31/12/2019, At Chennai, Association meeting

Aparna's P. O. V :

It was so good to see fear in Michael's eyes. He held his shaky hands together and looked straight at me.

I huffed out and smirked at him.

Shiva was still standing near the main projector.

" Michael! Are you denying the video evidence? " The head of the association asked.

Michael nodded his head weakly.

" Ms. Aparna Khatri, you are still under the blame for the collapse of the building mentioned earlier. Do you have any evidence to prove that it was not under your approval? " The head asked me.

" Actually, yes " Shiva said and moved to the computer to display something.

He projected The site drawings on the screen. The original approval drawings were signed by me and then the second set was signed by Snegha. Right, it was the organic design one. The structural engineer forbid us from going second floor, but still they did it and I was thrown under the wheel.

The association members started murmuring.

But how did Shiva get these drawings?, who helped him?, what is happening?

" Mr. Michael submitted a different set of proof to us. How do we know which is true? " The head asked confused.

" Sir, the drawings I submitted were the real ones. He has manipulated the drawings to help Aparna. We also have the witness signatures! " Michael protested.

I didn't sign any of them, yet I can't prove anything.

" If the association can give us some time, we are ready to submit the hardcopy of the drawings that I showed. Also all our drawings have the site manager's sign, which means they cannot be manipulated. I kindly ask Michael also to submit the original hard copy! " Shiva said.

I looked at him surprised.

" Yes, Michael we request you to submit the hard copy along with what Mr. Shiva has presented today. " The associate member said.

" But why is Sethu sir here? " The head asked.

" As per the norms, Aparna is required to have an architect to stand as a witness to her quality of work. She has worked under Sethu sir for an year. I kindly plead the association to hear his side before taking the final decision " Shiva said and sat down besides me.

" Hello my friends, long time no see ! " Sethu sir said laughing.

" Yes Sir! " The head laughed.

" This girl here worked as an intern at my office for an year. Let me tell you, She was the best one I have seen in years. I asked her to come back to my office but unfortunately I couldn't welcome her back. She has worked for nearly 4 projects under her internship. And She was as competent as the senior Architect. I never questioned her work ethic. Being a very respected Architect myself, I really hope this association takes into account my words! This is my sincere request! We shouldn't waste talent like her! " Sethu Sir said.

I rubbed away the tears from my eyes and Shiva patted my shoulders.

My eyes landed on Michael who was sitting opposite to me gritting his teeth. He grinned at me and stood up.

I was no more scared. I had already won. It is done.

" Internship is not taken as a work experience. The witness is valid only under a proper post. I sincerely wish the association rejects baseless words." Michael said and sat down.

" So, Mr. Michael, weren't you provided a certificate at the end of your internship in college? " Sethu Sir asked him.

" Yes Sir, I was. " He said nervously.

" Good, then wasn't it mentioned as work experience?, well, in our office, the intern was as equal as an employee under the post. I wrote the rules and regulations that you were uttering boy. " Sethu Sir said and laughed.

" Mr. Michael, The association will take action against you for providing misleading case against a honest architect and misuse of the Association's power for your own good. We request you to prove against your allegations or else serious action will be taken against you. If the other party accepts to retract this case, we will consider reducing the punishment. " The head association architect said.

I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes, I bit my lips and finally I smiled.

" Aparna, what's done is done. I was under a wrong impression about you. Please let's end this case here. Accept to retract the case " Michael said to me confidently.

" I think that is a better idea! " Shiva said concerned and looked at me.

" No, I am not dropping this case. " I said boldly and nodded at Shiva. He smiled at me assuredly.

" Aparna, let's not allow vengeance to get into your sight. This is not the time for that! " Michael said and this time his entire body was shaking, he was barely able to stand.

I was scared of him, I hid inside a room and locked myself in. If I don't stand up now, I will forever be under his control. Nobody should have that control over me. Enough of crying and shaking, for one time, I wanted to be true to myself.

" I kindly request the association to take legal action against the shades firm and this person for slandering of my name and for providing false documents against me. If the association fails to take action, I will take this issue to the court and blame this association for approving false complaint against me. " I said and stood up.

I walked out of the Hall and Shwetha walked behind me proudly.

After we came out of the Hall, Shwetha hugged me and we both were jumping in joy.

" My girl is back! " She screamed loud.

" Let's wait outside till they all come out! " I said to Shwetha.

After 15 minutes, Shiva and Hari came out with smiling faces.

" What happened? " Shwetha asked them curiously.

" They are going to take action against Michael! " Shiva said and held his hand in front of him.

I wanted to move away his hand and hug him like my life depended on it. But I didn't.

I shook his hand and smiled at him. His hand was warm as usual. We split our hands after an awkward smile.

" Wait, I need to check if they saved our files right! " Shiva said and ran back inside.

Sethu Sir and other association members came out of the Hall.

I walked towards Sethu sir and knelt in front of his wheel chair.

" I am forever indebted to You Sir! Thank you for coming! You literally saved my entire career! " I said to me.

" Oh No, two boys nearly kidnapped me here! " He said laughing.

" Still, I cannot thank you enough! " I said and smiled at him.

" You didn't deserve this Aparna. You are a gem and it is my duty to help you. If you really want to thank someone, thank that Shiva! " He said.

I nodded my head and rubbed away my tears.

" He jumped into my home! You are blessed to have such trustworthy people on your side! Don't loose them! All the best for your wonderful future!" He said and moved out of the corridor.

I stopped my mind from wandering towards the words Sethu Sir said. If I replay the words again, I might fall for that idiot again. How am I ever going to repay Shiva!

I walked to Shwetha and stood near her. Shiva came back and was checking something in his phone.

Michael and his friends came out of the Hall. Michael ferociously unbuttoned his collar button , threw away his tie. He stomped hard on the floor and his friends were trying to hold him down.

His hair was all over the place, man, he was wrecked just by bearing twenty minutes of the torture that I bore for four months!

Michael looked at me and walked towards me.

I looked at him and stood straight.

" What are you thinking really? " Michael said.

" What? " I asked him folding my hands in front of me.

" We were good friends for God's sake! How can you do this to me? Case at court? Is this how much you respect me? " Michael asked me.

" So, where was our friendship when you filed this fucking case? Where was it when you spread rumors about me and I had to run out of my home town! Where was the respect when you blamed that building collapse on me? ,where was it when you stalked me! Where was the friendship when you forced me? ,have your fucking respect with yourself! " I said to Michael.

" You bitch! " Michael said and moved his hand to slap my face. Suddenly Michael fell to the ground with a strong punch from Shiva.

Michael gathered himself and looked at me. But Shiva kicked him hard in the stomach again.

Hari and Shwetha were looking as if they were having the entertainment of their lives.

Michael's friends pulled away Shiva and helped Michael to stand up. Shiva pushed out of the hold and punched straight at Michael's face again. Michael was visibly bleeding.

This time, I intervened and pulled back Shiva.

One of the associate members also pulled back Shiva.

" Calm down or else,You might be punished for physical assault! " The associate member said to Shiva.

" I would like to add another case on Michael. For damage of my office property, here look at the evidence! " Shiva said and played a video on his phone.

It was a footage from Shiva's office. Michael was pushing and breaking the succulent pots. I controlled my laughter on looking at the video.

" He bloody broke my succulents! My costly succulents ! You know how hard it was for us to decorate and grow them? He mercilessly broke them! " Shiva said with a fake pout.

" The association will take of Michael. Please stop. Dissolve this crowd! " The associate member said and walked out after getting death stares from Michael.

" Poor baby, you should have known your strengths. This is not your home ground! You shouldn't have brought the game here! " Shiva said.

Michael smirked and wiped away the blood with a cloth.

" You should have ended this match in Bangalore. You shouldn't have invited me in. This is Chennai bro. We won't sit and watch if you touch our girl. And brother, don't justify whatever you did in the name of love. Just don't! " Shiva said and walked out dragging me by my hand.

As we came near the lift, Shiva left my hand and smiled at me. Shwetha and Hari walked behind us silently.

We reached the lobby and Shiva finally turned to me. Hari and Shwetha walked to the parking lot to bring the car.

" Aparna, this might be the last time, we both are seeing each other. I can't tell you how happy I am, that I was able to help you. Without you, I can't imagine where I would be now. You made me understand what is the most important thing for running a business. And it was all the people around me." He said with genuine smile.

I stood there silently looked at him confused.

" Thanks for everything that you do. I really wish that you would become a successful architect. Now you are really a free bird! " He said and took a step away from me.

I wasn't breathing.

" I hope you would forgive me soon! I am a free bird too , finally! " He said talking a long breath.

I nodded at him and smiled.

" I know we both had a very unstable relationship from the beginning. But now, everything is sorted! " He said.

I looked out for his next words with all the curiousity inside me.

" We are friends! " He said and laughed loud.

The smile on my face broke and I didn't know why I was disappointed. I didn't know, why I was suddenly feeling like I wasn't free from anything.

" Thank god I didn't promise you anything like what people usually do, that I would leave my wedding for you! Imagine how much trouble we both would be in if I had given such fake promises to assure you! Now, we can truly be friends! " He said and smiled at me.

I looked down and scratched my forehead. My mind was playing the scene where the drunk Shiva promised me that he would come to me. He pleaded me that I shouldn't leave him. I shook my head to throw away the dumb thoughts. He doesn't even remember anything. At least he should be happy.

It all comes down to the same point again, that I just want him to live without regrets, even if that meant that I would carry them for him.

I smiled at him emptily. I had nothing to say.

Hari and Shwetha came to the lobby with the car and signalled me to get in.

" Thanks a lot Shiva. I really really mean it. Thanks. I hope you have a happy life ahead. Life regret free. " I said and turned towards the car. And rushed towards the door.

" And Aparna, if you face another issue, please call me! Anything you want! Trust me,i ll do anything! Please don't suffer alone! " Shiva shouted as I sat inside the car.

I waved at him with a fake smile as Hari drove the car out of the hotel.

My smile faded as soon as the car crossed two roads. My eyes were tearing up. They said, this one sided love will get better with time, but every time, why was I hurting more?

I was crying silently.

Shwetha patted my shoulder and I looked at her.

" Did something happen? " She asked me concerned.

" No! It's just " I gulped hard and held back my tears.

" It's just that I couldn't tell him anything! I really wanted to tell him everything ! He is back to himself! He is out of Anjali's control, he did all this for me, but I couldn't tell him how I truly felt. Insane right? I have become more like him! I don't know what to do Shwetha! " I said and hugged Shwetha.

For one last time, I wanted to shout that I still loved him.