Aarav is standing in front of the glass wall from where the prominent portion of Manhattan City is visible. This office of Dhawan Industry is located on the 21st floor of this building. Previously they had three floors in this commercial building. However, due to continuous loss in business, they have to vacant the other two offices. Presently, Dhawan Industry doesn’t have a good market value in the U.S.A. business world. Aarav lights the cigarette and puffs some smoke. His forehead is showing some lines of worry. Aditya is supposed to send the contract paper today. He is waiting for that only. Now, only this collaboration with Oberoi groups can revive the sinking position of their business. Aarav glances at his wristwatch and scratches his forehead to pacify his restlessness. Only then, a soft knock is heard at his cabin door. It must be Emily Robert. His personal assistant. Without turning back, he mouths in a commanding voice,

“Come in!”

The door clicks open and someone’s light footsteps enter. Aarav still remains unmoved at his place and utters,

“Did Aabir sign it?”

“That you should ask him only. Right now, I want to know what about your promise?”

The voice impales Aarav to flip. His forehead forms a ‘V’ in between his thick brows. Evident that he didn’t expect the person who is now looking at him with her agitated face.

“Aliya? What are you doing here? What promise? Oh, yes…the movie plan. I told you, darling. It won’t be possible today. Actually, I am waiting for Aabir. Aditya is supposed to send a paper. I have to discuss this with Aabir. We will catch up some other day.”

Aarav sits on his chair while putting out the flaming cigarette in the ashtray. Aliya crosses her hands near her chest and cocks her head with a vexed expression.

“I am not talking about that movie plan that you have already cancelled last night. It was expected because, for the last 6 months, you have done this for the 25th time. I am talking about this horrible habit.”

She shifts her piercing eyes from Aarav’s face to the ashtray in which the extinguished cigarette is still there. She continues with the same irked tone,

“Aarav, you promised me to quit this bad habit.”

Her tone has something that forces him to shed his casual attitude and get up from the chair. Aarav nears Aliya and stands in front of her with a sheepish face.

“I…I am so sorry. I refrained from this for the last 2 months but as you know. This stress and tension. I just puffed this one only. One puff in a day. Please!”

He squints his eyes with a pleading tone. Gradually, Aliya’s eyes become soft. She utters in a nonchalant voice,

“You are asking for permission for smoking from a nutritionist? Do you want me to go against my doctor's ethics?”

Jest is dancing in her eyes which doesn’t go unnoticed by Aarav. In the blink of an eye, he yanks her and wraps her slender frame in between his tight grip.

“I want you to go against your routine ethics. Come on, Darling! I am your fiancé. This much liberty I can expect. By the way, there is good news that can compensate for my movie plan cancellation a bit. Aditya invited both of us to his party on coming Saturday. You never met Aditya. So, it will be a good opportunity to introduce you to my other friends. I told you about the notorious 5. You remember?”

His voice is laced with excitement. Aliya pretends to be indifferent and delays in saying a yes and asks in a flat tone.

“Aditya Oberoi. Yes, I never met him but still, I know him a bit through your description. Tall, charming, handsome, extremely rich and arrogant. In short, interesting character. I would like to meet him for sure.”

She utters the last line with a fake flirtatious tone. Aarav tightens his grip more while rolling his eyes.

“He is married, my dear and I heard that he loves his wife a lot. She is his Angel in his devil heart.”

He states in a casual voice. Aliya snakes his neck with her hands and asks in a playful manner,

“Angel? Even more interesting! Have you met her?”

“No…I only know her name. Nandana Oberoi. It will be a surprise for me too. I hope it will be a nice surprise.”

Aarav says in an unmindful manner. Suddenly, Aliya reaches his lips and pecks them. In the next moment, she unshackles herself from his grip and rushes to the exit door. Before leaving, she turns and utters with a bright smile,

“One puff in a day. Permission is granted, Mr Dhawan. I am a kind-hearted nutritionist, you know. See you!”

She winks and leaves.

.....................................

“We are ready to dispatch the consignment, Sir. But there is a small problem.”

Aryan’s manager cum henchman Harry states in a concerned tone. Aryan stares up and connects his piercing eyes with him.

“Boston police somehow got informed about this arms deal. Lukas informed me that they are getting ready to seize the whole ship. If it happens then we will lose a huge amount, Sir. Simultaneously, your name will be exposed.”

He pauses for a while and continues in a hesitant voice,

“Sir, can I say something? I mean in this way; we can dodge the police.”

“Shoot.”

Aryan replies in a glacial tone. Harry licks his dry lips and continues,

“Some ships of Oberoi Industry are going to Boston tomorrow. We can send our consignment in those ships. Nobody will sniff the matter. Not even Aditya Oberoi.”

Without breaking eye contact, Aryan gets up from his chair and walks near to Harry. His expression is bleak and intangible. He stands in front of Harry and suddenly gives him a bunch of five. Harry was not prepared for this reaction. He stumbles back by covering his cheek. Fear is notable in his eyes.

“I am a Mafia leader and I do many things that are against humanity but Aryan Khurana never backstabs his friends. I want Aditya to join me in this mafia world but whenever that time comes, he will do that willingly. I will send my arms, drugs and other goods in his ship when he is completely aware of that. No deceit, no stealth. Understood? Now, go and put out your fertile brain for a while. I will deal with this problem. Get lost!”

Aryan’s arctic voice gives a chill to Harry’s spine. He immediately scuffles out of the room after uttering a low ‘Sorry Sir’. Aryan again sinks into his revolving chair. His eyes are beaming with mysterious emotion.

“Aditya…I am missing that friend who used to be in our childhood. We were 5 bodies one mind. But now I can't say this. You have changed, Bro. You have changed a lot. Your Angel changed you and I am not liking it. Old friendships shouldn't have any hindrance. Nandana Oberoi…you have come between two friends. Intentionally or ignorantly. But how long? How long a Devil can suppress his evil mind and how long an Angel can be happy in the Devil's paws? I am waiting for that conflict.”

He mumbles and with a sinister smile, reclines in the chair.