6 Days Later.
"You know, we might actually finish up before the actual day, Sid." Meera beamed, her eyes shining with excitement as they stepped out of the house together.
Siddhartha smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Well, thanks to your hard work, you really switch to professional mode every time. I must say, I'm impressed. You have a natural talent for leadership and management. You'll make an excellent entrepreneur one day."
Meera's face flushed with a tiny pink blush as she looked away, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Stop pulling my legs, Sid. I'm still learning. I just really want to be able to run my own business one day."
Siddhartha's smile widened as he gazed at her with genuine admiration.
"I mean it, Meera. Your diligence and patience will definitely make you a successful businesswoman. You have a strong will and a clear vision - that's what sets you apart."
Meera's eyes drifted off into the distance, her gaze lost in thought as she dreamed of her future. Siddhartha watched her, his expression softening with warmth. He had always admired her drive and determination.
"Don't worry, Meera." he said, his voice low and encouraging. "You can always come to me for guidance or support. I'm always open to a new business partner or mentorship."
Meera's eyes snapped back to his, widening in surprise. "Oh my God, Sid. You don't need to-"
Siddhartha held up a hand, his smile reassuring. "I'm serious, Meera. Always reach out to me when the idea pops into your head, okay? You have a year and a few months left in university before you graduate. Don't worry, I'll be here for you."
Meera's face went from shock to gratitude, her eyes shining with tears. Was he really offering to help her achieve her dreams? Siddhartha laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Haha! I know that face, Meera." Meera grinned awkwardly, still trying to process his offer.
Just then, the screech of a car halting caught their attention, and the door swung open as Arjun stepped out. He handed his keys to a waiting guard and strode up the mini steps, his movements fluid but laced with a sense of fatigue.
As he approached the door where Siddhartha and Meera were conversing, Meera spared him a glance and noticed he looked...off. Tired, almost restless. It was something anyone could see, a visible aura of turmoil surrounding him like a dark cloud.
His hair was disheveled, his suit slung over one shoulder, and his white t-shirt was undone, revealing a hint of his chest. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his eyes...his eyes looked bloodshot. Meera's gaze lingered, her concern piqued.
Siddhartha saw him too, and his expression turned somber. Arjun had been acting like this for four days straight, and it was getting worse. He'd tried talking to him, but Arjun shut him down. Siddhartha had also noticed a few employees had been sacked, and Arjun had killed an enemy two days ago - brutally and ruthlessly. It was as if he was taking out all his pain and anger on the victim. Siddhartha had confided in Karan, but it seemed like that wasn't helping. Instead, things had escalated.
Arjun halted on the step, his gaze locking onto Meera's, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. His eyes stayed on her for a beat longer, and she almost gasped. Up close, he looked...sick.
'Is he okay?' She wanted asking but she knows better by not saying a word, not to anger him.
Siddhartha began to speak, but Arjun cut him off.
"I'm fine." he growled, his voice rough, his eyes still fixed on Meera.
"Bhai-" Siddhartha tried again, but Arjun's anger flared up.
"I said I'm f*cking fine!" he roared, his glare intensifying as he turned to Siddhartha. Then, he turned and walked into the house, leaving Siddhartha and Meera staring after him.
Siddhartha sighed, the sound pulling Meera's attention back to him. She turned to him, her expression questioning, and Siddhartha's face was a mask of worry.
"Is everything alright?" Meera asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
Siddhartha's smile seemed forced, his eyes betraying a hint of worry.
"Yeah, don't worry. It's just him being...himself. It's good, alright?"
Meera wasn't convinced, but before she could press further, Siddhartha excused himself and headed back inside. He returned with a golden-colored card, which he handed to her with a pleased smile.
Meera examined the card, her confusion deepening. It was an invitation to a birthday party. "Umm, Sid?"
Siddhartha's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"I know it's sudden, but please, I want you to come. Besides, I have to introduce you to someone."
Meera hesitated, unsure if she fit into Siddhartha's high-society world.
"I don't know, Sid. This looks like a big event, and I don't think someone like me will blend in. Also, your dad...?"
Siddhartha's expression turned pleading. "Meera, please don't reject this. I owe you one. Besides, it's going to be boring, and I really want you to meet this person. My head will be off if you don't come."
Meera giggled at his dramatics, but her concerns lingered.
"I'll have to ask my dad, Sid. His answer is final."
Siddhartha grinned confidently. "Well, I can talk to him if he disagrees. I have this charm that no one can resist."
Meera raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "My dad might look sweet, but he's a strict man. Even your charm won't work on him."
Just then, Meera's phone beeped, signaling her father's arrival. She smiled, relieved.
"Well, Mr. Siddhartha Madhav, my dad is here."
As they walked to the main gate, Meera's father pulled her into a warm hug.
"My heart beats faster every time I remember you're still coming here for your project work."
Meera reassured him, and Siddhartha interrupted with a charming smile.
"Greetings, Uncle!"
"Papa, this is Siddhartha, the CEO I'm interviewing." Meera said with a warm smile, gesturing to the young man standing beside her.
Siddhartha's face lit up with a polite smile as he bended to touch Meera's father feet.
"It's so nice to meet you, Uncle" he said, his voice dripping with respect.
Meera's father was shocked, his expression softening as he took in Siddhartha's words. He hadn't expected one of the Madhav sons to be so... responsible. Only Siddhartha seemed to have developed this kind gesture, and Meera's father was pleased.
"That's okay, thank you very much for taking care of my lovely daughter." he said, his smile deepening, wrinkles creasing at the corners of his eyes. He was genuinely grateful.
Siddhartha's smile broadened.
"Oh, anytime, Uncle. And I must say, your daughter is one intelligent young woman. She will really make you proud."
Meera's father beamed with pride, his chest puffing out slightly.
"That's my girl." he chuckled, his eyes shining with warmth.
As they stood there, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of mutual respect and admiration. Meera's father was impressed by Siddhartha's manners, and Siddhartha was genuinely fond of Meera's father.
Finally, Meera's father broke the spell, glancing at his watch.
"Well, we have to get going, Mr. Madhav, it's getting really late." Meera's father said, turning to leave.
But Siddhartha stopped him, his hand on Meera's father's arm.
"Uncle, please, I need to talk to you." he said, his eyes serious.
Meera's father was taken aback, wondering what Siddhartha could possibly want to discuss. "Okay, Mr.-" he began, but Siddhartha interrupted him.
"Okay, first of all, please, my name is Siddhartha. Mr. Madhav is my father's title. And it makes me sound like I'm an old person." Siddhartha said with a grin. "So, please, Siddhartha."
Meera's father chuckled, his expression softening. "Okay, Siddhartha, what is it you want to talk about?"
Siddhartha took a deep breath. "I need your permission to let Meera come to a birthday event on Sunday. Please, Uncle."
Meera's father turned to look at Meera, who was already staring at him, her eyes wide with nervousness. He sighed and looked back at Siddhartha. "It's not my decision to make, it's hers." he said.
But Siddhartha persisted.
"She said she needs permission from you." he said, his eyes locked on Meera's father.
Meera's father turned to Meera again. "Beta, do you want to go?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Meera hesitated, her eyes darting to Siddhartha before returning to her father.
"Papa, your decisions are always final to me. So, you decide." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Meera's father sighed, thinking for a full minute before responding.
"My daughter is the most precious thing to me, I don't want to ever see her hurt." he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Siddhartha's expression turned determined. "You can have my word, Uncle. Meera is safe, just like the way I've been protecting her, I will not hinder in this event too. Rest assured, Uncle. I don't break promises."
Meera's father smiled slightly, his eyes searching Siddhartha's face. Then, he nodded. "You can go, Meera."
Meera's face lit up with a beaming smile. "Thank you so much, Papa!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
They bid their goodbyes to Siddhartha and Meera and her father drove off.
*
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As soon as they stepped inside the house, Meera's father called out to her, his voice firm but laced with concern.
"Meera?"
She turned around, her eyes locking onto his. "Yes, Papa?"
Her father's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"You will be mingling with a house full of mafias and top high authorities. I want you to be very careful."
Meera felt a chill run down her spine as she took in her father's words. She had never seen him so worried before.
"Papa, if you don't want me to-" she began, but her father cut her off.
"No, beta, listen. You can go. I already gave my word." he said, his voice tired but resolute. He placed both hands on Meera's shoulders, his eyes searching hers. "I'm just really scared you don't get hurt."
Meera saw the concern lingering in his eyes and her heart swelled with love for him. She smiled and hugged her father tightly.
"I promise, Papa, I will be fine. I will always stand with Siddhartha, and I will be back by 10, okay, Papa?"
She pulled away from the hug to look up at her father, her eyes shining with reassurance. Her father sighed, his expression softening, and then he kissed her head.
"I love you, beta. Go now, you need to clean up and come down for dinner."
Meera smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
"Okay, Papa." she said and headed upstairs, leaving her father smiling as he watched her go.
*
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"Oh wow! The Madhav family party, not just a party but the Ex Mafia lord's birthday!" Jiya gasped over the phone, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of concern.
Meera had been telling her about the unexpected invitation from Siddhartha to attend the birthday party, and Jiya was eager to hear every detail.
"But Meera, aren't you scared?" Jiya asked, her tone laced with worry.
Meera sighed, taking a moment to reason with herself before responding.
"Yes, Jiya, I'm super scared. But Siddhartha politely asked, and even talked to my dad!" Jiya gasped again, her surprise evident.
"And he accepted?" Jiya asked, her voice incredulous.
Meera chuckled.
"Well...yeah. Also, Siddhartha said he wants to show me someone there, or his head will be off. I just needed to be there to save his head." Meera said, laughing.
Jiya laughed too, but her concern was still palpable.
"It's okay, Meera, but...please be careful. It's a hall filled with gangsters, Mafias, and much more dangerous people."
Meera was touched by Jiya's concern and felt grateful for her friend's support.
"Don't worry, I will be fine. Siddhartha will always be there." she reassured Jiya.
Jiya's next question caught Meera off guard. "Wait...what about Arjun? Will he be there?" Meera's thoughts drifted back to how bad Arjun had looked when she saw him a few hours ago.
Meera hesitated before responding.
"Obviously, Jiya, he's the first son and a Mafia, he might be there...I don't really know, and I don't intend to find out." Meera said, trying to dismiss the topic.
Jiya's concern was still evident.
"You are correct, but please stay away from men like Arjun."
Meera rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Oh, that I know, and it's a force alarm in my head that rings all the time." she said, making Jiya laugh.
"Anyways, enough about that. I need your help tomorrow." Meera said, changing the subject.
"Oh, I'm always available for you, what's up?" Jiya asked, her curiosity piqued.
Meera hesitated, feeling a bit confused herself. "I need to pick a present." she said, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Jiya's tone turned questioning. "Why? What's the occasion?"
Meera's sarcasm dripped as she rolled her eyes. "Because Jiya, I can't present myself as a birthday present, now can I?"
She was attending a mafia family's birthday party, and they likely had all the money in the world to buy anything they desired. Her present might seem insignificant or even worthless to them.
Jiya burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Oh my God! Newsflash, they will accept you with open arms. You have the full package of what any man needs." she teased, her smirk evident even over the phone.
Meera scowled, her eyes rolling in exasperation. "Ha-ha, very funny." she said dryly.
"Come to my house tomorrow by 10 am, so we can head out for a present hunt." Meera said, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
Jiya laughed again, her amusement still evident. "Okay, okay, no problem." she said between chuckles.
"Goodnight, Monkey." Meera said, hanging up the phone before Jiya could tease her again.
Meera dropped her phone and refocused on the file before her, feeling proud of her dedication to the project. Two weeks had passed, and she only had one more week to go before she could finally bid farewell to the mansion and its intriguing inhabitants.
Her team would take over for the remaining week, asking their own curious questions and uncovering secrets Meera had yet to discover.
She smiled at the file on her table, her eyes scanning the pages with satisfaction.
"Just one more week, and that's it." she told herself, her voice barely above a whisper.
Just then, Veda burst into the room, her fingers flying across her phone's keyboard. Meera looked up, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Veda's expression was a mix of frustration and anger.
"No! Ugh, this stupid guy won't leave me alone! I've cussed, I've shoved, I've confronted. I have no idea how he got my new number!"
Meera's eyes widened in surprise.
"The gentle guy we met at the store last Saturday?"
Veda snorted. "Gentle my ass!"
Meera scolded her with a stern tone. "Language, Veda."
Veda apologized, her anger still simmering. "Sorry. But he's not gentle. Anyways, we got paired in a project today, and honestly, I saw the name, and it wasn't him at first, but it was changed! And I know he's behind it."
Meera listened attentively as Veda sat on the bed, her arms folded and a scowl on her face.
"Veda, when talking to him, did you talk gently or just like your tone now?" Meera asked, her curiosity piqued.
Veda glanced up, her eyes flashing with irritation.
"What does it matter? He scares me a lot with the way he does. He's creeping me out."
Meera walked over to Veda and sat beside her. "Veda, next time you see him in person, use your feminine tone, not your raised voice. Men won't speak up if you talk that way. I'm sure he has a lot to say, but your yelling and shoving him off hurts him, and he won't be able to say a thing."
Veda nodded, her expression softening. "Ah, maybe you're right. It's just I get freaked out. And his green hazel eyes look like he's staring into my soul."
Meera smiled and hugged Veda. "Just talk to him gently next time, okay?" she advised.
Veda giggled, pulling away from the hug. "You will be fine." Meera whispered, and Veda nodded, a determined look on her face.
As they engaged in a different discussion, Meera's phone vibrated, but she was too caught up in the conversation to notice.
*
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In the dark room, the open mirror door leading to the balcony allowed the moon's silvery light to pour in, casting an ethereal glow on the space. The wind gently blew the curtain, creating an eerie whispering sound that filled the room. Arjun sat on his bed, his heavy breathing the only other sound in the stillness. He wore only grey sweatpants, his chest bare and his hair disheveled.
"Meera, Meera, Meera." he whispered her name like a mantra, his voice low and husky. His breathing grew heavier, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
"It's an attraction, it's an attraction." he continued to mumble, trying to convince himself that his feelings for Meera were mere infatuation.
But deep down, Arjun knew it was more than that. For the past five days, he had been a shell of his former self, unable to shake off the thoughts of Meera that haunted him. He had thought that staying away from her would help, but it only made things worse. His friend Karan's advice had only added fuel to the fire, and now Arjun found himself losing his mind over every little thing. He missed her voice, her laughter, and her concerned expression.
When he heard someone call out Meera's name in the office, his eyes frantically searched the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But when he realized it was a different girl, he growled in frustration, his emotions boiling over like a cauldron.
Arjun knew that his feelings for Meera went beyond mere attraction. It was something deeper, something he couldn't quite place or understand. His emotions were a jumbled mess, and he didn't know how to untangle them. All he knew was that he needed Meera, and the thought of being without her was unbearable.
Arjun's hands trembled as he picked up his phone, his mind consumed by an overwhelming urge to hear Meera's voice again. He had been going crazy, his thoughts a jumbled mess of emotions, and he needed to hear her soothing tone to calm the storm brewing inside him. He knew she had blocked him on his usual number, so he resorted to calling her from a different one, hoping she would answer.
But as the phone rang, Arjun's anxiety grew. Meera wasn't picking up, and he felt his frustration boiling over.
"F*ck!" he growled, his voice low and menacing, as he began to pace back and forth in his room.
"Meera, Meera.." he started to chant again, his voice barely above a whisper, as he mumbled her name like a mantra. He couldn't understand why she was avoiding him, why she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of hearing her voice.
Meera, oblivious to the turmoil she was causing, went about her day, unaware of the desperation that was growing inside Arjun. She had no idea that her silence was torture for him, that her absence was slowly driving him mad.
As Arjun continued to pace, his mind racing with thoughts of Meera, he couldn't help but wonder what he had done wrong. Why was she avoiding him? Had he scared her off? The questions swirled in his head, taunting him, as he struggled to come to terms with the emotions that had taken hold of him.
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Hi! This is an apology note. Hehe!
I was supposed to update on Friday, but I didn't. I had written most of the chapter, but I love to proofread my work before posting.
But I didn't ontime because we had a new born baby in our family and the ceremony setting was a big one.
I was preparing so I had no time to update. I'm so sorry!
Ceremony is over now, back to work!
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Next update is tomorrow! (or tonight, I'm proofreading already)
10 votes please??