ADHURI KAHANI: A tale of an amnesic bond

42. UNFORSEEN DANGER

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ISHAAN'S POV

As I stepped into the office, one hand tucked casually into my pocket and the other cradling a butterscotch boba, my thoughts were consumed by the very person I was hoping to win back. It felt surreal, holding this drink for her—a small gesture that represented a larger commitment I was ready to make. I had finally decided to put in the effort to pursue Inaaya, despite the fog of my lost memories.

I might not remember the seven years we shared, but I knew that I couldn't change the past or reclaim those moments that had slipped away. The people around me had deceived me for so long, keeping me in the dark about my own life, about her. But dwelling on that wouldn't do me any good. I had to focus on the here and now, on what I could do to mend what had been broken. If I didn't act, I might lose her for good. The thought of that sent shivers down my spine. Just the idea of her walking away, leaving me without a chance to rebuild what we once had, was enough to push me to my limits. I had never imagined I could feel this way—like I was on the brink of a panic attack, which was absurd considering my healthy state. But the reality was that Inaaya had shown me just how deeply I could be affected. The shock of her resignation letter had nearly sent me spiraling; it felt like an anxiety attack lurking just beneath the surface, ready to explode.

I understood that Inaaya was likely hurting, that she had suffered during those seven long years while I was blissfully unaware. It gnawed at me to think she might hate me, that my absence could have caused her so much pain. Those moments when she had looked at me—her gaze filled with disdain, only to be masked moments later—cut deeper than I could have imagined. Her eyes told a story I wasn't sure I was ready to hear, a story filled with anger and betrayal.

But despite all that, I refused to back down. I wasn't here to run away from the reality of my past, nor was I willing to let her go without a fight. I had to confront the consequences of my actions—or lack thereof

I'd dive into the depths of the ocean and soar through the skies, surrender to the darkness, break every boundary, and sacrifice my soul just to have her

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a crowded space filled with familiar faces. I felt their eyes on me, a mix of curiosity and surprise, as they shifted their gazes between me and the iced butterscotch boba in my hand. I could almost hear their unspoken questions: Why was the usually stoic boss indulging in a sugary drink? What had happened to make him so... uncharacteristically casual?

But I brushed aside their thoughts and assumptions. I stepped into the elevator, nodding at the people I passed, my expression intentionally neutral.

"Morning" I said

I pulled out my phone with the hand that had been resting in my pocket and checked the time: 8:58. Perfect. A sense of satisfaction washed over me, knowing I was right on schedule. The elevator doors slid open on my floor, and I stepped out, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Instead of heading to my own office, I made my way to Inaaya's room. As I entered, I carefully placed the butterscotch boba on her desk, choosing the perfect spot where it would be the first thing she noticed upon entering. I stepped back, evaluating my placement with a satisfied smile. With a spring in my step, I exited her cabin, feeling a rush of hope. I nearly hopped my way back to my own office, but I quickly composed myself, reminding myself of my position in the company.

I entered my cabin and went straight to my chair, my mind set on tackling the mountain of work ahead of me. I needed to focus—there was too much at stake to let anything distract me. As I settled in, I grabbed my phone to silence it, ensuring that no interruptions would break my concentration during this crucial time. Just when I was about to press the silent button, the cabin echoed with the jarring ring of my phone, cutting through the silence like a knife.

My earlier sense of accomplishment morphed into something heavier, more ominous. A sense of dread washed over me, and my heart sank as I saw the name flashing on the screen: Niraj. It was as if someone had unleashed a dam of rage deep within me. I could feel that anger rising, swirling from my stomach and clawing its way up my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Why the fuck was Niraj calling me now? The thought alone was infuriating. He was the last person I wanted to hear from. My grip on the phone tightened, knuckles whitening as I fought the impulse to hurl it against the wall. The very idea of having to speak to him made my blood boil. I could almost feel the heat radiating from my skin. With each ring, my rage intensified, sending my heart racing and my head spinning. I was teetering on the brink of losing control, the urge to scream or throw something overwhelming. I took a shaky breath, trying to rein in my emotions. The storm of frustration and betrayal brewed inside me, a tempest that threatened to explode at any moment.

I clicked the green button and picked up the call, putting the phone to my ear.

"To the point, Niraj. I don't have time for your bullshit."

"Hey! I'm not a bad person, okay? I called to ask how your magazine release went. Tch tch, young boys these days," his voice came from the other end.

"I heard your release was a hit! Everyone's talking about your magazine; it's everywhere. Congratulations," he continued.

"Maybe you should focus on your company more Niraj. As far as I'm aware, it's going into losses," I shot back, and he fell silent for a moment.

"Company to bacha liya tumne, lekin logo ko kaise bachaoge..."

Niraj's words echoed in my mind, their meaning striking like a dagger to the gut. My heart sank deeper into the pit of my stomach as a cold dread began creeping through my veins. What the hell did he mean by that?

I felt an involuntary shiver run down my spine. My grip on the phone tightened, and I forced myself to take a breath, trying to push back the flood of emotions surging up. This wasn't just a threat—it was something far worse. The smug tone in his voice, the deliberate pause after he spoke, made it clear. He wasn't just talking about the company. He was talking about people—people I cared about, people connected to me.

He can't reach my parents. That much I'm certain of. They're too far removed from anything Niraj could try to pull, and too careful to fall into his traps. Shivyansh is another story—no one can touch him or Tanvi, not with his resources and how skilled he is at protecting himself. If Niraj even tried, he'd probably regret it within minutes. And Raaj? A celebrity with bodyguards around him almost all the time. Niraj wouldn't dare, at least not directly. Too public, too risky.

So what did he mean by this threat? Was this just another one of his hollow warnings, meant to get under my skin like so many times before? Or does this one actually carry some weight?

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Here is the 42nd chapter. I hope you guys liked it.

Ishan is such a pookie no???

Show some love by voting ,commenting and following me. It motivates me a lot. Do tell me your thoughts on this chapter

Chapter 43 will come out soon <3