Don 3: Heart's Desire

Chapter 51

She reached work feeling more uneasy than the previous day and slowly made her way up to Malik's office. When he let her in, she knew that he was well aware of why she had knocked at his office door in the first place.

'You're going through with this, aren't you?'

She froze when she heard him say that. Of course he didn't mean it the way she heard it. But nevertheless it made her feel even more uneasy 'Malik saab...'

He gave her a half smile and patted her back gesturing for her to take a seat at his desk 'Roma... ' he took in a deep breath 'I'm not trying to make this even more difficult for you than I'm sure it is... but I just want to make sure that you've thought about this carefully'

She nodded and lowered her eyes 'I did... I really did. I need this' she then looked him in the eye. She was being sincere, after all 'I'm not myself anymore. I can't keep doing this to myself. I love my job but I need a change of scenery desperately. I need to start fresh'

Malik kept on nodding in approval slowly and then added 'I have a confession to make. I've been worrying about you for a while now and actually kept in touch with your shrink'

Roma raised her eyebrow. Of course she knew that already, from Don, but she was curious of his motives 'I didn't get into personal matters, rest assured, but I just wanted to know that you were alright. And I know you were struggling more than you let show here at work... that's why, in a way, I am proud of you for taking this decision'

Roma felt a lump form in her neck. It was nervewrecking. The last thing she needed right then was for Malik to be so nice to her 'Sir...'

He gestured for her to stop talking, and that she needn't say anything, that he understood. Oh, how wrong he was, thought Roma 'Roma, I understand, really... I'm very upset to see you go, and you will be surely missed. But your personal happiness is the most important and I want you to know that I'll always be there for you. You've grown to be like a daughter to me' he smiled sweetly and Roma's heart broke to pieces. Tears began flowing and Malik chuckled and came next to her 'Arre, don't cry!'

She wiped her tears away but Malik pulled her into a fatherly hug and that made her sob. He soothed her, patting her back 'I never knew you were this affected... I'm certainly to blame for the state you are in... should've made you take things easier...'

'No, sir...' she tried to compose herself, pulling away slowly 'Please don't say that. You're not at all responsible for my state. I'm the only one to blame. But I'll be alright. I promise' she tried to smile and that really made Malik happy

'Let's get this over with and go have some sweets with the gang' he smiled as he gestured for her to hand him the paperwork

She reluctantly pulled the file out of her purse and handed it to him.

The following moments felt like ages, but in reality it only took Malik a few seconds to sign the dotted lines on all the files. When he handed the file back to her she stared at him for a few moments

'No second thoughts!' he warned playfully 'You've taken this decision for your own happiness' sake and I support you 100%' he smiled

She hugged him tight and took the file, numbed from all the emotions she was experiencing. Guilt was the most intense of them all.

'And now, let's go ease up a bit' he smiled and made a few calls to inform all the closest officers. All the while a million thoughts ran through Roma's mind. And her heart was racing. She felt as if she was seeing it all in a dream.

'That's weird'

She snapped out of her thoughts 'What?'

'Arjun. I called his office and his cell and he didn't pick up either'

Roma's blood literally froze. She knew right away something was terribly wrong, she could sense it.

'Haan, Maneesh, has Arjun checked in today? Ok thank you' he hung up the phone 'He hasn't come in today. I know he would have liked to bid farewell, as you two were pretty close'

Roma smiled feintly and tried to keep it together and not faint right there and then.