VIKRAM
I'm elated that Daadi and Maahi are here at my office. I want them to see my achievements, however big or small, and know I’m not just a manipulative heartless tycoon doing hard-core business. After sending them off to tour my workplace with Ajay, I stride back to my cabin. Before I enter, my secretary informs me that Sabrina is already waiting inside. She doesn't waste any time, does she?
“Hey,” Sabrina says, getting up as soon as she sees me. “I hope everything is fine. You don’t usually call me to your office.”
“All good, Sabrina. I thought this was the best place for us to meet since I have Maahi and Daadi here to check out my office too.”
She stiffens as I sit on my leather chair, leaning back comfortably.
“Oh, they are here too?” She bites her lip immediately for saying that too loud. “Are they going to be a part of this conversation too, or is it just us?”
“Just us,” I smile.
She returns the smile awkwardly.
“Look, Sabrina. We both know why we’re here today. I’m sure Mom must have told you.”
“Did Maahi tell you how she behaved with your mother and me last night at the party?” She tries to change the subject. “She told me to shut up, and poor Aunty, Maahi was so rude to her.”
“It’s not her fault, really. You both gave her that opportunity to be rude.”
“We gave?” She scoffs. “What’s wrong with you, Vikram? She’s blinding you.”
“Maahi has opened my eyes, Sabrina,” I snap. “I was oblivious to the fact that you are treating our friendship as something else.”
Now she freezes.
“I don’t know where you got this misconception that I see you as more than a friend,” I add. “I don’t, Sabrina. I never have.”
She swallows a painful lump in her throat. I offer her some water, but she refuses.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says, looking away and fiddling with her phone.
“You don’t?” I repeat. She just shrugs. I snatch her phone, and since it’s already unlocked, I open the Instagram app and show her our photo where she tagged me as “Mine” in the caption. “What is this, then?”
Her face swells in embarrassment as she grabs her phone back.
“I didn’t even know you were doing this behind my back.”
“Excuse me?” She groans. “I was just posting our pictures together, and they are not obscene. I can share them on social media.”
“Tagging me as yours and misleading our social circle is what I have a problem with,” I bark. “Especially when I am already married and committed to someone else.”
She goes blank again for a few seconds.
“Married is right. Maybe you’re even committed to her, but is she?”
I am about to defend, but Sabrina doesn’t let me interrupt.
“Don’t tell me it’s your lookout now. It’s not, Vikram. Your parents think the same. We all know on what grounds you married her. It was only to save Maahi from your father’s legal attempts in fighting for his rights on Devki estate. Maahi has no interest in you or your money.”
I keep listening.
“I’m not saying she’s a bad woman. She’s good. Better than most women who would run after a wealthy man like you for his money. She’s exceptionally devoted to your grandmother, but that doesn’t mean she suits your lifestyle or understands what you need from her. She will never read you the way I do.”
Sabrina gets up and reaches me, rounding the desk.
“We’ve been together since college, Vikram. I’m the only woman who knows what you desire, and I was always ready for it, but you never asked. I thought you didn’t want to break our friendship and were afraid to commit, but now I don’t even care. Whatever you decide, however you wish to lead this relationship, I’m fine with it. All you have to do is just say it… rather demand it.”
