Hello!! 😃
How is everyone doing today? I did not watch the show...but did watch the Prem-Heer scenes....my...*fanning self* was I the only one feeling faint...?😉 I will have to see how they are going to spin the rest of the story!
And while we are all wondering that..read on for the next update of Destiny!
Chapter 107
Meher felt the edges of the card biting into her palm as fingers curled around it, before she held it up. "What is the meaning of this?" she asked with barely suppressed fury. The initial shock of seeing him was wearing off and coming fast at its heel was the realization that he was responsible for this fiasco. A dull throb began in the right side of her temple.
Atul watched her, hands tucked in the back pocket of his jeans. It irritated her no end to find him so nonchalant in face of her ire. "It seemed like a logical solution, considering we'd be...working together," he said quietly.
He had to be bloody joking, Meher thought. "When hell freezes over," she bit out, trying to keep her voice down, conscious of people milling about the lobby. "I need this changed'now." Meher held out the key. She could have tried it herself if she wasn't certain that her attempts would get her nowhere. And just how Atul would have responded to her demand, Meher did not know or find out, for the touch on the shoulder had her turning and shifting his attention at the same time. "All done...?" Vishaal asked, smiling widely. Meher's outstretched hand dropped to her side and she was appalled for having forgotten all about her companion. At what point he noticed Atul, she had no idea, but Vishaal extended him a smile, nonetheless. "Hello."
Meher slid a quick glance at Atul. As much as she absolutely loathed it, it was quite evident that an introduction seemed in order, to find him staring at Vishaal. He had gone very still, his lean frame tense and his gaze turned to pin hers'questioning. Her hackles rose. Atul had no right to expect anything from her, she thought and Meher glared right back at him. Beside her, there was a sound of a throat being cleared. "I am Vishaal," he said and held out his hand. If possible, the waves emanating from Atul turned colder. Was she the only one feeling it? Or was it all just her wild imagination, for Vishaal certainly found nothing wrong. With slow deliberation, Atul grasped the other man's hand into a brief clasp. "Vishaal, this is Atul. He is Sanjana's brother."
"And I am also Meher's boss," he drawled, making sure no one was left in any doubt. "Which brings me back to our earlier discussion," Atul continued, turning to her. "I still prefer the arrangement as it stands. Unless," his gaze held hers. "Your boyfriend doesn't trust you or," he held his hand out, "You are afraid."
Or that I can't stand the sight of you, Meher wanted to say, her grip tightening on the key. The gauntlet was thrown and damned if she was going to back out. She did not want to get into a slanging match in public with him, so Meher bit her tongue, promising herself that Atul was going to find out, just exactly what she thought of him soon enough. Hitching the strap of the case that held her laptop, Meher turned to Vishaal, who was staring at one from the other with a bewildered expression.
"I will talk to you tomorrow," she said. Her smile conveyed how glad she was to have him with her'especially now. "Sleep well," Meher said and without another word, stepped aside to follow the bellboy who waited with her luggage. Their entire conversation had probably lasted less than ten minutes and yet, she had never felt as livid as she did, just at this moment. The suite that Meher was to share with him was huge, with the vast expanse of living area, separating the two bedrooms. The drapes in here had been drawn back to reveal large windows, with breathtaking views of the Darling harbor. But Meher was too riled up at the moment to enjoy it. She took in the plush couches, the state of the art entertainment system and the elegant dcor with an air of indifference. By the time Atul showed up, Meher had unpacked, showered and staring at the flickering television without taking in a word of the news program she had been watching. The remains of dinner still lay on the table. Even that thoughtful gesture of his did nothing to abate her anger for him. It was the slight click of the door that had alerted her to Atul's presence and she stabbed the remote, throwing the entire room into silence. "Oh, you are here," Meher said getting off the couch and turning to face him. "Why, I thought you would be kind enough and let me stew here for a little longer." The words dripped with sarcasm, her eyes flashing with rage. "That was a very clever stunt you pulled off downstairs, I must admit," she went on, watching Atul as he walked over to the small fridge to pull out a bottle of water. "Then again, that is to be expected, considering how easily you manipulate everything to suit your selfish needs." His eyes were fixed on her, as he drank straight from the bottle. "But other than derive sadistic pleasure, I am not sure what else you are hoping to achieve." Meher hadn't been shouting and yet her throat felt dry and coarse.
"Feeling better?" Atul asked quietly. His reaction completely floored her.
"Not so that you would notice," she bit out. "Is that all you have to say...?"
"I was expecting to be called at least a couple names...which I am sure I deserve."
Her eyes narrowed. What new game was he playing now? "Some do come to mind," Meher said, watching him closely. "But they would be an insult to your wonderful parents, who had the misfortune to end up with a jerk for a son." Atul, who had moved closer to where she stood, inclined his head at that insult. Ok, so something was seriously wrong with this picture and till she found out what it was, Meher had to tread carefully. "So," she said casually. "Who sent you to check up on me this time...or should I not ask?"
"It was my idea," he said immediately. "I wanted to see you."
Almost against her will, she asked. "Why?"
"To apologize...to tell you how deeply sorry I was for behaving the way I did."
Her body tensed at the reference to their last meeting that had ended in such disaster. The topic was bound to come up sooner or later. Better to get it over and done with. "Amazing," Meher said in mock wonder. "So you cooked up this elaborate plan, just to apologize." She held his gaze. "If I tell you I forgive you, will that make you leave?"His brow furrowed slightly, but Atul did not answer. She forced herself to laugh lightly. "Funny, how it's taken you four months to decide that."
"And what would you have done, had I flown out to see you?" he asked curiously.
Meher acknowledged that Atul knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't even have deigned to talk to him. "You actually did me a huge favor," she gushed now with a wide grin, ignoring his question. "There's nothing like learning the error of your ways early. Anyway," she waved her hand, as if dismissing the past. "It's all water under the bridge." As far as Meher was concerned, it was. The throb in her head had turned into a full fledged headache. This conversation needed to end soon. She feigned a yawn. "Good night." Meher hoped that the fatigue from the journey would aid her in falling asleep.
"Wait," Atul called after her and she spun around. He went into his room and was back a minute later. "Here," he said, holding out a tiny packet of aspirin. He was standing close to her. Seeing the puzzled expression, his finger reached out to touch her brow. "It wrinkles when your head hurts," Atul said almost to himself. Meher, who had been holding her breath, jerked back from his touch. "Hope you feel better tomorrow," he said.
"I would," Meher said, taking the tablets. "But only if I wake up and find you gone." With that, she quietly shut the door, thinking it would not be as easy to keep him out of her head.
Ok, that was it for today. I know..not much fireworks...not yet at least 😉 See ya all Monday!
Edited by sshekar - 16 years ago
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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