Against All Odds

Chapter 37 Meeting

Author's POV

She sat near the car window watching the night lights pass by. Inspite of heavy traffic and the noise outside, it was peaceful inside. The noise was reduced by the closed glass windows and the cool breeze from the AC made the atmosphere romantic and peaceful, the lights outside increasing the beauty. But as much as she liked it she couldn't enjoy it, as she was anything but calm from inside.

Shaurya's behaviour in the morning was anything but strange. He was rude as usual but it was more like concerned rudeness rather than the i-want-to-distance-myself- from-you rudeness.

Niyati was still tired and felt weak because of the panic attack she had last night. However she felt more tired thinking about her interaction with Shaurya. The question eating her was, did he realise she had a panic attack? No. He had asked her if she had cried the whole night when he saw her. So her secret may be safe for now.

Now her mind was occupied with another question. Why had he asked her to come to his office? He did say something about keeping her side of the deal. Oh no!

The first thing that popped into her mind was
' It's just a one night stand.
No need to make a fuss out of it.'

Her breathing hitched.

Breathe! Breathe! She reminded herself. She couldn't afford having another attack so soon. She was already drained out. One more attack and it would be difficult to hide it. Also she was sure the first thing the driver would do is call his boss. She had to calm down.

Resting her head on the back rest of the car she let her mind wander to the thoughts of the one person who gave her peace, Ashu.

After Shaurya left Ashu and Shikhar had come home. Apparently, there is a custom of the newly married bride to come home the next day for some rituals. She had no idea about it as there wasn't any elderly person to guide them. Ashu was told by their elderly maid, who had even welcomed them home after marriage and had forced them to perform some rituals after getting home too.

Niyati was more than glad to see Ashu. Not only did she miss her but she helped her take her mind off the meeting with Shaurya.

After Ashu left, Niyati had spent some time altering her dress. Yes the same old dress that she wore alternatively for the past ten years but had never bothered to alter it to fit her now thin figure. She herself had no idea why she was putting in the effort now. Maybe because she didn't want to look like she was wearing a tent to the place where everyone else dressed like a model. Yes, that was the only reason. Her going to meet Shaurya had nothing to do with it. Also, she getting ready in Ashu's room as the mirror in her room was better had nothing to do with the meeting either. And, for the first time she had checked herself again in the mirror before moving out. Definitely not for Shaurya.

What Niyati hadn't expected was the car waiting outside her building to pick her up. She hadn't thought how she was going to travel to his office, given that she hardly had any cash left for the taxi and was too drained out to take public transport, and walking all the way there was mission Impossible today.

Her mind went blank when she got out of the car.

Why had he called her?

Was he really going to ask her to keep her side of the deal? If he does, what was she supposed to do? How could she be so stupid to agree to something like this in first place. Now she had no way to back down.

Gathering all the strength that she had Niyati started walking towards the huge building. As she entered the lobby it seemed like she was standing in some five star hotel. The walls had huge paintings on them. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling , the reflection of which could be seen in the fountain below. Was the fountain there the first time Niyati had been here?