Thanks for all the support for this new story but please be aware that there will be times when you will hate certain characters and want them to clarify things sooner but please bear with me for we will have a nice end but there will be twists and turns to this bumpy ride.
Chap-5: Adverse Implications
Akash had enjoyed the movie and then partied hard after a long time. He realized after joining the research win he had hardly gone out for a month now and in the wee hours of the morning they had boarded the open jeeps and made their way to Coorg. Coorg about 300kms from the city of Bangalore is set in a picturesque valley with large farmlands cultivating coffee on the slopes of the valley and rice on the plains. A dream destination in Karnataka, the entire vast of Coorg is carpeted in green, richly splashed with Bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood forests all around. The entire place has flowing streams and rivulets of Cauvery bending through twists and turns of the region, water falls, deep ravines, paddy fields, grassy downs, coffee bushes with white scented flowers,pepper, cardamom, oranges, nutmeg, turmeric, lemon grass, vanilla and all the exquisite blessings of mother nature. Although the entire group was tired partying the entire night but as soon as they reached Raja seat from where they could see the red burning sun rise over the Vindhya range of mountains they were all mesmerized by the beauty and they felt recharged for the entire day.
The group had spent time trekking , exploring the forests of Nagarhole , seeing tigers, running amongst deers, seeing wild bears and elephants .They had also explored the Dubare elephant training camp and also done the coracle(rounded boats in South India) rides and enjoyed the adrenalin rush doing some adventure sports. In all it had been a trip to rejuvenate, strengthen the body, mind and soul but still why did Akash thoughts often drift away to the teary face of Ananya every now and then. Although he had been physically always present but still Ananya had been haunting his thoughts too frequently for his comfort but did she haunt, Akash thought as he and Rohit sipped a glass of locally made wine while the remaining group played in the pool. As the sun set on the last day of their trip he felt at peace with himself and at the moment the smiling face of Ananya in the gulmohar pathway flashed in his memory and he had a slight smile in his face.
On the other side Ananya had gone back that night sulking and when Shefali had asked she had told the entire story of Natasha and Akash. Shefali was extremely angry and wanted to right away complain to Natasha's dad but Ananya stopped her saying that he was also kind of helpless to which Shefali asked as "Why did you an intelligent , educated girl take that crap from her I just don't get it Ananya".Ananya replied that since Natasha was the largest donor to the orphanage she is associated with she did not want to upset her .At the end of the day the money she donates supports the children in the orphanage and for their sake she was ready to hear many more such words from Natasha. Yes, Ananya having grown up in an orphanage has always had the soft corner for the same and she supports "Home for Unknown", an orphanage close to NIAMS . Shefali knew Ananya was right and she knew Natasha would strike the weakest link in the person who showed attitude or who blocked her from having her say so the wisest was to remain away from her path and probably a little silence from Ananya was a low price to be paid for the happiness of the children. As days flew by and Akash never even called to check how was she or what happened to the project and how was she coping up in her absence her sadness had given away to anger. Ananya had not worked on the presentation at all and she actually did not any more care about the consequences they would face, infact she kind of knew that Akash would be at the receiving end but probably that's what she wanted at the moment. She was now blinded with rage so as people rightfully say that no decisions should be taken when you are angry, and Ananya decided not to help Akash.
Akash was happy to go back because he was not able to put a finger on it but he was missing Ananya's company. Many times he thought of calling her and asking but he was apprehensive about it and decided to give Ananya some space and thought maybe they can talk once he is back. Akash had entered the building whistling to find as usual Ananya concentrating on some notes and even after trying his best he could not beat her in reaching the labs earlier. As he walked down and wished her "Good Morning Chashmish, Kaisi ho?"
An: "Oh Hello Dr.Saluja..Good Morning.So, you are back I see, hope you had a good trip"
Ak: "Dr.Saluja ..yeh to 3 weeks pehle wala koi banda tha , abhi to apke samne Akash hazir.."
An: "Sorry Doc, Need to excuse me have something urgent to complete"
Akash was now completely lost, she seems to be angry with him and he was trying his best to recollect what had he done to annoy her and why was she angry on him. As far as he recollects he had actually tried to apologize to her. Akash had no time to think about it as he looked at the details for the presentation, and almost nothing was there. When he confronted Ananya, she had just shrugged her shoulders and said she did not have time and Akash knew she did not want to do it else she was alone capable of completing it. He had spent the day running behind her for help frustrated and irritated and finally Ananya had relented and done the presentation but most of the content required difficult for Akash to explain but since both were doing it together Ananya would manage most of it. The next day morning as fate beckoned Ananya did not turn up on time. Akash had called her multiple times but her mobile was switched off and after waiting for more than two hours he had finally decided to do on his own and had done a really shoddy job at it. Dr.Gupta and the panelists were furious at him and he had received his final warning that if in a month's time he did not re-do the presentation it would be last day at NIAMS and this opportunity he got since his partner was not available. Akash had come out of the hall embarrassed as he saw some people jeering and making fun of him. As he came out he saw Ananya walking hurriedly and he had just walked straight to her and held her shoulders and shook her "Why Ananya, why , what have I done to you. Natasha was right you are conniving woman". Tears stung Ananya's eyes as she tried to explain running behind him and he had not even given a chance and walked away and to add salt to the wounds Akash had supported Natasha's opinion of her. Ananya sat down under the gulmohar tree in the pathway she loved and clutching it with both hands and cried her heart out.
Upcoming :The Revenge
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