Tortuous Love

Chapter 10

I was up  early the following morning, ready to get a head start on this day. I was ready and waiting for Rohit to instruct me to leave, but I was surprised when he invited me to his suite for breakfast.
Walking in, I could see him talking to so,done on the phone, his back was towards me and he was looking outside the window that showcased the beautiful London skyline. The view was breathtaking but the moment he turned, time seemed to stop.
His tie wasn't done yet and his hair was disheveled, a slight stubble graced his chin and he gave me his classic smirk. He was fixing his cuff link, the one with his initials, as he strode towards me. He did a once over, taking in my dress. Yes, I did know that London was chilly, but the sun was shining bright and the sky was clear, and a dress was a definite on such a day.
My phone started ringing and it was Tanya. Deciding that I would talk to her in the afternoon, I quickly texted her that I would call her later.
'Okay Nanya. Call me. I miss you. I hope you are feeling okay. Please don't feel overwhelmed. And I'm a call away. I can fly in if you want me to.'
Smiling at her mother hen attitude I replied,' I am doing okay Tanya. This is work and I'm not thinking about anything else.I love you too. Have a good day.'

" You could have answered," I snapped up to look at Rohit. He was seated at the table, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
" Wasn't that important," I said. I poured myself a coffee as well and walked towards the window to take in this beautiful city and also to escape my awkwardness at his proximity.
"It's a beautiful view, isn't it ?" he said. I turned to him but he wasn't looking out of the window. His eyes were taking me in. Holding me gaze a bit longer , he bit into his omelette and smiled at me.
Boy .....oh boy ! This guy was definitely trouble. I awkwardly tucked a strand of my hair behind me ear , and moved to the table.
"Why aren't you eating anything?" he questioned , perplexed.
" I only have coffee in the morning and on rare occasions a fruit."
"You shouldn't do that. It's not good for your stomach," he said as he made a plate for me with fruits and a slice of bread.
Not wanting to antagonise him and ruin his mood, I accepted the plate with a smile and nibbled on the fruit. Rohit was someone who wouldn't listen to me even if I denied the food. But I knew that he was right , coffee on an empty stomach, was always a bad idea.
The breakfast was a quick affair and he did not prod me further. We were taken to their headquarter located in London Borough. He did not say much. Just before we go down he looked at me deep in thought. I looked at him questioningly.
" Everything is setup as expected. The clients have arrived as well and are awaiting us in the conference room," I quickly briefed him.
Nodding p, he got out of the car and began his super fast walk towards the lift. Even though I was a bit shorter than him, his stride was way too huge and I felt like a Guinea pig running behind him.
Reached the 18th floor he quickly walked towards the conference room, where Jackson was waiting outside the door.
"Good morning Mr Anand, everything is good to go." He said opening the door for him. I was smiling at Jackson as I entered the room behind Rohit.

" Good morning Abhimanyu! It's been a while." Rohit said walking towards our client. He got up from his chair and I could get a good look at him.

And my world went still. No ..... this could not be happening. The same face, the same light brown eyes, that smile, it was all the same. But no ..... this could not happen. Dead people, don't just come back to life.

" How are you Rohit? I am doing well. We have all been recovering, you know that. " Abhimanyu said shaking Rohit's hand.

I had to get my head in the right place. I could not dwell on the past. Everything  that happened years ago was not related to my work now. Well ,I seriously hoped it wasn't .

"This is Anaya , my assistant. " Rohit introduced me ," And you obviously have met Jackson."
" Nice to meet you Nanya, it's been what, three years ? Abhimanyu said giving me his sharp smile.
" Yes.... small world. It's an honour meeting you as well." I said tersely.
Rohit gave me a pointed look. Ignoring him I quickly sat at the table and began steering up my laptop.

" Ananya interned at our old company. She was very close to Arnav, " Abhimanyu said pointedly. And now I wished that I would just teleport out of this place. That period in my life was long forgotten, and that too painstakingly.
" Hope Tanya and her husband are doing well." He added further.

" Yes they are. " I replied and looking at Rohit I waited for him to begin, completely avoiding to look at Abhimanyu. Life had thrown me a curve ball, what I had been running from , a part of that was right now sitting in front of me.