Love within reason

Only in the darkness can you see the stars...

- Martin Luther King Jr

Her grandfather always said that life is not a bed of roses. As it unfolds, there will be joy and sorrow, pain and gain, happiness and sadness, success and failure.

But he probably forgot about the exceptional people who never got to experience the positive part of life, Aarti mused; he probably didn't know such people existed because he was always a ray of sunshine, she thought as she waited outside the marriage registration office.

The wait almost felt like an eternity and she clutched her hands in anticipation about what would happen. She bit her nails frequently, a habit she had acquired since childhood and hard to come out of.

She had almost dozed off when a man came out "you're next" he told in a crisp voice "where's your husband?"he asked looking at her.

Husband...such a beautiful word, carrying a lot of impact on her life..she stared into the blank space. She could hear distant sounds of vehicles honking, the noises of vendors screeching and yelling at the customers, the crawing of the crows. She blinked, where the hell am I?

"Ma'am?"she turned "huh?" He stared "your husband, is he here?" She nodded "he should be here..he must have gone to..withdraw money".

"We already have few more couples waiting...if he can't come soon we'll have to cancel your appointment" the man was strict.

She sighed "please don't..he should be here any minute..he.." she stopped midsentence as the topic of their argument arrived.

Tall, lean and lanky, in fact too lean for his six feet height and an oversized horn rimmed glasses, with a tshirt loosely tucked in and a heavy leather jacket. He looked like he had just arrived from travelling.

And wet "I'm sorry..got stuck in the traffic" Prithvi apologized to the man "the rains are terrible this time!" He nodded, "come in fast"he said without any expression and walked in.

He exchanged a look with her which didn't portray anything except..hope "you have the photos?"she nodded "and all other documents?"

She nodded once again and he pocketed his key "let's go and get it over with". She followed him.

They entered an old and rusty office and a pale faced older man, probably in his late sixties with an oversized spectacles looked up "Mrs and Mr...?"

"Prithvi Sahay and Aarti Bhargav" he said, looking at her with an unreadable expression on his long face.

The old man nodded and motioned them to sit down, as he extended the document to him. He turned his attention to her.

"Name?

"Aarti.." she whispered impatient to get out of this dilapidated place as soon as possible.

"Mother's name?"

She hesitated "Anandi Bhargav".

"Father's name?"

She pulled herself together "is it really necessary?"she asked, her voice getting harsh.

His gaze didn't falter "yes it is..".

She held her breath. "Just tell him dammit!" Prithvi hissed beside her. She ignored his gaze.

"Harish Shekhawat"she sighed.

The old man nodded and turned to Prithvi "Prithvi Sahay" he said even before the man could open his mouth "father's name Parikshit Sahay and mother's Geetha Sahay".

"Okay..permanent residential address?"

Prithvi scratched the back of his neck, "can we give temporary instead? We're shifting to a new house and it takes time to get the new address and stuff like that..." he explained.

The other man thought for a while "alright, temporary will do". Prithvi told him while he wrote down.

"Fine..you'll get the certificate within a month" he said keeping it on the pile of other folders.

"What? A month?" She almost yelled, much to the chagrin of other two men "I mean...it's too late..don't you think?"she turned to her husband.

He clenched his fists in irritation but kept a straight face. "Please do something"she whispered.

He dug into his pant pocket and took out an envelope "please help us..we need it soon" he handed it to the older man who opened the cover to find new bundles of two thousand notes inside. Beaming, he kept it inside "don't you worry..will be done within a week". Prithvi gave a thin smile "thank you...sir".

"Call me Sengupta" the man smiled brightly "arey chotu?"he rang the bell and a small boy walked in "two cups of tea...and make it fast". Chotu nodded and ran out.

A while later, the boy came in with two glasses of tea. "Please madam..have one" he motioned the glass towards her.

Aarti stared at the glass, it was faded and she could see cracks on the edges "no thank you". Prithvi on the other hand took it and gulped easily.

"Photos and id proof please" he asked and they gave it. He regarded the young married couple in front of him "does your parents know...you got married?"he asked looking at her first.

She met his eye "I'm an orphan" she said in a serious tone. "Me too" Prithvi added hastily.

"Oh..I'm sorry..I was just curious" the older man said and smiled "well..my congratulations...you can collect the original certificate next week at the same time" he shook hands with Prithvi.

They came out of the office and out of the building. She heaved a sigh of relief and checked her watch. Prithvi was still waiting for her, hands in his pant pockets.

"Thank you" she said, not knowing what else to say "I'll go then...". He raised an eyebrow "what about my payment?"

She felt like a fool "I'm sorry I forgot..wait a second" she rummaged inside her bag and suddenly remembered "oh damn! I kept the cheque on the table! it's in my apartment"

He raised an eyebrow in bewilderment "I need down payment..now". She gave a long sigh "I told you it's at home".

"Then go home".

She gritted his teeth "fine..follow me". He looked at her in irritation "I'm getting late..my shift starts anytime now..." he glared "why don't you get it to my company office?"

"I don't know where it is" she said. He was losing his patience "I'll give you the address". She controlled her temper "can't you wait for one damn day?"

"Can't you remember one damn thing?"he seethed.

She glared at him "who the fu#k do you think you are?" she yelled "why can't you wait for a day dammit? I promised to pay you and I won't go back on my word! Now, if you want the money so badly you'll have to come with me and take it..or else just go screw yourself! What's it going to be?"

He stared at her for a long while "I'll come with you" he said finally. "Good" she muttered "I'll take a cab.. and you can follow me". He rolled his eyes "I've a bike..we can go together".

"Screw you" she said, looking at him with distaste. He shrugged "okay..suit yourself" he said. She gave a brief glance at his direction and walked towards her rented cab.

"Pathetic bitch!"he murmured incoherently as she passed but she heard it "that I am, deal with it" she snapped and walked away.

Prithvi watched her go with frustration..if only the circumstances were different, he wouldn't have gotten involved with the likes of her. But he needed her, or more importantly he needed her money.. and once his requirements were fulfilled he would flush her out of his life..

Aarti sat inside the cab, her mind racing faster...the nerve of the swindler! What does he think of himself! She could feel the anguish,the despair of having to come to this place...and dealing with people like him...she wished she were still in Dubai..her home..where she'd spent her entire life..until everything came crashing down...

She needed this guy badly..and once her requirements were fulfilled she would flush him out of her life once and for all..

At least, that's what they both thought...until life played a twisted game on them...

Aarti...(past)

"Gudiya?wake up..it's almost nine beta" someone nudged her and Aarti woke up from her beauty sleep, rubbing her eyes "kya naanu!it's only nine!"she whined, stifling a loud yawn.

"Were you up again last night watching Netflix?"his tone sounded disapproving. She placed her arm around him "I didn't..I was browsing..ecommerce"she lied swiftly.

He wrinkled his nose "I don't believe you". She giggled and got up from bed and hugged him "what's so special today anyway?" She knew already and her friends had already wished her at midnight but she pretended to feign ignorance.

"You know what day it is" his eyes twinkled as he pinched her cheeks "happy birthday my lovely"he kissed her forehead.

She glowed "thank you naanu" she stared "where's my gift? And it better not be a watch..I already have like a dozen". He shrugged "I know..and I'm sorry I forgot". Although her smile faltered, she didn't give an inclination "it's okay..I don't mind..it's cool" she walked into the bathroom to freshen up, feeling a little dejected.

When she came out after a while, he was still in her room "your uncles called to wish you..Suresh said you didn't pick the call..I told him you were asleep".

"It's okay, I'll call them later..and anyway, it's not like they love me or something" she rolled her eyes. He didn't like that "they're your mother's brothers..you should respect them".

Aarti ignored him; she knew very well her uncles and their wives showered her with love, only when her grandfather was around. But in reality, the fact that she owned 30 percent of the stocks in her grandpa's company didn't sit well with them. And she didn't bother to tell this to him, knowing he wouldn't like it.

"Come down to breakfast..Zehra has made your favourite shakshouka" he winked. Her eyes brightened "wow!really? Hope it's authentic".

He laughed "it is" he looked around the wall "and please remove that poster..I'm pissed with that tattooed guy..". She made a dreamy face "that's Zayn naanu! He's like the best singer in the whole world!". He snorted "really?I thought it was Michael Jackson". She scowled "yeah...him too" she walked with him downstairs.

"Whatever..you're not a kid anymore..you're twenty one" his tone suddenly became serious "it's time we talk about business" he explained as they sat down across the dining table.

Zehra, their household help who had been with them since Aarti's childhood beamed at her "happy birthday beta" she said sweetly and Aarti smiled "thank you Zehra"she saw her plate and her eyes widened "this sure looks yummy"she dug into the small pieces.

"Don't change the topic" her grandpa stated "it's time you learned some responsibility..". She shrugged "I'm just enjoying my life..age is just a number okay?"

He pursed his lips "at your age, I came to this huge city of Dubai, with only hundred rupees in hand and..."

She cut him off "please naanu, not a word about your success stories..I might get migraines". Zehra laughed from behind them. He gave a hard stare in her direction and she stopped smirking "I'm sorry"she added hastily.

He patted her arm "I'm worried for you beta.." he sighed "you don't understand". She looked at him with affection "I do..but I'm not that small kid anymore naanu..I'll be fine, don't worry about me".

He gave a thin smile and stretched his hand out to her with palm closed. She stared at his hand in puzzlement "what is it?"she slowly opened his palm to see a key and not just any key..

"Oh my gosh!"she yelled hugging him "is it what I think it is?" He shrugged "it's a mini Cooper..and I thought".

His words were dissolved by her screams as she hugged him tight "oh my God! Thank you so much..of course I love it!"

He laughed "and I have one more surprise as well" his eyes twinkled with excitement. She couldn't contain her enthusiasm as well "what can be better than the car?"

He smiled wide and got up as he called their driver Subhash "meet me at our usual place..at seven..I've something to tell you". Her eyes brightened "okay..but can I show off my car to my friends?please please..." she pleaded and he nodded "okay..but don't forget the appointment..at sharp seven".

When Aarti was back home, it was already five and Zehra was folding her clothes in her bedroom "hey, how was the party?"

Aarti beamed, collapsing on the bed "it was great! We went to desert safari..and then we went to this seafood restaurant for lunch..it was Sakshi's treat.." she smiled, referring to her best friend who had settled in Dubai since childhood, like her.

"That's wonderful" Zehra gave a wide smile "but don't you have an appointment with your grandfather?" she swiftly reminded her and Aarti checked her phone "gosh!I totally forgot!"she groaned "has he told you what is it about?"

Zehra smirked "you'll find out soon enough". Aarti stared "what's going on?" The older woman shrugged "I'm as clueless as you..now go change into something beautiful". After a long time had passed, Aarti was ready and took her car keys.

She reached their usual place, the Tim Horton's cafe at where they usually met mainly because his head office was located in there, in Sheikh Zayed road.

She entered the cafe and walked to the counter "hey Janet" she wished the barista who beamed at her "yo Aarti, looking gorgeous".

Aarti smiled "choco latte please and espresso when grandpa comes... today's my birthday actually" she added. Janet winked "then it's on the house".

Aarti beamed and sat back on the corner waiting...ten minutes passed but there was no sign of him.. she dialled his number "naanu..looks like you've forgotten".

"Sorry gudiya..stuck in traffic" he said "I'll be back soon". She hung up and started chatting with her friends online when a deep voice called her name "Aarti is it?"

She gave a start and turned to have her heart nearly miss a beat. No, this isn't real..no man can be this handsome...it's illegal to be this good.

She had learnt about such protagonists in the mills and boon novels that she had read during her teen years but nothing did justice to him. He was tall, broad shouldered and dressed to..kill..

"Aarti?"he asked again and she cleared her throat as no words came out "ye..yeah..it's me..but.." she couldn't complete the sentence...was he stalking her? Who was this man?

"Huh..?"he blinked too "I take it from your expression that your grandpa didn't tell you anything..about me" he smiled and she swooned, something she had never done before.

"Oh..um..no..he didn't..I mean...I don't" she was speaking gibberish and he had a grin "I'm sorry.." he sat across her "I'm Viraj Singhania..."

◇◇◇◇◇

I shouldn't have chosen him! I shouldn't have! He's a con, or worse a serial killer or a hitman.

These were Aarti's thoughts as she made her way towards her apartment. She bit her nails one again as nervousness gripped her. I'm bringing a stranger into my house.. what the actual hell?

"Madam, we reached" the uber driver turned to her "my fare?" She came out of her reverie and got out of the car after giving him the money.

Where the hell was he?she checked her watch. Had he gone to get his goon friends? Oh my God! she gasped, sweating a little. What if they found her address and...

"I'm talking to you" the drawl interrupted her and she blinked to see him fixing his eyes with hers "are you deaf?"

She cleared her throat and pretended to be confident "yeah..I mean no" she gritted her teeth "don't follow me, I'll get the check here"she said suddenly.

"Seriously?"he glared "do I look like a beggar?" She scoffed "I don't beg to differ but that's how I roll". He didn't laugh "I don't want to look like a fool here...so you better let me in" it didn't sound like a request to her.

"See..I don't know who the hell you are...but I really need you to listen to me..I can't let you in" she said firmly. He nodded "okay...since I too don't know who the hell you are I'm going straight to the registration office"he walked in the opposite direction.

"Wait!"she screamed following him and struggling to keep up with his fast pace "why are you going there?" He zipped his jacket "to annul our marriage".

She clenched her fists "why would you do that?" He smirked and it wasn't very pleasant, atleast to her "I'm your husband dammit...I'm having cold feet suddenly..."

"Will you stop your nonsense?"she yelled "I'm a private person..I don't like to personalise with anyone..we established in the beginning when we met that this would be strictly professional!"

He didn't faze "and this is how you deal with a professional?"she noticed the disdain in his voice and let out a sigh knowing she had him but more importantly she needed him whatever his intentions were.

"Fine..come with me" she said and noticed his eyes get a little brighter with malice "good we established this too". She fought the urge to punch him in the face as they reached the elevator.

Silence followed them as they reached her apartment which was on the tenth floor "this is where you stay?"he looked impressed.

She smiled without emotion "no..I come to plan serial murders here". He smiled, an actual smile; corners of his mouth twisted and he looked.. bearable, she thought.

She unlocked the key and walked in ignoring his presence but he walked in anyway. She didn't find the check on the table "what the actual f##k?"

He looked unperturbed "I should have known". She locked a dirty stare at him "it's in my wardrobe..do you want to follow me there too?"she snapped.

"Not yet" was his subtle reply and she walked towards her room and opened her wardrobe and there it was...her first draft.

Sighing in relief, she took it and came to the living room. He was seated on one of the cushion chairs and was looking around.

She handed him the check and he took it, keeping it on the inside of his jacket "don't you want to check?"she asked, curious.

He shrugged his shoulders "not that I trust you..I really don't have time"he got up "and one more thing I want to be clear with...the original certificate stays with me".

She thought she heard it wrong "the hell it will!"she snapped "it stays with me". His eyes had darkened again "I don't want you to chicken out last minute".

He was testing her patience "I won't, dammit!"she seethed "I need this as much as you..can't we just agree on something at least?" He nodded calmly "we did agree earlier on the fact that you're a pathetic bitch"he said coolly.

She didn't move a muscle "listen Pradeep..you're really taking it too far". A muscle in his jaw twitched "it's Prithvi..".

"Whatever..believe me when I say this..I won't cheat you..trust me" she was too tired to argue with him further "we need each other..right?"

He seemed to be thinking "alright" he said finally making his way towards the door.

She watched him go and settled herself on the couch. What had she gotten herself into?

Breathe Aarti, her mind was trying to calm her but her heart was something else...it was impossible to forget whatever had happened...or what had followed after.

She didn't want to cry anymore...as if all the tears had been dried up and only wretchedness remained.

She stared at the glass which was kept on the table and suddenly crashed it while it shattered to many pieces.. like her heart.

Soon, she was crashing anything and everything that she could lay hands on, her mind in a complete haze as all the things lay broken on the floor.

She almost crashed the large China vase when she found herself eye to eye with last person she expected to see her like this.

"Er...sorry..I forgot my keys" Prithvi gazed at her. "Take your damn keys and get out!"she yelled.

He took the keys he had kept on the table and looked at her "are you okay?"he asked.

She avoided his eye "I said get out!" He winced "do you have..dettol or something like that?"he asked. She raised an eyebrow, wondering at this question "why?" He lifted his ankle "it's bleeding".

Damn you Aarti! She pushed her hair back "shit!"she swore "it's bad?" He nodded "don't know..your aim was pretty good so.."

In spite of herself, she laughed "you know I didn't mean to hit you..even though the urge was strong".

He approached her "I was supposed to reach the office at this time"he winced slightly and she realized what he had asked "I have burnol spray..is it okay?"

He sat on the table "it burns like a bitch but it can do". She walked to her room while he waited and was back with a container and handed it to him.

"This is all on you...don't blame me" she mumbled as he sprayed slowly on his feet but letting out a small yelp of pain "what?afraid of a small cut?"she sneered. He didn't mind the sarcasm "I've had worse...believe me..".

For the first time since they had met, and it wasn't the normal circumstance, she was curious about him. Who was he really?what was his story? What did he want so much money for?

"I guess this should stop the bleeding" he said and she asked "does it hurt?"

He shook his head "it's fine"he looked at her "are you okay?"he asked again.

Her expression turned cold again "it's none of your business...and I want to make something clear..I won't ask you anything if you keep your mouth shut as well".

He pocketed his keys "that's a deal" he reached towards the door and turned to her "next time, try screaming...it helps a lot" he was gone.

Aarti came back to bed and tried to close her eyes...she couldn't remember the last time she had sound sleep without any inkling about what the future was going to hold.

Her phone rang and she saw it was Seema, the only friend she had here in India. "Aarti?how are you?" Seema asked "it's been long..I'm sorry I couldn't meet you, I'd gone to my inlaws".

"That's okay.." Aarti smiled "I'm fine..I'm glad you called, it means a lot". There was a pause "So..how's Prithvi?" Seema asked.

Aarti wondered what to tell her "I don't know..he's a little weird". Seema laughed "that's because you don't know him like I do..he's a great guy Aarti..and trust me when I say this".

Aarti didn't want to say otherwise especially when Seema had helped her a lot "did Sakshi call you?"she asked instead.

"Yeah..she misses you a lot..you know Aarti..whatever happened? She wouldn't tell me anything either" Seema asked. "Please Seema..don't ask me anything right now..I'm not in a position to say..I'll tell you once the right time comes" Aarti explained.

"I believe you..just be careful okay?" Seema said "and call me if you need anything".

Aarti hung up wondering if the right time would ever come for her, like her grandfather had said.

Prithvi...(past)

They said she was a crazy woman, that she was weird and twisted. But to the eight year old Prithvi, his mother was the most beautiful and the best mother in the world. They're just jealous, he thought as he watched her in fascination while she prepared the cake for his younger brother who had just turned three.

"Maa?"he piped "what's over there?"he pointed to a white plastic. She smiled "those are candles, to keep over the cake". He nodded as she whisked the cream frantically "what are you doing?"he asked curiously.

"Setting to pour over the cake mixture" she explained whisking faster. "Looks yummy"his eyes brightened with excitement "can I taste a little?"

"It's bad manners Prithvi!"she scolded "you mustn't touch anything...got it?" He nodded "sorry".

After a long while, the cake was ready and his brother Pratham came prancing into the kitchen "maa?I want milk" the little boy blinked at her.

"Of course beta" she took him in his arms and walked outside the kitchen. Prithvi stared at the remains of the icing on the jar, curious about it's taste.

Slowly, he wiped the icing and licked it; indeed it was yummy. He went on licking, savouring the taste that he didn't realize his mother walk in.

"What are you doing?"she scolded and he turned, wiping his fingers just in time "nothing..I didn't touch the cake I swear".

She walked closer "then what's in your hand?"she wasn't smiling. He shook his head "I just licked the jar.. there was nothing in it" he hoped she would listen to him.

"What did I tell you Prithvi?"her eyes were widened and he didn't like it one bit...he had made her angry "tell me!"

"I shouldn't touch anything"he almost whispered. She nodded "did you listen to me?" He bent his head in guilt. "Answer me!"her voice echoed in the kitchen.

He shook his head again "I didn't touch the cake..I just.." a slap fell on his face "don't lie to me...I hate liars!"

He rubbed his cheek "I'm sorry".

"Did you disobey me?"she asked pulling him close. He nodded "yes".

"Do you know liars and bad children need to be punished?"she had a wooden ladle in her hand. He knew what was to come "yes". She held the ladle firmly "show me your knuckles".

He stretched his hand out and she glared "the right hand Prithvi!" He pulled out his hand as he was told. No, the neighbours are wrong, she only beats me because she wants to discipline me; his thoughts read.

She hit his knuckles hard and tears fell on his cheeks but he didn't scream. "What did I tell you about crying? Don't you want to become a strong man?"

"Yes"he gripped his body firmly and closed his eyes shut as another hit followed, and yet another until he could no longer feel anything, as if his whole body had gone numb.

"You're a good boy Prithvi" she patted his head gently "I hope you learnt your lesson, didn't you?" He nodded "yes maa".

His father was back home and Pratham was dressed in new clothes as he kept running around the house in full gusto.

Prithvi kept the cake in the centre of the living room and placed the three candles over it. "Prithvi?"he turned to see his father "where are the others? It's time to cut the cake right?"

"I didn't invite anyone!"his mother answered, getting the four small plates. He looked surprised "not even the neighbours?"

She slammed the plates in anger "we don't need anyone..do we?" He stared at her "we need them Geetha, our boys need them".

She gave a stern glance and turned to her son "Prithvi? Do you want to call your neighbour friends?" He shook his head immediately "no". She smiled "it's settled then".

Pratham cut the cake while his parents helped him and Prithvi stared. He didn't understand why his mother was..different while other mothers were sweet. He had never seen her laugh, only a half smile.

They cut the cake and he placed it on the plate to give to his father. It was then his father noticed his hand "what happened?"he touched and Prithvi winced in pain "it's become red..what did you do?"

Prithvi could feel his mother's eyes on him "I..smashed my hand against the wall" he lied. "Didn't you apply something on it?"his father asked.

"I did" Prithvi lied again.

At one such night it was almost ten when Prithvi was in bed, ready to sleep. Pratham was fast asleep, curled up next to him. He had pulled the covers over him when he heard the footsteps.

"Maa?"he gasped, wondering why she was here, this late. She looked furious "why did you tell on me?"she murmured and he noticed she had something on her hand.

"I didn't..he was the one who saw my hand" he explained, slightly shivering. She pulled him out of the bed and pushed him to the floor "you told him, I heard you!"she slapped him hard "what else did you tell him? That I'm crazy?"another slap followed "you told him I'm mental didn't you?"

He cowered in fear, his mother never hit him like this before...even if she did it was only cuts on the knuckles or sometimes thrashing but this was too painful.

"Papa!"he screamed, wishing his father would come and help him. She wrung his ears "he left us Prithvi!"she yelled "he left me..because of you".

She was lying..he knew that..their father wouldn't leave them "I..didn't do anything..I swear" he stammered, unable to speak any more. The physical pain was bearable but the thought of his father away from him wasn't "please call papa"he pleaded.

She slapped him again and again "he won't come..he wrote a letter..he said he doesn't want us..I hate you Prithvi..I hate you!"she hit him with the cane.

He didn't cry..he couldn't..he realized he didn't know how to..all the emotions had left him.

He hadn't cried ever since...

◇◇◇◇◇

Today is indeed a bad day, thanks to that rich bitch!

These were Prithvi's thoughts as he tried to start his bike but it wouldn't budge. Come on you jerk! Prithvi tried again and again but in vain.

Some time later and he was done with a whole bunch of profanities, the engine finally came to life and he drove away angrily as he was already very late.

He reached his office, the Globaltech communications Ltd. After parking his bike at the two wheeler parking lot, he reached the reception and did the biometric identification, something routine in his life for four years.

He reached the second floor and walked straight to the men's restroom and kept his cellphone in his locker as it was one of the cardinal rules that usage of mobile phones were prohibited.

He removed his jacket and changed into a black shirt and arranged his messy hair which was entangled in his helmet.

"Prithvi?" Teena, his team member and colleague approached him "Sen wants to see you asap" there was worry evident in her tone and he knew something wasn't right.

"Shit! The jerk must have seen me enter" he swore "I'm done for!" She giggled "all the best". He glared "are you done with the shift already?"

"Yes..and Prithvi.." her tone suddenly switched to flirty and he could sense the fact that she needed something.. everyone knew her technique "I need a favour from you".

Teena had been his colleague since two years and his team member as well apart from Shyam and Pragati but he liked her the most; she was obvious and forthcoming.

"I'm late Teena, can't it wait?"he checked the time. She smiled sweetly "can we swap shifts? Just for tomorrow?please?" Prithvi hated his wife even more! If only he was a little early then he would have missed Teena and..

"Please Prithvi!"she batted her eyelids and he had to laugh; his friend Kevin always said she had a thing for him but Prithvi would ignore it. Now he really wondered if it was true.

"Why?"he asked, curious. She brightened "my cousins are coming from Indore..we're going for an outing". He thought for a while "alright..just one day". She pinched his cheek "you're so cute!"she walked away happily.

Cursing himself, he made his way towards the managing director's office. Sen was seated on his large leather chair, his bulgy eyes on the desktop.

"Sir?" Prithvi cleared his throat "may I come in?" Sen looked up and his demeanour changed "oh welcome Mr Sahay, I was wondering why you haven't blessed this office yet!"

The f##k! Prithvi rubbed his hair "I got stuck in the traffic and.." Sen was still smiling "oh the traffic! I totally forgot to send you a chartered plane!"

I'm screwed! Prithvi sighed deeply "I'm sorry sir..I tried to..." Sen cut his words in half "I'm not running a vegetable stall here!"he glared "it's a freaking multi national company!"

Prithvi had to control his snort by coughing; he knew how great and efficient his boss was at running the so called company. But he wouldn't blame him. Why was he still here? He knew why he had joined this company but that was a totally different story and he didn't want to go down that memory lane. It brought only pain, nothing else.

"Do you have the designs ready?" Sen asked directly and Prithvi had to clear his mind to remember what he had asked "er..yeah..in a couple of days" he said finally.

Sen looked murderous "you know what? Take a whole year..or a freaking century!"he slammed his hand on the table "what the hell is wrong with you?"

Prithvi couldn't even bring himself to look at his boss this time; what the hell was wrong with him indeed? He had gotten married to a girl whom he didn't even know anything about..and he needed her badly, or most importantly her money.

"I'm sorry sir..my team members are working on it..it'll be ready by tomorrow, I promise" he said slowly, hoping Sen would buy it.

His boss thought for a while "get your act together Prithvi" he said simply "I understand what you're going through..after what happened..it's not easy to move on..."

Prithvi could take the sarcasm and the taunting but the last thing he wanted right now was pity. He hated it, especially when it came from Sen of all th people. Naturally, the whole office knew what had happened and even though he had pretended to move on and forget about it, the people like Sen didn't; they kept reminding of how unfair his life was.

"I'm fine..sir" he said, pressing on each word "I'm perfectly alright..I'll have the designs ready by tomorrow". Sen looked slightly abashed but smiled anyway "okay..get to work then".

Prithvi closed the door and walked out and back to his cabin. He logged into the system and had almost started when Kevin sat behind him "good evening loser!"

Only Kevin could call him loser and escape with it, since they had been together for almost three years "rough day?"

"Not now Kevin..I'm really busy" Prithvi sighed, leaning back in his seat. "I've an age old remedy for forgetting everything" Kevin winked.

Prithvi snorted, switching on the desktop "I'm done drinking pal".

"I was talking about watching movie.. I've reserved two tickets for avengers.. after the shift..what say?" Kevin suggested hopefully. Prithvi didn't want to go back to his apartment "okay..count me in".

Kevin gave a thumbs up sign "great! See you at nine then...what about tomorrow?did you agree to swap shifts with Teena?"

Prithvi glared at him "it was your idea wasn't it?"he couldn't help but scoff "she came onto me suddenly I didn't know what to do.."

"She's a great distraction" Kevin explained in a serious tone "and she likes you a lot..why don't you guys get together for coffee sometime?"

Prithvi marvelled at his friend's matchmaking efforts and even knew his friend had his best interests at heart which is why it was difficult to hide anything from him, especially the fact that he had gotten married to a total stranger, that too for money. He knew what would happen Kevin got to know the real reason; he hadn't told anyone.

"Thanks man..it's just..I'm seeing someone else" he finished smoothly. Kevin had his eyes bulged out "what? When did this happen?"

"A chick I met in Facebook" he explained, as if it was as simple as that. Kevin settled back on the seat "we were chatting for a while now.. and now we're meeting occassionally.. she's a sweet girl..but we're being discreet".

Kevin took a moment to ask "when were you planning to tell me? You included me in those group of people who would make fun of you?" Prithvi detected a hint of pain in his voice.

"I told you she doesn't want it to be public"he added hastily, trying to imagine Aarti using a Facebook profile. She seemed uptight for that, he thought amused.

But she was a mystery, and he had never been so intrigued to be honest. Who was she? And why did she want to get married so badly? He still remembered the first time they had met...even though he had thought initially that she was some rich spoilt bitch who needed to take revenge on her parents for not gifting her a car or something, the notion seemed to have disappeared the next time they met. He knew there was something more she was hiding from him, something more sinister...but who cared? As long as she paid him handsomely, her craziness was least of his worries.

"Can you at least tell me her name, what she's doing?" Kevin just wouldn't let go. "Aarti" he replied, feeling safe to lie later "she's studying in college for now..is that enough for you?"he sneered.

She didn't look older than twenty, that much he knew; probably studying science or something like that. Kevin had a huge smile "introduce me to her sometime". Prithvi forced a smile "of course I will". And then I can say we broke up.

He was busy working on a troubleshoot and it was almost midnight when his shift got over. He switched off the desktop and came back to his locker to collect the phone.

There were lots of missed calls and text messages, he observed. Few were from his brother Pratham, and he decided to call him later as it was really late and his brother would have been fast asleep.

There were two missed calls from his uncle, and he ignored them. And there were three calls..from Aarti, he realized with a little surprise.

Why had she called him? Had she changed her mind? F##k! He called her immediately without realising the time.

She answered after a few rings and that surprised him too...hadn't she slept?

"Hey"he greeted, feeling stupid. "Are you drunk?haven't you seen the time?"she snapped. Her parents clearly didn't teach her manners, he thought; she had zero tolerance for politeness.

"I..er..saw your many missed calls" he replied, ignoring her sass. There was silence and he wondered if she had hung up "yes..I called you long back.." she said finally "I need your help".

Oh thank God!he felt relieved. She wasn't changing her mind then "yeah..tell me".

"Can we meet outside the park near my apartment at ten? I'll tell you what to do" she said. He could feel strangeness in her tone but chose to ignore it "yeah..I'll be there..what's the.."

She had hung up.

◇◇◇◇◇

It was past ten and she was late, he checked his watch, a Fasttrack which was a gift from his brother.

"Hi" came a voice from behind him and she settled a little far from him. "You're late" he pointed out.

She ignored the comment "I didn't have breakfast..can we make a quick trip to a cafe?" He nodded "okay..there's a restaurant nearby and.."

"I prefer Costa's" she said. Of course, he gave a thin smile and started walking ahead. She followed him "where are you going?"she demanded.

"I thought you were taking a cab, since you're allergic to my bike" he replied coolly. There was no snappy comeback, instead she sighed "do you have a helmet?"

Whoa! he was impressed; whatever she wanted help with, it was big or else she wouldn't give in so easily "I have a spare".

She nodded and they walked together near where his bike was parked. He handed the helmet to her "you've sat in a bike before?" She nodded vigorously "of course I have".

He knew she was lying but didn't care "alright". He started the ignition and she sat back "you can..hold the handle behind.." he said, feeling awkward.

"I'm fine...let's go" she said in a grumpy voice. He drove away swiftly not wanting to alarm her than she already was.

They reached the Costa's and he parked the bike. She removed the helmet and he stared at her "you okay?"she looked flustered "I don't enjoy..bike rides".

He laughed, despite himself "usually women don't...especially my bike". She smiled, and it was the first time she saw her smile; she looked...cute.

"I take it I'm not the first then?"she asked as they made their way inside the cafe. "No..there have been hundreds..even thousands" he teased, making the situation lighter.

She grinned "good to know". They sat on the corner and she got up "do you want anything?" He had never been to Costa's "er..just a coffee..".

She suppressed a smile and walked towards the counter and came back with two cups. "Your coffee" she pushed it towards him.

It tastes like shit!he thought, but sipping it anyway..he couldn't understand why people paid tonnes to drink the garbage when his brother made a much better coffee than this.

"I thought you wanted breakfast" he said, observing her. "This is my breakfast" she said in a matter of fact tone. He didn't feel like prodding further "so what did you need my help with?"

She kept the cup on the table "I need to find a birth certificate..somewhere around twenty five years ago..".

He listened in surprise "whose?" She shrugged "mine". He choked on his coffee "you're..twenty five?" She had to be lying..she looked really young..

"Yeah..can you help me?"she asked, ignoring his stunned look.

"Depends..but why do you need it all of a sudden?"he asked. She sipped her coffee slowly "I need to find my father".