ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 71

Nishtha

"Good Morning Sir." I said as I entered the room, "How is everything going?"

"Nishtha! Welcome!" Martin Sir said, "It's been a while since I saw you. How are you?" Martin Sir is a new senior associate who joined IBM after I got married, but he doesn't know about us because he wasn't there.

"I'm great. Excited to get started on the project. What are the next steps?" I asked.
"Come in the meeting room, we will explain all the details there." Martin Sir said.

I nodded and entered the meeting room, where I was shocked to see Yuvaan sitting there. I looked at him. He hadn't seen me yet because he was on his phone, but to my luck, Martin Sir called me out as soon as I thought to walk away. "Nishtha? Come sit. I'd like you to meet someone."

I gave a small smile and I saw Yuvaan looked up. I knew his eyes were on me but I ignored it. I sat down, trying to find a place which wasn't close to him, but to my luck.... There wasn't. I sighed and sat next to him. I saw Yuvaan smile and look at me. I looked away, ignoring his presence.

"So, Nishtha," Martin started, "This is Mr Yuvaan Nanda, I'm sure you've heard of him, he's the soon-to-be CEO of YUVA industries."
"I have." I said.

"And Mr Nanda, this is Nishtha Yadav. She's a Data Engineer here at IBM." He said to Yuvaan.
Yuvaan smiled, "I know her really well."
Martin Sir smiled, "Oh really? How so?"

He looked at me, then at Martin Sir, "She's my wi—"
"College friend." I said loudly and corrected.
They looked at me. Martin Sir added, "Wow, you two are college friends. I didn't know that. That's good then, that you two are acquainted, you two will need to be since we're gong to be working together!"

I sighed and then smiled. Then, Martin Sir started to explain the project details and I focused on it, trying to ignore Yuvaan's gaze on me sometimes through the presentation.

Once it ended, everyone got in discussions and I sat there, confused. I'm part of the project but in my defense, I'm only a Data Engineer, I don't know all this. So, I just sat there while I saw Yuvaan take lead in these conversations.

Him and his work.
So attractive.

His focus towards his work was so admirable and commendable. Ever since he was in uni, he was focused on getting the CEO position without taking it through the nepotism tag. He wanted to earn it and he worked really hard for it through college. I appreciated him for it.

"That's amazing Mr Nanda." Martin Sir said, "I think we can get started. I'll send the details to everyone here."
"Sure." He said, "We meet here next week and we can discuss the next steps."
"Of course." Martin Sir said.

Then everyone started to head out. I also put my laptop back in my bag and then started walking when I was caught by Yuvaan's voice, "Nishtha."
I stopped, but didn't reply.

He walked to me, and turned me around so I'm facing him, and he held my hand, "Nishu..." I hummed in response and he continued, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you not tell him about us?"
"Why do you think?" I scoffed.
"Nishtha, we're married."
"On paper."

He looked at me, then his jaw kind off clenched and then pinned me against the door, "You said it once, fine. Don't say that again."
I gulped and looked at him.
He softened, his hand caressing my face, "Come, let's go home."
"Yuvaan." I said, "I'm taking the cab. I don't want to go with you."
He sighed, "Nishtha, my wife will not be taking a cab. Please come."
"No." I said and tried to leave the room when he sighed and grabbed my hand again. Then, he went to the table, got his phone and put it in his pocket, with me following silently.
Then, we made our way out.