The Raging Storm (ARVI) - Chpt 22 - Page 98 (Page 9)

Chapter 1 - Anxiety [Purvi]

Karma Group of Companies - Mumbai  - Friday - 11:00 pm

'It's been exactly three months and four days since I told him that I didn't want to be with him.' Purvi thought as she finished up her contracts for the day. 'Three months and four days since my world went black; since I told Arjun our relationship was over and he was supposed to be with Ovi. Three months and four days since I sent him back to Canada with her.'

It was really late and everyone else had already gone home for the day. Purvi had accepted a new job as the managing director with the Karma Group of companies after Arjun had left for Canada with Ovi. Although she had never met the owner, she was courted by one of his aides for several days and then they made her an offer she couldn't refuse. She wanted to get away from Arjun so she asked D.K. to convince Arjun to revoke the power of attorney and she left the company.

Purvi wanted to make sure all the contracts had been finalized before she left that night. She had been working on these contracts for the past three weeks and was glad they were finally coming to a close. These particular contracts were for projects in Pune and the entire time she handled these cases all she could think of was the conference she and Arjun attended over six months ago.

"That was when he bought me that beautiful blue sari, when held me close in his arms and looked at me as if I was the only girl in the world." Purvi reminisced sadly. She gave herself a mental shake and chided inwardly, "Get a hold of yourself Purvi! You put him in his place, remember?  You told him that you didn't love him, didn't feel anything for him. You set him free to be with his Ovi!"

She felt a little light headed so she stood up from her desk. "I shouldn't have skipped lunch. Aai would be upset with me if she knew that I wasn't taking proper care of myself." She shook her head to refocus her mind to the task at hand.

She reached over the desk to grab a pen and her hand brushed a framed picture of her aai that she kept on her desk. She gazed at the picture and the tears immediately stung her eyes. It wasn't just a picture of her aai; underneath Purvi had placed the only momento she had kept of her time with Arjun.

It was the picture taken of the two of them at the dhaaba on the way to the conference in Pune.  It was one of the happiest times in her life and she kept the picture hidden there as a reminder of how close Arjun was to her heart. A picture not seen with any other eyes except her own.

The barrage of memories she usually kept at bay threatened to overwhelm her at the office. "Deep breaths, Purvi", she chanted, "In. And out. In. And out. In. And out." She closed her eyes and continued her intonation for a few more minutes.

"Oh God, it's not working!" she thought frantically. She broke out in a cold sweat and grabbed on to the back of her chair for support. "No. Please not now! Please!" she pleaded with her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped the chair harder. "Not now!"she cried.