CHAPTER 35
VIKRAM
I'm elated that Daadi and Maahi are here at my office. I want them to see my achievements, however big or small, and know I’m not just a manipulative heartless tycoon doing hard-core business. After sending them off to tour my workplace with Ajay, I stride back to my cabin. Before I enter, my secretary informs me that Sabrina is already waiting inside. She doesn't waste any time, does she?
“Hey,” Sabrina says, getting up as soon as she sees me. “I hope everything is fine. You don’t usually call me to your office.”
“All good, Sabrina. I thought this was the best place for us to meet since I have Maahi and Daadi here to check out my office too.”
She stiffens as I sit on my leather chair, leaning back comfortably.
“Oh, they are here too?” She bites her lip immediately for saying that too loud. “Are they going to be a part of this conversation too, or is it just us?”
“Just us,” I smile.
She returns the smile awkwardly.
“Look, Sabrina. We both know why we’re here today. I’m sure Mom must have told you.”
“Did Maahi tell you how she behaved with your mother and me last night at the party?” She tries to change the subject. “She told me to shut up, and poor Aunty, Maahi was so rude to her.”
“It’s not her fault, really. You both gave her that opportunity to be rude.”
“We gave?” She scoffs. “What’s wrong with you, Vikram? She’s blinding you.”
“Maahi has opened my eyes, Sabrina,” I snap. “I was oblivious to the fact that you are treating our friendship as something else.”
Now she freezes.
“I don’t know where you got this misconception that I see you as more than a friend,” I add. “I don’t, Sabrina. I never have.”
She swallows a painful lump in her throat. I offer her some water, but she refuses.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says, looking away and fiddling with her phone.
“You don’t?” I repeat. She just shrugs. I snatch her phone, and since it’s already unlocked, I open the Instagram app and show her our photo where she tagged me as “Mine” in the caption. “What is this, then?”
Her face swells in embarrassment as she grabs her phone back.
“I didn’t even know you were doing this behind my back.”
“Excuse me?” She groans. “I was just posting our pictures together, and they are not obscene. I can share them on social media.”
“Tagging me as yours and misleading our social circle is what I have a problem with,” I bark. “Especially when I am already married and committed to someone else.”
She goes blank again for a few seconds.
“Married is right. Maybe you’re even committed to her, but is she?”
I am about to defend, but Sabrina doesn’t let me interrupt.
“Don’t tell me it’s your lookout now. It’s not, Vikram. Your parents think the same. We all know on what grounds you married her. It was only to save Maahi from your father’s legal attempts in fighting for his rights on Devki estate. Maahi has no interest in you or your money.”
I keep listening.
“I’m not saying she’s a bad woman. She’s good. Better than most women who would run after a wealthy man like you for his money. She’s exceptionally devoted to your grandmother, but that doesn’t mean she suits your lifestyle or understands what you need from her. She will never read you the way I do.”
Sabrina gets up and reaches me, rounding the desk.
“We’ve been together since college, Vikram. I’m the only woman who knows what you desire, and I was always ready for it, but you never asked. I thought you didn’t want to break our friendship and were afraid to commit, but now I don’t even care. Whatever you decide, however you wish to lead this relationship, I’m fine with it. All you have to do is just say it… rather demand it.”
She is about to touch my face when I grab her wrist and stand up.
“I can’t believe this,” I snap. “You’re so delusional, Sabrina. I don’t know where you’re getting this from because none of it is true. I’m not interested in any other woman anymore.”
I shrug her arm away, and she snaps back at me.
“How long, Vikram? How long will you resist all your desires? I know you and Maahi haven’t consummated your marriage. How much longer will you wait and beg from her? Someday, you’ll need those things that Maahi has no interest in giving you.”
I laugh. Is this some kind of joke? Sabrina watches me in frustration.
“Who do you think I am, Sabrina? Some sex addict who can’t stay without it? Just because I’m a billionaire and own classy clubs all over the globe doesn’t make me a womanizer.” My smile fades as I grab Sabrina’s arms to ensure she hears my next words loud and clear. “You know when I commit to something, I give my soul to it. My marriage to Maahi is real. I have feelings for her that I don’t think you can understand. Even if she doesn’t let me touch her for my whole life, I will still wait for her till my last breath.”
Sabrina stares at me bewildered, but then I sense her—my wife. She’s here. I turn to the door and see Maahi standing there, watching me. When did she come here? I loosen my grip on Sabrina, who steps away and turns to Maahi just like me.
“You forgot this,” Maahi says, showing me my phone. I’d given it to her to google something while we were driving to the office since her own phone’s battery was draining.
She strides inside the cabin, and I don’t let her walk too far. I take a few steps to meet her halfway. She is glowing, and I realize it’s because she heard part of my conversation with Sabrina. I want her to know that every word I uttered was from the bottom of my heart. I want to know what she is thinking at this moment about me and our marriage, but this is not the right time and place. Maahi quickly decides to leave after I take my phone back.
“Daadi and Ajay are waiting outside. I should go. See you soon,” she murmurs, stroking my chest gently. That simple touch is enough to comfort me. She smiles at me and walks out, reminding me I still have to deal with Sabrina.
Sabrina is fuming at Maahi’s intervention, but I don’t care.
“She didn’t even knock,” Sabrina complains.
“She doesn’t need to. This is her husband’s office, and she has every right to interrupt me even if I am signing a billion-dollar deal with someone.”
I am done explaining the importance of Maahi in my life to Sabrina, so I finally come to the point.
“I need those pictures of me removed from your Instagram feed. If you don’t, I’ll let my cyber team handle it,” I give her a no-nonsense look. “And if you still want us to be friends, stop broadcasting my family matters to your friends and social circle. I know Mom shared a few things with you, but you should have respected that and maintained some secrecy. The next time I hear you are gossiping about me and my family, consider it the last day of our friendship because that’s definitely not something I would do to my friends, and I expect the same from them. Are we clear?”
She gives me a pointed look.
“Mark my words, Vikram. She will break you away from your family one day, and you will regret it.”
I am done with her, so I walk to the door and open it for her. This is my way of asking her to get out. I can’t entertain her any longer. I’ve always liked Sabrina, and we shared some great times as friends, but now she’s messing with my family, and I cannot tolerate it.
She stares at me, hurt blooming on her face. I wish she hadn’t crossed the line of our friendship like this. I thought we would always be good friends and supporters of each other. But life doesn’t work that way, does it? Sometimes the people you trust for years become your foes in seconds, and you don’t even know how or when.
As soon as Sabrina walks out of my cabin, I decide to quickly finish some work before joining Daadi and Maahi. I’ve planned a proper three-course Indian meal for them, and I know Daadi will love it, considering I have specially appointed the best Indian chefs to cook it according to her diet plan.