She felt as if someone was strangling her throat. That's how she felt breathless and sick, as if she would collapse any second. But, she didn't. Sadly, she remained still.
"The girl had a point, Vivan" she found herself saying, as they walked by the antique store.
"You mean Ana?"
"The girl with Shiv is Ana?" she questioned
"Yeah." He replied, as he looked down at the floor, "what point are you talking about?"
"The words Ana mentioned" She replied now looking down at the pattern on the floor, "It was all a drama wasn't it?"
Gauri Ghosh got his attention right away. He appeared furious at her words, "What is wrong with you?" he said suddenly catching her shoulders, and shaking them roughly.
"Ana is right Vivan." She replied calmly, as if she was lost in her own world, which he did not like one bit, "I mean if I had truly been in support of Ana, then I would have never joined Kapoor Industries". After a brief pause she continued, "I wasn't exactly aware that Shiv Kapoor ran the company. But still, there had been plenty of opportunities to get out of that place, but I never tried them did I?" She sounded really upset at this point.
"Gauri," replied Vivan trying to close his eyes to suppress his anger, "stop thinking" when she made a face he added, "Really Gauri. You need to stop thinking. Girl, you think way too much"
"That's not the point Vivan. You are just trying to change the topic because you know its true"
"Damn it Gauri would you even listen?" he said holding her shoulders in anger, as he gritted his teeth, "stop jumping to your own conclusions!"
"It's true Vivan" she responded quietly
"It's not true," he shouted practically on top of his lungs grabbing the attention of others. He took her to the side, and said quietly, "Listen Gauri, I know Ana, and she isn't exactly this pretty type of girl."
"What does that have to do with this?" she responded appearing confused
"Will you even listen to me?" he sounded frustrated
"Okay. Sorry!"
"Ana has a lot of bad shades. Shiv is familiar with her true colours, which believe me, aren't exactly pretty. She is the type of gal, who goes around trapping rich guys." Vivan paused taking a quick glance of Gauri, who appeared to be quite distressed.
He continued, as if he hadn't stopped
"Now, don't ask me why, but sadly Shiv did see something in her to have a fling with her one night". At the words fling he caught Gauri's disheartened look, "She really likes Shiv for his charming personality, for his good looks, and not to mention most importantly the goody bank balance. After that night I am assuming Shiv moved on from her, and went for someone else, which she didn't exactly digest pretty nicely. She had literally attacked him viciously"
Gauri gasped at the word 'attacked'.
Vivan ignored her and continued, as if he didn't hear her gasp, "viciously when she learnt he had moved to someone else. Shiv sent her behind bars for a week, and she was asked to stay away from him and his property." He took a deep breath and continued, "A month later Shiv met her at a party, that night she begged him to forgive her, which he of course refused to. The next day when Shiv was driving to work she came and stood in front of his car, and like an insane woman refused to move. She screamed out to the whole world that she was pregnant with his child ---"
Gauri's heart sank when she remembered that Ana was pregnant with Shiv's child. In a very upset tone she interrupted Vivan, "What's the difference between me and her Vivan? She also got Shiv's attention, and so did I."
"There is a difference Gauri. You never wanted to get his attention." Vivan responded thoughtfully, as he walked in a circle around Gauri.
"No, Vivan, you don't understand." She cried, "I don't blame Ana for thinking that way about me. I make it seem, as if I was after Shiv Kapoor, despite witnessing Ana having a tough time, I took up this job, which was completely wrong on my part"
"As much as I care for you, Gauri, and I don't want to hurt you ever, but one word from your mouth and I swear I will slap you" he responded
She remained silent at his words, and merely looked up.
"Its time you are aware of another reality" he said, as he stood by the side, "Ana was never pregnant"
"What?"
Somewhere a deep pleasing and relaxing sensation took control over her body. Her mind fell at ease. Her heart jumped up in ecstasy at his words.
"Yes. Ana was never pregnant," said Vivan sounding troubled, "It was all a lie, and Shiv knew it all along!"
At the mention of his name, she felt her world shatter. She had been wrong all along, and yet he had never said a word. She had rudely insulted him public, yet he had been so nice to her. He had never gotten back to her for her insult. There was no revenge or foul play or anything on his behalf, okay on the first day he had said some harsh words, but could she even blame him for that? The answer was no.
God, what had she done?
Why did her mind always jump to the wrong conclusions? Why? O why?
"Now, don't you dare kill yourself for being rude to him that day" said Vivan bringing her out of her thoughts, "Listen Gauri, whatever you said that day wasn't your fault. Circumstances were presented to you in such a way that any normal person would have done the same thing you did that day"
"No, Vivan, I was wrong" she sounded on the verge of tears, "I should have checked out all the facts," saying this she broke down
"Gauri, its not your fault!" Vivan screamed, "Don't blame yourself for this mess. Shiv ain't exactly a ----"
"Gauri," said Shiv from behind forcing Vivan and Gauri to literally jump, as they realized his presence.
She turned around and gave a smile; it was a very weak smile he noticed. On the other hand, Vivan appeared quite tensed and frustrated.
"I am sorry about that" he found himself saying, while looking at her, but she didn't react the way he would have expected her to. She remained quiet, and again smiled at the end.
"It's alright, Shiv" she replied calmly, though he noticed tears coming in her eyes, and the next second they had disappeared, as if she had held them.
****
An hour later
British Airways Flight No 281
She walked with a sense of control over her mind. If anyone were to see her now they wouldn't believe that this was the same vulnerable girl, who had cried her eyes out a few minutes earlier. She appeared different, more like in control. Cool, calm and composed that's how she looked. But, Shiv knew it was all a mask. A pretense. Her eyes easily reflected the reality, which she failed to hide.
Something was troubling her mind. And, he sensed it, but he decided to give her privacy. From his personal experience when there was some matter on his mind, he liked privacy, and hated it when people hounded around him. It was very unpleasant.
"Do you mind if I ask you something?" she said finally breaking the silence between them.
A kid ran by them to the washroom in the front, while an airhostess passed by with a cart distributing magazines to everyone.
He wanted to question her for the sudden formality, but withheld, and instead responded, "No." as he looked at her, "Go ahead"
"How long have you been working?" she asked.
It was a rather odd question, and something told him she was beating around the bush to get to the real matter, which is why he didn't press down.
"Since the age of 17" he answered truthfully
She looked alarmed with his answer at first, but later looked in awe at him. She had suddenly distanced herself he noticed for the first time, and he did not quite like it one bit, he realized.
"That's rather nice." She responded. She looked back out the little window outside, and he knew she was trying to formulate another question.
"Do you like the rain?" she later asked. Again, this one was another strange question he mused. Why was she so interested in finding out whether he liked the rain or not?
"No." He quickly responded, "why do you ask?"
His question took her by surprise he noticed. She fidgeted in her seat, her hands shook, she was nervous.
Stumbling on her words she replied, "I --- just-t-t asking"
The more he looked at her body language, and reflected over her question from before, the more he came to realize whatever the matter was, it had to do with him.
"Is there something that is disturbing you Gauri?" he asked surprising both him and her.
"No No No" she replied quickly, as if she was trying to convince it was true, "Of course not" she said breaking into a smile, "Why would I be upset?" she said laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked
She looked surprised, and stopped, as she said, "I don't know!"
Their eyes met this time. She looked on for a few seconds in guilt, and she was the first one to break the gaze to look out the window.
Outside the plane jumped to a start.
****
The nap was refreshing. Waking up she stretched her arms, and turned her head to find her partner sitting engrossed on his laptop.
She caught a snippet of the conversation he was having:
"What the hell did you tell her?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Something is wrong with her. She is acting all distant and strange"
"Really?"
When he realized she had woken up, he quickly closed the window, and put the laptop away out of sight.
"Wow, I was wondering when you would wake up" he teased, "you sure do sleep like there is no tomorrow."
"Yes. I was really tired." she replied pulling the quilt over, "I am sure I must have slept like a dead person!"
This time he noticed her tone was normal. She was no longer having trouble talking to him, perhaps she had let the disturbing matter slide by.
"I tried waking you up" he stated firmly looking at her
He noticed her look around.
"Where are we?" she asked taking in her surroundings. They were surely not in the same plane they had started in.
"On a Private plane heading to Mexico" he replied, removing the seat belt, and getting off his seat.
"So, how did you manage to get me off the plane?" she asked trying to act all casual.
"I asked the pilot to pick you up" he replied stretching his arms, "you are so heavy. What do you think I would be able to carry you?" with a smile
This was so familiar. She realized. It was as if he had said the same words before. Unknowingly, she smiled.
"Besides, that backpack of yours was painful to carry." He added, "I literally felt like dumping it somewhere, just be glad I didn't"
Lifting up the backpack he handed it to her, and went to check up on the pilot.
****
Ten Minutes Later
"My goodness are those bottles?" he yelled
She quickly picked up the bottles scattered on the floor, while Shiv ran to the backpack, and opened the lid, the content inside made him scream out, "Holy *** what is this?"
Gauri remained silent, as she put the bottles back in the backpack, and tried to take it from him.
"You made me carry all this ****?" he screamed pulling the backpack from her hands.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"That's it, Gauri, the minute we land in Mexico, I am going to dump this crap out" he yelled. This was plainly ridiculous. She had gotten 30 bottles of water.
Was there a shortage of water in Mexico or something?
"No, I am carrying it!" she said pulling the backpack from his hands, as if her life depended on it.
"What is wrong with you woman? Are you insane to get all these bottles of water?" he yelled out loud
Gritting his teeth, "Are you planning to sell these in Mexico or something?"
"No," she answered with a smile.
For some weird reason she found his anger amusing.
"Then, why the hell did you get this?" he yelled again
"I wasn't sure if I would like Mexican water, because I like only certain brand of water, and if I don't get that brand, then I plainly refuse to drink water" she sounded like a stubborn child
He felt like doing two things, one throwing back his head and laughing on her stupid innocent response, and two plainly kissing her for biting that lower lip, but, he could not either, since he heard a voice.
****
"Sir," the alarmed face of the pilot was disturbing to both Shiv and Gauri, and neither of them wished that their fears came true, "we are running out of fuel!"
"WHAT?" barked Shiv, "What do you mean we are running out of fuel? How is this even possible? How could you be so irresponsible?"
The pilot remained silent at his questions.
"Shiv," Gauri said placing a hand on his shoulder she gave him a just-relax look, while she asked, "What do you propose we do Sir?"
"We can't head back, and neither we can make it to Mexico. Something is wrong with the fuel tank – my guess is that it's leaking, and that too I am afraid rather too badly. In about ten minutes, we will have to get off the plane" he responded
"And, how do you suppose we get off?" Gauri asked
"Ma'am, we have about four parachutes." He replied loudly this time "I made sure we had them before we took off" he said the last bit under his breath
"But (pacing around), how can the fuel tank just leak?" asked Shiv, ignoring the parachute advice, it just didn't make sense that the fuel tank to leak on its own, "did you check it before we left?"
"Yes Sir." Replied the worried pilot, "I did"
"Then, how can it leak?" asked Shiv
"Unless, someone played with it" this time it was Gauri, who responded.
"What?" said Shiv giving her are-you-stupid type of look, "that's not possible!"
"Madam is right Sir." Said the pilot giving a quick look at Gauri "Someone had to fool around it for it to leak"
"Rubbish!" replied Shiv, "I am sure you didn't check the fuel tank before we left"
"I did Sir." replied the pilot sounding serious
"I don't see why he would lie" replied Gauri before Shiv could say anything, "Like, really, if he didn't check it, he might as well admit it."
"He doesn't want to loose his job Gauri"
"And, you think we all are going to make out of this all alive?"
Shiv ignored her statement, and instead asked, "So, where are we now?"
"Sir, we are travelling over some lake"
Gauri gasped at the word 'lake'.
"Which lake?" yelled Shiv in frustration
"I am afraid I do not have the answer to that" responded the pilot
"What do you mean you don't have a answer to that? Shouldn't you be aware of all this?" yelled Shiv going to the front, and catching the pilot's shirt.
"I am unable to retain anything Sir. Something is wrong with the system, which is why we can't even land on water. None of the controls are working" replied the pilot looking scared now
The situation was much worse than it appeared. No wonder the pilot had withheld such a big thing. He didn't want to panic them, but they were as it is panic with leakage of the fuel tank, now with none of the controls, even the Madam lost her control now.
"WHAT?" said Shiv
"Oh my god!" murmured Gauri simultaneously
And, that's when the plane gave a violent shake forcing Gauri to slide down as she lost her balance, while Shiv, and the pilot managed to hold on steady.
****
"Are you alright?" asked Shiv lifting Gauri off to her feet
"Yes. I am fine!" she responded holding on to him
"Sir, the earlier you get off the plane the better," said the shaken up pilot
"I am not getting down" replied Gauri firmly
"Now, what is wrong with you?" yelled Shiv tying the bag around his waist.
"There is no way I am jumping in water." She said looking at him, "as it is we are all going to die. I might as well just die in here"
"Madam, please don't make this anymore difficult for us. Lets just all get off the plane" pleaded the pilot
"You don't get it do you?" she cried, "I hate water. I just hate it. And, there is absolutely no ----- What are you doing?" she yelled, when Shiv pulled her closer, and tried to tie something on her waist
"Something I should have done five minutes earlier" he replied, tying the bag securely on her waist.
"If you think you can get me off the plane, then you are highly mistaken Shiv Kapoor!" she barked
He ignored her, and walked to the side, pulling out a socket, then he pushed something to the side, the next instant the door flew open, and the wind rushed inside.
"Let's go Gauri," he said authoritatively putting his hand in front
"I am not coming with you Shiv" she stubbornly replied moving back
"Its not so bad Gauri, at least come in front and have a look" he said moving towards her
"No, I don't trust you"
"Just check it once, if you don't like it, then I will respect your wishes, I promise" he sounded quite serious, as he stood in front of her
"On one condition you are going to stay away from me"
"Sure." he replied shaking his head in affirmative.
Slowly, she made her way to the front holding her breath. She looked down holding to the side, the sight was disturbing, they were a thousand feet up in the air, and below them surrounded all water, and ice.
Before she could move back, a hand pushed her from back roughly, saying, "I am sorry hun"
The only thought that came on her mind, as she fell down was If ever she and Shiv Kapoor miraculously survived through this... the first thing she would do was
