The Messages

Namit

My plane was about to land. The announcements had been made already. While securing my seat belt, my mind travelled back to a certain someone. It had been more than three years but I couldn't gather the courage in those three years to come back to India, where my family resided. I was so filled with hatred towards her that I detached myself from everything which reminded me of her.

I never went to Delhi because I knew she too lived there and it won't be easy for me. I agree I was being a coward but I had to stop being one. I left because of her and came back only because of her.

My thoughts were halted as the passengers scurried about their seats, ready to step out. My first step was M.N.K Cosmetics. I knew it was too early but I couldn’t help being impatient. I wanted to see her. I came to know about her working in my Uncle's company not long ago. I reached at eight, in the office.

When I was about to go further towards the lift the receptionist stopped me, “Sir, do you have an appointment? And who do you want to meet?”

Somewhat irritated as no one ever dared to talk to me like that, I turned to her, removing away my sunglasses, her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe her eyes. She rubbed her eyes to confirm that if it was really me while I was fuming with anger.

“Can I go now?” I asked her, jaw clenched. Not only did she stop me from going into my uncle's office but she was also just staring as if she had seen a ghost. I knew it's not every day that people get to see me but still I was in a hurry. It wasn't her fault given no one in the company knew that Neeraj Khanna was none other than my own uncle. I had made my own name in the business industry.

I am ‘the famous Namit Khanna’, heir of N.K Industries. Business magazines titled me as ‘The Playboy Billionaire’ and ‘The Ruthless Billionaire’. It didn't affect me until three months back. In a way, the names they gave me were indeed true, given I had become ruthless because of my own mistake. I rarely came out in the last three years, mostly confined to myself. In that timespan, I only gave two interviews directly. One was for a business deal and another one, I gave to her friend, Aditi.

"Well, the look on your face clearly stated that you are very well aware of my identity. But still, you dared to stop me." I said gritting my teeth, anger radiating off me in waves. If she would have been my employee I would have surely fired her.

"So-Sorry Sir. I didn't see your face. I di-.didn't know it's you." She stammered.

But before I could say anything I was interrupted by a known voice, "Go easy my boy. They are not used to your ruthless ways. They will get scared."

I turned back to see my uncle standing there with a huge smile. It had been so long since I saw him and my family members. Despite the years that passed by, his handsome face was still the same as if he didn’t age a day.

"You are still the same handsome man. You want to compete with me?" I asked before striding in his direction and engulfing him in a hug.

"No way, not even in my dreams, I am gonna compete with you. I don't wanna lose."

"Come on uncle, everyone knows you can still give competition to every handsome young man out there." I shrugged, pulling away.

"Sorry Meera, I know he might have scared you. But please forgive him. He might look ruthless but he is a sweetheart." Uncle told the receptionist. It was embarrassing how he was apologizing for my behaviour.

"Uncle, you are embarrassing me," I whispered, hoping that the receptionist couldn’t hear.

"Then you shouldn't have talked to her like that." Uncle said disappointed.

I sighed, finally deciding to apologize to her. But she stopped me before I could speak any further, "It's okay sir, it's not Namit Sir's fault. I should have noticed earlier."

Thank God she said that! I hate saying sorry. I was oblivious to how I was going to apologize without saying sorry.

"Meera is the meeting room ready? Where are Adya and Samaira?" Uncle asked her.

My heart piqued up its space at the very mention of her name. It felt as if I was going to see her for the very first time. That’s how she was, nobody could take their eyes off her or hell even forget her once they had had a look at her.

"Sir they will be reaching anytime soon. And for the meeting room, Samaira Ma’am said she will arrange it herself." Meera replied to Uncle's questions.

"Okay, thanks Meera. Inform me when they come." Uncle ordered her. All I got to know about the business deal was that some Korean delegates were to come and the presentation was to be handed by Samaira and her friend.

"Namit, go home. I will join you there after the meeting." Uncle said.

"I need to ask you a favour, can we talk in private?" I asked.

He nodded in a yes before directing us to his cabin. Taking our seats I continued, "Uncle I know I shouldn't interfere in your company's matters but can I ask you a favour?" Before he could say anything I continued, "I want Samaira Kashyap to handle the presentation."

He looked at me with a shocked expression on his face, "This is your company also Namit, you don't have to ask for favours, you have to order. But this is something difficult. . . wait. . .why? I mean do you know her?" Uncle asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I will tell you everything later at home. But for now, please just this once uncle, fulfill this demand of mine. I am sure that you will surely get this deal if she will do it alone." I said with confidence.

"I don't know Namit. . . it's not like I doubt her capabilities but she is a junior. She won't be able to do that alone." Uncle tried to convince me. But I knew her, she could pull this off better than anyone.

"Just trust me once uncle. . . Please?" I convinced him at last and he had to agree. That very moment Meera called and informed my uncle about Samaira and Adya's presence.

Uncle sighed once, before rising from his chair, “ Are you sure about this?” He asked, obviously unsure but he couldn’t turn me down.

"More than sure," I replied.

I knew that uncle monitored every meeting and that's why there were cameras in every meeting room. So, when uncle went out, I switched on the big monitor screen to see what was happening in the meeting room. More precisely, what was happening to her.

At her first glimpse, I felt like my heart was ready to pop out from my chest. She was still the same. Her black doe eyes spoke of kindness and love. Her sweet voice boomed through the speakers making my heart gallop. But something was missing, her playful and childlike side. I ruined her and it was time, I brought back the old Samaira. That's the only way I could forgive myself.

I was so busy pondering on what she was like before that I had missed the moisture glistening on her cheeks.

She was crying. Why?

In the next few moments, it became clearer why she was crying. It was because of the presentation. Her tears were the last thing I wanted to see. I had a reason for my own for the favour I asked from my uncle. I believed in her. I knew she could still do it and all she required was a little push.

I was contemplating my ways when an idea struck. I called Mark, my bodyguard into Uncle’s cabin and asked for his phone. I hurriedly typed in a message before deleting it and returning it back to him.

*Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, it turned into a butterfly.*

The text had worked on Nitya, my sister on her big day. I hoped it would do the same with her too. The next few minutes proved that it did.

I knew she knew Korean, that was one of the reasons I had asked my uncle for the favour. I had worked with these people, I knew they liked to throw a surprise and test the opponent. When I saw her reply to him with full confidence, my chest swelled with pride. For a moment, it felt as if the old Samaira was back. My old Samaira. That made my will even stronger, for I knew I could definitely bring her back.

The meeting got over with everyone congratulating Samaira.

"But when did you learn Korean? I know you love watching Korean shows but when did you learn their language?" Her friend asked, while their conversation boomed through the speakers.

"Well, I started learning it in college as a hobby, never thought that I would be using it one day," Samaira stated the half truth. The genuine reason why she learned Korean was me.

I was so busy looking at her that I didn't even realize when my uncle entered his cabin. It was when he cleared his throat, more loudly than necessary, my train of thoughts halted bringing me back to the present. I met his eyes only to find him holding questions. Questions that I wasn't ready to answer yet.

"I know you have lots of questions, but for now I can't tell you anything. I want you to come home with me. I have to tell everyone something very important. It's more like an announcement." He was very confused, after hearing this.

"I hope it's a good announcement?" Uncle stated, more like a question.

"Yes, it is. I am sure you will approve of it." I said smiling.

"So shall we leave then?" He asked and I nodded in yes.

We were in the car on the way back home. Uncle was driving since it was his car we were in when he suddenly asked, "You do remember that after entering the house you will have to face the wrath of your parents, right?"

Shit, how could I forget that? My parents tried every other way to get me back home when I didn’t comply with their request. They even tried setting me up with several girls, so that I could eventually come back home. All I had to do was put up a shield, that was enough to frustrate them, even scared some.

But finally, when I was back, I hadn't even informed them about my arrival. Only my uncle was aware of that. I was scared as well as happy to get to meet them after such a long time. I knew I was being selfish for not coming back, but I also didn't want them to see me in the condition I was in, three months back. I became pathetic. But I wanted to change too, become the old Namit Khanna.

Only she held the key to that. We can heal each other.

At times, I wondered how life would have been, had I never checked those messages three months back, The Messages that escorted harrowing pain with them.