The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 12

Shock rippled through Aparna’s body as she saw Nishant's gaze settle on Dhruv’s arm around her shoulders. Then suddenly it hardened as he walked inside the room.

As Dhruv released her, Aparna walked gingerly to the front of the table stealing a peak at Nishant. He was talking to Vikrant Sir updating him on the Mumbai situation. He was not wearing his usual business coat and the sleeves of his shirt had been rolled up till the elbow. Closing her eyes, Aparna tried to control the raging hormones in her body. Suddenly instead of monthly reports, her mind played the sensations of his arm brushing against her skin.

Clutching the laptop hard, she shook her head with effort.

Start with the meeting dammit!

1 hour into the meeting and Aparna was still reeling from the after effects of Nishant’s gaze following her everywhere. Every time, she turned towards the projector screen, she felt his penetrating eyes burn her back. Although, he did not look at her directly but she knew the look in his eyes every time she talked to Dhruv. So, by the time her report presentation ended, she felt as if she was sitting on a hot oven waiting to pop.

Aparna picked up her stuff and was about to leave when Nishant stopped her.

“Stay,” he commanded looking straight into her eyes for the first time since the meeting had started.

For the next 45 minutes Nishant explained what had happened in Mumbai and how he and his team had settled the matter finally. And, what precautions they should take in future to avoid such situations. 

Even though, she was hearing the words coming out of his mouth but nothing was getting registered. She only saw the flexing of his muscles as he moved his arm here and there. Every time he stretched his arm sideways his shirt bunched around his chest and shoulders, and her mind showed her graphic images, which would shame any porn movie.

Aparna gulped down a hard lump just as Nishant bend down on the table resting himself on his palms. The neckline of his shirt slid lower exposing the middle of his rib cage and she saw the trail of hair vanishing in the dark caverns of his chest.

Stop it, she told her mind the moment it conjured images of her kissing the trail going further down.

She thanked her stars the moment the meeting ended. As she got up from the chair, she was stopped by Vikrant and Dhruv who wanted details about certain projects.

Aparna was still talking with them when Siraj entered the room followed by none other than Siddha Singh Rajput, the owner of Rajput Construction and his fiancé, Roshni Thakur.

Suddenly the room erupted in happy hellos and greetings. Vikrant hugged Siddha Singh Rajput amiably and slapped him on the back.

“So, suddenly you have remembered us,” Vikrant accused Siddha looking at him with a sly smile.

Siddha shook his head apologetically and said, “You know I have been busy.”

Nishant smiled at him and remembered everything that had happened to Siddha in the last couple of years. Seeing Roshni Bhabhi with him today, his belief that love can conquer everything found a stronger foundation.

Hugging Nishant, Siddha handed Vikrant the card and said with a smile, “You guys have to be at my wedding no matter what.”

Aparna looked on as everyone congratulated the couple. She saw Nishant hug Roshni Thakur lovingly. Letting her go, his gaze settled on Aparna and she saw Roshni whisper something in his ear that made him smile shyly.

“Ah! You must be the famous Aparna Mathur,” Siddha said looking at her with admiration.

Looking at him strangely, she was about to ask how he knew her when he stopped her.

“How do I know you? Well, the Khuranas came to us for their project after you rejected it and obviously I called Nishant to check.”

Placing an arm around Nishant’s shoulders, Siddha continued, “And, this guy told me with confidence that you had done the right thing. So, believing your report, we also rejected it. And, believe me it was a good thing we did. Now, their project is stuck with the government. So, basically, you saved all of us.”

Aparna heart elated with the joy his words gave her. For the first time in her life, she felt her shoulders rise up with pride. But her pleasure doubled when she looked at Nishant whose eyes held a mixture of immense adoration and delight.

Clasping her hand in hers, Roshni looked from her to Nishant and said, “You have to come to our wedding.”

Aparna was about to refute but Dhruv intervened.

“Don’t you worry Bhabhi. I’ll get her there.”

Aparna looked away the moment she heard Dhruv. She only managed a weak smile as she avoided looking at Nishant knowing too well his reaction.

“Okay, guys, there’s one more thing I need help in,” Siddha said looking at Vikrant and Nishant.

“There is this hotel project in Kasol where I was supposed to go but now I can’t. So, is there any way you guys can loan Aparna for a week or so for the project? My head architect is on paternity leave and after the Khurana thing; I believe there is nobody else other than her who can handle this. So please don’t say no.”

Vikrant smiled and placed an arm around him. Nodding cordially, she heard Vikrant Sir say, “You don’t have to worry so much. Both Aparna and Nishant will leave for the project after your wedding.”

Aparna looked at Nishant who avoided her eyes completely.

More than a week alone with him?

God, how will she manage?

Saying her byes, she walked towards the lift deep in thought. She has to do something but what?

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

In the evening, Aparna was walking towards the traffic light where the cab was waiting when suddenly she felt someone pull her behind. Panic began to settle in her mind the moment she recognised the touch. She had known that he would not leave her even after she transferred the money.

“I need more money. Give it or else you know what I’ll do.”

She felt Kavin clutching her face hard as his mouth started to land on her lips. Immobilised by his body, her mind paralysed with fear as her past memories came back. Kavin looked at her panic-stricken eyes and smiled like a devil. Flicking the burning cigarette in his left hand, he placed the burning butt against her skin.

A silent scream escaped Aparna’s mouth as tears of pain rolled down.

“Aparna!”

A familiar voice shouted her name and Kavin let her go. Without looking, she ran towards the Nishant and collapsed in his arms. As his arms went around her, she sobbed hard. Clutching his shirt hard, she saw him gesture to Siraj to look for the guy.

Five minutes later, she loosened her grip on him and Nishant let her go.

“Who was it? Did you see his face?” he asked looking at her with concern.

Gulping down a sob, Aparna shook her head and gestured towards the cab that was waiting for her.

“”No, you are not going in the cab. I am dropping you home.”

Settling her inside his car, he walked up to the cab and paid the driver, without taking off his eyes of her even for a second.

“Couldn’t see who he was. He must have vanished into the bylanes, Bhaijaan,” Siraj said as he came and stood in front of Nishant. 

Nodding, Nishant walked to his car and sat down. He flicked a gaze at Aparna who was clutching the window panel with effort looking outside frantically. Her state made him angry. If only he had come down a little early then nothing of this would have happened. Looking at her scared face and horror-struck eyes, his sense of protection doubled. All he wanted to do right now was to take her in his arms and soothe her fears away.

As the car stopped in front of her house, Nishant got down and opened the door for her to get down.

Aparna got down with shaky feet and felt his hands clutch her shoulders. Looking up at him, she almost gave in to the temptation of feeling protected in his arms again, but instead she thanked him and went inside.

Looking at her go, Nishant felt strange. There was something that she was hiding. He has to find out what it was no matter what. And, soon.

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