We Happened

Chapter Twenty Four

Rishabh's pov

For the longest time I believed that I won't find anyone that would make my heart melt until I meet Radhika. I thought I could feel for anyone like I feel for Radhika. She is special for me and I can't shake this feeling off. It was hard for me accept it but I've finally come to the terms that I really like her and I want to be with her.

I've thinking for a while to ask her out and I think today is a good day to do that. Now that I know how much she means to me it is time for her to know too. I greeted Anya and she told me we haven't found the replacement for my assistant yet so Radhika is going to fill in for her today. That kind of made things more easy for me as she'll more around today.

My day didn't go the way I thought it would be. Sure, Radhika was around but she was so busy working to jobs today that I hardly had time to talk to her. I wanted to tell her about a company that's situated in U.S is interested in working with her and they're sending one of their directors today for the meeting. It was a extremely important deal and if this works out well we'll be the number one law firm in India. It is like a jackpot.

Before I could call her in to tell her about the client. She called me out saying someone is very persistent about meeting me and won't leave until I meet them. I took the file which had the details about the company and came out.

I looked at the person who Radhika was talking about and I froze. I just couldn't move. I never thought that this day would come where I'll have to deal with her again. She stood there smirking at me, it was like my ideal worst nightmare. I had forgotten how beautiful she looked. I never imagined that I would have to see her again.

"Chhaya?" I whispered just to make sure this is real and not some wild imagination of my mind.

Although my whisper was low I think it was enough for her to her because her smirk grew and she replied "Hey husband!"

Just listening to that everything else just kind of fade away. It was really happening. The person who I never in my life wanted to see again is standing in front me and acting like nothing ever happened. The woman who crushed my heart into pieces and blew our marriage off like some dirty game had the audacity to stand in front of me and call me her husband.

Before I could say or do my eyes landed on Radhika and I realized that I haven't told her anything about Chhaya. Her eyes seemed blank and her face made it clear she was processing all of this. It was like a bold of lightning on her. I could feel how hard it was for her to know that there exists a very important part of my life which I haven't told her in all these months of closeness.

The one day I wanted things to okay, is the day that is starting to run everything upside down. Radhika dropped all the files on the desk and walked away from us. Before I could walk upto her, my ex-wife stood in front of me in all her glory.

I held her hand and drag her into my cabin. I was beyond pissed at this moment and wanted to get this thing over with.

"Oh jeez! Relax. I didn't know you missed me so much"

"Cut the crap, Chhaya! Just tell me why are you here?'

"Um. I see you didn't heard about Black and stones Co.?" She asked

"I asked, why are you here?" I asked.

"Actually, My dear husband the point is I'm here because I'm the director who is going to set up the deal. You're going to work with me." I can't believe I was married to her. Even her voice makes me cling.

"First, I'm not your husband anymore so stop calling me that and second after knowing that you are the one who will work with us I don't wanna work"

"Oh come on, Darling! Just be practical. I thought you would've changed by now. This isn't about you and me. So stop being a child and just do it for the betterment of your company." She took a couple steps and kept her hand on my chest "Or else you really are afraid to fall in love with again. We can work that out too"

I removed her hand "As interesting as this conversation sounds I've better things to do, things that I really care about which doesn't include you so I would request you to see your way out"

"I don't why you're being an ass about it. It is an important deal for you and your company. I hope in all selfishness you realize this isn't just about you all the time, you gotta think about your employees too. So just for the old time sake I'm not blowing off the deal, it is still very much in the table. Think wisely"

As soon she left I rushed outside to find Radhika. I couldn't find her in the office so I knew exactly where to find her. I ran upto to the terrace and I saw Radhika sitting her.

"Radhika!" I called in a low voice

"How did you find me?"

"I just did. I-"

"Just leave me alone please"

"Radhika I know I didn't tell you-"

"That you're married? You forgot to mention such an important detail about yourself? Your wife shows up one day and I realized that you've some secret marriage the world is unaware of or something. I mean I thought we had something between us and now it feels sicks sick to think like that for a married man. I-"

"Stop saying married. I'm not married to her" she turned and took at me "Well technically not anymore. I was married to her but it's been almost three years of our divorce and I haven't seen her after she left
I didn't mean to put you in this spot but I'm as shocked as you're. I wasn't expecting her here. If I knew she was coming I would've done something. I would've given you a heads-up or anything but I was clueless."

"We're you ever going to tell me? Were you even planning to tell me if she hasn't shown up today?"

I sat next to keeping appropriate space "I don't know. It's just-" I sighed "It is really difficult for me okay? I don't want to push you away or scare you off. I keep struggling with words to express my emotions. My past is not something I'm very proud of, it makes me feel stupid and vulnerable and I don't like that person in the past. I avoid everything that even slightly reminds me about my past because I still don't know how to deal with that exactly. I wanted to tell you and honestly I tried on various occasions but something would just stop me. I don't want my past to ruin something so beautiful in my present and maybe that fear kept me from telling you that one thing I should've told you way before. I know I keep screwing up and end up getting you mad but I'm sorry. I'm genuinely deeply sorry about that."

She shook her said and said "I'm not mad at you. I'm just so confused. I don't know what to do. No one has ever made me feel so vulnerable yet safe but it's scary because I never know what will happen and you'll push me away. My life was normal before you and now it's like a rollercoaster. But the thing is I want to be a part of this rollercoaster only if I know what I'm getting into. You know what I'm most afraid of? Not knowing. Not knowing the worth of my efforts. Not knowing the purpose of your actions. Not knowing when to give up. If I take one step I'm not sure you're going to one too and that's what I'm afraid of that I might go very far and you might not even try to come close."

She finished talking and kept looking at me. It was like her eyes were reaching for answers. She was right. I'm so terrified by the idea of being someone that I keep pushing her away and someday I'll not even realize how far she'll be gone because I couldn't take that one step that needs to be taken.

So I did what I should've done way back. I closed the distance between us and put my lips on her. Her eyes widened slightly, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer. As she came closer I could feel her heart beating fast just like me. It was a soft kiss telling her that that I'm ready to take the first step even if I'm scared.

Her hands made their way to my hair and she gripped them deepening the kiss. It wasn't forced or harsh, it felt right. It felt perfect. I understood why I needed her so much in my life. She understood that sometimes things happen in life but we can always work that out. She didn't runaway when things got tricky rather she stays and believes that everything is going to be okay.

I bite her bottom lip for entrance and she obeyed. It felt so amazing that I couldn't believe I waited for so long. Her lips were soft but firm. It tasted a mix of strawberry and chocolate. The warmth of her embrace made me feel confident. I haven't felt anything like this in my entire life and as scary as it was, I was fascinated how a single girl can make me feel these emotions that I haven't felt in ages.

It made me realize that if you're frightened about what comes next. Embrace your uncertainty. Be brave and enjoy the moment. Live in the present because when time comes have faith that you're gonna do what is best for the situation. Just restore the hope in you that you'll be fine.