Meera stood in the hallway with Ishita, going over the final details of the interview process. Ishita looked nervous, her hands fidgeting slightly as Meera spoke.
The bustling sounds of students moving through the corridors and the distant murmur of conversation created a backdrop of noise, but within their small circle, the air felt heavy with tension.
"Do you understand everything?" Meera asked, her voice gentle but firm as she handed Ishita the documents.
Ishita glanced at the papers in her hand, her brows furrowing as she processed the information. Her hesitation was obvious, and Meera could see the doubt flickering in her eyes.
Noticing her unease, Meera reached out and held Ishita's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"You'll be fine." Meera assured her with a small smile. "I know it seems daunting, but remember, I was just as nervous when I started. Siddhartha has already given his word that everything will go smoothly, and he keeps his promises. Trust me."
Ishita sighed, a little of the tension easing from her shoulders, and nodded.
"Okay." she murmured, though a hint of anxiety still lingered in her voice.
Meera hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice, her expression turning serious.
"Just one more thing." she said quietly. "Stay far away from Mr. Arjun Madhav. Trust me on thisâitâs for your own good."
Ishita looked up, confusion crossing her features.
"Why?" she asked hesitantly. "I mean... isn't he Mr. Siddhartha's brother?"
Meera nodded slowly. "Yes, he is. But that doesnât mean theyâre the same." she said carefully. She didn't want to alarm Ishita, but at the same time, she knew she had to give her a fair warning. Arjunâs behavior was unpredictable.
Ishita seemed to mull over this for a moment before speaking again.
"Meera, he's not bad, right? Im talking about Mr. Siddhartha, you seems to trust him."
Meera smiled, trying to keep her tone light.
"Of course, Siddhartha is a good person." she replied. "He's... different. He's always been kind and supportive. Arjun, on the other hand... just listen to me on this, okay? Avoid unnecessary interactions with him."
Ishita frowned, tilting her head slightly.
"Then why are you cutting your part short?" she asked, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her voice. "You were supposed to handle this project till the end of this week."
"Um..." Meera felt a wave of unease wash over her. How could she explain the growing discomfort she felt around Arjun without revealing too much? How could she convey the complexity of it all to Ishita, who seemed blissfully unaware of the undercurrents that ran beneath the surface?
"Work has just been... really intense for me lately." she lied smoothly, forcing a nonchalant tone into her voice. "It's just easier this way."
Ishita studied Meera for a long moment, her eyes searching for the truth. Meera could tell she wasn't entirely convinced, but after a moment, Ishita nodded slowly. "Okay." she said finally. "I guess if you say it's for the best."
Meera smiled, relieved that Ishita had chosen not to press further.
"It's all going to be fine." she reassured her. "Just focus on the interview and keep everything professional. Youâll do great."
With that, Meera made sure to go over the final instructions, covering every detail and protocol Ishita would need to follow during the interview. She watched as Ishita absorbed the information, her confidence seemingly bolstered by Meera's guidance.
They spoke for a few more minutes, Meera giving last-minute tips and words of encouragement until finally, it was time for them to part ways.
"Good luck." Meera said warmly as they stood at the entrance of the hallway, the sunlight streaming in through the large windows casting a soft glow around them.
"Thanks." Ishita replied, her nerves replaced with a more determined look. "I'll let you know how it goes."
They exchanged a brief hug, and then Ishita turned and walked away, disappearing down the corridor. Meera watched her go, the smile on her face fading as soon as Ishita was out of sight. She felt a knot of worry settle in her stomach. As much as she wanted to believe that everything would be fine, there was a lingering dread that she couldn't shake off.
***
Arjunâs office was steeped in a tense silence, the air heavy with unspoken agitation. His personal assistant rattled off a list of tasks for the day, detailing meetings, appointments, and calls that demanded Arjun's attention.
However, his words fell on deaf ears. Arjun sat behind his desk, eyes fixed on a spot across the room, his expression vacant. His mind was somewhere far from the paperwork and obligations in front of him.
Though he appeared composed on the surface, his eyes betrayed a storm of emotions brewing beneath.
The assistant cleared his throat, trying to regain his boss's attention.
"Sir, about the meeting atâ"
The office door swung open abruptly, cutting the assistant off mid-sentence.
Siddhartha entered, his demeanor calm but purposeful. Arjun's head jerked up at the intrusion, his trance-like state shattered. His eyes, once distant and unfocused, now locked onto his brother with an unreadable intensity.
"Leave us." Siddhartha said, his tone leaving no room for argument. The assistant glanced at Arjun, hesitating for a fraction of a second, but Arjun gave a slight nod. With that, the assistant gathered his things and slipped out of the room, leaving the two brothers alone in the tension-filled space.
Siddhartha approached the desk and placed a brown folder down with a deliberate, almost careful movement.
"Here is the file you asked for." he said, his voice measured and respectful. He watched his brother for a moment, trying to gauge his mood.
Arjun stared at the folder for a moment before picking it up. He flipped through the pages with an air of disinterest, barely skimming the contents. His focus was clearly elsewhere.
But when his gaze settled on his name printed neatly on the paperwork, a brief flicker of satisfaction crossed his face. It was a rare glimpse of a smile, one that appeared and disappeared so quickly it was almost as if it had never been there. He set the folder back down and leaned back in his chair, his eyes finally meeting Siddhartha's.
"You can go." Arjun said curtly, his voice flat and emotionless.
Siddharthaâs brow furrowed slightly.
"Youâre not going to say anything?" he pressed. He had anticipated resistance, perhaps even an argument.
Arjun was not one to accept changes without scrutinizing every detail, especially not when it involved the interview arrangements that Meera had been part of. "Youâre okay with the change?"
Arjun's gaze didn't waver. He held his brother's eyes, his expression unreadable. "Yes." he replied, his tone cold and final. "You may go."
Siddhartha stood there for a moment, taken aback by Arjun's uncharacteristic calm. His brother was not one to let go of things so easily, particularly when they involved Meera. This was too simple, too straightforward, and that in itself was alarming. But Arjun's posture was rigid, his eyes guarded, giving away nothing.
"Okay." Siddhartha said finally, though suspicion lingered in his tone. He knew better than to push further; Arjun's mood was volatile at the best of times, and pressing him could lead to unwanted consequences. Siddhartha turned to leave but paused at the door, casting one last glance over his shoulder.
"By the way." he added casually, "sheâll be here in an hour. Time changed."
For a brief second, Arjun's composed mask cracked. His eyes narrowed, a glint of something fierce flashing across them, but it vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. He gave no response, and Siddhartha didn't wait for one. He walked out of the office, the door clicking softly behind him.
Arjun sat motionless for a long moment, the room around him suddenly feeling too quiet, too still. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, and pressed his fingers to his temples. His mind raced, churning with thoughts that refused to settle.
'Times change?'
The words echoed in his mind, circling like a vulture over its prey. What did Siddhartha mean by that? His brother's tone had been almost taunting, hinting at something just out of reach.
Arjun's thoughts inevitably drifted back to Meera. She was like a constant thread weaving through his mind, pulling at his sanity. The mere idea of her presenceâor absenceâhad the power to unnerve him, to set his thoughts into a chaotic spiral.
He clenched his jaw, his fingers curling into fists. What was it about her that stirred this turmoil within him? It wasn't just attraction or obsession. It was something deeper, something he couldn't name, or was it love like Karan said it is.
She was slipping out of his grasp, moving away from the carefully defined lines he had drawn around her existence. He couldn't let that happen. And this interview was the only way to pull her closer to him.
Arjun forced himself to unclench his fists, to adopt a veneer of calmness once more. His eyes flickered to the door through which Siddhartha had exited.
Did Siddhartha believe he could keep Meera out of his reach?
He let out a slow, measured breath, the corner of his mouth lifting in a cold, humorless smile.
Times might change, but Arjun was not about to lose what he had set his sights on.
Arjun leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the door, a plan already beginning to form in his mind. Times might change, but some things remained constantâhis resolve, his desire, and the lengths he was willing to go to in order to have Meera.
***
Meera pushed open the heavy oak door of the library, its usual creak announcing her arrival. Inside, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood greeted her.
She barely had time to adjust to the dimly lit interior when she felt the sharp gaze of Rani, the stern librarian, pinning her to the spot.
Rani was the guardian of this sanctum of knowledge, a 36-year-old woman with sharp features and hair always pulled back into a severe bun. Her thick, rectangular glasses perched precariously on the bridge of her nose, giving her the perpetual look of a hawk watching its prey.
"Hi, Miss Rani." Meera greeted, trying to sound casual. Rani's expression didnât soften..it rarely did.
"I'm not late today." Meera added quickly, attempting a sheepish smile. She knew punctuality was one of Raniâs strict rules, and being lateâeven by a minuteâwould earn a harsh rebuke.
Raniâs lips thinned into a line, her eyes narrowing through her glasses.
"A girl named Twinkle was here earlier asking for you." she said curtly, turning on her heel and walking away.
Meera trailed after her as they navigated through the maze of tall shelves.
"Twinkle?" Meera repeated, trying to place the name. Then, it clicked. "Oh, yes! Twinkle! She was here last month. She needed help selecting some novels and few other books for a school project. She was overwhelmed by the size of the library and asked me to assist her. Books for a fourteen-yearâ"
"I donât care." Rani cut in, her voice flat and disinterested. She came to a halt, turning abruptly to face Meera.
"Sheâs an important guest. You are to attend to her immediately. She's waiting in the reading room on the next floor." Rani instructed. Her tone left no room for discussion or delay.
Meera bit back the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she nodded obediently.
"Understood, Miss Rani." she replied, watching as Rani gave her one last scrutinizing look before walking away briskly, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
With a resigned sigh, Meera made her way to the staircase that led to the upper floor. As she ascended, she passed rows of students and patrons hunched over books, absorbed in their studies.
Upon reaching the second floor, Meera scanned the area. The reading room was more secluded, with cozy nooks and oversized chairs for readers to sink into.
She spotted a young girl with her hair tied back in a neat ponytail, her head bowed over a book on the big pea-green couch near the window. Meera approached cautiously, recognizing the familiar figure.
"Twinkle?" she called softly.
The girlâs head snapped up, and a broad grin spread across her face.
"Hiii!" she exclaimed, her voice too loud for the sanctity of the library. Meera quickly brought a finger to her lips, motioning for her to lower her voice.
Twinkle giggled, covering her mouth with her hands.
"Sorry" she whispered dramatically, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Meera couldnât help but smile.
"Itâs good to see you again." she said, genuinely glad to see the young girl. Twinkle had a brightness about her that was hard to ignore, a zest for life that made her stand out even in a place as quiet as this.
"Yeah, sorry about last time." Twinkle began, launching into her story. "I was so into the novel you helped me pick out. I meant to come back for more, but I got put under house arrest again." She waved her hand dismissively, though the frustration in her eyes was clear.
Meera chuckled. Twinkle was fourteen and lived in one of the exclusive estates in town, a place known for its affluence and strict parenting.
"Did you sneak out this time?" Meera teased, taking a seat beside her.
Twinkle shook her head fervently.
"No, no! I came straight from school. I have exactly one hour here before my mom and brothers start freaking out and send the entire bodyguards after me." she said with a dramatic sigh.
Meera nodded, understanding the suffocating feeling of being overprotected.
"I know it's tough." she said gently, "but theyâre just trying to keep you safe, you know?" She reached out and gave Twinkleâs cheek a playful pinch, earning a groan of protest from the girl.
"Yeah, yeah." Twinkle muttered, rolling her eyes. Then her expression brightened as she quickly changed the subject.
"How's Veda?" she asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.
Meera froze, a spark of surprise flitting across her face. She had never mentioned Veda, her younger sister, to Twinkle. Their conversations had always been about books and school projects.
She couldn't recall a single time she'd brought up her family in these walls.
"How do you know about Veda?" Meera asked slowly, suspicion creeping into her voice.
Twinkleâs eyes widened momentarily, and she seemed to scramble for an answer.
"Um, you mentioned her once, didnât you?" she said, forcing a sheepish grin. "I mean, maybe in passing or something."
Meera studied her for a moment, not entirely convinced. There was something off about Twinkle's response, a slight hesitation that hadn't been there before. She opened her mouth to press further, to ask how exactly Twinkle knew about Veda, but the young girl cut her off.
"Can we look at the books now?" Twinkle interjected hastily, her voice a notch higher than usual.
"My time is limited, remember?" She cast a quick glance at her watch, as if emphasizing the urgency.
Meera blinked, momentarily thrown off by the abrupt change in topic.
"Uh, right." she muttered, still processing the odd interaction. But she decided to let it go, at least for now.
"Follow me." Meera said, standing up. She led Twinkle toward the stacks where the young adult novels were housed, mentally filing away the strange conversation for later.
Twinkle's knowledge of Veda wasn't just a casual slipâit felt intentional, as if she knew more about Meera's life than she was letting on.
As they selected the books, Meera watched Twinkle out of the corner of her eye, her mind racing.
'How did she know Veda?'
'I know for the fact i have never brought my family up, not even veda' Meera mind were racing with thoughts.
***
This is a long chapter and dont want to make it extremely long here, I will update the continuation tomorrow.
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