Hey, my lovely readers.
How are you all?
Are you all enjoying the book so far?
Before starting the chapter, I would like to tell you all that I have started a new book TALES FROM MY HEART which is a collection of short stories/one shots.
The 1st one shot is up and it would really mean the world to me if you add it in your reading list and library and also give it a chance. I'll update the book whenever I've a plot in my mind and can pen it down.
Also, lovelies, if possible, please check out the work of one of my readers bloomingme3124
It would really mean the world to her and me.
Let's begin with the chapter now.
Siya's POV
Once inside the mansion, I was awestruck by just looking at it.
"You liked it?" Sophia asked from beside me.
"It's really beautiful" I whispered, still looking around.
"Come, I'll show you your room" she said and dragged me with her to one of the rooms on the first floor.
Opening the door, I was spellbound by the beauty of it.
The first thing that caught my attention was that this room had it's own library along with it being a bedroom.
"This is the biggest rooms of all in this whole mansion. Akash sir had especially asked me to build a library in one of the rooms, so I thought we should occupy the biggest room of all in this mansion as it would accommodate both a library and a bedroom" she said.
"It was initially supposed to be his room but when I shared my idea about it, he said it would be better if we plan it according to you" she said.
"He...he didn't mind giving this room for me?" I asked.
"No. Not at all, in fact I wonder why he gave up this room. It was his favorite. I even gave him a second option that we could use a separate room for library and separate bedroom for you but he said it would be better if you get all in one room with a library" she said and shrugged.
"He gave up his favorite room for me" I said in a whisper with tears in my eyes but I blinked them away.
"Come. I'll show you the whole mansion" she said and dragged me with her.
"This is a four story mansion. Ground floor has kitchen, swimming pool, gym and two guest bedrooms out of which one will be occupied by Mark. First floor has three rooms, one for you and one for me and second floor has three rooms, one for Akash sir and one for Adarsh sir. Fourth floor has a theatre and games room " she said, bringing me down the stairs to look at the swimming pool.
"Wow" I said, looking at the pool which was so...big.
"Isn't it amazing" Sophia said, clapping her hands, excited like a little child.
"You did all these arrangements?" I asked.
"Yes. It was clear instruction from Adarsh sir that everything should be according to Akash sir. He was very particular about your room" she said.
When I was still gazing at the pool, I heard his voice, just behind me.
"You liked it?" he whispered in my ears, making me shiver.
I turned around and looked in his eyes, which had so much...hope.
His eyes were twinkling and sparkling like a star.
"I loved it" I said with a smile.
"But you...didn't have to do it, for me" I said.
"Of course I had to do it, for you" he said and smiled at me.
"So, you and Adarsh will be living on the second floor?" I asked.
"Yes, I thought it would be better to give you girls some privacy" Adarsh said, coming from behind him.
"That was so thoughtful of you" I said, smiling at him.
"My pleasure, Siya but if you would like a room beside Akash or if you would like to stay in his room, we don't mind, right Sophia?" he said turning to her and she grinned, looking at me.
"Of course, Adarsh sir, that would be wonderful" she said, clapping like an excited child.
My cheeks were almost red by now, I think.
"That's good that we haven't unpacked her luggage yet. Do you want me to send it to Akash sir's room?" Sophia asked.
"Sophia" I said, blushing.
"Enough now, don't tease her. Also, just for your information, me and Siya have never lived together and moreover, we...aren't together" he said and my smiled vanished.
"What?" Adarsh asked shocked and Sophia was mirroring her expression.
My eyes widened, listening to him but then realization hit me like bucket of cold water was poured on my head.
It's true that we aren't together because I was the one who pushed him away and said that I won't marry him so technically, we aren't together but why did it feel like a dagger slicing my heart when he said that?
He didn't say anything wrong. He just said what is true.
I was the one who wanted to leave him and now when he is saying this, it feels like...my soul is wrenching in pain.
"Is..is it true?" Sophia asked.
I didn't have answer to it, so I looked down.
"Bhai...how...I mean" Adarsh said, he was speechless.
"Let's not talk about it. We're all so tired because of all the travelling and jet lag. I think we should all rest. What's say?" Akash said, changing the topic.
"Of..of course. We should go now" Adarsh said with a smile.
Coming to me, Adarsh kissed my forehead, making me close my eyes.
He always gives me a brotherly feeling and I couldn't stop feeling content, so I hugged him, burring my face in his chest and I didn't know when tears made it's way to my eyes.
"Hey, don't worry" he said and kissed my hair, hugging me back while rubbing his hands up and down my back, probably to calm me.
He kept his chin on my shoulder. I couldn't hold back my emotions any longer so I cried in his embrace.
"Shhh...shh Siya, please, don't cry" he said and I looked at him , still in his embrace.
Wiping my tears, he said "these tears are too precious, especially when it comes out of your eyes. Don't waste it. The only tears that should come out of your eyes should be tears of happiness and not tears of pain."
When I was still looking at him, he said "I don't know what's going on between you and Akash and you might think that I would hate you for doing this to my brother but I could never do that, Siya. You're like a little sister to me. Whatever you want, whatever your decision is, I will always support you. No questions asked. I just want to see you happy."
"Thank you" I said, my voice was barely a whisper.
"My pleasure, princess" he said and hugged me again.
I hugged him back because...I've missed this.
Being in embrace of someone who I consider like my elder brother, who treats me like a younger sister.
"You know, I've missed being called this" I said but I am sure my voice must be coming as muffled.
"Being called what?" he asked.
I looked at him and said "princess."
He gave a throaty laughter, throwing his head back and and I pouted.
"Oh god. You're really a princess" he said, flicking my nose.
"If you like being called princess, then I'll call you by this name, okay?" he asked me and I grinned.
"Yes, I would love that" I said.
"Princess it is then" he said and broke the hug.
"Now you should go and rest, my princess. We'll meet in the evening, okay?" he said with a smile and I nodded.
When he was about to leave, I pulled him back and said "thank you."
"For what?" he asked, confused.
"For understanding me and not taking me wrong" I said.
"I would never do that, princess. As I said, whatever equation we've with each other will never get affected, be it any reason, even if it is my family or my brother" he said.
"Don't stress your teeny tiny pea sized brain and think much about it. Just enjoy, okay?" he said with a smile and I scowled.
"My brain isn't tiny" I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
"It is princess" he said, flicking my forehead.
"You" I said and he started running while I was chasing him.
Akash's POV
They were running and giggling which brought an instant smile on my lips.
I was still gazing at her when I heard Sophia say "are you really letting her go?"
I looked at her to see her already looking at me.
"Her happiness means the world to me" I said, looking at Siya who was still chasing Adarsh.
"You are her happiness" she said.
I looked at her and said "I was, Sophia, I no longer am."
She smiled and said "if you think so, then you are the most dumb person I have ever come across my life."
I gave her a confused look when she said "have you seen the spark in her eyes when she looks at you? Have you seen the way her face glows when anyone talks about you?"
"I...I don't know" I said, still looking at her who was giggling like a little girl, like she used to.
"Women are a little complicated, Akash sir. They say something else when in reality, they want quite the opposite to happen. She might say that she doesn't want to marry you or don't want to be with you but her actions say otherwise" she said.
"I don't know, Sophia. I could never live up to her expectations and I feel that I don't deserve her" I said, looking at Sophia now.
"Let me tell you something Akash sir, if you don't deserve Siya then no one in this world does. You've made mistake when it comes to her and I agree with it but there's no one like you in this world who would go to any lengths to bring her back to how she was. You once told me you could even move mountains for her and I know, you're doing it now" she said.
"I don't understand" I said, a little confused.
"I know you didn't want to come to London" she said and my eyes widened.
"How do you know?" I asked her, shocked.
She shrugged and said "I just know. I also know that initially Siddharth sir was supposed to come to London for setting up a branch after few months but you asked him to handle New York and Canada branch."
I was busted. There was no use hiding it, so I said "yes, you're right."
"You did all of this, for her, didn't you?" she asked.
I simply nodded.
"Akash sir, relocation to altogether a new country is difficult and you did it, for her" she said and looked at Adarsh.
"You like him, don't you?" I said, observing her as she stared at Adarsh.
"No, I don't and even if I do, it doesn't matter" she said.
"It means you like him?" I asked and she smiled, looking at me but somehow it didn't reach her eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
"We can never be together, Akash sir and you know the reason very well" she said.
I was raging by now.
"It's all bullshit reason, Sophia" I said, keeping my hands on her shoulder.
"This is what destiny is, Akash sir. You are fortunate that you are getting a chance to be with someone you love. Don't loose it. Not everyone gets to be with their love and not every love story is meant to be completed" she said, looking at Adarsh longingly with a smile who was now playfully glaring at Siya.
Just then her phone pinged and her smile vanished.
I know it is bad manners to peek at someone else's phone but looking at her glowing face which now had turned pale after reading the text she just received, I couldn't stop looking at the name displaying on the screen and then, my blood boiled.
"You don't have to answer the texts. I've always told you, if you want me or my parents can talk to.." she didn't let me complete and said "it doesn't matter anymore."
"It does, Sophia. It's about your life" I said, my hands were still on her shoulder.
"It doesn't matter, sir" she said sadly with tears in her eyes which she blinked away.
"I...I think I should go. I am tired" she said and walked away and I just stared at her retreating figure.
I then heard Siya say from behind me "hey, is she..alright?"
I turned to her and contemplated whether I should tell her about Sophia or not but then, it was her story to tell and I didn't want to invade her privacy, so I decided to keep mum.
"Yeah, she is, just a little tired so she went to take rest" I said.
She stared at me for a few seconds and said "you can't even lie."
I just smiled at her, of course she would catch it. She knows me too well.
"Why don't you go and rest in your room? We will talk later, okay?" I said and she nodded.
"Bye princess" Adarsh said and she glared at him but then giving him a smile, she waved at him and went in the mansion.
I was still gazing at her retreating figure when he said "stop looking at her like a creep."
I rolled my eyes and looked at him.
"I can look at her how much ever I want" I said.
"Oh, sure you can" he said sarcastically.
When we proceeded in the mansion, he asked me "is Sophia alright?"
My blood boiled hearing at him.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" I asked.
"You already know I don't like to meddle in my employees' personal business" he said.
"Then why are you asking about her?" I asked, climbing the stairs.
"That's because I care about her" he said from behind me.
I turned to him and glaring, said "you do?"
"Of course, I do" he said, stopping on the fleet of stairs.
I took some steps down and going to him, said "If you really do care about her then you shouldn't have asked me if she is fine or not, you should have asked her instead."
"What's wrong?" he asked.
I sighed, closing my eyes.
Opening my eyes again, I asked "Adarsh, why do you care about her?"
"She is my assistant, my employee. Of course I would care about her. It's only because of her we have cracked deals worth billions in the last two years" he said.
"Is her being efficient the only reason you care about her?" I asked.
"Of course, yes" he said and I felt like punching him in his guts.
But then, I didn't have any right to be mad at my brother.
"Nothing is wrong, Adarsh" I said, and turned around.
"Bhai, tell me, is there something I should know?" he asked and I turned to him again.
'I wish I could tell you' I thought.
"Nothing that I know of" I said and turning around, went to my room.
How did the chapter come out?
If you all liked the chapter, please vote comment, and share my book.
Please follow me on Wattpad and Instagram for sneak peeks and updates. Readers following me on insta already know that I post a sneak peek of my updates on it one day before my updating schedule.
My insta ID-magnificent_shobhana.
Till next chapter, tk cr bbyee
Tadas.