to shoulder, beside her. "We could also hang it on that other wall with the rest of the frames."

 

Payal slowly nodded. "Yeah, that would look nice too."

 

He stared at her, wondering if she even listened to his suggestion; he had just uttered the first thing that came to his mind, not wanting to let an awkward silence settled in between them.  

 

She seemed to feel his gaze, for she looked up, meeting his eyes surprised. "What?"

 

"Why did you bring this?" The question slipped out without his control.

 

She let out a sincere smile. "I know you miss them. I just hoped this would make you miss them less."

 

He looked into her chocolate brown eyes, feeling as if he was seeing them for the first time ever. Were they always so lustrous or was it because of the evening sunlight glistening within them?

 

She surprisingly met his gaze back without any shyness or hesitance, giving him the privilege to admire her and yet, keeping him at the edge of her space. And perhaps it was this comfort between them, or maybe even her devout attention to him and his life, but it was enough for him to lean in and cross the line from where there was no coming back.

 

He kissed her.

 

And as he did, he felt his heart race in anticipation, as she froze, surrendering to his unexpected advances. A strange feeling was gripping him, taking over his senses and controlling his actions. Knowing that he was pushing his luck, Akash quietly leaned away, watching her face closely.

 

Payal didn't move an inch, keeping her eyes firmly shut as her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. That was the first time he realized just much he affected her.

 

"Thank you," he finally murmured. "For everything."

 

She gingerly opened her eyes and nodded, her voice apparently caught in her throat.

 

"And for the record," he said casually, striding back to the couch he occupied only minutes ago. "I really thought you would see the girl flying."

 

He glanced back upon receiving no reply. Payal stood still, a confused expression lingering on her soft features.

 

"They say once you know the taste of flying, you will always want another. I figured the girl who taught me that will be the one to see it first."

 

She gasped, understanding what he so carefully slipped into his words. "I have to go," she mumbled, before grabbing her purse and dashing out the door as if her life dependent on it.

 

But for Akash, that was the response he was expecting and to a small extent, even hoping. So, shaking his head in affection, he resumed painting, much more happier than he had been in a very long time.