❝ No matter how much ever you say, Past Stays In The Past, Today is The New Reality but it's easier said than Felt!

Yet, everyday we live a New Reality, putting up with an imperfect past towards an uncertain future... Admist this love happens... ❞

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KUSH'S POV

Surprised, astonished and bewildered. Her face was more than these three emotions.
She didn't expect me to be the first person she'll bump into as soon as she entered the room.

Well, she had to. It was meant to.

" I'm sure you skipped your breakfast to be here." I brought in a tray. She was still standing.

It had scrambled eggs, brown bread and beacon along with steaming hot coffee. I was starving and I'm sure so was she. I sat taking my plate. I pushed the other one towards her.

" Meera... There's no point in chairing a meeting with an empty stomach. It leads to inefficiency. C'mon... It's delicious." I had started munching already.

" I thought we were gonna have an professional introduction. That's the reason you called me early, isn't it? " She sat down leaving a gap of two chairs. She sipped her coffee.
From her expression I knew that it was just as she loved.

Milky warm with 2 cubes of sugar.
Bittersweet.

" Naah! We have no secrets. I just wanted to have breakfast with you." She didn't reply anything.

" How are your parents?" I asked after a while.

" Shouldn't be a topic of your concern?" She snapped. I clenched my fists. I was just trying to make a conversation.

" We aren't strangers after all. "

" Of course we are. We are barely acquainted as a matter of fact." She's tougher than I thought she will be.

" Fine... If you are acting like this then I can be worst. But, Meera remember one thing..." I stood up taking my plate.

" I know I had made a mistake. I think I have apologized enough. I have suffered enough... "

" So... Are you here to justify yourself?"

" Yes. I owed you one, but you didn't wait to hear it. But, no. That time has passed. I'm not here to explain shit."

" Good! We are good that means. So, starting from now I shouldn't be concerned about your professional behaviour because what you did today, calling me before the meeting isn't professional. " I don't think this conversation will let any one of us finish our coffee.

" It's upto you. I can't speak for your thoughts. There is one thing I need you to know that I'm sorry for what happened and I've... "

" Kush... Please. If you say you've been punished and you've suffered and you've done your redemption and all that shit than I'm sorry. You're not getting any sympathy from me. Because whatever did happen, happened to both of us. If you were hurting, then what about me? " Each time her voice rose I felt she'll break down like she used but she didn't. And then my emotions got the better of me. They always did.

" What about you? All you did was to flee away. You couldn't even face me. Just because I lied. Just because you thought you could never fall in love with anyone, but you did. I made you fall in love with me. Didn't I? You were so arrogant and adamant that you didn't even think of your friends... " I stopped.

" Kush... Why did you return? " She asked with a sigh after a moment.

" Is this some sort of payback thing then I'm not in any mood to be a part of this. If you're here to tell me all this then let it out and leave. If you're here to prove that you are a better person a saint, with a bigger heart and I'm the monster who fled away because you played with my feelings, which of course was nothing then be my guest. I'm sorry. " I was in awe.

I never meant to undermine her. All this was just a ploy to win her again but it was headed in a direction I didn't predict. I was not there to show her that I can still love her despite the fact that she left but I'm here because I can't live without her and the last 5 years made it more clear.

" You always get me wrong. I don't know how in the world I fell for you. " I think I shouldn't have said that. Now, she had faint tears in her eyes.

" You shouldn't have, Kush. But I'm telling you that you don't love me. It's still a challenge for you. I know why did you return. You can't digest the fact that I didn't wait for you. That I don't love Kush Kapoor. You just can't accept the defeat."

" Of course not. You still love me. You always have. But, I'm not as tiny a person as you think I'm. Revenge is for losers. " I smiled.

" Ha! Fantasy is a cruel bitch than reality. I live in reality, I don't know about you. You and I have different worlds now, different realities and this is the new one. "

I sat down again. This will not help. I had to calm myself.

Emotions are good, but sometimes they need to be controlled.

" Hmmm... That's true. Yours is a fake one. Without your friends by your side. Without you being next to your family when they needed you the most. Mine is a lot different. I agree with you. I've everyone's back while they have mine unlike you..." I slowed down after the last sentence.

" Kush... You don't tell me what's wrong with me. I have always been there... "

" Please try and remember when was the last time you called Tara or Jenny or even your mom and dad. Aren't these people your family? " She didn't answer.

" But you surely have missed a hell lot of things which you aren't even aware of Meera. You're just like you sister, Mayra. The difference is that she was so lost in retrieving the person she assumed loved her that she lost the ones who actually loved her. While you keep running away from the person who actually loves you, a lot, in turn losing everyone close to you whom you know you love. "

" Kush... You can't say all this to me. You don't have any rights to interfere. You..."

" Meera... That day you asked me questions. I answered all of them, honestly. I deserved a second chance. But, you ran away like a coward. "

" Shut up... I'm not a coward. I ran away because I didn't loved you. " She was frustrated rather than furious.

" Liar. Then why did you bring that pudding? "

" It wasn't for you. " She averted her eyes.

" You can never be a good a liar. But let me state some facts. "

" Ku... "

" Sshhh... Just listen. " I stopped her.

" Firstly, You ran away from all the people who loved you, immensely. You acted like an immature teen.
Secondly, You are playing with Alan's feelings.
Thirdly, You have wronged your family and more importantly you sister.
Fourthly, You abandoned your best friend.
And lastly, You still love me.....

Well, I think we still have 2 mins left before everyone gathers. Wash your face Meera. "

She didn't move. She wasn't crying either. She's got stronger.
I think I had said enough to shake her up.

" No... " She whispered.

" I don't love you and You don't love me. You just can't... "

" Unfortunately, Yes... I do. I love you a lot. " I whispered in her ears and left.

It wasn't unfortunate that I fell for her. The situation which we got in was unfortunate. 5 years of isolation has done a lot of damage to her. I'm worried. But, her feelings needed a way out and it's good they found one.

She wasn't there when her friends needed her. She wasn't there to share their happy memories. More importantly she wasn't there for her parents. If she hears about what she did to them she'll never be able to forgive herself. Well, it can wait.

I washed my face with cold water. It was refreshing. I regretted. I shouldn't have said that. She doesn't deserve my wrath. She was a lost person and a bit of me was responsible.

When I returned everyone was in their seats, ready to start with the meeting. Alan sat next to Meera who was quite a few seats away from me. She didn't look at me, not even once. I was getting good at deductions though. The chairman of the firm was present today.

" Johnson, I strongly suggest that all the work hence forth should be done through my office."

" That would be alright. Meera will be there as a representative. " He agreed without any opposition. At once Meera looked at him while I looked at her.

" That's great. I'll arrange the best office we have for her. "

" That's not the plan, sir. She can't work there. We need. " It was Alan, as expected. Her supposed to be boyfriend at rescue.

" Even I think so sir. My entire team is here." She said.

" But, since Mr. Kapoor needs the work to be done through their office we have to shift. Also, they have more accommodation than us. You are the best. " I can't agree that. Our production house here was spread through 6 floors while there's was one third. So shifting their group here was indeed a viable option.

" Johnson I won't mind if she brings her team along. Work is work after all."

" But..."

" Alright. It's fine by me. " Meera didn't let Alan complete himself and a smile crept on my face. For Alan, it was a slap on face.

After an hour everyone was dismissed. I gathered my files and was about to leave when she called me, but it was more formal, for the very first time.

" Mr. Kapoor, I need to discuss somethings with you, alone."

" Me?"

" I thinks there's only one Mr. Kapoor here with us now." I laughed.

" Sure..." Others left. People surely know what privacy is expect one, Alan.

" Alan, I think she said 'Alone'. Have faith, dear. " I said. He grunted and left.

" Ku... I mean... "

" It's Okay... You aren't use to it, Meera. Why do all this?"

" Look, It's not Okay. Okay... It's Not Okay to me. You coming back for whatever reasons is not okay with me. " She sounded frustrated.

" Meera..."

" Kush! For the last time. I want us to have only a professional relationship, nothing else. Whatever was in the past stays in the past. There's nothing more now. Perhaps whatever you said earlier maybe be true. I'm not a good person. I'm not a good daughter. I wasn't the best sister neither can I be a good friend. So, it is what it is. Let's close that chapter forever. For me it's a story long lost and forgotten. But, one thing you were wrong for sure. I do have feelings for Alan. I'm not playing with him like you did with me. I respect my work and hope so will you. Thank you Mr. Kapoor. See you tomorrow in the office. " She left and I let her go.

I didn't say a word. I knew that throughout the meetings this is what she was thinking about. Things that she would say to me, things that would hurt me. But, little did she know that I was beyond that feeling now. I wasn't hurt at all. Instead her need for explanation makes things crystal clear. She's still there where I'm stuck. She couldn't move on, it's mutual feeling. The story isn't lost and forgotten, instead it's cherished every day like a fairytale. The difference is that the prince and his princess are yet to be united. I smiled. It was a great feeling.

I'm glad I didn't give up on her. She's shattered but not beyond repair. I think I can mend her broken heart as well as her soul. Today, I'm sleeping satisfied.

But it wasn't happening anytime soon. Alan stood outside like a hawk. What the hell is wrong with that guy? I looked around the corridor, it was deserted.

If he wants to punch me then he better be ready for the worst.

" Hi!" I said casually.

" Kush, I was actually thankful to you for what you did to Meera. But..."

" Hey! Wait... I didn't do anything."

" Ofcourse, you did. Nevertheless, she's with me now. So, lay your hands off her."

" Tch-Tch... Alan... Look at you. You look insecure. Why? " He looked surprised. I went closer to him.

" You are so handsome. You are tall, have a sexy jawline, broad physic and moreover a fair complexion. Personality is good but not better than me. So, in a nutshell you have everything which any girl might want, but not Meera. "

" Kush! I want you to stay away from her, that's it. "

" Hmmm... That's difficult coz we'll be working together. There's one advice. Have faith on your love while I'll have faith on my. Bye. Take care. " I patted his shoulder. I was satisfied with my behavior. I did well.

It made my intentions look strong while boosted my self confidence. He isn't sure about Meera's commitment. I felt good.

Whistling, I left the floor.

I completed assigning work to all my team members. I was in my temporary cubicle for the day when my cell phone rang. It was Dad calling me. He's currently in Cape Town.

" Hey!" His warm voice cheered me up.

" So, how is everything at Auckland?"

" Good!"

" And how is she doing, our mysterious girl ?" I love him. He's the most supportive Dad ever.

" Hmmm... She has a boyfriend." I said and he burst into laughs.

" I expected that. Don't worry, Kush. It's gonna be alright. I want you to try until you can't give in more. Rest assured, I know you'll be Okay. "

" Yeah! Give love to Mom. I'll be in touch with Danny. He said he'll be coming over here after few weeks."

" Sure! Bye..." He hung up.

He supported me when I left Ohio midway and returned home after Meera left me, distraught. Mom motivated me to start over while Danny had my back. They completed me and I understood what Meera lacked when I looked at her today. She lacked her family, that backbone without which survival is impossible. I sighed at that thought and continued to a grab a coffee.

At around 5, I wrapped up my work. I peeped in Meera's cabin but it was empty and messy. They were still moving in. I saw her going with Alan in the elevator. I took the other one.

" Meera..." I shouted as she was about to get in the car. Alan must be dropping her off. Or perhaps they have a date. I pushed those thoughts away.

"Kush, not now. I'm done with my working hours. Bye...."

" I..." But she was gone.

Fine, let's see how long you last in this game.

🌟🌟🌟

Meera is gonna come at our office from today. I was an hour early to check that her cabin was done along with the proper arrangements for her team of 10.

" Kush..." I turned at that familiar voice with a smile.

" Heather, what a pleasure to see you. I thought you were gonna join us in a couple of weeks." I said.

" I could but I didn't want to. Who doesn't want to work with a single- handsome- hulk like you, Kush...."

" Really?" I hugged her, laughing.

We were interrupted by a couple of scoffs. I think we were blocking the entrance to the cubicle.

I turned around. Meera was standing just behind us with her hair down looking amazing in a short beautiful white dress with a denim jacket.

" Good Morning... Meet Heather. She's a childhood friend and works with us in the HR." I introduced as Heather gave a warm smile to her.

Meera didn't look pleased yet she smiled.

" She's Meera..." I told Heather.

" I know her. Nice to meet you, finally. " Meera was confused at the word finally yet she shook hands.

" Kush, you have a lot of childhood friends." She said. Somewhere I was aware that she was reminiscing that episode in Ohio.

" Hmmm... I was a charmer, wasn't I? Heather? "

" You bet. Meera you won't believe it. In high school all the girls used to attend The Basketball Match just because of this guy. Coz, he used to remove his jersey everytime they won. And the fun fact is that their team never lost. He was know as a charmer. No doubt his brother envied him a lot. It was like he didn't exist... "

" Heather... "

" C'mon, Kush... Why are you so shy? " She tickled me.

I noticed that Meera wasn't comfortable but Heather, Danny and I were best buddies since school days. She was in the same grade as Danny and apparently Danny's girlfriend too.

I'm sure Meera is getting us wrong at this moment but I wasn't in any hurry to correct her. I wanted to see her, jealous.

" Heather, let's leave all this talk for some other time. Nice meeting you." She was about to leave but I don't think she knew Heather that well.

" Meera..."

" Uh-huh?" She glanced sideways. I just stopped to look at her more. Catching up the 5 years.

" Lunch at 1?"

" Uh? Not today. I'm busy. Thanks anyways. " She finally left.

I burst into laughs. Neither did Heather.

Heather looked at me.

" I hate her, already." She flushed with anger.

" I expected no less." I smiled.

" Kush.. Are you sure you love her?"

" You bet I didn't..."

" I'm positive that we sure as hell can find you someone better."

" I bet we can't..." She patted my shoulder laughing and left.

" Call Danny. Make sure he doesn't mess with some Californian chicks." She shouted before vanishing.

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