the next morning, she was surprised to see him working at his laptop. Her coffee and breakfast were waiting for her as well.He took off his glasses
Don:Slept well?
She nodded
Swara:How come you’re up soearly?
Don:I stayed up
Swara:Couldn’t fall asleep again, huh?
she gave him a peck on his right dimple
Swara:I’m sorry
Don:Don’t be
he kissed her lips instead As she began eating he handed her the papers that she needed to hand over to Ram
Don:Just be as natural as possible. He won’t suspect a thing. He knows you well and won’t look through all the papers and even if he does it doesn’t stand out at all
Swara looked through the papers herself and finally saw the legal document Ram was about to sign. It gave Don total immunity in all countries, lifting all charges against him. She shook her head
Swara:This is spot on. Only you could have thought of this
as she lowered the papers she saw the look on his face. It reminded her of the first time she met him. That cold, Donnish look that could cut right through you. She flinched and felt goosebumps all over
Don:Careful darling, don’t spill coffee on it
he chuckled, but his cold voice echoed in her head. She couldn’t get that picture of him out of her head now.
Swara:I should be heading off now. Last day at office, might as well be there on time.
she smiled faintly and he smiled back, reassuringly, as if to tell her not to worry and that everything will be ok.
She reached work feeling more uneasy than the previous day and slowly made her way up to Ram’s office. When he let her in, she knew that he was well aware of why she had knocked at his office door in the first place.
Ram:You’re going through with this, aren’t you?
She froze when she heard him say that. Of course he didn’t mean it the way she heard it. But nevertheless it made her feel even more uneasy
Swara: Ram saab…
He gave her a half smile and patted her back gesturing for her to take a seat at his desk
Ram:Swara…
he took in a deep breath
Ram:I’m not trying to make this even more difficult for you than I’m sure it is… but I just want to make sure that you’ve thought about this carefully.
She nodded and lowered her eyes
Swara:Idid… I really did. I need this
she then looked him in the eye. She was being sincere, after all
Swara:I’m not myself anymore. I can’t keep doing this to myself. I love my job but I need a change of scenery desperately. I need to start fresh
Ram kept on nodding in approval slowly and then added
Ram:I have a confession to make. I’ve been worrying about you for a while now and actually kept in touch with your shrink
Swara raised her eyebrow. Of course she knew that already, from Don, but she was curious of his motives
Ram:I didn’t get into personal matters, rest assured, but I just wanted to know that you were alright. And I know you were struggling more than you let show here at work… that’s why, in a way, I am proud of you for taking this decision.
She felt a lump form in her neck. It was nerve wrecking. The last thing she needed right then was for Ram to be so nice to her
Swara:Sir…
He gestured for her to stop talking,and that she needn’t say anything, that he understood. Oh, how wrong he was, thought swara
Ram:Swara, I understand, really… I’m very upset to see you go, and you will besurely missed. But your personal happiness is the most important and I want you to know that I’ll always be there for you. You’ve grown to be like a daughter to me.
he smiled sweetly and her heart broke to pieces. Tears began flowing and Ram chuckled and came next to her
Ram:Arre, don’t cry!
She wiped her tears away but Ram pulled her into a fatherly hug and that made her sob. He soothed her, patting her back
Ram:I never knew you were this affected… I’m certainly to blame for the state you are in… should’ve made you take things easier…
Swara:No, sir…
she tried to compose herself, pulling away slowly
Swara:Please don’t say that. You’re not at all responsible for my state. I’m the only one to blame.But I’ll be alright. I promise.
she tried to smile and that really made Ram happy
Ram:Let’s get this over with and go have some sweets with the gang
he smiled as he gestured for her to hand him the paperwork She reluctantly pulled the file out of her purse and handed it to him. The following moments felt like ages, but in reality it only took Ram a few seconds to sign the dotted lines on all the files. When he handed the file back to her she stared at him for afew moments
Ram:No second thoughts
he warned playfully.
Ram:You’ve taken this decision for your own happiness’ sake and I supportyou 100%
he smiled She hugged him tight and took the file, numbed from all the emotions she was experiencing. Guilt was the most intense of them all.
Ram:And now, let’s go ease up a bit.
he smiled and made a few calls to inform all the closest officers. All the while a million thoughts ran through her mind. And her heart was racing. She felt as if she was seeing it all in a dream.
Ram:That’s weird
She snapped out of her thoughts
Swara:What?
Ram:Arjun. I called his office and his cell and he didn’t pick up either.
Her blood literally froze. She knew right away something was terribly wrong, she could sense it.
Ram:Haan, Maneesh, has Arjun checked in today? Ok thankyou
he hung up the phone
Ram:He hasn’t come in today. I know he would have liked to bid farewell, as you two were pretty close.
Swara smiled faintly and tried to keep it together and not faint right there and then.
_________________________________
So how was the chapter. Hope u like it. So what will happen next. Where is Arjun.
Thanks everyone for your support. I’m really happy after reading that u really like the story Specially Don’t???.