Chapter 4 Part 3

Aarti...(past)

"Your grandpa didn't say anything at all?"he asked as he occupied the chair opposite to her. Aarti had to keep her heart from leaping out loud; his presence seemed to have that effect on her.

"No" was all she said. It wasn't like she never conversed with the opposite sex, but conversation didn't come easily to her, especially with handsome young man who looked like...a model.

"I see"his voice was deep and she loved it...she could feel his eyes on her and looked away immediately, her face pink with embarrassment. She wished she were as confident as him.

"I'm sorry Aarti..I should have known" he smiled and she could feel her insides melting like jelly. Man those teeth!

"I'm sorry as well.." she said, wondering why she was sorry in the first place. "Do you want me to go then?"he asked, feeling awkward like her.

"No..please stay!"she said immediately and bit her lip "I mean..I'm sure my grandfather would have an explanation regarding this meeting..".

He laughed suddenly and she felt like a fool. She could feel Janet staring at her "who's this guy?" Janet mouthed. Aarti shrugged at her.

"Are you always this naive?"he asked, leaning a little. She pulled her hair back "only when I'm put in an uncomfortable position". He stared at her "let me make this less uncomfortable" he winked "I'm Viraj Singhania..one of your grandfather's acquaintances...we do business together and he asked me to meet you..to get to know you..".

She realized where this was going.. and blushed. How stupid had she been? She didn't even realize her phone was ringing continuously. "You should take it" he said, his eyes locked on hers.

She blinked and walked towards a corner "naanu?"it was her grandfather "what the hell? Why didn't you tell me?"she demanded a little angrily.

"Then you wouldn't have agreed to meet him" he chuckled "I had no other choice...did you like my surprise?"

She looked sideways at the guy "I'm not sure..I don't think this is a good idea..I'm not ready yet..and you can't do this to me..it's too soon" she blabbered.

"I know gudiya..I'm not asking you to marry him now itself..get to know him and I'm not even forcing you to say yes" he explained "you can always decide..just talk to him and get to know him".

She hung up and came back to him "all okay?"he asked, observing her. She nodded sitting back on the chair, too awkward to talk to him. "Happy birthday" he said after a while and she looked up "thanks". Of course her grandpa told him.

"You like doughnuts?"he asked and her eyes brightened "I love them". He got up and walked towards the counter. She waited as he came after a while "chocolate okay?" She smiled and gave a shy nod.

"So..tell me about yourself"he stirred his cappuccino and she did the same. She cleared her throat "I thought grandpa told you everything about me".

He gave a sideways grin "I'd rather hear it from you". She pursed her lips "I'm an economics graduate from Emirates university...passed out this year and into ecommerce and investment banking...although naanu insists I join his company" she smiled "I don't feel I'm ready yet".

He listened in silence "what about your parents?" Her smile faded; she couldn't remember the last time they had discussed about them.

"I was born in India.." she explained "my mother died two years after I was born..and my father left me soon after" she took a deep sip of her latte "grandpa took me to Dubai..and the rest is..history".

He placed a hand over hers and she shuddered by his sudden touch "I'm sorry Aarti" he whispered. She didn't remove her hand from his; it felt good, very good.

"It's okay..I've moved on and I don't care really" she forced a smile "my grandfather's my world now..and I'm very happy with him".

He smiled "yeah..he's a great guy" he realized his hand was still closed over hers "I'm sorry" he took it "hope you don't mind..I couldn't help it". She felt her heart and her mind drifting away from her body as she looked at him, she could feel goosebumps erupt on her arms and wondered if he was feeling the same.

"You haven't touched the doughnuts" he pointed out, handing one to her. She took it and their hands brushed against each other. She blinked, looking away.

"You blush a lot" he murmured and she could feel her heartbeat rise at that "no..I don't" she giggled. "Yes you do" he smirked "you're doing it now".

"Tell me about yourself" she said, changing the topic. He stretched his feet "I'm a business management graduate from MBS, Spain" he continued as she listened "I've been in Dubai all my life...so have my parents but they don't stay together" her eyes widened and she didn't know what to say.

"I know it's weird right?"he scoffed "it's like they don't acknowledge each other at all..and I'm okay with it..". She felt bad..for him "I'm really sorry..that's sad". He shrugged "that's life..".

She liked him, liked the way he talked..they didn't realize the time had passed between them and he checked his watch "I've to go..an important meeting".

Please don't..she wanted to say but didn't..she nodded instead. He stared at her "can we meet again?if you don't mind?" She felt her insides dancing with joy "so..you don't mind?"she asked, keeping her voice steady.

He grinned "I would have left a long time back I did". She gave a bright smile "okay..I mean yes".

"Yes as in..you like me or you would like to know me?"he teased. She blushed again "what do you think?" He laughed "a little bit of both" he got up "I know a great place near Mamzar..they make fabulous steaks..you love steaks right?" She nodded "I'll text you the time and place" he whispered and leaned closer to her ears "you're gorgeous" and he walked away.

She let out a gasp; she was whipped and she knew it...she texted her grandpa immediately....I like him..

◇◇◇◇◇

She waited for a while for Prithvi to digest the information she had just announced and he looked suprised.

"You want to what?"he asked, looking at her.

"I need to find where I was born..why he left me" she said, keeping the cup back on the table.

He threw his head back and laughed, much to her displeasure. When she had almost decided to soften up to him, he had to laugh like that. "May I know what's funny?"she sneered.

He nodded, still laughing "you came all the way here to find your father?" She gave a seething look "I told you before it's none of your business..I know the hospital where I was born..I only need you to come with me and help me talk to them".

He got up "I'm sorry...I need a little more specifics"he almost made his way when she caught his hand "please?"she pleaded "this is all I can tell you". He stared at her hand which held his, confused and he sat back..she realized what she had done and immediately took her hand.

"I need extra" he said simply. She gritted his teeth "fine..I'll pay you". He shrugged "and the money I bribed that marriage office guy". She glared at him "you're disgusting!" He smiled "I'll take that as a yes"he opened his phone "tell me the hospital address".

She didn't argue back and told him. He typed it into the Google maps "we'll reach approximately in an hour". She took her bag "let's go then".

"Please be slow" she reminded him as she sat behind him. He gave the helmet "I'll try". She ignored that comment.

They reached the hospital which looked quite ancient. Aarti stared at it for a while "I was born here?"she said, almost to herself. "Let's find out shall we?"he said behind her.

"Where do we begin?"she asked as they made their way inside "it's so confusing". He didn't seem perturbed "we go to the administrative office and ask the clerk there".

They walked towards the office and a girl was seated but busy on her cellphone. "Excuse me" Aarti said politely and she looked up "yes may I help you?"

Aarti could feel her heartbeat rise rapidly, was this a good idea? "Yes..I need to find a birth certificate..". She looked at the desktop "okay..which year?"

Aarti bit her lip "well..it's twenty five years ago". She raised an eyebrow "that old? I doubt if it's there in the system".

"You can check and tell right?" Prithvi cast a friendly glance at her "I'm sure you're not that busy now". She looked at him "er..it'll take time...let me try". She worked back on the desktop while they waited.

"You think she'll be able to find out?" Aarti whispered to him. He shrugged "let's hope so..". She gazed at him "why did you laugh so much?"

He didn't smile this time "it felt like a deja vu moment back there". She stared "you lost your father too?" He looked at her and their eyes met "yeah..but I thought it was none of our business" he drawled.

She bit her lip "I was just curious...". He nodded "so was I". She didn't reply "I thought you said your parents were dead" he reminded her.

She sighed deeply "my mother sure is..but can't say the same about my father. That's why I want to make sure".

He didn't reply to that because the lady turned to them "I'm sorry..but the server is down today..it's not connecting at all". Aarti made a face "what? When it'll be proper then?"

The lady shrugged "I don't know..it'll take a couple of days..". Prithvi rolled his eyes "why am I not surprised?"

Aarti looked at her in frustration and remembered how Prithvi had bribed the guy. She took out few currency notes from her bag and thrust them into the girl's hand "please keep them ready in two days.." she said sweetly.

The girl looked scandalized "you're bribing me?"her eyes widened "you think I'm greedy for money?" Aarti didn't understand; it was supposed to work, wasnt it?

Prithvi, who sensed danger smiled suddenly "my wife's very desperate.." he gave a glare at her direction "and she has to settle a family dispute...poor thing's father is no more..and her bloodthirsty money mongering relatives are breathing on her neck..you can't really blame her" he explained with a sympathetic gesture.

The girl seemed to be thinking for a while "I'll try my best" she said. Prithvi wrote down his number on a piece of paper and handed it to her "please call this number if it's ready.. we really need it". She nodded and took it, giving a not so great look at Aarti.

They came out of the hospital, after a while and he turned to her "what stunt were you trying to pull huh?"he demanded. She gave a stern glance "you bribed that guy didn't you? I thought of doing the same...bribe works here isn't it?"

"Not always! And you're an idiot!"he snapped "thank God she didn't call any authorities or we would have been done for!"

She didn't reply and silently followed him. He started the bike "next time, allow me to intervene..don't even try negotiating"he advised. She didn't reply again.

Some of his anger seemed to have dissolved "I'm sorry..but you can't go on bribing people just like that... it could be dangerous". She looked at him "I don't know what came over me..I was desperate..".

He could sense that "where to?"he asked, giving her the helmet. "Home" she said, without any smile.

The journey back to her apartment was a silent one. He dropped her inside the huge gate and stopped the bike.

She removed her helmet and gave it back "okay..see you then" he said and started the bike again.

Come on Aarti, he helped you.."Prithvi?"she called softly. He turned, surprised "what's wrong?"

"Thanks"she said and he blinked "um..yeah..no problem".

She fiddled with her sweater lace "um..do you want to have tea or something?"she blurted. He stared at her for a moment "you have to stop bribing people Aarti" he smirked.

She burst out laughing "I'm being nice..no other favours". He rolled his eyes "I didn't know you had that in you...ounce of kindness".

"Well..people can surprise you sometimes" she shrugged. He parked the bike and walked with her "just yesterday, you were ready to strangle me".

"I won't..I need you alive" she teased "you're no good to me dead". His eyes twinkled "that's a relief".

They reached her apartment and she opened the door to let him in. "You stay alone?"he asked, looking around. She chose to ignore the question "what do you prefer?"

He got the hint "tea would be fine". She walked into the kitchen while he waited. She came back with two cups of tea in her hand and kept the tray on the table.

He sipped the tea slowly and observed her "okay..call me cruel but I know you want something. Spit it out before you embarrass the both of us".

She stroked her cup "am I that transparent?" He leaned back on the couch "I know girls like you..". She shrugged lightly "and what do you know of girls like me?"

"You know what my weakness is.." he stated calmly "so you try to mould me and use me to your advantage thinking that I can be treated like trash" he moved closer to her and she took a step back "let me tell you something..don't mess with me"his eyes darkened as he fixed hers with a cold stare "so..what do you want now?"

She tried to look away but knew she was trapped in his intense gaze. And the fact that he was dangerously close to her didn't help either.

She gulped for air "I..do need your help..again" she murmured. He gave a sardonic grin "what is it?"

"Hope I'm not interrupting" came a voice from behind and they quickly turned to see their mutual friend staring at them with widened eyes.

Prithvi moved back and forced a smile "not at all..I was just leaving"he cast a shallow glance at his wife and smiled at his friend "nice to see you Seema" he said and walked out of the house.

Aarti watched him go and turned to her friend "everything okay?" Seema asked observing her face "I thought of surprising you..so I came unannounced".

"That's okay..I'm fine really" Aarti smiled "thank you for the concern". Seema patted her arm "Sakshi called again...she said you're not returning her calls..she's worried about you".

Aarti felt a tear on her cheek which she wiped immediately at the mention of her best friend "tell her I'm fine...and not to call me..".

"I know you're scared...but you need to call her atleast once" Seema explained "you need your best friend".

"I'm not scared for me" Aarti scoffed "I'm worried for her..if he gets to her then..." she shook her head "I don't want her to be in trouble because of me..she has taken a lot of risks as it is..".

Her phone rang continuously and she saw the number. Her heart sank "I have to take it.."she walked to the corner "Aarti?"said a familiar voice and she felt tears on her cheeks..again "Zehra?"

"How are you? It's been long" Zehra answered "we've been missing you". Aarti clutched the phone "you shouldn't have called..you'll be in trouble.."

"I don't care..I wanted to hear your voice" Zehra cried as well "Jasmine wants to talk to you..".

"No..please I can't talk to her" Aarti sniffed "please tell her I'm away". There was silence "it's too late..I promised her I'll make her talk to her mother".

Aarti closed her eyes in defeat; her four year old daughter had her father's quality, she was stubborn as a rock "okay..let her then".

She waited for a while and a soft voice answered "mama?" Aarti felt like a thunderbolt had hit her "Jazzy?"her voice shook.

"Where are you? Please come to me..I miss you a lot.."her daughter whined "I'll be a good girl I promise..please come home". So innocent..Aarti gulped "I can't sweetie..you know I can't right now..but can you promise me something beta?"

There was a pause "okay..what is it?"the little girl asked. "Can you wait for a few more days?" Aarti smiled lightly "can you do that?"

"I guess.." Jasmine said "why?" Aarti had a determined expression on her face "I'm going to take you with me..is it okay?"

Silence again "I can't stay with daddy then?"her daughter asked doubtfully. "You don't have to...do you want to stay with him?" Aarti asked "you have to choose between me and daddy..you can't have both.." it was time her daughter knew the truth, "we are not together beta..I left your daddy long time back..do you understand me?"

"Oh.." was all the little girl could say "I want you..". Aarti wiped her tears "okay..be a good girl and don't tell anyone that we talked okay..can you do that?"

"Like our little secret?" Jasmine asked. "Yes..bury it in your pillow okay?" Aarti smiled, imagining her daughter doing something like that. "Of course I will..and mama? Come soon" the phone went dead.

Aarti stared at her cellphone for a while and didn't realize Seema was beside her "are you okay?"

Aarti turned and hugged her while Seema held her "no..nothing's okay.. nothing will ever be okay" she cried on her shoulders and narrated slowly while her friend listened.

Seema looked at the young girl in front of her...please give her a miracle God!she prayed silently...