AGREEMENT - Episode 27
ANSH’S POV
My cell beeped. I checked it immediately.
Jen had sent me Jaai’s address and his cell number. I called him but his cell was on the switched off mode. Why??
I dashed out of the house. I didn’t mind wearing just a grey loose sweat pants and a t-shirt.
I just want that Jaai in my hands now. I want to find Ahana as quickly as possible, but also I just don’t want to see her with him.
It was already 1 now. I know it’s past midnight but I have to do this.
Jaai’s place was about 45 minutes ride from our place.
But I drove like there was no tomorrow. I reached there in just 25 minutes.
When I got down I was literally panting although I came by car. There was a huge name plate outside his bungalow.
“Mehra’s”
It wasn’t a huge one like ours but it was a two storey. Did he live alone? I could see some lights on. So, he was awake.
Good for me but bad for him.
I rang the bell multiple times.
My patience had already given up.
” Wait…. Who’s here at this hour of night?” I heard his husky voice behind the door.
” Ansh!!! Man…. What are you…..”
I quickly grabbed him from the hem of his t-shirt, before he could complete his sentence.
” Wait… What….” He said to my sudden action. But I am sure he must have seen the rage in my eyes. He looked a bit puzzled.
” Where is Ahana….??? Tell me or else….. ”
” Hey… Bro… Chill. She is not here.”
” Look.. Jaai I am not in the mood to play games.
I know you are aware about her whereabouts. Tell me or else it won’t be good. Is she with you now….??”
” Hey… Buddy… ”
” Don’t buddy me. Or else…. ”
” You ll punch me. Then do it. I think you ll feel better. I know you want to do it since a long time. ”
He said calmly.
Seriously… I am holding him by his neck and all he does is to ask me to punch him.
Then I released my hold. His eyes showed that Ahana wasn’t here and somehow I could feel it. She wasn’t here.
” Ansh… Come on in. I can serve you a coffee. It won’t be as good as Ahana’s but it won’t be that bad.”
I looked at him and he smiled. I went in. I really wasn’t in mood to fight any more.
Did he drink her coffee??
Of course he would have… He’s her friend… Why does it matter to me?
Jaai was in his t-shirt and shorts. When I went in his house it was really magnificent.
I sat on the sofa and he went in the kitchen to prepare coffee I suppose.
The living was well furnished with a royal chandelier hanging in the middle. It was quite spacious.
From the French balcony I could see a swimming pool too. The rear wall was covered with a wallpaper. It looked expensive.
So.. This guy was really making a lot of money.
The house was also expensively decorated.
The 52 inch TV set along with 6 sitter dining table and antique pieces made his house look amazing.
I got up and took a tour myself. On the wall I saw a lot of pictures. Some seemed to be his childhood pictures. In some I also recognised Ahana.
She looked so cute. They were in high school supposedly. Then I saw a picture of three students in school dress together.
Ahana looked a bit healthy back then. One was Jaai, another was Ahana for sure.
I can’t forget her eyes. And the third girl, I didn’t recognise her. They were holding a trophy.
The other pictures consisted of a man and a woman. Maybe his parents.
I was still admiring Ahana’s picture. I took a picture of her in my cell.
” Hey!! She looks cute isn’t she? Ahana always tell me to remove it but I insist on keeping it here.
Looking at it makes my lonely life a bit more happier. Here.. Coffee.”
He said handing me a mug. I took a sip. It was amazing.
No doubt Ahana and Jaai are so close. They both make wonderful coffee. They would also make a great pair together.
” It’s amazing. Where did you learn? ”
” Ahana taught me. Anyways I saw you clicking Ahana’s photo. ”
” Ha…. She really looks adorable. But you both have many things in common.”
” Let’s sit.”
” Nice house by the way.” I said breaking a 3 minute silence.
” Oh… Thanks. I brought it 3 years back. Ahana helped a lot in decorating it. But.. Then it’s of no use when you live alone. ”
I saw a weird pain in his voice. I wondered where his parents were and what was the story.
But anyways that shouldn’t be my concern. I was here only for one reason… Ahana…
” Jaai… Please tell me if you know where is Ahana. ” I said in the softest and calmest voice.
” Ansh… Please Trust me. I am as worried as you are. I seriously don’t know where she is. She wasn’t even answering my calls.
I was going to come to you tomorrow morning. Ahana is very stubborn. She does what she wants.”
” Hmm… Can you just try calling her once?”
” Hmmm…. ”
He took his cell from his pocket and dialled her number.
I saw he had saved her number as ‘Hana Queen’. God! They really took this Hero-Queen business seriously.
” The number you are trying to call is currently switched off. Please try again later. ”
He put the phone on the speaker mode. I could see the disappointment on his face too.
” Ansh… Trust me. Ahana is very responsible. She knows what is she doing. She ll come back soon. ”
So is he trying to say that I am the only one who is irresponsible.
I ignored it anyways but Yeah!! Agreed… Ahana is more responsible than me.
” Hmm…. So I ll leave now. Thanks for the coffee. ”
” Ansh…..” Jaai called me while I was about to leave.
” Hmm… ”
You can stay here for the night. It’s already late. Anyways I live alone so there won’t be any problem.
The guest room is on the right. ”
Why is everyone around me acting so good to me? Making me the villain in my story.
” No… It’s fine. Thank you. I ll leave. ”
I left quickly without giving him a second look. I got in my car and drove towards the beach.
I needed some fresh air. At around 2:30 am, what am I doing…
Looking here and there for my wife and then being here at the beach staring at its vastness.
There was no one except from some stray dogs. They too looked lonely like me. Stranded to be left alone.
The sky was clear with some patches of clouds here and there.
Although it’s monsoons going on.
The half moon was looking very bright. The cool breeze calmed my mind a bit.
I got in the car and opened the roof of it. The breeze was blowing my hair. Making it more messy.
I had a white Cabriolet BMW. That’s the perks of being rich. Being rich without being happy.
I laid flat on the seat and closed my eyes. The breeze was caressing my cheeks and in few moments I fell asleep.
But there was only one picture coming in front of my eyes while I was falling into sleep. Ahana’s Eyes…… And her beautiful dimples.
I felt some drops on my cheeks. It was about to rain. I woke up with a jerk.
I didn’t know for how much time did I sleep. I covered my car and looked at my cell.
It was 8 in the morning. I could see some exercise enthusiasts jog in their raincoats. Some people are really very dedicated.
I drove home but slowly this time. I don’t know what am I going to answer Dad if he asks me about Ahana.
I don’t know where in the world is she. I was preparing some random excuses when I entered the house. I heard some voices coming from the dining.
I saw Dad and grandad on the dinning table having breakfast. I realised that I was starving now.
They looked so happy. God… Help me….
What am I going to tell them..
That I have failed them… I have failed Ahana…. I have failed our marriage.
” Ansh… What are you thinking? Come on. Have breakfast. Where did you go in the morning?”
” A stroll…..”
Just then I smelled something that I missed so terribly. I wanted it so desperately.
Coffee…. Ahana’s Coffee….
” Ahana was home?” I asked suddenly. I was shocked.
” Yeah… She went to the office few minutes ago. But why are you so shocked?
She prepared us coffee and left. She said she had something important to attend.”
” Oh… I am leaving.”
” Where?”
” Office…. ”
I said quickly standing up from my seat. Ahana was home while I was searching for her in the entire city.
I wasn’t this desperate ever to go to the office.
” Sara… Please bring my coffee in my room. ”
” I wonder what happens to this boy every now and then.” I heard Dad saying. But I didn’t care. I wanted to see Ahana and I wanted answers.
I went in for a quick shower and got in my suit. I didn’t have any time to shave.
” Sir… Your coffee… ”
I took a long sip. I felt satisfied. I forgot that I was hungry a few moments ago.
” When did Ahana come home?”
” I don’t exactly know sir.
But she must have come quite early before I came she had already prepared the breakfast. She had it with Uncle and grandad.”
” I hope they don’t know anything about what happened here. Did Ahana tell them anything? ”
” No.. They were talking about their trip. Ahana told them that you went for a walk. ”
” Okay…. ”
I was relieved now. How does she manage it so efficiently?
I left after finishing my coffee.
I missed it so much.
When I went to the office, the first thing I did was to go to Ahana’s cabin. I opened it without knocking and to my disappointment it was empty.
” Jen…….” I shouted on the top of my voice.
” Yes.. Sir..”
” Where is Ahana?”
” She is video conferencing with the US dealers. I am sorry but she asked me not to disturb her. It’s a video call. ”
” Hmm… Fine. Actually we had to attend it together. Isn’t it?”
” Ya… But since you weren’t present here, she had to go alone. Now interrupting in between won’t give a good impression. ”
” Jen… I know what to do and what not to. So you do your work. And why didn’t I get the reminder? ”
” I send it to you thrice sir. Twice yesterday and once in the morning. ”
I looked in my cell phone. There were 48 notifications.
And yeah! She did her work correctly. I was the one who was missing on it.
” Hmm… Bring me those files along with the cheques given by the investors. ”
” Yes… Sir… ”
” Jen… Was Ahana fully prepared for the meeting? She didn’t come to the office for more than a week.”
” Yes.. Sir.. But she was up to date with the happening. She had prepared the presentation too. ”
I nodded and went in my cabin. It was all messed up. There were plies of files on my desk.
I seriously didn’t pay any attention to it. My mind was busy somewhere else.
But Ahana…. God!! What a woman she was? Hands up for her. She is more than perfect for me.
And I am more disturbed than anything else.
I sat on my more than comfortable chair. Jen brought the required files and I started going through it.
Like… Seriously it must have happened for the first time that I neglected my work to such an extent.
I didn’t know a thing that happened. I started looking at the profits and the losses.
After an hour I was frustrated. I couldn’t find the 50 million dollar draft. It was a very important one for the company.
” Jen…. Jen…..” I shouted at the top of my voice.
” Yes… Sir… Any problem…”
I looked at her with rage filled in my eyes. She stepped back.
” Yes… There is one. Where is the draft with signed with the investors. It was 50 million draft. Do you even know how many zeroes are there in a million. Where is it?? ” I was shouting so loudly that the entire office could hear.
” Yes… I don’t know…. ”
” Who was here in my absence? You can’t even take care of a draft.
Useless People… I swear I ll fire all of you now…… Call everyone who comes in the my cabin. I swear if I find a traitor… Then….”
” But… Only Ahana mam came here during your absence and some of her team members. ”
” Hmmmm.. I know someone from her team is the traitor…. Call everyone now…. ”
I was really furious now.
Within 2 minutes I had the entire staff standing in front of me.
I was about to chide when I heard a voice.
” Ansh!! Care to explain what are you up too…. ”
I heard her voice. God!! I missed it.
There she came out of the lift swaying her hair while walking.
I tilted my head sideways while Our eyes met and I lost the track of time.
The people moved aside so I had a clear view.
She wore a white shirt and navy blue pants. Ahana was glowing. She looked so fresh while I looked crap.
I could smell her even from such a distance. She walked elegantly towards me.
Finally I gained my senses back. I stood straight from the tilted position. I moved my hand messing my hair.
” So… Finally someone has the time to show up….”
” Wh@??ver…. Guys, you can get back to work. Stop wasting your time here.” She said waving her hand to the employees, Indicating them to leave.
” Huh… Wait… What…. We are not done yet Ahana… You just arrived. I know what’s going on. ”
” No… Ansh… You don’t know. You all can leave. Ansh.. Let’s talk in your cabin.”
She said moving towards my cabin. I gave a angry look and followed her. I didn’t have any option though.
” Ahana… Don’t mess with me. You know how important that draft is.”
I said, now making a eye contact with her. Oh!! Man… I missed watching her.
” I know how important it is. That’s why I wasn’t the one who abandoned everything to chill out in some random place.”
She was taunting me now.
” Ahana….. ” I protested.
” When did you last see the draft? And where? ”
I was thinking very hard now. Frankly I wasn’t being able to recollect it.
” Remember.. The day when Ma and all left for Europe and I came to hand you the files and you just threw it on the table.”
Now that memory was coming back. I threw it on the table and left. I didn’t want to go with Ahana.
” And then do you remember, what did I say? ”
Just then it clicked in my mind. I couldn’t forget her sweet voice ever. I trust her completely regarding office work.
” Ya…. ‘ Ansh!! Such a careless jerk you are. It contains the 50 million dollar draft.’
And then I replied,
‘ If you care so much then put it in the safe. You know the Passkey and I know the Passkey… Stop bothering me Ahana…..'”
” Wow… So my husband finally remembers it word to word. I thought you had a brainwash in your vacation. So you know where to look for it. ”
I quickly got to the safe and opened it. There laid the draft untouched in the brown envelope wih the Raichand’s Seal.
Thank God… What would I have done without her…..
” Nothing… You couldn’t do anything without me. ” She smiled cunningly, her dimples popping out.
Did she hear me..???
Anyways I sighed a relief on seeing the envelope.
” So.. Before blaming someone first be sure about it.
And a lot of hard work went through it so I had to preserve it properly in my husband’s absence. ”
She said leaving the cabin. But before she could leave I grabbed her and pulled her inside shutting the door. Her smell lingering through me. Making me lose control.
” We are not done talking yet. Where were so many days? And how did you know that I was coming back on that specific day?
And how did you know Dad and others are returning yesterday? Answer me….”
” Ansh… I didn’t ask you where and why did you ran away. So you don’t have any right to do so. ”
” I have all the right to do so. See that ring on your finger. You belong to me, so now Tell me.. ”
” So…. What if I have the ring. Did you do any of your responsibilities.
NO!! You left me alone. So I am not answering where did I go. And I have my sources. You are not the only one who can spy. ”
She said jerking my hand away.
” So you were spying on me all the time?”
” Look… I am already tired. I am in no mood to fight. ”
” Tired of what Ahana… Tell me. Who do you think is going to do your pending work? I am not.. ”
” Of course you are not. You couldn’t even do your work, how on the Earth are you going to do mine. Anyways
it’s your files that are incomplete. Check mine. It’s all done. And about Spying… Yes… I spied you.
The way you ran away I couldn’t believe you would do that so I wasn’t left with any choice….. Do you know how much worried everyone was?
Do you ever think of others? ”
I saw concern in her eyes.
” Do you know how much worried I was in these past days. So to revenge me you did all this, isn’t it? ” I said keeping the conversation on.
” It didn’t look like you were worried. Anyways I don’t like playing games like you. I went on a vacation.
Happy!! Now… Why only you enjoy should . I ll enjoy… So I enjoyed… ”
She said again leaving me.
I held her back.
” I was enjoying…… ” I asked her. She knew how miserable I was because she had spies on me.
” Ansh… Leave me. I am not feeling well. I am tired of standing. Let me go….. I… ”
” No…… Ahana!!!! You ain’t leav… ”
She suddenly fell unconscious and tripped.
I grabbed her from the waist. She closed her eyes in my arms. I was panicked and tensed now.
” Ahana… Wait up… Open your eyes… Ahana…. ” I said tapping her cheeks.
” Jen…. Jen… ”
” Yes…. ”
” Ask the driver to bring the car. ”
I quickly lifted her in my arms. The car was waiting at the entrance.
Everyone was looking at us but that was a stare of concern. I held her even more tightly now. Her eyes were completely closed. Her hands were wrapped around me.
God! Please don’t let anything happen to her. Please!!
***
They had taken Ahana into a room where the doctor was checking on her. I was leaning against the wall with my hands in my pocket when the doctor came out.
I had never been this tensed before.
” Doctor…. What happened to her? Is she fine now?” I was getting anxious by every passing moment.
” Yeah!! There’s nothing to worry about.” Doctor Mrs. Bhatt answered. I sighed a relief.
” It was just due to a bit stress that she fainted.
I asked her not to stress when she came two weeks ago. She takes lot of tension.
Mr. Richand you ought to take care of your wife at least at this point of time. She is pregnant, you know right?”
______tbc_____