EPISODE 005
1132 Words
"I don't wanna go..." Aaradhya hadn't intended for that phrase to come out in public; the words had just flowed without her controlling them. Once she realized what had just happened, she went silent.
She attempted to sound polite but expressed that she wasn't ready to stay for more. "Sorry, Mr. Prakash," she quickly responded, trying not to sound rude.
She gazed up at him with calm yet steady eyes and explained that she had only returned due to contract obligations; once it had concluded she desired returning back to Mumbai and working in their head office as before.
She wanted no part in seeing him again.
That is who said it - "I don't want your child.
Six years had gone by, yet his words still played over and over in her head like an echoing, repeating loop. Aaradhya no longer wanted to confront him--not after everything that had transpired between them; after all he had crushed her once; so why give him another chance now?
Perhaps she hadn't completely forgotten him.
Perhaps a piece of her heart still remembered what they shared together.
But she wasn't going to allow that part to win; whatever remained would be buried quickly and quietly; any trace of love she wanted was gone now.
"Aaradhya, please understand I'm not stopping you," Jack replied with some hesitation, "but please know the company has now been purchased by Siddharth Rana; therefore, it's up to him whether or not you decide to stay or leave now."
Six years prior, her marriage had been taken control of by him.
Now he held her job. Aaradhya felt trapped in some twisted game she never agreed to play and wanted out immediately.
Jack noticed her tension rising. In response, he suggested taking some time off until Rana took control and you could file your leave then. "How about this?" he suggested gently. "Take time off now to rest at home until he finishes taking over, then file for leave when necessary."
She longed to scream, but the thought only made her more discomfited.
No. No matter what, she had to leave before he arrived.
She turned away, ready to go without further discussion.
Someone spoke up behind her.
"Mr. Rana is here." Her feet froze. Without even meaning to, something inside of her simply stopped moving forward.
Footsteps were heard following: loud, slow, and powerful.
Her heart raced as her hands tightened into fists. She looked down, hoping the floor would swallow her whole.
She didn't even need to look.
She knew who it was as soon as she finally opened her eyes—there he was!
Tall. Wearing an impeccable black suit. A crisp white shirt. One hand fiddling with an expensive watch he had strapped onto his wrist. He was surrounded by guards like shadows.
He carried himself as though he owned everything around him.
People around them looked on, yet kept their distance. His cold look said loud and clear, "Don't get too close."
Six years had gone by since they had last met, yet when she saw his face again, it all changed for her. Everything inside her had turned upside-down.
First, her body had frozen. Then panic had set in.
Simply walk past him. Don't look or speak. Just get out of his way.
She lowered her head and tried to flee.
Before she could take two steps forward, an unexpected hand reached out and restrained her.
"Miss Rishi, please come over here immediately."
One of his guards halted her in her tracks with an authoritative and firm gesture, deterring her from proceeding further.
She stopped. No other choice was available to her as SR stepped closer, his tall frame casting an unwelcome shadow over her. She could still smell his familiar faint scent, an unwanted reminder she did not want.
She lowered her eyes slowly. Invisibly she said to herself, "Siddharth Rana."
He stood still with his eyes fixed upon her.
He mused on Aaradhya Rishi as though her name were unfamiliar, uncertain of its connection to either an experience from his past or someone new he met today.
"You're staying," It's these, were her first words that hit her like a punch in the gut.
Stay? No way. He didn't even ask her; he simply said it like it had already been decided, as though her decisions didn't matter.
Prior to her being able to respond, Jack quickly intervened and spoke up on her behalf.
"Mr. Rana, Aaradhya just returned from Mumbai and is still getting adjusted. I told her to go home early and rest, as she has been working nonstop over the last several days."
Jack had always been nice to her; he knew how hard she worked, so he never wanted her to feel uncomfortable about their relationship.
But SR was silent. Not a word was spoken between them as SR just looked at her before turning and leaving.
She let out a small sigh. Perhaps he had moved on. Maybe he'd leave her alone now.
At that very moment, she heard it again and decided not to step away.
"Come with me, Aaradhya Rishi."
Her body stiffened again; there was no escape.
An hour passed. He didn't speak with her or look in her direction once.
She quietly followed Jack as he discussed various aspects of his company: its offices, departments, teams, and transition.
SR nodded occasionally and asked questions like any normal CEO; she seemingly didn't exist at all.
She remained several steps back, staying silent throughout.
At precisely 4 pm, her phone rang.
"Ding Dong..."
Alarm sounding. She realized too late she had forgotten to turn it off.
Aaradhya quickly grabbed it and tried to silence it; but as the hallway was so quiet, everyone in it heard it.
Why did I bother setting an alarm?
Oh yeah. To collect Aarav.
She stared blankly at her screen. There wasn't enough time for this; she needed to pick up her son from school.
She met some interested eyes, including Jack's.
But SR did not speak at first. But suddenly, his voice could be heard echoing through the room.
"That should do it for today."
Everyone looked towards him.
"Any questions? Reach out to my assistant; I need to leave soon as I need to collect my daughter from school."
He turned and left.
Aaradhya stood there still, and her ears began ringing with alert.
Have You Heard About My Daughter, Andi? In an instant, all else vanished around her.
The last time she saw him, he'd told her to abort their child as though it meant nothing to him.
Now he had a daughter?
She watched him as he walked away.
Her breathing had become labored.
She whispered wistfully under her breath, "So that's how it is now..."
- Writer
