❝  Feelings are weird and unpredictable, but they are never untrue. What happens in your heart pours right out of your eyes, so fake it as much you can... ❞

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KUSH'S POV

I heard some voices when I forced my eyes open.

I saw Alan's tall self standing right in front of me. And then I saw Meera's struggling self trying to free herself from my hold.

Embarrassment was written all over her face. Well, I'll give that to her. No one wants their boyfriend to find them in such a situation. I smiled at the thought and lifted my hand off her as she quickly stood up. I followed the suit.
For the sake of few imaginative minds, nothing happened last night.

We worked ourselves out on the designs after a Thai supper till 3 a.m. And once they were done we didn't even realise when and how we fell asleep in such an awkward situation. But, neither of us can deny that it was the best sleep that we had in years, I can vouch that I sure did.

I grabbed my intercom.

" Zoe, a black coffee, please..." I said and put it in place.

" Morning, Alan. Can't say it was a pleasant surprise watching your face first thing in the morning." I stretched. Bad manner or not i felt so good this morning.

Meera was gathering the designs till then.

" Alan, can you drop me home?" He nodded as Meera kept the files on the table. She didn't even dare to look at me. Her actions were proving her as well as me guilty, which we weren't.

" I'll bring my things. " Saying so she left.

She's the most stupid person I've ever met and yet I don't know why I love her. The way she acted would definitely make even let be Alan think that I've done something wrong.

" She's gone. You should leave too." I said a minute later.

" Look Kush, I'm trying hard not to lose my calm but... But if you've hurt Meera in possible..."

" Alan... I know you're getting us wrong. Just listen to me. We were just working and there was a casualty. I got burns and I didn't have a spare shirt. We worked till 3 and then fell asleep. " It was the truth.

" I wish I could believe that... "

" You don't have an option either. But I'll tell you one thing Alan. I love her a lot. But I don't feel the need to compare my love with yours. And even you know that I won't do a single thing that would put her in harm's way."

" You did it years ago. " He grunted.

" And I've been paying for it ever since. I'm not here to snatch her from you, Alan. I'm here just to make sure that I make her believe that I still love her and I'll wait for her forever. Coz, somewhere I know she loves me too. " It was for the first time I was having a sensible conversation with Alan.

" I don't wanna shatter you Kush, but perhaps you're wrong this time. That train has left the station long time ago. "

" Maybe I'm. Maybe I'm not. But one thing's clear. I like to play it fair. You spent 5 years with her. The 5 years that I had lost and yet I don't see the trust in your eyes. You're scared you'll lose to me. About the train leaving Alan, I guess the train forgot its engine with me. "

" Kush... You think too much of yourself."

" And you think too little of yourself Alan. Question yourself.
Does Meera really love you? Will she ever be happy with you? Why she acted as if she did wrong when she didn't, just 10 minutes back? Do you make her feel trusted? And lastly, are you willing to wait for her or even love her when you know that she's spending 5 years with another man in her life? "

He didn't answer.

" Alan... There's one more. Do you love her or all this is just a way to level a score with me? "

" Kush, You're an arrogant asshole. " He scoffed.

" Whatever you think but you know the truth. "

" I had enough of you for the day. But for the record your questions don't apply to me. I don't owe you any explanations. Bye. "

" They sure as hell do Alan. And you owe yourself the explanations not me. " I said as he left.

I felt it and I said it. I've been waiting for 5 years and now Katie tells me to move on. I'm not moving on until I've tried enough. And enough has no boundaries defined till now.

I guess it is the best morning after all.

🌟🌟🌟

I didn't see Meera the rest of the day and I didn't expect her to show up either. She's embarrassed or upset, I don't know but I'm okay with that. We've a meeting at 5 in the evening to present our designs and I'm confident she'll show up then. She's never been a no-show to an important meeting.

For what I know and she doesn't is that the designs are gonna be approved for sure. Not because I had emailed them the previous night but because they were remarkably good and once they have approved them we will be going to Mumbai for 5 days in order to keep the track on the deal with P&P Finances and do a on sight work on the outskirts.

This was planned long before and I just hope she doesn't find it suspicious. Going to Mumbai with her is important because we've some personal unfinished business to handle there and work always happens to be a perfect excuse.

I asked Tom to bring my suit. I didn't go back to my condo. At around quarter to 5 everyone had assembled in the conference. The party with whom the deal was happening was about to be connected through a video conference. They were our clients in Mumbai. It must be around 10:30 am in Mumbai.

I impatiently waited looking at the door for Meera, tapping my foot against the ground.

" Sir, We'll connect with them in 10..9..8....." I steadied my tie when the door opened.

" I'm sorry..." Meera bragged in. I was chairing the conference and without looking at me she sat three places away from me. She was in a white shirt and a narrow pencil skirt. Her hair were down and partially wet. She adjusted her shirt again and didn't even bother a sideway look at me, but I was cool. It's Meera after all.

We were connected to the HQ of P&P finances. It wasn't a very elaborate meeting, just a couple of their associates along with the CEO and same was from our side. It was me, Meera and our team of two experts.

" Mr. Kapoor, the designs seem perfect. I believe so will be the execution."

" Absolutely..." I said.

" So, I'll meet you and Ms. Mathur in Mumbai next week for the on sight inspection and finalizing the contract."

" Of course..."

" Excuse me, Mr. Patel. I-I don't really understand. I believe that Ku-.. Mr. Kapoor will be meeting you. Not me." She interrupted and I had expected this.

Fortunately, Mr. Patel happens to be an old client and a dear friend of my Dad. He's gonna pursue her to come. I waited for him to speak.

" Ms. Mathur, we need your expertise. I insist. " He said.

She looked at me finally, wanting me to come to her rescue but little did she know that it was a part of the plan. I was guilt but didn't regret instigating one. But, I had to speak to her or else she's smart enough to catch me.

" A second, please..." I said muting the mike.

" Kush... I can't come." She sounded firm.

" It's for the company. "

" I don't work for your company..." She's so adamant.

" Your company works for me, Meera..." I switched the mike on.

" We're in, sir. We'll meet you in Mumbai." We were disconnected and I was prepping myself for Meera's arguments.

" You don't own me, Kush.... I've the right to make my own decisions. I can't come to Mumbai. You're on your own."

" We need the room for a minute. " As I said everyone left.

" Meera..."

" Kush! I said what I wanted to. I'm not going with you." As she was about to move past me I grabbed her wrist and stopped her. She jerked my hand.

" You've to come. I'm not giving you any choices. " I feel bad when this side of me pops out of nowhere.

" I can't.. Why don't you understand?" She was about to break down. She sat on the chair next to me.

" It's been 5 years Kush. I haven't visited the place."

" You haven't been home since 5 years?" I knew that. She wasn't even in touch with her parents since months.

She didn't answer.

" I assure you that what happened between us yesterday won't happen again. I spoke to Alan too. I know he didn't pester you with questions. " She looked at me.

" What did you tell him?"

" The truth. We were working and we fell asleep. Meera, if you're acting weird coz of... "

" I'm fine. There's nothing between us. " She snapped.

I sighed.

" Yeah! There's a huge gap between being professional and being personal. You're bridging that gap into a thin blurry line. Let our personal issues not hinder our professional ones. We need you. " I think she's mature enough to let those words seep in.

She nodded.

Just as I was about to open the door Heather bust in and hugged me tightly.

" What the... " I cursed.

" He's here... He's here... Thank You so much Kush.... " I laughed.

" You're choking me, stupid..."

" Looks like you don't need me anymore." We heard him through the door.

Heather loosen her hold and stood next to me.

" Are you not happy to see me? "

" I wish I could say that Danny. But I'm definitely sure someone here is. " Saying so I hugged him tightly.

I missed my little brother. We hardly saw each other and now here he is.

" I missed you too. Where's my handsome reward? " He asked.

" I need to read the script first Dan... "

" Don't you trust me? " I burst into laughs.

" You get a beautiful candle light dinner date with your Girlfriend..." I said.

" I was suppose to have something that I couldn't afford myself. " He shrugged.

" That's the only thing that Mr. Daniel Kapoor can't afford at the moment. " I said.

He smiled and took Heather's hand in his.

" I'm so sorry for being an ass, honey. Let me make up to you. " He said, kissing her.

" Get a room... " I said.

Just then I realised that Meera was still standing nearby.

" Danny... This is..."

"... Meera..." He completed me.

" Meera, he's my younger brother Daniel. " I said.

Daniel moves towards her and shook her hand as well as planted a small kiss on the back of her hand.

" H-How do you know me?" She asked. It was getting awkward now for her.

" I just know when I see the person. Well, Kush speaks explicitly of you. His discription can even make a blind person recognize you."

" Shut up, Dan. He's an ass. I showed him your picture once. " I said.

She nodded with a smile.

" Now off you two go. Dan, I want to see you the first thing in the morning. " I ordered. Winking, Heather and he left.

I took my files and laptop.

" Heather's your brother's girlfriend? " Meera asked.

I'm sure her mind is filled with questions and I'm gonna take my sweet time to answer all of them.

" Yeah! Everyone at home knows about them. We are fixing their engagement soon. Heather and Daniel were together since college. "

" Oh! I thought... " She stopped midway. But her gesture was relaxed and I knew she thought Heather and I were together.

I smiled at that thought.

" And what was all that about reward and murder? " I knew this was gonna come up eventually.

" I never said murder, Meera. Dan writes short scripts. We had a conflict over two characters. Now, in a story there can't be two heroes  unless it's Avengers, right? "

" What? " She looked confused.

" I'm saying that I asked him to kill a fictional character which I wasn't a fan of in his story. "

" Oh! I thought too much. "

" You always do. And, BTW we have to catch up for the flight is day after tomorrow. I'll brief you on the flight itself. Rest of the details Zoe will give you. " I said walking us out of the room.

" Tonight, Paul and Tara have planned a get together before everyone leaves. Will you come? " I asked.

" I'd love you. "

MEERA'S POV

Life was taking a different route since Kush returned in my life. I don't know what he and Alan talked about but he's definitely the reason that Alan wasn't restless in the morning. And I can't deny that I wasn't embarrassed coz I definitely was. There was no way I wanted Alan to see us in that situation and firstly I would have liked it very much if it hadn't happen at all.

And, Now I've to go to Mumbai. I feel pangs of guilt. I haven't met my parents since the day I left my home to come here. I've been the most worst daughter and I've let them down. The only conversation we have is through emails and since last 7 months I haven't replied to them. And four months back they've stopped completely.

I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. The course of events isn't great and I don't wanna blame them for whatever happened with me in Cleveland. I wasn't in the best state of my mind. I had fallen badly for Kush and I didn't want my parents to worry about me. So, instead I abandoned them.

I regret it.

If I go to Mumbai, my heart will ache to meet them, to see them, to hug them, to say I'm sorry but then I can't.

They don't know about Alan. I can't just face them out of the blue. And, if at all they are know that I work with Kush, things will get complicated. I know that.

It's gonna be hard but I need to do it anyway.

I forced my lazy self up. I had to get dressed for the get together at Paul and Tara's. I was hopeful that it'll cheer me up.

🌟🌟🌟

Alan offered to drop me at their house. I couldn't deny. We hardly spent time together nowadays. He's extremely busy too.

The house was warmly lit and had a spacious verandah. I was excited to meet Pearl. Tara welcomed me with a hug. Then she went to check on Pearl who was taking a nap.

Seemed like I was the last person. Heather and Daniel were also present. Looking at them anyone could say how deeply they were in love. I felt stupid thinking about Heather and Kush.

Everyone was standing in small groups with a wine, indulging in small talks. Suddenly I felt alienated.

" Meera..." Tara called me.

I took a glass of wine and we sat on the swing in the porch.

" Once Pearl is 7 months old we'll be moving back to New York. Paul is working from home since 10 months now." I nodded.

" So? What's the plan now?" She asked.

" What plan?" I asked.

" Meera, we know what I'm talking about. Do you love Kush?"

I looked at her. I didn't expect her to ask me such a straight forward question.

" W-What? N-No... "

" You can lie to me. But, you can't lie to yourself. You know that. "

" Tara, I'm over my feelings. I used to love him but now I don't. "

" Not once, you feel your heart flutter when he confesses to you."

Well, he hasn't done that since long now.
I prefer not to answer her. I don't owe her any explanations.

" Although you think you don't owe me any explanations, Meera...." I shot her a look of awe.

" I happen to be your friend. I know how you think. But, I'll not hesitate to inform you that you're playing with fire. Feelings are like fire. Maybe you're oblivious but along with you, two more lives are involved. "

" Tara... I know. You really think all this is easy for me. I'm pushing Kush away but he... " I stopped as tears started free flowing.

It's like I'm the villian in my story. I'm the one blamed for all the hearts broken while mine is shattered too.

Tara gathered me in a hug. I miss my mom more tonight.

" Life doesn't give you second chances every single day. You need to face your feelings. Accept them and express what's there in your heart. Kush won't be waiting for you forever. And in this process you're hauling Alan too."

" Tara..."

" Is it just for the lie or is it something else? "

" Can I see Pearl? " I asked.

She nodded. I could see she cares for Kush and wishes the best for him. But the sooner they realise and accept the reality the better it will be for us.

I can't talk about it anymore.

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Hey! Guys...

I hope all of you had a fantastic start to the New Year 😎
Sorry for the late update. Hopefully next one will be sooner.

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Vruksha.