Chapter 35

After 4.5 years,

A new intern joins. "What's the company owner like?"

Payal steps out of her glossy black Rolls-Royce, the soft purr of the engine silencing as she flicks her sunglasses up onto her head. She pauses for a moment, gazing at the city skyline with a sense of ownership, as if she's above it all.

The HR starts laughing. "Payal! our boss walks into a room like she owns it, her heels clicking against the marble floor with authority. People can't help but stop and stare when she enters. She has an aura of danger and mystery, always perfectly composed, but with an undercurrent of fire—like she could destroy anyone with just a look or a sharp comment.

Despite her immense wealth and success, she doesn't flaunt her luxury. Her demeanor is that of someone who knows her power, so she never feels the need to prove it. Her voice is low, controlled, and oozes authority. When she speaks, people listen. And when she smiles—rarely—it's more of a smirk, like she's ten steps ahead of everyone in the room."

The intern glances at her, mesmerized. "She is so cool! I love it!"

Payal places her bag on her office desk as Earth's call comes through. A staff member walks in and gently takes off her jacket, placing it carefully on her chair.

Earth called me, "Payal, you are coming, right? my business partner. Moon and I are getting married."

"she'll come, you know that. Moon would never say no to her."

"Yeah, because you know Moon."

"Forget what happened between you two!"

"I can't forget."

"Geet isn't with me anymore"

I decline the call.

I'm sitting in my red car, heading home. There's a magazine in my car with Geet's picture on it, receiving an award.

The moment I saw it, I threw it out. I hate her. As I reach home, I see Mom shouting,

"You're going to Paris again today? Earth's wedding is happening. She's your friend!"

"Mom, you called me just to say this?"

"Yes, Payal. My lovely successful daughter should make some time. You don't want to see Geet? Fine, don't meet her. Ignore her, but at least go for Earth and Moon. Now, go shopping."

"I don't have time," I said, checking my watch and walking away. My secretary arrived just then and called me.

"You're exactly two minutes late. What happened?"

"I had taken a half day, ma'am, so..."

"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me ma'am, just call me Payal," I snapped.

Mom said, "Why do you get so angry? Let it go. She'll be more careful next time. What's happening to you? You've even forgotten how to smile."

"You think I'm sad? I'm really not"

Mom said nothing. Then my secretary said, "Geet Malhotra won another award, again. She won this time too."

"Kajal! It's business. Someone has to lose. So what if I lost? I'm still the best. Her company is in loss. mine is in profit."

"No one knows that yet. You always know everything about Geet."

"You should know everything about your enemy."

Kajal and I sat in the car, discussing the meeting as we drove. I saw a car with a bride and groom driving past. That car was fully decorated.

"Shitty marriage."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing... (I looked out the window.) We'll handle the rest tomorrow."

These days, Mom says I'm really disturbed. Ever since I heard that Earth and Moon are getting married, it's been eating at me. Why should I think about Geet? We haven't met since that wedding, and I haven't spoken to her since.

I went to a hotel, ate while the meeting was going on, and Kajal handed me some tablets, giving me medicine. After the meeting, people left.

Kajal said, "You seem to have so many illnesses, it's like you're living on medicines. You have 18 allergies. Payal, how have you dealt with this since childhood?"

"It just happened now, wasn't like this before."

"Yes, but what happened that you're living only on medicines? What exactly happened? People say you and Geet were once together? Is that true? Was Geet your wife?"

"Kajal, you're like a friend to me. But honestly, I don't want to talk about this. Yes, Geet was my wife, but not anymore. Now, she's my enemy."

"But what happened?"

"Kajal, let it go!"

"You have an appointment with your therapist now."

"Yeah, let's go."

I sat in the car and went to see my therapist. Kajal was on the phone. I placed my hand on my chest. These days, I can barely breathe.

When I met the therapist, I gave a formal smile and sat on the couch.

"How are you still alive, Payal?" the therapist said with a smile.

Wearing my sunglasses, I replied with attitude, "I'm happy. What else do you want?"

"Yeah, with your 109 illnesses. You spend every 10 days in the hospital. You call this happy?"

"I'm strong. I'll fight through this too. No one can beat me."

"I like your spirit, Payal, but the truth is, it seems like you don't want to live. Your body is eating you alive."

"That's not true, Miss. Kathariya. I love my life. I have everything in the world—money, fame, cars, bungalows, a company. I'm rich, super rich. Everyone would want a life like mine."

"Yes, but your love life? The one you've never talked about?"

"I told you, I had a wife. Now I don't. We happily separated. That's all."

"That's it? That's not all! You never open up. I'm your mom's friend, I'm like a mother to you. I want to scold you sometimes. Why don't you admit that you miss her?"

"I don't miss her," I said, turning my face away.

"Why are you running from the truth?"

"Time's up. Let's meet tomorrow. My mom told me to come to therapy, otherwise I wouldn't even be here. I'm fine. I don't need anyone."

I stood up to leave, my eyes hidden behind my sunglasses. No one could see what they were saying.

"Kajal, come in another car. Driver, sit in Kajal's car."

I sat in my car and started driving. I took off my sunglasses. I'm fine. Turning on loud music, I sped up. I'm fine. I'm fine.