The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 85

Nishant turned and looked at his father, and then shook his head.

“No Dad, I can’t.”

“Why? I am pretty sure she is not angry anymore. Come on, Nishu, don’t do this to yourself.”

“I am not doing anything. I am fine. She is happy without me. And, right now she needs this work more than anything else. I have given her enough pain. No more.”

“But……”

“No buts, Dad. I am not going do anything again to take her peace away. Not now, not ever.”

Naresh Naik just looked at him not recognising his own son. He was bearing the brunt of something for which he was not at all responsible. He came and placed his hand on Nishant’s shoulder and squeezed it gently.

“Then let us go. I am sure we will be able to convince her. After all, it is we who have done all the damage.”

“Dad, don’t. Please stop blaming yourself. You guys have done nothing. It is entirely my fault. I had expected her to forget everything in her past and move on with me. I should have realised that it’s not going to be easy for her. I wasn’t there with her when she needed me the most,” replied Nishant shaking his head.

“But, beta, you were in the hospital. It was beyond your control.”

“No, Dad. None of this would have happened if I had taken a bigger step against Kavin & Rushali when I had the chance. Now, it’s too late,” replied Nishant, his voice choking with emotion.

Naresh Naik sighed realising the fact that convincing Nishant was next to impossible.

He placed his arm around his shoulder and Nishant clutched the table top with effort forcing his inner conflict to diminish.

“She doesn’t need me. She doesn’t need me anymore, Dad; she doesn’t.”

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It had been more than 15 days that Aparna had started her consulting work for Rajput Constructions. Although the work did not require her to be in office but it did occupy her time fully. Like right now, she was completely engrossed in noting down the faults in the design sample. As per Sid and Siddha Singh Rajput, her suggestions were to be taken as final when it came to designs. It felt good yet sometimes she missed that daily routine of the office. She missed interacting with a team and yes those site visits.

Most of all she missed the brainstorming sessions at Naik Builders.

Suddenly as the name Naik came into her mind, her hand stopped in midway.

If this name had ransacked her life for some time then it had also given her the opportunity to create her identity in this industry. As the tangent of this thought slowly progressed in her, a small yet disturbing question started to rise.

Why had Rajput Constructions approached her for this job suddenly after so many months? And, that too right after she had returned the cheque?

Suddenly, Aparna’s back became ramrod straight as the questions started to swirl in her mind.

Was he the reason for this? Had he approached Rajput Constructions?

Instinctively, she was about to pick the phone and ask Sid and return the offer when her heart stopped her.

Wait, Aparna. Just wait.

What if he has? What is more important right now? You getting this opportunity or he being the reason for it?

Does it really matter?

Be practical for once.

Think about Prakriti. Think about yourself.

Will you survive if you let this go?

Be rational.

Aparna put the phone down and closed her eyes. For once her mind did not refute whatever her heart told her. Sighing, she went back to the design realising the fact that sometimes it’s good to just go with the flow. 

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Nishant lifted his head from the pillow and instantly his world whirled around him.

What the hell!

He tried to get up but somehow his body refused to budge. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to get up. As he sat up on the sofa, the throbbing in his head intensified and suddenly he shivered. He pulled the blanket on him but still, the shivering did not decline. As he clutched the blanket around him, the door of his room opened and Siraj entered along with Dhruv. Nishant noticed both of them were dressed, which meant it was quite late.

“You okay?” Dhruv asked, his eyes narrowing with worry.

Nishant nodded and instantly winced as his temples jarred with the impact.

Siraj placed his palm on his forehead and frowned.

“Bhaijaan, you have a fever.”

“I am okay,” Nishant croaked feeling sick to the core.

“Just give me the medicines from the drawer.”

Siraj fetched the medicines for him as Dhruv handed a glass of water. Swallowing two tablets, Nishant was about to get up when Dhruv placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Where do you think you are going?”

“Office, where else?”

“No ways. You are staying home.”

Nishant was about to open his mouth to rebut but Dhruv raised his hand.

“No arguments. You are staying home and that’s final. If you don’t agree then I’ll have Siraj guard you the entire day. Do you want that?”

He shook his head glancing at Siraj who was smirking merrily.

Both of them had reached the door when Nishant called out and said, “Call me in case you need anything.”

Dhruv turned and replied with a smile, “Naik Builders can survive without you for a couple of days.”

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Aparna was sitting near the window looking out when Madhu came inside the room with two cups of tea. Prakriti was busy playing with Harish giving her the opportunity to talk to Aparna alone. Since the time she had landed in Delhi they really hadn’t had the time for a good chat.

Madhu neared her and nudged her shoulder, handing her the cup. Aparna smiled weakly and Madhu could see that her eyes were misted with tears.

She sat down in front of her friend and asked, “What are you thinking?”

Aparna shook her head and looked the other way trying to hide her distress from her friend.

“Tell me,” Madhu implored.

“How is he?”

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