''Why don't you talk and put some sense into Kajal's head. Who leaves a husband for such a small issue.'' Sheela reasoned with her husband Arun, who had been calm since their daughter's return.

Arun folded the newspaper neatly. Taking his glasses off he met the angry eyes of his wife, ''And say what? Sheela Kajal is right in her decision, and they are not kids. Destiny tied them up after hiccups, it will lead them further.''

''You make it sound so simple, its her whole life.''

''Exactly, I don't want my daughter spending it with regret. Give her time , things appear clearer once the clouds of anger disperse.'' Sheela decided to end the conversation, though she had offered her complete support to her only child, her heart somewhere wanted her daughter to go back to her husband.

Kajal sat on her bedroom window, her eyes staring at the unknown. Her phone had been ringing no stop since she walked out on Tarun. When she didn't answer his number he tried his luck using all numbers possible, she answered one or two times thinking it to be her clients, but finding Tarun on the other side had now made her ignore all sought of calls. She glanced at her blinking phone turning her eyes away.

Arun stepped into his daughter's room , he watched her ringing phone and then her still form. He smiled, unconsciously she expected and wanted Tarun to call but denied that and this is why she neither she was turning it on silent nor off. He knew if he tried to reason right now she will take all of it negatively. Shaking his head he picked and answered the call, ''Kajal, its Robin.''

Kajal quickly took the phone from her dad, Robin shot as soon as he heard her voice, ''Why the hell you weren't answering my call? I was so worried''

''I never gave you the right to be worried and I don't work for you anymore.'' Her reply came curt. She wasn't the one to forget easily. After a moment of silence came an apology, ''I am sorry for being rude the other day.''

''You should be, now why did you call?''

Robin realised he had lost a good friend. Kajal wasn't the one to let things go easily. It was best to come to the point immediately. He took a deep breath , his tone turned professional, ''I have an assignment for you. The board wants you to exclusively work on it.''

''Oh! didn't you tell them I am married and that took adverse effect on my cretivity.'' She sounded sarcastic.

''Look I am sorry. Can you just come down so that we can discuss.'' Before he could add more the line went dead. Kajal threw the phone on the bed going back to the window. ''Why don't you take the assignment up?'' Arun asked

''I am not able to concentrate and I don't want to do it half heartedly .''

''Kajal, if you are looking to move out of the current situation, you will have to divert yourself. Take it up, its something you love and you can't be crying over that Tarun for whole life.'' Kajal didn't react, but Arun knew better. Caressing her head once he walked out of the room. He knew she will take his advice.

***

Tarun racked his fingers through his thick hair, it had been a week and Kajal refused to answer his calls. She did answer once requesting his support for annulment but he denied outright. There was no way he was going to break his marriage.

Walking into the kitchen he made himself a cup of coffee. Walking back to the hall, he made himself comfortable on the couch . Picking the newspaper , he sipped and made a face. It was too bitter for his taste. He wasn't a bad at making one, but had acquired the habit of coffee made by Kajal. Leaning back he recalled how she never missed to make one for him in morning and evening. He missed her greeting him with a smile. She had become a habit in a month, he shook his head . No she had become his friend and a good one. He had started enjoying her company and expected her every evening he came back

'Tarun lets just get over with it. I don't want to drag it.' Were her words when they last spoke, he had denied it outright . She had not answered his calls since. He couldn't forget the brown tear laden eyes that had stared at him accusingly. He had been haunted by them since her walk out. Tarun gulped in the hot liquid in one go, he recalled how she asked him not to waste edibles once. He smiled, the irony of life is that you realise the worth once you lose.

Making his way to the shower, he quickly got ready for work. They had a client visit and the project was important for his team. Fixing his attire, he recalled the letter he had received from Kajal's lawyer and he was ready to respond to it. Picking his phone he dialled his lawyer, ''I don't want a divorce, if she is adamant ask her to give a reason for it in the court.'' Disconnecting he pushed the phone into the pocket of his trousers, he knew the reason Kajal had would result in them coming together for 6 months. Court wouldn't accept the issue they had, until she decides to defame him. He smiled, he knew her that much , she would never do anything which was wrong on her board of rules. 'You said I am not strong enough to stand by my choices, I will prove it you that I am strong enough to my bonds. I will bring you back Kajal '

Making a promise to himself he made his way out of the apartment. How he wished he could erase the stupid trip and she would still be smiling at him from the window, but for his one mistake.

The scene at office wasn't a very friendly one, Praveen kept his distance and all conversations that occurred between them were just on the professional level. The lead called them all for a meeting, once all were seated he gave a glance to curious faces, ''Guys I have a good news.'' The eyes widen as each one of them expected something great. The lead added, '' You guys are getting bonus for the amazing work on last project and a  One of the seniors will be promoted to a lead, as I have accepted a Project in US. '' The team applauded and congratulate their amazing boss who bought the best in them.

He silenced them and moved his eyes again to the 3 seniors in the team. Praveen just looked bored, every time he had been side lined as the lead believed the packaging to was important and nerdy looking Praveen had never fit the bill. He waited for the meeting to get over.

''Praveen Sinha will your new Team Lead and Tarun, you will take the responsibilities of Practice Lead here on.'' Tarun nodded with a smile, but Praveen looked shocked. Tarun has always been favourites of the clients and peers due to his pleasing personality and his fluent accent. The promotion did come as a surprise as Praveen couldn't recall the last time he had been so openly praised by anyone senior. His eyes went to his childhood friend, who smiled his hand extended for a shake, ''Congrats! You deserved it''

"I know and I am glad they realised who is the real star.'' Praveen's sarcasm didn't deter Tarun's smile, instead he patted Praveen's arm with other before walking out.

''Why did you deny the Team Lead Position?'' Tarun's boss questioned him

Tarun smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, ''I am not a people's person. I am not someone who could take care of someone other than me. Practice Lead is an individual contributor role and it suits me''

''You are labelling yourself as selfish?'' The boss looked shocked when Tarun nodded. Tarun was one person he admired for his down to earth attitude and confidence. Such self depleting attitude surprised him. He gently squeezed Tarun's shoulder, ''I won't ask the reason, but all will fall in place.'' Tarun smiled softly walking back to his bay. For now, he just wanted to be alone. He kept himself drowned in work and left after the whole floor turned empty. He had no one waiting for him now.

***

''He has asked you to submit the reason for divorce. As he is happy in this relationship. '' Kajal's lawyer Namita updated her on the proceedings. Arun smiled, clearing this throat he added, ''That shouldn't be an issue. Blame him for dowry or harassment. No, blame him for having an affair behind your back. That's the best.''

''I think you should take your dad's advice. This can make things easier.'' Namita suggested

''But he isn't like that. No, I can't just put a false accusations on him. Is there a another option?''

''Yes, the court sends you back to him for 6 months. It's not easy to get divorce when one of the partner is unwilling. You need to have a reason with proofs. Either convince him or fight for years.'' Namita picked her stuff and walked out. Kajal thought for a second, she picked her car keys and dashed out, ''Where are you going?'' Arun called out after his daughter

''To meet Tarun.'' She walked off without turning back missing the smile on her Father's face

Tarun groaned at the 3rd sound of door bell, the visitor seemed really impatient. He reluctantly turned the shower off. Pulling up one of his tracks he walked to the door rubbing his wet hair with towel.

"OH MY GOD'' The exclamation for other side made his eyes go wide. ''Sorry'' He banged the door shut , running back to his room to put some decent clothes and under clothes on. He cursed for running the impression again.

Kajal pressed her lips, she wanted to laugh aloud. Tarun looked like a cute boy caught naked, her reaction too was sudden and now she felt she shouldn't have embarrassed him that way. She waited for him to open the door again, trying her best to control the smile. Afterall she had to look serious.

''Your smile is beautiful.'' Kajal blinked at the words. She didn't realise he was already at the door. He stepped aside making way for her to step in. She sat on the couch opposite to him, he noticed that. He smiled got up and sat next to her but at a distance, ''Good to see you.''

''Tarun, I don't want to drag this. Please, lets free each other of this unwanted bond.''

''Its marriage Kajal, and its isn't unwanted for me.''

''Do you love me?'' She asked straight

''Is that the only reason to break this marriage?'' He answered her with another one

''No ,but one of the main ones.'' She replied without waiting for a minute

''Then you should have never agreed to my proposal. You were aware that we never had romantic feelings for each other. Frankly, you are not giving us time.'' He reasoned

Her eyes watered; something he hated from the depth of his heart. He couldn't understand why but every time Kajal had tears in her eyes, he wanted to slap himself rather hard, ''You are right, it was my fault too. I shouldn't have agreed for this arranged match. Being independent I should have looked for someone who loved me for who I am, than marrying the one I was forced on to.'' Her eyes held accusation directed to him.

''Kajal....'' She stopped the flow of his words with her palm. ''Just answer this why did you marry me and all will fall into place.''

Tarun knew the question was tricky, he wasn't used to lying and something wrong would end his chances completely. He decided to stay silent, "I thought so.'' She threw the words at him, wiping her face with the back of her hand she added, ''Please do me a favour of signing these. I want to move forward.''

He stared at the papers on the table, the click of the door made him look up, ''What if I give you the reason, something which is true.?''

''DO you have it now?''

''No, but I am looking for it.''

Kajal laughed, ''You want to cook things up.''

''You know me better Kajal, I could have done that a minute back painting the town red.''

''What do you want?''

''Time. Give me some, please.'' She started breathing hard. Why was it so difficult to deny this man? She nodded as words defied her. With that she walked off leaving him alone in silence

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Its unedited as I have really busy week. Will edited later so pls ignore the mistakes. Don't forget to vote.