The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 11

Aparna collapsed on the chair in her office sweating hard. Clutching the lapels of her shirt in front, she tried hard to block what would have happened if the ringing of the phone hadn’t stopped them. Biting her lip, she tried to control her trembling body.

The images replayed in her mind one by one bringing the sensations back. One part of her sternly tried to squash the feelings rising in her and another didn’t want to let go. It wanted to be in his arms again to finish what had started.

Shaking her head, she tried to let go of the turmoil inside. Going back to that room will only cause destruction and she was not willing to experiment with anything of that sort.

It is better to stay away from him. But, how does she do that?

Every bit of work called for his attention. Staying away from him was not possible but not letting him touch her was definitely possible.

Determined that the next time they were alone she will not let him touch her, Aparna tried to concentrate on work.

***********************

A month passed after that and Aparna was thankful that Nishant was away on business to Mumbai. One of the projects there was facing some problem with the authorities needing immediate action and he had left the morning right after their tryst in his office. Rushali had also gone with him and if the office gossip was to be believed then they were staying together.

Although, one part of Aparna was happy to hear this but the other was a little pissed with the fact that he had gone right into Rushali’s arms after her. If told, Aparna would not agree but she missed him. Every now and then she would hear news about him from her team triggering the memories in her. If her days were filled with jumping from one project to another or from one meeting to another then her nights were full of his dreams.

Sometime, she wondered how she can still feel these emotions even after what had happened to her in the past.

Sitting in her room, she was thinking about all these things, when Madhu walked in with the phone.

“It’s Prakriti.”

Hearing her daughter’s name, Aparna’s face lighted up immediately.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“Ma, I won the race today,” Prakriti shouted with joy.

Suddenly, Aparna’s worries and woes for the last couple of weeks vanished in a flash. She smiled and blew a kiss on the phone for her daughter.

Prakriti giggled hard and returned the kiss. Then, she started to share all that she had done till now.

Even though, she repeated half the stories she had told her already but still Aparna loved hearing it again. Promising to visit soon, Aparna disconnected the call and smiled. Even if God had not given her much but having Prakriti as her daughter compensated for everything. Sighing happily, she slipped inside the blanket and closed her eyes.

Better get some sleep. Big meeting tomorrow.

*******************

Aparna was still waiting for the lift when she saw Dhruv walk towards her.

“Good Morning,” she said smiling.

“Ah! the architect lady.”

They entered the lift together and Dhruv took the laptop from her as it was about to fall. Aparna’s arms were full of paperwork as she had taken print outs of monthly progress reports on all projects.

She was about to thank him when she found Dhruv looking at her in a strange manner.

“Now, I know why he is so into you,” she heard him say.

Aparna was about to ask who when suddenly the lift door opened. She stepped out and handed the paper work to Shivang who was standing outside the conference room.

Aparna was still thinking about what Dhruv had said as she entered the room. Engrossed in her thoughts, she walked towards the front of the table. Suddenly remembering that her laptop was with Dhruv, She started to walk towards him when her foot got caught in an opening in the floor carpet. About to fall, she tried clutching the ends of the table but failed and felt Dhruv’s arm going around her shoulders.

Steadying her, he smiled at her flushed face and handed her the laptop.  As she smiled and placed her fingers on the laptop, her gaze settled on someone standing at the doorway.

Her eyes widened as she realised who it was.

Forehead creased in a frown, she felt Nishant’s eyes pierce through hers. 

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