The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 23

Nishant sat down in the car next to Sid and yawned hard. Starting at 7 in the morning when you have slept at 2 was like hauling a huge pack of load atop a mountain. He looked at Sid who also looked sleepy.

“I should kill you for making me wake up so early in the morning.”

Sid smiled and punched his friend on the shoulder.

“Who was it telling me at night that we should start early? You only wanted to begin early so that you can finish work and then leave for Tosh with your girlfriend,” Sid replied smirking mischievously.

“She is not my girlfriend.”

“Lover then.”

“Shut up! She is not even that.”

Starting the car, Sid looked at Nishant and shook his head.

“You know, you are one big dumb head.”

Nishant looked at him trying to understand where he was going with all this talk of his.

When he did not say anything, Sid continued.

“You are clearly in love with her. Anybody with eyes and a functional brain can see that.”

Nishant fell silent hearing him. Was he really in love with Aparna? But how can that be? He had just known her couple of months. Was that enough to fall in love? Yes, her presence and touch mesmerised him, but love? He closed his eyes and though about their time together. All this while, he had only thought about how to make her happy and he was the happiest when her smile reached her beautiful eyes. But, every time he saw tears in those eyes, the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her silly made him crazy.

Touching her, feeling her, being with her, watching her work, feeling proud every time someone praised her and most of all seeing her smile were only things that mattered to him now. Sighing hard, Nishant felt elated.

He was in love.

Nishant Naik had finally fallen in love.

And, with the most wondrous creature in this whole world.

Suddenly everything around him blossomed. He felt like touching every little wisp of air. He wanted to feel the rays of rising sun on his face. He wanted to lie down on a mountain top and watch the clouds flutter along the blue sky. But most of all, he wanted to be in her arms, hugging her close to his heart.

Opening his eyes, he spread his hand out of the window and felt the wind go through his fingers. It felt as if her hair was slipping pass through them. Not able to bear it anymore, he picked up his phone and dialled her number, but it came switched off. She must be sleeping.

God, Aparna. It is so hard to stay away.

Leaving her a message, he closed his eyes and again got lost in her thoughts.

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

Aparna woke up at about 7:30 in the morning and saw a missed call and message from Nishant. 

“We are on the way to the site right now. You can come by 9. I have arranged for a car to pick you up. Don’t be late. And, I miss you.”

Keeping the phone on the table, she got up from the bed and instantly felt a cramp ram her abdominal muscles. Clutching the table, she somehow managed to get to the washroom.

Although she was ready to leave by 8:30 but her muscles were terribly sore from the bleeding. Her head ached as she hadn’t been able to sleep after 3. If it had been a normal office day then she would have called in sick but not today. Placing a hand on her stomach, she picked up her bag and stood up. The bell boy had already taken hers and Nishant’s luggage downstairs.

The moment Aparna ventured outside the hotel, the chill in the air bit through her skin although it was not that cold. Pulling on a sweater, she shivered a little and sat down in the car.

After sometime, she felt someone calling her. Waking up with a jerk, she realised that they had reached the site. And, that she had dozed off on the way.

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

Nishant was kept on looking at his watch while he tried hard to concentrate on what Sid was saying. But, unfortunately all his attention was on why Aparna had not reached till now. He was about to call her when she tumbled with her bag inside the room.

“I am so sorry I am late.”

Helping her with the laptop bag, he looked at her flustered face and understood something was wrong. Even though she looked as beautiful as ever but her face had somehow lost its glow and her eyes looked tired.

Not saying anything, he made her sit down and continued with the meeting.

At about 12 in the afternoon, Sid stood up satisfied with the details they had shared. His brother was not wrong. Aparna was pretty good and his friend was definitely, hopelessly in love with her. While he packed, he observed them as they discussed about the hotel blueprint laid out on the table. The constant touching of their hands and bodies was proof enough that the feeling was mutual.

“Well, I must be leaving now,” Sid said as he hugged Nishant.

Aparna smiled as he extended his hand and shook it amiably.

Both the men walked out and she sat down on the chair clutching her stomach.

God, the pain was unbearable now!

If only she would lie down for a minute. But, no respite today. Sighing, she stood up again against the table to improvise on the blueprint.

She was still analysing about the positioning of the swimming pool, when Nishant walked in.

“Well, it’s lunch time. What do you want to have?” he asked coming close to her.

“I had a heavy breakfast, so juice will be fine,” Aparna said moving a little away from him.

Nishant frowned as he saw her move to the other side of the table.

What was wrong?

Just as he was about to ask, Somnathji, the man-in-charge of the entire hotel project came in the room and announced that the materials had arrived so they needed Aparna for the inspection.

He saw her rush out of the room, as if she was waiting for a reason to get out.

Looking at her retreating back, he thought to himself, was she avoiding him?

But why?

Maybe she was angry with him for leaving her alone the night before. Well, I know how to take away your anger, he thought.

Nothing, nothing at all that would come between them tonight.

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