Meera expressed her gratitude to the auto-rickshaw driver, handing him the fare before stepping out onto the pavement. She gazed up at the large building, its familiar facade bringing back a mix of memories. It had been a while since she'd last set foot here.
Taking a deep breath, Meera steadied herself and began walking towards the entrance.
Meera exchanged a casual greeting with the security guard, who nodded in recognition.
The warm sunlight gave way to the cool, air-conditioned interior as she entered. She continued down the corridor.
Her eyes scanned the lobby, and she spotted Maya engrossed in a phone call. The phone was wedged between her ear and shoulder, allowing her to scribble down notes in a book on her desk. Maya's focus was intense, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Meera passed by with a gentle smile, trying not to distract her. Maya's gaze flickered up, her eyes narrowing as she took in Meera's presence.
For a moment, their eyes locked, but Maya's expression remained impassive. She rolled her eyes, dismissing Meera, and refocused on her call.
Meera didn't let Maya's indifference deter her. Meera continued on her way.
Meera stepped into the elevator, exchanging pleasant greetings with a few staff members as they went about their day.
The doors slid open on Siddhartha's floor, and Meera stepped out, her wedged shoe softly tapping on the polished tile.
She made her way to Tara's office space, her confidence growing with each step. Meera rapped gently on the door, announcing her presence.
A smooth voice invited her in.
"Come in." Meera pushed open the door, her head preceding her into the office.
Her eyes locked with Tara's, who was already smiling warmly, anticipating Meera's arrival.
"Miss Meera, isn't this a surprise. Quite a long time, how are you?" Tara asked, her tone infused with genuine warmth.
Meera's smile broadened as she stepped fully into the office, closing the door behind her.
"Hi Tara, I'm good, and you? Yeah, it's been quite a long time." Meera replied, her voice relaxed.
Tara's eyes crinkled at the corners as she gestured for Meera to take a seat.
"Please, make yourself comfortable. Can I get you something to drink?" Tara offered, her hospitality effortless.
Meera settled into the plush chair, feeling at ease in Tara's presence.
"No, thank you, Tara. I'm fine." Meera declined, her eyes meeting Tara's. "Um, is Sidd- Mr Siddhartha Madhav around?" She asked.
"Yea, he is." Tara said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Does he know you're here?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Meera hesitated, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Oh, um, no. I just had something to discuss with him, and it's really important." she explained, her voice laced with urgency.
Tara's brow furrowed slightly, her expression thoughtful. She nodded, her eyes never leaving Meera's face.
"Okay, he has meeting in the next 1 hour, but let me put you through first." Tara said, her voice professional.
Tara reached for the landline, her fingers deftly dialing Siddhartha's office number. Meera watched, her smile tinged with gratitude, as Tara efficiently arranged the meeting.
"Yes?" a voice answered on the other end.
Tara's tone turned polished. "Sir, Miss Meera is here, and she wants to see you." She paused, listening to Siddhartha's response.
"Okay, sir." Tara replied, her voice crisp. She replaced the receiver, her eyes meeting Meera's.
"Mr. Madhav is available to see you." Tara announced, a hint of a smile on her lips.
Meera thanked her, relief washing over her face. As Meera exited the office, the door closed behind her with a soft click. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the impending meeting with Siddhartha. The corridor seemed to stretch before her, the silence punctuated only by the soft hum of the air conditioning.
Meera stood outside his office door, her hand hovering just above the wood as she gathered her courage. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, before finally raising her fist and giving a firm knock. Almost immediately, Siddhartha's familiar voice called out, granting her permission to enter.
She pushed the door open slowly, the hinges creaking slightly in the quiet of the room. The space felt imposing today, more than it ever had before. As she closed the door behind her, she could feel Siddhartha's gaze fixed on her, tracking her every movement with a calm intensity that made her nerves flutter.
"Hi... Siddhartha." she managed, her voice sounding more hesitant than she intended.
"Take your seat." he replied, his tone polite, gesturing to the chair across from his desk. She obeyed, sitting down carefully, her back stiff and straight as she faced him.
There was a brief, loaded silence before Siddhartha spoke again, his voice softened by an attempt at formality.
"I called you yesterday, Meera. You didn't pick up. I was only going to apologize."
Meera's eyes flickered around the room, unable to meet his gaze for a moment. She nodded slowly, forcing herself to look back at him.
"It's fine, Siddhartha. It was just a misunderstanding. it's fine and i am sorry, i was..busy." Her smile was tight, almost strained, but she hoped it would be enough to mask the hurt that still lingered beneath the surface.
"Meera." Siddhartha sighed, his expression softening slightly as he leaned forward.
"I'm sorry, okay? Turns out itsâ"
"I said it's fine, Siddhartha." she repeated, her tone more clipped this time, as if finalizing the matter.
He studied her for a moment, his eyes searching hers as if trying to read the unspoken words lingering between them. Finally, he let out a small sigh and attempted a smile.
"So, we're cool?"
Meera hesitated, but she nodded anyway, her smile remaining as tight as ever. "Sure."
A silence stretched between them, thick and awkward. Meera fidgeted in her seat, gathering the courage to say what she had really come here for. After a few seconds, she cleared her throat.
"Siddhartha, there's something I need to tell you."
He tilted his head slightly, gesturing for her to continue, his curiosity piqued.
"I... might not be the one coming here starting tomorrow." she said cautiously, watching his face for a reaction. His brows furrowed almost immediately, a look of confusion washing over his features.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "The interview is supposed to last a month. Why wouldn't you be here again?"
Meera hesitated, searching for the right words. "Well..." She trailed off, her eyes darting around the room as if the walls might provide an excuse for her.
"I just have two more days to attend, and next week, my group members will be here to handle the individual questions. So, I'm not really needed. Besides, we finished most of the interview ahead of schedule." It wasn't a complete lie, but it wasn't the full truth either. She was deliberately withholding the real reason, keeping it tucked away behind a carefully constructed façade.
Siddhartha's eyes bore into hers, an unsettling intensity in his gaze that made her skin prickle. He seemed to be studying her, searching for cracks in her story.
For a moment, she feared he would press her further, demand answers she wasn't ready to give. But to her surprise, he simply nodded, his expression inscrutable.
"Okay." he said finally, his voice steady.
Meera blinked, momentarily taken aback by how easily he had accepted her explanation. She had expected more questions, more resistance, something that would force her to reveal the truth she was so desperately trying to conceal. But she was thankful he didn't ask further.
"Oh... um, okay." she stammered, unsure of what else to say. The air between them felt heavy, laden with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.
She had come here prepared for a confrontation, but now that it was over, she felt a strange emptiness settle in her chest.
Siddhartha chuckled softly, the sound resonating through the room as he clasped his hands together on the desk. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with an unreadable expression.
"Don't worry, I understand." he said, his voice carrying a note of reassurance. "Actually, this is good, in a way." he added with a grin, leaving Meera feeling more puzzled than ever.
She frowned, her confusion evident. "Good? What do you mean?"
Siddhartha simply shrugged, his smile never faltering. "You don't need to bother." he replied cryptically. Then, as if shifting gears, he asked, "So, who will be coming in tomorrow instead of you?"
Meera hesitated for a brief second, caught off guard by his abrupt change in tone.
"Um, Ishita." she finally replied, her voice steady but cautious.
"Ishita?" Siddhartha's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My girlfriend?" There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he searched Meeraâs face for clarification.
Meera quickly shook her head "No, no, not your Ishita." she corrected with a small, nervous laugh.
"It's just someone else with the same name. Pure coincidence."
"Oh" Siddhartha breathed out, leaning back in his chair "That's fine then." he said, nodding thoughtfully. "I guess I'll be expecting this other Ishita tomorrow." His smile returned, though this time it held a touch of amusement.
"I'll make sure to pass on the schedule to her after school." Meera offered. "Is that alright with you?"
Siddhartha nodded easily. "Sure, that's perfectly fine."
A brief silence followed, and Meera felt the tension in the air dissipate slightly. She decided to shift the conversation to a lighter topic, hoping to ease the awkwardness that still lingered.
"How's Ishita doing, by the way?" she asked, referring to his girlfriend. "I haven't heard much about her lately."
A warm smile spread across Siddhartha's face at the mention of his girlfriend's name, and a faint blush crept up his cheeks.
"She's doing great." he said, his voice softening. "Actually, she's been quite busy. There's this new design project she's working on with a few models. The casting is set to commence soon."
Meera's eyes lit up with genuine excitement. "Oh, that's brilliant!" she exclaimed, her smile widening. She could see the pride in Siddhartha's eyes as he spoke about Ishita, and it warmed her heart to see him so happy.
"I'm sure it's going to be amazing." Meera said
Siddhartha's eyes sparkled as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it will. She's been pouring her heart and soul into this project, and it's all finally coming together. I can't wait to see the final result."
Meera listened intently, feeling a mix of emotions. She was genuinely happy for Ishita and proud of her accomplishments.
"Please give her my best wishes." Meera said sincerely. "I know she's going to do an incredible job."
"I will." Siddhartha replied warmly. "She'll be happy to hear that. She's been so caught up with everything that she hasn't had much time to catch up with anyone."
"Understandable." Meera nodded. "Creative projects can be all-consuming. Itâs great that she has someone like you supporting her through it all."
Siddhartha glanced down for a moment, the corners of his mouth twitching into a soft smile. "Yeah, I try my best." he murmured, almost to himself, before looking back up at Meera.
"Anyway, enough about us. Letâs make sure Ishita is all set for tomorrow. I'll be here to keep you updates okay?"
"Thank you." Meera said, her voice full of gratitude. "I appreciate it."
They exchanged a small, understanding smile. The conversation had taken a different turn than Meera had anticipated, and while it had left her with more questions than answers, it also provided a sense of closure.
She couldn't quite decipher what Siddhartha meant when he said her absence would be "good for some reason" but perhaps that was a mystery for another day. For now, she was content to let things be.
***
Meera and Siddhartha walked side by side down the hallway, leaving the confines of his office behind. Siddhartha had insisted on escorting her out, a gesture that felt both courteous and slightly formal.
As they moved, their footsteps echoed softly in the quiet corridor, mingling with the faint hum of the buildingâs air conditioning. Meera glanced at Siddhartha, her mind racing with thoughts.
Just as they approached the elevator, she decided to seize the moment.
"Oh, by the way." she said, her voice breaking the silence. Siddhartha paused and turned to face her, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"I have something I want to share with you." she continued, offering him a small, tentative smile.
He folded his arms, his expression a mix of interest and amusement.
"Oh? And what might that be?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
Meera took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.
"Well.." she began, choosing her words carefully. "there's this end event we have planned. It's organized by the students who completed the interview project. It's sort of like a presentation, but with a twist. We actually get to invite our interviewees as part of it."
She hesitated for a moment, searching his face for any signs of interest or hesitation. "I was thinking.." she continued cautiously. "if itâs alright with you, maybe you could come? I mean, itâs not mandatory or anything. I just thought it would be nice to have you there." She realized she was starting to ramble and abruptly stopped, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over her. Her heart pounded as she waited for his response.
Siddhartha watched her with a bemused smile, and after a few seconds, he chuckled warmly.
"Chill, Meera." he said with a light laugh. "Iâd love to come. You don't have to sound so worried about it."
Meera let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
"Oh, great." she said, her smile growing wider. "I was really hoping you'd say that." Then, a new thought crossed her mind, and she bit her lip before asking. "Could Ishita come too? I think she might enjoy it."
A grin spread across Siddhartha's face, his eyes lighting up at the mention of his girlfriend.
"Trust me." he replied, "she wouldnât miss it for the world. Anything that involves you, she's all in. So, yes, you can expect not just an interviewee but also a fashion designer at your event." His tone was light, playful even, and Meera couldn't help but giggle at his enthusiasm.
"Thank you." she said earnestly. It meant a lot to her that he and Ishita would be there. It wasnât just about the event, it was about feeling supported by the people she respected.
Just then, a soft ding signaled the arrival of the elevator. They both turned as the doors slid open, revealing the polished metal interior. But before they could step forward, Meera's breath caught in her throat. Stepping out of the elevator was Arjun, his eyes immediately locking onto hers.
"Bhai?" Siddhartha simply said.
The atmosphere in the hallway shifted instantly, growing tense and charged with a kind of hostility Meera had never expected to encounter here. Arjun stepped out the elevator, his jaw clenched tightly, eyes darkening as he took in the scene before him.
Meera felt the tension coil in her stomach. This felt like stepping into a storm for some reason.
"Why is she here?" Arjun demanded, his voice low but seething. His movements controlled but dangerous. Meera instinctively took a step back, her pulse quickening. The anger in his eyes made her want to shrink away and disappear into the walls.
"Did you forget whâ"
"She only came here to clarify something." Siddhartha interjected quickly, his voice calm but firm, cutting Arjun off before he could finish.
He was trying to diffuse the tension, to put a barrier between Arjun's fury and Meera's growing discomfort. Meera glanced at Siddhartha, confused by the urgency in his tone. What was happening here?
Arjun's eyes, however, were fixed solely on Meera, his expression darkening even further. He didn't even acknowledge Siddhartha's explanation.
"I thought the meeting starts in about thirty minutes, Bhai?" Siddhartha asked his tone measured
He had no intention of letting Arjun intimidate Meera or escalate things into something more volatile. Meera felt like a pawn in a game she didnât understand, caught between two opposing forces.
Arjun ignored Siddhartha, his gaze unwavering as it bore into Meera. She wanted to look away, but she couldn't, it was as if he held her captive with his stare.
Siddhartha saw the turmoil in Meera's eyes and decided it was time to step in more forcefully. "Well. " he said, his voice slicing through the heavy silence. "If you'll excuse us, Meera and I were just heading out, escorting her out actually." He moved slightly, placing himself between Arjun and Meera, a silent gesture of protection. "I'll join you in the meeting soon, Bhai. We have twenty minutes plus."
For a second, it seemed like Arjun would protest. His jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity. His hand shot out, gripping Siddhartha's shoulder, his fingers digging into the fabric of his brother's suit. Siddhartha winced slightly but didnât move, meeting Arjun's gaze head-on.
"Not in front of her, Bhai." Siddhartha whispered, his voice barely audible, meant for Arjun's ears only. Arjun's eyes flickered with a mixture of rage and something elseâsomething darker, more twisted. Slowly, with deliberate control, he released his hold on Siddhartha's shoulder, stepping back holding in his gaze toward Meera.
Without another word, Siddhartha gestured for Meera to enter the elevator. She moved quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. Siddhartha followed her inside, and the doors closed with a soft ding, shutting out Arjun's unsettling presence. The silence that enveloped them was thick, but at least it was a reprieve from the intensity they had just escaped.
Meera leaned against the elevator wall, her mind was racing, trying to process the encounter. The fury in his eyes had been almost frightening.
Siddhartha remained silent for a moment, watching her. His expression was calm, but his eyes were troubled. He had seen this coming, had known his brother's fixation on Meera was spiraling out of control, He find out already and felt sorry for accusing Meera. But he had hoped to keep her shielded from it for as long as possible.
"You okay?" Siddhartha asked finally, his voice gentle yet serious.
"Yeah." Meera replied automatically, but her voice was shaky. She glanced at him, then away, staring at the closed doors. "I just⦠I don't understand what just happened."
He nodded slowly. "Iâm sorry you had to see that." he said quietly.
Meera swallowed, feeling far from reassured. "Siddhartha, thereâs more to this, isnât there? Why does heâ" She stopped herself, unsure of how to frame the chaos of thoughts in her mind.
Siddhartha sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Itâs complicated." he admitted. "Heâs always been... possessive, in his own way. Especially when it comes to things he canât control."
"Things he canât control?" she echoed, a chill running down her spine.
Siddhartha hesitated, then nodded. "But listen." he continued, his tone more reassuring, "its not something you should bother aboutokay?."
Meera nodded, but the knot in her stomach only tightened. The elevator continued its descent, and the silence settled back over them. Despite Siddhartha's words, she couldnât shake the feeling that she had been pulled into something far and more complicated than she had realized.
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