BACK TO SQUARE ONE

Just now we finished discussing and Nikhil's assistant left my cabin. Then my intercom rang, I knew who it was. I answered the call and heard him saying, "Can you come to my cabin Miss. Saxena?" I replied, "Yes sir" and cut the call.

I knocked his cabin door and entered after hearing his come in, I entered his cabin. He looked at me as soon as I entered his cabin. He was holding the daisies I've bought for him to his heart. He said, "Miss. Saxena may I know who has kept these flowers for me in my cabin." I replied, "I've kept the flowers for you Mr. Ahuja."

He smiled and asked, "You've written that these flowers are for new start, which new start are you referring? The collaboration or our friendship?" I looked down and said, "both."

Within seconds he came near me in long strides and asked, "So, you've forgiven me?" I said, "Yes, I've. But like I said, I need time. This time I don't want to rush, I want to take it slow. Let's get to know each other, understand each other and then let's see if we can still be friends? Because there's a lot we don't know about each other and that was the main reason for the situation we're in today. Let's start it from the first"

He smiled and replied, "Yes, you're right. This time no mistakes. Thankyou so much Dhrithi" I replied, "It's okay Mr. Ahuja. Now, let's get back to our work, call me if you need anything" He nodded his head and went to his seat.

And then we didn't meet each other and I went home after finishing my work. From the receptionist I got to know that Nikhil has left an hour back. Now according to the schedule, Uncle has to go Nikhil's Office tomorrow. And as his P.A I must also go with him. When I entered home, Papa was already there waiting for me. He asked me to fresh up and come to study room as he want to talk something to me.

I freshened up and went to kitchen to fetch Papa's evening tea and my coffee. I went to the study room. I handed him his coffee and sat on the couch beside him. We started drinking and then in between Papa asked me, "Princess, how was your meeting with Nikhil today?" I was shocked as how he got to know about that, but isn't it common for him to know. He's also a business man, he'd definetely know about this collaboration. But seeing his expressions, I feel like he knows what is running between Nikhil and me. I replied, "It was good papa. Raj uncle asked me to show them my designs and they all liked it?"

He smiled and said, "I know they definetely like, after all you're my daughter and you'll do your best in whatever work you're doing. But now the question is about, are you still friends with him after all the chaos that happened in Mumbai?" I looked at him stunned and said, "Papa how did you know?" He chuckled and said, "You call me papa and ask how do I know?" I looked at him angrily and asked, "Papa, I'm not in a mood for all these. I'm serious"

He hit me on my temple lightly and said, "You remember Nikhil has to come to meet you on the day of you interview?" I just nod my head, "How do you think he got to know where you were?"

I gasped as I realize that it was papa who told me my whereabouts. And that means he knows everything. I looked down and said, "I don't know Papa, if I can still be friends with him or not. Because you know I've never looked back at anyone who has hurt Veer, but Nikhil went to Veer's hospital and apologized him for his rude behaviour" My father cut me off saying, "This is news for me. No one told me this, very bad." I whined, "Papa" he smiled and said, "ok continue, I'm listening."

I continued, "Veer tried to convince me and asked me to think about it once again. Veer said that it's always us from childhood and we never allowed anyone in our space. So, it takes time for others to understand us. So, give him sometime and let him understand us. When I gave it a thought, I also felt it is wrong to dismiss someone just like that. So, I thought to give him a chance and start everything newly."

My father patted my back and said, "I'm proud of you my princess, you've taken the right decision. From now your real life starts, you need to take decisions very cleverly. You shouldn't judge anyone based on their one act without putting yourself in their shoes. And if you still feel it as wrong, then give up. Until then try to maintain your relations by giving them chance to make up for their mistakes. Because it takes a lot of time and effort for making any relation. I hope you're understanding what I'm trying to tell." I nodded my head and said, "Yes papa." He smiled and sidehugged me.

We then sat there talking to each other about other things. He told me about the new projects our company is going to work on. He also told me that Raj uncle has called him and told him how happy he was, as I joined his company. He also thanked papa for letting me join it seems.

He asked me, "Beta, what is Veer doing? I haven't seen him from two days." I replied, "Papa, he's in the hospital. He has a surgery scheduled. He'll be free by night. I'll tell him that you asked him." He smiled at me and then said, "Okay, then I've a conference call to attend. I'll see you later at dinner tonight" I nodded my head and went to my room.

When I opened my phone, I saw a text from Nikhil. I opened his text, he wrote, "Sorry Dhrithi, had an emergency, so left without informing you. And thankyou for giving another chance for me."

I sent, "It's okay, you don't need to say sorry. And thankyou is also not needed. I'm doing what I felt is right"

Instantly I received his reply, "Okay, but you made me so happy. I've never made friends that easily. But it is different with you. So, I didn't want to loose what we have between us."

I replied, "the same goes with me too, I've no friends other than Veer."

I saw typing and then deleting it. After a minute I got his reply, "How about we go out for dinner tonight? Like you said for our new start?"

I thought for a moment and then replied, "Sorry, like I said i want to take it slow. So, some other time and also I've plans for tonight"

He replied, "it's okay, I understand."

I replied, "Thanks for understanding."

He instantly replied, "My pleasure. looking forward to meet you tomorrow in our office. See you tomorrow"

I replied, "Me too" and kept my phone on my bed.

When Nikhil asked me for dinner, I wanted to go with him. But then I realized, I should take it slow. I felt it wrong to forgive him easily for how behaved with Veer but it also felt right. It's very confusing. It's becoming very complicated for me. My mind is telling me not to forgive him easily, he may hurt Veer again and it that process you might get hurt. But my heart is telling to forgive him and be with him like I used to be with him earlier.

With all these thoughts, I lied on my bed and slowly drifted to sleep.

I woke up, when my phone started ringing. I answered the call without even opening my eyes. I heard, "Misti what are you doing? I've just finished my surgery and came to my cabin."

I then woke up, sat on my bed and said,"Nothing I was just sleeping. Tell me how was your surgery?"

He said, "It was good. But I've to stay back tonight and observe the patient's vitals. I've been given a break of 2 hours."

I said, "Oh then come for dinner and then go back. Anways Raj uncle has gone for business party and Papa was also asking for you back in the evening."

He replied, "Ok then, I'll pack my things and come home. Bye"

I said, "Bye" and cut the call.

After twenty minutes Veer has come, we all ate our dinner together. Papa and Veer teamed up against me and were teasing me throughout the dinner. We finished our dinner and then Veer said that he need to go back. I said that I'll drop him till his car and come back.

As we reached his car, he asked me, "Misti what's the matter? Do you want to say something?" I nodded my head and told him whatever I was thinking about Nikhil, our meet today and our chat in the evening, everything and also my fears.

He smiled and said, "Misti, don't think too much. Do whatever you feel right and let's see where it leads. And if it goes wrong then I'm there anyways. I'm saying this because I know you've some feelings for him, you may not know now, but you'll realize it later. So, don't spoil what you both have and go with the flow." I nodded my head. He hugged me tightly once assuring that everything will be okay. He pecked on my forehead and left.