Page 56 of Obsession

She thought through his words. If Mihir agreed to answer any questions she posed, she could finally get the closure she needed. Her spirits lifted. Maybe she’d finally know why he was mad at her and why he’d hated her so vehemently for years. Maybe she wouldn’t need to live with the regret of not clearing things out with him before she ended everything with him.

“What about photos?” she asked. “Has he agreed to those?”

Rajiv grimaced. “Unfortunately, he won’t do a photoshoot. I think it has something to do with his scar. He hates it, and hence, he hates photos of himself. I believe he regularly pays all the major news outlets to never publish pictures of him.”

Oh, she hadn’t known that Mihir hated his scar that much. Perhaps, with this interview, she’d get a chance to ask him more about it.

“So, where and when am I doing this?” Ananya asked.

“Moscow,” Rajiv said.

“Why Moscow? I thought he was in London.”

“He was, but now he’s in Moscow or will be reaching there soon. He has to attend the board meeting there, and hence, he’ll be working from there for some time. Besides, we all think that you need to get away for a few days. Changing locations might just help you recover.”

“Uff, I have so much to do at Noir…” she thought aloud.

“Oh, please. It’s not like you can’t work online. You do it all the time, and this is work too.”

Ananya scowled at him. “Why do you always have all the answers?”

“I can’t help it if I am crazy smart!” He smiled. “And sensible. And hot.”

“Ugh.” She scrunched her nose in distaste.

“Hey, Iamhot and sexy. Ask my wife,” he said mischievously.

She wrinkled her nose. “Gross. Never doing that...ever.”

There was a knock on her door, and her parents entered.

“Wow, you two are also at home?” Ananya sassed. “My lucky day.”

Her mom, Sara Mehra, glared at her. “Don’t be snarky for the sake of it.”

“I suppose you’ve told her,” Ananya’s father, Anvay Mehra, said. “And now she’s in a twist about whether she wants to interview Mihir or not?”

Ananya clucked her tongue. “Dad!”

Rajiv chuckled. “You got that right, Dad.”

Her parents sat at the foot of her bed.

“We are worried about you, my darling,” Sara said. “You’ve always been very sensitive and quiet when it comes to what troubles you.”

“You’re always trying to protect your siblings,” her dad added. “You’re always worried about them. You do your best to ensure they are alright and happy. But the thing is, Ananya, they all have their partners now to look after them, and they are all happy. You’ve done your bit for them, and now it’s time for you to be happy. Live for yourself. Look after yourself first.”

Her mom studied her. “End this thing with Mihir. Close it and move on, Ananya. Your dad and I have several men lined up for you to meet once you are ready. Good men, who will make you happy. You cannot live alone forever. A good partner can be a blessing. Why don’t you try this route to find a decent man to be with?”

Her heart lurched. Arranged marriage? She’d never even considered it. She looked at Rajiv.

He nodded. “It’s worth a shot, sis. No harm in meeting them, and no one is going to force you. The decision is going to be yours. All yours.”

She thought through his words. Perhaps they were right. After Mihir, she had barely lived, barely gone out and met other men. He’d consumed so many years of her life. And to what end? It was never going to work between her and him. Perhaps the interview could be the final step in ending everything and moving on. Her heart twisted in pain.

Perhaps she’d be able to find another man who could make her happy. Who’s touch she’d welcome. Who she could fall in love with, and who would heal the ache in her heart. A man who would accept her, despite her failed marriage and love affair with another man.

From beyond her door, she heard the sounds of feet running and kids squealing.

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