Immortal Love_True Love Never Dies

by Shreya Suravajhala

  The first rays of the sun disturbed my sleep like a gatecrasher. I was lying on a cosy cosmovoide bed placed at the center of a posh master bedroom surrounded by crisp white walls , vintage mercury-glass lamps , Kravet fabric curtains on the right side and patterned armchairs. Hangover had its toll on me as a result of which my head was spinning like a top in full speed. I felt as if I would crash upon the floor like the previous night. I tried to balance my body upright and stepped outside the ravishing bedroom. I proceeded towards the living room but didn’t find anyone there. It was spacious , sleek and sexy designed for the rich with massive Macalester sofas , a Napoleon gas fireplace , silky linen curtains and a tripod cocktail table. Beauty wasn’t confined only to this spectacular mansion. The real charm stood in the lawn in the form of a 6 “1” hottie with a fair complexion , sleeve-busting biceps , seductive dorsal muscles and dark brown hair slicked back firmly. What a body !!! Almighty God ! I unapologetically kept gazing at him while he was earnestly lifting weights under the morning sun. I wanted to hug him tight like a rubber band and cling to his marvellous figure which resembled a breathtaking sculpture. I forgot Gustave for a while unable to resist this man’s hotness quotient. But what was I doing in his house ? “You woke up so early.” His voice was a treat to the ears. Sweet as honey. “Ya. I don’t remember anything about last night.” I shrugged. “Obviously coz you were drunk and you passed out eventually.” His tone became serious. “Which means ….” Pause. “You’re guess is right. I brought you home from the nightclub although your friends insisted not to do so. Your office ID slipped out of your purse and I realized that you are my employee. So , I had a reason to protect you. And for your kind information I would have done the same for any employee of my company.” This man is my boss Raghav Malhotra , shit. He looks hotter in a shirtless avatar than shrouded with an extravagant suit in business magazines. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t recognize him until he introduced himself as the CEO of Malhotra Group. “It is so generous of you “Sir” to have rescued me while I was in a drunken state. I am really very sorry to trouble you although I didn’t intend to do so at all. I can’t thank you more.” An expression of guilt made me paler. “Its okay. But ensure that you don’t repeat this again. I won’t be there to protect you all the time. Understood ?” He looks sternly into my eyes. “Yes Sir. I promise it won’t happen once again.” He nods. “Good.” He ordered his servant to bring my purse and accessories. “Ma’m here’s your stuff.” The servant was wearing a black pant and grey waist coat decorated with a tiny bow around his collar. ‘Thanks.” I honestly didn’t want to exit the fantastic palatial home of my boss. I never ever imagined that an Indian guy could appear sexier than a Hollywood hero. If he were in India then all the Indian women would line up to date him. In fact , women all across the globe would love to hook up with him. “Will you be able to walk alone to your house or shall I ask my driver to drop you ?” His voice hardened. “I’ll manage. Thank you.” I depart , widening my smile just to assure him how grateful I was for his magnanimous gesture.”

  ACCELERATION

  I shifted my base to an attractive 2 bedroom apartment located in 94th Street , East Brooklyn , NYC. Paying $1700 rent was pretty reasonable in order to sustain in America for an unknown time period. Plus I am now an Economic Analyst , 22 years old with jet black wavy hair , dark brown eyes , medium height and pinkish white skin. My aunt could have made me the heir to Walia Industries but she wanted her niece to experience a normal lifestyle which according to her will enable me to learn the art of self reliance , hard work , discipline and decision making. Interesting for those who are born ambitious and willing to prove something to the world outside. Unlike me who always wanted to escape into oblivion. But Gustave’s death has become a turning point of my life as I have lost faith in relationships , trust and almighty. The question is did I also think the same about LOVE ? I’m skeptical about it. Actually I’m confused. My heart will stop beating if I stop believing in love which means that I might fall in love again. Won’t it be a betrayal to Gustave if I found another person to heal my broken heart ? Coz I have genuinely loved him from every corner of my soul without giving a shit about the future consequences of my spontaneity. I know that Gustave will always be my first love who removed the blemishes of my tragic past with soothing assurances. He had all the qualities which a girl aspires in her life partner. Sweet , charming , caring and disciplined. Wishes come true only for the lucky ones and I’m not “The Lucky One” certainly.

  I hired an interior designer for beautifying my new house with exotic colours , alluring flower beds , layered textures in the bedrooms and modern appliances. Rich hardwood floors , large windows , granite countertops and smart kitchen along with modern furnishings , pristine white walls made the rental apartment appear like a mini palace. I personally arranged my massive book shelf which definitely was the highlight of the entire apartment filled with novels of all genres having gorgeous covers. I was addicted to books especially Young Adult & Crime Fiction. Although I equally adored other categories but most of my teenage was spent reading Cassandra Claire , Sarah J. Maas , Agatha Christie and Patricia Cornwell. The fragrance of books is lovelier than that of roses is what I strongly feel. They have been my BFF , guide , philosopher , everything. I found ultimate solace in the world of books which I will cherish all my life as the best achievement I have ever had. Aunt Simi was delighted to see my perfectly organized home and embraced me with exhilaration. “Sia ! I’m so proud of you my child.” Unlocking her shoulders gradually she kissed my palms. “You are now a working woman – strong , independent and beautiful. I know it has been a tough life without mom and dad but my niece is a reflection of me. She cannot bow down before troubles no matter what happens. Just like I took the responsibility of my brother’s company and his beloved daughter with great confidence I also want that you successfully make a wonderful living for yourself. I’m not boasting about my accomplishments instead I intend to boost your morale with words of wisdom rather than sympathy. Sia you are a gem ! Never think that I forced you to choose this life. The only reason why I sent you here is because I wanted you to understand the pain , struggle and obstacles which every human being faces in a lifetime. Your aunt is always behind you for all kinds of support.” Both of us share an emotional moment in each other’s arms.

  My aunt departs for London leaving her valuable suggestions which would be a guiding light for my future endeavors. She was more like a mentor than my father’s sister. After my grandparents passed away , Dad took utmost care of her showering love , affection and warmth. But Aunt Simi never misused her privileges as she was a precocious child who was headstrong , skillful and determined under all circumstances. I wasn’t even an inch closer to her but her motivational words were life changing for me.

  I was eagerly looking forward to my first day in office ever since I met Mr. Sizzling Hottie Raghav Malhotra in his extravagant mansion. Although he seemed like a serious guy I couldn’t even try to hate him for his commanding tenor. He rescued me while I was in an intoxicated state and took me to his house. If he wanted he could have taken advantage of the situation but he didn’t. Thank God ! My senses are super excited to perceive his presence again. My heart is pumping blood at a faster rate in order to encounter his mysterious heart again. Will I meet him “AGAIN” ? I don’t know why but I want to have a glimpse of him , his sexy body , his perfect lips and all of him “AGAIN”.

  THE ULTIMATUM

  The time was 9:00 A.M sharp and I headed for office in a yellow cab comfortably dressed in navy blue shirt and brown trousers. It was my first day so I didn’t want to be late. The Malhotra Group’s head office was located in Midtown East , Manhattan. Mammoth skyscrapers surrounded the exquisite borough absorbing the noises of hundreds of people walking on the polished roads. As I entered the stunning lobby of my office which was decorated with glass vases containing white stock and cream roses underneath , textured walls with copper tiles attached to them and a dazzling
crystal chandelier above , my eyes couldn’t ask for a better visual setting. I moved along the narrow corridor into my cubicle . There were several other employees engrossed in their laptops while a few were busy chatting. A petite woman wearing a green dress welcomed me to the office with a warm hug. “Hi. I’m Disha Verma.” The woman shook hands in a friendly manner. My excitement simply grew after meeting an Indian colleague after a tryst with my Indian boss. Its feels great to find people of your ethnicity in an alien country. “I’m the financial consultant and I have been working here for the past 4 years.” “Wow that’s amazing. Were you settled here or came all the way from India ?” I was curious. “Actually I belong to New Delhi. After graduating from IIM-A I got placed in this wonderful company.” She giggled. “That’s awesome. If I’m not mistaken IIM-A is India’s top B-school right ?” “You are absolutely correct. Well it was quite a struggle to make it to the best management institute of the country.” She asserted. “I did my bachelor’s in Harvard although I belong to London.” Disha raised her eyebrows in astonishment. “So you are an NRI huh. London to New York ! fascinating.” I wished that I could pay a visit to India during my childhood. But my aunt constantly reminded me that we were officially settled in England so travelling to India was a bad idea. No matter where we live but if our residence isn’t our native place then sometimes it hurts like hell. I experienced a similar situation because I grew up in Europe and I’m now working in America. Fortunately , my frequent encounters with Indians has made her feel at home.

  “Why don’t you take a look at the office since its your first day at work. I have some paperwork to do so I’ll catch ya later.” She beamed. “Yes I will. See ya soon.” I quickly checked my phone and placed it inside my Lino Perros handbag. I decided to tour the magnificent building of Malhotra Group just to get a glimpse of everything. The northern part of the office had wide glass windows exposing the lush greenery of the garden , there was a large kitchen and dining area where the employees sat for lunch and snacks. The conference room was expansive having a glass ceiling , LED projector in the backdrop and an extensive wooden table at the centre. Finally , I arrived at the most important part of the entire office. The CEO’s cabin stunned me altogether dazzling like the brightest star on a night sky. It had fancy furniture placed exactly in the right proportion comprising of a large oak table , a black executive chair , a table lamp with pen stand and paper holder on the left and two leather sofas facing each other adjacent to the wall. There were transparent window frames on three sides from which the entire New York was visible. I was taken aback by the striking features of my new office considering myself extremely lucky and privileged for getting a job in this beautiful place. But I didn’t know that there was a hidden blot in the lovely landscape. “What are you doing in my cabin ?” I heard a sharp voice. I turned back and my heart pounded with excitement and fear. Raghav Malhotra stood firm like a pillar smoldering in a navy blue suit , red tie and Testoni Norwegese shoes . “Good Morning Sir. Actually I was taking a tour of the office since its my first day and I landed up here. I’m leaving.” I wanted to kiss his yummy lips. “Wait.” I stopped and turned my head sidewards. “There are certain rules and regulations in this office. No employee is allowed to enter the executive cabin without permission. If you do so then there is also a punishment for your mistake.” Day 1 and my boss lectures me on code and conduct. Yuck. “What’s your job ?” he questioned sternly. “Sir I’m the economic analyst.” I had jitters while answering his query. “Submit the earnings report of this quarter in a couple of hours.” He demanded. “But sir I joined 30 minutes ago and how can you expect me to prepare a report right away ?” I shuddered. “ If you would have read the guidelines in the last 30 minutes then you wouldn’t have broken rules and I wouldn’t have had to punish you.” I couldn’t believe that behind his incandescent face existed a sullen personality. He sounded too judgemental and dictatorial. “Sir I said I was sorry then why don’t you just spare me for today. Trust me I didn’t know anything about the rules or else I would have been cautious.” I had every right to justify my innocence. “I hate excuses and apologies. Malhotra Group hires the daring individuals not cowards like you who mindlessly commit mistakes but refuse to take responsibility.” He was such a retard. Creating a fuss isn’t what bosses do but Raghav Malhotra does and still doesn’t admit. “Take it as an ultimatum. If you follow my orders you will survive. If not then I’ll terminate you on your very first day. The ball is in your court. Choose wisely.” I wasn’t afraid of losing the job but worried about justifying the reason to my aunt who had great expectations on me. Being terminated during the inception of duty would leave a bad impression on my career profile. So I had no other choice except doing what my despotic boss says. “Okay sir. I’ll be back with the report by 1o’clock.” I just felt like punching his square jaws which I adored earlier. “Good. Don’t even be a second late coz I’m very particular about timings.” I nodded tensely.

  Raghav’s tough guy image initially enticed me but after his rude behaviour for no fault of mine destroyed even my teeny weeny crush on him. I sought the data from the assistant economic analyst and speedily began analysing the trends. I never expected my first day to be so hectic like it was because of my tyrant boss. Disha brought coffee for me in a cute mug with a kitten face. After a while I saw the time in my laptop screen showed 12:55 PM. I rushed into the elevator like a cheetah. “May I come in sir ?” I knocked the door twice. Draco was seated comfortably in his leather chair signing documents. “Come in.” His eyes were fixed in the file that he was reading resolutely. “Sir here’s the earnings report which you asked for.” I placed it on the table and stood upright. He flipped through the pages gradually not ignoring even a single word mentioned in the report. “Nice. But I’m not impressed yet. You need to prove your worth by working as hard as possible and delivering your duties sincerely. Remember this is Malhotra Group of Industries and we believe in actions not promises.” He literally bored me to death with his irritating discourse. “You may leave.” Thank god. He allowed me a sigh.

  What if I really messed up with Raghav Malhotra ? What would his draconian law charge me with ? Lifelong imprisonment or death penalty ? Well , he only knows. But I would rather kill myself than tamper with a despot. I returned home at 7:30 in the evening and cooked haka noodles along with manchurian. After sometime I started thinking about Gustave all of a sudden. No matter how busy I tend to be I can never erase him from the rough edges of my heart. Gustave would have been very happy after knowing that I got a job in one of the most successful companies in the US. He would have kissed my cheeks several times and congratulated me with the warmest hug. I didn’t keep any of his photos in order to get rid of his memories. But I couldn’t do so mentally. Our love was meant to be eternal if not for the world at least for both of us.

  DREAM - I

  “Sia ! Congratulations for your new job. New York City is a lovely place and I’m sure you will get accustomed to the new environment pretty soon. Your boss doesn’t seem like a nice person. Sorry my love for having a tough day at work on Day 1 itself.

  Never give up be what may.”

  I woke up and switched on the bedside lamp. I saw Gustave ……omg it was a dream. His face was the same without any blemish. He was standing on the oceanside barefoot wearing a white shirt and brown pant. But what was he doing there ? How did he know about my job , boss and stuff ? I know I had a dream but I felt as if Gustave was watching me from somewhere. He could penetrate into my senses but I could not do so. Nevertheless , I had a pleasant dream after so many years of mental turbulences.

  HUMILIATION

  Gustave’s motivational words emboldened my self esteem and made me feel much better in the morning. I wanted to delete Raghav Malhotra’s image from my mind but it kept flashing like the awful ads that suck while playing games on our cellphone. I hated his ruthless behaviour with me but his impeccable charm overpowered my grievances. Is beauty so powerful that it traps us
in a world of illusion disguised as reality ? Possible. But no power could wrongly influence me because my tragic past has already taught me the difference between fantasy and reality. Men like Raghav do not possess a heart which is why they have made all the stupid rules to enslave blameless people like me. Still I shouldn’t hate him coz now he is my boss and its my duty to abide by whatever he instructs.

  I walked confidently into my funky little cubicle dressed in a sky blue arm length shirt and maroon pants smoothly brushing my black curls with the right hand. I typed a few documents , checked emails and prepared a couple of essential project reports. The clock struck 2:00 in the afternoon and my stomach made a rumbling sound. I proceeded towards the dining area for lunch and there I saw a lean guy with medium height kissing Disha. He had a stubble around the chin area along with a pointed nose and blonde hair. I cleared my throat to inform them that there was someone else too in the room although I had no intention of interrupting their kissing session. Both of them felt a jerk after seeing me. “Hi. Are you done with work ? If yes then let’s have lunch together.” Disha insisted. “I thought you were busy. Its okay.” “Meet my boyfriend Charles.” She grinned. “Sia Walia. Nice meeting you.” I hugged him with one hand. “Nice meeting you too. You girls continue I have some work pending. See ya later.” He kissed her lips and left. “I didn’t know that you have a boyfriend. So from when did you both start dating ?” I asked eagerly. “I met him during the internship programme and we got along quite well. In the process , we began developing feelings for each other.” Her eyes looked like bubbles floating in the air. “Who proposed whom ?” Disha definitely would not have proposed because she appeared like a shy woman. “Charles did obviously. I was like ‘omg ! an american guy is proposing me ….wow’ and I said yes immediately.” American guy proposed an Indian girl but where ? I wanted to know all the details. “Where did he propose you ?” “In a restaurant , downtown.” Disha blushed. “Fabulous. I’m sorry but what he working as ?” I didn’t find him anywhere in the office. “He’s Raghav’s personal secretary. Always busy because Raghav works 24x7 so he too has to work all day sometimes even at odd hours if our boss insists.” Raghav was such a jerk. He loved exploiting his employees mercilessly. “I guess Raghav doesn’t have a personal life so he hits back at his staff to kill time.” Disha laughed. “Well , he’s single. I don’t think he has any interest in dating and stuff coz he’s a workaholic.” Women must have realized that he was already married to his work so they don’t stand a chance to hook up with him. “Change the topic. I’m sick of hearing the word “Raghav” especially after his first day torture.” Disha did not seem surprised. “I can understand. 4 years of experience you know.” I nodded.