8/12/2019 - At Shiva office, T nagar, Chennai.

Aparna's P. O. V :

Shiva was crying and I could feel his warm tears on my neck. My eyes welled up instantly and I gulped down the harsh truth.

After few seconds, he released me and helped me get up from the floor.

Hari and karthik were screaming and hugging Shiva.

I walked slowly to the restroom and Shwetha followed me.

As we came out of the work station, Shwetha caught my hand and stopped me.

" What's going on ? " She asked me. I faked a smile and looked back at her.

" Nothing! " I said.

" I saw you shouting in your phone yesterday night, is Michael torturing you again? " She asked concerned.

I decided to lie again.

" No , it's the usual brawling " I said.

" Okay, Let's go out to eat. " She said and walked back inside the office.

I trudged my way back to the restroom and closed the door.

All the pressure piled up inside came out as tears. I cried my heart out.

Michael's words echoed in the empty space in between my sobbing.

" You can go nowhere now. "

" This is your last chance "

" This year will be the end to your career. "

" Mark the date, let's meet on 31st "

Michael had sent my work address to the architect's association and my old firm had send a request to restrict me to work as an Architect.

The Chennai architect's association had decided to have a hearing from my side. I had already lost my support in the Bangalore association. If I loose it here, I might really have to pack up, again.

I wiped out my tears and splashed the cold water on my face.

I walked back into the office to join the cheering team.

Shiva was busy calling up the client for a meeting. Hari and Karthik had already started practicing for the presentation.

I went out with Shwetha and came back in the noon.

" Do I look okay? " Shiva asked me adjusting his pale blue shirt. I was too tired to even notice anything.

I nodded back and went to my seat.

By around 5 in the evening, Latha walked into the office along with her husband.

Shwetha made them sit at the conference room and signalled us to come in.

Shiva was visibly shaking. I tapped his shoulders and he looked at me nervously.

" Shiva, You deserve this. We have did our best, be confident." I said to him.

" If I mess up, will you back me up? " He asking holding his hands tight.

" I will be there. " I said.

He nodded at me with a smile and walked into his first ever project presentation.

We started the meeting and the boys took turns speaking. I was helping them from the side by giving hints.

" Let me ask you one thing " Latha asked after they completed the presentation.

" Yes " Shiva said.

" The design is good. I don't find any fault in that, but I am a bit not satisfied too. What difference you have brought in other than the rooms that we asked for? Why should we give this project to you and not the other firm? " Latha asked.

Shiva looked at me confused.

I walked to the presentation area and went back to the first slide.

" We as a firm, believe in being true to the work we do. Rather than seeing this project as an empty building, we see it as a part of you. " I said.

Latha looked at me puzzled.

" So, you have two kids, a boy and a girl. Can you guess what will be their favourite part of this house? " I asked.

" Can we really guess that? " Latha's husband asked.

" Yes, we can. Your son is quite an extrovert, while your daughter is the opposite. You can see in the design, that your son's room balcony is located with view to the front yard. This balcony will be your son's favourite spot soon. You will catch him chatting with his friends, doing exercise or simply enjoying his cup of coffee in the future. He loves to take control of that view.

While your daughter, prefers painting and reading books. Instead of a balcony in her room, we have projected her room towards the backyard and added a skylight inside the room, which makes sure that her work area is well lit but is also as private as she likes it. You will find your daughter reading books cozily near the French window, enjoying the wind and evening sun, and with subtle views to outside. " I said in my confident tone.

" Wow, that does really sound like my Kids, Aparna. I can't believe that you have captured their activities perfectly. " Latha said with a wide smile. The tense atmosphere lifted off and everyone were finally able to breathe.

" Each part of this house is perfectly designed to fit your needs, from bringing in the chettinad style to your tiny habits. Do you still want to choose the other firm? " I asked smiling.

" Definitely not! I love your work. You guys have done a fantastic job! I can't wait to see this house in reality. " Latha said and everyone clapped.

We discussed the terms of agreement and the project was finally signed.

After the clients left, we had a small party. We ordered food and the office was finally filled with the type of vibe I wanted it to be.

Shiva took a coke can in his hand and raised it up.

" We are a firm worth of 20 lakhs now!!!! " He shouted.

" Bali, here I come! " Shwetha shouted after him.

" Wait, wait, you forgot one important thing. " Karthik said.

" What? " Hari asked.

" How can we celebrate without mentioning the player of the match! Aparna! You beauty! " Karthik said and threw a flying kiss towards me.

Shiva looked at me flustered while Hari and Shwetha giggled from their chairs.

" You are the reason for this! " Karthik said to me. I smiled at him and signalled him to stop.

We all laughed and ate the pizza.

I packed all my bags and walked out of the firm. I couldn't finally have good sleep.

Shiva walked out behind me.

" Can I drop you? " He asked me.

I was too tired to look up for a cab, so I decided to go with him.

I sat on his bike and he drove out of the parking. It was almost instantaneous for me to look at his face through the rear view mirror. His face had a small grin and his cheeks were glowing. I smiled on looking at his happy face.

" Why are you staring at me? " He asked me.

" You look so happy " I said.

" I would say, I feel accomplished finally. " He said laughing.

" Good " I said.

It started to rain again and Shiva stopped his bike near a shed. The road was empty and we took cover from the rain.

" Deja vu " He said laughing.

" Yeah " I said, remembering my confession.

" Can I ask you something? " He asked gently.

I nodded back.

" Why didn't you stop me? " He asked.

" Stop you for what? " I asked back.

" Our kiss, two days ago. "He said and the flashes of the moment came before my eyes. I gulped hard and looked at him, as if I can't remember anything.

" You knew my thoughts right, I am being volatile. I was insane to do it. But you could have stopped it. I am not blaming you, but if you don't stop me, I don't know. "He said rasing his hands.

I looked at his wide eyes, should I tell him that I am believing on his promise, or should I tell him that, I was being insane too.

I am the only one who remembers his drunk words. He doesn't even know what he talked to me.

My face started burning up thinking that I might have created a huge trap for myself and fell into it.

What was I thinking, he was the one who was not sober that day , but why did I end up taking the bad decision?

" I am not going to know what's inside your head if you just stare at me like this! " He said running his hand through his hair.

" Shiva? " A shrill voice echoed through the street.

We both looked at the direction of the voice, and the good day had suddenly become the worst one possible.

I saw Anjali standing outside a car , few meters away from us. Hot fumes were coming out of her nose and she could kill Shiva with that medusa stare.

Shiva looked at me terrified.

As Anjali slowly walked towards us, I knew that I can't play hide and seek with her again.