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"Do you think I'm a coward and irresponsible person?"

Abhay asked the question which was bothering him from a long time and Vaish just looked in his eyes.

And for the first time since she met him, she saw vulnerability in his eyes and she didn't like it a bit.

"Does it matter? Does it matter what others think about you? What's important is how you see yourself.

Just because you are not taking over the company set up by your parents, doesn't make you coward.

You are feeling doubt on your decision after hearing my words but know it Abhay that being a businesswoman is my own choice and every individual has the right to choose a life for themselves.

You are not wrong in choosing to be a software developer. The only thing that will make you irresponsible is, if you don't take the profession chosen by yourself seriously; which you are not doing.  So stop doubting yourself. You have to trust yourself to make others trust you." Vaish explained him carefully and Abhay felt a great burden being lifted from his shoulders.

Atleast there is someone who understands him and supports his decisions.

He will make sure that he doesn't let her fall down ever.

"You are a good observer. Never knew that Ms. Fireball could be such a good counselor!" Abhay said and Vaish laughed.

"You don't know my talents Mr. Developer. You will be surprised to know that how can a girl be complete package of beauty, brain and confidence!" Vaish boasted.

"So modest aren't we?" He said and Vaish laughed.

"Have been complimented so many times about this particular quality of mine." She said.

"So shall we now leave?" He asked looking at their empty plates.

"Yeah. Its getting late." She said and got up.

They started walking towards the counter to pay the bill but Maya Aunty appeared and said that it was on the house.

Abhay just shook his head and walked from there and put the money in a box titled 'donation for an old age home'.

Vaish saw that and smiled at his ways. He paid her without showing.

When he turned back he saw her smiling.

"So Ms. Fireball, you are going to Archie's Enclave and so am I. When we have same destination why don't we both go in the same car?" He asked and Vaish nodded as the place was close from here and she had already  messaged her driver to leave for the day.

Once they were in the car, they discussed about the project and talked about the details on which they will start working from tomorrow.

As they reached the apartment, he stopped the car in front of her wing and came out to say his good byes.

"It was a nice dinner. I enjoyed it." Vaish truthfully said.

"I'm looking forward for more of this kind." He said and Vaish nodded.

She looked in his eyes as if trying to read something. He has very expressive eyes and she was relieved that she was wearing lens so he can't see the true emotions in her eyes.

"You are trying it again, Fireball!" He said.

"I'm trying to understand you. Who is real Abhay, the one who is so truthful and straightforward or the one who is funny and a Drama King?" She asked.

"You don't know my talents, Fireball!
You will be surprised to know that how a man can be a complete package of handsomeness, intelligence and charm. Added to that, I'm exceptionally modest!" He replied Vaish in the same manner as she did earlier and Vaish laughed whole heartedly.

He was a complete match to her in drama skills.

"By the way, Fireball, If you are reading me then I should be able to do the same! Its a two way thing, you know." He said and felt her getting stilled.

"I never stopped you." She replied after few seconds of silence.

"But you are being unfair." He said and started walking back to the car.

Vaish looked at his retreating figure in confusion.

Unfair.

What did he meant by that? She thought and saw him starting his car.

She entered her wing and turned to see him still waiting to see her enter safely.

Abhay looked at her who was having a confused look on her face and smiled.

"Remove those hazel lenses and then we will see who can read the other person better." He said loud enough for her to hear and finally left from there.

And Vaish got dumbfounded.

He knows.

He knows that she is wearing lenses.

But how?

She just shook her head and entered her apartment.

Changing into her night wear, she removedher lenses, and decided to stop overthinking and sleep to give her brain rest.

All other things can be done tomorrow.

***

Next morning they both came to office separately and were in a complete working mood

Last evening and that conversation was never brought up again.

It wasn't like they were avoiding each other. They were still talking comfortably and both were satisfied by it.

Three weeks have passed since that evening and by far they made a good progress with the project.

They completed 30% of it and both were satisfied with the progress.

It was more than what they expected. Vaish realised that Abhay is a genius at his work and Abhay got to know what a good strategy maker she was. Passionate about her project yet considerate towards her employees.

And that was the reason her entire staff even though small was truly dedicated to her.

In this three weeks he tried calling his Pooja Aunty but his number was still blocked and so he can't contact her.

Professionally he might be successful but his personal life was a mess.

He wasn't getting any clue about something important which he was trying to find out and his head was throbbing hard due to it.

He was drinking fourth coffee for the day when Vaish interrupted him.

"Abhay is everything okay with you?" She asked seeing the restlessness on his face.

"Yeah." He answered with a fake smile.

Vaish shook her head and sat in front of him.

"I'm asking once again and this time I want an honest answer. Is everything okay with you?" She asked in a serious tone.

"Pooja Aunty is not picking my calls." He replied while closing his eyes.

"Give her more time Abhay. You are working so hard for this project and when she sees your hard work then she will definitely come around. Trust me. Our loved ones can never be that angry with us, that they will abandon us fully."

"You are right. May be this project can help me." He said in a hopeful manner and Vaish smiled.

"So, Mr. Developer, since its a weekend and we have successfully completed the first part of out project we all are going somewhere and celebratingh our success! And you are coming. That's final." She said and Abhay nodded.

"Where is the party, Fireball? And who all are coming?" He asked.

"All office staff is coming. Actually I didn't throw a party for them after shifting here so this is a perfect opportunity. As for the place one guy from the office suggested a good place. He messaged the address in the group. So all we have to do is to get ready and show ourselves there." Vaish said and left from his cabin which was next to hers.

Abhay checked the group and was surprised to see that it was a popular club which was famous for its night performances. He knew that if they go there then they can't return before midnight. Thankfully next day was Sunday so they can sleep it off.

He completed his work and walked towards her cabin. If they are going and coming this late then he has to make sure about the safety of his fireball.

"May I come in maam?" He asked in a funny manner and Vaish looked up from her file amd smiled at him.

"Sure. I am just done with this file. Give me five minutes." She said and true to her words completed the fipe in five minutes and looked up at him.

"I'm impressed fireball. You said five minutes and that's exactly how much you took. I thought you will make me wait as payback." He said.

"And be late for the party? Nah. Anyways I don't believe in payback with family and friends." She replied.

"So what do you wanted to talk about, Mr. Developer?" She asked and folded her hands.

"Be my date for the party tonight." He asked straightforwardly and Vaish gasped.

"The club we are going has a couple entrance and everyone needs a partner." He explained.

"Oh. Then how will the rest of staff will enter?" She asked in a worried tone.

"All of them know that. And I think they did it purposefully. May be to get an opportunity to ask out the person they like." He said and shrugged his shoulder.

So are you asking me because you like me? She thought and her heart started beating wildly at the possibility.

Abhay might have tried to look cool and all but was dying from inside to know her answer.

He tried to tell her that he likes her in a subtle manner.

"Okay. I will be ready by 8." She said in a soft voice that almost made him doubt that was it the same confident business woman he has seen earlier.

He was jumping like a crazy teenager whose first crush agreed to go out with him.

He managed to control his emotions and nodded and left her cabin. Once he reached his cabin he jumped in the air with the excitement of a teenager.

Vaish on the other hand kept her hand on her heart to stop it from beating wildly.

All this feelings, were new to her and she didn't knew how to handle them.

She smiled at the idea of going out as his date and stood up to leave and get ready, for now she has to dress to impress.

***

Abhay was outside her apartment at exactly 8 and he rang the bell.

The door opened in a few minutes and when he saw her his breath got stuck in his throat.

She was looking breath takingly beautiful.

Who said that a girl has to wear black or red to look hot.

Here his fireball is! Wearing a cute pink yet she managed to take away his breath.

She looked at him and the smile on her face broadened to see the look on his face.

"You look beautiful." He said and handed her the bouquet of her favourite flowers.

She was happily surprised that he remembered her favourite flowers which she said once they were talking casually.

Tulips.

"Thanks. You look handsome as well." She said and was true for he did look handsome in that jacket and denims.

She invited him inside and put the flowers in an empty vase.

"You want some water?" She asked and he shook his head.

"You have got a nice place." He said.

"Thanks. But its my dad's apartment not mine." She answered politelya
and they were silent once more.

What is happening to me? Since when did I find it difficult to talk? She thought.

Why is my big mouth so quiet right now? Has it been any other lady I would have flirted like hell but with her all I want to do is to keep on looking at her. He thought.

"So shall we?" He asked and she nodded.

***

Well her looking pretty was not exactly a great thing. Abhay realised once they entered the club.

Because every damn man was looking at her with admiration in their eyes and he will be damned if anyone tried to make an advance towards her.

He held her hand. He wanted to held her waist but it would be too much and his fireball needed time for that.

Vaish was surprised when he held her hand but didn't withdraw her hand because she liked the warmth and comfort he provided.

He guided her towards a private section of club where her office staff was partying. There were not so many people.

They all were not so surprised to see them together. All of them were pairing them together in their head for both of them looked picture perfect couple.

No one commented anything because all came with some other person as a date.

Both Vaish and Abhay greeted them. And then ordered the starters and drinks. Suddenly the music started and everyone started dancing.

Vaish was sitting on a side table and watching all this and Abhay was watching his Fireball.

She was not drinking anything. So he asked, "You don't drink?"

"Not anymore." She said and closed her eyes trying to bury those memories which were trying to come out.

This atmosphere reminded her about that night in Vegas. Which she wanted to forget.

Suddenly she started feeling claustrophobic and needed air.

"Excuse me." She said him and move out for fresh air.

***

Vaish came out for fresh air thinking that it will divert her mind but instead she got more and more reminders of that night.

That day also she dressed without caring for anything.

She drank like an idiot and landed herself in such a big trouble.

How she wish she could change that night!

Because of that single night she can't allow herself feel anything for anyone.

She was at a battle with herself.

She knew that she was beginning to like Abhay.

It felt good to accept it but instead of feeling relieved she was feeling guilty for it was like cheating.

She is married.

Drunken or Sober doesn't matter but she was married! And liking someone else while being married was cheating.

It was wrong on so many levels but then why she felt it was all right when it came to Abhay?

With him it didn't feel it was cheating infact it looked such a pure emotion that she have never felt.

But what will happen when Mr. Stranger comes out and claims her?

She shook her head to erase the thought.

"Missing me dear wifey?" She heard the voice she hated the most.

***

Oops!

Here he comes! Our not so lovable character!

Lets see what happens now that he enters the scene!

How did you like Vaish's answer to Abhay's question at the beginning of the chapter?

Are you liking the chemistry between Vaish and Abhay?

Things are going to get spicy soon so stay tuned and keep on voting and commenting  :)