Ira was absentmindedly sitting in her cubicle while her boss called her over. Ira got up and approached her boss. "Ira, I need you to pick up an investor who's new to town. I am sending you his location and company's car."
"But ma'am I am not the best driver.", Ira smiled coyly.
"Oh no you wouldn't have to. We are sending in a driver you would just have to show him around, since these are the headquarters."
"Okay ma'am. Who would the investor be ma'am? As in his name."
"You haven't got the news? Its Mr Veer Goenka."
Ira felt her hands getting cold as her boss chided her, "Now, now you dont want to be late."
"But ma'-"
"No buts. You are to pick him up and show him around."
Ira reluctantly nodded and went to fetch the car. The location she was supposed to pick him up at was the best and most expensive hotel in the city.
"Look at him living his best life after ruining mine.", Ira laughed bitterly.
"Our home is a hundred more beautiful bubs.", Ira jolted when she heard the voice out of nowhere. She bowed to him out of courtesy and said,"Mr Goenka I am Ira Joshi and i will be showing you our headquarters today."
Veer nodded as Ira led the way, everytime Veer would try to strike a conversation during the ride she would ask an irrelevant question about an obscure street to the driver who was more than happy to chat her on. Ira was professional throughout the entire tour, explaining details to Veer about their company as they went on.
"You have an extensive knowledge of business and finance."
"Too bad I dont have the credentials to match them.", Ira replied with a mocking smile.
After having finished the last bits of her tour she turned to Veer, gave him a courteous expression and very politely asked,"Thats the end, sir. I would ask for your permission to now leave."
"Yes, you may. You're very good at what you do."
"Anyone can be good at what I do. I am but a novice employee but thank you sir." , she turned around and walked ahead. Ira was grateful for her job, it was wonder she had gotten one after the travesty her recommendations and report card had proved to be. Ira was thankful for the job but she was meant for more, she could do way more but the reputation that tagged along with her after what had happened in college she couldnt help but cry over spilled milk.
"Damn you, you good for nothing scooter.", Ira cried out in anger as she kicked her scooter.
"I had just filled you up with gas. Dont give up on me, its so freaking late. I don't want to end up in a crime documentary!", as she dragged her scooter along using the two handles a car stopped behind her and the windows rolled down.
"Hop in", Veer said as he let out a cheeky laugh.
"Buzz off", Ira resumed dragging it.
"It's around 11 bubs, you wouldnt get any help now. Plus look at how deserted the roads are, you dont want to end up in a crime documentary now, do you?"
"I prefer dying rather than taking your help."
"Bubs dont let your ego get the best of you. You are smart and you know its not the best decision to not take my help given the circumstances."
"I dont need your help, you can leave!"
"I really think you do."
"I dont, now buzz off and go back to the rathole from where you crawled out!"
"Your patience is wearing thin which means you are getting tired which means you will not be able to drag that scooter more than 200 meters from here."
"That's my problem."
"Which is my problem, remember the vows?"
Ira went silent, the man had the audacity to bring up their marriage vows in the middle of a totally irrelevant conversation.
"Vows last just as long as the marriage it bears witness to. So sorry Mr Goenka , the validity of your claims has expired."
"How about we renew it?", Ira knew what he was hinting at and in response she glared at him.
Ira silently dragged her scooter along for another 100 meters when her legs gave up.
"Get in Ira. Please.", Veer looked at her with the most sincere eyes. Having no other option left and the horrifying thought of being stranded on a dimly lit and deserted road she reluctantly got into his car.
"I will ask one of my men to get it from here and get it fixed.", she nodded.
"If you had a car, why ask us to pick you up?"
"It was getting fixed, I presume. Why you quiet enjoyed the ride, didnt you? You were so excited about the streets and stuff.", Veer teased her.
The car ride was silent except for the occasional attempt of Veer to start small talk.
"We're here.", just as Ira was about to get out Veer held her hand.
"I'm sorry, Ira, for everything. I know I was not the best husband to you but I love you. I know it is not too late. You cannot marry him."
"I cannot disappoint my parents yet again."
"You dont love him, you love me. You still do, dont you? "
"I love you and I hate myself for loving you. Don't come here, please. Don't make it harder than it is already."
"You are going to let your ego and esteem come in the way of love? When you still love me?! When have you ever done that? What happened to the stubborn Ira I knew?"
"You asked me if i loved you or not, I've answered you. Leave now, please. You and me end here. There is no future of us together. Goodbye."
"I'm not going to give up this easily, not on you I'm not. Not when I love you and you do too."
"You're stubborn."
"Learnt it from the best."
Veer and Ira locked eyes, each determined to reach their goal, by hook or by crook and neither ready to back off. Perilous journey lay ahead.
*********************************************************************************************
Precap:
"You think I am mad at you because you loved her and you didnt love me? You really think of me like that? Oh wait! Thats exactly what you thought of me then and exactly what you think of me now. That i am jealous of you loving Shama. I loved you and loved her as a friend. I was happy for you guys no matter how sad i was for myself. You cannot control who a person loves and I know that. I am not mad at you for loving her, Im mad at you for being a terrible friend. I'm mad at you guys for throwing me under the bus the first chance you got, I'm mad at you for breaking my trust. I'm mad at you for ruining my whole life."
YOU ARE READING
THE CROWNED
General Fiction" I know what you must've done to get her to reject me. You're so absorbed in your selfishness that you forget about everything else. I curse the day I met you. ", Veer gritted through his teeth. Ira knew what he thought was wrong, what he assumed w...
