Chapter 4 Wounded

3 years ago

Tardis

@DreamOfEndless

Chapter 4  Wounded 

AN: Sorry for the delay in updating. I hope the following chapter is worth your time. 

The office room was full, Rudra sat on his chair looking calmer than he really was. He had wiped out any trace of anger or agitation from his demeanor, in order to pay close attention to the mysterious aura in front of him, who was conducting the meeting — Maya. Dressed in black, again, Maya spoke with an air of bossy and cryptic tone. Her eyes brutal, unflinching and never betraying her intent.

Honest spite greeted Rudra whenever his eyes met hers. However they also held a certain mystery in them, something that was in front of Rudra, yet he couldn't point it out. Whatever he had learned about her till now, it had to do something with his father.

She swept into their lives claiming to be his father's second wife, although there was no proof of her marriage, nor did his parents ever file for a divorce. But she had shown them signed divorce papers by his parents, and his lawyer had confirmed that the papers were genuine. Maya also had power of attorney for Roy Publications' Goa office. Rudra didn't know when that happened. Also, his mother never mentioned signing any divorce papers. A small part of Rudra wondered if Antara herself was aware of signing such papers, or had been hoodwinked into doing so.

Although the truth was indiscernible, Rudra did not completely rely on Maya's narrative of it. But the possibility it flirted with was enough to raise the hair on the back of his neck. Only he knew why he had a fallout with his father three years ago, and as much as he hated his father, he also feared what truth he might unravel behind Maya.

Not wanting to continue in that direction of his thoughts, Rudra steered his attention towards the sham of a meeting that Maya was conducting. It had been two hours and twenty-five minutes, Maya's maiden meeting as the CEO was more like a monologue than a discussion.

She wanted to publish a trilogy under Roy Publications to bring back the demand of the publication house in the market (not that their demand had ever diminished). All the points had already been finalized by Rajeev and her, even the editorial board. Rajeev was Maya's manager, whom Rudra hadn't seen until recently. The icing on the cake: the author of the books was Maya herself. Surprisingly, Rajeev was not present at the meeting. Apparently he was not a company employee.

Rishi blinked on his seat beside Rudra, unable to process what was happening. As much as he had developed a crush on Maya, he could also sense something was not right about Maya, but he didn't think Maya was a malicious person given that she had saved his life. But why was she back? Why was she back three years after MJ uncle's death? Her constant black appearance was too ominous to ignore.

Rudra waited, with bated breath for the drama to be over. Let her plan as much as she wanted, but he was also the COO of the publication house. No order could pass in the company without his approval, and he would never approve of her ideas. In a single moment, her three hours and five minutes of the sham of a meeting would come crashing down. Oh, what a sweet payback of the auction day!

Maya concluded the meeting. "The plan of action as discussed would start Monday onwards. Everyone would receive my mail on —"

Rudra interrupted, "I am afraid Ms. Maya, I would have to disagree with you. As the COO of Roy Publications, my consent is equally important to further the execution of your orders. And I refuse to give mine,"

A passionate gaze of hate from Maya met Rudra as he said those words. Few employees winced and a few snickered secretly as they realized Rudra was taking 'revenge' of the auction incident.

"Unless, of course, Ms. Maya shares the details of her publication venture, which should not be very difficult given that she is the author," he continued.

Maya's face became red with blind rage.

"The meeting is dismissed," she said, "Everyone would receive an email for the next course of action... Mr. Roy I would like to speak with you."

Rudra smiled and obliged. Rishi felt extremely nervous as he watched the duo, he left the office room with others.

"Finally," Rudra said, "So are you going to tell me what this project is about? And why I was kept out of the loop while you discussed all details with your manager?"

"I do not see why I have to discuss anything with you. As if you have any interest in your father's hand-me-down publishing house."

Maya's eyes pierced into Rudra's. He felt his anger rising.

It was true Rudra always wanted to be a wildlife photographer, and he wanted to auction the company to spare his mother from his father's memories. Not that Maya had to know.

"Interesting point." Rudra argued, "That makes me question, why do you have interest? Suddenly, three years after the demise of your so-called husband. We did not even know you existed until you came back in his "hand-me-down" company. Why did you come?"

Maya retorted back, "Looks like Mr. Rudra, you despise me because you feel insecure about losing your inheritance. Are you absolutely worthless without your dead father?"

Absolutely worthless. The words pinched Rudra more than they should have.

"Asks the author who couldn't find a publication house for herself, until her so-called dead husband lent her one." he said, "Is that why are you back? To feed off the carcasses of Mrityunjay Roy?"

Maya quashed her rising tears,

"When the stories are real, it doesn't matter who the storyteller is. The stories would bleed themselves to reveal the truth."

Maya's hate, her pain, her tears, her story, they were her own. No rich spoilt brat like Rudra Roy would be able to gauge it, nor break her down. Yet Maya's knees wobbled, her hands trembled again as they used to when she was admitted to the hospital. She held onto her chair for support, to calm her down.

Rudra was taken aback by her reaction and her cryptic comment. He did not expect her to react like this merely by the words Mrityunjay Roy. Did she really love him that much?

"Get out of my cabin Rudra," Maya spat still holding onto her chair, "I will send you the available manuscripts as soon as possible."

Rudra left her cabin wordlessly, his mind was more pensive than usual.

As soon as Rudra left her cabin, Maya curled under the table. With numbing senses, she shook with vigor, but the feeling was not so easy to shake away. Will the pain ever stop? Will the words Mrityunjay Roy ever stop haunting her? Tears streamed out of her eyes endlessly, she dug her nails into her skin, burying her nose into her knees to calm her down. This was the only cocoon of her existence. The man she hated with spite was dead, yet she was still dying everyday, every moment of her life because of what he did. Maybe she could never live again. Maybe it was her destiny to burn everything in her spite. Maybe the annihilation of her pain in the fire of her hate would make the world a better place.

Credit: Thank you to @oye_nakhrewaali for beta-reading this chapter.