Mishti sad on the bench staring into the oblivion. She had told herself several times that she was ready for this. Now it seemed like a lie. Like she had told him, she was stronger than him, but she still knew that seeing him would make her weak again. Suddenly, something had distracted her mind. She saw an old couple in the spectacle store. The man who might have been eighty slowly slid the glasses onto his wives eyes, and she smile back. With their arms around each other, the two exited the store and continued smiling at each other.
A small tear escaped Mishti's eyes. There had been several dreams that that man made her see and several promises that man made, yet today she was empty-handed. Neither did she live her dreams nor did she have her promises fulfilled. One such dream was growing old together. She had never doubted that they would not grow old together, but today she was sure they wouldn't.
Breaking of promises and shattering of her dreams made her realise that she needs to fight back to that man. She cannot be weak anymore. How dare he? How dare the put the relationship that both of them worshipped at stake? She only had one thought in her head. It was to remove memories of him in her head. It was high time she moved on. She soon saw a taxi come, and put her bags in to face whatever comes in front of her.
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"Bhai, can you please take care of the presentation, I my voice is really dry from my previous presentations and my sore throat is making it impossible to be loud"
"Nanko, you don't have to explain too much. I definitely will."
As it was Abir's turn to get up and give his presentation, he carried himself in confidence and briefed the content. But it was not the presentation of every company. It was something different. Abir goofed around and cracked his PJ's here and there. Kunal definitely found this unprofessional, but other simply enjoyed it. Abir had some charm about the way he conducted meetings. They were not the regular point to point ones, but they were fun and entertaining. Most importantly, none of them slept during his presentations. Almost everybody liked Abir and almost every deal was finalised because of Abir's demeanour.
All the girls that would swoon over Kunal, started swooning over Abir for multiple reasons. One of them was Kunal being married, but it was more so of the other reasons that made Abir an attractive personality. Girls would surround him for his PJ's, his kindness, his goofing, and his inspiring work. Abir never realised this. All he was concerned was about getting jobs done and creating a healthy atmosphere at work. People loved their work more because of this, and even started taking off less often.
Although he acted happy and well functioning, he was messed up on the inside. Never did he show it to anyone, nor did anyone at work figure out. Just like the beginning days, except now, somehow Nanko understood him.
During lunch, he somehow wanted to escape having lunch with his mother and made an excuse of working. He waited till two to be completely sure that his mom would have had her lunch, and then silently walked out his cabin. Unfortunately, his mom caught him.
"Abir, thank god you finally came. I did not want to disturb you, so I did not call you. Now that you are done, let us have lunch. I waited for you this long."
"At least you did not want to disturb my work space like you disturbed my love life. I did not think not disturbing someone was under your list of capabilities."
"Abir, is that how you talk to your mom?"
"And is that what you would ask from his son? Is that how you would make your son sacrifice? Is that how to cause sadness to your son? If you have an answer to these questions, you will get an answer to your own. Bye, I cannot even think of eating now after all this anyways. The only reason I occasionally eat with you is so that no one suspects that we have problems. At least have let someone respect you"
Abir walked away from his mom while her mouth gaped open. She did not know of any plan that could mend this relationship. She was helpless. A tear fell from her eye, which she brushed away and proceeded to work.
Neeti, a co-worker, was in the canteen where Abir came to have his green tea. He had given up coffee or regular tea as every sip was not only bitter, but brought bitter memories from his past. He grabbed his tea and walked to the window to stare at the oblivion.
"Sir, I am just curious. Kunal sir never came out of his cabin. He always had it sent to him. Why are you not doing the same?"
Abir laughed and replied, "Neeti, he is used to working in four walls for quiet some time, so he probably does not feel suffocated. But I never worked like that. I guess even I worked within four walls but even my four walls had so much light and scenery and fresh air. This is suffocating to me, you know?"
"Sir, no offence, but your work itself seems suffocating to you. I do not think it is your cabin. Plus if it so suffocating, then why do this?"
"Sometimes you got to do what you have gotta to do Neeti, and now I have got to support my brother."
"I used to hear about your NGO and exhibitions. Sucks to have come from there to here. I still think you should paint though. Maybe we can hang your paintings as the office decor"
Abir could not help but appreciate her insight. He was quiet amazed by how she kind of figured out certain things without it being said. He could not tell her that he does not paint anymore, so he just agreed.
The thought of paintings did not leave his mind. It reminded him of how she would always look up to his painting and how she was the only one in his life to appreciate him. The memory of her jumping around to get hold of the centre piece was still vivid in his head. He decided it would not hurt so much to maybe use some of his paintings in the office which was quiet bland for his taste. He decided use some of his old paintings.
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Kunal was waiting in front of Maheshwari household to pick up Kuhu. Kuhu wanted to see her family once before Mishti came. Not that she was jealous of the attention they would give her, that was months back, but to make sure all of them would react properly and not bring back bad thoughts in her head. Mainly, this applied to Jasmeet.
Kunal and Kuhu had decided to give their relationship a try, like she had asked, and in these three months a small friendship similar to their initial days blossomed. They supported each other in hard times and grew to understand each other more. They had not done anything romantic as such, but both were glad that they could live in the same house together. It was better than breaking their families hearts. They probably decided to let it be so for as long as possible.
Kuhu got in and shut the door, as she opened her mouth to say something, Kunal used his hand and closed it.
"No bakwaas today. Please. I am very stressed because of work and do not know what to do. On top of that, if you complain about how the AC in the car is bad or how my suit does not match my tie and you have problems with my dressing sense I will only cry."
Kuhu removed his hand and screamed at him.
"Idiot! I have something more important to tell you. I wanted to tell you for a while but I did not gather the courage to and neither did I know how to. Also, I was scared you might do something so I shut up, but I guess I cannot hide it anymore.
Kunal was shocked. Not only Kuhu, but even he did not know how to act. They had a good friendship but he felt nothing more than that, at least according to him. He began sweating.
"Look Kuhu, I really don't know what to tell but .."
"Wait what do you think I am going to tell you."
"That you like me right. See, ever since that night of my bachelors party, I started watching more rom-coms, so I kind of know what you are going to say and all..."
"Shut up right there Mr. Know it all. First of all, I think it is a known fact that I like you and I do not care about that anymore though. Second, I was not talking about me liking you at all. Third, maybe reduce the rom-coms you are watching. And Fourth, Mishti is coming back from London."
"What the fuck? Oh my god! What am I going to do? How is bhai going to take this? What will bhai do? Oh no! This is why, you shutting up is wonder to me. Always bringing in bad news"
"Maybe I should have not told you anything and let you be unprepared so that you can make a fool of yourself. But listen, I know you are not worried about work. I know your actual stress is your brother's condition. Which is why I wanted you to be prepared."
"It took a lot to get bhai here. If she comes back, I am scared he will relapse."
"I know and understand your fears. It is your brother and your decision, but whatever decision you take, I will support you."
"Thank you", Kunal thanked with a smile and they rode back home.
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