Passion & Dilemma

48. In The Club

Sarthak's POV

I came back home late from office, exhausted as usual. Eight, I joined office again. The company has been hit by some great losses, due to which, everyone has been working a little extra.

Most of the workload has increased on Shobhit bhai. As the CEO, he keeps a close eye on the intricacies of the company himself. But due to Naina bhabhi's pregnancy, he can't stay in the office for long hours. Although he works from home.

Papa is the COO, but his health doesn't allow him to stay in the office for extended hours.

That's why I have to stay in his place now. And after all, why not? Everyone expects that one day I'll take over the COO position.

I'm crushed under this workload. I hardly get to spend any time at home. My whole day, from morning to evening, just goes into work.

It was half past twelve in the morning when I silently walked to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I looked for some leftover food to eat but found nothing. My shoulders slumped in tiredness and hunger. I drank a glass of water to get the feeling of having a filled stomach.

I climbed the stairs to my room, and slowly opened the door, trying not to make any noise.

As soon as I opened the door, my eyes fell on Prerna wrapped in duvets while watching a real life crime documentary on the laptop.

Well, this was her new addiction. After quitting smoking, Prerna was now hooked on crime shows.

I closed the door and placed my bag aside. Prerna noticed my presence and paused the show.

"Were you waiting for me?" I asked, taking off my jacket and tie.

In the past few week, I have seen many changes in her. Prerna is usually a very disciplined, schedule-oriented girl. But ever since I joined the office, she's been staying up late. And when I come home, she finally goes to sleep.

I like to think she waits for me.

"No." She replied shortly and unwrapped herself from duvet.

She opened her mouth to say something but no words ever came out. She pressed her lips together and raked her eyes over my frame as I removed my watch and cufflinks.

One more thing I've noticed is that whenever I'm exhausted, she doesn't say anything or is very careful with her words.

Maybe it's because of what happened on her birthday eve.

But that day, I didn't snap at her because I was tired. I was merely irritated after an argument with Shobhit Bhai.

Watching Prerna hold back her words in front of me makes me feel guilty. I want her to ask me about food like she did that day, to scold me for overworking, to cook my favorite dish again.

"Have you eaten?" I asked, hoping she would ask me back but just replied with a simple yes.

"Can you cook something for me?" I asked finally. "I'm really hungry."

She blinked at my sudden demand but nodded nonetheless. "Okay."

She got and stretched her arms over her head before heading out of the room. I went to the bathroom to freshen up and then stalked to the kitchen to join her.

It's been long since I got chance to spend time with family.

Prerna was almost done making chapatis by the time I reached. She placed four chapatis in a plate and took out a bowl of curry from the fridge, making me frown because it was not there when I checked. Prerna heated up the curry and I stood beside her.