Chapter 31: chapter 31

The week went smoothly. Shreya joined in office officially. A welcome party was done. So many male employees were ogling her. Everyday she meets Rakesh, but never look at his eyes. Just does the work related talks and leave his office. Mostly she would send only her assistant to him. Rakshita and Rakesh were happily building their love cocoon. Everyday, she would treat him with his favourite dishes for dinner and spend the day time calling and texting him. Their love gradually developing. They stroll on lawns at nights, holding eachother's hand and talking endlessly. Rakshita has finally found her home. At nights she would cuddle him and clung to him dearly. Rakesh was living his heavenly life. Sachin keeps track of Shally and often follow her around the city, without her knowledge. He still had no idea where she works, but probably he will find soon. His assistant Sara had seen him smiling to himself at office, but never voiced her questions. She pretends to not notice him, but occasionally tells Nikita about his behaviour. Nikita too would laugh at that. Thinking how the bitchy workaholic CEO has turned so tender. By the weekend, Raghav arranged for a family dinner, as his childrena are busy at work, he can't get time to sit with them and chat. Rakshita again wore the chef coat and rocked the kitchen. Rakesh and his siblings even said her to open her own restaurant. She too had thought about it. Shreya initially hesitated to go there, but she doesn't want Raghav to feel bad, so she pulled herself up and went. Shally also was invited, but she had a team dinner at company and excused herself, stating that she would join atleast before the dessert, as she cannot miss her besties pastries for the world. Luckily, she got escaped from facing Sachin again. She would just show her face atlast and would get back. That's her plan.The dinner was calm, Rakshita got more appreciation, even Shreya appreciated her cooking skills, telling her she had never licked her finger while eating, but now she felt like doing it. Rakesh, Sachin and Nikita were happy that Shreya has somehow geared up herself. Rakshita was overwhelmed. After dinner, everyone went to front lawn,Rakesh, Sachin and Shreya sat with Raghav discussing the company's news. Nikita helped Rakshita in serving dessert. Shally came at the exact timing. She got blessings from Raghav and handed him a parcel, which had an indoor lemon bonsai plant, which is good for cleansing air inside the room. Raghav thanked her and appreciated her for her thoughtfulness. Sachin was glad and his heart started beating fast. Though the whole week, he saw her, having her near and within the family made him more than happy. Nikita passed her the pastry tray. She took one and went to Rakshita. Nikita took this as an opportunity and talked about Shreya to Rakshita, so that it won't intentional to Shally. The first time she fainted, the second time at office, everything. Shally wondered what relationship she had with Sachin, but then Rakshita and Nikita told about her and Rakesh. Shally gasped on hearing that. How she had mistaken Sachin to be a spoilt brat. Yet she didn't not want to dwell on the topic now. So she talked about her new job and how she is enjoying the city and so on. Few times she would look at Sachin from the corner of her eyes. Sachin would notice it occasionally. When it was getting mid night, Raghav insisted, Shreya and Shally to stay for the night. But both of them denied. But somehow Raghav convinced Shreya. Yet Shally wanted to leave, stating that she had a important work to complete the next day morning. So Nikita came front and insisted, she would accompany Shally till her flat, as it's already mid night. Raghav wasn't pleased. So he looked and both Rakesh and Sachin,and told Sachin to drop Shally. Nikita patted herself for making her plan work. Sachin became enthusiastic. Shally declined the offer, but even Rakesh and Rakshita insisted. So with other option left, she agreed. Though her heart seemed a little happy, she don't want to rush things with Sachin. She let the time to evolve their relationship. After bidding goodbye to everyone, Shally left. Everyone went inside, and they went alone to the parking lot. Sachin gestured for her keys, she told she would drive, but he denied and got the keys. He opened her door and closed it behind her, before rounding the car and going to driver's seat.  He ignited the car. Chill ran down on Shally's spine. She has never been so close to him in such a compact place. The heat radiated from his body, made her sweat. His arms were strong and the way he drove, made her admire him more. Though she repeatedly chanted to avoid him, her eyes and heart seek him. Sachin was quiet, but occasionally looked at her staring him and smiled inwardly. He turned on the music system to reduce the rising tension and the song played was the same song they both danced together at Rakesh's wedding. Shally was dumbstruck and looked away through the window. The memories came rushing down to both of them and they both felt the same connection they had on that night. Shally hurried to turn off the song at the same time Sachin also does the same and their hands clashed. She apologized and hurriedly took her hand away. The song continued to play. Once the song ended, Shally sighed inwardly. But the tension raised in the air was so thick between them. The attraction felt even more strong towards each other now. It started drizzling slowly when they reached her building. They both got down. Shally thanked him and asked how he will go, he said he will hail a taxi. But before that rain became heavy. So Shally looked him from head to toe and blinked. He looked her questioningly. She said he had no umbrella and told she will get one for him. Though he told no need, she insisted. She doesn't want him to get wet because of her. She cannot make him wait outside also. So both took the elevator to her flat. She opened the door and gestured him to get in. All the while her nerves were in toll. She rushed inside and brought him a towel to dry his hair, he accepted. She was already half drenched too. But she ignored herself. Again she went inside and brought an umbrella for him. Within that time, he observed her living room, it had her personal touches and it felt like Shally's to him. This is how he had imagined her home to be and he was right about her choices. While she back with an umbrella, she skidded on the waters that were dripped forom her clothes. Thankfully, Sachin held her waist and stopped her from hitting her head on the table. Shally lost herself in that moment.He could feel the heat of her skin through her wet dresses and it was so hard hard to resist himself from doing something regretful. He does not want to ruin what they have one and controlled himself from pursuing his temptations. He slowly brought her up, all the time his one hand holding her waist and the other her hand. Their faces were so close, she resembled to be a natural beauty, with drips of water falling from her head. Sachin brought the towel he hand in his hand and covered her head, all the while, both staring at each other. She held his hand and took the towel from him and stepped away. She took the umbrella that she dropped at the floor and gave it to him. He accepted and left her flat. She lock the door and came in, only to see his mobile lying on the table, she took the mobile and rushed out. At the same time, Sachin too came back to get the mobile and they bumped against each other. They both laughed for a moment at their stupidity. But Sachin stopped laughing and looked at her eyes seriously. Shally became nervous. He held her hands and placed his forehead on hers, their temples touching. It was an intimate gesture and Shally couldn't pull away. Sachin held her like that for a moment. Then slowly, opened his mouth and said "I am sorry, if I had hurted you in anyway. I never meant to. ", She nodded her head side ways, he looked at her glistening eyes, she spoke softly, "I am the one who misunderstood everything, I am sorry, I should have trusted my heart, I am not ready to break my heart again by losing any relationship", Sachin nodded and said, "I know", Shally looked at him questioningly, he just smiled at her and tugged the loose hair behind her ears and looked straight in to her eyes one again, it seemed as if he is seeping in to her soul and read her in and out. She too looked at him and asked, "what next?", those words gave him all sorts of bad thoughts, yet he said, "date me", she looked at him with an amused smile. He then said, "let's start everything freshly, date me", she nodded. He then hesitated to move and then kissed her on forehead and waved her bye. All night Shally was on cloud nine. She wanted to immediately dial Rakshita's number. But she held herself back from doing so. She thought to give some time. She don't anyone to know about their dating. If their relationship moves further, then she will first share with Rakshita about it. Smiling, she went to bed.Shreya stayed the following day at her farmhouse. All were a little giddy about the big day tomorrow. They are going to knock the deal off from the giant company. So all day they were in preparation mode. On Monday, Rakesh and Sachin reached JDS groups together. Shreya is yet to join them. Rakshita and Nikita wished them good luck. Sachin was waiting to get back to Shally with a good news. He wanted to share each and everything to her, from last night, he felt purposeful. Making her happy became his only mission. Shreya got there on time. There were also other huge companies of the city. They all were waiting for the president of JDS. A tall man in a grey tuxedo arrived, dark hair, cleaning shaved face, strong jaws, perfect nose and deep eyes. He looked extremely arrogant. For a man at such young age, to become so successful, will add more ego to their pride.  As soon as he entered, everyones eyes were glued on him. But his eyes looked only at one pair of eye, that saw him  in bewilderment. Shreya's hands started sweating, her knees went weak, chill ran down her spine. His face is familiar. This is the face that haunted her from last week. These eyes were the one that pleaded her to call. He is the stranger, the one whom she met at the pub. The stranger, no one other than this 'Jash fucking Donovan Sailas',the ruthless business tycoon, president of JDS groups. Shreya's eyes started welling, she can neither pull an tantrum nor weep in front of these people.....