In her eyes..

Chapter 12 - New energy

Dev woke up earlier than usual and rushed off to work. Seeing Pari again had reignited something that had died long ago - he felt easily excited, energetic and hopeful. Today was a new day and one that he would get to spend with Pari working on his new building project.
He noticed that she hadn't arrived yet so he placed the coffee he bought for her on the way on what was to be her work desk. He practically danced to his office and sat down. He was way to early and didn't expect to see Pari for at least half and hour but she walked in a couple of minutes later. She looked extremely tired and sleepy. He went out to meet her and show her to her desk.

"Good morning!" He felt chipper like a teenager seeing her.

"Oh hi Dev" she on the other hand was exhausted, having had a sleepless night. Her entire body ached and she really didn't want to be here. She felt miserable. But seeing how happy Dev looked and just looking into those familiar eyes, made her smile.

"What's wrong? You don't look so well" was she sick? His concern sky rocketed when he noticed a bruise on her wrist. "What's this bruise?" He asked taking her hand gently and inspecting.

She pulled her hand away and hid it behind her back. "I fell and hit my arm. It's nothing! I'm completely fine!" She tried to fake a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes and Dev noticed. "let's get to work Dev, I have to leave by 4.30"

"Sure no worries, let me show you to your workspace. I got you a coffee." He led her to her desk and left her to it. He didn't want to disturb her work process and she really didn't look that well today. He wondered how she got a bruise so intensely all around her wrist - like someone had grabbed her too hard. He didn't like the thought of anyone grabbing her so roughly. He didn't know this adult Pari well but the younger Pari he had known was always against violence and any sort of rough behaviour. She was such a sweet angel. His heart yearned for his best friend - the Pari of his past who was always there for him.

Around lunch Dev came out of his office to offer to take Pari out.

"I'm not hungry" she declined his offer immediately and saw his face fall. She felt really bad but she knew this was for the best. If Kabir found out about Dev, he would never understand that they were friends. According to Kabir, a woman should not have any male friends - it was a betrayal toward her husband apparently. However she was aware that he had many female friends at work - this didn't matter and she didn't dare bring it up anyway. It wasn't worth it.

"Cmon Pari take a break, we can even get some coffee." He pleaded. He really wanted to talk to her more, find out what was happening in her life. He wanted to catch up on what he had missed out on and patch the gap between them. He wanted to let go of the resentment he held onto - about the fact that she left - it was partially his fault too.

"Okay maybe a short break" truth was she was starving and desperately wanted a break so she didn't fight him on it.

They walked to the cafe across the street and requested a table for two. Dev offered Pari a menu and grinned. She grinned back, knowing instinctively that he knew she couldn't pass up an offer for food when it was right in front of her.

"Still a food lover ay?" Dev asked watching as Pari browsed the menu eagerly. "Or are you just hungry and you were lying to me?"

"Both" she admitted. "I haven't changed that much Dev. But I think you may have - big company boss man." She laughed gently.

This comment made Dev laugh. She was still silly too and her laugh lit up the entire room. "I'm no big boss man - just normal Dev who now runs a company. No difference"

"So do you have a special someone in your life?" Curiosity got the better of her.

"Actually yes I have a girlfriend. Her name is Mia." He didn't know why it was difficult for him to admit this to Pari.

"Oho a white girl?" Pari joked. "Always pegged you for someone who would go get a traditional Indian." Somehow the knowledge of his girlfriend panged in her heart - what did she expect, that someone like him would be single? And what did it matter anyway? She was married.

"She's a nice girl"  he guessed. He didn't sound too certain -  not anymore. How could anyone be as nice as Pari?

She decided to change the subject. He didn't seem to keen on talking about her - maybe he wanted to keep it private.

The sun was shining lightly through some thick clouds. Autumn was near - the weather was getting cooler, just how she liked it. "How are you finding winter here?" She knew Dev hated the cold.

"I die. I wear like a 100 layers, crank up the heater and don't step out much." He laughed seeing her amused face. "What's so funny?"

"'I just remembered our trip to Shimla" she couldn't help but laugh thinking about it.

"The one where I fell into the lake and got sick?" God her laugh was beautiful - she was beautiful.

"Yup! You were trying to be such a macho guy trying to show off jumping from one rock to the other - I told you not to but nope!"

"I wasn't trying to be a macho guy, I am a macho guy!" He flexed his biceps and both immediately burst into laughter. For a moment it felt like old times.