Until Next Time

Chapter 4: Chance

Aarav's POV

Waking up every day to keep the façade of a brave man is strenuous task, especially for someone who is not allowed to breathe in vulnerability, for someone who is subjected as a shadow, for someone who is tried from trying. No matter how hard I try to escape, I must bear it all with a smile to express my aversion to life. Of course, men are not allowed to express their emotions, tears and fears. They must act strong no matter how hollow they are from inside. Life feels like a thunderstorm erupting suddenly in the middle of the ocean and you are stuck in a small boat alone, there is no sign of life, hope or strength to fight. I reached the office just to find out that Dad was in a sour mood, probably something must have gone wrong in his meeting with Ayra.

Ayra Rai the key to all problems of Mehra Finance, Dad will not be going to give up on her so easily. He will try repeatedly until he makes her accept this deal. I sat in my cabin studying the new proposals for the next investment in pharmaceutical sector when Sahil entered with a confused face.

"What happened?" I asked and gestured him to fill up the empty chair

"Aarav, something hasn't worked out, uncle has fired three employees since morning. Do you have any idea why Hillter is in his war zone?" he questioned

"Yesterday Dad met Ayra Rai, and as far as know her, she must have refused to accept his insolent deal. Though I tried to talk to mom about their dinner meeting, but she didn't get a chance to fill me up with details. And now poor employees are facing Hillter's wrath," I said infuriated.

"Are you sure she is your Ayra?" I glared at him in disbelief. "No, I meant the same Ayra Rai the college one?" he corrected himself

"I had crossed check thrice it's her, the same Ayra Rai who legit ruined my college life. I really wished that would never meet here again after farewell but guess what life is too unfair to me. I will be probably marrying the girl I hate the most. I hate this life, Sahil." I breathed out with uneasiness.

"Aarav, please relax, as you mentioned she has refused to uncle then why are you worrying about marriage. Chill down, bro." He leaned forward to assure me.

"Do you think Hillter will give up? Defeat is not a word in his dictionary. By hook or crook, he will make her accept this deal." he passed a dry chuckle

"Then it's even better for you. Uncle will let you move out; you can do whatever you want. You will be free my boy." he uttered with a big smile

"Out from Hillter's den but you forgot about female Stalin. Marrying Ayra Rai? The one who destroyed me back then, the one who killed that hope in me, the one who just know how to take revenge and make money? No Sahil, never. Love is a wonderful feeling, I always wished to experience that emotion again but with whom? With her, with that girl who destroyed love for me 7 years back. I can't even think about sharing anything but hatred for her. I can't tolerate her presence in my life, she did enough damage to me. The opportunity cost of living my lost dreams will came with committing a lifetime to her which is nothing but a death wish." I asserted with a glowering face and leaned back in my chair

"Who is asking you to commit her for lifetime?" he averted

"Sir, can you please elaborate how I will not commit to her when I will marry her?" I soured with a growl

"Make a deal with her. The kind of history you shared; she won't look for a husband in you either. Plan an arrangement where you both will act as a couple, but you will just marry just for the sake of it. Marry her, move out, then settle outside alone. Once you are out it will be difficult for Uncle to bring you back. Mutually you can both discuss and defeat the Hillter in his own game." he shared his idea with a wide range of expression as if he won a gold medal in Olympics.