For the past one hour I was sitting in my office and waiting for Priya. I haven't seen her since the party. It was weekend after that and when I came to office on Monday I was informed that she has requested for sick leave for a week. I wanted to call her but I was afraid she won't respond. And I was distracted with Ved after that. I sighed.

I hope Ved is alright. I don't know what is it between him and Niharika. She said that they don't love each other but I could see the concern in Ved's eyes for her. He is that type of guy who always gives a cold attitude. But the way he behaved with Ritwik , I'm sure that she is mean something to him. I have never seen him that possessive and aggressive with anyone, not even with Arohi.

Arohi, I sighed thinking about her. Even though I and Arohi didn't meet often I took a dislike for her from the start. I don't know why I always felt like she was jealous of me, jealous of the relationship me and Ved had. I knew that after our father's death their relationship started to feeble, Ved was completely shattered and he started drinking. They started arguing every time and ended with fights. He was becoming out of control, not caring about anything, a path to self destruction. I was afraid that I am going to lose him too. Those three years was torture. He was giving up in everything. The company was sinking and I was just 18 and couldn't do anything. But everything changed after that accident. I don't know whether it was for good or bad. The Vedant came back from hospital was someone new, the one who never shows any emotions, the one who became cold, ruthless. His only focus was our company and I'm proud to say that it was Ved who brought this company to new levels. He made our father's wish come true. He never showed any mercy or remorse. He knock down every obstacles in his path to success mercilessly. But in between I lost my sweet cheerful big brother, who knows how to love and care. The new one was a cold emotionless one, whose only concern was business. But I noticed a glimpse of the old Ved when I stayed in his house previous week. He was becoming soft when Niharika was around. Moreover he was smiling when he look at her. That was a hope for me. A hope that I could get back my old brother; whom I miss a lot and Niharika is the key to that.

I was in my deep thought that I didn't notice that a cup of coffee was placed in front of me. I heard someone clearing their throat and looked up to see Priya holding a file towards me. She was wearing a black slacks and a matching red blouse. Her hair was in her usual high pony tail. I looked at her without knowing what to tell. She was having a blank expression. I couldn't make out what she was thinking. "Sir. I have summarized the presentation that you have to do during the meeting. Please check it and tell me if I should add anything else. The meeting will be by 11.00 am." I came out of the trance when I heard her voice. I nodded at her. She turned around and left the room.

I was confused. I thought she will be angry or she might be afraid but she was acting normal, like that night never happened and I kind of felt disappointed. I wanted to know what she is thinking. I wanted to follow her and talk to her but this presentation is an important one. I have to keep my personal feelings aside. I sighed and started to read the summary. Next one hour I prepared for the presentation.

By 11.00 am Priya again came inside and informed me that the conference room is ready and the clients will be arriving soon. I nodded again and walked towards the conference room with her.

I kept looking at her throughout the meeting. She seems normal and she was taking notes like she always do. She didn't even spare a look at me. I was getting impatient and her ignorance was making me angry. How come she can be so calm? She is the only one I could think about for the past one week and there she is sitting without even looking at me. Doesn't she feel anything from that kiss? Kiss!! My gaze fell on her lips again. The memory of her lips against mine filled my mind again. I couldn't help but think of taking them again in my mouth. I gulped and shook my head. Oh God!! She is driving me crazy. I sighed; I want this meeting to get over soon.

The meeting was over we shook our hands and said goodbyes. Priya lead them out of the conference room to see them off. I went inside my office. I ran my hands on my face and puffed. I turned around when I heard the door opened. Priya walked inside. "Sir. They said that they will contact us by next week for the finally confirmation." She said with the same blank face. I nodded but didn't let my gaze away from her. She looked at me then lowered her eyes. "I will prepare the meeting report." She said and turned around to leave. That's it!! I took two long strides to her. I held her elbow and turned her around. "That is enough Priya." I whisper yelled at her. I couldn't take more of her ignorance.

"What? What are talking about? Sir." She asked with a low but firm voice. I am a patient man but now she was getting on my nerves. She can't just act as if nothing happened between us. "Why are you behaving like this? Don't you have anything to tell me? You were absent for a whole week and now you are ignoring me. What is it in your mind?" I asked through my gritted teeth. My grip on her tightened and anger was rising in me. "Nothing. I don't have anything in my mind." She said and looked away from me.

I was on the edge. I pulled her towards me. A gasp left her mouth. We stared at each other. Our chests were brushing against each other now. She licked her lips in nervousness. My breath got heavy so as my anger. "Look Priya. Don't make me go crazy. I don't know why you are behaving like this and ignoring me. I don't know why you act like nothing happened between us. If you didn't like it and if you are expecting an apology from me, I am not going to give it to you because I don't regret kissing you. Instead I would love to do that again and again because I'm so fucking in love with you." I yelled at her without even thinking what I was saying.

She gasped at my outburst. Her eyes were wide as saucers and her mouth gaped open. That's when I realized what I said. I left my grip holding her hand and took a step back. What did I just say? Oh my god, did I just confess my love? I mean did I just say that I love her? I love her?!! I looked at her. She was still in shock. Do I really love her? Or am I confusing her with Aami? God, I'm married to Aami and I confessed my love to someone else? Or is she Aami? I was about to find that but I just fell in love with her?!! I face palmed myself. There was so much uncertainty and confusion around us. I wanted to find the truth and I fucked up. What is it with me? Why am I always this confusing when I am around her?

I looked at her again and our eyes met. We both looked away in embarrassment. We looked everywhere but each other. No one utter a single word. Few minutes passed. The awkwardness was increasing. I pursed my lips and my hands holding my hips. I have to say something to get us out of this situation. "I. I..." I opened my mouth to tell something.

"Happy Birthday." She said suddenly. I was startled and looked at her confused. "What?!!" I asked. She pursed her lips and licked them to make them wet. Her breath was uneven and her fingers were intertwined. She rubbed her palms. "I. I mean. Belated happy birthday. Sir" She said with nervousness. Then she put her hand in her slack pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. I looked at her confused. She extended the small box towards me. I took it from her with confusion written all over my face.

I opened the box and saw a silver chain. I took it out. It was a long chain with a capsule like locket. There was a small oval shape sapphire stone in the centre of the locket and a small "S" craved below the stone. It was beautiful. A smile crept to my lips and my eyes were becoming glassy with so many emotions. This is the first gift I received for my birthday after 10 years. I never celebrated my birthdays after my father's dismiss. It always bought back that awful day. And nobody ever wished me for my birthday for a long time. It was like even I have forgotten when my birthday was.

I gulped down the sob came up to my mouth and looked at her with so much admiration. I was so grateful to her. I smiled at her and she returned it. "How? How do you know my birthday?" I asked her. She smiled. "I'm your personal assistant. Remember?!!" she said with a teasing smile. I scoffed at her. "Thank you." I said with a genuine smile. She bit her lips while smiling. "I. I will go and prepare the report." She said without a fixed gaze. The awkwardness was still lingering around us; I looked at her and nodded. She turned to leave but I held her wrist to stop her. She gave me side glance. I gulped. "Our talk is pending." I said. She looked at me and then looked down. I left her hand and she walked out of the room. I looked at the chain and at the closed door behind her. I couldn't stop smiling at myself.