The Birlas' - BHAVANA

Chapter 24: Difficult Discussions (PART - A)

"Neil" Aradhna called out Neil and he snapped out of his thoughts. He looked at Aradhna who was waiting for a response from him. 

"Neil! I am sorry. But it was all strictly professional. Mujhe laga Aksharaji ne as a star, ek talent ko spot kiya hain aur use support kar rahi hain. She wanted her involvement to be kept under wraps. Aur aise bahut log karte hain. Mereliye yeh naya nahi tha. Isliye I didn't give it so much attention. I..." 

She was going on when Neil placed a finger on her lips delicately and shook his head. That stunned Aradhna because he never took such liberties with her. He was like a friend and everything they did, their body language only screamed friendship and nothing more. 

This felt a lot different and a lot more intimate to her. Aradhna didn't mind it at all. She was just happy to notice the change and was happier when she realized that this didn't make much of a difference to Neil. It came naturally to him, and he wasn't awkward at all. 

She knew he wouldn't hold it against her but definitely assumed him to be upset for a while, given the kind of altercation he had with Akshara just before. But he didn't take it otherwise. She matched his eyeline and they had a brief eye lock before parting away. 

They had to remind themselves to be mindful of their actions. They weren't ready for it, and this wasn't the time. That is what both felt without even communicating with each other. So, until they made it official, they decided to take their own space from each other. 

That doesn't exactly translate into distance but a certain restraint with respect to a few gestures. Neither knew how they came to this so soon but mentally they were already there. Once they were composed, they looked at each other and laughed washing away all the awkwardness. 

Being awkward is not them and that made them crack up. But soon their focus was back on the issue at hand. They knew that there is much more to Akshara's words than what meets the eye. It was time to beware and act fast. They shouldn't just let things take course. They need to ensure that there is only one course to be taken.

They shared a look and rushed to the car. Neil took the wheel, and they zoomed off to the hotel. They needed to share this with Abhimanyu because he knows Akshara the best and was accurate in predicting her moves and intentions most of the time. 

Even without that edge, they knew they had to inform Abhimanyu. He had all the right to know what his ex-wife is up to. Especially when it is about his daughter. Neil just hoped that Manjari had already set the stage for him by narrating what all transpired at the boutique. 

Neil just wanted to jump the gun. He didn't have any patience to compose himself and explain things to his brother. He would hate that actually. So, he had his fingers crossed and reached the hotel as soon as possible. He wanted to drop Aradhna home or to her office, but she refused to stay out of it. 

She felt responsible for Roohi being here in the first place. So, she wanted to be there for her if things don't work out. But to be honest, she was worried for Abhimanyu's reaction. Neil was already enraged about everything. She was worried about Roohi's participation.