The next day Ishaan was busy, rather trying to keep himself busy in the office. He was contemplating how to face Aarya.People were droning on around him at the conference. He wasn't listening. He was busy planning how to convince her to meet him again.Once back in his chamber he called in the HR manager."Yes Sir?" "Please arrange a meeting with Aarya Mathur, yourself, and me. Do it soon."The HR manager hesitated."What?" He asked."Sir please don't fire her. She is a very good resource."He suppressed a smile."Did I say anything about firing her? Just send the meeting invite but you won't attend it.""What?" She looked puzzled."Send the meeting invite but I don't want you in the meeting. Do I need to repeat?" He said.She nodded and went away.Ishaan smiled to himself.He was waiting in one of the conference rooms when Aarya arrived. She had a blank expression and he could easily make out that she had a sleepless night just like him.“Please sit down Aarya.”He checked to see th

She looked at the watch it was 9:30."I should leave now it's late".He said "Ok I will drop you home. Its dinner time now would you like to stay for dinner?""It's ok Ishaan don't trouble yourself. I will take a taxi"."Seems like I will have to eat out alone again. Ok as you wish" He said with a wry smile.Aarya hesitated for a minute then said "Ok I will have dinner with you"His face beamed into a wide smile "Good I know a very good place for that".He took her to a nice cosy restaurant. Not too posh just a simple diner. She was surprised at how easily they conversed about nothing in particular.He seemed happy and relaxed. "So when did you come to Bangalore?" He asked."Its almost 4 years now. I came here a few months after the divorce.""And you are staying here alone?""Yes coming here was ans escape from the mess which I had created. Our parents were not very happy. In India when you decide to separate every known person and his brother in law, his maid, driver, everyone has an

Aarya was nervously tapping her finger on the chair's hand rest. She had never been to a police station before.Ishaan squeezed her hand reassuring her.A friendly looking inspector finally asked them."So how can I help you?""I am getting weird calls. The caller seems to be stalking me.""Hmm please let me know your phone number and the numbers from which you got those calls. Do you doubt anyone?""I am not aware of anyone like that." She said."Anyone ever troubled you? Like past boyfriend, ex, or someone you disagreed with?"Aarya looked at Ishaan. Her ex-boyfriend was sitting right next to her and Shashank wouldn't do anything like this. He wasn't even living in India so it was unlikely he would know her daily routine. She wasn't in touch with anyone else from Pune."I can't think of anyone in particular." She said."Any trouble with law earlier?""There was a guy in our group who was arrested. He used to drug and exploit girls." Ishaan interrupted.Aarya recalled Omar and she was

It was a short and gentle kiss but it was enough to shake her to the core.She opened her eyes looking into his hazel ones. He had that typical half-smile on his face. He wasn't sure how she would react but there was no trace of anger."Aarya" he whispered."Happy Birthday Ishaan," She said.He looked happy as well as surprised."You remembered?" " Of course." She replied.He looked down and chuckled."You never fail to amaze me Aarya.""Thats my speciality." She grinned at him.He was expecting a backlash for kissing her but instead, she remembered his birthday."So what are we going to do today?" She asked.He scratched his chin pretending to think."I am hungry." "What!"" I can't think when I am hungry." He replied.She laughed ", let's have breakfast then. The dining hall must have opened by now.""We'll have breakfast here, in the garden. I'll call room service.""I would like that very much." She grinned.Soon they were enjoying a private breakfast spread in the garden. The go

Aarya woke up with a splitting headache.The sun was already up but most of the room was still dark. She tried to sit up then realized that her hand was tied to the bedpost.She had no idea what time it was or for how many hours she had been knocked out but her growling stomach confirmed it was quiet late probably hours.Aarya recalled the events which led to this. She had cried herself to sleep after a confrontation with Ishaan.She booked a cab for Bangalore and left the hotel early morning before Ishaan could find her. She just wanted to be away from him.She remembered getting into the cab and probably fell asleep in it. She wasn't sure if she fell asleep or she was drugged.When her eyes opened she was here in this dingy room God knows where.With a hammering heart, she tugged at the ropes tying her hand to the headboard. It didn't budge.Her throat felt so dry she could barely speak. The room was sparsely furnished with just a bed and a chair.She heard footsteps. Someone was app