Meant To Be!

The Changing Dynamics

The next day, Avee went office early to make sure the work is completed. She saw Lee in the library speaking in hushed tones. He disconnected the phone as soon as he saw her.

"You came in early today, Avee", Lee said.

"Yes. I thought it better to complete with my editing, you know."

"What are you doing so early?" Avee asked.

"Nothing. Just waiting for pete to come." Lee replied.

Avee felt something was not right. But it was also true that her prejudice towards Pete and her affection and trust in lee were both magnanimous. She never could think anything good about Pete and anything bad about lee.

As days passed by and Avee got herself acquainted with her work, she found herself quite comfortable in her new office. Pete avoided her most of the times and so did she, while lee and jenny spend hours with her talking ad even hanging out after office hours.

On a Sunday, lee called Avee to meet him at Cafe Etlante to discuss about their work. And as they sat and conversed, hours flew away like minutes. The meet up after office hours with Lee also increased in frequency. They shared so many common interests, that they were often confused to be dating each other.

Once even Pete asked Lee about it

"Last night I saw you outside the De La Plaza with Avee. Are you dating her?"

Lee didnt answer but laughed it away, as if avoiding to answer it.

As Lee and Avee's friendship raised eyebrows while gossip mongers enjoyed themselves, nearly a week later, Avee again saw Pete walking in the alley near south road. She was returning home after hanging out with lee. In a minute she made up her mind and turned her back and was about to walk away when she heard shouts. She turned back and saw Pete being dragged by some men, Avee ran. She ran as fast as she could. They were pounding on Pete mercilessly, dragging him through the roads. Avee shouted for help from the pavement, even threatening them to leave Pete alone.

"You all go away or I will call the police. I am not going to leave you all."

They walked away languidly, as if they took no notice of her words. She ran towards Pete.

"Are you alright. Who were they. Why were you not asking for help?"

"Did I ask for your help?"

"What?"

"Did I ask for your help?", he shouted

"No but.."

"Just leave me alone."

"No. I will not. I will you take your home. I am not going to listen to you."

Avee called a cab.

"What is your address."

Pete was still giving her the silent treatment

"Will you tell me or shall I call lee"

"No. no. okay. Give me your phone. I will give the drop location."

Nearly 20 minutes later, avee stood outside a high rise apartment, supporting pete who could barely stand. "Mighty heights" the building was named and rightly so, Avee thought.

They went on the 14th floor where he resides.

"I am calling a doctor. You need medications."

"No there is no need. Just give me a box lying on the table. It has all the prescribed medicines"

Taking the box, and giving him the medications and a glass of water avee asked,

"Have you been beaten up earlier? I mean all this are prescribed medicines. Why did they beat you? I am sure you must have done something terrible."

"You can leave." Pete interrupted Avee.

"What?" She questioned.

"Thanks for helping me to home but you can leave now."

"Are you mad"

"No I am not."

"Fine. I am going."

Avee hurried downstairs. She wondered who could beat him so mercilessly and "why ws he even silent about all of it. What was he hiding."

It was half past twelve already, rain had started agin. Avee could find no cabs. She stood there, blabberring about pete when the security guard of the building came towards her

"Ma'am you will not find any cab at this hour. It is also raining heavily. Sir, asked you to stay at his house. It will not be safe for you to travel."

"He has my number. He could have just called and offered help. What a hypocrite" avee thought.

"No. I will wait here." Avee answered.

"Ma'am please. Its not safe for you to travel now."

It was also true that avee was afraid to travel so late at night, all alone.

She went up to Pete's floor again.

"Sir, she has agreed. She is going to your floor." The gaurd called and informed Pete.

"Thank you." Said pete.

Avee rang the bell.

"Oh. You are back again."

"I will just stay till the sun comes up."

Oh yes yes! Pete Smirked.

Avee slept in the couch in the dining room. Pete went to his room but he didn't sleep all night. He walked towards avee while she was fast asleep. He gazed at her face that was peacefull like a child. Pete kept on gazing at her, unable to take his eyes off her.

"What are you even thinking pete. Why did you let her stay at your home. Anyone who comes close to you is at risk."

Pete was worried. He decided to behave more rudely with avvee henceforth so that she would hate him even if she sees him in trouble.

The next morning avee left early leaving a thank you note for Pete.

"You are the most rude person I have met in my life. But still thanks for letting me stay. I will be gratefull for the help."

Pete smiled.