You are mine only

4. Tears

As Jay informed Virat, Ranjana's family business was taken over by their adversaries, leaving her in a vulnerable position. The details of her husband remained elusive, as Virat was unaware of even his name. In his own determined manner, Jay delved into the histories of various small and large business companies in India, searching for any information regarding Ranjana and her husband. However, their whereabouts remained a mystery, with no news or traces to be found anywhere.

It appeared that Ranjana's journey in Germany for the past four years was a result of the challenging circumstances she faced in India. Perhaps seeking solace and a fresh start, she had chosen to relocate and rebuild her life in a foreign land. The reasons behind her decision and the intricacies of her experiences during those four years remained unknown to Virat, leaving him with a lingering curiosity and a desire to unravel the missing pieces of Ranjana's story.

Keeping a low profile, Virat rarely made public appearances or revealed his role as the president of RV Enterprise. This meant that Ranjana had secured a job in his company without any inkling that her employer was none other than Virat himself.

In one month after this incident…

During Virat's unexpected business tour, Ranjana remained oblivious to the fact that he was the chairman of the company. However, she couldn't help but overhear her colleagues discussing their boss, describing him as incredibly handsome, charming, and captivating. As she listened to the female employees, Ranjana couldn't help but imagine the irresistible allure of the company president.

One day...

On the ground floor…

As Ranjana was engrossed in a discussion with her department head, the arrival of Virat's Mercedes at the entrance caught everyone's attention. The security guard courteously opened the car door, extending a warm "good morning" to Virat. Stepping out of the vehicle, Virat effortlessly fastened his coat, exuding an aura of elegance. The atmosphere in the company instantly shifted, and all eyes were drawn to their captivating boss, captivated by his irresistible charm and charisma. The sudden transformation in the environment left everyone in awe of their incredibly attractive leader.

"Oh wow," Juliana said under her breath, taking a glimpse of the handsome man entering the building. He was dressed impeccably in a brown suit, black shoes, and stylish black sunglasses. The employees around him were greeting him with respect and listening to his every word carefully, noting them down in their diaries.

Julian couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my god, he's so handsome!" while Ranjana was trying to catch a better look at him amidst the crowd.

As Virat walked, he raised his hand, and the crowd dispersed, leaving only his assistant Jay by his side. Ranjana's eyes widened as she saw the man standing in front of her after the crowd had cleared. However, she quickly realized that this couldn't be the same person she had been searching for all these years. The man in front of her had a different aura, a different sparkle on his face, unlike the straightforward and naive Virat she remembered.

Virat gazed at Ranjana, standing before him with a blank expression on her face. His steps came to a halt, and he motioned for Jay and Julian to leave, leaving him alone with Ranjana.

As they locked eyes, Virat noticed the tears welling up in Ranjana's eyes, but he remained composed, slipping his hands into his pockets and maintaining a cold demeanor, as if her presence didn't affect him. Ranjana had always imagined that when she would meet her Virat again, she would run into his arms, but the Virat standing before her now seemed different. His face had lost its naivety and was filled with seriousness. It was hard for her to believe that the same Virat, who had once loved her intensely, stood before her in such a detached manner.

"How are you?" Virat's deep and alluring voice broke the silence. Ranjana instantly recognized that voice, its intoxicating tone that she had missed for so long. However, she was taken aback and unable to respond.

"It seems you didn't recognize me, Mrs Ranjana," Virat remarked, aware of Ranjana's marital status. The sudden encounter caught him off guard, and he adjusted his way of speaking accordingly.

A single tear rolled down Ranjana's cheek, leaving a trail on her rosy skin. "I still don't like to see tears in your eyes," Virat uttered softly, evoking a flood of memories for Ranjana. Those were the exact words he used to say to her in the past.

Ranjana remained speechless, her eyes locked on Virat, as if seeking solace for the years of longing. Virat, sensing her silence, took a deep breath and departed without any further words or expressions.

In the cabin…

"Sir," Jay entered Virat's office and placed the file on the table, observing his boss's weary posture. Virat reclined in his chair, eyes closed, trying to find some respite. The ashtray on the table was brimming with cigarette butts, and a fresh cigarette dangled between Virat's fingers. Inhaling deeply, Virat took a long drag from the cigarette, indicating his mounting stress. Jay understood that today had taken its toll on Virat, and come evening, he would likely seek solace in a few drinks.

After witnessing Virat's deteriorating mental state for eight years, Jay could no longer tolerate his boss's ongoing struggle. Determined to intervene, he swiftly exited the office and made an urgent phone call.

Later that night…

Jay, accompanied by Manish Mathur, rushed to Virat's side upon finding him lying on the ground in an intoxicated state. Concerned and alarmed, they carefully lifted Virat and carried him to his bedroom, gently placing him on the bed. The gravity of the situation was palpable, and Jay and Manish knew that immediate action was required to help Virat through his troubles.

The name "Ranju" continued to escape from Virat's lips as he lay unconscious. This was not the first time he had succumbed to excessive alcohol consumption, and both Assistant Jay and Manish had been witnesses to his deteriorating condition over the past eight years.