For the first time in months, Shiv was not making her life miserable. She had started cooking, yes all the green vegetables and stuff, she doesn't enjoy it, but she made it necessary to learn to cook. She calls home every other night, just to listen to her family. She has found a loophole in her attempt to escape Abeer. He is always at work these days, she barely sees him before 11 or sometimes she hears his car past midnight. Aishwarya is gone for a week or so for work to another city. So its just Neelu and her for most of the part.
For her, work is fulfilling. The people respect her, Mr Shergill doesn't pass any snide comments anymore. And to everyone's surprise, Shiv and Arjun pass a small nod on crossing paths. Her one project, she did as a co-head with Arjun has been a source of turmoil for half the company, the theatre is made in a property that the owner hasn't legally purchased and the matter is on the verge of going to the court, but both parties want to sort the matter out without the court's intervention. Thus, she can't enjoy being the designer of the classic structure she helped build.
But it didn't affect Shiv at all, in fact, something better happened, on Chief's monthly meeting, he very politely proposed,
"Shiv--Miss Mathur, this is not to burden you but if you're willing, you can lead the up coming project, You've done an excellent job with the ball room and theatre."
Shiv was surprised. She jumped at the opportunity because Arjun Shergill was not there to argue with his Dad. "I'd love to Chief, thank you for the opportunity."
And that's how her streak of three good days broke, because the next coming days were nothing less then a series of disasters for Shiv. As soon as Arjun learned about her first solo, he went on a rampage. He blatantly refused to let Shiv head the project and tried to change her mind, to the point where Shiv lost her temper and the office witnessed yet another of their great arguments.
"That's enough Arjun. I've had enough. If you don't think I'm capable enough to lead a project then go tell your father. Just spare me the burden of carrying your insecurities."
"Its not about your capabilities Mathur," he seethed. "If you fuck this up, then its the company that goes down. I can't risk my company failing because you decided to go fucking rogue."
"Mind your tone Mr Shergill, I've earned that project." Shiv was dangerously calm, and it was either Arjun breaks lose or her.
"I'll mind my tone when you act rational and just to get this in your thick head, I'm not going to sit around and wait for you to decide."
It was Shiv, her hands tightly clenched by her side. She couldn't let that slide. She closed her eyes and counted to three, it didn't help. She marched to where Arjun Shergill stood and said calmly, "How dare you? Insulting me in front of everybody in the office. I've always thought of you low, but now you're just pathetic Mr. Shergill. Is it so hard to digest that I can lead a project ?"
Arjun looked down at Shiv, he stared at her for a good minute. "You don't get it Miss Mathur, and I will not sugarcoat anything. I know constructing a supermarket from scratch is not a walk in the park and I don't think you are capable to head a project that tremendous."
Shiv felt the sting of tears in her eyes, even if she pretended it didn't hurt, it did. Doing your best and being called incapable hurt. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, "I almost don't want to give you the satisfaction, but if it gets you off of my back then I must tell you, I'm not heading the supermarket project, that's not a one man job." It was lie, she wanted to get away from him, she was afraid he'll see her cry, heck the entire office was waiting for one of them to break.
She tried to get away from him, but she was not quick enough. Arjun grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him, his iron-like grip tightened even more, if it hurt, Shiv didn't even flinch. "I didn't peg you for a liar."
Shiv tried to push him away with her other hand but to no avail. "You must be out of your mind. Go check the records if you must, but leave me be Arjun. You're ruining the one good thing I've going on right now."
"As far as I'm concerned there's no other big project going on in the office," if anything his grip only tightened.
Shiv closed her eyes due to the throbbing ache in her arm, she was too stubborn to tell him, he was hurting her. "Then I suppose you are not a good boss."
Arjun pulled her close, his face only an inch away from hers, his breath fanning her face, as he gritted, "Just shut it Mathur."
Shiv gave a tight lipped smile, "So I hit the spot?" she stared into his murderous eyes. "If you hold me any longer people are gonna think we are desperately in love."
The anger in his eyes slithered as he looked around and saw the crowd, his grip loosened on her arm but he didn't let go, "You have to back out, I won't let you head the project."
"and if I won't?" Shiv rested her hand on his chest, she could feel the rise and fall of his chest.
Arjun searched her eyes, she looked at him unnerved,
"I don't want to hurt you Miss Mathur,"
"It's ironic," Shiv pushed him away snatching her other hand from his grip, she raised her arm, the one he was holding, a bright red bruise donned her skin, "because you already did."
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ABOUT LOVE
Romance"Miss Mathur," he said, voice laced in amusement, "it didn't look like you were ignoring me," Shiv could feel the heat travel all the way through her neck to her face. She cleared her throat, "Aren't you tired of looking at my face." "I'm a man of p...
