Akansha didn't know if the woman recognized her or not but seeing her, a flash of bitter memories hit her. She met this woman twice in her life and both the times left a scar on her heart. This makes the third time, she didn't know what to expect now.
"You are Akansha, right?", the woman recognized instantly, though it's been years she had met her. "A psychology student who came to Shaurya to discuss curriculum revisal when he was an MLA?", the woman, Meera Pathak asked. Akansha knew her, how could she not, she is her ex-husband's friend, maybe a family friend, very close one but the woman didn't know she was his girlfriend when she met her for the first time and his wife when they met for the second time, but unfortunately the man didn't have the decency to introduce that way. The familiar ache of betrayal hit her again. Shaurya understood what she was feeling looking at Akansha's pale face.
"Yes, Ms. Pathak. I am the same woman who approached Shaurya sir for curriculum revision. " Akansha replied, masking her need to run away. Her words and icy tone sliced the cold air like they sliced his heart, but he knew he deserved it.
Meera turned to Shaurya to ask what Akansha was doing in his office now. Shaurya opened his mouth to introduce them, this time in a proper way, correcting all his previous mistakes, but Akansha snatched that chance.
"I work in the curriculum review committee under Sir's leadership, Dr. Akansha Dixit, child psychologist", Akansha introduced herself, he didn't open his mouth when he had the right to introduce her as his, now she wouldn't give him that chance.
"That's wonderful", Meera said before turning to Shaurya... "How many times will you surprise me with your excellent skill for recognizing and remembering talent, Shaurya", she praised. "It's been what? 7-8 years since she met you? And look at you, you remembered it till date and hired her when the time was right, to do the job she was once passionate about, and looking at her now, I can see she is still passionate about it", Meera added looking at the files in Akansha's hands.
"Meera... Not everything is as simple as you see", Shaurya said, his tone harsher surprising his friend but he didn't care, the hurt in Akansha's face was enough to set fire to him, he knew Meera's presence and words were only hurting her more, he turned to Akansha and his sharp eyes softened along with his tone which didn't go unnoticed by Meera. "Is that urgent or can it wait?", Shaurya asked her softly, no matter his mood his tone always softened at the woman who rules his heart.
"It will take 5 minutes... Need your approval to start with the later half of phase 1", Akansha said, her tone emotionless yet polite.
Shaurya nodded turning to Meera.
"This is important, you have to wait for some time Meera", Shaurya said and familiar jealousy took place in the woman's heart. What's there in Akansha Dikshit that Shaurya always prioritized her, wondered Meera Pathak.
Shaurya and Akansha were on a date at one of the city's top-notch restaurants. Akansha preferred a simple place rather than something so extravagant but they had to choose a place which could keep up their privacy.
Shaurya placed their orders dismissing the waiter. All the time, Akansha kept staring at him with the kind of love and adoration she had for no one till he crossed her path.
"Don't look at me that way... That's giving me signals I could never ignore, don't blame me if things heat up afterward", Shaurya said in his husky voice, still staring at the menu.
"The love of your life is sitting in front of you, and your head is buried in the menu instead, and you talk about heating up things between us, huh?", she complained bringing a smile to his face...
"I was searching for your favorite smoothie which unfortunately they don't offer...", he said shutting down the drinks menu keeping it aside, before staring deep into her eyes... "No worries, we'll order takeaway, and collect it on our way home?", Shaurya said picking up his phone but she snatched it from his hands keeping it aside.
"You have ordered food of my favorite, why not have desserts at your regular cafe instead of smoothies?", she suggested.
"No...", he shook his head. "My girl will have everything of her choice, there's no room for compromises or adjustments", he said staring into her eyes, holding her palm from above the table.
"Shaurya... That's unfair, we should be doing things that we both love", she protested but he pressed her palm, his warmth seeping into her.
"This is what I love, your company, woman, you have no idea how much a single minute with you matters to me, you already did things in my favor when you agreed to come out with me despite your reservations", Shaurya said
He is right, It's very difficult for Akansha to agree to this date as she was scared of someone known spotting her with him and informing her family. She is already fed up with her mother's actions and taunts regarding her personal life. She suspects her and raises questions about her activities every time she gets late for home. She didn't want to fuel her mother's assumptions and create a hell hole for herself. But when Shaurya proposed this dinner date, she couldn't say 'No'. She couldn't bear seeing the gleam in his eyes disappear.
"I did it for myself, not for you", she claimed, he rolled his eyes at her lie. She never liked to openly talk about the things she does for him or her family, she just believed in giving them things silently just like Shaurya, they are both similar in many ways.
"Yeah... As if I don't know", Shaurya claimed.
They continued their adorable arguments until the food arrived. Shaurya dismissed the waiter who offered to serve and served her himself. Akansha smiled at the man in front of her. Her man... He was everything a woman desired, faithful, loyal, loving, caring, devilishly handsome, responsible, successful, a perfect gentleman but most importantly a passionate lover. She never thought herself to get so lucky to get a man like him. Sometimes she couldn't believe that a man like him was in love with her, not that she was bad or underestimated herself, but she showed only her bitter self to people to drive them away. She wondered how Shaurya stuck to her after all that.
She thought no man could be with her for a day considering her personality, she doesn't do sweet talk. She comes as a rude and arrogant person. She didn't have the patience to deal with stupids, she isn't compassionate or kind, or at least that's how she likes to portray herself.
It's not like men never approached her, they did considering the external beauty they saw, but no one stayed to see the inner beauty she tried hard to mask. She drove away all of them with her strength, rudeness, and arrogance. They thought she was dominant and everything a man doesn't want in his woman. She showed the same side to Shaurya, but instead of getting repulsive by her fierce personality, he got attracted, he was drawn towards her like iron towards a magnet. He soon succeeded in unveiling the inner her, the true Akansha Dixit. He fell in love with all of her, he loved even her flaws, the flaws everyone else ran off from. She never expected him of all the people to stay considering how perfect he is, but with time he made her believe in himself and his love. She now knew he needed no one else except for her. He doesn't want a perfect woman, he wants her with whom he desires to make their own perfect life.
He forwarded a spoonful of biryani mixed with her favorite malai kofta earning a glare from her. She hated such gestures and he knew it yet he dared to do it.
"I am eating my food, you eat yours, you know I don't like all this", she snapped rudely, someone in his place would be offended but Shaurya gave a gentle smile to her.
"This has kofte, you already ate yours, I know you like it, so come on, have it", he said softly, the love in his tone softened her up. He took care of every little thing for her, he made sure everything she liked was at her disposal and everything she hated stayed miles away from her.
She ate it relishing the kofta with shut eyes.
"Thank you... The kofte here are delicious", she said...
The next minute, he transferred all of it to her plate from his.
"Shaurya...", she shrieked at his gesture.
"Eat...", he said lovingly, having the rice on his plate with raita.
"You are ruining me for every other man", she said, love shining in her eyes.
"You already did", he said staring deep into her eyes.
"Shaurya, I am serious", she said with a pout.
"Who said I wasn't?", he asked, but seeing her glare he quit his game.
"That's the plan, Ms. Akansha Dikshit, ruining you for any other man so that you always stick to me", he said
"No one other than you can bear with me either...", Akansha said
"Bear? You think I bear you? Woman! you have no idea how lucky I feel to have you in my life, and every second of you in my life is the result of my good deeds, stop talking like being with you is a punishment, moreover, I won't let any other man even think about having you, you are mine and you will stay that way", he said, his possessive instincts kicking in.
"Keep your possessive soul out of this date, I can't bear with it", she said and he chuckled at her irritation.
They finished their dinner and ordered desserts, while they waited for their order, Akansha decided to explain to Shaurya about her plan for the curriculum revision so that he could talk to the education minister.
"You will be attending assembly sessions from next week right? Hear me out about my plan so that you can talk about it to the minister", she said
"Love! You explained it to me numerous times", he told her
"I have made some changes", she argued
"I will but later, tonight is just about us, let's not talk about work please", he pleaded, he wanted some personal time with her but seeing the serious look on her face, he gave in.
"Fine, anything you want", he said making her smile widely. She scooted beside him from the seat opposite to him, took out his pocket diary and pen from his suit pocket, and started with her explanation. His heart warmed at how intimately she knew, like where he kept his things and all.
"Shaurya?", a woman's surprised tone halted her explanation. Shaurya's frozen form from beside raised some red signals in Akansha's head.
"Meera? Hi...", Shaurya stood up forwarding his palm for a handshake to the woman, whose name she now knew. Meera...
"Hi... What is the youth leader doing in a posh place like this? As far as I know, you like to stay among people most of the time and the rest of it, you spend working for them", the woman named Meera said and Akansha's frown deepened, the looks she was giving Shaurya didn't sit well with her, She knew her boyfriend is a very attractive man but that doesn't mean every woman had the right to stare at him as if they wanted to eat him.
Akansha waited for him to introduce her as his girlfriend so that she could see the woman's pale face. Shaurya till then portrayed as if he wouldn't mind flaunting her, but it's only because of her reservations regarding her family that he wasn't making it official. So she expected him to at least tell this woman who she was to him.
"And that's what I am doing... Working for public welfare...", Shaurya said turning to Akansha.
"Akansha... Meet Meera Pathak, my friend... And Meera, this is Akansha Dikshit, pursuing Ph. D in child psychology, this incredible talent has an excellent plan for revising the existing curriculum for primary and secondary education which is outdated and not up to the current trend, we are discussing the same", Shaurya said and Akansha's face paled hearing him, and Meera's face brightened.
"God! You and your workaholic self Shaurya, looking at you with this woman, I imagined you were on a date with this beautiful lady", Meera said as if she was almost glad that he wasn't. "And here you are... Discussing work at a place like this", she added giving an appreciative look to the ambience.
"That's why I am here, for privacy, if I were seen anywhere else, people would have assumed the same you did", Shaurya said holding that pleasant smile.
Meera laughed at his words... The laugh was like fire on Akansha's already burning heart.
"Um... Looks like you have met after a long time... Why don't you both carry on while I leave... Anyway, we are done here", Akansha said the last part looking at Shaurya who got how upset she was. His heart clenched at the hurt she might be feeling right now.
"That's so kind of you Akansha... But I have a few more things to discuss with you, and we cannot postpone it", Shaurya said before Meera could accept Akansha's offer. He knew Meera Pathak was interested in him, being the only daughter of Millionaire Vanraj Pathak who runs a successful realty firm, she was born with a silver spoon but the woman instead of taking her wealth and her father's position for granted, she worked hard and established herself as a potential successor to her father, with her abilities and success, her confidence soon became borderline overconfidence. She achieved everything she set her eyes on but unfortunately, that excluded him. She proposed to him during their graduation days and he denied her feelings politely. They stayed in touch even after that but Shaurya's conversations were limited only to exchanging pleasantries but it changed when he returned to India leaving the top position in a London-based fintech to try his hand at politics, she sent her marriage proposal to her father, who showed keen interest in funding his political career, the deal sounded lucrative to his parents with the kind of money the Pathaks have but Shaurya denied all of it and from then he maintained his distance from Meera too.
He so wanted to introduce Akansha as his girlfriend and the woman he would eventually marry but he couldn't trust Meera, she is capable of harming Akansha, and considering how Akansha wanted to hide their relationship from her parents, he can't take the risk of letting Meera know. And most importantly with his 'Retribution' still on the cards, can he disclose his love for the woman he also blames for his sister's miseries?
"Oh Shaurya! Breaking my heart became a habit for you now", Meera said, with a tinge of seriousness underlying, Shaurya didn't miss it but he didn't react as he couldn't dare to fuel Akansha's fury more than he already did.
"Bye Meera", Shaurya said with a clipped tone.
"You are not off the hook Mr. Youth Leader... Finish off your meeting and drop me home, my car was out for servicing, dad was supposed to pick me up but I'll deny him since you are here, till then I'll carry on with my work", she said
"Work?", Shaurya asked suspiciously, as he doubted she was just making it up to spend time with him, which she did before, multiple times.
"Oh this time, it was real", she laughed knowing the reason behind his suspicious look... "You see, this building belongs to our company, first three floors were rented to this restaurant while the rest of the floors to different vendors, now dad and I want to make some changes to this arrangement, so I am here to discuss the same with all the clients", She added
"Hm... Carry on with your work and let me know when you are done... My driver will drop you off safely... I have to go and drop Ms. Dixit... I have promised her and that's why she is out till late with me, hope you understand", Shaurya politely declined Meera. Akansha was impressed at how Shaurya didn't abandon her for his friend or promise to drop Meera after dropping her. If he did that, she would have left in a cab as even a minute with this lady would bring her indignant self out and she didn't want that.
"No thanks, I'll ask Dad to pick me up on his way, see you later", Meera told Shaurya...
"Nice meeting you, Akansha", she added with a polite smile but Akansha could see the facade behind it.
"Pleasure is all mine, Ms. Pathak", Akansha gave a similar smile, well she could act too...
Meera walked away and as soon as she went out of sight, Akansha took her bag and stormed out with Shaurya tailing behind, pleading her to stop.
"Akansha... Stop... At least slow down baby... You'll lose your balance", he said worrying for her safety.
"Baby? Don't address me like that, what if Meera hears? She would know, no?", Akansha fumed
"Akansha... Please stop and listen to me... I don't care about Meera Or anyone but you...", he said tailing behind her while she stormed out.
He quickly settled the bill and ran after her. He panicked when she kept walking, crossing his car.
"Akansha... Stop... Please let's talk", he pleaded following her.
"Don't follow me, what if someone sees us together and knows about me, what would happen to your reputation?", she taunted him...
"Listen to me, Akansha, please... I didn't tell Meera because that woman is not right, she wanted to get married to me, and she still wants it...", he started but his words only fueled her anger.
"In that case, you should have definitely told her about us", Akansha countered
"And let her plot our separation? That woman is capable of attempting it, my parents listen to her, they love her, and she could stoop any low to create problems for you, I hid our relationship thinking all these, not because I didn't want to announce to the world whom I belong to... God knows how badly I want it", he rambled and finally her steps halted. She could see the truth in his eyes and that calmed her a bit but not entirely.
She understood his reasons but still, she was angry, she knew it was baseless as he did all of it for her, keeping her safety in mind but still, for days her anger didn't come down and he bore all of it silently, persuading her, kept apologizing to her, he didn't defend his actions anymore, he reasoned her but still she was angry, that meant she was hurt and it needs to be healed with patience and love not explanations or reasons, and that's what he did, he gave her love, more love handling all her tantrums and anger patiently, and soon his efforts paid off as she got normal forgiving him.
But when the truth about his retribution came to light, Akansha believed he purposely didn't announce their relationship as it was all an act to him and after that thought, these memories left a bitter feeling in her heart.
Adding to it, the second time she met this woman was when she visited Shaurya's ancestral palace, Meera didn't see her face then, she just saw the back, and when she asked Shaurya about her (Akansha), Shaurya's father, Virender Singh Shekhawat spoke instead, telling she was the new caretaker. His words didn't surprise her, nor did they hurt her but Shaurya's silence hurt her more than anything. She felt her heart-shattering at the moment.
"Get a coffee for me", Meera ordered recklessly, Akansha walked off without turning to them.
Shaurya's heart clenched with pain for his wife's hurt and anger at Meera's arrogance, he wanted to scream at Meera, demanding to give respect to his wife but words paused in his mouth refusing to move imagining the consequences. One wrong move from him and...
----------------------------------------------
"Um... Sure... I'll wait here...", Meera said, masking how displeased she was with Shaurya's absurd request.
Akansha explained briefly to Shaurya and asked for his signature.
"This needs a detailed study, Akansha... I can't just sign it off... Please explain me all the details or let me read the brief report before giving my approval", Shaurya said.
Akansha knew better than to argue with him, also she was in no mood to do that.
"Sure sir... Then I'll come tomorrow first thing in the morning to collect the file...", Akansha proposes so that he would get ample of time to read and then sign off.
"Stay Dr. Akansha, I'll review it right away, I will need you to clarify if I am stuck anywhere", he said and started reading the file. "Meera you can continue detailing the issue", Shaurya said still looking into the report. He is talented enough to multi-task effortlessly so he didn't mind concentrating on two different things at a time.
"Um... No problem Shaurya, carry on with it, we'll continue after Dr. Dixit leaves", Meera said
"I have another meeting at 6:30 PM so I can't extend our meeting, nor can I allot another slot till elections, which is months away, this is the only time I could give you, state your issues quickly...", Shaurya said still looking into the file Akansha brought.
Meera was taken aback by his strict tone but the sensible businesswoman in her took over pushing her jealousy to the side for the time being. He is right, discussing the issues now made sense, even if that had to be done in Akansha's presence.
"Shaurya... But this is some very crucial info I'm discussing here, I don't want this to be used against either of us", Meera stated in her strict business tone.
"Dr. Akansha is a woman of rules, she knew her boundaries and I can assure you she would never disclose any info she obtained in my office, so continue", Shaurya stated confidently yet sternly, he didn't like how Meera accused Akansha indirectly but her worries weren't baseless, if it's someone else in Akansha's place he wouldn't have asked Meera to speak and Akansha knew it.
"I can wait outside", Akansha offered but Shaurya gave her a look that screamed 'Stay' as he needed her to explain the file he was going through or he used it as an excuse, because if he let Akansha leave, that meant he didn't trust her enough but that wasn't the case, he trusted her completely right from the moment he fell in love with her. But with his actions, he lost her trust though.
"That's okay, if Shaurya trusts people who work for him then it should be fine", Meera said, with her words, she wanted to remind Akansha that she is just someone who works for Shaurya, whereas she is his friend.
"I thought you had something important to discuss?", Shaurya cut the woman sharply, her blatant dig at Akansha only fueling his already worse mood.
"Yes... I'm here to discuss the recent home and school projects your government announced, the bidding for the same is gonna take place soon, Shaurya I won't beat around the bush, I want you to help me secure the bid to construct all those, you know our company, we use all the right materials, no playing with people's safety in pursuit of money, no cheap materials are used, quality is guaranteed. But you can't be assured of it from the other companies that are bidding. You want a successful venture, safe and decent places with modern infrastructure that could boost the living standards and education environment for the people, while I want the reputation and profits for my company which will be in abundance after securing this project. It's a win-win for us Shaurya, think about it", Meera stated in her confident tone.
Shaurya listened to her carefully while simultaneously going through the file Akansha brought.
"What's the reference of the statistics you have used before coming to this conclusion, Akansha?", Shaurya asked pointing his pen towards the stats in the file.
"The variables and the data are attached at the back, Sir", Akansha said, showing him the data.
"At least give the basic info in the braces below if not the whole data, I can't be turning the pages every time I have to refer, right?", Shaurya stated politely
"Will ask Mr. Khan to update the format accordingly next time", Akansha said, and Shaurya nodded. He knew it was a compiled version of all their reports, he had already gone through Akansha's report, she knew how he liked the format to be and she followed the same pattern but Mr. Khan and a few others skipped it which pissed him off.
"Meera... I understand your point... With the kind of quality your company maintains in your every construction project, I am inclined to have you on board but unfortunately, this whole bidding is a lengthy procedure and the concerned departments involved make the decision. As a Chief Minister, I can definitely influence the decision, and trust me I will, but you guys have to reach the spot till the top all by yourself, I can do nothing to help you at the ground level", Shaurya said
Both Akansha and Meera are bemused by his response, Akansha because she didn't like him favoring Meera Pathak's company and Meera because he denied helping her at the ground level.
"Shaurya... This is the first time my company is bidding for a government project after I took over the reins, I need some help with this, try to understand...", Meera requested.
"Meera... That's more the reason why I shouldn't trust you, instead, I could choose the best of the available experienced firms, yet I am ready to take the risk because I am aware of the quality work you do. So, pick up your fallen spirit and level up your game, I know some are trying their best to keep your company out of the race, but don't lose hope, deal with them in a way you always have with that kind of people", Shaurya said, and his statement surprised Meera.
"You knew their dirty tactics to keep Pathak properties away from bidding?", Meera asked and Shaurya didn't respond, he instead got busy reading Akansha's file, but Meera had the answer already.
"This is fine but where are the compiled reports involving the practices you are adapting in our model, you are supposed to submit it along with this report if I remember correctly", Shaurya asked
"Yes, I have already sent you the mail, couldn't submit the hard copy as my printer isn't working, you can refer to the soft copy for now, I'll get back to you with the hard copy first thing in the morning, tomorrow, I will take your approval signatures on it then", Akansha suggested.
"That's okay, I'll digitally sign it, don't bother", Shaurya said, and this came as a shock to Akansha, usually Shaurya never left a chance to see her now he is refusing it? What changed? Was it Meera's presence? Is he now interested in Meera? God, what was she thinking? Shaurya can never be interested in any woman other than her, one best quality she appreciated in him despite his heartbreaking betrayal was his loyalty, he never looked at a woman other than her with interest. His eyes and heart are set on her alone, he is the most loyal man a woman can ever get, Akansha is sure of it. Then what's the reason for him avoiding a meet the next day?
"Shaurya... What if they succeeded?", Meera asked again
"They have been trying for months, and they have attempted all the dirty tactics, did they succeed?", Shaurya asked and his simple words drew Meera's as well as Akansha's attention.
That meant Shaurya was the one protecting Meera and her company from going out of the bid. He couldn't admit it openly but yes he was the one doing it from the back end. It overwhelmed Meera with happiness while Akansha fumed in jealousy at the lengths he would go to protect his friend by going out of his way. Well, that's not a part of his job then why? But soon Akansha's senses were back. Why is she bothered if he helps his friend? Shaurya Singh Shekhawat can go to hell for all she cares. She determined.
"Shaurya, you don't know what I feel after hearing you... Thanks a ton... If you can do so much for me and my company, I can fight for it too... I promise, I'll do it and reach the top few among which you will choose the one", Meera said delightedly.
"Whatever I did was because of your company's reputation Meera, I want the best for the people, and you have the skill and resources to provide it, I just took a wise decision in my interest, not because you are my friend", Shaurya said and it calmed the storm of emotions Akansha felt.
"I know I know... But no matter how much you refuse, you did it for me as well, Shaurya... I just knew it, you always had the habit of protecting everyone you know, even if they were a mere acquaintance to you... And I am still your friend, and I am 100% sure you won't let me get ruined", Meera said and those words hit Akansha badly. She is right, Shaurya strived to protect everyone around him, but she was an exception, despite all the love he had for her, he ruined her and her daughter? Just the thought awoke the hate and disgust she had for him.
"Sir... Signatures please", Akansha said, she wanted to run away from him, as far as possible...
"I am still reading, Dr. Akansha", Shaurya said, his heart, breaking seeing the disgust she was trying hard to mask but he could see it clearly. He knew what might have triggered that feeling so abruptly because he was feeling the same for himself when he heard Meera and how she claimed he protected everyone related to him, but he failed to protect the most important person to him.
Meera discussed a few more things and Shaurya multi-tasked between the report and Meera's issues to which Shaurya offered a solution. Meera was done soon and Shaurya so wanted to dismiss her but she had his appointment till 6:30 PM and asking her to leave could offend her. He didn't believe in creating enemies unnecessarily. Being in politics, he knew maintaining good relations with everyone came in handy at times.
"So... When are you getting married?", Meera asked casually, Shaurya froze hearing her, he had to try harder not to look at Akansha as that would create a suspicion in Meera's mind which he could not afford, for Akansha's safety. "Come on Shaurya, it's high time you get hitched, you have established yourself as a successful Chief Minister, trust me, with the kind of work you did in the past 4 years, you will be the CM for the next 2-3 terms at least... So career-wise you are set, so marriage is next in line, what have you thought about it?", she asked him.
"Meera...", Shaurya groaned, holding up his irritation. "I have my priorities set for my life, and there won't be any changes in it", Shaurya said, his eyes shifting to Akansha for a second and her nonchalant look killed him as if she wasn't affected by the ongoing discussion of his marriage.
"Hm... You still haven't changed huh? If you have agreed at the right age, you would be happily married with a wonderful spouse and beautiful children", Meera flirted, Akansha froze at her words but soon composed herself keeping a cold & indifferent look on her face as if all the talk isn't affecting her in any way which is clearly not the case.
Shaurya wanted to tell her, he married at the so-called right age and the right woman but he lost the chance to have happily ever after because of his stupidity. But one thing he achieved is the 'beautiful children' part. He had the sweetest kid in the world, his daughter Siya. A small smile formed on his lips thinking about Siya.
"Don't tell me, you are imagining life with your wife and kids", Meera teased expecting a denial but his response left her in shock.
"Yes, I am imagining a life with the woman I love as my wife and kids with her, a combination of our genes", Shaurya said softly.
"You love someone?", Meera asked, her heartbeat raising... Whether he loved someone or not, he was never going to marry her, he made it clear to her numerous times yet her hopes were up. She didn't love Shaurya but is definitely attracted to everything he is, the most attractive man in her circle, successful, smart, compassionate, loving, and much more. Meera wasn't keen on marriage, for her, her career was everything but if she ever wanted to marry, it would be Shaurya, she thought it was worth her efforts to make a marriage work only if it was with a man like Shaurya Singh Shekhawat, he is worth her time, efforts and everything, no one else or so she thought.
"We are done with the meeting Meera, see you later", Shaurya said with a polite smile. Meera got the cue, she got up giving a curt nod.
"Bye Shaurya, thanks once again", she shook his hands, and greeted Akansha with a fake smile which she reciprocated, soon the woman left from there making Shaurya and Akansha sigh in relief, but it was momentary. Akansha's fury and hate returned with double force. The way he hid his marital status made the whole nation perceive him as one of the most eligible bachelors. If he had no guts to announce her as his wife, then why the hell did he marry her, that too forcefully? Well, he didn't marry her forcefully but he didn't leave any choice to her either.
"How long will you take to read it?", Akansha asked, getting pissed. She didn't want to be anywhere near him right now. All this is too much to bear for her.
"As much time it would take for you to vent out your frustration", he replied
"It would be never-ending if I start ranting out everything but do you deserve it? Definitely not, and honestly I won't waste my time on people like you... You hardly have any importance left in my life, so please finish reading and sign so that I leave for home, unlike you, I have a daughter who is waiting for me at home", Akansha said, she knew the taunt about his daughter would surely sting him the most and it did. The stinging reminder of why his daughter wasn't there with him is enough to hurt him.
"Maybe I don't deserve to hear you ranting, but you deserve to let it all out, you can't keep burdening yourself with all these negative feelings, Akansha", he said softly, staring deep into her eyes, damn his patience and controlled behavior despite the rush of emotions had always created havoc in her heart.
"Where should I start, Shaurya? Should I start with how foolish and worthless I felt just now? Don't even get me started about the betrayal. Seeing that woman, past memories hit me, they reminded how foolish of a woman I was when I believed all the things you told me, I actually thought the reason for not announcing me as your girlfriend was your care for me, it's only later did I realize it was never a relationship for you, it's all an act, your carefully planned trap for me for your retribution", Akansha screamed at him.
"That was the truth, the reason I didn't disclose our relationship to Meera was solely due to my concern for your safety, your parents didn't know about us and...", Shaurya started but Akansha cut him off...
"You think I'll again trust your stories? And what was that? How dare you call me your wife in front of Shweta and Mr. Sharma? You did not dare to do so when I was actually your wife, now you lost that right... Dare you spread false information...", Akansha warned...
"You need to know something...", he started... It's high time he told her the truth about their divorce...
"Yes... I need to know, tell me something Mr. Spineless creature... How did you manage to stay silent when your father called your wife a caretaker in front of your guest? How did you feel when your friend ordered me for a coffee, treating me worse than a caretaker should be, Did your silence come naturally or did you decide to stay silent after carefully weighing the pros and cons of speaking up for the woman you forcefully married?", Akansha's words cut through him.
"You think I was silent because of some political gain my father offered?", Shaurya asked, catching her point.
"Might be? Who knows? You are capable of all of that, Shaurya", she said venomously... No, she didn't think like that, she knew he had his own set of values, he would never bend those or toss them away for mere political or financial gains but she wouldn't admit it to him.
"You know I am not that kind of man", Shaurya said, his eyes begging her to believe him but she was too hurt to trust him again.
"Everything I thought I knew about you was proved wrong... You came out to be a stranger, not the man I once loved", Akansha said breaking his heart, but he knew he deserved every pain, every dagger she threw at him but that acceptance didn't lessen his pain, it only mounted his burden of hurt and regret.
Precap - Shaurya and Siya... Richa discovers the truth.
Parts 26-31 are now available in scroll stack or stck.me
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ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
My New Book 'Amidst Chaos' is now live on Wattpad. It's an intense love-hate love story with all the dramatic elements that would hook you to the plot. Below is the link. Hope you will give it a shot and soon will love it just like my other works 'The Royal BEAST' trilogy, HIS Retribution & Rue, Rainbow, Impounded Love, For Him...?? & 'MY WOMAN'.
https://www.wattpad.com/story/379770787-amidst-chaos