73 Due to Her (2/2)

Akash laughed and said ”Why not? Please do let us soon whether your team has the competency to work on my business proposal. See you then.” And then he nudged Varsha gently at her back to make her walk with him. Varsha turned her gaze toward Akash and then smiled at him and turned and walked with him. Both husband and wife walked out of the room while Father and son looked at their back which is moving away.

While walking out of the meeting room, Akash and Varsha have different type of thoughts in their minds. Akash looks calm while Varsha is anxious. She still can not believe that she could be the reason for this outcome. She looked toward Akash and asked hesitatingly ”Why did they not sign the deal today?” She is afraid he might be feeling down and rebuke her. She hardened her heart to hear whatever he will say.

But to her surprise, Akash looked toward her, smiled and said: ”This is how the corporate world works. The oral promises does not hold any value, only signed contracts do. They must have found some cheap deal somewhere or maybe having some second thoughts. In any case, I have tried my best and that is all we can do.”

She thought what would have happened if she would have accepted to have lunch proposal of Vipul Shah. What could go wrong? She started thinking that she overdid it. Calm expression on the face of Akash is making her feel worse. She knows how hard he has worked to prepare for this meeting and has seen him working on the plans and doing meetings from home to prepare the best plan for this proposal. She is somehow blaming herself for being too cautious. What could go wrong in doing lunch at a public place? At least deal will be signed and her husband's efforts will not go to waste. More she though, the more she blamed herself and felt sad. She thought that she lost a chance to show her love and care toward her husband. She looked toward Akash, her eyes tearing and said in a whisper ”Can I hold your arm?”

Akash felt surprised and then looked at her almost red eyes and felt his heart go soft. She is sad because his efforts didn't give any result. He smiled and nodded. Varsha wrapped her hand around his right arm like hugging it. Akash can understand her sadness and found those protective feelings again rising toward her. He turned to her and said softly ”Fool! Why are you feeling sad? We can only try but we can not control the thoughts and actions of others.” They kept walking through the lobby.

Varsha felt surprised hearing his soft scolding and it made her happy. She stole a few glances at his face and kept walking with him while holding his arm. Feeling her inclination on himself, Akash felt deal would not be this much delightful. Although the deal did not go as expected Akash still felt like it was worth the joy of feeling her care and concern.

Both husband and wife are thinking differently. Varsha saw Akash smiling and thought that he is trying to look normal by forcing himself to smile and it made her sadder and her hold tightened on his arm making Akash almost laugh.

They waited on the entrance and shortly valet brought the car. Akash carefully helped Varsha sit at the passenger seat and then sat on driving seat. He then started the car and husband and wife drove toward their home.

Two pair of eyes watched from the window of the meeting hall as Akash and Varsha drove out of the gates of the hotel. They were Vipul Shah and Mahat Pawar. He had arranged a lavish lunch today which could not serve its purpose.

Vipul Shah turned toward Mahat Pawar and said ”You can not blame me. I tried everything but she dodged it all. At last resort, I convinced my father to withhold the deal signing.”

”That girl is simple and innocent but she does not trust people just like that and that is her strong point. If she would have accepted so easily, she won't deserve my attention. Well, stopping the deal signing is good, I will still have some ways. I will fulfil my promise to you and your father about the hotel deal.” Mahat Pawar said with a sly smile.

Vipul Shah is looking at Mahat Pawar with changing of expressions of susceptible, admiration and confused sometimes trying to gauge his thoughts. He smiled hearing that Mahat Pawar will fulfil the promise he has made and then said ”We did trust you on that. Let us go have our lunch.” And he turned to go out of the hall.

Mahat Pawar also turned and followed. He laughed and said, ”Why not?”