Enduring Ally

Chapter 7: Meet and Greet

Aditya got down from his Audi car in front of The Oberoi and gave the keys to valet boy for parking.

He saw Arjun was already arrived and found a table for them. Arjun stood up, when Aditya reached their table. Both brothers hugged each other. "Bhai, I missed you so much"! Arjun said. "Me too, Chotte"!! Adi respond.

They both sat down at their table and ordered their lunch. "Bhai, how are you?" Arjun asked.

"I'm fine, how are you?" Adi asked. "I'm fine, Bhai. But, without you, our house doesn't feel like home any more. We both miss you, bhai", Arjun said emotionally.

Aditya took a long breath and said,

"I know... Chotte!! But after that incident, you know how I was; I became a drunkard and loser. If, Prem sir, didn't help me to recover from that stage, I would have been permanently lost my life. He helped to rehabilitate and gave me purpose and determination to fight for my life. May be, if, I didn't walk out of that house on that day, I would have become the loser in my life. I wouldn't have been this successful too".

"If, paa didn't send me to US for my higher studies, I wouldn't have left your side in that condition, bhai! In US too, most of the time I was thinking about you only", Arjun said.

Adi smiled and said, "Your studies are important, Arjun. Paa did the right thing by sending you away". "But Bhai, what is the necessary to leave the house? You could have done this from our house itself", Arjun asked.

"Arjun, that house has many memories that I want to forget. If, I stayed there, those memories would not let me to move on in my life. I would have sabotaged... my own life..." Adi abruptly stopped as, "I... sabotage... my only... relation... with... my own hands..." and Zoya's crying face, flashed in adi's mind.

"Bhai, are you alright, sorry I didn't mean to bring those old memories back. Actually, let's not talk about it", Arjun said.

"Huh... yeah let's not talk about it. Let's talk about your future plans. What are you planning to do?" Adi changed the topic.

Their lunch arrived and both started eating, "I finished my studies and planning to join one of the legal firm to continue my practice", Arjun replied. "Chotte... How does Legal Department Head sounds to you?" Adi asked.

"Bhai, Legal Department Head, I didn't get you?" Arjun asked with confused look. "Legal Department Head of DMG, I have been keeping that position open only for you, Arjun. I want you to join with effect from tomorrow", Adi cleared his doubt.

"Bhai, that's awesome, but I need some time. If you don't mind can I take some time to think about it", Arjun asked. "Okay, but come to my office tomorrow to join", Adi laughed. While Arjun laughed, he dropped his spoon and bends down to pick the same from the floor.

Adi noticed it and said hurriedly, "Careful Arjun, you're going to slam your head" Zoya's head slamming in the table, she cried, "Ya Allah"!! Adi was hurrying towards her and pampering with questions. "Are you alright? Is it paining? Do you need any medical assistance? Shocked Zoya replied, "No Mr. Hooda, I'm fine. It's just small and I didn't even slam that hard", flashed in his mind again. "Why the hell I'm thinking about Zoya now? What is happening to me? Why am I more concerned about her?

Arjun got worried on seeing Adi's petrified face. "Bhai, what happened? Why are you looking so horrified? "Ahem... Nothing Arjun, I just remembered something important"! Adi stood up and said, "I'll meet you in office tomorrow, now I have to leave".

"Okay Bhai!!! I'll meet you in the office tomorrow, take care", Arjun hugged Adi again.

Aditya cursed himself under his breath and left the restaurant