Chapter 6 ~ "Deep Conversations "

EDITED.

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Akira's POV

"Morning beta."

"You look like shit."

I turned around to giving Kabir a death glare hoping he would burn to ash. "Would you just shut that thing you call a mouth. I feel like someone hit my head twenty times with a hammer." I said walking over to our medicine drawer to grab some advil.

"What happened?" My mom asked with a concerned look.

"She's probably got drunk off her ass last night, and is now facing the consquences." My mom looked at me in disbelief.

I scowled at him. "I did not get drunk!" I turned to my mom, "Mom I only had one or two drinks okay?" I lied. 

Last night, Shanaya took it into her own hands to spontaneously throwing Adhaya her bachelorette party. Good high school friends, and Adhaya's co workers were all invited. The night was full of singing and dancing, and reminiscing the old days. Alcohol was the only thing that lessened my guilt and kept me off the topic. Even with my high alcohol tolerance, I could barely manage myself. 

The night of fun did come with repercussions that I was currently facing. 

"Well, it doesn't matter if you drank one or ten, it's still bad. And you shouldn't be drinking anyways!" She exclaimed in a disapproving tone.

I rolled my eyes and swallowed the pill, washing it down with cold water. "I'm twenty-four maa."

"Age is but a number, Aku."  

Kabir shook his head in disapproval, "Tsk, tsk. You should know better Akira. What have we raised you to become.."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Oh please, don't lecture me you hypocrite. Don't forget who drove your drunk self home from those stupid high school parties. And you were only seventeen." I stated with a proud smirk, knowing that mom had no idea.

She looked over at him with wide eyes and yelled, "Kya?!" Kabir looked like a fly stuck in a spiderweb.

He looked at mom nervously before slowly lifting the pillow off his lap, "Oh would you look at that. I have to get to the firm. I forgot...that thing I had to do." He sprang off the couch and sprinted upstairs, but not before throwing me a dirty look and smacking the pillow in my face. I sputtered, the smirk remaining on my face with satisfaction. 

"Hey maa, I'm gonna take a nap. Don't disturb." I said as I trudged myself to my room.

"Don't tell me what to do." Came the most typical mom reply. 

I rolled my eyes, falling into bed and praying this nasty headache would leave.

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I heard light knocks on my door, and craned my neck to see who it was. My mom standing in the doorway with a phone in her hand. "Maa?"

"Beta, tumhara liye koi phone hai." There's a phone call for you.

I groaned and stuffed my face into my pillow. "Maa, tell them I'm not home." 

"Oi lazy. This is your personal phone. And this Mr. Greyar on the line has some urgent work."

I sat up straight on my bed and rubbed my eyes with the heel of my palms. "Yeah maa, give me the phone. Thanks." I replied taking the phone. 

I waited until she was out of the room, before replying. "Good afternoon Mr. Greyar." Hoping my voice sounded as professional as possible. 

He laughed, a deep and husky laugh, and replied. "It's actually five in the evening here, but yes good afternoon to you Ms. Kapoor."

Stupid timezones.

"Sorry sir." I said quickly feeling a blush creep up my neck from embarrasment.

"Don't worry about it."

"My mother said you had an urgent matter? " I asked.

"Oh yes, I realize that you are on break, but I wanted to ask a favor from you."

"Of course sir!"

"Well, I have been handling many deals with companies to incorporate our stocks with theirs. But there is one company, who still hasn't discussed about a merge with me yet. Vidyat Enterprise? I understand you handle the accounts for that specific merger."

I nodded, before realizing stupidly that he couldn't actually see me. 

Placing my action into words, I replied, "Yes, I do sir. I'm still waiting on them at the moment. I met with the manager of the Asia HQ before leaving and he did say he would get back to me by this week."

"Yes, well I received his email just this morning—sent to you as well—confirming a meeting at the main bureau in London, next week. Since you are already involved within this and now the head of our London branch, I was hoping you could take a lead on this merger.

I squealed internally, hardly believing such a major negotiation was within my reach. "Of course sir. I would be honoured." 

"Great! I'll send you a summary of what's being expected and a list of board members present soon."

"Yes of course."

"There's a possibility the CEO may not present as he's away for a family get together I think. Oh and I will be coming to Toronto for a meeting so maybe we could grab some coffee." He said. I wondered for a second if he was implicating what I thought. "I mean to discuss the merge of course." Obviously, what the hell was I thinking? 

"Sure Mr. Greyar." Just before I could cut the phone, he spoke up once again.

"Thanks again and congratulations on the promotion Akira. Bye." Then the line went dead.

I blinked. Had he just called me by my name? For the past three years that I had known the young billionaire, he had never wavered for calling me Ms. Kapoor. This is definitely the first time my first name escaped his lips. My cheeks heated up without any reason. Face palming my over-imaginative head, I sighed. 

"Get you lazy ass up Kir-" Shanaya exclaimed barging into my room. She stopped once she noticed the creepy smile on my face.

I tried my best to keep a straight face, but one way or another, the smile would keep slipping on.

"What's wrong with your face?" She said not caring to be subtle.

"Well hello to you too!" I muttered with an eye-roll, getting up from my bed.

"No seriously, you look like shit."

"Why does people keep saying that?"

"Because it's true." I gave her a pointed look.

"Why you here again?"

"Because Kira darling, we are going to hang out."

"What are we? Bats?" I questioned matter-o-factly.

"What?"

"You know, "hang'? Hanging like bats?"

"Wow. Who knew I would miss your terrible humour too. Please don't hurt a poor unsuspecting person with that joke." She gave me a flat look, which I returned with a grin.

I grabbed my clothes and called over my shoulder. "I'll be down in ten."

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We both ended up in front of Dutch Dreams, one of the best ice cream parlours in Toronto.

"I love you so much." I cooed.

Shanaya shook her head and walked inside, with an amused smile lingering on her face. I walked in after her, and got hit by the delicious scent of the pasteries. I remembered coming here after school with the girls and sometimes with Kabir. The aura of the cafe had changed so much from the last time I came here. It was cool yet cozy at the same time. 

We gave our orders to the waiter and waited for our ice-creams seated in the booth by the corner.

Shanaya turned towards me with an eyebrow raised. "So tell me why you looked so crazy when I walked into your room."

"You're half to blame for that babe. Still suffering with a hangover from last night." I pointed at her. 

She raised an eyebrow at me and stated, "Firstly, I told you to slow down with those glasses you were downing. Secondly, I have never seen anyone smile because of a hangover. So spill."

"Well I just talked to my boss before you had walked in."

"The hot one you mentioned about on the phone one time?" I rolled my eyes, before nodding. I remembered telling her about him when I was first new in the company. That time it was run by his dad, but two years ago Mr.Greyar died, leaving the company in the hands of his son. It was really tragic, many people even thought Chase couldn't actually handle the firm, but he proved them wrong. Greyar Corps. has grown even more famous since then. Not to mention he was famous with the ladies, thanks to his good looks. 

"Anyways, he basically handed over the responsibilities of one of the largest mergers for our company to me."

Shanaya whooped, "I'm so proud of you! But why'd you hide that from me?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I just don't want to make a big deal out of it. I might get jinxed."

She simply shook her head, "So what company is this merger with?"

"Vidyat Enterprise, leading producers within the technology industry." 

Her brows furrowed as she tilted her head sideways, "wait isn't that Aya—"

"Here are your orders. Enjoy your meal!" The waitress exclaimed placing our food on the table.

We both dove right into our blissful desserts, not caring a bit about manners. 

After a few minutes, I remembered Shanaya was saying something before we were interrupted.

"Hey Shanaya, you were saying something earlier?"

She looked up, confused for a second. "Oh yeah, I don't remember." Shrugging it off we continued shoving the holy goodness down. "But I have been meaning to discuss a few things with you."

I looked up at her with my eyebrows furrowed, waiting for her to continue.

"Go ahead." I stated, taking a bite out of my ice-cream.

"Promise not to run away." 

I froze, already knowing what was coming. 

"Shanaya no—"

"Oh c'mon Akira. It's been six years, and now its about time to face it."

"Like how you're facing your problems with Vivan." I countered, wincing slightly at the cheap shot.

She breathed, "at least I faced him. What about you?"

I shoved my almost empty bowl away and crossed my arms across my chest, levelling my friend with a look. "What do you want me to do then? Go face a non-existent grave?" 

"You never visited the memorial even once Kira." 

"And that would change things if I did?" I questioned, attempting to keep my voice even.

"It would change you Akira. For the better." She bit her lip, trying to remain calm herself. 

I scoffed, "I'm fine as I am. Thanks."

Ring. Ring.

Letting out a heavy breath, I looked down to notice the call I was receiving from maa. I get up from my seat, placing a ten dollar bill on the table. "I love you Shanaya. But I'm not doing this right now."

"Will you ever?"

"Probably not."

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The cold tapwater brimmed into the steel glass. I turned the tap off, switched the lights, and walked out the kitchen with the glass of water in one hand, and a cherished book of mine—Six of Crows—in the other. 

 It was a bit after midnight and mom and dad were already asleep by now. I have no idea where Kabir was, and I was still somewhat irked with him from our morning conversation. 

Taking a sip, I re-analyzed my conversation with Shanaya. Wondering all the ways the conversation may have gone and how I could have handled it better. I had sent Shanaya an apology text soon after, receiving one from her as well about how she "had pushed me too hard."

Sighing deeply, I tucked my bookmark between the recent pages I read and lifted myself off the couch. Just about to head upstairs, I stopped at the sound of swift knocks against the front door. 

Didn't that idiot have his own pair of keys?

Yawning, I reach to open the door for my brother, when I noticed there were two figures on the opposite side of the translucent glass. Taking precaution, I reached into the closet near the door and grabbed the first umbrella that came to hand, and slowly twisted the door knob. I opened the door slightly and poked my head out. 

It was a drunk Kabir—but Kabir nonetheless. My eyes shifted over to his partner who was struggling under my brother's weight. I smile made its way onto my face as I leaned against the doorway.

"Akira?" He asked at the same time as I said "Dhruv!"

"I can't believe you're back from New York!" I exclaimed grinning ear to ear.

"Six Years! I would hug you but..." He stated and nodded his head towards Kabir. He still looked as amazing as before, maybe more. Standing at the solid height of 6'4, he was a lean and muscular figure. His sweet eyes were illuminated by the moon, and he was supporting an amusing smile. I quickly averted my eyes to Kabir, knowing that he caught me checking him out. My first ever crush was standing on my doorway, smiling at me. He let out a deep chuckle. 

"Shut up." I mumbled and shifted my weight from one foot to another.

"I didn't say anything." He said with a smirk. "Well, I think you should get Kabir inside."

"Oh yeah!" I placed my arm around Kabir's waist and helped him inside. "Come inside. Would you like coffee? Or was it tea?"

He glanced down to his watch. "Actually I should get going, it's late. Do you need help taking him to his room?"

"No, it's fine. Nice seeing you after so long. I'll talk to you later, you know, when we're not handling a drunken Kabir." I finished with a smile.

He returned his own signature smile, "It's good to see you back, Akira." 

I watched as he walked over to his car before finally closing the door. Dhruv was definitely my favourite from my brother's friends. Growing up, it was quite impossible not to gain a crush on such a sweet and charming boy. After two years of pining, I had pulled the courage and confessed my feelings for him. 

Needless to say, he didn't return my feelings and couldn't break the 'bro code' by dating his best friend's sister. It crushed my heart, no doubt, but he was sweet enough to ask me to be his date for his homecoming dance, a year later. After that we remained good friends, and no part of me would wish to throw such a good friend out of my life. 

Releasing a breath of exasperation, I hauled Kabir with me upstairs to his room. After I tucked him into bed, like how mom would when we were younger, I turned off the lights. Just as I was about to leave, Kabir spoke for the first time tonight.

"This feels like déjà vu."

"Huh?"

"You know when mom use to tuck us into bed. And I kind of remember you doing it too, when you use to help me sneak in from the parties." I laughed at the memory.

"You're such a hypocrite." I smiled in amusement, remembering how he was chiding me this morning about drinking. 

"I'm sorry." I looked at him in confusion.

"For being a hypocrite?"

"For being a horrible brother."

"We can both agree that your stupid, moronic, and downright annoying. But you're not horrible, Kabir."

"Yea well, you are too." he replied giving a lope-sided grin. "Why did you leave?"

"What?"

"Why did you leave six years ago? Why did you leave me? Why did you leave everyone?" His voice breaking. What was it with Shanaya and Kabir saying the same things?

"You know why. Now go to sleep." I said avoiding his gaze.

"Are you hiding something Aku?" He teased. Thank god he was drunk and distracted quickly, or there was a zero percent chance I would have escaped that question. 

"Of course not, Kabu!" I sang, not missing a beat.

"Leave, I'm sleepy now," he mumbled, snuggling into his bed.

"Good night bhandar!" I hollered over my shoulder and walked out of his room, shaking my head. The smile still lingering on my face. 

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To previous readers: You may have noticed the bachelorette chapter is missing. I opted to remove it as it was a whole filler chapter with bad writing and simply an unnecessary section. 

To new readers: Hope you enjoyed it even the slightest.

Please vote & comment. 

xoxo,

loveYJHD