This chapter is dedicated to i7love8allah6 . Her constant support and enthusiasm made me ignite and assemble my thoughts again.
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1728 words
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I reached the auditorium and took the seat in the last row, away from the scrutiny of people. I regretted accepting his invitation because I felt like a turtle amidst the school of whales. I lowered my face hiding away from everyone in the room. Continuously someone or the other would come up to the stage and speak on something which never even touched the soft corners of my brain. I didn't even look for Ayan. I messaged him instead "Got amidst the crowd. Meet you after the ceremony." He didn't reply back leaving me in the sea of disillusionment.

A little later I heared his name being called out. "Ayan. The amateur, who never stumbled to take his first step is now ready to set a milestone for the company. His dedication and hardwork is an inspiration for many. I welcome the General Manager of  Kalyan Company, Mr Ayan khan."

The walls shuddered with the roaring applause by the crowed. No doubt, he was popular. He walked elegantly up to the stage. His hair gelled perfectly to one side, crisp blue shirt shone brightly under his Armani black suit. The tie merely visible. The buckle exact over his naval and pants sliding straight down, neither too lose nor too tight. In that simple attire he looked mesmerising. I wondered if I was upto his level of prefection. He took the certificate and walked towards the mike. His bright smile lightening the evening lights. I popped up my head to have a better view of him. Suddenly his eyes met mine, locked for few seconds before he turned to face the audience. He looked troubled. I knew that Glossophobia was his childhood problem. I bit my lower lips, anxious to hear him speak. He lowered his eyelids and exhaled a deep breath. I tightened my fingers, wishing him luck crooningly. He then held the mike firmly, raised his head and said. "Dear friends, I am no one great to inspire or persuade you. I took up my brother's job here in this company after his death, trying to provide bread and butter to my family." His voice filled with agony. He paused for a moment fighting his breaking voice and said. "Its often that life cripples us. Some play the victim some choose be a survivor and then there are some who choose to conquer." His voice bold and brave. "I was victim first, then a survivor but finally I am here standing amongst you. Friends, never feel young to start an empire or never too old to chase a new dream. I want each and everyone of you to be a conquerer. Are you all ready for this committment?" His voice echoed in the motionless hall. The enthusiasm was well knitted by careful selection of phrases. His words was at par with his personality. He roared again, "Are you ready for this committment?" This time the crowed coudn't hold back their enthusiasm. Rising from their seat they clapped in fervent hounour. The room was filled with deluge of exultation. He got down and walked across the room with all the eyes following his steps. Someone else got up on the stage and the crowed settled down at their seat. He kept walking until he reached the last row of chairs, few meters away from me. My heart went pounding inside my ribs. Earlier I wished I could be with him but now I wanted to escape his perfection. The way he caught the admiration of the audience made me uneasy. I could find no way to escape with all the seat filled up around me. He stood behind me minimizing the distance considerably. I didn't turn back. Feet stuck to the ground and body rigid, I became immobile. I sat upright holding my breath.

He bent down and said to the person sitting beside me, "will you mind taking my seat in the first row." His voice sweeter than manna dew.

"Yes sir, ofcourse. An honour to abide you." The bald man beside me said and left with a genial smile. I guess corporate world requires a good measure of flaunting. Ayan quietly slid beside me. Sitting erect he gawed me awkwardly. I didn't stir my face instead saw him from the corner of my eyes, afraid that his countenance may dredge my feelings. I pressed my lips tightly awaiting his gaze to move in other direction but it never happened. He came closer and whispered in my ear. "You are too beautiful to avoid me." His words created sensation in my ears. My lips curved in a involuntary smile. My futile effort to neglect him didn't went unnoticed by his vigilant eyes. He smiled in response. The evening went on with lectures and presentation. He sat with me comfortably and content. Time and again he would glance up at me. His eyes causing catastrophe to my heart. I allowed myself to be destroyed by his unflincing charm. I wanted the tormenting time to speed up so that I could enjoy my solace with him.

Finally the lectures ceased. The crowd dispersed to have dinner and I was eager to join them. Apart from the tasteless sandwiches for the breakfast I didn't ate anything today. I needed to fill my stomach before I went dizzy in front of Ayan. He followed me out to the splendid banquet in the adjacent hall.

"I know that you don't like revelry but please don't be difficult with me." He voice stern but pleading. He took two plates and offered me one. I looked up at him in astonishment and said curtly. "Am I being difficult on you?"

Ayan understood the harshness of my words. He took the plate from me and kept it the way it was on the table. He seized my hand jerking me over his chest. "Why are you avoiding me?" He rebuffed. His unflinching grip choked my breath. Pairs of eyes peeked at us from all corners of the room, I felt uncomfortable.I had no particular answere to his question nor did I posses the power to ignore him anymore. I pushed him away gently and said in low mumbling voice. "You are too perfect to be mine." His anger dried in seconds. He trailed me out from the hall in the dimly lit verandah. I tried to keep up the pace but he was walking hurriedly down to the parking area. Jammed pack by exotic cars the parking lot looked more like a car showroom. The area was devoid of any human specie. He halted outside his Range Rover. I stood still like a dummy, unable to decipher his intentions. He removed his coat and flung it inside the car and rolled up his shirt's sleeves upto the elbows. I ogled at his naked arms, pallid but sinewy. He grabbed my waist and lifted me up on the car's hood. I was startled by the abrupt noise. His face close enough to my bosom. I heaved heavy breaths as he studied the details on my face. I leaned away from him.

"You are destroying my creaseless gown." I complained in a low hush. I couldn't think anything serious at this spur of moment. I already lost the argument when he arrogated me out of the hall.

A spasm of laughter filled the area. He folded his arms and said. "You worry about the silliest thing and tag me as perfectionalist. He chuckled archly. "Do you realise how gorgeous you look in this attire." He tugged a wisp of my hair behind the ear.

"Yeah, you can thank the parlour." I avoided looking into his eyes. "Ayan, I can't be a part of your success. It feels that you are trying to redeem the money that I loaned you." As soon as I said it, I regretted it. It was soo foolish to dredge puny things on an auspicious day.

I didn't want to hurt him but I thought about our relation and the money thing involved in it. It kept me haunting all the while since the day he proposed me with a warning "not to love him".
He smiled back at me and said, "if inviting you to my induction ceremony makes you believe that I am paying off my depts, what is more better than that." He laughed hysterically. I was dumbfounded when he took up the matter in sorely unscathed way. I felt relieved but I pondered over the sinister meaning of it. Was he really compensating for the loan? Will he not return it?
I tried keeping my voice playfull, "My father loaned you the amount. You are obliged to redeem him, not me." In a short cryptic sentence I reminded him of the outsanding dept.
He looked cheerful though, not paying much attention. He nodded nonchalantly and I felt better. Silence prevailed for few seconds. My eyes searched for the answeres that I knew he won't utter. I reached for his hands, twining it with mine. "You miss your brother right now." I said sheepishly. I thought it would turn out as a question but it sounded rhetoric. He pressed my palms and looked piercingly into my eyes. "Why do you understand me so well, farha. Why cant I decieve you like the others." His smile faded and deep nostalgia overtook him. His gaze fixed at me but his eyes wandered somewhere at a distance. Somewhere that I cant think about.

"You speak volumns when you are quite. Its your lips that may veil your aches but always remember 'I love you'. My voice stern. "You cannot hide anything from me." I lied.

He noticed the intensity of seriousness and tried to shift from it. "You can love me later. Lets have the dinner before it gets over." He grinned.

"Get me down or else I will tumble." I commanded. The car's hood hurted more than I could bear. He took out his cell phone and toyed with it.

"Let me get a picture of you, squeezing my car." He chuckled as he took a candid shot of my angry look. He lifted me up as effortlessly as a feather from the dust. He unrolled his sleeves, took his coat and we headed towards the banquet trying to out do each other in a quick rhythmic pace.
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