Tangled Tale With a Love Twist

by Shailly Jain

  Looking at the beautiful blonde mediator in his bed, he smiles. Anna has eyes for everyone at today’s conference, he scored because of his lavish car. She is exquisite beauty, but today he is not feeling the same satisfaction. On the other hand, it looks she had a great time. His mind keeps getting back to Sia Bharadwaj. More such projects mean more interactions with Sia. As media projects are her companies specialty.

  Days had passed since the media conference. He is still receiving praise for his work. Karan’s schedule was always busy, but right now from all the media-centric projects. He has no time left to enjoy.

  The one with the Secret Proposal

  Fifteen days later:-

  Sia can’t think of a single valid reason for this meeting. Rahul’s words keep repeating in her head “Why you have to go, It all-digital he can transmit it easily. Or he can send it over with someone else”. He also offered to pick up the tapes too.

  But as per Uncle Vikram, Karan has specifically asked for Sia. To be exact, he had requested to meet in person.

  Checking her reflection last time in the mirror, she is all ready to go. Taking the open flight of stairs, she realizes a black SUV parked in front of her house. The driver is holding a cup of coffee with her name on it. Seeing her walking near he opens the door, Karan sir has sent me, to pick you up.

  She smiles at the young man, he remains expressionless. Passing her the cup, he takes the driver seat. She blushed taking the first sip,, it’s the same she spilled over Karan. Settling her bag, she messages Rahul about the driver and ride.

  A soft smile forms on her face seeing the message, beware of the khadoos. She is back to the same question " What does he want from her”?.

  ********

  Today is different from the whole week for Karan, she is coming to his office. The footage was of no use now, but it served as perfect leverage to meet her again.

  Karan has done his homework well. Sia Bharadwaj likes to build software and apps like a professional. She started it as a hobby at the young age of 14. Her proficiency increased with time. To makes things more challenging, she opted on hacking servers. After completing her degree, she joined one of the biggest IT firms. Due to less challenging work, she left the job in 2 years. Taking on freelancing jobs of any nature. Hacking jobs are the best time of her glory.

  Supreme digital job is offered to her because of Rahul Sengar’s contacts. Whathe doesn’t understand is that a girl like her will choose the supreme digital as a career option.

  It is the kind of mediocre work she has been running from. There is only one option that seems right. She opted for money over passion. Whatever her personal choices are, she is a perfect fit for this little project.

  Sia is already nervous and, all the security checks aren’t making it any better. Mam, you have to submit the phone and gadgets here. Karan has seen her entering the building, he left the moment she is done with her frisking. Sia is pissed about such strict measures. It’s a security firm but, do they have to treat them like thieves.

  She looks around, the office is simple and elegant. Everything is built for utility, there is no pretense. She can see glass rooms with high technology enable pieces of equipment. The inbuilt security looks tough, it will be fun to break it.

  To her, it’s a Disney world. She can spend days looking into all these firewall technologies and ways to break them. She bumped into someone and spilled the cup of coffee. This time she doesn’t require the face to know the recipient. Karan looked at his shirt and couldn’t contain the words, “Plz don’t try to undress me here, Love”. The office is this way, please follow. The sting in the use of word love made her feel fear and excitement at the same time.

  He moves directly to the backroom. She examines the surrounding, his personal office is enormous. The room décor is all wooden and utility as usual. The big plush sofa looks like he spends most of his nights here.

  Walking out of the washroom wearing a fresh shirt, he signals to sit.

  Sia feels guilty for ruining his shirt. I am sorry, I owe you one shirt. Karan mischievously laughs- Love, if we are counting, you owe me two. Whatever guilt she is feeling it’s out of the window. He is an obnoxious person and deserves some coffee spill from time to time.

  Putting up the best smile she says - okay, I owe you two. Now can we please discuss why I am really summoned here?

  Karan asks directly without losing another moment, I have a proposal for you. I want a rather complicated software to keep track of some company’s profiles. It is a kind of hacking. From your history, I think your work fits the profile.

  Her work is taking care of the digital needs of companies. She doesn’t understand it at first, then it hit her. You snooped in my past, Do you understand, its called private life for a reason. There is no way he knows the whole story. She feels enraged, he has breached her personal space without consent and there is no remorse on his face.

  Sia’s eyes held an accused look and, that agitates him more. She affects him in ways he doesn’t understand. Sia has every right to be angry, he has crossed a line. But he is not ready to back down or apologize. Rather than anything else he retorts, I looked only for professional accomplishments love. Your personal life is of no use to me.

  Sia can feel the anger literally radiating through her now. Composing herself, she searched for the most used excuse. It’s a nice opportunity but currently, I am focusing on something else. Nice of you to offer, but I will pass.

  Karan knows how to deal with women like her. He smiles arrogantly, If you are thinking about money, name your price.

  Sia has taken enough crap and it stops now. The words came out with a lot of anger in a high pitched voice. I am not interested in such a project right now, but thanks for the opportunity. We are done here, can I leave?.

  Karan doesn’t understand why she is this angry?. Money is a viable aspect for her. He thinks she must be playing along with her good image. It looks like the facade is important to her. With enough time she will come around. He casually drops the statement, I have mailed you the proposal love, read it once. I am sure you will be intrigued.

  Sia wants to leave now urgently, Are we done here?. Karan can see she is becoming restless in his presence. He smiles, You are forgetting the tapes for which you originally came. Giving up on the meeting she asks, where are they?

  Tapes are packed and kept with all your belongings at the front gate. Give me a minute, I am seeing you off. He has made his proposition, it will take her time to think. Nothing else can be done now.

  While he is making a call for the car, she saw Gaurav passing by. Seeing Sia he came to say hello. It’s the perfect moment to rush out of this tense room and have a little chat with the good one. They moved out of the room seeing, Karan deep in conversation.

  ********

  Gaurav asks casually - So what bought you here?. He is trying to sound normal, but he is having his reservations. Karan never invites someone without an agenda. Sia smiles, Nothing I am here to pick up the tapes. Whereas Karan offered me a job. Gaurav clarifies if he had heard it right, He offered you a job?.

  Shaking her head- Kind of, but I have to turn him down. I am in a good place and not looking for more responsibilities. He can sense either she is hiding the details or don’t know much. Knowing Karan, the latter is true. So he changes the topic by asking, What will you do with these tapes?.

  She is thinking of inviting him and it seems like the right time. Sia smiles sheepishly Nothing these tapes are the last link in the completion of my media project. Today we all will be enjoying the first successful conference of my team. You and Karan both are invited.

  Do you want to invite Karan too? The mischief smile playing on his lips hinted that he understands the tension between them. Sia knows that her expressions have given away the answer, so she came up with the safest answer. You two are inseparable, so if I am inviting you in a way I am inviting him too. So why not invite him out loud to save the face, she smiled back with the same amount of mischi
ef in her eyes. He genuinely likes her openness.

  Gaurav asks with a hint of surprise, this is your first project?. Sia understands his tone, in her position she should be more qualified. She waited a moment before replying- Vikram Sengar my boss, always guided me. In most projects, he was present there too. So if something goes wrong, I can rely on him. This time all has been handled by me so in a way it’s my first.

  She has been looking at the rooms outside with curiosity. If you like, I can show you around?. Sia said yes in a heartbeat. She is thinking about all the technical work going around. Security developments in the past few years have made huge strides. Seeing her childlike excitement he decides to show her the full vicinity. And types of equipment having a low-security clearance.

  Both of them talked about the design of the firewall and, she suggested a few changes. Which to his surprise are relevant to the changing technologies. She is speaking the coding language with such proficiency. He has to ask ” Are you a coder”?.

  She smiled remembering the days when she used to code for hours. Rahul has to feed her forcefully sometimes when she lapses the sense of time. “I used to be one” Her reply came from a happy place he can sense that. In the tour, she gained a perspective into Gaurav’s personality. He is a big goofy coder and has a gift of making people comfortable around him. He is nothing like Karan, who keeps people on edge. He has a great mind and technical perspective on today’s tech scene, but he is always open to new ideas and discussions. He is a person with whom she can debate for hours.

  While discussing an old movie, he offers to show her the cafeteria. You know we have a special Chennai coffee. Come on give it a try, I think you will like it. While he is grabbing them coffees, she looked for her mobile and remembered that all the gadgets are at the main door. The clock indicates that 3 hours have passed taking the tour.

  She has to wrap up fast, there is going to be a million calls and messages from Rahul and party planners. She hopes that Rahul has managed all the preparations. Gaurav is back with two cups of steaming coffee.

  The one with the Table Dance

  Gaurav gets back to the same question, So what does my evil partner wants from you exactly?. Before Sia could reply she saw, Karan hovering on the door frame.

  His words are laced with cynism - I have been looking for your love. The car is ready. The cynical tone of love has registered with both Sia and Gaurav. Sia Before the whole mood becomes tense, she should leave.

  Brightly smiling at Gaurav, she says - Please convert the coffee in a disposable cup. I will have it on my way.

  Karan grabs a chair next to them, holding her gaze. I insist Sia, please enjoy it with us. She hears him mumbling something about his favorite shirt. Is he implying that she can’t be trusted with liquid beverages. But it looks like she is the only one getting that message. The wipe the smug smile on his face she says, Why not.

  Ignoring him, she focuses again on Gaurav. He is talking about, how they used to party after college. Passing a big smile to Karan he asks, Do you remember?.

  Karan is still looking at her but, he nods in agreement.

  Finishing the coffee seems like a victory with his intent gaze. Wishing Goodbye to Gaurav, she reminds him about the party. Try to come.

  Walking with Karan in silence is only increasing tension between them. He is khadoos, rude, snobby, irritating, but deep down, there is good in everyone. They both give services to events and functions. There will be many future scenarios for working together. The sooner they will get over the tension, the better. She has to do something to break the ice.

  The words didn’t sound convincing to her ears, but they came out instantly. There is a party at my house. If you are free, do join us. I invited Gaurav as well, most probably, he is coming. The party starts at 7 pm. Do you think you will be able to make it?

  His words made her smile, “what is the dress code”?. There is no dress code, wear something comfortable. He confirms now that the party is not a formal gathering. But If Gaurav is going, he is going. Gaurav has never shown such keen interest in any woman after Ayushi. With Sia, he seems to have a good bond in such a short time.

  They have reached the main gate, as soon as she got her phone back. She starts calling a lot of people and, he lost all his interest in her jibber-jabber. Settling her in the car with tapes and bags, he smiles think once. He stood there, till the car left the premises. One thing is clear, she is not going to say Yes anytime soon.

  His mind drifted to the same questions again. What’s so special about her?. Why does Gaurav enjoy her company?. The question he is avoiding is of great importance. Why he feels a pull towards her? Hostility and rudeness are a way of coping, but the real question remains. Why she impacts him so much?.

  ********

  As the car hit the main road, Sia feels more at ease. Around Karan, she feels tense. Rahul is confirming on the phone that everything is taken care of. As usual, Mr. Savior has saved the day she chuckles. She is telling him about inviting Gaurav and Karan, tonight. Same as her he is not a big fan of khadoos.

  Rahul can sense, she is hiding the real motive of Karan’s invitation. But he doesn’t believe in pressurizing her. When the time will be right, she will come clean.

  God knows she can’t keep a secret. She changes the topic to things, she has seen during the tour. She has been speaking for straight 15mins about the technologies, which he has no idea. The excitement in her voice stopped him from intervening in between. Sia smiles seeing the pop-up, Sarah called. Instructing Rahul to meet at home early, she picks Sarah’s call.

  Seeing watch Rahul thinks, he has 2 hours to windup remaining work. Most of the time is spent today, worrying about her. He calls a work assistant to check on the field. Delegating such a big responsibility doesn’t feel right. But today is special for Sia, for once, he can let go of control. He started reading the blueprint of the building. Noting modifications for the betterment, he will close the deal soon.

  “Do we have to go”? We don’t know her that well. Karan adds to his argument, it’s not a formal party too. We have no business there. His irritated tone only made Gaurav smile. But Gaurav knows, he has a point there. They have known Sia only for a few weeks.

  She seems like a good ally for future business ventures. Above all, he has made up his mind. After a long time he has connected with someone and it will be good to meet new people. Making a decision he says, I am leaving in 30 minutes. If you wish to join me, please hurry. I hope, you will not leave me to bore.

  Seeing Karan standing still, he appeals to his softer side. You understand the joy of first success. Come with me, it will be fun. I have seen you conquering new markets, it gives you satisfaction. It’s the same for her.

  Karan knows when he is beaten in an argument. He took a quick shower and opted for casuals with a light jacket. He can’t deny, secretly he is happy to go. He is curious to know more about her. She confuses and excites him at the same time. His agenda is still on. Sooner or later, she will come around the idea.

  ********

  Seeing them, she shouted from the roof. Come up, stairs on the left. Dj’s songs are making it impossible to hear anything. The party seems at its peak, the whole place is flooded with people. The garage serves as DJ and booze den. The vacant area is filled with chairs and sofas. Couples are making out. People are dancing like crazy, it seems they have missed a lot of fun. They took the old fashioned iron staircase, going to the terrace. It’s a nice small house in a deserted area. Garage and a floor above it. To his surprise, the whole floor above the garage is locked.

  Rahul and Sia welcome Gaurav with a big hug. They have a genuine fondness for him. On the other hand, Karan receives a cool handshake. On the roof, there is a bonfire in the middle. Self-help drums of beer and a small bar. Small food counters with a lot of food. It’s different from the parties, he is now used to attend. Most of this reminds Karan, his college parties. Sia is introducing them to all her friends and their friends. Karan smiles, she has a
lot of people in her life.

  Handing over the drinks to all of them, Rahul whispers something in her ear. That made her laugh out loud. Karan can see, Rahul is always beside her. Taking care of her. Sia depends on him for small things too.

  She wants, Gaurav to meet a hacker, he is exceptionally talented. She is doing it for Karan too, the guy is her alternative. Completing the roof’s introduction, they move towards the garage. The volume of the DJ is making introduction pointless. Sia and Sarah are passing stolen glances at Karan and conversing in hushed tones. Karan smiles hearing the word khadoos.

  Sarah seems to be giving him sexy looks all evening. Sia is slowly moving to the rhythm. As soon as the formalities are over, he excuses himself to enjoy a real drink, Something strong.

  The crowd has sided now and, Karan can see from booze counter her small circle of close friends. She insisted on Gaurav to stay with them. Karan remembers their names as Sia has attached a few personal embarrassing stories with each one. She joins everyone on the dance floor tugging Gaurav with her. Karan’s eyes sparkle with lust seeing the way her body moves.

  It’s impossible to look away. Her moves are so perfect, it looks she has some training. Gaurav loves DJ, it has been long since he has partied like this. Karan can see, they look happy like children. He is happy to see his friend smiling. It’s years since he has smiled like this.

  She spills half of her tequila shot on her shirt. Like a habit, Rahul’s hands are cleaning her face like a child. Karan rolls eyes seeing the chemistry between them.

  Rahul whispers to Sia, it’s time for the ritual princess. Sia holds him, shaking her head. She pleaded childishly, Rahul we are not kids anymore. She adds, Please don’t do it.