ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 7

Yuvaan

I came home at 10pm the next day. I got to know from Rupert that the lady had accepted and signed the NDA and has started working on the project.
Good.

I stepped into my cold shower. The last two days were crazy. The news of Nishtha being back here didn't let me sleep in peace yesterday, and now I don't think it'll let me sleep in peace today.

You hate her Yuvaan.
Remember what she did, what she said.

I groaned and went to the gym. My only source of releasing my energy. Gym has become my best friend in the last 4 years.

"Yuvaan." A feminine voice stopped me.
Jaya Nanda. My mother. The soul of the Nandas.

She was 47. Initially she would work as a fashion designer, but now she owns multiple designers and studios and just sits back.

"Yes Mom." I said, stopping.
"Why the anger? What's bothering you?"
"Nothing."
"Is it Nishtha?"
I stopped moving. Hearing her name makes me see her face. I haven't seen her in 4 years.
"Mom. It's not her."
"She's back in Mumbai, isn't she?"
How does she know?
"What? I don't know..."
"I haven't seen you this mad in a long time, lost yes but this angry...."
"Mom. I don't want to talk about her, if that's why you're here."
"Vamika is coming back tommorow. Will you and pick her up?"
I nodded, "what time?"
"3pm."
"Okay. I'll go." I saw Mom hesitate, "What happened Mom?"
"Beta, how long will you stay wrapped in your past? You need to come out of it."
I clenched my jaw, "I am out of it."
"That's why you're here hurting your body at the mere mention of Nishu's name."
"Nishtha. Nishtha Yadav. Not Nishu." I said.
She stopped and then continued, "if you hate her, then why is she still alive in your heart?"
"Old wounds die hard."
"Maybe she's not a wound."
I looked at Mom, my face clenching.
"She's back in Mumbai, maybe you guys can—"
"Enough Mom. I don't want to discuss this."
"Okay. Anyway, just pick Vamika okay?"
"I will. Don't worry."
She smiled.
"Love you Mom."
"Love you too beta."

She stepped out and I went back to hitting the punching bag. Nishu. That's my name for her.
She's gone now.
There's no Nishu anymore.

It had been 3 days since Mom brought her up. I managed to avoid anything related to her. I got lucky that Vamika didn't ask me anything. I guess she knew, and she didn't know that Nishtha might be back here.

Currently, I was getting dressed in a white shirt and black pants, ready to attend the consultant meeting. I hoped this new consultant was good and impressive. I really wanted this project to work and I had still not mentioned it to Dad till it has been signed off completely.

I drove to IBM, and waited in the meeting room. Meanwhile, I noticed my phone.
I opened it to find a contact but accidentally stumbled on a contact which I shouldn't have.
Nishtha.
Oh God.
Why didn't you delete this, Yuvaan?
I quickly decided to delete it but before I pressed the button, something felt strange. I couldn't.
"Whatever." I threw my phone on the side.

"Sir, everyone's ready in the nearby room. Please come." An assistant said.
I smiled and nodded and followed him into the room.

I entered the room and was introduced to a few people of the board and a few familiar faces. I greeted them and took my seat.
"Give her a few minutes, she's stuck in traffic."
"No worries. I understand Mumbai traffic."
"If you want, we can have a look at the nearby budgets till then."
"Sure." I said getting up.

I walked with Mr Rupert and he led me through the details of the project and the budget as we got a cup of coffee from the canteen. We spoke for around 20 minutes when Mr Rupert said that we can head back as she's here and set up.

I followed him back into the room and I heard mumbling coming from the room. The door opened and I stepped in and I turned back to close it.

When I turned around again to face everyone, my heart stopped, especially at the sight in front of me.

Nishtha.

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