26 Something Fishy

" Sofya. " Murat almost ran towards her and hugged her, lifting her feet off the ground. " It's been too long. "

Sofya smiled. A feeling of warmth engulfed her. It was just like the old days, back at school. Over Murat's shoulder, she saw Arnav getting to his feet. He seemed to have changed much from the last time she met him.

There was a beard on his face, his hair which was always gelled, was now unkept and their were dark shadows underneath his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for days. All of this did not suit him. It seemed that he had even lost some weight.

As Murat let go of Sofya, Arnav came forward, his head inclined to one side as he greeted her.

" Miss Khemka. "

" Mr. Raizada. "

Sofya squinted at him. " Are you not well? "

The words escaped from her mouth before she could stop them. Cursing herself inwardly, she knew she wouldn't get a straight answer from this man.

Arnav smiled at her concern. " I am fine, just a little tired. Nothing that a little shower and sleep can't cure. "

Looking at Murat, he nodded knowingly, before saying " I am leaving, you guys continue. "

With that he was out of the office.

Sofya didn't realise she had been staring at the closed door, until Murat called her several times. Pushing the thoughts to back of her mind, she joined him at the table where he was clearing a large pile of papers. Keeping them aside, he finally turned to face her.

" So how have you been? " Sofya asked, looking Murat full in the face.

He was exactly the same as she remembered. The same blue twinkling eyes, short curly hairs, crooked nose and a thin mouth.

Murat smiled. " I am fine, the same old me. By the way, congratulations on your impending engagement. "

" Oh, thanks. " The reference to her engagement brought another thing to her mind. Arnav was just here, wasn't he? What was he doing here? And how come Murat and Arnav knew each other?

" How do you know Arnav? " she asked Murat briskly.

" Well, we have a partnership. " Seeing Sofya's confused look, he hurried on to explain, " I will be providing him legal services and in return, he will give me asset. "

" What kind of asset? "

" A completely constructed building with four floors, for my office. " Murat answered her honestly.

" And you trust him? "

" I completely trust him. "

Sofya stared at him with uncertainty. This was not the Murat she knew. Moreover, she was completely overthrown by the fact that he had chosen to trust Arnav of all people. It was not that Arnav was not trustworthy, he had always delivered on his promises as far as she knew, but the way in which Murat talked about blindly trusting him, something felt wrong. It was like he had known him for years. Sofya couldn't exactly point out what, but she was sure that something was fishy and she was being lied to.