PUNARVIVAAH - ARRANGED TO LOVE (L&M #3) [COMPLETED]

SHOT 6

Abhay's pov!

"What do you mean you need more time? How much more time does it need? What in the hell are you doing during office hours?" I screamed at the technical support team gathered in the conference room.

"Trouble shooting is going on, Mr Agnihotri. The errors would be rectified and the program can be deployed within two days.." The technical team head said and I glared at him.

"Like hell you are doing. There are a million complaints coming through the review portal and customer care mails. And it has been a week since the crash started. You still need two more days?" I asked coldly.

The tension in the conference room was palpable as I stared down the technical team, my frustration boiling over. This wasn't just any software glitch; it was affecting one of our flagship games, and the longer it remained unresolved, the more damage it inflicted on our reputation and bottom line.

"Do you even realise the magnitude of this problem?" I thundered, my voice echoing off the walls.

"Our players are furious, our ratings are plummeting, and you have the audacity to stand here and tell me you need more time?"

The technical team head shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, but I didn't let up.

"I don't care about your troubleshooting process or your excuses. I want results, and I want them now. Get your act together and fix this, or I will find someone who can!"

My words hung in the air like a warning, a stark reminder of the consequences of failure in our industry. Time was of the essence, and I refused to tolerate any further delays or incompetence.

"Consider this your final warning," I spat, my tone icy with contempt.

"You have until the end of the day to resolve this issue, or you can pack your bags and find jobs elsewhere. Is that clear?" With those final words, I walked out of the conference room and to my cabin.

As I entered my cabin, I shrugged off my blazer and threw it on the couch and plopped myself on my revolving chair with a defeated sigh.

As I sank into my chair, tiredness hit me hard. The problems at the gaming company made me feel like I was drowning, helpless to do anything about it. But even as I tried to focus on the task at hand, my mind betrayed me, wandering back to memories I'd tried so hard to bury.

Kiara's face kept popping up in my thoughts, her smile and her tears a painful reminder of the past. Guilt ate away at me, knowing I was responsible for what happened to her. No matter how much I tried to ignore it, the memory of that awful day wouldn't leave me alone, like a dark cloud hanging over everything.

Closing my eyes didn't help. Her image stayed with me, haunting me wherever I turned.

"Why is she coming over almost everyday?" Kiara asked and her frustration and annoyance was evident in her voice.

"She is family, Kiara. She can come over anytime." I said in annoyance.

"She is not family. She is your brother's friend. There is no other relation. People should be kept at their places. Friends should not be given free reign over the home." Kiara argued furiously.

"Drishti is not just anybody, Kiara. She is Siddhu's best friend. And since the last ten years, she has been a part of our family. She has been a daughter to Papa and Maa. She will always be welcome here." I told her sternly.

"Siddhu's best friend. Papa and Maa's daughter. What was she to you?" Kiara asked sarcastically and I frowned at her.

"What the hell does that mean?" I asked her coldly, because I understood what she meant by those words.

"Everyone knows she was in love with you. Did you also feel the same, Abhay?" Kiara asked with a scoff.

I took deep breaths to control my temper, lest I would have slapped her, because right now I have a strong mind to physically hurt her. But my morals are stronger than my urge.

"Drishti had a crush on me when she was a teenager. That is not love. She calls me bhai. Haven't you heard that? She is like a little sister to me.." I tried to explain it to her patiently.

Kiara scoffed.

"And don't forget that, you are standing here as my wife, only because of her." I couldn't help but point out.

"So you are saying that this mangalsutra is her charity for me?" Kiara asked and I groaned wondering how women have the special ability to twist and turn a man's words into whatever way they want.

"That's not what I meant and you know it.. And this is a pointless discussion, Kiara. Nobody is going to stop Drishti from coming home." I said sternly.

"So? Is she more important to you than me? Isn't that what you just said?" Kiara screamed at me and I felt the start of a migraine.

"Bhai! Bhai! Bhai!" I got startled as someone shook me awake.

I opened my eyes and saw Siddhu standing there and looking at me anxiously.

"What happened Siddhu?" I asked.

"I have been calling you for a while now. You weren't responding. I got worried." Siddhu said and I let out a humourless chuckle.

"What? You thought I was dead? I am not that lucky, I guess." I said, with a self deprecating smile.

"Bhai.." Siddhu called out in a tone of disapproval.

"Leave it. What are you doing here? Don't you have class?" I asked. Siddhu is doing his final year of post graduation now.

"I am having study leave now, bhai. The final exams are going on. Just one more to go. Since I was bored sitting at home alone, I came over. Maa called. She said you weren't picking up her calls." Siddhu said and I looked at my phone and realised it was on silent mode.

"I put it in silent mode when I went for the conference. Why did Maa call? Anything important?" I asked curiously.

"Maa said, they will be returning after two days only. She said she is bringing someone home." 

A/n

Here goes the next shot..

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Love,

SF❤️