Tangled Tale With a Love Twist

by Shailly Jain

  The one with the Golden Heart

  Over days Rahul and Gaurav have mended their differences. Today they are participating in a land deal. She is being asked again on the Karan duty. She thought to deny but, Gaurav never makes time for himself. Going out with Rahul will relax him. In past days, he has given non-stop duty at the hospital. He deserves this break.

  Parking in the hospital she braces herself to face his rudeness.

  Seeing her carrying flowers and chocolate, he laughs. Gaurav blackmailed you again into being my nanny. Don’t worry, Julie is coming in an hour then you will be free. Sia doesn’t mind taking care of khadoos.

  Mr. Mehra, what should we do to pass the time? She seems in a spectacular mood. Her eyes sparkle every time she sees the phone. He asks before she burst with happiness, What got you so excited, love?. I got a very big project, you might be familiar with the name. Before she can even mention Mr. Aditya Singh, Abhimanyu walks in.

  After exchanging the niceties, she goes straight to asking about his health. With all sorts of questions about fast recovery. Abhimanyu is ready to leave, Sia joins me for lunch if he is working again. Seeing her nodding, he left.

  Karan can’t stop his eyes from rolling. Seeing reaction She sarcastically asks, Do you have anything to share? How can Karan explain his jealousy, when he doesn’t understand himself. He only knows for some reason, her actions impact him. Nothing, I am just admiring one of your suitors, Love.

  Sia pulls the magazines from the rack to keep her distance. She can’t concentrate on any article as he keeps moving. Karan, if your leg is hurting, I am here to help. He retorts I am well capable of taking care of myself. She thinks, Does his arrogance knows any bound?. He deserves the pain but seeing him shifting again her heart melts. She softly puts pillows below his leg forcefully, it is not for you. This is for my satisfaction and peace.

  A soft smile skips his lips. She is feisty behind the sweet girl’s exterior.

  ********

  Julie is carrying half of his office in her small hands. Giving her a helping hand, Sia settles everything around Karan. So Gaurav is out for one day, and he decides to tire himself out. Karan is continuously giving orders for the past 10 minutes, and Julie is keeping up at the same pace. It’s admirable how well-tuned they both are. Sia drifts back to reading. If it confirms that Julie is going to stay long, she will leave.

  Sia awakes at the sound of Karan’s high pitched words. It seems like Julie has forgotten to do a task out of the thousands. Seeing the situation getting dire by minute. Sia declares a quick break. Julie is still waiting for permission, dismissing he indulges again at work. To cheer her up, she decides to take her out on lunch.

  Julie is not startled, she seems pretty accommodated to his behavior. Seeing Sia’s discomfort, she quickly reassures, His bark is worst than his bite. The conversation shifted from Karan to gossip. Julie is easy to talk to, she never gives away anything important or personal. Karan has chosen well as a secretary.

  ********

  Abhimanyu and hospital staff have no idea of Karan’s whereabouts. Leaving him alone was a mistake, now he is missing without a phone. Julie is going to search the outside and, she is on inside duty.

  She has searched floors and all ready to call Gaurav for help, when she spots Karan outside an operation theatre. He is standing beside a young woman. Who is thanking him for something, between her joyful tears? She is now blessing him.

  Sia wants to give him a piece of her mind, but what’s going on? Tapping Sia’s shoulder Julie asks, Karan to be left alone. Coming back to the room, Sia starts asking her questions, What’s that all about, why is she thanking him?. Julie is forming the answer in the best possible manner. Sia promise me whatever I say now will never leave the room. Sia nods to assure her full secrecy.

  Sia, you have to understand, Karan doesn’t want people to see his good side. He believes that some people perceive goodness as a weakness. The exploitation of weakness is easy, so he always appears tough. The woman downstairs is my colleague Rashmi, she is thanking him for saving her child. Karan has paid for the surgery and the treatment in full to save her son. Karan treats all of us as a family and, he is always there to help.

  I know he has a very high standard regarding work and pressurizes us all to attain it. Believe me, Sia, he only does it to make us better. His exterior is scary, but if you look past it - “he is a good man”. Sia can’t stop herself from asking - What has he done for you?. Julie’s lips have a sad smile when I met Karan. I was abandoned by my own family and husband. I wanted to take my life, but God has a different plan for me. He took me under his wing and rest is history. He helped me to take justice. The process made me the person I am today. Every employee of his has a story to tell you.

  Sia doesn’t believe her ears, she always portrayed him as a narcissist. In reality, he sounds like a messiah. Today is like seeing him in a new light. Respect and loyalty of his subordinates are results of his good deeds. She has newfound respect in her heart.

  ********

  Karan is escorted back to the room by two security guards. Sia, I left for a few minutes and, you declared me MIA. Sheepishly smiling, She says mockingly, Next time carry your cell phone. Don’t yell at Julie, it’s my idea. Karan needs Julie at the office for pending work that means he is stuck with Sia.

  It’s hours since he has looked up from papers. Sia has to stop him, I am confiscating all your work. If you want to get better, take some rest. You will get it all back in an hour after eating and taking medicines. Behave well, he is here to take care of the wound. Leaving Karan in the ward boy’s company, she starts looking for the doctor.

  Abhimanyu is packing to leave when he hears her voice - Can I interest you in a coffee? She wants to know about the physiotherapy. Abhimanyu comments, seeing her knowledge about such therapies. I see now, Where you were busy in the past hours. Don’t worry. We have planned a few exercises for Karan if he cooperates. I will send someone right now to carry out the first session if you want. Thanking him, she asks for the therapist right away.

  Seeing her in the company of therapist, he shakes head. Sia, It’s not happening. Pasting a fake smile, she starts helping the nurse beside him.

  He knows she is ignoring him. Gritting teeth he asks, when are you going to leave?. She laughs, soon Karan, right now its exercise time. Before he can say anymore, she is right beside the therapist to slowly move his leg. Sir, it’s going to hurt, please bear it with us. Without realizing, he grabs her hand as the pain escalates.

  Gaurav doesn’t know how, but Karan has agreed to do exercise. Seeing him at door, Karan slowly releases her hand. Sia, now you are off duty. If you wish, please stay for dinner. Sia turns down Gaurav’s offer as she has pending work to take care of. Leaving the hospital, her mind is occupied with what best she can do for Aditya Sir’s companies. She has formed a plan, tomorrow if he approves work will start. She is looking forward to the meeting.

  ********

  Aditya enjoys her new lookout on works. She has limited the cost expenditures with very simple solutions. Declining the offer to join his company for a raise. She reminds him, everything doesn’t come at a price. Her smile is similar to his late wife. Sia is like a child they never had. Aditya has lost his son and it starts to feel as Sia is filling the gap.

  Karan is now walking slowly. Gaurav laughs saying, either you accept it or not - physiotherapy has worked well. Karan remembers it’s her idea, she also believes that sending flowers daily improves his health. Seeing the flowers on the desk, he smiles softly.

  Currently, Karan’s steps are limited, which restricts his ventures. But doctors are discharging him today. Gaurav thinks his place is the right choice, but Karan still wants shifts to office. His reason is working 24/7 helps him to heal.

  Julie is reporting his health to someone. Who can be checking on him?. Seeing his questioning look she clarifies its Sia Mam. Karan smiles at the thought of her care. Julie, I want my schedule on the desk, we have a lot to do.


  Its almost a week since Karan’s discharge. Despite Gaurav’s best efforts, he hasn’t joined him at home. Seeing, the medicines untouched Gaurav glares Don’t miss doses. If I find one such incident, I will take you home. Karan softly smiles, seeing the care in his friend’s eyes. The office suits me better than any other place.

  Gaurav can see, he has settled well in the office. Now he walks free with a hint of slight pain. As per Abhimanyu in a week the pain will go away too. The pending work has piled up but Karan is working on it day and night.

  Soon they will be back to their regular schedule. But some commitments cannot be delayed anymore. Gaurav calls Sia to invite over dinner. Deciding the time and venue, he hung up. There has been so much to do before dinner.

  The one with the Soft heart

  Sia is running late, which gives him time for better representation. In past weeks he hasn’t seen much of her. According to Rahul, she has been working on something big. It will be a good break for her listening to the doorbell, he smiles. Seeing her condition only means she is coming directly from the office. Passing him the laptop bag, she goes to freshens up.

  Seeing the food platter, Sia smiles - What have I done for such a nice treat?. Gaurav’s eyes lit with tenderness - Sia, you have been a good friend in times of need. For me, you handled both the personal and professional end. This is just a gesture to say thank you. Pulling out the bottle from her bag. She smiles, So what are we pairing with this champagne?

  Seeing his favorite brand, Gaurav smiles, the chef’s best starters can come handy. Filling the glasses, she suggests - We can’t let the champagne go to waste, dedicate it to something. He is never good with toast, nothing came to mind as such. So Sia, why don’t you start and I will join in. Sia loves to give a toast or small speeches. She quickly starts. This one is too good health, new beginnings, more ventures, a lot of happiness, and love.

  Sensing his dip in mood, she changes the subject. Tell me, What are you working on these days? Gaurav gave a tired smile, Karan. He is a handful to manage. Sia is laughing at his words, he is a bit resilient. But its nothing that you can’t handle. Sia is telling all about her new project and mentor.

  This treat is like the much-needed unwinding session for me Gaurav. I hadn’t spent much time relaxing this week. Uncle Vikram is traveling with Vishaka aunty and my father. Gaurav is confused that how a couple after divorce wants to spend time with each other. Sia gave a response to ease his confusion. Uncle and aunty parted on good terms. Three of them were friends with each other since college. First, these trips started as a way of distraction after my mother’s death. But now they really enjoy such trips.

  Gaurav is sensing some hesitation, the Sia he knows is quite outspoken. So if she is hesitating, it must be a dire topic. To, encourage he tenderly says, Stops stalling and tell me what’s on your mind?. Pausing for a second, she says When you learned about his accident, Why were you dead terrified? Such a reaction can only come from a place of deep fear.

  The question is still hanging in the air, rubbing his face he starts. The words are coming out with difficulty, I lost Ayushi in a car accident. We were able to reach the hospital after her last breath. I lost the will to live at the sight of her body.

  Doctors informed me later, she was repeating my name till her last breath. I am never at peace since that day. It’s like a burden on my heart, I wasn’t there in her final moments. Seeing my devastation, Karan took all her belongings from police and hospital staff. He stayed with me for months until I blocked him out.

  She forces him to see her, as he is turning to hide the tears. Hey look at me, let it all out. Talking about grief lightens the burden of one’s chest. Love consumes you especially if its epic. There is nothing wrong with feeling bad.

  Gaining the strength from her words, he asks - tell me what you want to know, Sia?

  She starts at a lighter note, Was Karan jealous of your affection towards her?

  Giving a soft smile, he says, Not at all. She had a very special bond with him. You know Karan always treated her like family. Whenever we have a spat, Karan is always on Ayushi’s side. She never came between us, she fits so perfectly like she belongs there. We both hold a special place in her life, Sia. For me, she was the love of my life. For Karan, a sister he never had.

  Sia doesn’t want to force her thoughts on him. But, if she had such a special bond with Karan. Why don’t you talk to him? It will be beneficial for both of them.

  Gaurav gave a deep sigh, It’s not an option. Ayushi’s death impacted both of us very deeply. We three used to have so much fun fining, dining, conversing, laughing in this same room. He indulged himself in work as a coping mechanism and, I drowned my sorrows at the bottom of bottles. He became distant over time and closed a part of him after her death. That dreadful night I lost both of them in different ways, Sia.

  Softly lying him in lap, she strokes his hair. He hadn’t realized that he was crying. I know Gaurav, it feels awful that she is not among us. But Ayushi would have wanted you to be happy. Try to remember the good times. It brings peace to the dead and the mourning.

  He has been holding the pain so close to his heart that it became a part of him. Confiding in Sia is like liberating Ayushi, from the hold of a dark heart. After spending time with her, he has started to feel like his old self. In past months he has taken psychiatrist sessions too. But he never gave them anything of importance. Talking to Sia is easy as compared to any psychiatrist. He knows that deep down, she really cares for his well being.

  ********

  Karan has been bored sitting around all day, so he decides to opt for some company. Dropping at Gaurav’s was a mistake. Seeing him taking comfort in Sia’s lap, he felt a distaste in his mouth. He left without being noticed in a hurry. Bashing the hand against the steering wheel, he tries to control the anger.

  Deep down, he knows the reason for feeling hurt. Finally, after a long time, he has found a person worth keeping in his life. Sia has broken the walls he has built to keep people out. The anger is so intense because, after a while, he has let someone in. And the person turned out a malicious greedy corrupt. Karan reminded himself that Ayushi was an exception. Sia doesn’t hold a torch to her.

  Gaurav sat up gaining, his composure back. It’s her kind words that had given him the strength to face reality. Ayushi would have wanted him to be happy. Shutting people will not help the healing process, he has to accept her death. To move on the required to grieve. Taking out the box of her belongings, he took Sia down the memory lane.

  By the description of her, she must be a beautiful soul. Pictures are a glimpse of one’s life. Several photos have captured her unique bond with Karan too. He looks happy and free around her. She must be very close to having such a calming effect. She felt a sudden sadness for Karan, first the absentee father, and then the loss of his mother and Ayushi. No doubt, he hides behind the tough exterior.

  Sia gives a bright smile to cheer him up. Gaurav, if you ever want to talk about her, I am always here. Think of me as your Guiding coach. Taking her hand in his, he softly says - Thank you for being here today, Sia. It really felt good to share. Letting it out is like unburdening years of pain and guilt. I am really grateful for your patience. You know I felt a connection with you since the first meeting.

  Sia cant hold her surprise. She remembers saying the same about him to Rahul.

  Gaurav, I have felt the same bond between us. I am unable to express it in words. But you are like a brother to me. Gaurav’s eyes held the sincerity. He laughs, It cant be expressed in better words, little sister.

  Hugging him, she says Karan wants me to build a spying software. Do you know anything about it?. He burst into laughter. Seeing her confusion, he clarifies. Sia, he wants the software to keep an eye on his father’s company. He has a childhood obsession with it, he has tried and failed in the past. The software is complex and requires a very precise window timing to operate. I don’t understand why he chose you?

  Sia doesn
’t want to bore him with the gory details. As well as Arvind is back, the fewer people know about London, the better. Seeing him waiting for an answer, she says, I don’t understand the same. So who is Karan’s father?. Gaurav has no choice but to lie. Karan has an estranged relationship with his father over yers. Even his mention boils the blood in Karan’s veins. If Sia ever tried to mend the relationship, she might become the subject of his wrath.

  Knowing Sia, it’s better to keep it a secret. He softly says I don’t know his real identity, but as per Karan, he is bad news.

  Sia doesn’t believe him for a second, he is not a good liar. But rightfully, it’s not his secret to give away. She should not meddle in others affairs, Rahul has reminded her that time to time. Whatever belongs to his father, is his too. Keeping an eye on one’s belongings doesn’t sound bad to her. In her mind, the decision is made. She decides to design the software. And the means to it is lying in the closet.

  Suggesting him to take professional help too, she leaves. It’s late, calling Rahul for the drive feels nice and safe.

  The one with the Shopping

  Karan is not attending any event, due to his restricted moments. He is keeping a watch by deployed cameras, but it’s not the same. Sia had got used to him being around.

  She has started handling Aditya sirs accounts with more ease now. Getting accommodated with them has taken a long time, but now they are running smoothly. She is back in the events scene and enjoying it after a break. She has everything sorted out but Karan’s behavior is still a mystery.

  In some ways, his behavior had changed. It has started to feel like he is avoiding her or, she is being delusional. He never speaks much anyway, and with her busy schedule, she wasn’t around much.

  Over time her feelings for him have changed. From a mere acquaintance to someone she looks up to. The desire to know him on an intimate level is like never before. Secretly waiting for him to see her as something other than a businesswoman. The thoughts are driving her crazy. She tried to lure his time with the software but he clearly declares it as a non-priority. His exact words were, Take as much time as you want.