"Maybe it is our imperfections that make us so perfect for one another."
- Emma
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Oberoi Group headquarters, Mumbai
Advik groans in frustration, as he surfs through yet another file. The scowl deepened on his face, his shoulders slumped. His brows furrowed.
A deep sigh leaves his mouth as
he glances at the time.
11:17 pm.
The office is empty, dark. Silent. No other soul, any trace of anyone.
Except for the dim light of his own cabin.
He gulps down the last of his coffee. Placing the mug aside. As he just leans on his chair.
His hand on his head.
Regretting his life decisions.
Imagining himself everywhere but here.
He almost looks on the verge of just throwing it all over and just going back to his bed.
He was buried in his cabin since afternoon. Only getting up when it was urgent.
Finally after more surfing and realising that he can't do this anymore, he closes the file. With a loud thud.
'Damn this file. Damn this client. Damn this company.'
He growls, shoving his mobile in his pocket as he gets up.
His stomach grumbles for food.
His body aches for some rest.
But he was exhausted more mentally.
Maybe he was pushing too hard to keep his sanity.
Trying to distract himself from everything. Everyone.
Whatever had happened since last 48 hrs.
He wanted to believe it was a dream.
:ā 0
11:47 pm.
He gets into the Oberoi Villa.
Closing the door behind him with a soft click. The house is pitch dark, only the faint moonlight coming through the curtains as he walks inside.
Normally he won't be expecting anyone to be here. So he walks in the kitchen. His pace steady, as he loosend his tie.
Rolling his sleeves up.
Open the refrigerator for a cold water bottle .
The kitchen light is still off.
Only the bright refrigerator light makes the things visible.
Then a sudden voice comes from behind him.
"You are late"
He almost startles at that sudden intrusion. His hand instinctively falls on his chest. As he jumps from his position.
Turning to look at the owner of the voice.
Arohi. Of course she had to be there.
"You can try to not kill me perhaps." He says, his eyebrows furrowing further as he gulps down the water directly from the bottle.
The cold liquid soothing his thirst.
"You can't just barge inside your own house like an intruder in the middle of night" she says, her arms crossing over her chest .
She stands there wearing a soft light pink cotton kurti, simple. Perfectly fine on her petite self. With sweatpants. Black.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping or something"
He says as he keeps down the bottle on the kitchen counter. Eyes roaming again inside the refrigerator.
"Go freshen up. I will heat up the food" she says then, realising his hungry.
"I can manage. You should go and rest" he says again. Not looking at her. At all.
"Ohh come on. Do not be stubborn." She says again, and before he could protest against that, his stomach growls once again.
So he finally gives her a lazy salute before going upstairs.
After sometime, she serves the food properly. Dal, jeera rice, masala bhindi and hot phulkas. Absolute comfort.
On a cold winter night.
He emerged downstairs, hairs now damped. In a black tshirt and black pants. His hairs now fall onto his forehead. Giving a more of a boyish look.
Something different ,better, compared to the hard stoic business man he looked at morning.
"Thanks" he says lowly as he sits at the table. Taking the first bite.
"You overwork often..?" She asks , her curiosity increased as she takes a seat opposite to him.
"Not always. I have a life out of that cabin" he says, still chewing on his food.
"Ofcourse. Yet you are late today." She says again, dragging the conversion so that it does not become awkward.
"Well I have to fill in for a certain someone" he says, now looking at her finally. His voice low, steady. Decreasing an octave.
She understands whom he is referring to as 'certain someone' . So she does not press the topic forward.
They sit in very awkward silence, with him focusing on his food. And she, looking everywhere but at him.
ā
Advik emerged from the bathroom, now all ready to sleep. His body ached in exhaustion. All he craves was a good sleep now. Long. Deep.
His gaze shifted on her. She was neatly adjusting the mattress.
"You can have the bed" He said. Not a statement. A declaration. A command. Clear. No room for doubts.
"I can take . You should -" before she could protest he cut her off
"Don't. Let me" he says as he picked up the extra blankets and pillows from the wardrobe.
"I can sleep on couch You Know!!" She protests again.
"No." His voice sharper then intended. As he plops down on couch. Not before adding "Off the lights"
She froze. This boy was becoming more and more Rude. He can't order her around.
But she didn't protest. She was tired too. After everything. So she just rolled her eyes before switching off the lights. And getting herself on the bed.
Sleep came sooner. Maybe the exhaustion. Maybe the thoughts.
Or if the days events.
^ā _ā ^
She felt a sudden sudden movement around her. As she startled awake.
She was sure they were getting robbed, "Intruder!! Intruder!!! Police is on the way!!!" She says instinctively , even though it was a lie.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" The Intruder groans , maybe he was in pain.
So she quickly turned the lights on, from the side lamp.
"What..?" He hisses at the sudden brightness. His eyes squinted.
He was slightly slumped down, from his waist. His hand on his lower back.
He looked in agonizing pain.
"What...?" She asks, tumbling towards him "are you okay..?"
"Back spasm", he groans .
"What!!!?????"
"I am having a back Spasm" he says again as she instinctively reached out . Motioning him to lay on the bed as she shifts . Pulling the covers on the other side.
"Please lay down" she says. She was completely clueless about what was happening. Maybe because she was still in her sleepy trance.
He just nods, as she guided him to lie down.
Then he shakes his head, "getting up and down is the hardest part when this happens"
Her eyes widen, her throat dry. This happens often...?
"Let me prop some pillows" she says as quickly helping him up.
His expression is unreadable as he reclines on the bed.
"Advik. What happened...?" She asks then, "do you need any medication or something??"
As she glanced up at her phone on side table. 5:30 am . The timer says.
"I was getting up for a run. But maybe I sat up too weird or too fast or slept weird because then my back spasmed"
He tells her, his eyes half shut, physically looking in pain.
And yet he has the audacity to say "Am sorry Aarohi. I woke you up"
"What!!" She almost hisses "what are you sorry for!!! You make no sense"
"It's my fault. Didn't realise how low the couch was. Should have been careful getting up ", he says.
"Tch. Shut up. " She groans, then after a beat adds,
"Tell me you need some medications or anything....?" she asks, finally done with his melodrama.
"My cupboard. Second Drawer. Muscle relaxants." he instructs as she immediately gets up.
Her hand lingers upon the cupboard door, because it was his. Right..?
Before she finally gives in, opening it up and searching for the relaxants.
She walks towards the bed, "can you move a little..?" She asks gently.
"Hand me . I can manage" he says gruffly before grabbing the patches. Never touching her.
"Stubborn " she mutters under her breath as she pulls them back.
"Turn" she commands. Her voice not at all gentle now.
So he rolls his eyes, at her bratiness before slightly moving. Not before muttering some curses.
She gently lifts his shirt. The warm skin of his. Tanned. Toned. Her fingers almost freeze for a moment. He understands that. Her shyness.
"Let me handle" he says again and she reluctantly gives him the patches.
Before turning to look away.
After a minute, he says "you can turn now"
As she turns, he is already reclined over the headboard.
His black locks falling onto his forehead. His eyes closed, just relaxing.
"Shall I bring some heating pads or icepads..?" She offered again .
"No . I will be fine . In some time"
"For how long has it been happening..?" She asks, slowly moving onto her side of bed.
"Almost a year now. "
"And what does the doctor says..?"
"Maybe because of bad posture or long hours sitting in same seat."
"That's why you shouldn't play the hero "
At that, his lips press into a thin line.
His shoulders finally relax as he opens his eyes to fully look at her.
"Brat" he mutters under his breath but it was enough for her to hear.
"Says the one who was groaning in pain a few minutes back" She chimes.
"Go to sleep" he s
ays. Before he reluctantly moves his hand to turn off the light. A muttered curse yet again leaving his mouth.
As the slightest of movement sends shivers down his spine. A sharp agonizing pain.
O
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