Melting Hearts

Part 21 - The confusion

***Sahana's P. O. V***

"Please come in" came his voice, again not bark, and I entered the cabin hesitantly. His gaze was stuck on his laptop screen, his perfect eyebrows screwed up in concentration, his left hand drumming the table surface.

"I'm very pleased with your report from yesterday Sahana. But there's... " his voice trailed off as he looked up and his eyes found mine.

Damn the guy looks intimidating!! Wearing a crisp black shirt with charcoal grey tie {which had been loosened-up slightly}, his charcoal grey blazer hanging on the chair's back support, and the full sleeve of his shirt folded upto his elbow, Arush sir looked a bit... shocked?! And what's that in his eyes?! Sadness?!

And what's that frown on his face? Well if he's not happy to see me why the hell did he even call me?

Feeling like the earth beneath me has shattered, I mustered all my strength to glare at him. It's bad enough that I feel dejected and all sorts of crap seeing how he clearly doesn't like to see me, but then he calls me to his cabin to show how much he hates me?! Asshole!

Glaring at him, I pursed my lips tightly and walked towards him, to finally stand in front of his table.

He still looked confused and still frowned, looking at me. Don't ask me why but I felt extremely low, extremely sad...that he's not happy to see me and tears stung my eyes at this thought.

But taking a deep breath, I brushed all the thoughts away....I need to concentrate on my work...assholes like Arush sir aren't worth my time.

"You called me sir?" I asked, trying hard to control the anger in my voice.

"Huh?" He asked, as though he didn't understand what I meant and shook his head vigorously, finally his cheeks turning pink.

Why's he blushing? Or is it anger that's making him flush?

"Sahana......Ms.Agarwal... the report was excellent and I'm really impressed. Even though the format was not like the one I'd asked, the way you improved on it is really good. So could you continue the same format for our other projects too?" he asked, smiling a little.

I smiled weakly, but still tears stung my eyes because he called me Ms.Agarwal again.... So whatever so called improvement we had yesterday was like it didn't happen at all... we're back to square one. FINE!!! FINE!!

"We're actually having a meeting with these clients today afternoon... And I'd like for you to present in the meeting, seeing how majority of the project work has been your contribution and your own suggestions" he added, looking intently at me.

Though my heart skipped several beats when his gaze clashed with mine, I quickly looked away from his eyes. Why should I force my company on him?

Wait...did he say that I'm to talk in the meeting?

"But sir....me?? And talking in the meeting?! I....I...I can't" I said, and stuttered the last part as his gaze clashed with mine.

"why not? You're the one who contributed the maximum to this project Ms.Agarwal....surely you want your contribution to be noted?!" He asked, looking into my horror-struck eyes which I couldn't shift away from his beautiful eyes.

I winced ever so slightly as he used my surname, but tried acting as indifferent as possible and looked away from his eyes.

"I have stage fear...I can't be the center of attention" I blurted out.

"I too have stage fear and it takes a lot of effort to hold regular meetings even with my team Sahana...but this is about an appreciation for your hard work and I want you to speak in this meeting. I won't take no for an answer" he said in a calm tone and I finally met his eyes again.