Chapter 23 - Surrender?

I made an appointment for next Thursday with Rahul's company. One meeting and it'll decide the destiny of the deal.

In less than seven days.

My mood was on a negative slope.

The worst of the worst was brought by Drishti during our lunch on Monday.

She found out about Rahul and I and kept saying rubbish. Rahul gestured to ignore his "good friend." However, she said the lowest and the truest thing ever.

"You caught a big CEO. Now, have fun," she said smiling. "Just kidding."

I put my fork down, clearly unamused. Sam and Piya had been talking to each other but shut up upon seeing the tension. Rahul sat across from me and reached out his hand to calm me.

I shook my head at him and looked at Drishti. "You're unbearable."

I got up and rushed out of the restaurant. The streets in New York were always crowded. I lost myself in there, crying. Drishti's words held some truth whether she knew it or not. I was with Rahul for the deal--not necessarily the rich life.

So much for giving Rahul the gold digger advise.

I stopped in the back of a lonely building and sat on the vacant steps, under the pure white sky. Guilt washed over me. I put my forearms on my knees and rested on forehead against it, not caring how long I was there.

He's going to hate me forever.

I didn't want him to hate me. I wanted him to continue to giving me the soft look in his eyes that he saved for me.

_______________

It took time until I heard, "Preet!" Slowly, I lifted my head. A panting Rahul stood with a furious expression.

"Are you insane?!" he asked.

"Wh--?"

"We were all looking for you! For two hours!" he nearly screamed, walking to me. "What if something happened to you?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Sniffling, I stood up and put my arms around him. I didn't know why I did that. Maybe for comfort. Or because I felt so horrible. Surprised, Rahul shut up and wrapped his arms around me.

I needed to tell him everything.

"I'm sorry," I said, my head resting on his chest.

"It's fine," he sighed. He didn't know my apology was for all my actions. "Drishti's an idiot. Why did you leave?"

Because what she said isn't exactly wrong.

"Rahul, do you believe what Drishti said?"

He pulled me back to look at him. "I trust you enough," he said. "And I know when someone is in for my money. You're far too independent and ambitious to want my money."

I was at the edge of completely falling apart.

"Rahul, you'll find many girls like me." You should start looking for them.

"Preet," he said turning serious, "If there is something wrong, talk to me. I don't want to hear all that nonsense. Get to the point."

I took a deep breath. "This Thursday, we have our final meeting for the deal. After that, I leave. I want you to--" know that I'm the villain.

"That's the problem?" he butted in. No. "It's alright," he said, now smiling. "Everything will work out. Don't fret about it."

What was he planning? "No, Rahul. Piya and I--"

"Have to leave. I know, Preet." He wasn't even listening anymore.

"That's--"

"We're done with this conversation."

"But R--"

He put a finger to my lips shushing me. I pushed his hand away irritated and walked away. Rahul thought he knew everything but he didn't.

He called Sam and told him he found me. Then, he told him that he was skipping the rest of the day.

Now, he's skipping work for me. Keep elevating the guilt, Rahul.

"Did you know that you look better being the happy, drama queen you are?" he joked, though nothing was funny. He moved his hand to take mine. Because I was mad at him for not letting me talk earlier, I pulled away. "Preet, if you are not happy with me, then say so."

Was he serious? "Of course I'm happy with you, Rahul."

"Toh haath pakdo (then take my hand)." He was a drama queen himself. I grabbed his hand harshly. "Pyaar se pakdo (hold with care)." I held his fingers. He took my whole hand in his.

"Happy?"

"Very," he said sarcastically. "Can I ask you something?" He took my silence as a yes. "What's your favorite color?"

"Depends on my mood and the weather. Why?" He was so random.

"Mine's black." No kidding. All he wore was black and white. "What's your favorite and least favorite movie?" He ignored my why.

"Kal Ho Na Ho. For both," I answered. He raised a questioning eyebrow. "Shahrukh was perfect, but he died in the end. Yours?"

"I don't have a least favorite. My favorite is any Salman Khan movie."

"Wah Pinte (Go Pinte)," I muttered. He didn't get it. "Main toh superman. Salman ka fan. (I'm superman. A fan of Salman)." A song. "No? Okay."

Rahul hadn't heard it so he moved along asking other questions. He said he wanted us to know more about each other. We talked and walked, hand in hand, down the streets of New York.

"How many siblings do you have?"

"None. You?"

"I have an older sister," he said. "But she doesn't talk to me." What? "Who do you live with in Delhi?"

"Mama and papa. Your--?" We walked down the crowded street in the lit up city.

"I live with dad here. My mom left about two years ago." Rahul was gazing ahead, holding my hand tightly. "She was on social media a lot and talked to strangers. One stranger was a male who she skyped frequently. Dad assumed she was cheating on him."

"You don't have to te--"

"She was planning on starting a charity organization," he continued, "for girls' education in India. The man happened to know a lot about that. Since he lived in India, she could only Skype him for getting arrangements done."

Rahul had told me there was some misunderstanding between his parents. I didn't know it was over something like this.

"You dad didn't find out about the charity?" I asked carefully.

"He did," Rahul said and shrugged, "but she had left by then. He still tries to get her to come back, but Mom's furious over how little he trusted her."

"Men," I said shaking my head. I'm such a hypocrite. "Sorry."

"Don't be."

"Don't you talk to your mom?" I asked.

"I do. Everyday," he replied. "She and I get along fine, though she still refuses to come back."

"Do you visit her?"

"No. Ever since she left, dad put me in business. I never had time." He seemed disappointed in himself. "My sister left to live with mom. She thinks I sided with dad by staying, so we're not on a talking basis."

"Ra--"

"I haven't been the best person, Preet. Never the best son, never the best brother, never the best boyfriend, never the best--"

I stopped us both from walking further.

"Rahul, you can't please everyone," I said. "The dispute between your parents was their fault. Being the best at everything isn't possible--unless you are Shahrukh." He rolled his eyes. "If it makes you feel any better, I think you're the best boyfriend."

Much better than the boyfriends in books and movies.

"Better than Shahrukh?"

"Definitely." I laughed and nodded. "But seriously, if you had left your dad, then he wouldn't have anyone." He still looked unconvinced. "Your mom still has your sister. Your dad needs you."

He just nodded his head.

After a while, he said, "And you know what I need?"

"I need you to never tell me again that I can find many girls like you." You'll be saying that yourself soon enough. "You can find many Rahuls' too." I didn't say anything. "I told you all this stuff because I trust you, Preet. I didn't want you to feel that there is something wrong with you when I'm the messed one."

"You are not messed up!"

"I know. I just wanted sympathy," he joked and went back to his normal self.

I rolled my eyes and told him to get moving. It was night time and we needed to get home. As we walked, I realized how stupid the whole scheme of Love Guru was. Any girl was better than me. For Rahul. I couldn't find many others like him. Not ones with his attitude, his personality, his eyes, his smile--

I could see a mental hospital in India  waiting for me.

We slowly sauntered to the hotel talking about random things. Rahul was back to his normal self. I was planning a big fight with Piyali. Our meeting was coming up soon. Rahul should know everything before that.

Piya and I messed up big time.

"Are you walking home?" I asked.

"No. My car's in the parking lot here."

"Oh--" I didn't know why my eyes flickered not to him but to the atmosphere where little white flurries were falling down from the sky.

It was snowing!

My eyes went wide as I glanced at the sky, allowing the snow to kiss my face.

"Please tell me I'm dreaming!" I said excitedly, earning laughter from my companion.

"You're dreaming."

I paused and met his eyes briefly, finally noticing the lack of distance between us. Even through the freezing weather, my body felt a heat rush, just from the intensity of his eyes.

"Tell me the truth," I told him.

"Why don't I show you?"

He slid a hand to my neck and into my hair, setting my heart on fire.

I knew what was coming and I sure as hell didn't know what to do except remain glued to my spot. Rahul leaned in and my eyes fluttered shut. His lips met mine for a brief moment.

"Preet! Rahul!"

The both of us flew apart at the person yelling our names from the hotel entrance. Breathlessly, I turned to Rahul who didn't seemed thrilled by the interruption of my best friend. I was in the same scenario. Piya called me again.

Could she take a break?

"I better go," I whispered. He gave a silent nod. "Thanks, by the way."

His eyebrows furrowed. "For what?"

"For finding me, then walking with me, and . . . trusting me." Trust. Trust. Trust. I don't want to lose his trust.

I murmured a goodbye and turned to leave, before another thought crossed my mind. Mustering up courage, I rushed back to Rahul, planted a kiss on his lips before running away towards Piya at the main entrance. With one last glance at the surprised and grinning Rahul, I went inside.

Once in my room, I yelled, "What, Piya?!"

"Do you know how worried I was about you."

"I know. Sorry for running away." She gave me a quick hug and forgave me just like that. "I'm telling Rahul about everything as soon as possible."

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as she pulled away. "Why? Our deal--"

"I don't care."

"We need to get the deal done first," Piya stated. "Then you can break his heart."

I gave her a disgusted look. "The deal's important. But not enough for me to take away his happiness."

"Preet, you like him, don't you?" she asked almost shocked.

"No," I said shaking my head. "I don't like Rahul." I sat down on a chair. "I feel something else for him. I don't know what. He's not perfect. He's not understandable. But Rahul's caring. He's sweet. He's . . . I don't have the right words, Piya. What I feel for him is . . . I don't know. I don't. Saying it's me liking him is an understatement. He means too much to me."

I was blabbering because I was so lost.

"I don't care." I never expected Piya to say this. "We need to give our bosses answers. We have to get those deal papers signed. Preet, don't put your personal life in the professional one."

"You're saying that?!" I asked in disbelief, standing up. "You played Love Guru, Piya! Preet, there's a spark between you and Rahul. You put me in this mess and now, you're backing out!"

"You went along--"

"I wanted the deal. Yes." I was losing my mind. "I went with the plan of making Rahul fall for me. Yes. I listened to you by staying close to him as much as possible. In the airplane. At Disney World. In the kayak. At the Wedding. I used Abhik to get Rahul to be jealous. I put the wrong address in the GPS and put us in danger! I even kissed him first for this dumb plan of yours. Now, you're telling me to keep my personal life out of my professional one?"

Loud clapping echoed behind me. I turned around to find Drishti walk to us from the inside.

"Wow. What a plan," Drishti praised.

Shit.

I stared at Piya horrified. My friend still had a cold and hard expression on her face. She crossed her arms and gave no surprise to Drishti's presence.

"What're you doing here?" I asked.

"I was here to apologize whenever you came in. But the apology isn't needed, I see." She smirked. "I was right. You're only with Rahul because he's the CEO. Need that deal."

"Not anymore." No point in denying it. "I'm telling him everything tomorrow!" Hearing it from me will hurt him but I really want to clear things.

"And then what?" Drishti questioned.

"Why do you care?"

"Because I love Rahul." I stared at Drishti not believing her words.

Isko mera boyfriend hi mila tha pyaar mein padne ke liye? (Did she have to find my boyfriend to fall in love with?

Piya finally said, "Preet, if you care for Rahul, don't say anything to him. You like him. He likes you. Why ruin everything by bringing up the plan?"

I like him. He likes me. It was something more than just "like." Love? I shuddered. No.

Maybe.

"B--"

"Everything is going fine." Piya threw me a pleading look. "Let's drop the whole scheme. What Rahul doesn't know won't hurt him."

Rahul wouldn't get hurt. This way could work.

"She knows." I pointed to Drishti.

Piya turned to her, "Drishti, can I talk to you?"

The two girls walked out into the hallway. I let Piya handle this. She made everything sound so easy. She came back in, saying Drishti won't utter a single word to Rahul. I don't know how she managed to do that.

I wish everything goes fine.

__________________

Next chapter is the deal. Will Rahul find everything out or not? Predictions?

Will Drishti keep her mouth shut?

I watched Teri Meri Kahaani (finally). Yaar, Shahid was superb. At the end, as Javed, he said, "I will marry Aradhana 4 times." AAAHHH. Too cute. I also rewatched Haider. What was the purpose of Shraddha Kapoor in there?

Please vote, comment, and share if you like the story <3
-- Kiran