Backstab - Part 2

Abhishek & Manvi were in search of an associate who could be highly qualified to help them run the business smoothly, but at the same time not demand a high remuneration. So, in short they would have to look for young people with hardly any experience, but a vast knowledge base and put in their entire enthusiasm to achieve their dreams in life.

That’s when Abhishek interviewed Shikha. She was young, dynamic, good-looking and most of all, her qualification perfectly fitted into the criteria. Abhishek was bowled over by her confidence and had almost made up his mind to appoint her, when Manvi intervened with seeking Veer’s appointment at the post. Manvi felt that in the circumstances in which they are and the qualifications they are in search for, were all present in Veer and he would do an amazing job if appointed.

Both Abhishek and Manvi stressed upon appointing their selections as the companies new associate. Just then, they learnt that their bankers had approved of their venture loan. So a thought crossed their minds at that point of time.

Veer and Shikha both got their appointment letters within a week’s time, to join from next month on a probationary period of 6months. The better performer would continue and the other would be asked to leave.

But to get this appointment letter, both had indeed put in a lot of efforts. Their efforts were not to prove themselves as the better candidate, but actually prove that the other wasn’t worthy of the handling the post. A bit of politics even before joining the office, so the real office politics was yet to come.

But why all this for a petty job?


But how come, after seven years of togetherness, a point of dis-agreement.


Well, sorts of both of them had points to defend themselves. A few months before quitting the bank, Abhishek was gradually getting attracted to his colleague Meghna. They used to spend most of the time together at office, and if that was not less, Abhishek even began dropping her home. That was just the start. Later on, he would drop over for a coffee and at times even stayed overnight. And then what happened I guess only the two of them know.

Manvi was out of town for her Ad research and was informed of all this by Vishal when she came back.

Now, the question why did Vishal tell her and how did he know.

Vishal and Meghna used to stay in the same building, or to be more precise they were neighbours. So he had seen the two of them many a time’s together, late at nights.

And then one day, incidentally Vishal bumped into Manvi at a store.

“Hey, Hi Manvi.”

“Ohh!!…Hi Vishal.”

“Long time. Atleast you remember me. How have you been?”

“Still your sarcasm hasn’t left you.”

“So, you still remember some of my habits.”

“Why do you enjoy hurting someone so much?”

“You were the one who desert guys, and then we look for someone else. First me and now Abhishek.”

“Shut up. And wait a sec. What did you just say? Desert Abhishek. My foot.”

“Then inspite of you being there, why does he need another female.”

“I don’t get you. Can we just sit over a cup of coffee and you tell me what you are exactly trying to tell.”

They went and sat at a nearby coffee shop.

“Don’t tell me, you got no clue about it?”

“If I had a hint of what you are talking about, then wouldn’t have bothered you for sure.”

“No formality. Even after that incident, I tried to be friends, but you only ran away.”

“Can you please get to the topic? I need to rush back home.”

“I have seen Abhishek with Meghna many a times. He drops her home, and lately has even started staying over at times.”

“How do you know all this?”

“She is my neighbour. She was my associate’s fiancée. They were engaged and were about to get married. But due to some reason the marriage broke off and she moved out of her family house.”

There was silence for a while.

“She moved in just around two months back. Since then, Abhishek has been seen around, very often together. Its even talked about, that he is the reason behind the marriage being called off.”

“What rubbish?”

“You think I am fooling around. Then you are most welcome to come over and check the visitor’s register and speak to our neighbours. You will know it for yourself.”

Manvi was in tears.

They spoke for a while, bringing back old memories and how to get out of the current situation.

She was heartbroken. She didn’t expect this sort of behaviour from her long time beau Abhishek.

“Thanks Vishal.”

And she left the café after having no words to defend Abhishek.

Vishal offered to drop her back home, but she preferred the rick instead.


Abhishek confessed all to Manvi about him and Meghna.

“I didn’t even realise when did I got dragged away in that direction.”

“How could you do this to me Abhi.”

“I promise you, this will never happen again. Just give me one more chance.”

“You actually think all’s going to be the same after all this.”

“Sorry Manvi. You know that I can’t live without you.”

“I can see that very well. I left my parents and my career behind for your sake, and this is how you treat me back. I wasn’t hurt so much when my parents refused to recognise me as their daughter after my decision to live with you. And if it wasn’t today that I met Vishal by chance, I would have never even have come to know the truth.”

“Ohh…so that b*****d…Vishal told you all this. You still meet him that f****r”

“It was just a co-incidence that we met each other at the mall. And you have no right to talk about all this, after what you have done.”

The debate lasted for hours, with Manvi finally giving in but surely with some sort of grudge in her heart. And on realising that Vishal was the person who told Manvi all, he felt insecure once again, thinking that the two still meet and are getting closer and recollecting those old college days when the two were awarded the “Hottest Couple In college” tag at the Prom Night.

So after so many years together, the cracks had begun to crop up, just for a small mistake, a small lust maybe.

But was actually everything back to normal or…???


Next Part Releases on 2nd January, 2010