Posted: August 18th, 2018

♔Aarav ♔

-Two days before the conclusion in Book 1-

          ❛ ❛ Love.

The word can change the entire meaning of your life. Sometimes, what you think is love turns out to be something else entirely. And what turns out to be love is something you would have never imagined.

With the word, everything is always complicated. Nothing ever associated with the word has ever been easy. Yet, it is because of the word that one gets the strength to go to extreme lengths for those we love.

It can bring about heart-wrenching pain. Yet, it is one of the things we humans crave with an innate desire.

It is what drives our actions. Teaches us the right from wrong. Because, after all, where there is love, there is hope. - Aarav Singh Raizada. ❜ ❜

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          I get to the office early, because well, I couldn't sleep last night. Who could after a life altering realization? The freedom I feel today? I have never known this feeling before.

Pia walks into my cabin surprised to find me there. "Wow, 7:15 and you're in already?"

I defend my actions, "I've come in early plenty of times."

She chuckles, "Not when you don't have a meeting."

I squint in response, "Don't I pay you to do work instead of questioning your boss?"

She reaches my filing cabinet and stoves files away while she smugly points out, "You don't pay my salary. Your dad does."

"Same thing."

She pulls out the files for the meetings I have today and gives me a rundown of it. While walking out, she reminds. "Oh, and I'll be leaving at 2 today."

I narrow my eyes, "I don't recall approving an early leave."

She raises her finger and orders as if she were my boss and not the other way around, "It's karwa chauth today so you do not expect me to work all day on an empty stomach."

I recall all the preparations my family was making. "Right, then. I suppose I can't argue there if I value my life."

"Smart choice." She muses and walks out of the door.

Since she leaves the door open, I instruct, "Get me some green tea."

She turns on her heels with hands on my hips, "Are you trying to tempt me right now?"

This once, I allow her to get away with this demeanor and mutter, "Fine, I'll get it myself."

She nods in approval, "Better," and takes her seat behind her desk and gets to work.

I tell myself I will go down to the floor kitchen after finishing a few things.

Since I do not have a morning meeting today, I end up working straight three hours, forgetting that I haven't eaten a thing yet.

When I start to get light headed due to my blood pressure dropping, my diabetes reminds me to get food. I open my mouth to call for Pia and then think better than doing that. Letting out a sigh, I bring the laptop screen down and get up.

I make my way to the kitchen trying to walk using mostly my memory of this area since the dizzy spell seems to blur my vision a bit. My hope that no one will get in my way is crushed as a body jams into my shoulder.

I groan at the impact and Annie back peddles to apologize, "Sorry, Junior. I wasn't looking." I catch a glimpse of a portfolio in her hand and imagine she must have walking too engrossed in it.

"No problem," I murmur and blink my eyes furiously trying to push the haze back.

She is about to leave when she notices my pale face. "You okay?"

"Mhmm, I'm just..." I say pointing towards where I imagine the pantry is some steps away trying to push aside this ringing in my ear.

She grabs my arm on connecting the dots to hold me steady. "Holy shit, did you skip breakfast?"

"No, I'm getting it now."

She scolds, "What the hell, Aarav? You're never this careless."

I find myself pouting, "I got busy with work."

She shakes her head at me in disappointment. "Go back to your cabin. I'll bring you something."

"Hmm," I say and turnabout. The journey takes much longer than I imagine as I feel like I am dragging myself there with the weight of the world on my shoulder.

Some minutes later, Pia walks in and places a tray in front of me with a thud, "What'd I tell you?"

I defend myself, wincing slightly at the sound as it does not help my vertigo, "Annie was going to bring it."

Pia scoffs, "Yeah, well that girl got busy talking with boy wonder and made me do it."

"Boy wonder?"

"You know, the hot model she is dating."

Though it bothers me on hearing this, I remind her. "You have a husband, Pia. Remember that."

She chuckles, "So? Doesn't mean I can't appreciate some eye-candy. Besides, you boys check other girls out all the time."

I tease a little, "Atleast on karwa chauth be loyal to your husband?"

She rolls her eyes in exaggeration, "Yeah, yeah. I know. I am going to hell. Anyway, enjoy your meal that I wish I was rather eating."

This secretary of mines may be two years older than me but can say some really silly things sometimes.

That smile leaves my face though on recalling Annie getting sidetracked. As much as I know I should eat, I find myself not having the stomach to. With a frown, I push the plate aside and close my eyes, trying to get the image out of my head.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

Hours later, I decide to message Annie.

Aarav: Lunch?

Annie: Sorry, just ate.

Aarav: Oh okay. Still in the office?

Annie: No, left. Jhanvi wanted company at home since everyone else is busy with rituals.

Aarav: Alright, see you later then.

Annie: Yup (:

I guess I'll have to find time tonight to talk to her. For now, I order take out from a nearby restaurant to eat lunch by myself.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          Around three in the afternoon, I get a call from the Commissioner informing me that Jhanvi's Aunt is in their custody now. I cancel one of my meetings so I can head over to the police station. I make my way to the basement and reach the handle of the car door expecting it to be unlocked.

I am used to Pia informing my driver I am on my way down so he'll keep the car running. Then, I recall she left office an hour ago.

I bring out my phone to dial his number but stop on noticing someone inside the car in the passenger seat. The seat is pulled back and his eyes are closed.

I shake my head simply because. Till date, I have no idea just what to think of him. I can't figure him out completely. I knew Eva had told him to take the day off since Jhanvi was staying at home and with how secured the place was, there was no reason for him to have to stick around. Yet, here he was. This is how he chooses to spend his day off.

I tap my knuckles twice on the window. His eyes snap open... almost as if startled. I didn't think anyone could get the jump on him. Then again, maybe he had dozed off. His eyes do look tired.

On seeing me, he sits up and opens the door to step out.

I ask, "Aarush, what are you doing here? Didn't Eva say you could take the day off?"

"Yeah, and I gave Vikas that day off." He answers as if it's no big deal.

How can he go along to working nonstop? Does he not have things to do on his down time? Places to be? People to visit? Family to meet?

At the same time as the thought enters my brain, my gaze travels to a ring which hangs off his neck. No, correction. There are two bands, as if a pairing. A female ring and a male ring. Silver bands. They look like engagement rings... but why are they hanging off a chain?

He must have followed my gaze for his fingers wrap around it and he tucks it under his shirt, hiding it. He clears his throat and asks, "Did you need to go somewhere?" after he checks his watch and notices it isn't the end of office day.

I understand it's his personal matter and give him that space. "Yeah, police station. Jhanvi's Aunt has been brought back."

Something changes in his demeanor. His stance tenses. Rigid. And the change in his eyes... I can't tell exactly what it is. But it does not give a good vibe.

Again, I find myself starting to ask questions. What do I know of him, after all? Nothing more than what Eva has said. And that is minimal too. Just that he is an army captain and they met while in the academy. He was one batch younger than her. I'd tried to get basic information of him. A background check. But it didn't exist. I'd brushed it off before thinking it could be because of his career but now, I am not so sure.

I can tell when someone is keeping secrets, and he has his own.

He nods firmly and walks around to the driver seat. Instead of sitting in the back, I slide in the passenger seat.

Once he has pulled into ongoing traffic, I break the silence. "So, Aarush, where are you from?"

His gaze averts to me only for a second before it is back on the road. He asks in a clipped tone of his - as always, speaking to point only and no emotions on his face or voice. "Why the sudden question?"

I used to think I held control over my expressions and feelings when around unknown people, but no. He takes it a step beyond and it can't be that army training and discipline at work here.

I answer trying to get him to ease up a little, "Just making small talk. Come to think of it, we don't know much about you and I'm trusting you with Shona.... Uh, Jhanvi's security."

Calling her Shona has become just so second nature. I don't think I can call her by her given name despite the decisions we've made.

The car slowly stops at a red light and he answers, "The only thing relevant that you need to know is my army background."

Again, to-the-point responses as if nothing in life interests him. I analyze his face for a second. Empty. But that brief show of emotion when he'd caught me looking at those rings.

What pain was he hiding?

I suggest calmly, "It doesn't harm to be friendly if we're going to be around each other a while longer."

His fingers tighten around the wheel as if my words are getting on his nerves. Hah, he should meet Jhanvi. The intrusive questions that I know she is capable of asking... it would drive him crazy. "No offense, Aarav, but I am here to do a job. Not make friends."

For a second, I consider saying something about him calling me by my name. But then, I let it be. If anything, I can respect his dedication to his work and any guy worthy of my respect can call me by my name. And it feels as if he isn't asking for my permission to call me by my first name. He makes that bold decision on his own as if he knows a thing or two about respect himself.

I throw a question at him next while matching his tone, "Alright, then. As your employer, answer this. How does your record not exist in the government system when I run a background check on your name?"

His response is in that auto pilot tone of his, giving away absolutely nothing. There is not even surprise that I would run his name for background check. "With the work I do for the army, it's confidential."

I pick out a point, "If it was confidential because of your work, there would still be a sealed file. But you, my friend, do not exist."

"I'm still in front of you, aren't I?" He throws back with sass, not liking the way I call him friend.

Seriously, what is the problem he has with attaching himself to people? I used to think Jhanvi was aloof when we first met but this guy... it is like he is completely antisocial and something keeps him in a cold front continuously.

I decide to try another tactic, hoping to scare him a little in giving away something that would be useful for me. "You realize your answers only make me more curious?"

As the light turns green, his foot presses on the accelerator to resume driving. A confident look appears on his face, "I'm sure you are, but what I do is above your pay grade. You'll only meet a dead end."

I let out a laugh at the absurd statement, "Above my pay grade? Aarush Rawal, are you forgetting who I am? There is no closed door that my name won't open."

Despite my attempts to unnerve him, the confidence remains on his face - so sure of himself and not the least bothered by what I might find... as if he knows I won't find anything and that the door leading to him will forever remain closed no matter what I try. He simply says, "Good luck, then."

I raise a brow in defiance, "Is that a challenge?"

He shrugs his shoulders carelessly, "If you want to take it as one, sure."

I muse, "I hope you're not a sore loser then."

He shakes his head with a very faint hint of smile on his face. It's so tiny and only appears for a blink of a second that I may even question myself if I even saw it in the first place. "You may be used to getting your way in your world, Aarav Singh Raizada, but my world is very different. You wouldn't survive there so I hope you won't be a sore loser."

I probe for information, "Oh, yeah? And what does this world of yours look like?"

He doesn't answer and I almost think he doesn't deem it an important enough question. I don't even know where this conversation is going, but I am very much interested and curious. My world. His world? What even? There is only one world and yet he talks as if they are two stark opposites.

If he means the things in the army, the violence, killing, war, making tough decisions, then does he not know my world is nowhere guarded or sheltered either? I am very much familiar with the gruesome cruelty of this world.

Just when I am ready to accept he won't answer, he surprises me with a cryptic answer. "A world where more than your name, people fear mines."

Who the hell is this friend of Eva's? I agree he has a cold front but he does not look capable of cruelty. What would people have to fear from him?

I have never questioned Eva's friendships before. Should I start now? Because the fluidity with which he says it, it sounds meaningful. He doesn't sound like he is merely throwing words together for a scare to get me to back off.

I refuse to not have the last word so I say, "Let's find out then."

"Let's."

Damn. He isn't one to let someone else have the last word either.

I think... I may have just met my match.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          I return that evening to see what a mad house the mansion has turned into with all the ladies. I sneak away to my bedroom before anyone sets their eyes on me. Carelessly leaving my bag on the bed, I open my closet and absentmindedly grab a change of clothes. I turn my back to it, notice a change, and glance back at it.

Jhanvi's side of the closet was cleared out.

I close the closet door and find her standing by the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest. "Where's your...?"

"Ground floor." She informs before I can finish the question, "Told them I was getting tired of walking up and down the stairs."

I nod understanding how my family would have fallen for that excuse without finding anything fishy with it. "I didn't even think of it." I mention out loud, for I hadn't paid attention to the fact that we were still sharing a room.

"Good thing I did, huh?" She comments walking in and sitting on the edge of the bed. "How was your day?"

I bob my head to the side, "If you're asking that to know how it went, you very well know I didn't get a chance to tell her. You called her home to give you company."

She squints her eyes at me for holding her responsible for not giving me a chance, "You'll thank me later."

"Why exactly?" I ask curiously.

She gives a mysterious smile and stands up to leave. "Patience, my friend. Go freshen up."

I really have no idea what she's done, but I suppose I'll find out soon enough. I walk into the washroom to freshen up.

After a shower, I make my way to the kitchen and find Annie there trying to open the fridge door using her elbow. I notice henna on her hands and for a moment, I am taken aback. Never have I seen this on her.

I walk over to her and standing behind her, I ask. "Need help?"

She jumps up a little, startled as she turns around and seeing it's me, closes her eyes to calm down. "Aarav."

The smirk appears on my face before I can help it and she glares at me with a don't even dare, and I actually would have teased her for this. Taking it easy on her though, I reach around her to open the refrigerator. "What did you need?"

"Water." She answers and I take out a chilled bottle. Opening the lid, I forward it to her lips. She leans  away, shaking her head. "Not me, Jhanvi."

I nod and pour some out in a glass. While I do, I find myself asking. "So, uh how was your date the other day?" I glance up to find her brows narrowed and I quickly inform, "Jhanvi told me."

Her brows ease out as she nods. "Pretty good. He's funny."

I try to be casual instead of letting my emotions get the best of me. "And?"

"And it was just a first date. We'll see where it goes."

Fearing the answer, I still ask a follow up, "You're going on a second date?"

For her to give that to someone....

She shrugs her shoulder and I try to not look at her as I deposit the bottle back in the fridge. Someone is going to be mad at me for returning it without filing it up again, but it's the least of my worries right now.

"We're planning on it for tomorrow."

"So soon?"

Now, she narrows her eyes at me, "What's with all the questions?"

"Just asking... how much do you know the guy, after all."

I spot a pinch of defense in her tone, "That's why you date, isn't it? Get to know the person?"

"Yeah, but just saying. A second date this soon sounds desperate on his end."

She scoffs and gets mad, "Ever think I could have been the one to ask him on this second date? That maybe, I liked his company?"

My eyes widen just the slightest at this piece of information. "Oh, I just thought... I didn't think..." She shakes her head at me in disappointment and as she starts to walk away, I hold her elbow and turn her to face me again, "Wait, why are you getting mad at me for?"

Her cheeks are growing flushed as she glares back at me, "Do you really need me to answer that?" When I continue to look at her, she elaborates, "You first pull that shit a few weeks ago asking me to try better and then when I am, you want to get on my case?"

"I wasn't..."

She snaps, "Save it, I don't want to hear it," and walks out.

What am I doing lately? None of the conversations are going as I anticipate them.

I exhale, hating that she is now mad at me. Maybe, I was trying to talk her out of this dating idea she's taken on so that I would feel less guilty about telling her my feelings just when she was trying to do something better for herself.

This is selfish of me to do... but hell, love is pretty selfish in itself. Isn't it?

I take the glass of water to Jhanvi and she narrows her eyes since I am bringing it when she'd asked Annie, "When did you turn into Annie?"

I slump into the couch next to her, "Since I asked her about her date the other night and she got mad at me."

She expresses her disapproval, "Aarav, you don't express your love with questions about her dating life."

"I didn't even get to the first part," I grumble. "I thought I would be a friend first and ask how it went."

"Was that all you tried to ask?" She raises a brow as if knowing there had to be more since Annie got mad.

I glance away in shame as I confess, "No. I might have tried to talk her out of her second date."

Jhanvi's response is to swat my arm. "Aarav! That was a very shitty thing to do."

"I know, okay?" I say and lower my voice so the workers around can't hear, "I just... hate thinking about her with someone else."

"You're jealous." She concludes in surprise.

I scoff, "Aarav Singh Raizada does not get jealous."

She shakes her head grinning, "You're so jealous. I thought you were jealous of Zach, but wow. I was very wrong."

I groan in frustration even as she has her amusement, "If you're done laughing at my state, can we move on?"

I am only frustrated because it is a new concept to me. I didn't get jealous hearing about random strangers she was with because one, we'd never explicitly talk about it. I would just know about it and it was silently agreed we would never discuss them specifically and second, I knew they were just one-night stands. But this... she's dating. It's a first, and it implies it's more than all the previous guys she probably does not remember the names of.

This, this is different.

She sobers up and offers genuine advice, "It's okay to be jealous, Aarav. It just goes to show how deep your feelings are."

I still frown as I am not accustomed to feeling this way. I had thought Jhanvi coming in my life alas would set everything. I had never predicted it would do the complete opposite.

She suggests, "Aarav, you've spent so long being a friend to her so I get that you tried to do what you've always done but it's different now. You have to step out of that friend zone and talk to her. Why don't you tell her honestly how hearing about this makes you feel?"

"I'm trying, but I don't know how to have that conversation yet." I have yet to get all my thoughts together... figure out the right way to tell her. But, I do understand what Jhanvi means. I have spent too long forcing myself to see her as only a friend. I have to learn to distinguish the roles of friendship and love when it comes to Annie.

She presses her lips in a sympathetic smile, "You'll get there."

I smile back at the faith she has in me.

"I'm going to go get ready."

I nod and she leaves the glass on the table before walking to her room.

I sit there pulling out my phone to check emails.

A few minutes later, Lavanya mom walks out all dressed and greets, "Hey you, I was wondering where you were. When did you get back?"

"A while ago," I answer looking up from my phone.

She twirls around so I can look at her outfit, "How do I look?"

I tease, "Isn't that a question for your husband?" She places her hands on her hips and I laugh. "You look magnificent, mom. Do you even need to ask?"

She grins, "I have a perfect charmer of a son."

I accept the compliment, "That you do."

She chuckles and then puts me to work in bringing out the plates for the prayer and taking them up to the rooftop. I tell her to stay put and just relax and not continue to work, least she faint. I also check on the caterer to make sure the food will be here with plenty of time to spare, else I know Khushi will yell the crap out of everyone for not feeding her as soon as the moon was out.

On getting Jhanvi's message, I come downstairs. From the living room couch, Anjali confirms, "Aarav, did you call the caterer?"

I inform continuing to walk towards Jhanvi's room. "Yes, they're on their way."

"Where are you going?"

"Jhanvi needs my help."

She lets me go at that and I knock on the door before entering the room.

"Hey, what's up?" I expect Jhanvi in the room but am met with Annie instead. She glances up with the sari she is holding in her hand, wearing the blouse and the skirt. For a second, I stare and then scold myself to blink away. "Uh, sorry. I thought Jhanvi needed my help."

She sighs, "No, I asked her for help but even she doesn't know how to drape a sari."

I keep my eyes on her as I walk in pushing the door shut behind, "And why are you wanting to wear a sari?"

She shrugs her shoulder in defense, "Apparently, one of the rules of nature is that you can't say no to a pregnant lady."

I chuckle realizing this is what Jhanvi meant earlier, asking me to wait to see what she'd done. I imagine she's the one who also made Annie apply henna.

Annie places her hands on her hips, demanding in irritation. "Is my pathetic state funny to you?"

"A little." I say only to tease her even though my chuckle was on an entirely different matter. She narrows her eyes further and I add, "I just can't imagine you in Indian."

She points an index finger at me, taking my words as a challenge. "Just you wait."

"Alright." I indirectly imply the challenge is on and lean back against the dresser, waving at her to accomplish the task.

Determined, she reaches for her phone. I move quickly and snatch it off so she can't use the internet for help. That would kill half the fun out of this. "Nuh-uh. You do it on your own."

"Fine, it isn't rocket science anyway." She tries to hold on to her dignity but I can see the confusion and lack of confidence all over her face when she is looking at the sari in her hands.

Now... wearing a sari is no joke. As a kid, I've witnessed multiple ladies in the family struggle with it. Neither is it a one-person job – not until you have atleast 20-30 years of experience, that's for sure. I've seen my share of moms helping each other and even dad, Aman and Sam bending to every whims of their wives.

I let her struggle with it for a good ten minutes before I push off the dresser and decide to put her out of her misery.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

∞ author note ∞

I'm sure you are saying: finally! Yes, finally! I'm so happy to be able to share the second book with you! I was finally able to pre-write the first ten chapter exactly the way I wanted it so it's time to start this journey. It'll be a bumpy ride with way too many things going on (I've made a mess for myself so let's see if I can come out the other side without confusing the life out of me :P )

Update schedule: For now, only Saturdays. Since I only have 10 chapters. When I will have written more, I will add another day!

QOTC: Please tell me what are you expecting from this book? So while I write it, I can keep it in mind (: 

If you haven't already, add this book to your library and reading lists! 

And be sure to vote and comment and have your thoughts be heard!