I WAS DESTINED TO BE YOURS

Chapter 5

After having dinner with our investors, we reached our hotel. The drive was quite silent. I think he must be tired, that's why he is not talking. Though I told Nandini about us, I don't know why I am feeling that we should not disclose this. As I don't want people to call me gold-digger or they misunderstood our relationship. Of course he is important to me but there should be a line between our personal and professional life. So I decided to talk with him about this. 

We returned to our room and changed quickly in some comfortable clothes. We are cuddling in bed and he is still not talking so I thought I should ask him.

"Armaan, is there something bothering you?" 

"Yes, I am thinking about our relationship jaan. How long we can keep it as a secret. Whatever happened today, I feel we should make it public."

"Really?" 

"Yes. What are you thinking? 

"Armaan, I also wanted to talk about it but I am not thinking of making it public. I know you won't like it but I have my own reasons." 

"Like what?" 

"I don't want people to call me a gold digger. They may have misunderstood our relationship and according to me, if we make it public it will cost troubles for both of us."

"What kind of troubles?" He made a confusing face. 

"See Armaan, take the current situation, we never worry about people. Because no one knows about us and our relationship so they can't even think about making any trouble for us because for them we are nothing but boss and employee. But if they come to know about it, we will face problems in our relationship. For instance, there must be so many girls who like you or have a dream to marry you. When they know about us they can create certain circumstances to create trouble for us." I explained to him. 

But his mood changed and I noticed he was hurt or maybe he was angry. But before I said anything to him he said, "You know what Ms Vajpayee, what I feel you are not sure about me. You are not sure whether I am good for you or not. You are not sure about our relationship." 

"Armaan, what are you saying, please calm down. I didn't mean to hurt you." I tried to make him understand but he is not ready to listen. But he just said, "I want to sleep, good night." Why is he behaving like this? BECAUSE YOU HURT HIM STUPID GIRL, My inner voice speak. I tried to talk to him again, "Armaan, please listen." 

But what he said was enough for me to keep quiet. He said, "Do you want me to stay in this room or not?" 

I thought I should not say anything. He is angry and he will not listen to me. I should wait and talk to him later in the morning. 

"Good night," I said. 

I lay down on the other side of the bed, my back is facing his back. This is the first time we are sleeping like this. I knew from the day one that it won't be that much easy to be with him. I know he doesn't like to keep our relationship private. I also feel bad and jealous when some random girl tries to flirt with him. I can't take it but still I never said anything to him. Then why he is not even ready to listen to me. I love him but I don't know why I feel we should give some time to our relationship. I trust him that's why I never think twice before going with him anywhere. I am trying to sleep for the last half an hour but still I am awake. And my mind is still full of thoughts about him. Why is it so difficult to make him understand? I didn't even realize when my eyes were filled with tears. 

And suddenly he came close to me and hugged me from behind, his neck was near to my neck. He is smelling my hair. His hands reached to my wet eyes and he immediately switched on the side lamps. He sat and took me to his arms and I don't know why but I started sobbing and hugged him so tight. He is rubbing my back and holding me in his strong embrace. He is holding me like a small baby. When he noticed I am not crying anymore he asked me, "What happened, angel? Why were you crying? This is not the way to behave, you can also get angry if I am saying anything wrong. You can also scold me for my mistake. Say something." 

I am still hugging him, I don't even know what to say but I didn't like that he didn't hug me like he always does before sleeping whenever we are together in a room. I don't know but what I said was totally unexpected, I told him, "Armaan, I love you so much. I don't want to lose you. It's not like I don't trust you, it's just I am afraid if our family doesn't approve of our relationship and they ask us to leave each other then what will we do? I want you, you know that." He hugged me more tightly," Jaan, don't think about it so much. We will think about that later. Come sleep, you need rest. He let me lie down on his side and hugged me. My head is resting on his chest. He has one hand on my hips and the other one is on my back. He kissed my hair and switched off the light. Soon we fell asleep. 

I am getting ready to leave from Lonavala. It's 11.30 in the morning and Armaan went outside to make some calls as there is no network in the hotel. While I was getting ready, I heard a knock on the door. I thought it must be Armaan so I went to open the door but instead of Armaan there was a waiter holding a pink envelope in his hand. He said to me that someone asked him to deliver this to me. I received it excitedly as I know it's from Armaan who else can send me something in the hotel. I was about to open the envelope when my phone started ringing. It was a call from mom. 

"Hey mom, how are you?" 

"I am good Navu. At what time will you reach home?" 

"Mom, I will be there around 3 PM. Is everything okay? What happened?" 

"Yes everything is fine. I was just worried about you. Come soon." 

"Don't worry mom, I am fine. I will see you in a few hours. Okay?" 

"Hmm, take care bye." 

"Bye mom." 

After I disconnected the call, Armaan came into the room. He hugged me for a few moments and said, "Jaan I had a great time with you. I wish I could spend some more time with you. But you know work comes first. But I promise we will come back soon." I hugged him more tightly. Then he cupped my face in his hands and looked into my eyes. I asked him, "What happened?" He kissed my forehead and said, "I am sorry for last night. I didn't do that intentionally. It won't happen again." I smiled at him and nodded. 

Soon we reached Mumbai. Armaan didn't go to his home, instead he went to his flat near the office as he wanted to do some work. He asked the driver to drop me home as he doesn't want my family to get suspicious about my whereabouts. I hugged him last time before leaving for the home. 

"Mom, I am back." I shouted as soon as I entered my home. Wow it feels great to get back at home. I was about to shout again when I noticed, mom, dad, Shaurya, Ved(my best friend), Tabassum, Sneha(cousin), Anurag uncle & Samiksha Aunty(Ved and Tabassum's parents) and bade papa and badi maa. 

"Hey everyone, is there a family meeting today?" I asked innocently though I can see there is. 

"How are you? You want anything to eat?" Mom asked me. 

"No, I am fine. What is this meeting about?" I sat on the empty sofa and asked. 

I am sitting for almost ten minutes and nobody is saying anything. Why do people give me silent treatment? I was about to ask again as I am so impatient but before that dad said. 

" Namrata, please listen to me first. We made a decision and we want you to think about it. But don't say anything before I complete it. Okay?" 

"Okay dad. Tell me." I thought for a while and agreed to that. 

Dad took a deep breath before speaking and I can sense it's not good for me at all. I am feeling damn nervous and all are staring at me which is cherry on the top. 

"Namrata, we want you to get married."

"What?" I was shocked after hearing what dad said that I didn't even realize when I stood up from my seat. 

"Namrata, sit down. Let dad complete first." Shaurya said in his orderly tone. 

I sat down nervously. I am getting mad. Those words felt like a knife on my heart. I started feeling thirsty suddenly so I called the maid who was standing near the dining table and asked her for a bottle of water. She came back with a water bottle and glass. I didn't even bother to use the glass and gulped all the water from the bottle. 

Dad started again and I was listening like it's some kind of music and giving no reaction. 

"Namrata, I know it's unexpected but you are 26 and you should settle down now. It's been a while we were thinking to talk to you about it but didn't get the chance. But today morning, when Anurag called me and asked me about your hand for Ved. We thought he is perfect for you. You both know each other. If you are married to him we will be more than happy as we all know he likes you and he will never let you down for anything. Anurag and Sam treat you like their own daughter. I don't think no one can be better than Ved for you."

Seriously, when did it happen? I never realized Ved liked me. If I knew about it I would have done something." LIKE WHAT? " my irritating inner voice again poked me." Just shut up." I gave an instant reply to my inner voice. I came out of my thoughts when I heard mom's voice. 

"Yes mom?"

"What happened? Say something." 

Now they want me to say something. They decided for me and now they want me to say something. Did I have any choice? How would Armaan react to this? He will kill me. "FIRST YOU REACT OTHERWISE THEY WILL FEEL YOU ARE READY FOR THIS MARRIAGE." my inner voice reminded me. 

"Mom, Do I have any choice? Or have you decided whether I say yes or no you will make me get married to Ved?" 

"Navu, decision is always yours. But according to us he will be a good match for you." Mom told me. 

"I need some time to think about it. I don't know but I never saw Ved as my life partner. I am not saying yes or no to this marriage but still I want time. I will think about it and give you my answer in a few days."

"No problem Navya, take your time." Sam aunty said to me in a motherly tone. 

"Thank you Sam."

I am feeling quite restless, I have been trying to sleep but can't. I never expected that Ved has feelings for me and he will approach me like this. I mean he should have talked to me first. I have known him since childhood. We are good friends. I tell him everything about me because I trust him. He always treats me special. He always protects me whenever we all go for an outing. But still I never saw him like that. And how would I tell him that I don't want to marry him. I love someone else. 

Message received with a Beep sound*

Ved: I am sorry. I know it was quite embarrassing. But mom and dad were not ready to listen to me. 

Namrata: It's okay buddy. But you never told me that you liked me. When did it happen? 

Ved: What kind of question was that? 

Namrata: I want to meet you. Can we meet tomorrow? 

Ved: Sure, I will pick you up after office. 

Namrata: Okay bye buddy. 

Ved: Bye

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Today I have to meet Ved and I have to tell him about Armaan. I can't take more tension. But before that I should tell Armaan about it but he has been in a meeting since the time he came to office. It's been half past two, Raj sir asked me to prepare a sales report for the last month. I can't even focus on my work. How will Ved react when I will tell him? 

I was working on something when Aditi informed me that the meeting was over and Armaan sir went to Raj sir's cabin.

I knocked and entered Raj sir's cabin, they were quite serious. I think they were discussing something very serious. I informed Raj sir about the dinner meeting with Italian clients and handed over the report. Before I say anything else Armaan called my name. 

"Yes sir?" 

"Where is your etiquette of knocking the door before entering?" He asked me in an authoritative tone. 

"But I knocked sir." I replied politely, I feel he is worried about something. 

"Armaan, she did. I think you didn't notice. Relax." Raj sir interfered and told Armaan. And asked me to leave.

"Namrata, You go and continue with your work."

"Okay sir." I acknowledged and left. 

Armaan is behaving so weird. He never said anything like that. He was so absent minded so I thought to ask Aditi about it. She was working on something when I reached her workstation. 

"Hey Aditi, are you busy? 

"Yes ma'am, little bit. Tell me did you need anything?" 

"No, I wanted to ask something. Can you tell me if anything happened in the meeting which Armaan sir attended? He is behaving so rudely. 

" Ma'am, meeting doesn't go well with the clients. And this deal will cost so much trouble if it is cancelled."

"But they agreed to our terms in the last meeting then what did happen now? 

"Ma'am, they got a good deal from some other company so now they want us to give the exact deal which they are getting otherwise they will cancel. If they cancel we will bear more loss than them."

While I was talking to her she got a call from Armaan and he asked Aditi to put the phone on speaker which she did. 

" Ladies, I don't pay you for chit chat. Go back to your work."

He said and disconnected the call. I apologized to Aditi and left for my work. 

It's been 6 in the evening but Raj sir and Armaan are still in their cabins. After getting a warning call from Armaan, I thought I should meet him personally to know the situation but didn't get any chance till now. I already got a call from Ved that he will pick me in 20 minutes so I should hand over the Italian clients file to Raj sir because he is the one who will attend the meeting with them. 

I reached Raj sir's cabin and knocked, I entered the cabin when I heard Raj sir's voice. I ignored Armaan and handed over the file to Raj sir and told him that they are revised quotations from the client. And they want to meet and close the deal today as they will leave tomorrow for Italy. Raj sir took a quick look at the file and asked me to leave. I was about to turn around when Armaan held my hand in front of Raj sir. I was so shocked how to react to this situation so I calmly asked Armaan, "Did you need anything Sir?" He looked into my eyes and by seeing his eyes I can say he is quite tense and really needed me. But I can't do anything in front of Raj sir. When Armaan realized that he was not in his cabin and Raj was also here so he simply said to me, "Can I get a coffee, Namrata? Aditi already left and I am having a terrible headache. Can you please?" 

Before he completed, I interrupted, "Sure sir, I will be right back." 

I reached the cafeteria and prepared coffee for Armaan and Raj sir. I gave the coffee to both of them. I bid my goodbye to them and left the office building. 

I called Ved and told him that I am hell tired and can't meet him. But he suggested that Tabassum, Kartik(Tabassum's fiancee) and Ved are going to a club tonight and I can join them. I thought for a while and said yes to him as it's really important for me to talk to him. 

While I was on my way home, I thought to have a quick chat with Armaan. 

Namrata: Are you fine Love? You were looking quite tense. Is there anything which you want to share with me? 

Armaan: I am not fine. Missing you a lot. There are few problems with the client and I am hell worried. 

Namrata: Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Do you want to meet me? 

Armaan: Yes, I will manage the clients. I really want to meet you Jaan, but I am going with Raj for the meeting with Italian clients. I will call you once I will be free. Take care, love you, bye. 

Namrata: Love you too, bye. 

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Ved and I reached the VIP club for having drinks with Tabu and Kartik but here comes another surprise for me. There were Sneha and Prashant(Sneha's husband) also. I wore a red dress with high heels. Normally I avoid coming to this club as our bosses used to come here for their alone time. But today I know that Armaan and Raj sir are busy with Italian clients and Shlok sir is out of the country so no one will be there from my office. I met my cousins and their partners. After sometime everyone ordered their drinks but I took beer because I don't want to get tipsy before talking to Ved. 

"Babe, when are you going to say yes for the marriage?" asked Tabassum excitedly as Ved is like a brother to her. Ved lives with them after the death of his parents, they were very close to Anurag uncle so they didn't think twice to adopt Ved. Anurag uncle was the guardian of Ved till the time he was studying. Now he has his own business and he is managing his dad's company. I always felt like he was the perfect guy. That girl will be lucky with whom he will get married. 

"I also wanted to talk about it with you guys. But I don't know where to start?" I told them nervously. Because I know they will not like what I will say. But before I said anything to him, Sneha and Prashant interrupted me and said together, "But we know where to start." 

I was hell shocked after hearing them. Why all are smiling like someone cracked a joke. I was about to ask them but before that I heard someone calling my name from the stage, when we came here there was a band performing and now Ved is standing there with mic in his hand. "PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING, I CAN'T HEAR YOU. I CAN'T HEAR YOUR CONFESSION, PLEASE."I pleaded to Ved in my head. But no, in my life nothing goes normal and he started saying. 

" Namrata, First of all I want to apologize for putting you in an awkward situation. I should have told you first about my feelings. I should have confessed my love towards you. But whatever happened it's just happened too quickly, I didn't even get a chance to talk to you. So today I am going to share my feelings with you. 

Ten years ago, when we met first you were the only person who came to me. You were the first person who consoled me when I cried for my parents. You were the first person who took my side when I had a fight in my college. You were always there whenever I needed you. I always saw you like a fragile doll. I fell in love with you when you first time held my hand and told me that you will never leave me alone no matter what. I fell in love with you when you first came to me after having a fight with Tabassum and complained to me. I fell in love with you when you said you will stand up on your feet and you want me to support you. Yes Namrata, I love you. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I will love you till my last breath. 

Namrata, I don't even remember a single day when I didn't think about you. But I think it is the right time to take the next step and move one step ahead in our friendship. You said, you will never leave me but this time I wanted to tell you that I will never let you go. I will always keep you by my side and for that I want to get married with you."

He came to the place where I was standing still. I don't know how to react to this situation. He came forward, bent his one knee in front of me and grabbed a box of ring and said," Namrata, will you marry me?"

Everybody was shouting" say yes, say yes" and I was standing dumbfounded. I can't do this with him. I can't do this with Armaan. I don't even want Ved to embarrass in front of everyone. I need to clear my mind. And without saying anything I took my purse and ran towards the exit. I just wanted to get out of this place, I was not bothered about how everyone would say I just needed some time alone. While I was running towards the exit I bumped into someone, I was waiting for the pain to come but nothing came. Instead when I opened my eyes I found myself in the strong arms of Armaan. He was looking at me. First I thought I was just imagining him but when I saw Raj and Shlok sir, no it's not my imagination or a dream. He is here. He saw everything which happened a few minutes ago. I composed myself as I didn't want to break down in front of him at this time, I thanked him and left immediately without saying a single word to anyone. I left the club without looking back. I was running like a mad girl who doesn't know anything and just wanted to hide somewhere from this mess.