LOVE : A MATTER OF CHOICE OR CHANCE

Chapter 9

Nirvaan's POV...

I opened the passenger door for Netra with a bowing gesture asking her to get in. She too got in saying a 'Thank you' and when I said, "Its my pleasure mam" she laughed. She looked even more beautiful when she laughed wholeheartedly. Admiring her I took the driver's seat and drove the car towards her house.

"Music" I asked looking at her. Netra nodded for a yes. I switched on the system. A piece of soft music with mild romantic notes started to play.

Her presence near me and the entire atmosphere was playing with my heart, even though my mind was trying its best to avoid any such thoughts about Netra. After some five minutes when I looked at her direction, I saw her resting with closed eyes, head leaned on the window side. Few of her hair strands were caressing her cheeks, making her look even more attractive. I was tempted to touch those soft strands. I shook my head and concentrated on the road.

In some forty minutes, we neared Netra's place. I shook her shoulder slowly saying, "We reached". With reddened eyes Netra woke up and looking at her surroundings said, "I am so sorry Nirvaan, I dozed off." Switching off the engine I opened the door and came out. By then she too opened the door and stepped out.

Nearing her I said, "That's fine Netra. Anyways it's too late and besides we had a very sumptuous meal."

"That's true." She added," And Nirvaan a big thank you for everything not only for the best supper but for standing up and supporting me. I know now the Mehtas won't agree to close the case creating a headache to you." When she said this her eyes were dazzling with unshed tears. I had stopped the car underneath a tree, in a two-minute distance from her complex so that I can take a u-turn from there and the dim street light was making her look very adorable.

Immediately, with a sudden urge of feeling crossing over, I cupped her face with my hands and said looking in her eyes, "Believe me Netra, for behaving this way with you, I would have thrashed him red & blue then and there itself but just not to make a scene as you were with me, I left him go and don't you worry about the case, I know very well how to deal with such people. I have my own cards to play against these frets." My fingers started caressing her cheeks gently and I loved the soft feel of her skin. Netra was leaning against the car door and we stood in the same position for a moment. Caressing her cheeks, I slowly bent down to kiss her. I had almost neared her lips just when suddenly her phone rang as if alerting me. With a snap I removed my hand from her face and distanced myself clearing my throat. What the hell was I going to do!

I didn't know whether the phone had stopped ringing or she had disconnected it. I looked at her, I couldn't read any emotions – where there anger or disappointment. I said smoothening my hair with my fingers, "I am sorry Netra. Its just as you looked very upset...I am sorry, I didn't mean any such thing." I tried to rectify the happening even though I knew, she won't buy any such nonsense.

She said nothing and with a "Good night" walked towards her complex. I waited till she entered in and stood there for some few minutes calming my nerves. After some ten minutes started my car and moved towards my apartment. I still felt the touch of her soft skin beneath my hands.

Netra's POV...

I moved from there as fast as I could without looking back. Opening my flat door I checked the room inside. Nishant was sleeping peacefully. Sandhya aunty had messaged long back that he had slept and she is making him sleep in our room. It was the call from Sandhya aunty two minutes back to confirm whether I had reached. I took my phone and called her, "thank you aunty, I reached home. Sorry to keep you awake." I told her humbly. Hearing her sweet nothings, I kept the phone and looked at myself in the mirror. My face looked flushed and there was blush all over my cheeks, My hands slowly moved towards my cheeks. I had liked the alien feeling of his touch. If not for the phone's disruption, Nirvaan would have kissed me. I touched my lips and thought am I disappointed, why didn't I stop him when he came near me?

I was disappointed when he said he didn't mean it and was sorry...

With a warm shower, I went to sleep. But sleep was far away from me. I could feel his hot breath, his gentle and firm grip of his hands on my cheeks.

The next day thankfully there was no interaction between me and Nirvaan. Days passed and I engaged myself in my work setting aside that incident.

Mahi came one day and said," Our CEO is calling the entire staff to get assembled at the staff conference room."

"Why?" I asked surprised. There was no communication from the top management regarding this, generally, they send us one email if there is any such meeting.

"Don't know," Mahi said and asked me to come out in ten minutes. I checked my email there was no intimation from Nirvaan or CEO's office. I closed my laptop and went out and gathered at the staff conference room along with Mahi. There was lot of commotion & hustle bustle around, whisperings to know about the meet.

Nirvaan along with our MD entered the floor and took the center place. I am seeing Nirvaan after a good 5 days. He looked very handsome in his crisp executive blue shirt, dark navy blue tie and well combed hair. They greeted us and Mr. Suryavanshi our MD announced that under the leadership of the new CEO and the contribution of hard work of the entire staff members our company has bagged a multinational contract worth Rs. 800 crores. So to celebrate the achievement, company is flaunting a success party at a five star hotel on this Saturday. He invited all the staff members with their family members.

Everyone hooted and clapped. Before the meeting could end all started planning for the event. Mahi was very excited on what to wear on that day and said will ask her husband to accompany her. I smiled at her excitement.

Just then Nirvaan asked for attention,"Friends, attention please. One more thing, it is the best platform to announce that we are all clear from all court cases and there is no pending court cases against the company." He said this looking at me.

Our eyes met for a brief second and he diverted our eye contact and announced, "For this Netra from the legal department is to be applauded for her continuous follow-up and her sound decisions for bringing a logical end to the court cases."

Everyone clapped for me. I looked little surprised because I know the Mehta's case was open till last week they were not willing to sign a mutual memorandum ending the case.

We all came back to our seats. Just then I received call from the CEO's office, "Mam sir has called for you." A sudden restlessness came over me. After that night's incident I am meeting him for the first time. My fingers became very chill...why do I feel like this, I wondered. With a deep breath, taking a dairy I moved towards his cabin.

On reaching Nirvaan's cabin, I knocked before entering. "Come in". came his sharp voice.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

He looked at me and at that moment I know I could just lost in his eyes forever, But these seven days I had made make every nerve to make me understand that he and me are not made for each other. We cant be together and we had a different lifestyle and expectation from life. I pretend as normal as I could.

He smiled at me and said " I know you have a lot of questions about the mehra" . But let me assure you we have successfully closed the case and on our terms and I don't want you to go the details because that is the bad world Netra and I don't want you to indulge in these things. Hope now everything is clear and your curiosity also ends here.

I smiled and said, " Do I have an option to know more" . Nirvaan again laughed and said " NO you don't " and said " No some chapters of life should not be open again and this is such one chapter" and he dismissed me saying " Hope to meet you at dinner on Saturday with your family".