Chapter 11
1774 Words
Arjun's POV
It's been almost 45 minutes since Ananya went to the washroom and that girl followed her suit.
But either of them hasn't emerged from the washroom yet.
I just hope Ananya is okay.
She has a habit of locking herself away whenever she feels overwhelmed or depressed.
The mere thought of something happening to her makes my heart race with tension and anxiety.
Ananya please come out already. Please Anu, come out. Please
Ananya’s POV
I found myself sitting on a closed toilet seat and crying my heart out for a person who doesn’t even deserve these tears of mine
I rubbed my tears from a tissue paper.
Tissue paper
No, Toilet paper Ewe...!!
Seriously, Ananya get the grip. I quickly threw that toilet paper in dustbin and open the door to step outside the small cubicle.
To my surprise, Sakshi was standing near the counter.
Without looking into her eyes, I marched towards the taps and washed my face roughly for four times back to back.
She didn't say anything but handed me few tissues which I grandly accepted and dried my face. My eyes were burning hard
"You know, you were crying for the last half an hour inside that stupid washroom cubicle for the man who doesn't even deserve your tears." she yelled in anger
Which I didn't expect because she rarely gets angry
"Is she out?" Arun's voice appeared from outside the door. What is he doing outside?
‘Girl's Washroom, you Duffer.’
My subconscious mocked at me
God!! I am losing my mind.
"Yeah she is." Sakshi yelled back in response
"Thank god... Sakshi we’re waiting for you guys in her cabin." Varun added and soon I heard the boots sound fading away
"Now what to do?" She yelled again looking at me with an angry face
"I need to get a grip on myself. He is nobody to me. I must not forget that. Whatever happened some time ago was useless and this salty water coming from my eyes is nothing." I blinked my eyes few times to get rid of those tears and smiled weakly at her.
"I am not saying you to 'don't cry'. Cry as much you want. As much time you want. But promise me when you cry over a river, don't cry for that thing again in your life." she said and kissed my forehead
I don't know what great things I have done to get them as my friends.
"I am sorry... I know you all are worried for me." I said and took a deep breath controlling my emotions
"No… I wasn't worried for you. I was worried for your make-up. Look you destroyed my hard work." she enlightens my mood and
I weakly smiled at her while shaking my head
"Thank god I have bought my mini kit with me" she said and removes a small make-up kit from her purse.
"That’s just the thing I needed" I over emphasized my excitement
"You have to prove him that you aren't the same girl he left four years ago. You are bold, beautiful, mature, independent and successful." she encouraged me
"I know." I said and soon regretted as Sakshi takes hold of my hand and force me to look into her eyes.
"Ananya you are so strong. I have seen you, how you handle everything in your life. Only strong ones can do this. I have seen you becoming strong for yourself, for Riya, for Arun, for Anant, for Shaan, for Varun, for me and for Dhruv." she points out
"Ananya, don't let your past, mess up with your present, and you’re your beautiful future." she added and hugged me.
I could help but smile and sob at same time.
This is me. Miss Ananya. Not Mrs. Ananya Arjun Malhotra. And I won't let him ruin my present or my future.
"Now stop crying. Jenny and Sister Adrienne didn't raise a cry baby. They raised a strong pillar. Capable of handling everything and turning bad into good" she said, and I nodded with smile.
"Re make-up time." she booms with excitement and opens her kit. I didn't stop her this time. I let her do whatever she wanted.
After spending next fifteen minutes in makeover type things, we headed towards my cabin. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by the worried faces of the boys. As their eyes spotted me their shoulders drops down in relaxation and all of them exhales loudly.
Arun came to stand by my side and asked, "You okay, Ani".
"More than okay" was my reply with a sweet smile etched on my face
"I never thought this playful Sakshi can be of some good." Varun pokes Sakshi to which he was gifted by a murderous glare by Sakshi
"Come have a seat... I have something to tell you." Shaan said with a smile
As soon as we all settled down, four pair of eyes went straight to Shaan who took a deep breath before spitting out his stomach.
"There is good news. Sir... Arjun... I mean the CEO has cancelled the meeting. Looks like he also can't handle your presence, Ananya." he said and looked directly towards me in the last part.
I snorted what a coward he is. Now I won't face him again but what Shaan said next, took away my breaths.
"So... sir has decided to make top five senior architecture of Delhi branch to join him in Cullen's project" his voice was low.
Now the question arises doesn't he knows that I am the first-place holder or not?
"Look like we’re the ones heading to Mumbai then." Varun said with a smirk
I smirked back at him and nodded my head in agreement
“Let’s head out I guess we’ve wasted a lot of time already.” Shaan said standing up on his feet
“Are you sure you want to go Ani?” Arun asked me in a concerned voice
"I don't know." I spoke truly
"Dhruv needs surgery as soon as possible. It is difficult for me to watch him struggling for doing basic things like moving and all with so much difficulty." I added and a lone tear escapes the corner of my eyes.
"You have to be strong for him Ananya. He needs your support." Shaan advised me I just nodded my head as I don't know what to do.
"Just keep in mind that we will be there in Mumbai with you." Sakshi added and I smiled and tried to hug her, but doors of my cabin opens and on reflex my head turned towards it only to find Mr. Singh standing at the doorway.
"You okay, now Ananya?" he asked me politely his tone telling me how worried he was
I smiled and nodded my head.
"Mr. Arjun is calling his new five members of the team" he spoke and smiled.
Only if he knew what this means to me.
"We will be there in a minute, sir" Shaan dismissed Mr. Singh politely
Mr. Singh nodded and left the cabin immediately.
"Shall we my lady?" Shaan asked Sakshi in a fake British accent
“We shall Sir.” She replied in a similar way and they both walked out with Varun trailing behind them while shaking his head at their PDA
I rubbed my hands over my cheeks to remove any traces of tears but found none.
I stood up and took a deep breath.
"Let's show him, who Ananya is?" I said confidently and Arun gave me a hug.
"Let's go then." he said we both left for Mr. Singh's cabin.
Once we got over there, we found Arjun, Mr. Singh, Sakshi, Shaan and Varun talking near the floor length glass.
Arun knocked the door to get their attention and all eyes turned towards us. Arjun's eyes locked with mine in an expression of shock.
Answer to why he is shocked because he didn't know about my position.
I smirked and openly rolled my eyes at him
Arun puts his hand on my back to guide me. I smiled at his gesture and entered the cabin.
Arjun eyes were over me and Arun. Why he is staring at Arun with a sore expression?
"She is Ananya... the girl I was telling you about Sir." Mr. Singh breaks the silence which was surrounding us since we got inside.
Arjun's head snapped towards him in shock and then returned to me.
"Hello sir, I am Ananya. Sorry for my previous breakdown, I get zoned out sometimes." I said with confidence and with a sweet smile I raised my hand for a handshake
He didn't reply but stared me. Okay!! This in not comfortable I sighed and dropped my hand when I saw no movement taking place in his body
"Not sometimes but usually." Sakshi said and I smiled at her while shrugging my shoulders
"Sir... you wanted to say something." Shaan asked to bring him out of his staring-at-me job.
Arjun blinked few times and adjust his tie before looking at him.
"Yes, Ladies and gentlemen, so introduce yourselves" he asked.
Shaan smiled.
"Sir I am Shantanu Sharma. I am working at the post of senior architecture in Building Dreams since it was opened in Delhi. And I am really privileged to be part of this community. And yeah! She is my wife" Shaan says and points towards Sakshi for a second, who was standing adjacent to me.
But his fingers pointed the space between me and Sakshi for the second. Arjun's eyes meet mine in horror. I can bet what he is thinking. He thinks I am his wife. But I don't feel like proving something to him.
Arjun's mouth opened to say something but closes due to ringing of his phone.
He excuses himself and moves two steps back to attend the call.
"Yeah Anika, speak"
My heart dropped. Anika, Arjun's younger sister. She used to be so close to me.
"What are you saying.... when?" Arjun spoke in a harsh tone.
"Okay... I will see what to do... where is Anna now?" He asked.
Anna, now who is Anna?
"What is she doing with her? You know she can't handle Anna. Anna can't stand in her arms for five minutes" he spoke again confusing me more.
So, Anna is a baby, I think so. But who is 'her' now?
"I will talk to her... yeah.... I will be there" he said and cuts the call.
"Sorry Guys plans changed. We are going to Mumbai tomorrow in the morning. Details will be sent to your e-mails. Sorry for this, but I have some emergency" he spoke as soon as he reached us.
"It's okay sir. We are fine with it" Arun said and smiled
We all nodded are head in agreement, supporting Arun's statement
Looks like we all are heading to Mumbai tomorrow
- Writer
