The way of life

Chapter 14

Virat's POV: The present time...

Okay...look! I wasn't prepared for this! Not. One. Bit! I did NOT expect Arya to show up unexpectedly at Muskaan's doorstep! I wasn't ready for the one question she was going to ask 'where is Akash?' NO! I wasn't! Well not today! Not in THIS way! Not so directly! Today was definitely NOT the day for this!
Guess why? Well since...

1) I know why Akash actually left
2) I was planning to talk about Akash to Muskaan today...part of the plan you know
3) today was the day we put the first part of the plan in action..I would tell you guys...but I'm sworn to secrecy by Akash

So right now, I'm on my way to Akash's company. We needed to do something...and we needed to do it fast! Why? Well Arya is coming to resign from her post as receptionist, she is going to start blaming Akash for no reason. We have to make her understand the entire story! Maybe this way she will be on our side to reunite Akash and Muskaan.
With this thought I quickly called Akash...

"Hello" Akash answered from the other end in a monotone voice
"Bro...we are very screwed!" I panicked
"Nonsense! What could happen? It's not like someone came back from the dead?" Akash answered calmly
"This isn't a time to be joking! You know Arya Patil your receptionist..."
"Sunny tai's daughter? Yup I know her!" Akash said while cutting me off
"What! You know? Does she know that you are the owner...I mean now she knows and is on her way to resign but..."
"Wait! On her way to resign! Why? Wait...Muskaan told her the incident?" Akash said while cutting me off...again! Geez this has to stop!
"Well yeah! That's why I am coming so that we can tell her the entire story" I said while emphasizing on the word 'entire'
"Yes bro...we are definitely screwed!" Akash said while ending the call.

So I reached Akash's company and went right up to his cabin...well technically his floor...well this isn't the time to be specific on unimportant minor details!

"Oh you are here! I was getting so tensed!" Akash said as I stepped out of the elevator
"Oh don't worry! Now, let's wait!" I said casually
"Wait?! Wait for what?" Akash said while panicking
"We are waiting for the pizza delivery guy! I ordered one extra large, just for the two of us! I even added green chilies..just  the way you like it!" I said sarcastically
"Oh shut up! Here I am all worried and you are joking!?" Akash said in a worried angry manner. Although it was a very stressful time, I was happy! Why? Well it looked like it was all coming together! Akash was back to his old self, Muskaan and Akash met with each other, and surprisingly they work...or will work in the same company...the fourth plus point is on her way...DING! Looks like Arya is here...

"Oh f..." Akash started
"Don't say it out loud!" I said while I cut Akash off

Arya walked out of the elevator with tears in her eyes, shock plastered on her face... probably since you were there, and a letter in her hand ...probably her resignation...

"Virat?! What are you doing here?" Arya asked
"Well, its a long story, and we need you to listen before you say anything about what I did and how I screwed everything up" Akash said calmly
"Why! Why should I listen to you?! For all I know you have been lying to Muskaan and faking your friendship the entire time!" Arya retorted

Akash was silent, looks as if he was hurt, I opened my mouth to speak, but before a single word could escape my mouth...

"Why are you silent!? Tell me!? I know that you are fake, all your emotions, all your words, all your thoughts...every single thing about you is fake! Even your love for Muskaan was fake!" Arya Yelled. I couldn't take it anymore, she just insulted my friend one to many times!

"Enough!" I said angrily
Arya looked shocked, she probably didn't expect me to react this way...

"That's it Arya! Not one word against my friend! Before accusing him at least know the reason behind his actions! You weren't even there when everything happened! How would you know the full and complete story?" I said, this time I didn't yell, but I said what I had to say in a voice that was loud and aggressive ending for her to understand that I was serious.

"V..Virat! What's going on! If this so called friend of yours is that innocent, then why doesn't he speak up for himself?" Arya questioned
"He. Is. Hurt! My friend here is hurt beyond repair! He was literally just getting his old self back when you decided to show up and shower him with your 'wonderful thoughts!' So please sit down and let us tell you what has happened, in Akash's perspective" I said harshly, although I softened a bit when I said the last part.
Arya still was shocked, but the expression on her face was more of guilt than anger,
"O..okay. I'm ready to listen to his side of the story!" Arya said confidently

So here we went again, narrating everything! Each and every detail! Starting from the incident at Mittal's house, to Akash and Muskaan's moments at the meeting spot, then Akash's side of the story when his parents were on the verge of death, and finally ending with Muskaan's confession and Akash's rejection (we added the reason why he said no...otherwise our efforts would go in vain)
At the end of the story, Arya was in tears! She was literally crying, I wanted to say something...but what would I say?
' Oh Arya, don't cry! No use of crying over your mistakes'

"Akash, I am so sorry!" Arya said...as expected.. my brain said, I rolled my eyes inwardly at that thought
"I should have listened to your story, I am such an idiot!" Arya said while she kept her palm on her head.
"It's okay, now you know right?" Akash said with a warm smile.
"Yeah, and now you could help us! You know...with the plan?" I said with a grin
"Of course! Definitely! Not a problem!" Arya said with a smile
"So, I take it that you aren't resigning?" Akash asked with a smile
"No way! Now I am here to stay!" Arya said, we all started laughing
"Wait though! What if Muskaan comes here and she sees me as the receptionist?" Arya asked
"True!...well in that case, you are promoted!" Akash said with a smile
"What! To what position?" Arya asked, she was shocked, surprised and happy at the same time! Her face was worth watching!
"You can be...my assistant!" Akash said after pondering for a minute.
"What! That is such a big responsibility though!" Arya said
"No it isn't! Assistants help their bosses do work! Akash barely gets up from his chair!" I said sarcastically
"Virat! Seriously?" Akash jokingly glared at me.

We all were enjoying the moment while discussing the next step of the plan when I received a message...

"The fish took the bait, now it's high time we reeled it in"
"Start reeling it in, the fisherman is coming" I messaged back

"Okay guys! I wish I could stay, but Anju texted me, I sorta have to go home, Mom is in the mood today!" I lied
"Auntie is still that superstitious?" Arya asked with a sigh
"You bet! Even better than before!" Akash answered

I then bid them goodbye and got started with my work, today was going to be an extremely eventful day!