A brief hiatus

Aarvi heard Zain's deep sigh on the other end. She has no idea what he does, where he is so she spoke, "I will not trouble you. You carry on..."

Zain cut in, [Pumpkin] He resumed after her hum, [It's your life if you want to give him a chance or not is your decision so I will not tell you to choose him. But why are you ruining your own life due to irrelevant people?]

"I am not. This is my choice of life. Staying single is my choice."

Zain accepted it but his gentle voice was serious, [Alright, if you want to stay single, so be it. I want to tell you something that probably you don't know yet.]

Aarvi was calm hearing him support her choice. "What is it?"

She heard footsteps on the other end before it turned silent, [When I, grandfather, Shawn, and Dax were searching you within our limits, Aaron Rivas had exerted all his and his family power to search for you.

All cities were in lockdown because he purposefully instructed to plant an explosive in the construction sites of the Rivas Builders. Then he used military power for that reason but to search for you. Every security agency in every city was on the road searching for you.

When the public and government thought he was finding the culprit behind his loss, only a limited number knew he was searching for you. That is the extent he could go to get you.

I hated him when I couldn't search you because of lockdown but when you called me after a year and mentioned his name, that's when I investigated him. I didn't leave you with him for your poor health, I know he loves you and respects you without crossing his lines.

Not only Shawn and Dax but Aaron's team is also trying hard to know what happened those days, as soon they get to know, he will annihilate those families.

Pumpkin, you had to fight for the smallest affection from your parents. He is someone who loves you the way you deserve to be loved and you won't have to fight for it.]

Both were silent when he ended. Aarvi was silent because she was blank hearing him, she didn't know if she should lean left or right. Zain was silent looking at Aaron and Aarvi's teenage year picture on his laptop.

He knows Little Ava loved Aaron unconditionally, unreasonably, she had the purest love towards Aaron but he doesn't know why Aarvi doesn't remember a thing about Aaron.

He had even spoken to the neurologist and a psychiatrist about how one could forget somebody. With many speculations, they had ended the conversation with 'it isn't safe to force her to remember if her brain is stopping those memories.'

He is still trying to find which incident caused her memory loss and he was sure she doesn't remember Aaron for more than five years but he knew why Aaron had to leave the country unexpectedly.

Zain continued after a few seconds, "So the choice is yours. You can take down this bunch whenever you want. Give yourself a little time. Alright?"

Aarvi had many questions and doubts that she needed a response. She wasn't sure if she should ask or not. "What if I fall weak? I can't afford that."

She heard a faint chuckle on the other end, "Pumpkin, you are more stubborn and strong-headed than anybody I have seen. Instead of falling weak, you will grow stronger pulling everyone up with you."

"Oh!" If she wasn't stubborn waiting for her parents to notice her, she would be in a better place, "My headless mother sent an email again for meeting President Evans for her son."

Zain remembered something and said, [I heard grandfather meeting Advocate Willon frequently these days and planning to write the will so your dumb father buttering him up trying to be a loyal filial son, and that spinless young master is always smiling looking like a monkey.]

An evil glint flashed in her eyes remembering her parents. "I don't care about them. You better become the CEO."

[My job doesn't allow me to take a private job. Keep a good candidate in mind if needed.] Zain had no idea their grandfather knew Aarvi is alive and she is the President of Skylar International.

"So, you are working in state administration." Aarvi guessed.

[Don't be over smart with me.] Zain heard her chuckle and breathed a sigh of relief. 

He really hoped she could overcome her buried fears. He spoke for little time to make her feel light before hanging up the call asking her to take a brief hiatus in her upcoming plan.

...

Aarvi saw her mobile screen repeatedly for Shawn's call but it didn't come. Thinking she really went too far in the morning, she quickly finished her work to go and see him.

She went out of her office to see Shawn pacing like a headless chicken murmuring something to himself while Tia ran behind him saying repeatedly, 'Brother Shawn, Sister Aarvi will not be angry at you.'

In her student life, the ones who made her comfortable in her own skin were Shawn and Dax. She wasn't an introvert but her family and school friends made her one. These were the two who enjoyed the real her and never discouraged her. They accepted her as she was and is.

"Who said I am not angry? I am very angry. I waited till now for a single call. So pathetic."

Tia started laughing hearing her and exposed Shawn, "Brother Shawn is here for three hours without the courage to see you."

Aarvi's jaw dropped hearing her and saw Shawn smacking Tia, "Aish, I have such a sissy friend."

Shawn felt relieved hearing her talk. He was almost scared thinking she might ignore him, "Little Heart..." He towered over and hugged her. "I am going to follow you 24 hours for three days as a plea."

Aarvi and Tia's lips twitched hearing him. The former spoke breaking their hug, "Did your brother tell you?"

Shawn grinned mischievously scratching his head and disclosing the truth, "I overheard him saying you might fool security to lose their track." It isn't difficult for her to fool them.

Tia didn't understand what they were talking about and a customer entered inside so she quickly went to serve them.

"Sneaky cat... I am hungry." She pouted making a cute face to see him smile. Then the trio had lunch at the opposite restaurant of the shop and Shawn followed her to the florist shop.

"Little Heart, what are you thinking about brother?" Shawn asked earnestly, sitting opposite her.

She had thought to think about it patiently as she had three more days. "I don't know. I need time... Do you really want me to be your sister-in-law?"

Shawn nodded vigorously as if she wouldn't notice his single nod, "I love my sister-in-law. Mwa."

Thinking about Aaron, Aarvi was sure he wouldn't be at ease for four whole days going so far. Taking her mobile, closing her laptop, she ran out saying, "Bye!"

Shawn panicked and ran behind her, "Little Heart, where are you going? Don't do anything stupid... Little heart..."

Aarvi turned to him at the door and said, "You will jump in joy if you know where I am going."

She chuckled the next second seeing his face brighten up by understanding where she was going then she left the shop.