Chapter 162 - 161 Back with her old habits.

Shreya sat in her office staring at nothing in particular. She was back with her old habits all over again. She stayed up late and worked more than necessary and lounged at her office the whole day except on weekends. And even on weekends she almost always ended up at her hotel rather than her apartment.

She started taking up more responsibility in the office. Since she no longer needed to hide behind the farce of being depressed, she started showing off her true power. She was not exactly excessive about it but she did not deliberately hide it anymore like she had been doing so far. But then again her long time reputation of lazy bum within the company is yet to be rectified. She did not like the limelight and being in the center of the stage. So till that time that she is going to be forced to take up that stage, she did not want to let go of being the person behind the scenes just yet.

And the part that gave her the most headache is the evidence. Now she knew the evidence is with them. But Adithya had hidden it so well that not only the enemies but even she couldn't find it no matter where she looked.

But above all, she knew her frustration came from not seeing Charan and Akira. She missed them way more than she could even describe. The yearning was almost to point of giving her physical pain rather than just being emotional. Every last nerve ending in her was screaming for her to go and see them. And she was fighting her own self with every last ounce of energy she possessed.

But she knew she can't really do anything about it. SO she did everything and anything to distract herself… sometimes it worked… sometimes it didn't like right about now. It was almost impossible to distract herself when her own mind was playing out every last memory with Charan and Akira like a damn movie in a home theatre.

But before she could fully drown in it completely to point of suffocation, her phone pinged and Pritham had sent a message to meet her at a club.

Initially, she did not really want to go. She did not really like the noise and sweaty dance floors. But then the alternative was so much bleaker. The prospect of curling up into a bed all alone was not really enticing at the moment.

Since she did not really have anything better to do, she dragged herself out of the office reluctantly mounted the car. Since she was not in the mood to drive, she had called for Hank and he stopped in front of the club 15 minutes later. She lazily strolled through the corridors leading to the club.

The club was actually Adam's and everyone around knows Shreya. So nobody dared to stop her. She approached the manager to enquire where Pritham was. He had been a permanent resident here for as long as she could think of... even if he was not a resident here, he is a regular visitor.

"Hey, Eli. You know where Pritham is??" She asked.

Eli's lips widened at the sight of Shreya. She was not an excessive drinker but she once used to be a frequent visitor too here. But not as regular as Pritham though. The sound and the deafening sound was how she used to relieve her loneliness and stress. So they were both familiar with each other. You can even say that Eli had a small crush on her but then he never really actively pursued her since Shreya always looked somehow way out of his league.

Eli leaned over and gave her a bear hug excited and greeted her, "Hey, Shreya. Its been a long time. How have you been?? Come on, I will take you to Pritham. He booked a private room." His face was stretched into a gleeful smile showing a boyish dimple that made him look younger than he was.

"I have been good. What about you?? You got a girlfriend yet??" Shreya asked following him through the crowd. She had shredded her bodyguards outside the club since every staff is practically her own people, she was not really worried about someone jumping on her.

"I am good!! As far as girlfriends go, I am open to suggestions…" Eli replied with a slight chuckle. But by then they had reached the room Pritham was in. So he bid her a goodbye politely and went back to her work while Shreya opened the doors to the room lazily.

But just as she took one step into the room, before she could even look around and make sense of her surroundings, a little girl flew from her seat excitedly... ran and crashed against Shreya ecstatic before Shreya could even comprehend what was happening. All she felt was all so familiar soft flesh crash against her and Shreya's hands voluntarily wrapped around her without any thought.

"I missed you soooooooo much!!!" The girl in her arms exclaimed tightly holding. She even wiped some of the tears off on Shreya's shoulders.

"I did not even get a smile out of that brat and she flies into Shreya's arms as if they are long lost lovers or something!! Don't you think this difference of treatment is a little too cruel to your brother!!" Akash sneered sarcastically from behind!!

Bhavna pulled away from Shreya and simply stuck her tongue out and talked back with equal sass, "You don't even bother sending me pocket money… Why should I miss you??"

"As if you will be short of cash after what Shreya sends you every month!!" Akash said rolling his eyes. As if he needs to spoil his baby sister more. Shreya practically mothers her to no end.

Bhavna pouted and was fully prepared to get back at him but suddenly her ears got twisted, "Ouch ouch ouch!! Shreya…." She forgot her come back and complained and whined instead!!

"Is that how you talk to your brother!!!" Shreya scolded while Akash gave Bhavna an accomplished look.

"And you… you don't gloat!! You don't even remember to send your sister money! You know she is studying with no other support!! What is she had an emergency!!" Shreya scolded Akash next.

As if that could even happen with all the people Shreya kept around Bhavna. But Akash did not dare to say it out loud.

Shreya was the definition of overprotective when it came to Bhavna. Just because Bhavna said she was going to join a university in T country, she rapidly expanded a business there in a matter of 6 months. She is partners with all the major players in the country and her power in T country was no less than that of her powers here.

All because Bhavna was studying in T country.

SO Akash just rolled his eyes at Shreya's question but still wisely kept his mouth shut know he was no use when those two got together.

"What are you doing here?? When did you get back home!!??" Shreya asked Bhavna sitting on the couch.

Bhavna rushed and sat beside Shreya with a wide grin. She practically snuggled against her as she replied, "I was bored out of my wits and lonely and I missed everyone here. And I had excess attendance this semester. SO I took a leave for two weeks and came here!!!"

Which was actually a lie. It was Bhagya who called her over. Bhagya knew Shreya was down because of not being able to see Charan and Akira. And one person who can make Shreya happy was Bhavna.

She knew Shreya adored her daughter to no end. When Shreya first moved out of the country, Shreya acted as is she had lost a daughter or something. So she thought maybe having her back might distract her temporarily. And Bhavna was noisy. SO when you are around her, you will rarely have any time to think.

Which was exactly what was happening now. Bhavna sat beside Shreya and talked her ears out. Then when the booze started to take its toll, her words became slurry and loud. And when she got downright drunk, her words were almost impossible to decipher. That was when singing and dancing started.

By the time they got out of the club, Shreya was exhausted out of her mind, while Bhavna leaned on her comfortably and went to sleep. With all the dancing and shouting she did, Shreya was not surprised. A soft smile spread over her lips as she caressed Bhavna's head and let her sleep comfortably.

Akash just rolled his eyes and said, "You spoil her way too much!!"

Shreya did not reply. Because she knew she is probably spoiling her rotten too. But she did not want to change anything.

After all, she was her baby sister she had grown up with and if possible she wanted to protect and cherish her innocence as long as she lived.