Two Brothers: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 22

Reunited by Fate: The Resurgence of a Lost Connection

(Siddharth)

"Siduuu." I heard the irritating high-pitched voice. Oh god, not again. I covered my face with both hands and let out a sigh. When the footsteps grew nearer, I reluctantly removed my hands to see Sakshi standing in front of me. Sakhi Bakshi, my mom's best friend Mrs. Aneesha Bakshi's daughter. We've known each other since childhood, but I find it hard to tolerate her for long. She's the perfect example of a spoiled brat, always flaunting branded clothes and accessories.

Sighing, I looked up at her. Sakshi was dressed in tight jeans shorts and a green tank top under an opened-up white shirt. Her round black goggles rested on top of her head, and she held a Christian Dior cannage tote in her left hand.

"Hi, Sidhu. I came yesterday to see you, but your secretary told me that you were in a meeting. So today, I came early before you start working," she said cheerfully.

"Sid. Call me Sid, Sakshi. How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Sidu?" I asked, my irritation apparent.

"But I like Sidu more. You used to like it when I called you that before. What happened now?" she pouted, putting on a puppy face.

"That was when we were kids, Sakshi. We're adults now. Try to behave like one. Why did you come here?" I responded, lacking interest.

She frowned, clearly not pleased with my response. "I came to invite you to my birthday party tomorrow. And I want you to come with me today to help me select a gown for the party," her smile widened.

"Sorry, Sakshi. I can't do both. Ved isn't here, and I have a lot of work to complete. So please leave now and don't waste my time," I replied roughly. I could see her eyes welling up with tears. Ugh, this girl.

"But you promised me last year that you would attend my birthday this year. Your mom even told me that if I come and invite you personally, you'll come," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

Oh god. Mom. She can be so annoying sometimes. I don't know why, but she always tries to bring us closer. She has deliberately orchestrated situations before, just so we'd spend time together. Why can't she understand that I don't see Sakshi in a romantic light? She's been my friend since childhood, and she'll always remain that way. But these women seem to be oblivious to that fact.

I racked my brain, searching for an escape plan. Just as I was contemplating a way out, the door swung open, and Josh entered. "Hey, Sid, I..." he stopped mid-sentence when he saw Sakshi. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Oh yes, you always manage to do that," Sakshi retorted, annoyed by his sudden appearance.

"Sakshi," I warned her to behave. She let out a sigh and turned to face me. "So, are you coming tomorrow, or should I call your mom?" she asked, a hint of threat in her voice.

I looked at Josh, silently pleading for assistance. At first, he appeared confused, but then comprehension dawned on him. "Ah-hmm, Sid, you can't go tomorrow. You have a dinner meeting with a few clients," Josh chimed in, coming to my rescue.

"Oh yeah, yes, I forgot. See, Sakshi, I told you, right? Without Ved, I'm really busy. Don't worry, I'll talk to Mom. Sorry, Sakshi. I'll make it up to you some other time. And advance happy birthday," I quickly responded, rising from my chair and approaching her for a side hug. She mustered a small smile and hugged me back.

"Okay then, I'll take my leave now. Bye. Love you," she said, giving me a smile before walking out.

As Sakshi left, I couldn't help but feel guilty for causing her pain. Josh, however, had a different perspective on the matter.

"You should have said yes, dude. It's her birthday, and you know she likes you, right? She might be hurting," Josh remarked, concern etched on his face.

"Then you should also know that I don't love her like that, Josh. She's my friend, and I can't force myself to see her as anything else," I replied firmly, reiterating my stance.

Josh nodded, seemingly understanding my perspective. We both acknowledged that sometimes, connections between two people went beyond the boundaries of traditional romantic love. It was possible to feel a profound bond with someone without it necessarily being labeled as "being in love."

As I reflected on the encounter, I realized that my heart still yearned for Aami, the woman who had entered my life and left just as unexpectedly. Our brief time together had created a unique connection that resonated within me. There was a depth to our interaction that I couldn't easily dismiss or forget.

I couldn't ignore the fact that Aami had touched my soul in a way no one else had. The memories of our shared moments and the unspoken understanding between us lingered in my thoughts. Despite the circumstances that led to our forced marriage and her subsequent disappearance, a part of me held onto the hope that our paths might cross again someday.

For now, I had to continue navigating life with the knowledge that there was someone out there who had left an indelible mark on my heart. I cherished the connection we had, even if it defied conventional labels. I would remain open to the possibilities and remain true to the feelings that stirred within me, hopeful that destiny might bring us together again in the future.

"Why did you just barge in earlier?" I questioned.

"Oh, that. You know that Natasha has resigned and will be leaving by next week, right? So you asked me to find a new assistant for you. Well, I conducted the interviews and selected someone. She has joined this week so that she can learn from Natasha before she leaves," Josh explained.

"Alright, she better learn quickly before I return from our vacation next week. Natasha was one of the best assistants I could have, so I don't want anyone below that standard," I said seriously.

"I knew you'd feel that way. I'm confident this new assistant won't disappoint you. She's a rookie, but she's smart. I was impressed by her during the interview," Josh said confidently.

"Well, you seem quite confident. Fine, go ahead and bring her in," I agreed.

"Sure. I have sent her resume to your email. Check it out. I'll bring her inside," Josh said before leaving.

I settled into the cushioned leather chair and opened my email to review the resume. I clicked on the latest email sent by Josh, which contained the details of my new assistant, Priyadarshini Ranganath. The name seemed a little long, but that didn't bother me.

Age: 21.

From: Bangalore.

Oh, wow, she's a B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication graduate. Looks good, perhaps Josh was right. I continued reading through the resume, examining more details, when I heard Josh calling my name.

I looked up and saw a petite figure adorned in a black slack, a crisp white shirt, and a fitted black blazer. And then, my eyes locked onto her face.

Time seemed to freeze as my breath caught in my throat. Could this be a figment of my imagination? I discreetly pinched myself, hoping to awaken from this surreal moment. The sting of pain confirmed that this was indeed reality. I gazed at her face once more, unable to tear my eyes away.

It was her. The very same face I had tirelessly searched for over the past few agonizing months. The face that haunted my dreams day after day, tormenting my every waking moment.

"Aami," I uttered her name, the syllables slipping out involuntarily, betraying the whirlwind of emotions surging within me.

In that fleeting moment, as her name escaped my lips, I felt a surge of hope intertwine with the bittersweet memories that had consumed me for months. The universe had finally conspired to bring us face to face once again, defying the odds of our forced separation. The unanswered questions, the longing in my heart, all converged in that single instant. Though uncertainties still loomed ahead, I knew deep down that our paths had collided for a reason. With newfound determination, I vowed to unravel the mysteries that had torn us apart and uncover the truth that lay dormant in our intertwined past. The journey to reclaim what was lost had begun, and I was ready to navigate its unpredictable twists and turns, fueled by the undeniable connection that refused to fade away.

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