CHAPTER 8
ABIR'S POV
Treeng. Treeng. Treeng.
I wake up due to the annoying sound of the alarm. I groan and switch it off. Stretching my arms wide, I yawn and slowly get off my bed. It's 6.30 in the morning. I brush my teeth and then go down to my gym room. After a heavy workout and yoga for about one hour, I come back to my room and take a nice shower. I wear my black jean and a grey shirt with a black overcoat and go downstairs. Without making any sound, I try to leave my house but I am stopped by my mother's voice.
"Abir, I need to talk to you."
I stand still with my back facing her. It has been four years since I heard her voice. In the last four years not once did she call me and talk to me. It always made me think if she even had my phone number. It has been a week since I arrived back to Rajkot. Not once did I see her at home. Not once did she try to talk to me.
"Yes, Mrs. Rajvansh?"
"Cut the act Abir. I want you to join our company and take up the CEO post immediately."
"And, what if I don't?"
"You will do as I say Abir. You have finished studying. The business world is waiting for your arrival."
"Mom, sorry to burst your bubble. But I will not do as you say."
I slowly turned and faced my mother. She looks the same. Wearing a very expensive saree that screams money and power. She has a very powerful aura around her that makes all her acquaintances afraid of her. She is extremely manipulative and wants things to be done in her way. She is one of Rajkot's most influential women. But sadly, that is all that she could ever be. A woman. Never a mother.
"I will live my life the way I want. I agreed to take up the company into my hands, but now is not the time for me to do that. I will tell you when I want to become the CEO."
She raised a single eyebrow with a stern look in her eyes, "And why is that so?"
"Because, I will first work in the company as a normal employee for a few months, learn how the company works, gain experience, prove myself worthy of the post and then take it up. I do not want it just because I am the son of the great businesswoman, Mrs. Meenakshi Rajvansh."
She scrunched her nose in disgust, "My son working as a mere employee? That will not happen Abir. There is no need for you to prove to anyone. You are my son. You are capable of anything. And even if you want to prove, prove yourself by leading the company to greater success."
I shake my head slowly, "Sorry, that won't happen. I give you two options. I will either work as a normal employee in Rajvansh group of companies, or some other company. I can easily find a place for myself in Minal enterprises. Vishamber dad will definitely be happy to have me work there."
Her eyes widened in anger, "Did you just blackmail your mother, Abir?"
I shake my head, "I don't blackmail my mother. I only make promises. And Abir Rajvansh never breaks his promises."
With that I turned back and walked away, with my car keys.
***
Maheshwari Sadan is a bit gloomy today. Kunal is leaving back to Mumbai tomorrow and the house is in a chaotic state.
Kunal came downstairs and waved at me, "Hey bro!"
"Hey. Where is mom and dad?"
"They've gone to the temple."
I nod and follow him to his room.
"Mishti?"
"She is taking a bath I guess."
I nod again, realizing that this is the perfect time to talk to him.
"Take care of Kuhu."
He turned to me and then sat on his bed and smiled, "Of course I will. That is partly why I am going back."
Kuhu and Kunal have been in a relationship for over two years now. Kuhu is a very shy girl, who doesn't open up to everyone easily. But once she does, you will see her very fun and bubbly side that always brings a smile on your face. She lives with her ailing father alone and works part time at a library to keep her life going. She is an extremely brilliant and committed student, and often reminds me of Mishti.
We met Kuhu at college and Kunal was immediately attracted towards her. Both of them got paired up for almost all labs and projects due to their names, and she slowly opened up to him and became his friend. It took two whole years of him chasing behind her, until she reciprocated his feelings. They were the college's "IT" couple and were mostly admired by the students, even though a lot of girls were jealous of her.
Sometimes, looking at them being all lovey-dovey makes me think if I have a misconception on love. It has made me think if even I would find a girl who would love me the way Kuhu loves Kunal. But again, I do not want to become emotionally dependent on one person. And if my girl leaves me, I wouldn't be able to handle it.
I loved my father and he left all of us. I loved mom a lot and she detached herself from me slowly. I love Naanu, and he doesn't want to stay with me. I do not want another person to love me like nobody else does, only to abandon me, again.
But in Kuhu, I have found a sister for myself. She calls me her 'bro' and we care for each other a lot. Every year, she ties Raksha Bandhan for me. In fact, she is the only one who ties. She is very special to me. So much, that I would bring heaven to Earth for her.
I smile at her thoughts, "Kunal, if I ever get a complain from Kuhu, I will definitely hunt you down and kick your ass. Don't think I wouldn't hit you. If you ever hurt her, you will have me to give answers to."
After a small pause, Kunal smiles teasingly, "You care for Kuhu a lot, don't you?"
I look at him, offended slightly, "Of course I do!"
"This is love Abir."
I look at him with narrowed eyes.
He smiles softly, "It's okay Abir, you can definitely admit it. Nothing wrong in that. I've seen how much you care for her. You just don't want to give a name to your feeling."
I suddenly heard the shuffling of feet outside our room.
Oh god, Kunal hasn't spoken about Kuhu to anyone at home yet.
We both look at each other with wide eyes and we immediately get up and open the door only to find nobody there.
I sighed and walked back inside, "Look Kunal, Kuhu is like my sister and obviously I care for her!"
"And, Mishti is my sister and I love her! I am proud to admit it. How long are you going to do this, Abir?"
I smirked, "Talking about sisters, when are you going to tell her? How long are you going to hide?"
He sighed and went back to packing, "Stop changing topics. One day, you will find your girl. She will teach you to love. That day everything will change. You will not be afraid to love people. In fact, you will be proud. You will be so proud about being in love that you would want to shout to the whole world. That day will come, and I will witness it happen."
I rolled my eyes and then started helping him to pack.
***
The whole day, Mishti has been gloomy. When I saw her, her eyes were puffy and red as if she has been crying for hours. She must be really upset about him leaving. But, four years ago when we left, she did not even shed a single drop of tear. Then why was she crying so badly now?
She refused to look into my eye and somehow, it hurt me a lot. She gave me all one-line answers and curt replies that frustrated me a lot. She was now walking back to her room. Taking this as a chance, I silently follow her to her room. I enter into her room and quickly lock the door.
She squeals at the sudden intrusion and I immediately close her mouth with my palm and keep her steady by pulling her towards me by her waist. Suddenly I feel as though electric current passes through my skin. My heart beat quickens and I look at her trembling in my touch. I pull her closer to me, such that her back is pasted against my chest.
Having her this close gives me a serene and calm feeling.
I slowly inhale her scent and nuzzle my nose in her neck. Her smell is intoxicating. If given an option, I would stay like this my whole life. I hug her even closer and bury my face into her neck. A lot of wild thoughts enter my head and I am having a great problem in thinking straight.
Suddenly she pushed me away and turned and glared at me, "What is wrong with you Abir?"
I frowned in confusion, "Me? What is wrong with you? Why have you been avoiding me?"
She sighed, "Nothing. I just realized everything has changed a lot. People change. Time changes. Thoughts change. Perspectives change. But change is the only thing constant in this world", she laughed sarcastically.
"Whoa. What is with all this philosophical stuff today?"
She looked at me for a few seconds and then looked away, "Nothing. Kunal's leaving. You should go and help him. I'll come in some time."
After a few seconds, I shake my head exasperatedly, "Why are you like this?"
She gave me a sharp look, "Like what?"
I looked at her face, "So confusing."
She stared at me for a few more seconds before turning away, "Not as much as you are."
I held her arm and turned her towards me, "Look Mishtipie, I can see that something is bothering you. We promised to share all our problems with each other, right?"
She looked at me straight into the eye, "We also promised to not lie to each other. Do you remember?"
I frowned slightly, "Of course, I do. What are you talking about?"
She sighed again and turned away, "I need some alone time Abir. I'll talk to you later."
I look at her again. I sighed and walked out of her room. There is something that is disturbing her and she is doesn't want to talk to me about it.
What could it be?
***
Hey! This is Chapter 8!
Kuhu got introduced! She shares a very sisterly bond with Abir.
Hope you enjoyed it! Please do vote if you did!
Thank you!