Silent Whispers

Chapter 10: Off Limits

Friday afternoons were always a blast in AR Designs. Most employees were usually found counting down to the end of the day with jokes and plans about their upcoming weekend. Khushi actively took part in these discussions, elated about her second day of work, which needless to say, went much better than the first. Finally being free of meetings, she spent the whole day creating a report on quality issues. The best part of the whole thing was the distance she maintained from the beloved boss of the company.

"Have a good weekend guys," she told the few friends she managed to make, before walking out into the parking lot. As if on the cue, her phone began to buzz. She paled upon seeing the caller id – it was Akash.

Khushi let out a sigh, realizing there was no way out of the situation, not when he made the first move to talk to her. So without much debate, she pressed the green button.

"Hello?"

"Khushi? It's me Akash."

"I know."

Akash paused, taking in her stoic tone before saying, "I know you are mad at me, but at least give me a chance to explain..."

"I'm not mad. It's your life, I hardly have a say in it."

"Don't say that! You are a very important part of my life!"

She didn't answer.

"My relationship with my family is complicated Khushi."

"And so is mine," she snapped unexpectedly. "But you could have at least given me a hint... I walked into that interview looking like a complete idiot!"

"But you got the job..."

Khushi tried to hold on to her dwindling patience. "Look, I don't want to have this conversation right now. I have to-"

"I don't either, but we can't go on ignoring each other. We have to talk it out!"

"Fine," she agreed. "But I don't know what I am supposed to say. I mean, yeah, everything worked out in the end. I got the job, you are at the workshop... so, life is good and that's all that matters."

"Say what you want to, okay? The only thing that matters to me is that you are fine."

"Well if you expect me to yell at you or something, then no, I'm not going to. I don't want to be mad at you Akash... you are my best friend."

"Just best friend?" The hurt in his voice was obvious.

"I meant boyfriend too," she added quickly. "I just think that maybe we should take a break. I mean you are busy with your workshop and I'm busy with this job..."

A strange silence fell in between the two, as Akash tried to collect his thoughts. And without a warning, he plunged into an explanation.

"I didn't tell you I was a Raizada," he began. "Because I never was. It's nothing but a tag that always brought problems for me. Believe it or not, people look at me different the moment they realize who I am related to... it's like I sprung a pair of wings or something. Whatever it was, I didn't want that with you. I knew I couldn't hide my last name forever seeing how you absolutely idolize my family, but I just hoped that by the time you found out, you would know me as Akash and not the brother of your boss."

"I don't see you as the brother of my boss," Khushi said quickly. She knew he divulged his feelings only to save their relationship. "And I never will. I'm sorry for avoiding you... it's just that..."

"Just what?"

Khushi hesitated, debating whether she should continue or not.

"Khushi?"