Sree
We reached the hotel in Delhi and I got ready for the meet..
I was quite nervous, it was a big thing for us, and we had to present well..
I went through the notes of what I was going to speak.
Me, Gautham, Raya and Akshara proceeded to the place.
The meeting room was filled with around 10 entrepreneurs.. They were all sorts of big shots..
Their eyes looked at us speculatively.
Even Gautham seemed nervous.
"Should we begin? " A man asked the others
"Hmm we are waiting for one more", said a lady..
There were other start up people like us there..
" Hey sorry guys, for making you all wait", said someone,
I didn't notice the voice in my tension, I froze when i turned and looked at him..
He was shaking the hands of the others
"Vikram, so long, I heard your latest achievement", said a man.
Vikram smiled and nodded at him.
I had an urge to run away from this place that instant.
I should have expected this!
No Sree, your work is different, you don't know him! He is just a part of the panel! You don't know him! I repeated
His eyes then fell on me, and I felt a shiver as he looked into my eyes..
Concentrate on the presentation Sree! I thought
Gautham sensed my uncomfort,
" It's ok Devi, just ignore him", he said
I tore my eyes away from Vikram..
I heard his voice, when he spoke to a few others, I wished he would stop talking.
A few others presented and it was our turn..
I did my best.. And Gautham too did..
I just ignored him and didn't look at his side..
"Good work", said a man.
" Ya.. Great presentation impressive ", said a lady
" Great as always", it was Vikram, I didn't look at him
"So... You people Presented , in some time we want you to present on some other topic..
We will send you a mail on details,.. We are giving you an hour", they said
What was this new thing, how do we prepare in one hour..
We went to the nearby meeting room.
Raya and Akshara provided us feedback.
There was a knock on the door.. I saw through the glass that it was Vikram
Gautham went out.. And came back in some time
"What does he want? ", I asked when he returned
" He gave some tips", Gautham said
"Who wants his tips, please don't tell me any of those", I said
" They are good ones", Gautham said
"Did he help the others? No right? I don't want his help", I said
We prepared and presented.. It went fine..
Vikram gave some remarks, I had to look at him as it was long.. None of the words entered my mind as I looked at him blankly.
" So.. Guys.. I know them.. As you all know I have a stake in their company and working with them, they are capable", he said to the others.
They nodded at him..
After the meet got over, one of the entrepreneurs Mr Vijay, told me to meet him in one of the rooms, for some questions.
I entered the room, Vikram was there.
Oh god what was he doing here..
I concentrated on Mr Vijay, he talked with me and asked some questions..
Vikram was silent and observing.
I felt his eyes on me, but I didn't look at him.
"What Vikram, you want to add anything? ", Vijay asked
" No no.. Continue Vijay", he said
"So.. You have worked in Vikram's company huh", Vijay said looking at my resume.
" Long back..So.. You must be knowing each other for years", he asked
"Not much, he is the CEO so, we just had a few talks ", I said.. And looked at Vikram for the first time..in the room
His eyes were expressionless and showed a hint of irritation.
Vijay got a call..
" Vikram continue, I'll be back", he said and left outside
I felt awkward with him in the room.. I looked at the desk.
"So.. You are not going to look at me, even now", he said
I looked at him
" Not like that" I said nonchalantly
"Hmm, so just a few talks huh" he asked
" Are you going to talk like this and waste my time, if there is nothing I'll take my leave ", I said
" Waste your time? Madam I'm a part of the panel, and the most influential ", he said
" I don't need your help", I said
He smiled and shook his head..
"All right let's be professional, since you want me to ask questions, I'll, So tell me in detail about your proposed target ", he asked
When did I want him to ask questions!
Sree, just think he is some random person and answer!
I answered his question
" Hmm ok.. How do you plan to promote it, It seems to belong to a niche category "he asked
"I already answered in the presentation", I said
" Yes.. I want a detailed view., ", he said
I sighed.. And answered
" Hmm.. Tell me about how you would do research, have you estimated the costs? ", he asked
I clenched my teeth... So many questions!
He looked at my expression
" Tired already, I just started", he said
I just glared at him..
"Do you want a cup of coffee? ", he asked
I didn't reply,.. He dialed a number and ordered 2 coffees
Where was this Vijay! How long should I tolerate this!
The attendant came with 2 coffees.
I didn't drink it.
" It's getting cold, won't you drink? He asked
I looked at him with the corner of my eye.
"No.. Uh.. It's getting late I'll leave.. " I said and got up
"Don't you want to hear the remarks", he asked
I looked at him.
" Wonderful.. You answered really well and I'm impressed. "he said
" Great", I said and moved forward.
He held my hand..
"Sree", he said
I turned back.. And sternly looked at my hand which he was holding
" Stay.. For some time", he said softly
" Behave professionally ", I said
He left my hand as I turned back and left.
The evening, I was in the hotel room alone..
I asked for a separate suite, while Akshara and Raya shared one.
It was raining heavily.. I went to the windows to close it..
I looked out... Seemed like a storm..
I glanced outside, the view was good ..
I spotted someone in a black hood,.. Looking up.. He saw me and turned back..
Who? Was it?... I looked back.. To make sure I wasn't hallucinating..
No there was a man with a black hoodie, his back was turned... I could swear he had looked at me.
I don't know what overcame me, I took the umbrella and went down...
The wind was blowing heavily.
I walked forwards with the umbrella.. And walked to the man..
He turned slightly to the side, hearing my footsteps..
"Vikram? ", I called
He turned fully... It was him...
I shook my head..
" What are you... Why are you stalking me? ", I asked
" I'm not stalking you.. I was going to come to meet you", he said
"Ooh.. Then why have you been standing in the same place, in the rain.. ", I asked
" To see you", he said
I just stared at him..
"I'll leave", he said and turned back
" Where is your car? ", I asked seeing no vehicle around
" I didn't bring it, my colleague dropped me here ", he said
" So you are just going to walk in the rain? ", I asked
Why did I care!..
" Mmm, I didn't decide.. ", he said
" Come in, until the storm reduces ", I said
Why? Why did you say that!! What if he gets caught in the storm .Why do I care still...
He looked at me..
" You sure?,, he asked
"Come before I change my mind", I said
I wanted to make him wait in the reception.. But he was drenched and I wasn't stone hearted..
I opened the room with the keys..
" I don't have anything for you to change into..
I saw a white bathrobe, in the room..it was long."
"Wear this while your clothes dry", I said and threw the robe at him
He went into the washroom and came out in the robe..
A part of his chest was visible..
" Thanks", he said
I just ignored and went back to the bed.. And sat down.. While he sat on the couch..
It was almost 10 pm..
"Sleep if you want on the floor or the couch,.. But you should be gone by the morning", I said and lied on the bed and closed my eyes.
I didn't realize when I had fallen asleep... I woke in the morning..
I looked around.. He was lying on the ground sleeping in a corner..
I noticed, that he didn't have any bedsheet or a blanket.. He was in the robe and the Ac was on..
He was shivering lightly.. I felt a little sorry for him.. Why didn't he ask for a blanket.. The hotel could have provided extra.
"Vikram! ", I called out
He woke up, after I called him a few times more..
He looked up at me.. His eyes were red
" It's morning", I stated and went to the washroom to get ready..
I wore my dress inside, it was a long blue kurti..
I went out and saw that Vikram had changed back into his hoodie and jeans.
"I expected you gone.. ", I said
" How can I, without telling you", he said
"Wow what an irony", I almost laughed
" Speaks the man, who left for a month without even a message", I said
I saw him through the mirror.. His head was down..
He looked up at me and our eyes met..
"Nice dress btw, blue suits you, your favorite color and all", he said
I ignored him, Favorite color, wow he remembers..
Wait a minute..
" How did you know blue was my favorite color", I asked him, turning back
He looked confused,
"Why wouldn't I? ", he asked "You told me of course",
" I told you! But I never mentioned it during this "deal marriage" of ours", I said
His eyes showed a flurry of emotions.
"You must have mentioned it.. Perhaps during that story you told me.. Of the past.. You did tell about your birthday", he said
I nodded..
Birthday... He had gotten me clothes in blue..
But I didn't tell him in detail.. It had slipped my mind.
" I didn't tell you that in the story", I said pondering, if I did and forgot..
Did I ever tell that! We hardly talked normally to be talking about favorite colors and during the story.. It was a brief.. I don't think I did..
I looked up at him..
His eyes showed fear.. And he wasn't looking at me..
Well unless... This was a rare possibility..
I didn't believe it but I asked
"Do you remember? ",
He looked into my eyes.. Startled...
Now I was shocked....
He really remembers???
" Do you? ", I asked, my voice,.. A whisper
He nodded lightly... And a tear dropped from my eye..
*******
I went forward and hugged him tightly... I missed him..
He put his hands over me..
" I missed you", I said.. As I felt the warmth in his arms..
My heart beat fast...
But... this was my imagination!!!
I couldn't hug him, when I was so angry with him!
******
I looked at him frozen, trying to process my emotions...
His eyes reddened too... On Seeing me..
"I miss you a lot Sree", he said.. his voice almost a whisper..
I simply looked at him, trying to process.
Gautham
I was working on the presentation, when I got stuck in some figures..
I called her,.. But she didn't pick up..
I can't believe I'm doing this..
I knocked on her hotel door..
Raya opened it.. Surprised to see me at her door in the morning..
Her hair was wet and she was wearing her night suit..
Her brown eyes looked at my eyes.. Pensively..
"Who is it? ", Akshara came from behind..
Seeing me, Akshara started coughing, which drove me out of my trance
" I need your help with some figures ", I said to Raya..
She nodded and moved to make way for me to enter..
We sat on the couch.. And I opened the laptop and removed my glasses..
Her eyes on me, made me uncomfortable..
I just wanted to shout, at her to stop looking at me like that!
I controlled.. It wouldn't be good!
" Want, tea made with milk powder?", Akshara asked
"Hey I'll make it myself, don't trouble yourself ", Raya said
" What's trouble, I make the best tea in the universe, whether it's milk tea, or just milk powder tea...
Gautham you should try my tea", she said
I smiled.. Raya laughed and shook her head..
"Suree.. Akshara, we are waiting for your tea", she said
I looked at Raya..
I secretly envied what the 3 girls had between them..
I was Devi' s best friend , but I could never be what they are to her.. Or each other..
They were so close, like sisters.. Everyone thought they were sisters..
Not many have such close friendship as theirs.. It was so beautiful to see.. How they loved each other deeply..
I was sure, they knew what happened to Devi and Vikram,
Wow, nice idea, ill ask Raya,.. Sure she shouldn't keep secrets from me right!
Without knowing what happened, it was difficult to fix it..
What happened that Devi was so angry on him..
"Gautham? Where did you have the doubt? ", she asked
I broke out of my thoughts..
" Ohh.. Ya.. Before that.. I want to talk to you.. Would you come.. ", I pointed to the balcony..
Her eyes.. Lightened for a second..
She nodded and followed me.
I was silent for a second and she looked at me expectantly..
" So.. I want to know.. What happened between Devi and Vikram", I said
"Ooh", she said simply, her eyes expressionless
" Yes? ", I asked
" You.. Know.. I won't tell you that! ", she told
Of course I knew that, .. They had done this before..
" Why do you people keep me in the dark always..! I'm her friend too, not only you two! ", I said, a little irritated
Her eyebrows raised and she looked a little scared because of the raise of my voice..
I didn't care,.
" If she wants to tell, she will.. It's not my place to", she said silently..
" I'm asking only for her! And I can't force it from her, when it hurts her!
You can tell me and help her!
You are her friend huh, why are you silent about it, you take no step to even help her? At least allow me to help!
And as my to be wife,.. Don't you think you need to tell me everything ", I blurted out..
She looked at me... Her eyes showed a flicker of irritation
" Gautham.. Just because I don't tell anything doesn't mean you can talk to me like this..
Firstly,.. I'm really amused that you suddenly realize I'm your to be wife..
Secondly.. Don't you dare question my friendship with her..
I care about her more than you do.. I know her for so many years..
So don't make a fool out of yourself, by talking like this", she said sternly and walked out..
I was surprised.. Seeing her talk like this..to me.. She had never spoken like this for the 3 years I knew her
Maybe I had been a little harsh on her? But When did I question their friendship?
I went out of the balcony, where I was met with a disapproving Akshara.
"Where is she? ", I asked
" Went for a walk", Akshara told, her eyes expressionless..
I looked at my laptop! Shit! My work also wasn't done now..!
I went to my laptop..
"She asked you to send the issue by mail, she would reply", Akshara said
What? She was going to help me, inspite of her anger..
I nodded and went out..