Chapter 29: chapter 29

Shally's apartment was already semi furnished. All that she needs were a few personal touches. They rested for a while before Shally got ready for shopping. All that time Nikita was telling about Shreya to Rakshita. How she was not there in her house that morning and she came in a new car, she has no friends in the city, so Nikita was worried what she would do alone, Rakshita listened to her silently, her own turmoil reaching the surface. When Nikita was saying about Shreya, an unknown guilt settled in the pit of her stomach. She could understand Shreya's pain, she was at that same point for more than a year. If it wasn't for Rakesh, she would had been still in that depressed state. When she thought about this, she felt a sense of gratitude towards Rakesh. Now she understood something, not everyone can be good to all. To her Rakesh is everything now. He had shown her new light, new perspective in life, whereas he has also hurt Shreya while loving Rakshita. This thought made herself sigh at the fate of life. She inwardly prayed that Shreya also should get someone, who truly loves her. But that is not her place to console Shreya. Now all that she can do is, apologize to Rakesh for what she had done.Shally and Nikita saw Rakshita was elsewhere, in her own world and shook her to bring her back to reality. She then looked at them, Shally was already dressed and ready, and both were standing in front of her. She smiled sheepishly at them and stood up to leave. All three took Nikita's car and drove around the city, buying various things at various places, sometimes just window shopping for fun and all. It was already mid day and Shreya woke up from her long nap. She couldn't think about anything else other than what happened last night. She once again showered and cried her heart out in shower. Then she draped a robe and stood in front of the mirror to dry her hair. The reflection on the mirror mocked her. She isn't what she is now. Shreya is a courageous girl. She follows her heart, she does what she feels right and never set her foot back from anything she started. But what she thought as love was not love, said the same person whom she dearly loved. All that she can do was weeping all day and night. She gave herself a pep talk. Enough is enough, he chose the one for him. She has no right to object that. She was the one who didn't see all those red signs, he showed, all these years. Now she too should move on. She is not a one-night stand type, but that happened last night. She has to consider that as a fling with no strings. She is never gonna meet that man again. Losing her v-card doesn't mean, she is a slut. It happens to every girl either knowingly or unknowingly. It doesn't change who she is, in her inner self or her personality. Fate had played it's part. It had blown a drastic storm in her sea of life. Now the storm is over. Sea is calm, so her life is. Now all that she need to do is damage control. It will take time to adjust to the fact that Rakesh is married, he is not hers anymore and their relationship can't be the same. The stranger can remain as a stranger forever. Now it's time for her to pull herself up and face the real world like a big girl she is. Her own pep talk gave her the energy and she called Raghav and informed that she is ready to join the office from today. Raghav saw the time, it's already noon, yet she can just go in and introduce herself. That part can be done today. So he immediately informed Sachin that Shreya is joining today. As soon as Sachin received the message, he told Rakesh about it. Rakesh was both relieved as well as worried. Relieved that she is becoming normal, worried about how she is going to be around him without feeling hurted. Whatever it is, he is ready to support her as a good friend and a family member, even if it means he shouldn't be coming to his office. Nikita, Shally and Rakshita completed most of their shopping and are yet to have their lunch. Suddenly an idea popped on Nikita's head, she said that she need to deliver an important file to their office, which she had completely forgotten this morning. So if it's possible, they can go to office, give the file and can even have their lunch with her brothers. Both Shally and Rakshita were worried for their own reasons. Shally was nervous about facing Sachin, though she wanted too, she don't want to get involved with him until she completes this project. He is already her greatest distraction. Rakshita was worried, how Rakesh will react after seeing her. This morning he abruptly left without even saying anything, what would she do now. But anyway she has to face him and so she agreed. But Shally still hesitated and prayed god to save her. They reached office after a semi long drive. When they entered the building, Shally got a call from her current office and told she would join them later and took the call going out of the building. Nikita told her to come to 11th floor and took the lift with Rakshita. When they reached, Nikita showed Rakshita in and around the office, but nothing registered in Rakshita's mind. She was nibbling her fingers in both hands. She then took her toa big room, with a long mahogany desk, leather chair, a couch on the opposite wall with circular tea table in the middle. There was no one in the room. But they heard the door open on the other side of the room. Rakesh came out of washroom. He was astound on looking at Rakshita in his office. Nikita the said that this is Rakesh room and left Rakshita there, stating she need to see Sachin for a minute and left the room. Told she will be back once the lunch arrives. Rakshita became breathless being alone in the same room. She had no idea what she wants to say him and was staring at the floor. Rakesh looked at her for few minutes. He then cleared his throat, she looked up at him. He gestured her to sit on the sofa, she denied. Then he came forward and calmly asked her to sit. Sweat started forming on her forehead. He too didn't know what to tell her, but finally composed himself and said that he was sorry for what he did this morning. Rakshita suddenly looked up at his face and a tear dropped to her cheeks. Rakesh immediately took his fingers and wiped it and apologized again for making her cry. She kept her fore finger on his lips. He became speechless. She told, she was the one who need to apologise, not him. Then she told him how she lost herself in him that morning and her fear of losing him had made run away from that moment. Rakesh smiled at her confession. It became a medicine to his bleeding heart. He took her chin in his hands and made her face him, wiped her tears gently and gave a kiss on her forehead. She smiled lovingly at him. This is what he had wished, this is what their parents had. Whatever happens, a few minutes of talk and few minutes of closeness will solve anything thay had been battling for. He took her hand and lead her to the sofa and gave her a glass of water to drink.Shreya parked her car in the parking lot and entered the building, she reached their floor and asked the receptionist to meet Sachin. Sachin's secretary came to her and smiled at her, she introduced herself as Sara. Shreya extended her hand and shook it. She told her that Sachin had already informed her that she might be coming today. Shreya smiled genuinely at Sara. She thought to herself, how professional she has became as soon as she set foot in the office. This is what she clearly needs. Sara the took her to the chamber, but it wasn't Sachin's. As Sachin was talking to Nikita, she took the time it show her to Rakesh's chamber first. Shreya had no idea and entered Rakesh's room, after Sara. Rakesh and Rakshita were seated on the sofa. Sara excused herself for intrusion, that she wasn't aware that Rakshita was present. She aslo said as Sachin was having Nikita in his room, she thought to bring her here first. The whole time Shreya just stared at Rakesh. Sara got a call from Sachin, so she excused herself and left the room. Seeing Shreya, Rakshita stood up to leave too. But Rakesh held her hand, she turned, Rakesh eyes were glued on hers. His eyes pleaded her not to leave. Shreya saw his eyes too. She had never seen him look at her this way in all these years. That love, that sincerity, that pain of losing something. All the emotions shown through it made her realise how much Rakshita meant to him. Yet at the same time, her stomach started churning with unknown emotions, tears glistened her vision, she turned back and left the room without a word. Rakesh did not even give a heed, Rakshita saw her leaving but couldn't pull her hands away from him.Sara informed Sachin that she had left Shreya in Rakesh's room. Nikita and Sachin looked at each other and rushed out of his room. Exactly at the same moment Shreya ran towards the elevator. Sachin nodded at Nikita and ran after Shreya. Nikita went to check on Rakesh and Rakshita.Shally who was unaware of all this, was checking and replying the mails from her mobile. Once the task got over, she called her office and informed that she had sent all the necessary information and hung up and entered the building again. Nikita told to come up to eleventh floor, so Shally stood waiting for the elevator. When the elevator reached the ground floor, it gave a 'ding' sound and its doors opened. Shally's legs got stuck in the floor. She was dumbstruck and her eyes were wide and worried. For Shreya was hugging Sachin and was crying on his shoulders. But from outside it would seem as if he was pacifying her lovingly. Sachin's expression was one of shock. He opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. Shally left the building, dialing Rakshita's number. She said she had got an emergency and so she needs to leave. She told she would meet her that weekend. Rakshita just nodded and said okay. She informed Nikita about Shally leaving. Nikita understood that something has gone wrong and rushed down. Mean time Sachin made Shreya sit on the couch in a waiting room and rushed out. But before he can reach Shally hailed a cab and left. Sachin massaged his temples in frustration. Nikita came out of elevator from otherwise and went out. As soon as she saw Sachin's face she understood what has happened. Nikita gave Sachin, Shally's address and told him that she would take care of Shreya. She informed Rakesh also that she will be leaving with Shreya and told him to take Rakshita home. The love birds has no qualms being in their own nest. Sachin took his car and rushed to Shally. Everytime they meet, fate play it's part rightly.