"But we aren't familiar with this. And we may get into losses if not taken care of." The elder man swirled pen between his fingers and spoke looking towards Kalyani Oberoi, who in return nodded her head in her impressions.

"I agree there are risk factors, but it is also profitable in business and beneficial to the society. We should try." another man favoured the statement.

"But where can we find acres of land in the prominent municipalities like Mumbai? In the such a brief period," another added, seeing through the possibility.

"We will link up with forenamed landlords of malls or towers. And renovate them, it's gaining a victory on both aspects" Shivaay put into it.

"Let's commence the poll," Shivaay uttered silently looking at his grandmother.

"I support"

"I don't"

Few stood in aid of Shivaay while others were in disagreement. Today during the annual panel meeting, Shivaay had proposed that the company should broaden in terms of the profession. He explained how they can enter into the shopping centres, and start a few chains of malls in the well-known cities. So this can even enlarge their field of interest and also make a profit.

"How can he launch a new venture when he is occupied in court proceedings?" An elder woman in the borderline of sixties muttered eyeing at Shivaay.

"A criminal in the marketing field" Another grumbled.

Folks never expected Shivaay to attend the committee meeting. They never reckoned that he would bounce back within a span of two months of clearance, in anticipatory bail.

"Enough" the loud voice of Shivaay reverberated between the walls of the conference hall. Everyone shuttered and trembled with the high thrown out tone.

"I don't care what you all think of me. I have the massive shares than you all, that's 31 per cent of the total. As the largest shareholder, I have the rights in the protocol, and I'm following those" Omkara glanced at the silenced hall. He speculated his brother held this impressive power and authority but never foreseen this, the majority of people were on his side.

"Have bloody votes as your rights to decide, rather than gossip about others"  Shivaay banged his table and grabbed the mineral water bottle positioned on his side. Within a few moments, the bottle was empty and thrown in the direction of the dustbin.

"I'm in support." Rudra raised his one placard. As he did, others stared at each other and held up their own decisions.

"Fine, we will have another discussion with the builders. Sneha Jha, I want the best architectural firm onboard" Shivaay turned to his secretary, who in turn bobbed her head while jotting down the points in her notepad.

"Rudra I want all the list of landlords drowning in losses, by next week" Rudra nodded with a subtle smile on his lips.

Omkara was astonished by the twist of scenes, almost all of the committee members appreciated Shivaay. His voice held dominance and authority so that nobody could surpass him. Omkara just gaped at him, he was still strong than expected.

Shivaay strode out the room, with heavy breathing. He stood leaning on his cabin, glass wall and tried calming down his breath. Then later he ringed his wife to inform her about the event. She happily congratulated him for another successful launch and asked him to come sooner along with Khanna.

"I will visit Dr Anirudh and come home later. Have your lunch don't wait for me. Bye"

"Shivaay" he turned back as somebody summoned him. He was taken back when he saw his grandmother in front of him.

"Ji" he slightly bobbed his head noticing Rudra behind her.

"How are you? Annika kaise hein?"  She asked looking at him, her eyes held craving for him. But...

"We are fine. Aap kaise hein? All will be fine precisely, my bad" without realising the words came out instantly through his tongue. Though he didn't regret those, however, he didn't want to express them.

"Annika left Oberoi mansion after two months of that day. I hope you have learned by her" she inquired observing him.  He was still the same, with his regular suits and hairstyle. One change in him was, he was struggling to cover up his exposed skin near his neck and cuff.

He held his collar and tugged it upwards. Rudra just caught a glimpse of his bullet shot area at the junction of neck and shoulder. Rudra opened and closed his mouth like a window shutter but words never came out. He was feeling terrible thinking about his situation. His brother was never insecure about his body or looks but now he was certainly.

"Yeah, she had educated me on this. I need to go, she is waiting for me" he formally announced while grinning remembering her face. Though Annika never opened up with him about those days, he intrepidly supported his wife in front of his grandmother. He didn't want them to think low of their relationship, as relationships are mostly transparent.

He hurried towards the lift,  he turned back as he felt someone. Rudra marched towards him, taking large steps to reach faster.

"Bhaiya" Rudra softly whispered.

"Please don't any give sympathetic looks. I earn my respect." Saying so Shivaay walked past him to enter the elevator.

While Rudra stood rooted to the ground, not understanding how to respond. It was hard to comprehend as Shivaay misunderstood his longing emotions to sympathy. He realised he was wrong in judging him.

.

"I met my cousin brothers and grandmother" Dr Anirudh looked keenly at him.

"You need not take pressure on it. It's a part of life, facing people who you dislike" Dr Anirudh sipped his cold coffee and spoke glancing at him.

"I know. But I'm worried about the past months of Annika. She is not disclosing with me" Shivaay scratched his head with anxiety.

"Even dadi was speaking of the same" he grumblingly added.

"Some things are good to be untouched Shivaay. She may tell you when the favorable time appears. But in these chaos don't spoil your present. You both look good, I'm sure if it" Dr Anirudh placed his tumbler on the table and clasped his fingers with each other and looked straight at Shivaay's eyes.

"So tell me how are things going on? It's our third session right?" Dr Anirudh asked with a tiny smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah. Life so far in these two months are great. We both together go cycling far away from the city. She hates cycling but she came after looking my gloomy look. Khanna and I work out together in the gym. Also, I have started writing articles in my free time" Shivaay uttered cheerfully. Dr Anirudh widely smiled seeing him.

"Even Khanna is in love with Mitali, for 5 years. That idiot never cared to inform me." He pouted at the thought and continued "and now he is getting married in a few weeks. Annika was overwhelmed and urgently wanted to shop for her dresses for the wedding" Dr Anirudh laughed at all women's addiction in shopping.

"Next week we are visiting Chachi Ji's house for Diwali. But I don't know how things have changed between them. Both talk on an alternative day through the phone, honestly I'm surprised. My wife opens up with her, not with me. It's kinda hurting now. I wanted to talk to her about Chachi Ji but I know everyone needs privacy at some point." Shivaay lowered his eyes and gave a saddened smile.

"It's fine. Hmm. What about your relationship with your wife?" Dr Anirudh asked understanding his inner plight.

"She cares for me a lot. We are good together as a whole. Past few days she directly wished for being physical. I'm scared. I'm scared of my marks. I'm afraid to look into the mirror, shoulder and neck are damaged." He sincerely talked and revealed his secrets turmoil for the first time.  Dr Anirudh was relieved as he was opening out of his shell.

"I'm disappointing her every time. I'm not a good husband. I'm not able to give her a happy life nor I'm able to fulfil her desires." Shivaay busted out crying in front of him.

Dr Anirudh didn't try to stop him with his words or actions. He was glad that at least he was opening his bottled emotions, which were condensed in him for a long time.

"Listen to me Shivaay. You are the luckiest human to get a wife like her, I agree with it. She is doing things which she hates like you said; cycling only for you, that means you are special to her. This shows how much she loves you. And love is not only about being sexually active, but it's also about waiting, caring for others." Dr Anirudh calmly explained him.

"You are insecure about your body, that's normal at some point in life. You have to let that go. Only for your wife" Shivaay wiped tears as he heard the best motivational speech. He lightly chuckled at Dr Anirudh's heavy dialogue.

"You speak a lot" Shivaay laughed looking at him, his face held a horrified expression as he received a compliment.

*****