Hey my lovely readers.
How are you all? I am back again with a new chapter.
Let me welcome you all to the beginning of 2nd phase of our protagonist's love story.
Hope you all enjoy it.
Let's begin with the chapter now.
3.5 years later
Akash's POV
"Hey Akash...you know I love you right?" Siya said.
"Of course baby, I know you love me" I said to her, tucking her strand of hair, behind her ears,
"You won't leave me ever, right?" she asked.
"No baby, even if you ask me to, I'll never leave you" I said looking in her eyes.
"Then why did you leave me?" she asked complaining.
"I never left you. I always had my eyes on you" I said.
"Then why didn't you confront me when I asked you to leave me?" she asked me.
"I thought you'll be happy with Mohit and your happiness means the world to me" I said.
"Yes, I am happy with Mohit and I'll never see you again" she said and walked away.
"Siya"
"Siya"
"Siya"
"Siya" I woke up with a jerk, shouting her name, panting hard.
"What happened Akash? You fine?" Sid asked me, coming in my room.
He probably woke up due to my shouting.
"Here take this" he said, handling me glass of water.
I gulped down the whole glass in one go.
"The same nightmare?" he asked.
"Any dream with Siya can never be a nightmare Sid" I said and he sighed.
"You do realize that her so called 'dreams' are bothering you for quite some time right" he said.
"I know" I sighed and said.
I saw the time it was 7:30 AM.
I anyways need to wake up in 15 minutes because I need to spend some time in gym before I head for office.
I can't describe how bad my life was affected because of my break up with Siya.
She was, is and always will be in every fabric of me.
It doesn't matter if she broke up with me, if she's happy with someone else, as long as she's happy I don't need anything else for her.
I initially wanted to hate her when she broke up with me, saying that she's in love with Mohit and not me but I realized, even if she hurts me again and again and breaks my heart into million pieces, I can't hate her.
My love for her is much more than the hate I could ever have for her. In fact, I could never ever hate her.
Stepping down my bed, I freshened up and went to the gym of our compound as I need something, somewhere to pent my anger and frustration.
Picking up the dumbles, I started doing my regular exercise.
Since she left, I've always found solace in penting my anger in the right direction and what better it could be to spend time in gym.
I always was a fitness freak but after she left, Sid suggested me to take up gym seriously and it took me almost 2 years to transform my 6 pack abs to 8 packs.
Thinking so I stepped to shower and cold water cascaded from my forehead to neck to my torso, calming me a little.
Getting ready in my formals and taking my laptop bag, I went to the dining room where Sid was waiting for me.
"Good morning Akash" he said.
"Good morning Sid" I greeted him back.
Well, since we both got selected for the same company, after receiving our offer letters, we were sent to different cities for training but by god's grace, our final posting came out to be in the same city and here we are, flatmates again.
"You know Kohli was saying that this year from our team, 2 people are to be promoted for the post of project manager. It seems our company has acquired a project worth millions and the management has decided that the new project managers will be leading the new project and will be directly interacting with the clients. Isn't it exciting" he said.
"Yeah sure it is" I said uninterested.
"Come on dude, it'll be such a good experience, if we get selected" he said.
"I know Sid" I said sighing.
"Come on Akash, you yourself want such an opportunity where you could directly interact with the clients to enhance your skills for your future company" he said.
"I know but" I said but he cut me off "look Akash, I know you're stressed for the past few days but you should remember, what your ultimate goal is" he reminded.
"Yes, you're right" I said and we talked a little while finishing the breakfast.
Keeping the plates in dishwasher, I took the car keys and we both went to my car, locking our flat behind.
"Do you want car pooling?" I asked him.
"Nah...not today" he said and we straight away drove to office.
Lately, our company has encouraged all the employees to go for car pooling as this will save time, petrol and of course, will contribute to less traffic.
Sid was so excited when this was introduced to us that he immediately asked me to register for it but seems, he isn't interested in this 'noble' idea, not anymore.
I still remember when I refused to register for it, he gave me an hour long speech of how we should be responsible citizens and contribute to less pollution, less traffic which would ultimately benefit our future generation.
I ultimately decided-registering for car pooling was better than to hear his hours and hours long speech of pollution control, so I gave in, more like I was forced to give in.
"What happened to your 'noble' contribution to this world" I mocked him.
"I just don't feel like helping anyone today" he shrugged.
With our usual banter, we reached our office and parking my car, we swiped our ID cards on the entry gate and then we headed to our respective cubicles.
Well Sid and me were in different projects when we first joined but then after completing 2 years in the same project, he moved to my project. So, we're colleagues now.
Lunch time came sooner than expected and Sid knocked on my cubicle, of course for heading to cafeteria.
Before I could say anything, I saw a slender figure looking at my way, standing right behind Sid.
"Hey handsome, can I join you?" Sakshi asked.
No of course not, I wanted to say.
"Sure" I replied instead.
Well, to be honest Sakshi has been nothing but friendly with me and Sid.
Her casual flirting sometimes amazes me but let's be honest, I can never give Siya's place to anyone in my heart and my life and I sometimes feel, Sakshi expects me to make the move but I don't want to give her any high hopes.
This heart always belonged to Siya and always will, no matter what.
We then headed to cafeteria and from the corner of my eyes, I saw Sid smirking at me.
I glared at him.
Ever since me and Siya broke up, I don't know what has gotten into his head.
He sees every 2nd girl as his bhabhi, obviously trying to patch me up with them.
We searched a table for 3 and I tried to take the farthest seat but Sid beat me to it, leaving me no option but to sit beside Sakshi.
I hate him.
"I'll order. What would you like to have?" I asked no one in particular.
"Whatever you'll have" Sakhi said and Sid agreed.
I turned around and went to the counter for getting our food.
Well it was a little difficult for me to handle 3 plates at a time and I glared at Sid, silently asking him to come help me but Sakshi beat to it and came up to me.
She took 1 plate from me and I took 2 plates and silently went to the table.
We had our lunch in silence and after walking around a bit, we then went to our respective cubicles.
I was, as usual trying to find bug in my programme when my inbox popped up with an email.
Opening it I couldn't believe my eyes.
I was promoted and it was the official promotion letter from HR.
I then saw the AVP and VP of our project coming to our floor and my eyes widened.
Our current project manager welcomed them and as usual their banter about the progress we made so far in delivering to the clients went on and on for like ages.
Finally, my name was called and I immediately stood up, straightening my trousers.
"So, here we've Mr. Akash Sharma, our project manager who'll be heading the new project that our company acquired some days back but since the project is big and quite prestigious, we've decided that there'll be 2 project managers instead of one. So, our 2nd project manager is Mr. Siddharth Chaturvedi" he said and I grinned.
(For readers who don't remember, Sid's actual name is Siddharth Chaturvedi. Obviously you can't expect a professional like VP or AVP to address someone by their pet name, especially when they are being formally introduced as project managers in their speech.)
Sid grinned and my happiness knew no bound.
More than me, he deserved this promotion because he has worked very hard and he deserves every bit of the credit and promotion that he has been receiving so far.
After announcing our promotion, they both were letting us know how important and significant the project is for our company.
"So young boys, I know all this is new for you but do remember, even if you are being asked to single handedly handle the clients directly, if any point of time you both need any assistance or any guidance, we are just phone call away" the VP said and shook hands with me and Sid.
After they both left, all the employees in my project started hooting but what caught me off guard was the fact that Sakshi squealed and hugged me.
It was a little awkward moment for me but then my eyes went to Sid who gave me a teasing smirk and then my project manager came to my view who gave me a knowing smile but thankfully he went off soon.
Anger rose in me and I pushed her a little, enough to detach myself from her.
When everybody went to their respective cubicles and nobody was watching me, I went to Sakshi and said "I want to talk to you."
"Of course" she chirped and followed me.
When we were out in the open terrace of our floor, I turned to her and said "what was that?"
She got a little confused but as if realization dawned her, she shrugged "it was a simple hug."
"Don't play games with me Sakshi. I very well know what are you trying to do" I said.
"Oh...thank god, you know. I don't have to work hard now to let you know my feelings for you" she beamed.
"Stop this nonsense this instant. You very well know I am committed" I said.
Well I know it's wrong to lie but what could I do. I never wanted to give Siya's place to anybody in my heart but soon after I joined office, every alternate day I used to receive proposals from my fellow trainees. It irked me so much that I lied to them that I am committed to keep them away from me.
But as you all know, the rumors of being committed or being in a relationship spreads like wildfire in this country so did the news of me being committed spread.
Since then many girls stopped flirting with me and that was a relief for me.
But seems this thick headed girl doesn't understand my simple language.
I growled and marched towards her.
Gripping her elbow in my palms tightly, I said "stay away from me. You very well know that this company has policy against harassment, irrespective of the gender. Do you want me to log a complaint with the HR?"
She visibly paled but nevertheless composed herself and said "you can't do this to me."
I left her elbow with a jerk and said "believe me you thickhead, I can and I will if you don't stop your actions."
"You still don't know who Akash Sharma is because I only chose to show you my angel side. Do you want me to show you my devil side?" I asked her in dangerously low voice gripping her elbow again.
Her pale face, got paled more, if that was even possible and she was shaking like a leaf.
She shook her head when my nails dug her elbow.
"Good. Stay away from me and you'll always be happy but remember if you try to bother me ever again, I'll make sure to show you what hell is" I said and jerked her elbow away.
It was already 5 and I was just waiting for half an hour more, then I could leave for home.
But all this was too much for me.
I just need to get away from here.
I quickly messaged Sid that I would be back in 15 minutes.
I badly need to smoke.
Coming out of the main gate of the company, I took out the pack of cigarette from my trouser pocket and took the lighter from the other one.
Lighting the cigarette and taking a puff from it, I finished 3 cigarettes in 10 minutes.
Munching one mouth freshner, I marched towards my cubicle.
As soon as I entered my cubicle, Sid appeared and said "you know smoking won't help you release stress. If anyone says that smoking and drinking releases stress, it's wrong dude. It just escapes you from reality, for a while, it doesn't solve your problem."
"I know and thanks for your concern but I am not in a mood to listen to your lecture today. Now if there's nothing much to say, go back to your cubicle and do your work. We'll leave in half an hour" I said and turned to my laptop, clear indication for him to go.
He sighed and went away.
This is my life since 3.5 years....without my Siya...and I intend to keep it this way...till I die.
I love you Siya...I always have and I always will...till my last breath.
Hey my lovely readers
How are you all?
Did you all like the new Akash?
Well I told you all beforehand, he'll be much cold in his behavior.
If he would've been 3 years old Akash, he would've made sure that Sakshi knows about his relationship, but in a more subtle way so that she's not heartbroken.
But since he's the new Akash, he's much hot and much more in demand coz girls...he has broad muscles and freaking 8 pack abs!!! Don't mind it's a fangirl speaking.
Anyways, till next chapter, tk cr bbyee
Tadas