Arpit's POV
Reaching home, I checked my email to find a mail from Niharika, the girl I had hurt the most and my would-be boss. A strange feeling crept inside me.
The mail read -
Hello
Dr. Arpit Khandelwal, this is to inform you that you are provisionally selected as the Senior Scientist for the project - "Production of anti-aging skincare products herbally" led by Dr. Niharika Sehgal, Managing Director - 'The Exquisite'
Kindly report your proposal for the same within two days of this email.
Regards
Dr. Niharika Sehgal
*****
Well! Her email bragged of her superiority. Oh! God, she is still the same. I doubt whether my Niharika has even grown up or not. I chuckled at the thought of my Niharika.
I remembered the past. The days when we used to enjoy to the core. I had a kind of crush over her. I mean I have never had such an attachment with any other girl in my life. I wanted to propose her for a relationship after establishing my career but it never happened. Well! Perhaps, life has given another chance to at least apologize and get on a friendly note.
*****
I had dinner with my mother. She was happy knowing that I got a new job. I retired to my room but sleep didn't come.
Lying on my bed, I remembered our good old days.
*****
Flashback
It was my birthday. She had gone for a business trip. I was feeling bad. I didn't want to celebrate. It seemed as if I wanted her. She had sent a black Titan watch with a golden circular dial. It was really elegant just like her. She called me from the hotel to enquire whether I liked the watch she had sent me. I thanked her with immense gratitude. It is indeed a lucky watch, I wore it even today and Voila! I cracked the interview with my fiery tigress.
That night, on my birthday we had talked the whole night wherein I had shared my fears for my career. I was worried about my future at that time.
Then, I remembered I had said, "Dear, why do your parents stress over your part? It's your college life. Why don't they let you enjoy it? Why can't they handle their business all alone?"
There was silence for a minute. It was then she told about the car accident and death of her parents. She was crying throughout. She appeared too vulnerable. She was indeed, strong to bear everything in life. Her strength at the age of 17 years became a motivation for me till now. Since then, Niharika has been my inspiration.
I am amazed to see where she stands today. Being a successful entrepreneur is not easy. She is the only one who can handle all the pains of her life and turn her upside down life into a happy one.
*****
Thinking of my old days, sleep engulfed me with a hope that I will surely apologize from Niharika. She had immense trust over me. She told me her fears, her dreams and all the tidbits of her life. She shared about her relatives who were after her property. She shared about the then rising business which is 'The Exquisite' empire today.
"I had broken her trust in me via an ugly altercation. I will mend everything. I wanted my friendly Niharika back along with her beautiful smile and peace. She is still angry with me and I can't just bear that. I was wrong, immensely wrong. I was so wrong that I didn't confront her even in the last fifteen years. The Almighty has given me the opportunity to mend things now. I will mend everything." My mind was reiterating these thoughts again and again.
Niharika's POVMy day at the office was fine except for the interview I had with the one and only, the arrogant monster, Dr. Arpit Khandelwal. No doubts, he is still the same, confident and no-nonsense type. He was visibly irritated by mine 'seem to have' phrase, which I commented indirectly wanting to see if he could hide his emotions or not. He has turned really handsome and was looking marvellous in his blue business suit. His amber-green eyes were deep enough for me to dive into them. I avoided looking in his eyes.Later, I went to the construction site of my new factory and monitored the things there. I had to talk with the engineer and architect there. The progress of the factory-site was going well.I had a fashion event that evening. Dressed in an elegant purple evening gown, I attended the event. My cosmetic products were advertised there. It was a blissful evening to combat the morning interview until my business rival, Mr. Vikram Walia arrived at the par
Arpit's POVIt was drizzling this morning. I love rain. Well! It is because I used to enjoy the rains with Niharika during college. Whenever it rains, I remember her. So many years have passed but it seems it's just a previous day. No doubt my sister complains that I am stuck in the past. She was too innocent in those days. I wonder if she has changed a lot. She has surely moved on. After all, we aren't teenagers anymore and she doesn't even know that she is indeed, special to me. She doesn't even know that I was attracted to her and I haven't felt such an attraction with anyone till now.Since I will be meeting her today because it is my first day for work, I remembered one of our stupid adventure which gave me goosebumps literally.*****Once during our second year, she had been wearing a white top and black jeans. It was during the month of September and it started pouring like cats and dogs. Niharika and I were studying together on the lawn. She removed a
Niharika's POVIt was raining today. I used to love rains at a time but now I despise rains to the core. It was raining when I lost a good friend. The guy whom I loved, respected and liked the most insulted me on a rainy day. The guy whose dreams I thought were mine shattered all my dreams and this rain wiped those broken pieces years ago. Drinking my coffee, I began visualizing the past once again.Remembering those idiotic college days, a tear skipped from my eye.During our second year in college, out of no reason Arpit had begun behaving weirdly. I knew about his finances. I knew he had some tensions. I thought he needed support and as a good friend, I spoke over the phone when he shouted at me leaving me broken into thousand pieces. Ideally I should have stopped the things right away but I planned to mend everything and decided to speak to him in the class next day.It was raining on the day when I decided to speak to him. I remembered I wore a white kur
Arpit's POVI had been waiting to meet Niharika today primarily because I had planned to apologize for my selfish deeds in the past. I couldn't control my urges and I bombarded my anger on her disturbing her throughout. Infact, the worst thing is I didn't even apologize to her before leaving the college.I remembered that I had planned to apologize to her on the last day of college. It was our last examination of third year and we were bidding goodbye to each other marking the end of our college life. I had dressed up in a maroon T-shirt, the one which she had gifted me on Friendship Day. I had worn it almost after a year. In the exam hall, I was restless, how to talk to her and what would I say. Completing my exam in time, I rushed towards her examination room. She came out of the room after the bell rang, handing over her answer sheets to the invigilator.She walked past me. I tried to stop her, I called her but she didn't listen. I ran past her and stood in fron
Niharika's POVI immediately contacted Mr. Bose informing him what Mr. Walia had said. We focussed over the people knowing about this project. Only me, Mr. Bose, Arpit and Sapna knew about it. I couldn't imagine who could betray me. Mind pointed out at Arpit but instincts did not. Mr. Bose has never done anything like that despite having several opportunities in the past. He is the one whom I could trust. Sapna is kind of mysterious but what would a house maid do, I thought brushing off all these thoughts.While discussing the things Vikram could do, we realized possibilities are endless. My annual fashion show, international deal and shares are under a serious threat apart from the research project, I realized.During the discussion, one of my employees came up with a letter. Upon examination, we realized it was a court notice. A woman named Niyati Verma had complained against our facial cream in the consumer forum. According to her, many customers in her beauty s
Arpit's POVI came home to find my mother a bit restless. She was ready in a silk sari and asked me to take her to her doctor for a regular check-up. She is a heart patient so she is on medicines. Her blood pressure is a major concern for all of us and hence, I can't leave her alone. This is the main reason for me to work in India. I couldn't persuade her to move out of India with me because she wishes to die in her homeland like dad did. She loved dad the most and after his death, her health has deteriorated considerably. Now, she asked me to come back from Australia and stay with her. I want to be with her in her last days.*****Sitting in my study, I am almost done with my writing the proposal for the project which is more or less the plan of action, just without the results. I genuinely wish that the outcomes must come positive or I swear the fiery tigress would eat me alive.I chuckled at my chain of thoughts. Sitting in my study and working on my lapto
Arpit's POVI couldn't sleep at night. In the morning, I got ready for the office. I had to meet Niharika and tell her about the conversation I had over the phone at night. I don't know how she would react but this is only what I could do. I cared for my family first, if she doesn't assure my family's security, I will resign. I made up my mind to resign amidst the turmoil and got ready for the office. I wore a black colored business suit and combed my unkempt hair.I had a peaceful breakfast with my mother. She sensed my tensions but she thought I was worried about our health. Little did she know, I had got an ultimatum of a storm. Looking at her face, I realized she wanted to question my worries and I was not interested in anything. I knew my answers would give her more tension which could be detrimental for her health, so I got up picking my bag and left. I hopped into the car and began my journey.While going to the office, on the way, I entered a lonely lane I
Arpit's POVInstead of going to my cabin, I went straight to the 12th floor and entered Niharika's cabin only to realize that I didn't knock and I knew she would react. I was panicking because of the bikers today.I saw her holding a coffee mug and standing near the window sill. She was wearing a beige colored business suit and pencil heels. Her hair was falling on her shoulder. She was in a deep thoughtful mood. She looked very enticing. I was tempted by her beauty. All my fears vanished. I wanted to stand beside her forever. I mentally planned not to resign. I wanted her, her peace, her smile back."Dr. Khandelwal, why are you not used to knocking on doors? You must respect your boss's privacy." I heard her. My thoughts were interrupted."Madam, I am threatened by someone for working with you. Your business rival is probably conspiring." I said and played the conversation to prove my point. I told her about the bikers. I showed her the paper.She list