"There's a lightning in your eyes I can't deny,

Then there's me inside a sinking boat, running out of time.

There's a moment when you finally realize,

There's no way you can change the rolling tide.

But I know, yes I know that I'll be fine."

— "Ready to Run" // One Direction

ɤɤɤɤɤɤɤɤ

Sitting in the big conference hall Mishti feels alone - like really alone. Honestly loneliness is not something she's afraid of, she has been alone all her life yet this time it was different.

Abir is not sitting in front of her today.

Months back when Mishti joined Rajvanshs she was sure of what place Abir was to occupy in her life until he proved her wrong - terribly wrong. And after what happened yesterday it's impossible to take off her thoughts from Abir and she is not even apprehensive to admit it, just like meeting Nishant alone doesn't bother her anymore.

Mishti has faced Nishant quite a few times now, the only difference today is she has to talk to him directly. No Abir will be there to counter Nishant when he makes any comment on Mishti. Not like she's not strong enough to give it back to her ex-husband, but the feeling of being protected by a man like Abir Rajvansh is a privilege, and as terrifying as it sounds, Mishti is getting used to this.

To the care,

To the protection,

To the empathy,

To Abir...

Slowly but definitely, she is appreciating his presence in her life.

But then he chooses to leave, and Mishti is alone.

Again.

Like she's always been.

"Mishti ma'am, Nishant Singhaniya is here."

"Great, ask him to come here; we shall finish this meeting by 1."

"Alright ma'am. It's 11 o'clock already so I think we can start. This is the file if you want to check once more."

"Sure. Thanks Kunal. Oh, Abir has signed already."

"Yes ma'am."

Mishti glances at the door and Nishant enters the hall with his usual creepy look. Kunal takes his seat behind Mishti as Nishant and his companions settle down. So Abir is actually not coming today. Mishti sighs as her non-existent hopes are broken.

"So let's start the meeting, Mr. Singhaniya. As we've discussed already in our previous meetings, this project if approved we'll be working directly with the government and it'll help us to not only spread awareness about mental health in rural areas but also to act upon things efficiently. In short, we'll actually be making a change. So this happens to be our last meeting in regard to this project. Abir sir had to leave for Delhi urgently but he has signed the papers."

"Why?" Nishant smirks, raising an eyebrow at Mishti, "Did he finally realize where he is supposed to be?"

"I request you all to go through the file once again and suggest any changes if necessary. Then we can proceed. Thank you gentlemen." Kunal concludes, ignoring Nishant.

Mishti looks away when she feels Nishant's fixed gaze at her. Honestly she's not shocked; she has known all Nishant wants is an opportunity to snap at Mishti and now in Abir's absence, Nishant won't leave this chance.

And this is the moment when something clicks inside her mind.

Abir has been protecting her.

He has been doing that since she first stepped inside this office, without even saying so.

Maybe unintentionally, but he does care.

So she chooses to be happy for one moment because in the end, it doesn't matter. This is her battle and she is supposed to fight this on her own. The last thing she'd expect is Abir's support or affection in any way.

Mishti looks straight at Nishant, she does not smile but keeps staring. Nishant's piggish looks suddenly changes to a dull one. This happens to be the first time after Mishti left Canada that she has looked at her ex-husband so attentively. He is still the same brat who knows nothing above himself; except earlier there used to be a softness in his eyes and now there's nothing.

Empty.

Whatever happened, did not ruin just one life.

"Mishti ma'am, should we leave? You've another meeting at the office."

Mishti can sense the discomfort in Kunal's words - probably because of the death stares she and Nishant are throwing at each other. But Mishti doesn't say anything, she misses Abir - not to her defense, but to her support.

She genuinely misses Abir.

Him just being there.

The thought startles Mishti - Abir Rajvansh has become an important figure just by being around. The realisation hits her like a revelation of some age old secret that's been kept so carefully for no one to notice.

Abir means a lot, more than he should.

Epiphany.

Sudden hit of a wave.

Enlightenment.

Just like an avalanche.

This is the moment she feels scared for herself.

This is the moment her mind betrays and sides with the heart.

This is the moment when Mishti has to finally accept a truth that wasn't so important hours ago.

Only if Abir was there, she would have run to him straightaway and for this one time she'd have confessed that he makes her feel strong and his mere absence makes her realise how important his presence is!

"Long time Mishti, finally we met after all the chaos you created, I mean we're alone and that puppy running after you is nowhere to be seen." Nishant smirks.

Mishti indicates Kunal to leave. His protest was of no worth.

"Mishti.. Mishti.. Mishti.. How is my wifey doing by the way?"

"I'm sorry for your amnesia, Mr. Singhaniya, but the woman you used to call your wife has taken divorce long back. So if you can excuse me.."

"Ah Mishti! Too smart, that's why I still like you, you sassy little bitch."

"Dare you say..."

"Oh c'mon Mish, let's not discuss the past. We've a future lying ahead and now that you're working under my business partner, I've naturally a right on you, you know..."

"I'm so sorry for you, Mr. Singhaniya, I didn't know that you lack even basic logic. Talking about your rights, I'm working with the one who owns Maheshwaris & Co. and unfortunately you're not that lucky one here."

Nishant doesn't speak his smirk annoys Mishti.

"I think we're done. Have a good day Mr. Singhaniya."

Packing her bag Mishti walks towards the door only to be pulled back by Nishant.

"What do you think, Mishti, what are you doing?"

Nishant cages Mishti with his right hand by her waist, his left hand holding her arms tight enough to make her stand still. The feeling of her ex-husband's breath in her skin irks Mishti; and can't tell whose blood is boiling more. But someone is definitely going to explode.

"What are YOU doing Nishant? Leave me.."

"Come on, Mish, finally you're with me. How can I waste this moment? Not done darling."

"Haven't you tortured me enough, Nishant? Leave me.."

"Oh did I? Then take this as an apology from me. But what about you Mish? Didn't you make me suffer enough?"

Mishti struggles to get out of Nishant's hold but all in vain. Obviously she is a fool to expect Nishant to behave a little more gently. But the most foolish decision has been taken by her stupidity - why on the earth would she choose to remain alone even for a moment with Nishant when she is perfectly aware of Nishant's limits?

Why? Because he's her ex-husband! For a fleeting moment she let her heart make a choice.

And the heart is a fool, after all.

"Speak Mishti, say something. What do you want? What will you take to free me from this?"

"What are you talking about Nishant? You know I am not going to.."

"I WANT YOU BACK MISHTI NISHANT SINGHANIYA, DON'T YOU FUCKING GET IT? DON'T YOU?"

Nishant turns Mishti around and almost jerks her by her arms.

"Isn't that kind of injustice Mishti? You left everything behind, that's quite understandable. But why me? Weren't you, you out of all people Mishti, weren't you my best friend? So what happened to our so-called friendship? Who did you leave me for? For that Abir Rajvansh? Why? What does he have that I couldn't give you? Come on Mish, just tell me and you'll see how I can surprise you. Did you sleep with him?"

"Just shut up.. Shut up Nishant.. You --"

"Why? Did the truth hurt? Now you know how it feels like? Does Mishti Agarwal, the one who despises love, finally values it? Huh? Good for you, Mish. Good for you. But why was I the only one left alone in that pathetic mess? Whatever happened to you and your stupid family, where was my fault? That's your home. I was your Goddamn husband. You can't just enter my life without my consent and then you can't leave me without my wish. In fact, why would you?"

"Because you too were a part of all those, you fucking bastard."

Mishti pushed away and shouted. She had had enough. Her anger and hatred was flowing in the form of tears now.

"Language, Mishti. You don't cross your boundaries anymore. I gave you everything when you were just an egoistic little piece of mean girl, dancing along your father's fingers. Don't forget those who suffered for you just because you were flying high. Now that you freed yourself, you don't forget your dignity. This world still calls you my ex-wife, and you with Abir Rajvansh are not making a good deal. Tell me, he makes you feel too good in bed, doesn't he? Because I could never..."

Nishant tries to hold Mishti's arms but Mishti's eyes are firing at him.

"Are you angry, wifey? Don't be, I'll calm you down. Come to me. I've got a big heart, you know. I'll forgive you and that hopeless beggar family of yours. Where is your so-called proud and the-best-man-of-my-life father? Call him too, I'll give him a place to live. If you want, I'll give this company back to him. That stupid Vishambhar Maheshwari.. He is - "

"DARE YOU TAKE THE NAME OF ME OR MY FAMILY WITH YOUR DIRTY MOUTH ONCE MORE AND I'M GONNA KILL YOU."

Mishti sounds so fierce that Nishant steps back. It seems he just crossed the line.

"Don't try to act in front of me. What do you think, I'm oblivious to you and your misdeeds? In fact, let me ask you, why would YOU? Why would you want me back? Are you lacking your sex dolls? Or could you not find another perfect face to name as your wife and show off to the world - to hide your sins? Tell me about it, you could never be a man in the first place, could you? It's never been easy for me, Nishant, but it's less stressful now. I can breathe freely, beyond this shitty game of the elders, and your obsession. You killed my mother and you're asking why would I leave? Just tell me what do I have there to stay? That place is just a cage of four walls and the game arena for your rivalries. A home is one's comfort place, not something where one is scared with their own life."

"What? Stop your lecturing, you said you'd stay by me. You gotta come back. Trust me I'll make sure everything's alright now. Just come back, yeah?"

"I must salute your audacity to even beg me to come back Nishant. Do you even have any idea what love is? Badmouthing your ex-wife, sexualizing everything, objectifying her in front of the whole world is your love. In fact you don't even have the right to utter the name of a pure man like Abir. Cheers to you and your family's wealth, reputation and scams. I'm much happier now being wherever I'm in. I thought I loved you, Nishant, but look at me now, I'm happier without you. You're nowhere in my life and I know who I am to you. So good luck with your sex-dolls, your affairs, your games and LEAVE ME AND ABIR ALONE."

"So you and that son of a bitch are actually together. You assholes --"

Before Nishant finishes Mishti's fist thrashes on his face making him disbalanced.

"You bitch, how dare you --"

"NOT A WORD, NISHANT SINGHANIYA. NOT A WORD. Just because I'm respecting my limits doesn't mean I'm helpless. Neither you're safeguarded by your mom's lap now am I under my father's control. Do you want me to remind you of what I can do with your whole family? I hope you've that much memory left in your peanut-sized brain."

"Listen to me Mish, listen.."

"No you listen to me, Nishant Singhaniya. How dare you touch me? How dare you question my character? Who gave you the right to play with me and my feelings? I am never an idiot to get fooled by your stupid mind games or emotional blackmailings. I don't care what you think about me but I'm warning you for the first and last time, if you try to corrupt Abir's name in all this I swear to my dead Mom's soul, I'll finish you. I swear."

"So he's so impor--"

"Get the hell out of here. This deal is finalised and now you've no job left. Get out or I'll file a case against you, again. GET OUT. Not a word against Abir."

Mishti screams. A stunned Nishant doesn't even realise when Mishti pulls him out towards the door and slams it right in his face. When he sees Kunal come running towards him, he tries to say something only to be punched in the face again. So before anything dangerous happens, Nishant decides to leave.

"Open the door, Mishti ma'am, are you alright?"

Kunal's horror-filled voice echoes throughout the office.

After constant banging on the door finally Mishti comes out. She gently smiles at Kunal as if nothing has happened.

"Oh Kunal, I'm so sorry. I know I gave you nearly a shock."

Mishti grins and to Kunal's surprise it doesn't look fake. After all, Kunal knows well how these two people whom he admires the most can hide themselves behind their smiles. But Mishti isn't faking it.

"I'm sorry Kunal but you know it's so relaxing to see that idiot Nishant so startled. It seems towards the end I scared the shit out of him. Did you look at his face?"

Mishti chuckles making Kunal finally smile. Everything is actually awesome.

"Do you know I think I punched him in his face. I just hope his nose isn't broken."

"Oh my Good, did you? That's another blow then. He has a wonderful day."

Both Kunal and Mishti laugh.

"Oh yes Kunal, I didn't open the door because you know the room was messed up a bit, I had to clear it."

"But I could have help--"

"This is my fight, Kunal, and I need to fight and face the consequences on my own. You know, I used to feel Abir is a pro actor and tries to show himself as ignorant and keeps things to himself. But I realised the truth today. Maybe that's the way of life. You feel a certain emotion at one moment, you live it then leave. It's just that one moment. Even if it's an extreme emotion you need to feel it and then let it go out of you. It sounds tough but it's easy you know, if you try."

"I didn't quite get it ma'am."

"Oh is it? Probably I can't explain this now. But it's okay if you feel certain things deeply and break down for a moment. Until and unless you totally realize these feelings they stay inside you like a burden. Probably Abir could see how important it was for me to face Nishant this way and realise what I actually feel."

"So what did you realise?"

"I thought I hated him. But the case is I don't feel anything for him. You know, I heard the other day Abir telling a client that hate is just love gone the wrong way. I didn't get it that day but now I know it's true. And carrying this much bitterness inside me is hurting me the most. Probably I should loosen up a bit, don't you think so, Kunal?"

"Abir sir would have been so surprised to see you like this."

"Oh no, he knows all these, I believe, and if he doesn't it's an honour to surprise Mr. Abir Rajvansh, isn't it?" Mishti laughs, trying not to ponder over all the realisation that hit her today.

"Seems you both understand each other quite well." Kunal says under his breath.

"Did you say anything?"

"Oh no ma'am, I think we should leave now. We've another meeting today."

"Yes of course. By the way, when is Abir returning? Any updates?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure he'll be back soon and I'll inform him about whatever happened today."

"Kunal, I want you to skip the part where I praised him, okay? I know he's pissed off with me after that day's confrontation, probably his hatred grew bigger. But you just don't tell him that I said something good of him. He might start showing off."

Biting her lips awkwardly she walks away as fast as she can.

Hate is just love gone the wrong way; how long will take anyway to find the right way out?

Kunal smiles, this tale is going good.