Next day 

(Meera and Bani walk towards the conference room for the meeting with Singhania Co.)

Meera- Payal I want the presentation to be perfect. I hope you have checked everything. 

Payal - Yes mam everything's perfect from our side. Here's the file. 

(Meera goes through the pages) . 

Meera- Payal!! (in an angry tone) 

(Payal, who was on the laptop, gets startled.)

Payal - Yess... Maam

Meera- Hamare stock analysis ki report kahan hein!?

Payal- Maam it has to be there. I checked it yesterday. I think aapke cabin mein reh gayi. 

Meera- How can you be so careless Payal!  You know how important this deal is. We are going to sign a very crucial contract with them and the meeting is going to start any minute now! 

Payal- Sorry mam. I’ll run get it. 

Bani- Relax Meera. It's okay ho jaata hein. Payal you recheck the presentation and the arrangements. I will go and get the files. 

(Bani turns around and as she walking towards the cabin, she collides with somebody. It was him. The person whose absence was affecting her. The person who was all she could think about. The person her brain despised but her heart...heart said something else.) 

Bani - Veer...? 

Veer-Excuse me, Ms. Sharma. 

(Veer leaves. Without saying a single word. Bani goes to the cabin and gets the files. Her mind although had only one thought. How could he just ignore her...) 

Meera- Gentlemen. Our company Sangeet and Singhania Co. have been partners for 20 years. This is the reason why our trust and loyalty towards each other runs quite deep. That is why I believe Singhania Co. will be the perfect company for me to sign this project with. A project which is very dear to me. This will be a program that will help us reach talented and worthy singers from the remote places of Mumbai. We will be training them to make them the leading singers of tomorrow. 

Mr. Bedi (Singhania Co’s employee) - Ms. Kapoor. Let me make this straight since all of us are on a tight schedule. Frankly, This project doesn't sound as profitable to either Sangeet or us. 

Veer- Mr. Bedi, I think Ms. Kapoor is absolutely right. This project can not only help people with raw talent but also ramp up our company’s reputation. People will surely be interested in the stories of these budding artists. 

Bani- Mr. Singhania, you are making it sound like we are advertising people's pain just for the sake of our own profit. 

Veer - Well, Ms. Sharma, I think at the end of the day, we are all in a business that demands profit. Moreover, what's wrong with sharing the story of somebody's struggle. They can be an inspiration to so many people. 

Bani- But I feel... 

(Meera cuts Bani) 

Meera- I think you are absolutely right Mr. Singhania. This can be really helpful for both our companies. We can go ahead with this plan.

(The meeting gets over) 

Meera - Mr. Singhania, your dad had spoken to me about you being the head of this project. He also wanted me to train you during this collaboration. 

Veer- Yes Ms. Kapoor talked to me about this as well and I think it will be a good idea.

Meera-(nods) I think you have got potential Mr.Singhania. From today, you can be a part of our CFO Ms. Bani Sharma’s team for this collaboration. I think it will do good for you. Our team will also be delighted to have you share your insights with them. All in all, a profitable give and take as you say it. (Meera smiles and looks at Bani for her affirmation. Bani nods) 

Veer- Thank you, Ms. Kapoor. Hello Ms. Sharma. Also, you can just call me Veer. Mr. Singhania gives me old vibes and also is a mouthful. (he gives out a laugh)

Meera- Sure Veer. You can call me Meera too. 

Bani(in mind) - Bol toh aese raha hein jaise peheli baar mil rahe ho aur Meera se toh itna has has kar baat kar raha hein par meri taraf toh ek baar dhang se dekha tak nahi raha . 

Meera- Bani

Bani- Haan Meera

Meera- Bani tu veer ko company dikhade aur sabse milwa de. 

Bani- Haan...Sure 

(Meera leaves to attend to other work)

Veer- Waise aap aur Meera kaafi close lagte hein Ms sharma. 

(Bani feels awkward listening to Veer's formal tone) 

Bani - We are childhood friends, Mr. Singhania. 

Bani(in mind) - Two of us can play this game Veer! 

(Bani shows the company to Veer and introduces him to all the staff. At the end Bani introduces Veer to Chandani) 

Chandani - Omgg, V! 

Veer - Chanduu. Tu yahann! 

Bani(in mind) - What V? What chandu? Yeh ho kya raha hai.

Bani- Ms. Chandani, am I missing something here…?

Chandani- Good morning maam. Actually V, I mean Veer sir and I are childhood friends. 

Veer - Seriously Chandu! Veer "sir"?? Tujhe itna formal hone ki koi zarurat nahi hein. 

(Bani felt a pang of jealousy in her heart. She decided it was best to leave them be) 

Bani - You guys continue. I’ll take my leave. 

(Veer ignored Bani for the rest of the day. This  made her frustrated) 

During lunchtime

(Veer and Chandani were laughing while eating together) 

Chandani - I seriously can't believe that you have started working V. I mean the college's typical bad boy is becoming responsible, that's interesting. 

Veer- You guys never leave a chance to tease me do you? 

(Bani was watching the whole scene but she couldn't control herself anymore. Bani went to veer's and Chandani’s table) 

Bani - Mr. Singhania. I want to talk to you about something. 

(Before Veer could answer... She grabs his hand and pulls him up, dragging him behind her to her cabin) 

Bani - I know what you are trying to do. 

Veer-What?

Bani- I didn't give you the attention that day. Now, you are trying this reverse psychology shit on me. 

Veer- Firstly, I am not doing anything like that. Secondly, even if I am,  why are you getting so affected by it??

Bani- Come on. Pehele tumne meeting me mujhe sabke ke saamne  nicha dikhaya.... Acting as if you are  a changed man. Aur phir jaanboojhkar tum Chandani ke sath... 

Veer -Meeting mein maine wohi kahaa jo hamari companies ke liye profitable tha and even if I am trying to change, I think it's my personal choice, Ms. Sharma. And Chandani? Why does it even matter to you?!

Bani- It doesn't matter to me. 

Veer -Ohh really Ms. Sharma?? Agar mujhe pata nahi hota ki tum mujhse kitni nafrat karti ho, toh mujhe yahi lagta ki you are jealous. 

Bani - Main aur jealous, woh bhi tumhari wajah se!? And stop this Ms. Sharma drama. 

Veer - Tumne abhi tak mere sawal ka jawaab nahi diya sweetheart. Did I affect you by not paying any attention to you? (Veer moves closer to Bani) Does it affect you when I ignore you? (Veer keeps moving towards her) Does it affect you when you see me with someone else? 

Bani- Haann! Haan! It affects me. I don't know why. Tumhare hone se farak padta hein. Tumhare dur jaane se aur farak padta hein. Tumhe kisi aur ke sath dekhne se aur bohot zyaada farak padta hein. Dimag tumse nafrat karna chahta hein par dil... dil tumhare pass aana chahta hein. I really don't want to... 

(Veer pins Bani to the wall. Both of them breathing heavily. He presses his lips against hers. They both share a passionate kiss, forgetting all the worries around. The whole week was torture. Not only for Bani but Veer as well. He hadn’t seen his sweetheart or talked to her. But now, all his emotions were let out and expressed. Bani was shocked. For a minute she couldn’t register what was happening, but also didn’t want it to end. Veer bit Bani's lower lip gently and Bani gasped. She melted in and ran her hands through his soft hair. Veer cupped Bani's face with one hand while their tongues battled for dominance. The warmth they shared was pure magic. Soon they pulled away, catching their breath. Both of them gazing into each other’s eyes, lost in the overwhelming feeling) 

Veer - Bani... 

Haider - Veer! 

(Both Bani and Veer turn around to see Haider at the door. They move away from each other. Haider wore a confused expression on his face.) 

Bani - I will take my leave. 

(Bani walks away with a flustered face) 

Veer- Terese buri timing maine aaj tak kisi ki nahi dekhi. 

Haider- Don't tell me Veer. Please bolde jo main soch raha hu woh galat hein. 

Veer- Depends on tu kya soch raha hein. 

Haider- Veer. You really want me to say it out aloud. 

Veer- Accha accha batata hoon. 

(Veer narrated the whole story to  Haider) 

Haider- Toh mere dost ko finally pyaar ho hi gaya. 

(Veer doesn't say anything) 

Veer - Waise tu kaha tha aaj pure din?? Maine socha tha tujhe surprise dunga ulta tere entry ne humme surprise kar diya. 

Haider(chuckles) 

Haider- Woh Sangeet ki 25th-anniversary aa rahi hein, toh uss mein perform karna hein and I am leading the interns. I think tabhi woh mujhe maff karengi.

Veer - That's great man! Par ek minute... maff kaun karegi? 

(Haider tells veer about his misunderstanding) 

Veer- You really fucked up Haider. 

Haider- I know bro. (Haider sighs)  Abb bas I want to give a great performance on the anniversary, uske baad main khud Ms. Kapoor se maafi mangunga. Aur waise bhi uske baad mujhe ek aur bohot important kaam karna hein. 

Veer - Kya? 

Haider-Bani maam ko warning deni hein, ki abhi bhi time hein tujhse bach jaaye. (Haider starts laughing) 

Veer - Very funny

Haider - I know it is. (Continues laughing) 

Veer- Jitna hasna hein hasle, mera badla tujhse Meera legi. (Veer smirks) 

Haider- Aesa kuch nahi hoga. I mean I know Ms. Kapoor thodi khadus hein par she is a really nice person. She cares about the people around her. Au yeh company toh jaan hai unki. Muskurati kamm hein par jab muskurati hein toh lagta hein ki mein duniya ki sabse khubsurat ladki ko dekh raha hu aur unki aakhen... 

Veer - Ahem! ahem! Bhai Haider tu thik toh hein na? 

(Haider realizes what he just blurted out) 

Haider - I mean Veer woh...

(Veer starts laughing)

Veer - Shakal dekh apni. Don't tell me mere bhai ko apni boss…(veer starts laughing) 

Haider - Aesa kuch nahi hein Veer...Ms. Kapoor aur main... 

Veer- Abb full defensive mode mein jaane ki zarurat nahi hein. I get it (veer starts walking away) or maybe not (he winks)

Haider - Veerrr!!!(Haider smiles)

Veer-All the best kal ke liye!! 

***
Zindagi ki do sabse zaruri cheez hoti hein khwaab aur khwaish. Khawaab humme dimag dikhata hein aur khwaishein humara dil jagata hein .Aur tum mere, khwab aur khwaish dono ho.

Thank you so much for adding my story to your reading lists and for all the views and votes:)
So guys how was the chapter?
Vani had their first intimate moment;)
Is haider developing feelings for meera?
Will Meera forgive him ?
Stay tuned for all the answers;)