Meera blinked repeatedly, her eyes locked onto Siddhartha's piercing gaze. For the past five minutes, he had been staring at her, his eyes scrutinizing every detail of her face. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling like an insect under a microscope.
"Umm...did I do something?" Meera asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. She fidgeted with her hands, her eyes darting towards Siddhartha's, searching for answers.
"Nothing." Siddhartha replied, his voice flat, but his gaze remained fixed on her.
Meera's brows furrowed, her confusion deepening.
"Okay then, but can you stop staring at me like that? It feels like I did something bad." she said, her tone tinged with annoyance.
Siddhartha's gaze lingered for a moment before he sighed, breaking the intense silence.
"Meera, I need to ask you something." he said, his voice measured.
Meera nodded, a gestured for him to proceed.
"Are you having anything with my brother?" Siddhartha asked, his words carefully chosen.
Meera's eyes widened in shock, her forehead creasing into deep furrows.
"Excuse me?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with incredulity.
Siddhartha held up his hands, a placating gesture.
"Don't get me wrong, Meera. I'm just asking ifâ"
"Your brother and I have an affair going on?" Meera cut him off, her words tumbling out in a rush, her tone dripping with disbelief. "That's absurd!"
Siddhartha sighed, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern. "Look, I'm just trying toâ"
Meera's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions.
What made Siddhartha think that?
"Where is this coming from, Siddhartha?" Meera asked, her voice firm, demanding answers.
"Of all the men in this world, you thought I would want to date a criminal? Someone who kills and does dangerous things all in the name of power, but really, is just a walking ruthless sadistic devil." She shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger.
"Why on earth would you even think that way?" Meera continued, her tone incredulous. "First, your brother assumed I had feelings for you, and now you think..." She sighed, her frustration palpable.
Meera's expression turned stern, her jaw clenched. "You know what? It's fine. Let's just get this over with. You all are making me sick, slowly." Her words were laced with venom, her patience wearing thin.
Siddhartha opened his mouth to speak, but Meera cut him off, her hand raised in a stopping motion.
"No, Siddhartha. It's fine. Let's just get back to the interview."
The air was thick with tension, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Meera's gaze dared Siddhartha to speak again, but he wisely remained silent, his eyes cast downward in defeat.
He just wanted to help.
***
"Di, your phone has been ringing nonstop for the past three minutes." Veda said, her voice lazy and relaxed as she lounged on the bed, her eyes fixed on her sister.
Meera, engrossed in her work, didn't flinch. She finally pressed the side button on her phone, silencing the ringing.
Veda's concern was evident in her tone. "Di, is everything okay? You've been working nonstop for hours."
Meera's response was dismissive, her eyes still fixed on the book she is writing on. "I'm fine, Veda. Go and sleep."
But Veda was not convinced. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze piercing through the light of the room. She tossed off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet dangling in the air.
With a quiet sigh, Veda padded across the floor, her eyes fixed on her sister's hunched form. She stopped beside Meera's study table, her gaze scanning the scattered papers and notes.
"You're not fine, Di, I know you." Veda said, her voice laced with concern, her eyes narrowing as she studied her sister's face. "Did someone trouble you? Or did one of those useless guys bother you again? Was it Daniel? That perverted son ofâ"
Meera's laughter cut off Veda's tirade, a gentle, soothing sound that filled the room.
"Haha! Veda, oh my God, no! No one bothers me. I'm fine." Meera said, turning to face her younger sister, a convincing smile plastered on her face.
But Veda was not convinced. Her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes sparkling with skepticism.
"I'm not a baby, Di. I can read you like a book. Even that smile looks fake. Something's wrong." she said, her voice firm, her gaze unwavering.
Meera's sigh was tired, her shoulders sagging slightly. She knew Veda wouldn't let up until she was satisfied with the truth.
"It's nothing, Veda. Really, just stress." Meera tried to reassure her.
Veda's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowing. "Is it those Madhav brothers?" she asked, her voice low, her tone serious.
Meera's head snapped up, her eyes locking onto Veda's. "What makes you say that?" she asked, her voice cautious, her expression guarded.
Veda's gaze didn't waver. "Um, observation?" she almost rolled her eyes.
Meera's lips pressed together, her mind racing.
"Hm, so it was them." Veda said, her voice laced with a knowing tone. "I figured they would be a problem. And the fact that Arjun himself dropped you home the other day...I know something is up." Her eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing.
Meera tried to divert the conversation, her voice laced with a reassuring tone.
"Veda, trust me. I am good. I swear it's just work." She attempted to convince her sister, but Veda's expression remained skeptical.
Veda shrugged, her shoulders and head back to the bed to sit.
"Okay then, if you say so." Her tone was laced with doubt, her eyes still fixed on Meera's face.
"But...I have my eyes on them." Veda added, her voice low and mysterious. Meera laughed, shaking her head at her dramatic sister.
Meera's gaze returned to her phone, her eyes scanning the screen. She saw a few missed calls from Siddhartha.
"God, I can't wait for this project to end." she muttered beneath her breath, her frustration palpable. She continued her work.
***
"Siddhartha!" Arjun's voice boomed through the living room, echoing off the walls. Siddhartha, who had been engrossed in his thoughts, came down the stairs, a look of confusion etched on his face.
"Bhai? Are you okay?" Siddhartha asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Change the interviewee's name to mine." Arjun ordered, his voice firm and commanding. Siddhartha was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.
"What do you mean, Bhai?" Siddhartha asked, his voice laced with confusion. He couldn't understand why Arjun would want to switch places with him. Didn't he hate stuffs like this?
"I want to be the one Meera interviews from now on." Arjun said, his jaw clenched. Siddhartha's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions.
"Why?" Siddhartha asked, his voice firm. He didn't understand Arjun's sudden interest in the interview.
But then it clicked.. Meera.
"Stop asking questions and just do what I ask you to do." Arjun snapped, his patience wearing thin. He turned and headed towards the stairs, his footsteps heavy.
"Bhai...whatever thoughts you have about Meera can't be possible. You are getting engaged to Suhana." Siddhartha said, his voice laced with concern. His words stopped Arjun in his tracks, but he didn't turn around. His fist clenched, his teeth gritted, and his body tense.
The air was thick with tension as Siddhartha watched his brother's back. Arjun didn't acknowledge Siddhartha's words. He simply continued up the stairs, leaving Siddhartha with a sense of unease and foreboding. Siddhartha sighed, his eyes cast downward, wondering what was going on in his brother's mind.
***
Next day.
Jiya's eyes narrowed, her mind consumed by thoughts of Siddhartha's betrayal.
"I somewhat respected Siddhartha, but I didn't expect this.
"I just want to get this over with." Meera said, her frustration evident.
"Honestly, my offer still stands. You should assign Ishita to continue the project, now that Rohit is absent." Jiya's suggestion was laced with concern for Meera's well-being.
Meera sighed, her thoughts drifting to Rohit, injured because of her. The guilt was overwhelming.
"I will think about it and talk to Ishita, then. I guess I will also have to see Siddhartha today at the company to let him know." Meera said, her voice resigned.
Jiya's face lit up with a smile. "Good, you need a breathing space anyways. Hey! After school, let's have a little outing. What do you say? It's been soooo long, and I saw one new restaurant that just opened up." Jiya's enthusiasm was infectious, and Meera couldn't help but chuckle.
The thought of a carefree afternoon with her friend was just what Meera needed to take her mind off the chaos. But she can't.
"Well, I can't." Meera said, her voice laced with a hint of regret. "I have work, remember?"
Jiya's eyes widened in mock horror. "Ugh! That grumpy old woman in the library where you work still won't consider giving you a break?" She rolled her eyes dramatically. "What a cruel employer!"
Meera giggled, shaking her head at her silly friend.
"How about on Saturday? I'm free, and I have nothing planned." Meera suggested, a hint of hope in her voice.
Jiya let out a squeal of excitement, wrapping Meera in a tight side hug. "Yes! Oh my god, I've missed spending time with you!"
Jiya's grin turned mischievous. "Oh, speaking of Siddhartha, how is his girlfriend Ishita? The namesake to a member in your team." Jiya teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Meera rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I haven't really spoken to her since the birthday event. I don't even have her number. Our split was abrupt, thanks to Arjun." Meera explained, her expression neutral.
Jiya nodded understandingly. "Oh, that's fine then. I was just curious. She sounds like the fun type." Jiya said, her voice softening.
Not long before their professor got in and lectures begin.
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8 votes please ðâ¤ï¸
Next update very early tomorrowâï¸