Chapter 1: Tired of Being Sorry
"Son...It's already been a month," DK said in an attempt to start a conversation with his child. He was the only one whom he could call his own and his behavior had frightened him of late.
"A month to what dad! Thousands of broken promises, lies and betrayals!!" he replied.
"This hatred will take you nowhere son..."
"Where did my love take me dad?"
"I know what has happened is wrong but it was your decision. You married Ovi by choice."
"I know that dad...And there hasn't been a single day since marriage when I haven't blamed myself for it."
He didn't feel like taking about the marriage but when had things ever gone the way he wanted them to! His work was his only relief. He had resorted back to his earlier ways and this time he wanted to make sure that no change, whether for better or for worse, happened in his life again. Everything was back to the way before...the way it was supposed to be before he came to India...before he met her and before he fell head over heels for her. He was to be married to his childhood friend, Ovi, within a few months and here he was, married to her. You can't miss something in your life till you know what you are missing. In Canada, he was a dull businessman whose life rested in his office. There was a change now and a change which was highly unwelcome.
He often wished he hadn't met her. But then the thoughts of his blissful moments which he had spent with her, the moments which were his prized possession valued above everything else in his life would flood his mind making it difficult for him to hate her. But he hated her. He hated her aloofness, he hated her attitude, he hated her indifference but above all he hated her for what she had done to herself and her life. She had not only changed him but had also made his life worth living, filling the hollow which the early demise of his mother had created, with her love and protection. He knew he could face every storm with her standing by him, but alone, he was not sure. But somewhere deep in his heart he knew that he had to walk those few miles alone which lay between her useless sacrifice and her self-realization. He had made sure that no other company in the city hired her and was patiently waiting for the day when Ms. Purvi Deshmukh would be back to the OVT industries.
His chain of thoughts were broken by a routine voice, "You have a meeting with the Canadian delegates at sharp 11 a.m. Next in line are the 'Dream Home' project managers who have requested for a meeting at 1 p.m. I assigned them the slot as it was the only off hour you had today. The interviews for the post of marketing manager would start at 4 p.m. and you have a meeting with the interviewing team an hour prior to that. You also have a..."
"Well! I won't be able to remember all of that at once. Keep reminding me at regular intervals," he said, having already forgotten half of the things said by her.
"Sure sir," came the formal reply.
Ovi had been highly persistent in making the marriage work and he had been even more persistent in not putting in any efforts. Why should he when she hadn't even cared for him once? She had preferred to take up the job of being a nagging wife instead of his once best-friend whom he needed the most then.
"Arjun! I want to join the office," she had said one fine day.
"Why?"
"Because I want to help in your work."
"You won't be able to."
"Why won't I be? If Purvi can help you, so can me."
"Last time I saw you working, it was as a super-model whereas Purvi is perfectly qualified for the job."
"But Arjun..."
"Enough Ovi. I don't want any further discussions on this. If you are really interested in working I will open up a new company for you but not in this one. This company has been gifted to be my dad and I won't let you ruin it!"...like the many other things in my life.
"Why can't you just try to work on our marriage Arjun?"
"Who said I can't...I won't." Saying so he had left the room, leaving her in tears.
He had consulted a divorce lawyer who had told him that there was no clause of divorce till the marriage turned a year old and even then it was tough to get one given the conditions. The only other way out was annulment of the marriage which was not possible. After a lot of inner conflicts, he had decided to opt for a mutual divorce which seemed highly impossible with the way things were going but he knew he would get it no matter at what price!
"Good morning sir,"
"Have a sit Ms. Deshmukh..."
The interview had progressed much more smoothly than she had expected. The rude reply from the other companies had hurt her self-confidence and she didn't know why she was being rejected in spite of having the desired qualifications. And before she even realized, it was over.
"Thank you for the interview...You will be informed later'Have a good day!"
As she stepped out in the scorching sun again, her heart felt heavy. You will be informed later...Will I ever be really informed, she wondered. A phone call next day had put her mind to rest. "Congratulations Ms. Deshmukh! You can join the company from tomorrow."
Going through the name of the interviewees for the post of marketing manager he had come across a name which his eyes had got tired of searching since the past month.
"Send Mr. Jain into my cabin right now," he had ordered.
A knock on the door informed him of the arrival of the requested person.
"Hire Ms. Purvi Deshmukh for the job and make sure the new employee signs a contract stating she's not allowed to leave the group till she serves a period of three years."
"But sir..."
"I don't like ifs and buts Mr.Jain. Do as I say."
"What if she refuses to sign?"
"She doesn't have another option, you see!"
He hated himself for doing this to her but he had no other choice. She had straightway refused to meet him or indulge in a conversation with him. You are now married to my sister Arjun had been her clichd dialogue. He had wanted a way to get back in touch with her and this was the only route which seemed open. I have to do this Purvi'not for me but for you, for us. You need to realize that your silly decision has done none of us any good and if you still chose to leave things the way they are then it would be completely your decision.He couldn't wait for the next morning to come over. Purvi was back to the office and he knew that it wasn't long when she would be back in his life.
"Good morning dad," he wished his father at the breakfast table. And at that moment DK knew that his son was back from the seclusion he had assigned to himself. The cheer in his voice was unmistakable and the smile which was plastered across his face gave away his happiness. As soon as he reached his destination, his eyes scanned the whole area just to get a glimpse of her'and then his eyes met the ones he had been dying to see. She was same yet different. Her eyes had lost the spark which brightened up his whole life but her indifference still lingered and he was going to change that. He advanced towards her making sure his eyes didn't give away his inner turmoil. "Welcome to the OVT industries once again Ms. Deshmukh," he said, his cold eyes reflecting nothing but dark passion, "And I will make sure that you DON'T enjoy your stay here."
Edited by WanderingBeauty - 13 years ago
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