Tarun didn't know how and where to start. Though he had managed to buy time from Kajal, he didn't know how he would convince her to give up on the divorce. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he turned to his left on the bed. The empty space beside him made him cringe and he turned on his back, he had gotten used to waking up next to her. At times during the night he would find her half hanging out of the bed and would gently put her back to a comfortable position. His eyes turned to the side rack, he missed how she would turn the alarm off and wake him up herself. She never missed placing the newspaper next to him. Tarun sat up, she had become a habit. He couldn't forget her glassy eyes, he felt a deep sense of guilt gripping his heart for being the reason of her misery.

Tarun knew, he wouldn't be able to sleep so decided to invest his time in the project assigned. He had a large data to analyze and present the report with models. He started punching in the commands to filter and sort it in simpler form. How he wished if was that simple to apply filters and emit the mistakes that hurt the own. He punched in few more keys and stared at the report that flashed on the screen, it looked good, he decided to work on the models later.

'I am glad they realised who the real star is.' Praveen's taunting words came back to him. He was aware what people thought of him, a talent less guy who just managed to got lucky. He had never bothered to care of all the opinions, but coming from his friend was hurtful. He didn't blame Praveen either, he understood the lashing out was due to continuous rejection he received on personal and professional front. He recalled how his mother introduced him to Kajal for the first stating him to be just a financial analyst like all engineering graduate. Walking out to the balcony he stared at the darkness, the silence of the night made the hollowness of his life scream louder. He had to start somewhere and he decided to do it a professional front. This wasn't a fight to prove others wrong, it was time he proved himself right. He wanted to challenge himself. 

***

Kajal sat in the large board room among the members of India's largest business houses. She had done many projects with them in the past. She had never put he her foot down or argued about the rates. But Robin's one crude statement had changed the dynamics. She had tested the market waters and knew her worth. When Robin called her back, a part of her wanted to grab the opportunity  and work in peace. But then she recalled the Tarun's words, 'You once said you were the brand, then stop whining and put your foot down. If they want you, they will negotiate the terms.'   She recalled the conversation and smiled, now it was going just to be her terms. 

''Kajal, you worked exclusively for us before why not not now.'' The chairman asked

''Sir, I did and I enjoyed. But then I was being asked to leave as you guys had better designers, I decided to accept an assignment from another brand and they already have paid me the advance. Since I am a freelancer, they don't have issues me working with someone else.''

''But this project is prestigious and needs complete attention, we don't want you working with any competitors while working on it.'' Robin added

''Then hire someone else. I have given my word and I am not backing out.'' Kajal put her foot down. There were murmurers whispers in the room and then came Robin's soft voice, ''Would you mind waiting outside for few minutes.'' Kajal nodded and walked out without a glance.

She wasn't bothered about getting the assignment, she knew her worth. She had a habit of putting her heart and soul into whatever she did and now it was time she demanded respect from those who earned millions out of her work. 

After about 10 mins she was being requested to join the board members. Kajal took her seat without showing any traces of nervousness; the experienced men studied her for a minute. They knew she wasn't acting, the confidence she had was earned. The chairman looked at all the members and then moved his eyes to the young designer, ''Fine , but make sure the two designs don't mix. This collection should out do others in the market.''

''I have never broken my code of conduct, be assured I won't break it further.'' Robin was asked to make a new contract and finalize the details with Kajal. Thanking them she walked out, she had a sudden urge to inform Tarun but refrained herself. This would mean giving him a ray of hope, she had given him time but had least of all hope that he would be able to prove himself.

''I am really sorry for the way I behave earlier.'' Robin apologised. She nodded but didn't respond in words. ''Are you free to have a cup of coffee.''

''Robin I forgave you doesn't mean we are back being friends.''

''Fine then tell me what will get me your friendship back?'' He sounded desperate which Kajal frown , she brushed it off thinking it to a professional tactic to make her feel welcome.

''Nothing, I don't get impressed with bribes and gifts. The words is all that matter, and yours made the things very clear last time.''

''I said I am sorry.''

''Why are you so desperate for my friendship?''

''I am not desperate. Its just that one cannot find good friends that easily.'' He hoped it sound genuine to her. He knew she was married , but his feelings pushed him to have her close.

She studied him for good one minute , then agreed to share a cup of coffee. She wanted to keep things neutral as she had signed to work on a project. He was her client now.

***

''Keep yourself free on Saturday, we have a party to attend.'' Sheela informed Kajal as soon as she stepped in the house

''What party?''

''Tarun's first cousin is getting engaged, we too have received an invitation.''

''Mom what's the point us going there?''

''You have decided to give him time, that means you are still his wife. Till you decide about this relationship, its better not to let people talk. '' Sheela's explanation resonated with Kajal. She agreed.

A part of her heart secretly rejoiced about having a chance to see Tarun. She shook her head to get rid of it, she had never feared accepting things and was aware of her soft corner for Tarun. Sadly it wasn't soft enough for practical Kajal to throw of her annoyance off the window. After all its foolish to sacrifice the 40 years for a moment of softness. She nodded when her mother asked again.

Moving to her room she quickly changed and started working on the assignment she taken in hand. 'Give me some time...Please!'

His words echoed her mind again. 'What would he do in the given time? How is going to prove that this marriage is worth keeping? Did ask for more time to cook and new story?'

Her mind had been constantly on a debate, yet her heart still admired her decision of giving Tarun a chance. 

***

Kajal checked her appearance in the mirror, being a function at her in-laws family she decided to go for ethnic. She chose a beautiful pastel net saree and paired it with light diamond set. She kept her dark hair free, gently curling them at the tips.

The venue was a five star hotel and Kajal could feel the excitement of the family as some on the other person ran in and out of the function Hall. She got a loving welcome from her mother in law and immediately her heart twitched. She silently wished for things to turn fine as Devyani never treated Kajal different than Tarun.

Devyani dragged her friend away and asked Kajal to join the group of youngsters. Kajal stood dumb found as her mother ditched her suddenly, she looked around little confused. Though she knew many by faces, having met them in her wedding, she couldn't recall their names . She smiled , greeted people as they approached her.

''Hey Kajal, do you remember me?'' Kajal blinked at the young girl who stood opposite to her smiling ear to ear. She tumbled her memory upside down but couldn't recall her name. ''You forgot me so easily?'' The girls lips drooped

''Off course she did Simmi, you are not  giving her time to respond.'' Tarun replied throwing his arm around his young cousin. Kajal took a breather. Her eyes met his and he winked, making her smile. He walked her to the place where his cousins were seated and reintroduced her to each of them. It took her a minute to open up and then others were just staring as Kajal talked. He aura and confidence was appealing. Tarun smiled at his cousins and friends who seemed enchanted by his wife...still but didn't know for how long, he thought. Giving Kajal one glance he quietly left her with the group moving away. He didn't wanted her feel being pushed by him, it was his duty to make her comfortable here and he was done. He stood at a distance watching her from the corner of her eyes, the girls seemed to be enchanted finding the best designer and asked her suggestions on the jewellery which would suit them. He huffed, he didn't know how his family and extended family would react if they get separated completely. He suddenly felt suffocated, Shaking his head he walked out of the hall to get some fresh air.

Moving to a scheduled area he lit a cigarette and took a long puff. Though he was here with his parents, he could read the disappointment in their eyes clearly. He wanted their advice and suggestion, but a part of him feared going to them. It was his mess, he created it and he had to get sort it out.

''Smoking is injurious to health!'' Tarun jumped as the smoking bud burned his finger directly fell on his feet. ''OH no , I didn't wanted to scare you.'' Kajal took long steps to him to make sure he was fine. ''Why did you jump and you smoke?''

''Sometimes and I thought its mom.''

''She doesn't know ?'' She asked with her brow up

''She has an idea, but not sure about it.''

''Then why do something you have to hide.''

''Just wanted to de-stress. What are you doing here?'' He diverted the topic quickly

''Everyone is looking for you and you refuse to answer your phone. '' Tarun checked his phone, there were numerous calls from his cousins and parents.

''I will be there in a minute.''

''Why a minute?'' She was now persistent. She didn't like the view of smoking Tarun and didn't wanted to give him a chance to smoke again. He stared at her for a minute, ''I need to buy a gum to get rid of the smell. Tell them I will be back in a minute.''

''I can lend you that.'' She handed him one and waited for him to get done.

''You go, I will follow.''

''No we go together, I have been assigned the job to find you and I complete all my work.'' He shook his head and checked his breath. It seemed normal, Kajal pulled out her perfume , sparying a little on Tarun, ''Its female perfume.''

''Better than that smell. Be thankful''

''Thank you Kajal.'' He bowed making her chuckle. She was happy that they still were comfortable talking to each other like friends. She was thankful, he didn't make her uncomfortable after she took the decision to go separate ways.

Neither of them knew they were being watched by their parents. ''I wish he realises that Kajal wasn't mine but his choice at the end.''

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