Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 18 - Arabica

It felt weird to know that she was always going to be around me now. I wasn't sure if I looked forward to it after our little altercation, or if I dreaded it. But regardless, I was just glad she finally got an opportunity of the magnitude she deserved. I don't know where she was in these past years or why she just graduated from FITE, but I had a feeling that it had something to do with him.

As much as I wanted to know what had happened, starting from the moment she disappeared to the moment she returned, I needed time. I needed time to get used to her presence again. But more than anything else, I needed time to accept the fact that even with her around me, we just weren't meant to be...

I leaned back on my chair, trying to escape the pounding headache that was haunting me since the morning. Grabbing my wallet, I headed to the cafeteria wanting to grab a coffee before the big meeting this evening. As part of an internal evaluation of the corporation, we held senior executive meetings monthly.

I wish I could back out and let Vishal handle it, but this was my idea to begin with. I wanted to create a productive environment while encouraging the unity amongst the employees. If these meetings were a way for me to connect with them, then I considered it important.

"Oh Randhir, I've been looking for you. I needed your signature on these documents actually," he said as he walked towards me, handing me a file.

Placing my order for a dark roast coffee, I signed the papers. "Have you asked her to do the background checks yet?"

"No, she's still going through the prelim briefing. I told her to report to me at around 1pm, so by then, she'll have gone through it all and ready to take on the next task."

"Just make sure you tell her we need it before the end of the week, okay?" to which he nodded.

"You have quite the expectations Randhir. I just hope Ms. Agarwal doesn't disappoint!"

That one statement broke loose the composure I was desperately holding - no, clinging - on to... "Did you just call her Ms. Agarwal?"

But to cover that slip, I quickly added, "You meant Mrs. Mittal right?"

Sipping my coffee, I feigned a lack of interest.

"That's what I thought. But I got an email this morning that had her name change indicated on it. Plus she corrected me too, so... But I wonder why she applied with that name in the first place? Regardless, I have to go make some phone calls. I'll see you at the meeting!"

"Okay bye!" I absent-mindedly wished him as I stirred the coffee. Why didn't she tell me?

-

-

"Paaarth!" Vidushi screamed for the umpteenth time this morning. "Are you not done preparing the brunch yet? I'm starving!!"

"One more time you ask me that and I swear I will never cook for you again!" I screamed back.

She was quiet for a few moments, until she couldn't take it any longer and stormed into the kitchen.

"What are you making food for a thousand people in here?"

It took a few moments for her to realize that I was making her favourite home-styled cheese ravioli. She turned to me wide-eyed, "Is this what I think it is?"

I pulled out a chair for her to sit on and poured out some red wine for the two of us.

"I know how stressed you've been and thought to surprise you with something," I whispered in her ear as I kissed her cheek.

She stood up from the chair and hugged me tight, bringing a smile to my face. I kissed her hair as I waited for her to say something sarcastic or about how sappy I was being... But she surprised me with the next three words. "I love you Parth!"

-

-

I finished going through the documents and handed them in to the administration. Glancing at the clock, it was only 12:15pm so I had some time to eat my lunch. I headed to the cafeteria and warmed up the rice I had packed from last night's leftovers.

Looking around to find a seat, I spotted Randhir in the corner, sipping on his coffee - probably dark considering how tired he looks - and flipping through some documents. I needed to talk to him, to clarify things - especially after how our last meeting went - but I didn't want to disturb him. He was clearly not feeling well either considering how he seemed to be distracted, unlike how he normally was.

The truth was, I was afraid of having another confrontation. Not to mention how terrified I was of him finding out about Riaan as well. I didn't know how he would react to the news.

I walked towards where he was sitting, despite my mind bringing up every reason not to.

"Randhir, do you have a moment?"

He didn't reply, so I voiced myself louder and repeated my question. He looked up and denied firmly. "I'm busy at the moment. And next time, keep in mind you're talking to the CEO of this company, so address me as Mr. Shekhawat and nothing else. Is that understood?"

I nodded, having expected this sort of a reply anyway. I backed off, "I apologize Mr. Shekhawat. I will come back when you are free."

And as a gut instinct, I added, "Please do take an Advil before tonight's meeting Sir." I mentally reprimanded myself for saying that and chose to walk away. But before I could leave, in a quiet voice, he asked, "How did you know that?"

I replied in the best way I could... "I just knew."