"Ash?" three letters, one word, one name, one man. The only one that haunted my dreams for five years from when I was fourteen. Not once in my life I thought I would meet him again, at least not like this. If I were given a choice I would wish for not meeting him again, ever. Even four years ago I would have all sorts of overwhelming emotions bursting out of me the minute I laid my eyes on him but right now I felt nothing. It was a black hole devoid of emotions.

"Ry? What are you doing here? Listen if this is about what happened..."

"It's not what you think, Mr. Ashwath I am here to talk business." He was anything but shocked I had a feeling that he somehow got used to cold responses from me. After all the years of coldness from me. He moved away from the door and gave me space to get inside his apartment. It was filled with boxes and nothing in the apartment was unpacked.

"I just moved in yesterday so didn't have time to unpack. I would ask you to sit but the sofas have not been shipped yet."

"That's fine, this won't take long. I know that you have signed with VR Holdings to help with the renovation. I work for them and my boss Ryan, who is your boss too got into a controversy last night which is bad as far as the reputation of the company is concerned, so I want you to come to the company this evening and give a statement to the media that Ryan and you have been friends and have thrown a party last night to celebrate your coming back from states."

I kept it as professional as possible or so I thought. I think he wanted to do the same "I will be there" he said nodding as if in understanding but added "but, I need you..."

"The only time you will ever need me will be when you want to choose your coffin or want to disappear from the face of earth."

"You haven't lost your ability at being awful. Have you?"

"I guess some things never change Mr. Ashwath and if we are done here I would love to leave." He gave up and I knew it.

"Please text me the address along with the time Ms. Riyanshika, I will be there."

"I would say it was nice meeting you but it wasn't. You will get my message; try to be there on time." With that I left before I heard him say anything or saw him again. He was bad news and brought back memories that made me want to have amnesia.

*******************************

"Kira just rang Ryan and asked him to be there for the press release, I texted the architect the details along with time, Sara is arranging for the meeting right now because the two of them have answered in affirmative and you... what are you doing?"

"I am just thinking Jack; about how horrible my day has been and every time I thought my day couldn't get any worse I was proved wrong."

"It's fine Riya it will get better. But what was I listening in the lunch time about you falling down this morning?"

"Didn't Jay mention the word almost? I swear one of these days you will have to come to bail me out from jail" I sighed and asked that one question I have been thinking about "Jack can I ask you something? Do you think I have some sort of condition that I have an instant hatred for guys? I mean it's not like I hate you or some others from my college or school. But I just hate Ryan, Jay, Hots, Ash... I mean I don't really hate them. Hate is a too strong word to be used for anyone. It's just that I don't know..." I stopped myself from saying more, I was just rumbling, I did that when I am upset. But it is true though I am not capable of hating any one, not even Ash.

"Hey listen to me. You are just having a bad day don't fret it. Things will get better. For now, just let them be. Ok?" I was not very close to this guy but he sure had a way with words. Always knew the right thing to say. Jack was that kind of guy that instantly fell under he-is-a-nice-guy-that-will-be-a-great-friend category "But now I am really intrigued. Who is Hots?"

"Someone you and I both should not be talking about right now. Come on now let's go help Sara."

Other than the still zombie look on Ryan's face, the meeting started off well and people instantly believed in Ryan and Ash's bromance. With the way those two spoke even I had doubts that they have been friends before. And it was possible, as both had a common trait of being jerks. It went on smoothly up until a snarky witch (reporter) said that she hadn't seen Ash come in or go out during the party. At this I had prompted Sara to say something about how he used the back door as he was not a huge fan of spot light, she recited the same. The witch didn't seem happy with my answer and I had a feeling that this had something to do with Ryan. I had my gut yelling at me that she was one of his Exs. Other than that everything went well and the meeting ended after 45 minutes.

Once it wrapped up I wanted to just go back home but I had some last minute letters and emails I had to send out. I made my way up to my floor when a voice stopped me,

"Riya? Is it always going to be like this? You being indifferent and me trying with all I have to just get some emotion out of you."

I wanted to yell, shout do anything other than what I actually did. I faced him and smiled. I didn't know why but it was a small smile that didn't really have a meaning. It was just a gesture that meant that it was up to him to figure out the answer to his question because I didn't know the answer. His shoulders drooped and his expression became stoic, he turned and walked away. Ash.

I made my way to my cubicle and just settled when my phone was ringing again by now I was downright fuming. This better be important

"Ry, Bibi liked my ideas. She asked me to start as soon as possible. I am so happy. Oh my god I can't believe I just received my first huge assignment, even the pay is great. We can go shopping all month once I am done. I will make sure to make her home look elegant in the living room, cozy in the..."

"Sasha, that's great really. But can we talk again later, now is not the time"

"Is something wrong? I heard naughty boy got into trouble again. What did he do this time? What story did you guys come up with? I want to hear all about it."

"And you will. Just not right now. I have had a horrible day and I don't want my sob story to ruin your happiness." I wanted her to give up. I was not in a mood to talk to anyone and particularly her.

"Riya? What's wrong?"

"Nothing alright. Just give up Natasha we will talk later." I scowled and the line went dead.

Wait. A. Minute. Did I just yell at her? I banged my head to my table. What did I do?

"Bang a little harder and my life will be a nirvana, anyway which evil plan of your's back fired? I am sure you have a zillion more plans up your sleeve."

"Ryan I have a long and I mean a very LONG speech prepared for you that will keep you away from me for the rest of our lives but now is not the time and I am not in a mood to recite it. So I advise you to get to the point."

"Ah I feel loved." He said with a mock smile but then his expression changed into a serious one and said "I want a list of all the channels and newspapers that had a story or two about my performance last night. I want to file a law suit."

"Right on it boss"

"Don't call me that. And I am going to stick to my promise, so you are fired go away from my sight right now and mail me the list before mid night"

"You are kidding right?" for the first time in 6 months I took Ryan's words seriously.

"Of course not. But you are fired only for the rest of the day. You and your team both. Be right on time tomorrow morning, we have some people to sue. And just a piece of advice, try not to fall the next time you board our bus," with that he left.

If he was being serious about firing me, this would be the single most horrible day of my life. I would be left without a job, a close friend, sanity and with a lot of unwanted hurting thoughts and memories. With the way this day was going I wouldn't even be surprised even if I ended up mars before midnight.

This day couldn't get any worse.

Idiot Riya don't jinx it.

Just then my phone rang again. Argh.

"Who is it?"

"Riya? This is Nick. Can we meet for dinner?" Arghhhhhhhhhh of course my day can get worse. I got to stop saying it.

~*~*~*~*~

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