Aryan checked his phone and noticed that there were several missed calls and worried texts from Namrata and few from Raj Singh as well.
He texted Namrata, reassuring her that he was fine, and then began to call Raj Singh.
But he didn’t have to, as the man himself was at his door ringing the bell at that very moment.
"Why don't you answer your bloody phone? I was worried sick after Namrata told me you stormed out of office, looking distressed. What happened?" Raj Singh looked worriedly at Aryan.
"Nothing happened, please come and have a seat first.” Aryan let Raj Singh inside. “When did you arrive? Would you like to have your favourite Adrak Wali Chai (Ginger tea)?" Aryan tried to look cheerful, in vain.
"I will sit if you sit next to me, and tell me what the hell happened. Don't even try to bluff because you suck at telling lies." Raj Singh mocked.
Aryan smiled ruefully and went inside, to bring the wedding card he was checking out previously.
He threw the card at Raj Singh who looked at him and the card in confusion.
Raj Singh put his reading glasses on and looked at the card properly this time, and as he realised what it was, his brows furrowed.
"You told me, all those years ago that Chandni was getting married to this Rahul guy and showed this card to me. How did she end up being Vikram Mathur's wife and now the CEO of our company?" Aryan hissed. "If this was your idea of a funny joke at my expense, let me tell you I am least amused." Aryan could barely control his temper.
"First, stop taking that tone with me." Raj Singh warned him.
"Do you really think I would pull such a cheap trick on you, after knowing everything that happened?" Raj Singh asked furiously.
Aryan looked away, slightly ashamed of his behaviour.
"I came to know that Vikram bought the company under his wife's name only after I looked at the Sale documents. I knew her name was Chandni but there are millions of women with that name. And then he told me that she will be an acting CEO till they finish their talent search to select a permanent CEO. How would I even dream that it will be your Chandni of all the people?"
"She is not my Chandni. Don't ever say that again." Aryan hissed.
"How did she behave? Did she know that you were going to be here?" Raj Singh asked curiously.
Much as he would like to believe otherwise, Aryan had to admit to Raj Singh grudgingly that, Chandni looked genuinely surprised, just like him.
"Hmm… interesting. I don't think Vikram knows about you two. Women generally are bound to be very secretive about their pasts with their husbands." Raj Singh said decisively.
"What do you know about wives? You were never married!!"Aryan mocked at his mentor and father like figure.
Raj Singh had an Idea, the moment he sensed Aryan mocking at him. Perhaps it would be a better tactic to play the offensive against Aryan. “I am gladder than ever for remaining a bachelor. At least I am not the one looking like Devdas here and moaning about my past love. Here's what we do. Vikram texted me earlier and hinted that he wants both of us to meet him sometime this week for a briefing. We will ask him directly what is going on. What do you say?" He asked aggressively.
"Are you crazy? What if Vikram doesn't know anything about us? Are you going to ruin her life by blurting out all these things to him? GawwwD!! No wonder no woman ever tried to marry you. And I am not going anywhere near their house, thank you very much." Aryan added furiously.
Raj Singh smiled inwardly. He knew Aryan still cared and respected Chandni very much in spite of giving the impression to the contrary. That's the way he had been brought up, period.
"So, what do you want to do now? Sit at home and mope about it? Aryan! I have already told you, this is your company now, and I don't want to see it ruined because of your personal vendetta. You have put your blood and soul into this company and you can't let it go down, even if it means, things get very awkward and stressful at a personal level. Remember she is only here temporarily." Raj Singh tried his best to put some sense into Aryan.
Raj Singh's heart melted the moment he entered the house, as he noticed how distraught Aryan was, but he also knew that if he doesn't behave strongly now, Aryan would descend further into his sorrows, just like before.
"You are almost like my son and I don't want to see you unhappy, least of all on a lost cause like this. Please don't do this to yourself. Just think that whatever happened, happened for the best and move on. I know how hurtful it must have been today for you, but I thought, after all these years, you are over her and her memories. Was I wrong to assume that?" He asked sternly.
"She means nothing to me. It was just the shock of meeting her after all these years... that's all. Don't worry, I am not the one who runs away from a situation. That is HER, not me. I promise you; I will fulfil all my responsibilities toward Synergy." Aryan said Solemnly.
Raj Singh still looked unconvinced.
"Now, stop fussing and bossing me around. I have enough of that from you at office anyway." Aryan's face broke into genuine smile, for the first time that day.
"I boss you around is it? Hahaha what a joke!! If I knew how to do that, you wouldn't behave like such an arrogant bastard all the time!" Raj Singh retorted in mock anger, glad to see the change in Aryan's mood finally.
As Raj Singh, got up to leave, Aryan stopped him.
"There's no need to go back to your home at this hour. Nothing doing! You just flew back from Dubai and if you don't rest properly tonight, you will be cranky as hell tomorrow and make my life more miserable. Now, go and sleep in the spare bedroom."
"Please." Aryan added as an afterthought, worried that Raj Singh would again start to lecture him about his rudeness.
After he made sure that Raj Singh settled into the bedroom for sleep, Aryan bid him goodnight and retired to bed.
Once they were back in the solitude of their thoughts, the forced cheerfulness evaporated as quickly as it surfaced, and both began to think about best ways to face the stormy future that lay ahead of them.
****
The weather next day morning was sunny and bright, in contrast to the inner turmoils of the Father and Son Duo.
Aryan was busy preparing breakfast by the time Raj Singh woke up, and seemed to be in a cheerful mood. Aryan made sure that he prepared the Ginger Tea to perfection that Raj Singh so loved, and served him French Omelette and toast along with it."I must say Aryan, your cooking has improved a lot over the years!! I can almost make out that this is an omelette now." Raj Singh mocked."You and your pathetic Dad Jokes Huh!! Please don't start the torture so early in the morning!! I was a much better cook when I was in college, I used to help Nani all the time. Now, I lost touch, as I eat out most of the time, and that helper leaves something cooked for me over the weekend." He explained, trying very hard not to roll his eyes."Yes, and where is she today? Gone absconding again, has she? I told her so many times to keep an eye on you and look after your needs, but she never listens." Raj Singh's frustration was evident."Stop controlling my life outside of the office, I beg you Raj Singh Ji"" Aryan folded his hands and bowed to him mockingly.The sly smile on Raj Singh’s face said it all."She is the latest of the spies you have employed to "keep an eye" over me. She tries to snoop around my bedroom and stuff...I know your dirty tricks very well. Okay?" Aryan spat at him angrily."Aryan!! How could you even think of such things? Would I ever...?" However strongly Raj Singh tried to deny it, Aryan could clearly notice the sheepish look on Raj Singh's face and he was mad at his interfering ways."What do you suspect me of? That I booze and party with women all night around?" Aryan demanded crossly."I don't suspect you of anything. Even if I believe the office gossip, I am not stupid enough to think you have the patience or stamina to deal with such a succession of new girlfriends." Raj Singh sneered.Before Aryan could retort angrily, Raj Singh's phone buzzed with a special ring tone. Raj Singh felt nervous as he looked at the Caller ID. He wasn't prepared for this call, so early in the morning."It's Vikram Mathur" He whispered to Aryan before answering the call.***A/N
Do you like the bond Aryan shares with his mentor cum father like figure Raj Singh?
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Vikram on the other side of the call had just finished a sumptuous breakfast cooked by Chandni. She was sitting next to him at the breakfast table, trying in vain to make Atharv finish his breakfast, listening patiently to him, while he talked nineteen to dozen. He kissed Atharv affectionately on his head before grabbing his coffee, and went back into his study. Vikram was feeling more relaxed now, after Chandni confirmed to him in the morning that she was happy to continue as Acting CEO of Synergy Inc. He knew that the steely grit on her face belied her internal fears and turmoils, but he was proud of her resolve to overcome those, for the greater benefit of the family business. Vikram Mathur was not the type of guy who would let grass grow under his feet. Now that he was sure of his wife's decision, he immediately put his action plan into motion. An action plan to make sure that his wife's tenure as acting CEO at Synergy Inc goes without a hitch and will result in
Aryan's eyes turned blood red as he tried to control his emotions, and maintain a calm profile in front of Vikram. He sincerely didn't know how to react. He was lost in his own turmoil. Should he be happy that Chandni found such an understanding husband who didn't let her past affect their current relationship, or should he feel even worse, to know that Chandni had no qualms to put all their precious memories behind her, to start a happy life with Vikram!! Frankly speaking, he didn't give a damn what Vikram thought of him. His equation was with Chandni and no one else. And his life was already ruined because of her. He had no intention to seek redemption for his past, or good impression from Vikram who was no way involved in what happened between him and Chandni.... Aryan couldn't help but smile to himself as he wondered what a fool he was, to fall in love with such a woman, who has effectively fooled and managed to sway, not just one, but three men with her
There was a resigned silence in the room and Aryan felt compelled to look at Vikram. "What I am saying might sound harsh to you, but it's perfectly valid to me Mr Mathur." He felt compelled to add the explanation. "I understand, as you say I am nothing but the third person in that context. And I would never impose myself on anyone in this matter. As I said, it is entirely up to you." Vikram reiterated. Aryan still looked very much uncomfortable and ready to bolt out of the room at the first given opportunity. Vikram chose to calm the fears of the protective and anguish ridden Raj Singh first. "Raj Ji I totally understand how difficult this must be for you too. When I asked my wife to become the Acting CEO of this company, I had not foreseen what just happened. And since I created this mess, I thought I must be the one to fix it as well, and straight away arranged this meeting between us. In fact, Chandni doesn't even know t
Chandni's POV As the lift doors closed slowly, my heart rate doubled up at the sight beholding me. I was sure my face looked as flushed and red as Aryan's, but for a completely different reason. Against my best instincts, I chose to dress in a saree today, as I thought it will give me a more mature and authoritative look. But now I realised it was a giant mistake. It somehow made me feel more feminine, soft and vulnerable, or was it just Aryan's presence and his gaze that made me feel so? I wasn't sure. My hands scrunched on my Saree Pallu, a habit I had from young, which didn't seem to escape Aryan's scrutiny either. I slowly released
I made sure I didn't go anywhere near Aryan all morning afterwards, as I busied myself in studying about Nanda and Associates, and checking out the business profile of Giridhar Nanda, its owner. I also held another meeting with Namrata and the HR team to discuss new training programs for interns. I loved my cabin, it was small but tastefully decorated and it gave me that much needed personal space, before I could fully mingle with all the employees of Synergy. Around 11.30 am, I heard a knock on the door and there was Aryan, dressed in impeccable formal clothes of crisp white shirt and black trousers, with the jacket hanging loosely on his arm. I scrunch my eyes and looked away. "What happened now? Am I still not dressed properly enough for you?" He asked me crossly.
That heartbreaking moment, When you can't express your feelings to the one you truly love, But you are screaming inside for them to save you from your misery.... Aryan's POV I wasn't even sure where my feet were taking as I walked blindly away from Chandni, the anguish in my heart so ready to burst, that it was threatening to spill through my eyes. Some guy, who probably was as absent minded as me, looking down at his mobile collided with me as he came out of the lift, but I ignored everything and everyone and walked off briskly. I climbed two stairs up and finally reached the terrace. Everywhere around me were more concrete filled buildings, some s
"Erm.. I was actually going to apologise for my outburst earlier, before that guy knocked us off" I began awkwardly. "If we keep recalling every bad memory we had, we would probably spend the rest of my time here apologising to each other." Chandni's voice was full of irony. Just then her phone buzzed, and she scrunched up her face looking at it. "How come you have reached here so soon Chacha?" she asked as soon as she answered the call. I could hear loud giggles and a childish voice on the phone in the silence of our room, even at such a distance. I was feeling awkward listening to the one-sided phone conversation and tried to get up from the sofa, but she hurried towards the sofa and sat next to me, signalling to me to
She'll cry one more time tonight, hoping it's the last and I'll lie beside her, a thousand miles apart shedding the same tears, knowing it's not. -- Leo Christopher Aryan opened his apartment door and dragged his feet inside, quite late in the night. He went straight to shower and let the hot water singe and sear his wound... he really didn't care. This was nothing compared to the deeper and invisible wounds that were inflicted on him all those years ago, which never healed. To say that events of that day drained him emotionally would be an understatement. After Chandni left, he spent an hour just lying on the sofa inhaling the faint perfume and smell she