Chapter 9 ~ "A Radical Force"

EDITED.

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Akira's POV


Time is such a confusing concept to understand. At times, it flies by at the speed of light, and other times it enjoys the pace of a snail. 

Right now, I couldn't understand what speed it was passing at, whether slow or fast. The whole week seemed quick, but there were some aspects which were dreadfully set back. The conversations between Kabir and I were still limited, remaining on courteous speaking terms. Most of these conversations relied heavily over the dinner table, often asking  to 'pass the roti' or 'can you give me the achar?' 

It was terrible. 

And those awkward moments were the ones where I felt time slowing down on purpose. 

As most other siblings, we never had an air of awkwardness around us, omitting that fact that he was engaged to my best friend. Quite honestly, our terse discussions were giving me anxiety, but I had no idea how to bring us back to the way we were. One of us was definitely going to have to be drunk for that to happen. 

All I wanted was my irritating brother back.

Releasing a sigh, I sipped on my coffee, waiting for my boss. To continue our conversation about the merger, I was patiently waiting expecting Mr. Greyar to arrive. He called me yesterday, saying he was in town and wanted to set a meeting with me. Reason as to why I was sitting in a café near his hotel.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. I walked in the wrong direction, before finally realizing ten minutes later that I was lost." Came a voice above me.

I look up to come face to face with my boss. I released a light laugh, "I did offer to meet you at your hotel."

He rolled his eyes, before settling in the seat across from me, "I should have accepted."

Grinning, I watched as he ran his long fingers through his dirty blonde hair to fix the messy look. 

"Did you run?" I asked in disbelief, only now noticing his slightly red cheeks. 

"I was already 15 minutes late to meeting you, so of course I ran here." 

"At least you're not in one of your uncomfortable suits." Taking note of his casual attire. 

He chuckles, before requesting a waitress his choice of caffeine. She eyes him, and with a smile rushes behind the counter to prepare the drink. I shake my head in amusement, understanding her excitement. 

"So how is your brother's wedding preparations going?"

"It's going really well actually. Of course excluding my mum's panic-y reactions to every small detail." He laughs. 

"That's great! It must feel lovely being back home."

Having all my feelings thrown in my face? Yeah, what a ball.

"Sure is." 

"So when is the wedding?"

"It's in three weeks from now. It is kind of hard to believe that my brother's going to be a married man in soon." I exclaim, taking a sip out of my frappé.

"Well, give him my congratulations."

"Of course. So how long are you going to be in Toronto sir?"

"I have some other business to attend to here tomorrow, so I'll be leaving tomorrow night. And don't call me sir, Chase is fine." He replied with a breathtaking smile.

"Oh. Well I'm still inviting you to the wedding, in any case if you can make it." I smiled, pulling out a wedding invite from my bag that I had prepared for this occasion.

"Wow, thank you Akira. I'll definitely check my schedule and let you know." His shot me a bewildered look, a light sparking in his eyes. 

"Your welcome, Chase."

He smile widened as I said his name. "See, that's not so hard." I laughed at that.

"You should laugh more, you look beautiful when you are." He stated casually. I stiffen. Did he just call me beautiful?

"Are you saying I'm not beautiful when I'm not laughing?" I teased, trying to brush off the comment.

"Oh no, of course not! You're one of the most charming and attractive woman I've ever met." He rambles on quickly. I bite my lip, raised with mixed feelings. 

This handsome man had just called me beautiful, and all I could think about was escaping this situation. 

I didn't know how to respond, to relay with subtlety that I had no feelings for him. But thankfully, the buzz in my pocket saved me from answering.

I replied quickly before tucking the phone back into my pocket. "Sorry about that," I offer an apologetic smile.

"It's fine." He gave a half smile. 

For the next fifteen minutes, we summarized the intervals of the meeting. Numerous board members of both the companies were going to be present, listing the benefits acquired to both sides of the deal. There would be a few separate durations of the meeting discussing specific matters, such as the sector of advancing technology, environmental gains, and the predicable profits and losses attained for the two companies. I would be leading the meeting to discuss what the advantages would outcome if the merge was a success. 

Concluding the talk, Chase shot me one last smile and bid me goodbye, before going on his way. 

I huffed out a sigh in relief. Thankfully, we avoided the scene from earlier and my lack of response to that. It was an accomplishment on itself that I could keep the environment very formal and driven to the point.

I felt a buzz in my pocket, identifying as I received a message. 

I replied in acknowledgement, before taking a short walk to the Central Mall. 

Opting to window shop, while waiting for Meera, my thoughts strayed to what our conversation would be. Building my strength, I scolded myself to mentally prepare for this long awaited truth I was going to face. I loitered around the mall aimlessly and completely lost in my own thoughts, I didn't realize that I had bumped into someone until it was too late.

The collision knocked me off balance, sending me backwards. I close my eyes waiting the impact and to embarrass myself. But before that happened, a hand wrapped securely around my waist, pulling me up. Blinking a couple of times, I look up to find a familiar scowling face. Just when my day was going well, he had to show his presence.

My relaxed expression dropped to adopt an irritated frown. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"This is a free–" excusing the profanity, "–country. I can go where ever I want. In fact, you should be thankful Akira. I just saved you from falling on your ass and embarrassing yourself." Ayan pulled me straight on my feet.

He clicked his tongue, "yet maybe, I should have let it happen, would've made my day."

After a few seconds of glaring did I finally notice the lack of space between us. My palms were still resting on his shoulder, with his arms still loosely hanging on my waist. Shoving him away, I took two steps back and crossed my arms. 

He rolled his eyes at my extreme display, tucking his hands into his pocket.

Simply preferring to ignore his remark, I shouldered past his towering body and walked in the direction of food court. Even after a few seconds, I feel his presence still behind me. I stopped and faced back to him, annoyed. "Are you following me now?"

"Do you own the food court too, now?" He retorted, equally annoyed. 

I growled in irritation, once again continuing my journey.

"So did you apologize to Kabir yet?" I heard him say from behind.

"And you're not following me?" I grumbled under my breath, deciding to reply to his question vaguely. "I didn't have time."

He scoffed in return, knowing full well of the utter bullshit response I gave him.

At the perfect moment, I spot Meera walking into Menchie's. I scurry towards her, without saying anything else to Ayan. 

"Meera!" I called her, seating myself next to her.

"Hey Kira! Sorry I couldn't reply earlier than today. The practical is killing me." She groaned.

I patted her back, "You will get through it babe. I know you will."

Knowing entirely well that I had used up my dairy produce of the day, I still ordered an ice-cream for myself while Meera chose some variety of smoothie. 

"So, what happened that you needed to talk to me 'ASAP'?" She asked.

"I kind of need advice. And someone to admit my regrets to, and just you so happen to be the best person to start off from." 

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion at first, before it changed to one of understanding. "Greece?" She asked, scrunching her face and taking a bite of her ice-cream. 

"Yeah."

"Okay. Go on."

I took a deep breath, "you're the only one who knows about this. And I really don't know how to stop avoiding the topic. It's as if, the repulsion is mentally built into my mind."

"I know, but I don't understand why you didn't tell anyone about it back then. You were so overwhelmed Akira, you should have let that weight off your chest." 

I poke at a strawberry in the bowl with my spoon, "It was already really tough on all of them."

"Well of course." She sighed, before placing her drink on the table, "You've made this harder on yourself Akira. It's six years too late."

"I know, Meera. I just couldn't tell them where it was already such a terrible situation. I'm still not over it."

"What about Ayan? He was there with you too. He probably feels the same way as you too." She said cocking a brow.

I pursed my lips. "Feels what? The guilt? The pain? Maybe. But I don't want to talk to him about it."

Looking down at my dessert, I take the last bite, avoiding Meera's burning gaze. I could tell she was holding an intent look, but I couldn't glance up from my now empty bowl.

"When will you tell Kabir then?" She questioned after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence. 

I gave a hefted sigh, looking up at her slightly upset face. "I can't. You already know the we aren't speaking much at the moment, and I understand that. If I tell him now, about what I've been hiding from him for six years, I'll lose my brother for good." 

She gave me sympathetic smile, "You're gonna have to tell him sometime. He might be angry at you for a time, but he would never push you away like that. Give him some credit."

I smile back at her. "I hope he doesn't. And thanks Meera. This is exactly what I needed."

"What would you do with me?" She teased, as we both laughed, "but in all serious matter. The sooner you tell him, the better it is Kir."

"Alright. Anyways, I have to pick up some groceries, maa's going to kill me for avoiding her calls. Want to come along?" I asked, standing up and grabbing my purse.

"Can't. My shift at the hospital is starting soon." She said as we walked out the mall.

"Oh yeah. My baby's all grown up and saving lives." I wiped a tear away jokingly, engulfing her in a hug.

"Only an assistant doctor for now."

"For now," I laughed ruffling her perfectly combed hair.

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Author: Yoooo! Two updates in a week?! Insane I know!

Shanaya: Wow. *claps* But the grammar is still terrible.

Author: This is why you aren't in the chapter.

Vivan: Well, you gotta admit. That grammar is bad.

Author: What is it with couples agreeing with each other?

Akira: Honestly, I don't know.

Ayan: Anyways, since they all are being immature idiots, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to @RabiaAnis for the amazing art on the side, and for making me look the hottest.

All: Excuse me?

Ayan: You agree though. 

Akira: I do not.

Ayan: Your eyes seem to be saying something else.

Akira: *growls* I am this close to strangling your neck—

Ayan: Getting physical now, are we?

Akira: ....I honestly can't lose anymore brain cells by arguing with a piece of shi—

Author: ALRIGHT SHUT UP. 

My own characters are the cause of my headache. Anyways, guys please vote and comment on this story. Writing actually takes a lot of effort, so please I would really really appreciate it if you'd press the small star button, or comment if you don't even like it! I honestly just want feed back. And I did end up giving up a small Akira-Ayan scene! :D

Akira: And thank you sooo much! TKK reached #107 in ChickLit!