Arjun had thrown her a party when she came back from the court with her divorce decree. Saanvi, surprisingly, felt light. She enjoyed herself and let herself lose in the moment.

Arjun chuckled in his cabin remembering how cute she was when drunk.

“You know…aap sahi the…wo na…kabhi mujhe deserve hi nhi krta tha…that…bloody kutta…kya laga usse…mai koi…machine hoon…jo nhi chali toh phek dia.”

(You know…you were right…he…never deserved me…that…bloody bastard…what did he think…I am…some machine…that is thrown away if not working.)

She slurred out and he nodded with utmost sincerity and seriousness.

“Aur wo ladki…sharam nhi aayi usse…shaadishuda aadmi se affair chala rhi thi…par mujhe kya…ab usko second hand cheezein pasand hai toh.”

(And that girl…she had no shame…having an affair with a married man…but why do I care…if she likes second hand things.)

She shrugged and chugged her leftover drink down. Arjun chuckled at her words. But then she pouted and looked at him with sad, wide eyes.

“Lekin ab mai bhi toh second hand ho gyi na.”

(But I have also become second hand now.)

His smile fell. He didn’t like when she talked about herself like that. He held her chin and said with a gentle firmness.

“Don’t ever call yourself that. Pearls are never second hand. In fact, their value increases over time. And you are my most precious pearl, Saanvi.”

She smiled.

“Aap na…bhut sweet ho…like bhut jyada. Achha lagta hai mujhe aapke saath.”

(You are…very sweet…very very sweet. I feel good with you.)

She spoke, making his heart flutter but she then she pouted again.

“Lekin aap na mujhse thoda distance bana kr rakho. Logo ko baatein banane mai time nhi lagta. I don’t want ki wo log inn sabka koi galat matlab nikale. You’re the only person I can call mine. My friend. And I don’t want to lose you too.”

(But you maintain distance from me. People don’t take time to make stories. I don’t want people to take out any wrong meaning of all this.)

She was so drunk that she didn’t realise she was leaning over him such that they were almost hugging. Arjun’s heart thudded heavily in his chest. He patted her head and rubbed her back.

“You’ll not lose me, Saanvi. Kahi nhi jaa raha mai tumhe chhod kr. Aur duniya kya sochegi usse kya farak padta hai. Jo tumhe achha lagta hai wo kro. Mere saath time spend krna achha lagta hai toh kro. Koi pasand aata hai toh…wo bhi kro…duniya kya sochegi iss baat se darke rehne se kuch nhi hoga.”

(I am not leaving you anywhere. It doesn’t matter what the society would think. Do what you like. Spend time with me if you like it. If you like someone…go ahead with that…nothing will happen if you stay in the fear of society.)

She looked at him and he continued. 

“Jab duniya tab nhi boli jab tumhare saath galat hua toh unhe tab bhi bolne ka haq nhi hai jab sab sahi ho raha hai. So let everyone else be fucked. Just do what you like. Hmm?”

(When the society didn’t speak when you were wronged they do not have the right to speak when everything is going right.)

She nodded seriously and then mock saluted.

“Aye aye captain!”

His gaze fell on the photo kept in his wallet. Her picture from the last Meet. Unlike the Meet before that, she was glowing this time. She was realising her worth and not hung upon the bastard who didn’t deserve her.

He caressed the photo and kept it against his heart.

“Tumhe issi tarah khush aur hasta hua dekhna chahta hu. Phir chahe wo mere saath ho…ya kisi aur ke.”

(I just want to see you happy and laughing. Be it with me…or someone else.)

He whispered the last part with a little pain and sadness.

It had been an year since Saanvi left Tanmay. She got the news that he was now a father to a son. Saanvi won’t lie but she did feel a pang of jealousy and hurt when she saw him post pictures of himself with his son and new wife.

But she distracted herself and rewarded herself for living an year free from the cheating bastard by going to Bali on a holiday.

Arjun offered to bear the expenses from his company but she denied. He did offer good discounts though.

It was her second day in Bali and she had just reached the hotel’s reception to check out for the day. She paused mis-step and looked at the figure at the reception wide eyed.

“Oyee hello? Aap yaha kya kr rhe ho? Are you following me?”

(What are you doing here?)

She narrowed her eyes on him, making him remove his Maybach sunglasses and raise his eyebrow at her.

“Stalker dikhta hu mai tumhe? Meeting hai meri yaha.”

(Do I look like a stalker? I have a meeting here?)

“Accha ji? Bali mai kaunsi meeting hoti hai?”

(Really? What meeting takes place in Bali?)

Arjun got up and towered over her. She took a step back and she checked him out. He looked hot.

“Bali mai clients nhi ho skte kya?”

(Can I not have clients in Bali?)

“Kab hai ye meeting?”

(When is this meeting?)

“Shaam ko.”

(In the evening.)

Saanvi nodded and then asked.

“Aur aap wapas kab jaa rhe hai?”

(And when are you returning?)

“Do din baad.”

(Do days later.)

“Agar follow nhi kr rhe toh flight itni late kyu?”

(Why is the flight so late if you are not following me?)

She narrowed her eyes again and Arjun chuckled.

“Flights nhi thi pehle koi. Why do you think I am following you?”

(There were no flights before that.)

“Toh aap yaha kyu ruke hai? In the very hotel that I am staying in?”

(Why are you here then?)

“Because this is the best in the city. All the businessmen who visit, stay here.”

He answered nonchalantly.

“Toh mujhe itni achhi deal kaise mil gyi yaha?”

(How did I get such a good deal here?)

He looked away and answered.

“Corporate deals achhi milti hai.”

(Corporate deals are good.)

“Aapne koi tigdam lagayi hai na? I’m not actually paying what I should, right?”

(You played some tricks right?)

“Tum ghumne pr dhyan do na. Why are you worrying about all this?”

(You focus on enjoying your trip.)

Saanvi sighed knowing that he did in fact do some tricks and he wouldn’t take the actual amount from her.

“Aapko aaj ki meeting ke baad kuch kaam hai?”

(Do you have any work after today’s meeting?)

He shook his head and she grinned.

“Toh saath ghumenge.”

(We will explore together.)

“Yaha sab dekh chuka hu mai. This is not my first business trip here.”

(I have seen everything here.)

“Then be my tour guide.”

Her grin was infectious and he found himself grinning. He bowed his head dramatically and said.

“As you say, madam.”

She giggled and proceeded for her day while he prepared for his meeting.

Arjun, according to Saanvi, was an excellent tour guide. He knew Bali well enough and added some places to her itinerary which were a must see.

Today was her flight back to India. She took her seat and buckled herself up. She had just rested her head back, being exhausted from the successful trip when the airhostess came to her.

“Miss Saanvi?”

“Yes?”

“Please come with me, mam. We have an upgrade for your seat.”

Saanvi was confused but obliged. She followed the airhostess and barely contained a gasp of surprise when they entered the business class.

“There you are, mam. Enjoy the flight.”

Saanvi looked around surprised when her gaze met his. He had a satisfied smirk on his face and it immediately clicked.