T H E   S I L E N T   W A T E R S

T H E   H I D D E N   T R U T H

A thousand miles and poles apart
Where worlds collide and days are dark

Shivaay's hands hovered over the paper with uncertainty. His hands were shaking. He absolutely hated when it happened not unless he was completely calm and in the right state of mind, his hands refused to co-operate with him. He kept the pen down and let himself relax for a while.

"Sir, it's time for your medicines, should I bring lunch for you?" Khanna asked when he saw Shivaay leaning back on the chair exhaustion coloring his features.

Shivaay smiled at him gratefully nodding his head in yes. He looked at his watch. He was almost done with the day, the only thing that was left was the meeting with the event manager. He highly doubted that it was necessary but it's better if they sign after discussing in person.

Sighing he ran a hand through his hair, feeling the tremors subsiding. Closing his eyes he waited for Khanna.

When Aditya entered the cabin, he saw Shivaay leaning on the chair with his eyes closed seemingly dozed off. He quietly walked upto his desk and was about to take the red file when he was interrupted.

"Aditya sir?" Khanna asked in question. This caused Shivaay to open his eyes and turn to look at Aditya. A frown settled on his features.

"I needed the file——for Delhi's project." Aditya spoke hesitantly. Shivaay simply passed him the blue file and placed the file that he had originally intended to take on the other side of the table far away from his reach. Aditya gritted his teeth mumbling out a forced thank you before he exited his chamber. He cast a hard look at the bodyguard who was keeping his eyes straight at Shivaay.

Khanna turned back to stare at the man's back. He didn't have great feeling about the man. His eyes turned to Shivaay who was quietly eating whatever he had brought, his eyes fixated on his plate while he ate in silence. He was wondering if he should tell Shivaay about his suspicions.

Absent-mindedly, Shivaay gestured for the water. His hands formed the words not realising that it was Khanna with him. But to his surprise his instructions were followed.

Khanna smiled sheepishly, "I have been learning sign language——since the past two weeks." He spoke rubbing the back of his neck. Shivaay's eyes widened, he couldn't hold back the overwhelming feeling that too over him. What had he done in his life to deserve such people? The loyalty, the trust. The care.

Khanna didn't need to hear a thing, the look in Shivaay's eyes had said enough.

<>

Annika was clutching the ends of her dupatta tightly. She looked at the building that towered over the others, quite intimidatingly she might add.

Apprehensively she took a step inside the building only to be stopped by the guards, who were asking for the purpose of her visit. She showed them the email and she was let in.

She walked towards the reception, the lady, the receptionist looked up from the computer screen, "How can I help you ma'am?" She asked with a professional smile.

"I'm here, for a meeting. With Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi." She answered nervously. The receptionist looked at her again and frowned.

"Let me check ma'am, then only I can lead you inside." She said as she turned, picking up the phone she muttered a few words while she just observed the area. She nodded to the words before she turned to look at her.

"May I have your business card, ma'am." The receptionist asked in a polite manner.

"Annika, from Amaryllis, the event manager. Our meeting is scheduled at five." She answered. The receptionist nodded and typed that on the keyboard before she turned to her, she handed the card back.

"Just the name was enough." The receptionist said as she led her through the glass doors.

"Head the straight way Ma'am. To the lift, fourteenth floor. A lady will guide you further." The woman said as she held the door open for her.

The interior of the building was very beautiful and very pleasing to the eyes with the soft colors that were used to intricate the walls around. And smooth wooden flooring. Even though she was nervous, she couldn't help but admire the building from inside.

Her hands were clammed because of nervousness.

"We are here." She froze. She stared at the brown door in anticipation. He was just ahead of this wooden plank. And before she knew the door swung open and she was led inside.

Khanna looked at her in shock, she held back her frown. Though she wasn't surprised to see him with Shivaay, his loyalty knew no bounds when it came to him. But she wondered why she didn't see him during the award ceremony.

Her eyes turned to the one who was seated at the chair, he looked up from the file and his eyes grew round.

<>

Shivaay froze when he saw her standing before him. He couldn't register for a moment why she was here?

"Sir, the head of Amaryllis." Realisation dawned across his features when he heard the lady.

He didn't know!? Annika thought as she observed his reaction. Khanna too looked like he had no idea. Not knowing what to do she remained standing at her seat.

Shivaay broke out of his trance. He turned to Khanna but the expression on his face already explained that he had absolutely no idea who it was. His eyes turned to her, she was shuffling on her feet looking around clearly at unease. He cleared his throat and gestured to her to take a seat. He removed the lid of the glass and took a sip before he turned to look at her.

He didn't know what to do? What he had been thinking when he agreed to the meeting. He nervously kept taking the sips of water. But he placed the glass back when he noticed that the tremors in his hands were becoming noticeable.

Shivaay looked at her. She was keeping her eyes at the file. He frowned, she didn't have the lively glow around her. And her cheeks had sunk and even her eyes looked dull. Is she okay? He wanted to ask, but he refrained, for one he had no right to ask her that anymore, nor did he have any medium to convey his words.

She looked up to see him staring at her in something akin to wonder. "Shi—Mr.Oberoi?" She corrected herself before she could take the full name, for a brief moment she saw disappointment crossing his features, the briefest moment before they turned empty again.

He didn't say anything, instead he opened the file and passed it to her. She hesitantly took it. His behaviour irked her. Why wasn't he saying anything?

Annika signed the paper, and Shivaay merely nodded before taking the file to place his own sign. He looked up for a moment, his lips parting but to her surprise he looked back at the file again.

"Ma'am, if there are changes to be made do let us know." Khanna spoke up and Shivaay nearly cried out in relief but Annika's frown deepened. Shouldn't hebbe discussing all this with her?

"Alright. And if there are any other further instructions that I need to follow then kindly let me know." She said forwarding her business card, expecting that he will say anything but he just forwarded his own and that was when she noticed the shakiness in her hand. It was trembling ever so slightly. And her confusion turned into worry.

Shivaay immediately retracted his hands when he noticed her stare in it. Her eyes turned to his and he averted them away.

"I guess, everything's settled here. I must take my leave." She spoke as she stood up. He looked up startled at the abrupt action, but he too stood up to bid her farewell. She knowingly extended her hand for a formal handshake. She arched her eyebrows as she watched him closing his eyes for a moment before extending his hands to meet hers. Warmth spread through her fingers the moment their hands came in contact. And her worries turned out to be true. His hand was trembling under her hold but Shivaay was pretending otherwise.

"Are you okay?" She asked softly and he inhaled sharply. Why are you pretending like you care? He wanted to ask.

She simply looked into his eyes. Why are you pretending like you don't? She thought as she observed his expression. He tugged on the hand to let his fall free. And she relented her hold on it.

"I'm looking forward to work with you, Mr. Oberoi." She spoke before Khanna led her outside. Her eyes were challenging him silently.

"Is he okay, Khanna Ji?" She asked turning to look at him. Khanna stood silently, he looked up before he spoke out hesitantly. "I am afraid you are asking the wrong question. Besides I think you know the answer already." He spoke.

She stood there for a moment before she walked away. Uneasiness creeping into her self. Something was very wrong. Shivaay not saying a single word. The tremors in his hands. Khanna dodging the question.

Shivaay remained frozen to his spot. He closed his eyes. His eyes were burning. He had seen her after so many years. Heard her voice. She spoke to him. Him. She looked at him.

When she looked at him he could see the worry. Worry for him? If yes, then why? They were now nothing but strangers to each other weren't they? Then why is she worried? Does she pity him as well? Why was she staring at his hands? Did she notice?

He had tried his best to keep his muscles in control from contracting, but the movements are involuntary. He had no control over them. He grabbed his blazer and stood up.

"Sir—" and he walked straight past Khanna.

<>

Aditya was fuming holding the blue file in his hands. He hated every bit that he spends here at the office, ever since Shivaay had returned. It was used to his reign over the company. What he said was to be followed. Now that Shivaay is back as their chairman there is no way his word will be followed without any of his approvals.

He had to nod to Shivaay's every instruction. What was even more pathetic that he couldn't even voice out his thoughts. And he still had to listen to him. Though it was not problem, Shivaay trusted him. But ever since that giant——the man who followed Shivaay like his shadow have arrived, he has no choice but to be extra cautious with what that he has been doing.

And now the account access has been removed from his hands as well. Him and the lady boss, Priyanka Oberoi. They both stood as an obstacle in his way to success. And he willing to thaw his way out no matter how.

<>

"Bhaiya left early?" Priyanka asked with a frown as she looked at the clock.

"Did anything happened in the meeting? I mean everything went alright, right?" She asked Khanna as she paused turning her full attention to the call. And the pen slipped from her hand when she heard what happened.

"Is he okay?" Was the first thing she choked out after she recovered from her shock. Khanna turned to look at Shivaay. He was looking out of the window of the car, there was no expression on his face.

"Yes." He spoke not knowing what to make of it. Priyanka hung up the call and packed up hurriedly to reach the manor as soon as she could.

Shivaay had heard the whole call that Khanna spoke in whispers. He held back a sigh, they all were treating him as a he was made of glass. I have to handle this one on my own, he thought to himself as he clenched his hands into a fist.

Mann, I have kind of started hating my own books :) idk why but it just happened.