“ABHIMAAN'S POV”

How dare he even look at Vrinda let alone threaten her.

"Abhimaan" Her faint voice came into my ears and I looked at her.

"Leave my hand" She said and I looked at my hold on her wrist.

And I don't want to leave this hand ever.

Yet, yet I have to.

This time without a word, she removed her hand from my hold.

"I can fight for myself Abhimaan. I have a mouth of my own to speak. Don't bother about me anymore. It isn't your problem" She said

"Everything related to you is my problem Vrinda. And I will stand for you, every time I feel like I have to" I replied and she sighed as she without a word was leaving , opening the door of her car when I stopped her.

"Briefs about today's case. A report to be submitted on my table till 8 pm tonight" I told

"Will be done. I'll be a little late to report at office because I need to..pack my stuff. Will that be fine sir" She replied emphasizing the last words.

I know she won't listen. Hence,without a word, I opened the the door of her car and she sighing got inside while I closed the door.

And as she drove off, I looked at Elliot and nodded.

As Elliot too went, I sighed but with a small smile on my face I drove to office directly.

As I passed by, the staff wished me and I nodded reaching my cabin.

"Good afternoon sir. And Congratulations" Eleanor wished

"Thankyou Eleanor. But the one who totally deserve this is Vrinda" I told

"Yes sir. Ma'am worked damn hard for the case" She said and I nodded

"Schedule " I asked and she briefed me with the same.

"And sir, the..PR also called. Thrice.
I mean, she has to talk urgently. You didn't pick calls" She said and I could see hesitance clear in her words.

"I'll look after that." I told and she nodded and taking her leave , was leaving when I stopped her.

"Eleanor. I've one work for you" I said and she nodded.

"The woman won the biggest case of the year for company. Deserves the appreciation from whole office." I told and Eleanor smiled nodding.

"I'll let everyone know sir" She said

"And one more thing. Sunflowers and a chocolate cake with it. Your responsibility to order and to give it to her" I told

"Will be here sir" She replied as she took her leave where as I too got busy with works.

It was after some half an hour when I looked at the text.

Stop ignoring my texts Abhimaan. The news is damn big. The company's reputation and stocks both are decreasing.

It was Lizzie. My PR.

The company won the biggest case too. If you can't make that the most biggest news of today. Then what will you even do.

I texted her back and keeping my phone, I was about to start working when I got Lucas's call.

"Yes Lucas" I asked

"Sir. Media outside the office. I'm sure they're waiting for ma'am to show. Do you want me to pull them back or you addressing them" He asked

"Do it Lucas. No one near Vrinda" I commanded to which he nodded.

I announced divorce in a court room for God's sake. It had to be a news. But at that time, I didn't have any other option to prove a point there.

And as of divorce, I know, I'm not backing out from having her back.

After some half an hou more, Eleanor came telling that everything was ready.

"Thank you Eleanor.Has Vrinda arrived" I asked

"In some minutes sir. I talked with Elliot. He told that they're near by" She told to which I nodded and took my coat, wearing that.

I stepped out of the cabin going to the floor beneath mine, which was open from one side.

The floor from where the whole office building was visible.

And as I stood there, I looked at the entrance of the office. There she was.

Vrinda.

As soon as she entered, I heard everyone clapping and hooting for her.

For an instance she was shocked, her feet stepping back but then she looked around everyone. The way everyone was hooting and cheering for her.

Congratulating her on her biggest success. And a smile broke on her face.

Finally!

Finally after every fucking thing. That smile, smile which I die on was there.

The one which reached her eyes.

And the same eyes met mine. And I took a deep breath.

None of us looked away. And I stood there with my hands in the pockets of my trousers.

"Guys. Everyone here. It's a big day for AK firms. For all of us. The biggest case of the year. We won it. Headed by Vrinda ma'am" Eleanor spoke over the mic and I looked at Vrinda, the woman who couldn't take public compliments without that faint pink tint on her cheeks.

"Thankyou everyone" I heard her say.

"Ma'am, for you" Eleanor spoke as she forwarded the sunflower bouquet to her.

Vrinda looked at that and then again at me.

"Thank you Eleanor. But I don't like sunflowers, anymore" Vrinda said though taking the bouquet and I hid my smile.

The woman contradicts her words and actions.

"And... Cake for celebration" Eleanor cheered to which everyone hooted.

She sighed yet smiled and cut the cake.

But as soon as she cut that, her eyes again drifted to me.

And I looked at her taking out a piece and keeping it in a plate.

And then, she fed the cake to Mr. Solly, Eleanor and few more.

My gaze was on the piece of cake in the plate.

You can't say it's for me.

Because the love Vrinda has for this specific cake is obsession. She might have kept it for herself to eat later. Since she won't get it now.

And thinking every possible shit coming into my mind, I went back to my floor calling Neil first.

"Updates" I asked

"The man has gone mad. As expected. Trying every way to get his son out. Has called even the foreign ministry" He told

"So what are you waiting for Neil. You work for foreign ministry. Get into touch" I smirked to which he chuckled

"As you say sir. Meeting? " he asked

"After two days. I already have a lot on my plate. I need to look at that first" I told

"Oh of course. You've had a divorce. It's really a lot" he mocked

"It was biggest mistake to come to you" I said

"Oh now it can't be changed. Neither the way your tears and anger came out on my punching bag when you revealed this to me" He mocked again and I without a word cut the call.

Do I call him my best friend?

Why!

I got back to my work and files.

As I looked into the file of dad's, I now got the fourth person too.

And without waiting a second, I removed Vrinda's dad's picture from it.

I'm still so ashamed of what I did.

Vrinda ko maaf karne ka bol raha hu, par khud ko kabhi maaf kar paaunga.

(I'm asking Vrinda to forgive me. But will I ever be able to forgive myself).

I'm so sorry Vrinda. So sorry dad.

Sighing, I  took out Zara's dad's picture and stapled it there.

And now they were four.

I looked at the intel and checked the code sending back the one I had.

Getting back on some official paper works and files, I got back to my work of firm.

And guess what?

Eleanor bought that piece of cake too.

And me, the one who don't like chocolates, ate that so happily which had no bounds.

It was almost late evening when Eleanor called.

"Yes Eleanor" I asked

"Sir, Mr. Reddy is here. Your old friend from India" She informed

"In my cabin" I told and cut the call.

And in some minutes, the door was knocked and opened.

I stood up from my chair as I saw him.

"Jai hind sir" I spoke in an attention position

"Jai hind Abhimaan. Take your seat" He said and I nodded as I pointed the couch and we sat there.

"How are you here" I asked when he put a file in front of me.

"Your father in law at Charan's home in India. On 16th August last year. And you still think he's not guilty" He said putting the file near me where I saw their picture.

What the hell is happening!!

Dad told he isn't behind it. But the pictures, they say it all differently. I've to talk to dad about these.

"These are just pictures from a CCTV footage sir. It doesn't prove anything" I said

"It'll be proved when you take any action against it. What is stopping you Abhima.. Oh of course. Your wife. Nope. Your ex wife" He said and I clenched my fists.

For the first time, I wasn't liking Reddy sir at all.

Before I could say, there was a knock on the door.

"In" I ordered.

The door opened and I saw Vrinda standing at the door. She looked at me and then at Reddy sir.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you're engaged at the time. " She mumbled and was leaving when Reddy sir spoke.

"Vrinda, Finally met you" He said and Vrinda looked at him.

Her sharp eyes scanning his face. But little did she know, she can't read even a line of it.

Because it was the RAW Head. The one who speaks without expressions. And one who shows expressions only when he wants.

"The RAW Chief" I introduced when she looked at me and then at him again.

And just giving a little nod was leaving when sir spoke.

"Sit Vrinda" He.. Commanded.

And I wasn't liking the sound of it at all.

"Sir.. We talked over it" I warned

"I want to talk to her. Directly" He said and then looked at Vrinda again.

She took steps near us and stood at the table but her eyes went to the file kept on the table and her eyes widened.

"My dad isn't at fault. Why don't you understand this" She angrily said

"It's for the RAW to decide" Sir replied

"And is there any rule Indian government has that state that one can lodge a case against RAW, who blames innocent people" She asked with a mocking face when sir glared her.

"Innocent? Your dad doesn't seem to be Ms. Vrinda Shah. This is a CCTV picture of Charan's house in India. What do you say about it" He asked

"Sir, keep her out of this. Vrinda go. I'll handle this" I said

"Now, are we giving orders from my side too Abhimaan" Sir asked

"You told me that she'll be kept out of it. Keep it that way " I reminded him what he told me six months back.

"Only if I get the work done. Which I don't see" He retorted

"Vrinda Go Back" I said

"Vrinda you're not going anywhere out of this cabin until you tell me what all you know" He warned

"Reddy sir, I respect you a lot. But you can't stand here and talk to my wife like that" I stated

"Your ex wife Abhimaan Kapoor. " He countered back

"Stop it. Please. Will you" This time Vrinda spoke.

"My dad has not done anything. He's getting framed. Why is it so hard for you to understand this. Why would've my dad come here and tell everything. He had pointed gu.. Gun at my dad. He still said the same thing. How can you be so heartless" She blamed Reddy sir.

"Because heart lies. Brain doesn't" Reddy sir said

"No Sir. Brain teaches how to lie. Heart speaks just truth. You're standing here still not harming me, makes you trust your heart. You're trusting your conscience that says, I'm speaking the truth. Other wise I'm sure you too would've pointed a gun at me" She told

Reddy sir didn't speak a word for some seconds just kept looking at her.

"If I would've pointed gun at you right now, my best agent would've been in jail for shooting me with my own gun, because I tried to harm you " He said pressing the words and her eyes drifted to me while I clenched my fists controlling my anger.

"I'm giving you a week Abhimaan. Just a week. If you get me proofs of that man being innocent, I'll step back. If not, I'm going to take him in custody. Since she knows everything, her too" He said when I glared him.

"Keep Her Out Of It" I warned again

"Let's hope, she's actually right this time. Otherwise, I know where this all is going" He patted my shoulder while all I did was to clench my jaw.

As he left, I looked at Vrinda.

"Why were you here" I asked

"The reports of the case Abh... Sir. " She said and I sighed as I looked at her.

"Abhimaan" I completed my own name and she kept the file on my table.

"Did you have your lunch" I asked

"I'm sure you don't go around asking each one of your employees about lunch or dinner sir" She scoffed

"No. You've been the exception since day one Vrinda. None has been my wife too" I said with the same tone.

"Had. Past tense sir" She pointed out and turned to leave when I held her hand.

"Vrinda, stop this. Will you ? What will you even get by this? Tell me how to repent this. I'll do it. I'm again saying, anything" I said

She looked at me for some seconds and then spoke.

"Leave this case" She said and I looked at her stunned.

Her hand which I was holding automatically loosened it's grip.

"What? Will you be able to do it? Leave this mission behind? Leave the sole reason due to everything is happening" She asked but I just kept looking at her.

"You can't. I know you can't. You know why Abhimaan? Because it's about your dad. So tell me, tell me how can I leave it all behind when it's about my dad" She cried

"I know you can't leave it. And I don't want you to. It's your duty as well. Do it. But if I'm there, you'll have to choose one, clearly. And I can't forgive you or myself if I still choose you knowing, your RAW is behind my dad with the nonsense proofs. And you won't be able to forgive yourself for fighting with your RAW" She bitterly said

She looked at me and removing her hand from my already loosened grip, she spoke.

"This was my last case from your firm sir. You'll get my resignation letter tonight" She said turning to leave when I spoke.

"What if I prove dad innocent" I asked and her steps halted as she turned and looked at me.

"What if I prove that dad isn't the one behind anything. The intel sharing , the..murder. What if I prove that in front of RAW. What if I make sure, no one ever questions dad with these suspicions." I demanded

"Your RAW Chief doesn't support you in this." She said

"Will you support me Vrinda? Tell me? Leave everything for a while. Just tell me, will you help me prove dad innocent." I asked again

"Will it make me forget what you did" She demanded

"Forgetting, forgiving, everything depends on you Vrinda. All I can do is keep trying. And I will keep trying. Till my last breath" I professed when she turned and took a deep breath.

I could hear her doing so.

"Just for my dad" She said and a small smile came on my face.

"Just for Our Dad" I replied and she looked at me shocked.

I've done thousand mistakes, I might do thousand more. But not even in my worst nightmare, I can repeat this mistake ever.

How can't I put up a fight for the person who inspite everything, stood there as my father, ready to teach me the life which I almost forgot.

How can't I put up a fight for the woman, whom I Love.

Because, still at the end of the day,

She's The Reason I Breath.

____________________________________

Hey readers.

So, how was the chapter.

Abhimaan can't hear a word about Vrinda from even his head.

Vrinda can't forgive Abhimaan that easily. And She's right at her place. Isn't she!

Abhimaan though, let's see what he's going to do now.

Vrinda gave the resignation too. But Team work further.

Will he let her go from work place?

Let's see.

Do vote, like, share and comment.

Until next..

Hugs❤