FLYING HIGH WITH HIM

"But how can you love someone who isn't whole?"

"Because you, like the moon, are not only beautiful when full;

for all of your fractions and phases and ivory white pieces,

I love you"

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"Do you really think you can make me do this?" I asked him gulping down but in my most intimidating voice or at least I tried to.....

"Yes."

I waited, I waited for him to continue... silence....

And my dear friends I lost it

"Who do you think you are? This is my life. No one, I mean NO ONE can make my decisions for me at least not any random stranger."

I started almost shouting in a low voice, and I continued after taking a breath "So it's better you show yourself out before I completely lose it."

and I finally gained my courage and looked straight into his eyes and.....

God! I never regretted anything more than that in my entire 22 years of existence (at the same time I enjoyed it... maybe).

Not even when I accidentally spilled coffee over my haughty Principal.

He got me captivated in those intimidating yet beautiful blue ocean.

I knew at that moment I will never be able to look at the sky and stop myself from thinking about him.

Determination, confidence, a sense of inner deep longing and amusement. Is that admiration which is see?

It looked like a depth which I wanted to explore.

With thick dark brown hair, a couple of ones falling over his forehead giving his a rakish look which would get women lining up for him any time of the day, s prominent perfectly straight and narrow nose, strong jaw and the condescending tilt of his full, wide mouth slowly curving into a smirk.

Wait.... Smirk???

I didn't notice when he reached near me. It was a distance which was not a violating one but near enough for me to get intoxicated with the smell of him.. the smell which I didn't know I will crave in later part of my life.

Then I heard his voice, a baritone, a voice which was able to sooth my nerves but get me worked up all the same time. Then I slowly began to understand his words..

"I am Abhimanyu Shekhawat. And I am not a stranger at least not for long. Yes, I can make you mine or I can never guarantee whether you will get to complete your internship as a matter of fact even start it."

My breath hitched, my eyes welled up.

NO, not in front of this handsome arrogant Monster.

No, I can do better than that.

So I asked what I felt was right.

"Why?"

"I need a wife, I chose you."

"Are you kidding me? You, one of the most eligible bachelors out there in the whole world, you chose me, a simple girl who doesn't even have a degree in her name. Even though I love my body I know it's not the best out there. Seriously you want me to believe that?" I demanded pointing my forefinger straight at him.

Even though I was intimidated I needed answers, this is my life we are talking about.

"Yes." and there comes the well detailed reply.

"You will make me do this right?" Desperation was clearly peeking out through my voice. I knew he would make me do this, I can see it in his eyes, the determination.

"I want you to do this."

Confidence and a steeling sense of decision oozing from his voice and a little bit of tenderness??

I am not sure anymore.

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And there marks the start of a journey of two souls from much sorted out dislike from her side and admiration??from his side.

The journey through two different cultures, languages, families and above all two hearts.

Will she be able to fly like she dreamt of ?

Will he give her wings or destroy it?

Join the journey of Arundhathi Varma and Abhimanyu Shekhawat!

I am no bird;

and no net ensnares me;

I am a free human being with

an independent will.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************"I want ice cream" I started whining like a toddler. Come on! Age is just a number guys.

"Uff! Okay okay don't scream, You lunatic." he told in his best version of his arrogant self.

Huh! As if it will affect me.

Saying that he went to the counter, I could see the female population standing around drooling over his pig-like backside. I will never understand what the hell do they see in him?! I wondered..

Then I noticed those lonely sandwiches waiting in fact begging for someone to pick them....

Me being the selfless person I am reached out for it but Dan beat me to it.

He ate it in ONE GO!

It still amazes me how these two eat like pigs and still manages to maintain those biceps. I thought while my eyes wandered around my surroundings absorbing the visions presented to me.

Everyone were in a rush. the preparations for placement in the companies that are coming. The next step to their dreams, aspirations and livelihood.

The chance to start spreading their own wing away from the shelter which they are very used to.

Rithwin came back with the Ice creams giving me and Dan each.

He started glaring at me after a second, that's when I noticed a forefinger pointing at me making me take another second to understand what it all meant.

"I swear Rits she ate it all."

The Evil stepmother is batter than my so-called backstabbing 'Best friends'.

"NO! He ate it Rits."

Rits eyed me making my eye go round.

"That was the sandwich which fell in the ground. That's why I didn't eat it, Ann." Rits told, but I didn't miss the mischief twinkling in his eyes.

"SHIT!"

there starts the ever so neat freak Daniel's sprint to washroom.

"You made it up. Right?" I asked Rits while staring at our personal Usain Bolt.

"Yup." Rits said popping the 'p' and then we started laughing like dying hyenas.

No one cares about the sounds we make because it's usual.

This is me.

3 friends more like siblings.

Hailing from a middle-class family full of doctors it was expected of me to follow their path.

But breaking the taboo I stood my ground.

'I want to become an Engineer.'

My parents were supportive after the initial apprehensions.

But all others are still not on terms with it even after 3 years of me joining the most prestigious Engineering institute of the country.

I was happy but not completely then I met Daniel and Rithwin. They taught me that a family need not necessarily be blood-related.

My family is an orthodox one so interacting with boys from outside was a big NO but somehow my Mom took a liking for them which is still a mystery to me.

We are 4 including Leah a fashion freak.

She dropped out and joined a fashion institute to chase her dreams.

Now I am stuck with these two dumbheads.

My train of thoughts was interrupted by Dan.

"Ann when is your interview?"

He calls me Ann as he was not able to pronounce my name.

He is from the UK, Rits from Delhi, Leah an Australian NRI, and I'm from TamilNadu.

I know we are a little messed up.

But we are one.

"1:30, I guess."

"Here Leah wants to speak to you." Rits told me passing the mobile.

"Hey Sexy! How is it going?"

"What? These two dumbos' torture or their glaring competition to avoid guys coming in my 1m radius?!"

"Ha! Okay okay. See the CEO of Veracity International is most likely to be there in the interview and girl! He is a Hottie with a capital 'H' so beware and send a wink at him from my side."

Any guy with a minimum height and swoon worthy smile is Hotties with a capital 'H' for her.

Nevermind

"Then what? wink at him and eventually lose the last one percent chance of me passing the interview or tell him 'Sir, this is not me winking it's my psycho friend's parcel delivery I am just acting the delivery girl.' Seriously Leah?!"

And there she starts laughing.

I need new friends. Period.

Suddenly silence fell over reminding me of the impending ordeal.

"Ann you will rock today just give your best."

Maybe after all I don't need new friends.

"I'm not sure Le"

"Sorry to break your bubble but I'm damn sure you will make it just don't lose your confidence and face them with your signature smile.

At least you are my sister na!" She completed with a sass.

"Yeah! That's my only fear."

"Huh! as if ! anyways got to go bye and all the best."

And the line went dead. I stared at the blank screen for a second.

And heaved a sigh.

"Okay guys let's go and kick some asses" Dan said while standing up.

"Seriously? Looking like beggars, without an ID Card? I am not sure." I spoke raising an eyebrow.

Dan gave me a sheepish smile.

"Come let's go to our rooms and then meet in front of the hall." Rits spoke

"And kick some asses."

Argh...

"If you don't start moving now, I'll kick your ass."

Interview here we come!

****

Everyone were seated in order some with confidence, some tapping their legs on the tiled floor, some biting their nails.

And finally some others making a deal with God.

"Arundhathi Varma."

I went in and took my seat.

There sat a panel of 5 interviewers.

Doing their best to find a fault.

I think Leah's Hottie with a capital 'H' didn't come. All of them were around 50+.

Their scrutinizing gaze scanning me.

But I didn't waver. I didn't come this far to cower back now.

I faced them head on.

They asked me some typical questions. Then came the million-dollar question.

"Ms.Varma we know you are qualified but are you sure? 99% of attendees are males. But no offense!"

I knew this would come it never matters how high 'She' flies.

This society will not change that easily.

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders looking deep into his eyes I started,

"No offense taken. Have been hearing the same question for almost the past 4 years. 'Can you make it?' But trust me that never stopped me.

I never doubted myself moreover I am proud to be a female and I did make this much from there.

So I believe in myself.

As you told I am qualified and if all it takes is my assurance then Yes I can make it sir."

And the interview continued...

I came out with a heavy heart.

Rits and Dan saw my dull face and kept mum, we walked a bit in silence before I stopped and took a seat on the nearby bench, they sat on my either side.

I smiled a bit.

"I'm a girl."

"I had my doubts but thanks for the conformation"

Dan exclaimed suddenly making Rits give him a stink eye

but he continued in a soft tone,

"They lost a Gem, a very rare one at that."

"You will make it, if they are intelligent enough, otherwise their loss."

Rits completed holding my hands and smiled.

And we stared at the sky together momentarily forgetting the burdens and obstacles in our way.

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Your eyes

Your eyes hold everything

My soul thirsts for

***************************************************

"What do you think of this girl? Isn't she beautiful she is from a very nice family, well mannered a perfect match for you!"

I should bring my earpods next time while having breakfast that's what I think.

Should I tell her?

No..Bad idea

"Pass me the teacup Mama." I said disregarding her hopeful gaze.

"Seriously Abhi? That's all you got to say? You are turning 26 for god sake, high time you settle down. You own your own company, earn a good amount, got many awards in just 5 years of your work. What more you need now? It's time to settle down. Isn't it honey?" She asked turning towards Dad.

Dad started choking on his coffee I can hear my sister snickering.

I dare not look up from my plate.

"Son, I think your Mama is right don't you think so?" Dad spoke suggestively as if he is not sure.

Who will believe the Great business tycoon Ajay Shekhawat will squirm under someone's gaze?

and that's exactly what

Radhika Ajay Shekhawat does to him.

My phone pinged reminding me to leave.

I stood up, kissed Mama's and Ananya's foreheads, and left after giving Dad a suggestive nod.

Roger my security head passed me my keys, after the 10 minutes drive

I reached the comfortable confines of my office here in Mumbai, overlooking the Great Arabian Sea.

I took my seat while my assistant Satwik started explaining today's schedule.

My facial expression changed hearing I will be visiting the college which groomed me into a better man.

Satwik was astonished.

I abruptly covered my face with the cold facade which no one can penetrate through. Showing emotions in this business world itself will bring you great loss.

After completing my work at around 12 I left and started driving to my college.

Almost 8 years back I reached this college where I got the confidence to start my own business.

During the 2nd year of my college, I started to prepare for it and I transferred to MIT in the USA where I started my company along with my studies.

One of the main reason was that I didn't want my hard work to be overshadowed by Dad's success stories or fame, and some other reasons which I stop myself from remembering.

At first, it was really hard but Dad was a great support.

Now my company stands almost in 1st position around the Global Informative Technology field.

Last year Dad asked me to merge both companies so that he can retire as Ananya didn't want to join the company or lead it now or ever, even though she was pretty capable.

2 weeks after the merge they will move to Gujarat and I will return to my head office in the USA.

The shifting of the head office to India will take some time.

In between Mama started this marriage drama.

I know it's needed but I need someone who can stand on her own, make her own decisions and above all understand me or sometimes even correct me. Who can even lead the company if I ask her to.

I know I am asking for a bit but that's what I want and need.

I was brought out of my la la land by the honking of the cars, I parked my car and reached the venue gazing around trying to remember nooks and corners of a place which I hold so close to my heart.

We had a small meeting regarding the criterion for the selection. Then upon my insistence, we decided to have food in the college canteen, I really want to spend time here.

I had my food when I stood up to leave I heard a voice

"Then what wink at him and eventually lose the last one percent of chance of passing the interview or tell him 'Sir, this is not me winking it's my psycho friend's parcel delivery I am just acting the delivery girl.' Seriously Leah?!"

It brought a small smile to my face.

I abruptly left the place.

At sharp 1:30 pm the interview started, I was seated in a different part to decrease media attention, from the one-way glass here I could see the interviewee and hear them through the speaker.

But no one can see me.

Almost all were good but some lacked confidence or some started stuttering.

Then suddenly a girl strode in with so much confidence as if she owns the place.

Her poised way of walking, that elegant smile she showcased.

And finally, those eyes not giving away any of the emotions other than what she wanted the world to see.

And that small tilt of her chin when she answered a question with great confidence.

The way her hands moved,

The voice which I recognized to be the same which I heard in the canteen.

Then the interviewer asked a question.

I personally felt the question was absurd.

Does he really think she can't do it??

At that moment, for a mere second, she lost her posture her eyes flashing with resignation.

But she composed herself quickly and answered with a certain edge to her voice.

Making the Interviewer squirm in his seat.

I wanted to laugh at that moment a girl around 22 or 23 making a person with an experience of around 30years squirm in his seat.

That was indeed a sight to behold.

But I didn't miss that look of defeat on her face when she stood up to leave.

I felt a need to console her, be with her.

I wanted to run behind her.

But I can't, I respect my job.

So I sat there my mind filling with her thoughts.

After the interview ended we had a discussion.

The interviewers praised Arundhathi Varma.

" Arundhathi." I felt a sudden calmness, confidence, and proudness surging through me.

I wonder why?

I wanted to see her before leaving with that thought I strode out of the auditorium complex.

And there she was sitting carelessly, I liked the calmness on her face the breeze brushing through her hair, her lips curved into the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, creating unknown sensations in me.

But I didn't like the fact that two random guys were sitting with her and one was holding her hand.

My blood boiled, my jaws clenched but I can't do anything.

I'm a mere stranger to the most beautiful lady in my life.

But not for long, I thought with a smirk.

I ringed up my PA

"I need every piece of information about Arundhathi Varma when I reach my office."

When I entered my office, on my desk was her file.

I started reading it I kind of understood the struggle she went through to reach where she is now.

'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies but just as much as to stand up to our friends.'

But the difference is, here she had to stand against almost her whole family that explains that look when she left, the look of defeat.

At that moment I wanted to be with her to protect her from everything but alas!

She is no damsel in distress nor she need a Knight in Shining Armour.