IT WAS MEANT TO BE HIM

13 - Angry bird

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Erica walked away from the kitchen after saying everything she had to say.
Anay stood there, stunned by her reaction. She had always been soft-spoken and gentle with him—never confrontational like this. He didn’t know how to respond.
Even now, Anay failed to understand the gravity of his actions. He assumed Erica would cool off soon and forgive him like before.

---

Kabir was in the boardroom, sitting through a meeting. Saurav was reading the clauses of a contract, but Kabir’s mind wasn’t there. His thoughts were clouded—with Erica and Anay.
He had clearly told Anay to stay away from her. Not to talk to her. And yet, they were behaving like nothing had happened.
However Anay was , he had never crossed a line with Kabir before, not in work or personal life. But today… despite the warning, he still spoke to her. Still acted casual.

Kabir’s world didn’t tolerate disobedience—neither in his office nor in his home. And yet, his warning had been ignored.

The meeting ended. The contract was finalized. Kabir worked a few more hours and surprisingly left for home at 9 PM.

Saurav was puzzled.
Two days in a row, Kabir had left early—very unlike him.

---

Kabir arrived home. As he was heading to his room, he heard Anay's voice from the dining area.

“Wow, Mom, so much food!” Anay said, sounding delighted.

“Everything is made as per your choice,” Smriti replied with a smile.

“And what’s in that bowl, Mom?”

“That’s aloo paratha. Erica made it for herself. She doesn’t prefer our kind of food,” she said casually.

Anay stood up, picked the paratha, and took a bite.

“Mmmh… this is so good! You know, Mom, Erica makes the yummiest food!”

Kabir, who had overheard everything, clenched his jaw. His temper flared like wildfire. Without a second thought, he stormed toward the staircase.

“Kabir?” His father’s voice stopped him.

“You’re home early… everything alright?”

“Yes, Dad. I finished early so I came back,” Kabir replied tightly.

“What about the project?”

“We got it. Obviously,” he said without expression.

“Well, now that you’re home, come have dinner with us.”

“No, Dad. I’m good. I have a slight headache. Just need some coffee.” He massaged his forehead lightly and turned.

Just then, Erica came downstairs. Her steps faltered the moment she saw Kabir. She stayed quiet, standing a little distance away, listening to him—but Kabir didn’t even glance at her.

“Sunita!” he called.

“Yes, sir?”

“I need a strong black coffee with a bowl of apple. In my office. *Now.*”
And with that, he walked away.

Erica watched him go. Knowing Anay was at the table, she didn’t want to join them. So she turned to Sunita and said softly,
“You go serve dinner. I’ll take the coffee to Kabir.”

Sunita hesitated. She was scared Kabir might get angry. But she couldn’t say no to Erica either. She nodded and went.

---

Kabir tossed his coat somewhere in the office room. He opened the top buttons of his shirt and placed both hands on his waist, breathing heavily to calm himself.

Just then, Erica entered quietly with the tray. She placed it gently on the table. She wanted to ask if he needed medicine—but before she could, his voice cut through the silence.

“What are you doing here? I asked Sunita for this,” he said coldly.

“Sunita was serving food, so… I made it,” she replied, hesitating.

“I didn’t ask you to make anything for me. You don’t need to do this,” he snapped harshly.

Erica blinked. She didn’t understand why he was so angry with her. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. She turned silently to leave.

CRASH. (A shrill voice echoed)

She froze. The sound of glass shattering behind her made her whip around. The coffee cup lay in pieces, dark liquid spreading across the floor.
Kabir looked right into her eyes. Then, without breaking eye contact, he picked up the glass bowl of apples—and dropped it.

Another sharp sound echoed. Glass splintered across the floor.

Erica stood frozen. What just happened?

“Next time, don’t do anything I didn’t ask for,” he said, his voice low , dangerous and rude.

“Sunita!”
His voice boomed across the mansion. She came running, alarmed, and saw the mess.

“I asked you for something. Where is it?”

“S-sorry, sir! I’ll get it right away!”

“Clean this mess. And get me my coffee in my room.”

He walked off, his boots crushing the glass underfoot.

Sunita bent down to pick up the shattered pieces, but Erica stopped her.

“Go give him what he wants. I’ll clean this up.”

“No, ma’am… I’ll do it,” Sunita said nervously.

“You didn’t hear what I said?” Erica raised her voice.

Sunita left. Erica knelt down, collecting the broken pieces with tear-filled eyes.

What did I do so wrong… that he got this angry  she wondered.