Because the line I walk on is so thin that if I don't balance well, I can fall either way.
I cannot forget that Shivay isn't my friend. He's a wolf in a sheep's clothing.
Pulling the door of my cabin, I walk straight towards the elevator. I spot Om in his office, talking on the phone. He catches my gaze in less than a minute, getting up to say something. But luckily, the elevator arrives and I rush in.
***
"Yes Gauri, I packed around twelve pairs for this week," Annika zipped her suitcase carefully.
"Wait a week? So you're not going to be there when I come?" she says.
"No, I'll be there-just a day or two later."
"Okay," her excitement lowered considerably,"So where is this grand event?"
"You won't believe if I told you! It's in Romania!"
"What? You're coming to Romania? That's- um- so close from here. I could meet you before you went back-"
"Yes! In fact, we could return together,"
"Perfect. I'd book our tickets."
"Oh, book one extra- for Shivay," Annika spilled, hitting her head when she realized.
"Why?" Gauri's voice filled with genuine confusion.
"How will he come back then?"
"No-no. My question is why is he- travelling with you?"
"Because he's my assistant Gauri!"
"Hmm," Annika could hear the smile in her voice,"Weren't you going to fire him-"
"Annika!" Shakti called out from below.
"Okay dad's calling me! Il call you later, okay-" Annika thanked her father's timing.
She spinned down the stairs in her pyjamas.
"Yes dad," she stood curtly. Annika was still angry with him for the second hand embarrassment she had to go through today at the office.
"What's going on? Why are Tara and Sudha running around so much? Are we having guests over? Is it Tarun?" He asked, with inquisitive eyes.
"Dad, no. No guests," she closed her eyes. She remembered that hasn't told her father about the business trip yet.
"I forgot to tell you-I'm going on a business trip- tomorrow -early morning."
"So soon? You just returned from one? Where are you going now?"
"Romania! And I'll return with Gauri, because she's also in- Europe-"
"No," Shakti said flatly.
Annika laughed,"It wouldn't cost extra, trust me-this is for a very big partnership. If I'll crack it then-"
"No it's not about the money," Shakti turned away.
"Dad," Annika smiled,"I'm going to Romania, even if you say no."
"But-"
"I'm not going for a vacation dad. This is for business. Plus I'll have my assistant with me so don't stress it."
"Shivay??" Shakti's eyes bulged out.
"Yes," Annika stated,"why does everyone overreact to that part?"
"No, no, no. You're not going."
Annika continued laughing. Being told what to do, what not to do- it was like she was a child again."
"Dad. I am going. Okay? Good Night."
Annika left for her room but something Shakti said, stopped her in her tracks.
"You can't because that's where it happened."
"What happened?"
"The accident, two years back," Shakti stared at the ground as Annika sat on a chair.
"No it happened here in Mumbai- that's what the therapist said-"
"She wasn't supposed to tell you about Romania. Something about Trauma- coming back in the places where you were hurt. We had a branch in Romania that you were handling back then. If you knew about it, you would try to go there because since the accident, the branch was scrapped out," Annika could not understand what was going on.
"If that's the case, then I should go to Romania."
"What?!"
"I may remember something dad! I was in Mumbai for so long, thinking I'd hit a nerve at some corner or street. But now I know why I didn't. Because the accident never happened here!"
"No Annika! You can't- Doctor Sinha has specifically instructed against it."
"But I-"
"No please try to understand! I can't lose you again beta."
"Okay okay, dad. I won't go. But I have to go to office tomorrow so go to sleep now," she looked up,"Mom won't let me live knowing I'm troubling you."
Shakti smiled,"Don't worry beta. I'll be fine."
Annika smiled back as Shakti retreated to his bedroom.
***
"Yes, I want everything you can find on him," I speak lower than usual.
"Okay ma'am, give me a few days- and I'll send you every single thing that exists on him on the internet"
"Good. Contact me as you find anything."
"Yes ma'am. Can I ask why you're researching your own assistant?"
Another person questioning my choices. I'm so done.
"Because I want to? He's my assistant. Now do I pay you to ask questions or for doing the work?"
"Work ma'am of course- work, sorry," he mumbled.
"Okay, let me know soon," I ended the call in a hurry. I have to sleep early, I have a flight to catch tomorrow.
I know I told dad I wouldn't go.
But he doesn't understand how much I need to go. The firm may never get such a partner again. I can't afford anymore losses, especially because of me. Sorry dad, but I have to go. Because I will not only be winning a partnership, I will finally know the truth about what happened.
Not any filtered lies. But the truth.
****
Words: 1449
(A shorter one this time!)
I kind of cancelled this trip idea at first, but the trip sounded like away time from the normal stuff Annika has to bear. So why not, cuz Romania was beautiful to research on.
Anyways, Good day :) Thank you for reading this.
CHAPTER 8 - One step closer to the truth
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