ADHURI KAHANI: A tale of an amnesic bond

14. FRUIT TEA?

INAAYA'S POV

Ishaan leaned forward, his words barely audible but carrying a weight that struck like a hammer. As the man processed Ishaan's message, his expression transformed. The sinister smile that had made me uneasy vanished, replaced by a raw, seething fury. His eyes, now bloodshot, bore into Ishaan with a burning intensity, resembling someone who had indulged in substances before arriving. 

My attention shifted towards Ishaan's broad back as he straightened his posture. The old, wrinkly man met Ishaan's eyes, but Ishaan didn't pay him any attention. Instead, he turned towards the door, a smile of satisfaction adorning his face, contrasting sharply with the furious expression and darkened eyes he had worn earlier. The shift in his demeanor was evident, and it left me curious about what exactly he had said to that man.

He reached the door, opened it, and left the room. I followed closely behind him, but questions began to emerge in my mind.

Why was that old man here?
Why was Ishaan angry?
What did Ishaan said to him?

and at last

Who was he?

The only thing I know is he is certainly not good and he made me uncomfortable .

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The landline on the right side of my desk rang, snapping me out of my work mode. I picked it up swiftly, my fingers pausing over the file I had been checking before I closed it.

"Miss Inaaya" , the voice from the other side vibrated in my ear

"Yes sir" , i tried to sound unaffected

I tried to sound like his mere voice didn't twist my guts.

No matter how much I try, and I hate to admit it—I hate myself for it—but he still affects me. His voice is enough to make me nervous, not the kind of nervous that gives butterflies but the kind that twists your insides. Hopefully, someday I will be able to behave normally, think normally in front of him...hopefully

Truth is, I am embarrassed. I am embarrassed that I am the one holding onto everything while the other person has moved on, leaving nothing behind.

The silence stretches for a few seconds before he resume talking.

"Come to my cabin", he said

"I will be right there"

beep.

He cut the call.

I look towards his cabin door and sighed, mentally motivating myself to face his intimidating self one more time. I took a deep breath, stood up, and made my way towards the door, hoping to keep my composure intact.

I stood up and walked towards his cabin door, which was just opposite mine. I could always see whenever he came in and went out of his cabin. Taking a deep breath, I grasped the door knob and twisted it, feeling my insides twist with the same nervous energy.

There he sat, straight-backed in his chair across from me, focused on his computer screen. His fingers paused momentarily, his brow furrowing into a V-shape of concentration. Leaning closer to the monitor, trying to read the content again with a slight tilt as if the words might change and make sense. Straightening his posture, he resumed typing. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind him framed the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the room. The scent of jasmine from the room freshener wafted through the air. Despite the fading daylight, the room was still bright enough without any artificial lights.

He looked up.

"Miss Inaaya", his intimidating voice rang in my ear when i reached his table.

"Yess...sir"