Part 18
A few days pass by…their project was progressing well…but a check has to be made at their factory to check production quality. Armaan has to go to check that…Muskaan decides to join him.
A bright Saturday morning….and Armaan and Muskaan are on the way to their production plant. It was a textile production factory…far from the city.
It has been two hours since Armaan is driving…almost afternoon now…and about half the distance is covered. They decide to stop by a restaurant to freshen up. As they occupy seats in the restaurant, Armaan stretches himself a little. He hated these long drives in the scorching heat of Mumbai. Muskaan too was feeling sick…she was just not used to this kind of heat.
Muskaan: aur kitni dur hai ye factory
Armaan: about 2 hours more
Muskaan: Oh God! And its so hot…even air conditioners don't help much
Armaan grins..: ab kya kare…ye London nahi hai…mam
Muskaan: ho bhi nahi sakta…its never this hot there
Their order arrives. But Muskaan didn't feel like having much. She was feeling dizzy because of the journey. Armaan makes her have some juice.
Armaan: don't worry…the rainy season is around…and the region after this is surrounded by hills…so we will get a pleasant climate…no more bad heat
Muskaan: hmm
The climate ahead was indeed better…even though it was afternoon the sky was all covered with clouds and strong cool winds were blowing past them. Muskaan puts off the a/c and pulls down her window glass. She puts on the radio for some relaxation…beautiful songs freshen up her mood.
They reach the factory by 2 pm. The factory manager comes to receive them at the entrance of the plant. He takes them to the office and gives them details of the work progress.
It was 3 pm…the manager asks them to take a break and have lunch. He arranges for their lunch in the corporate dining area. After that he gives them a tour of the factory. Muskaan was checking out the different departments…the huge machines…n number of workers…it was all so impressive. This was the center of their business…something she had been working with since years but only got to see today. Armaan on the other hand would visit the factory often. If handling clients and conferences was Zaheer's work..then keeping a check on actual factory production was Armaan's… even more because he was an Engineer himself, and an MBA.
It was a huge plant and it took them two hours to complete the tour. They came back to the office building. Muskaan looked impressed…but Armaan had stiff expressions. He signals the manager to follow him, while Muskaan was busy admiring the plant.
Armaan dashes in the cabin banging the door behind him. One look at him and the manager feels chills go down his spine.
Armaan (jaws clenched tight): where is the last report that was faxed to your Mr.Khanna!
The manager hurriedly gets a file out of a drawer and hands it to him. Armaan flips through the pages.. closes it..and bangs it down on the desk.
Armaan: I SAID…THE LAST ONE…is this the last one that I sent you??
Manager: emm…yes sir…this was the one you sent me about 2 weeks back
Armaan: 2 WEEKS!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME MR. KHANNA!!!! There was a report sent to you after that…were you sleeping!!!!!!!
The manager freaks out. He adjusts his specs.
Armaan: I AM WAITING…
Manager: I am sorry sir…emm…I…I don't… know…some… mistake
Armaan: damn that mistake!! Are we fools scratching our brains there to compile reports and send it you…only for you to look at them at your leisures!
Manager: emm..my..emm…assistant takes care of the cabin in my absence sir…she might have forgotten to…
Armaan was in no mood for explanations. He was furious by now.
Armaan: do hell with all that! I am arranging for the reports right now…and you…you alone will compare it with the earlier reports…check the differences in schedules quality and work distribution and HAND IT OVER TO ME BY EVENING…BEFORE I LEAVE…IS THAT CLEAR??
Manager: emm…yes sir
Armaan: and get the production in line with our expectations within a week…else I wouldn't want to see you here…and no contract can stop me!!!
Manager: I…am… extremely… sorry sir…I assure you…I will put in my best and get everything on track as per latest schedule
Armaan calls Zaheer. He asks him to fax the reports immediately to the factory office.
Armaan: check the fax copies now…send me a cup of coffee… and get out of my sight!
The manager immediately leaves… once out of the office…he keeps a hand on his chest and takes a deep breath…just then he notices Muskaan in front of him..he quickly walks out from there…thinking ki kya pata…ye bhi shuru hogyi to.
Muskaan was just grounded there…she watches the manager leave…she had overheard their entire conversation…sorry…Armaan's blasting at that manager. She was feeling scared to go inside the cabin. She slowly walks to the door and decides to knock first. Armaan, thinking it's the manager again, lets out a 'COME IN' at the top of his voice in anger.
Muskaan freaks at his voice. She slowly opens the door…and peeps inside, only letting her head inside the room. Armaan furiously turns to face the manager …but his frown disappears when he notices Muskaan there.
Armaan: Muskaan…andar ao na…kaha thi tum…aur knock karne ki kya zaruarat thi
Muskaan: emm..wo…tum shayd busy the na…to …
He signals her to sit…and continues pacing on the floor.
Muskaan was just staring at him…completely baffled..she had never thought he would have this side to him…never seen him like this…she always pictured him as someone very sweet, friendly and cute…soft spoken and kind…but this agitated Armaan was giving her chills.
Armaan: kya hua? Are you ok?
Muskaan: kuch nahi…emm…koi problem hogyi kya
Armaan: nothing…you relax…you want to rest for a while? there are resting rooms here
Muskaan: no… I… am.. fine
Armaan: I don't think so…you were not feeling good during the journey even..take some rest go
Muskaan thinks…he looks quite angry…lets not taste any bit of it..she nods her head and gets up from her seat. Armaan asks someone to guide her to the rest room and look after her.
It was 7 pm now…Armaan had decided to stay… for the final report that the manager was to present to him…and he wanted the sun do go down before he is on his way back home…he didn't want Muskaan to fall ill…she wasn't used to this kind of climate. He even knew that generating a complete report in that little time was too difficult a task…but he was in no mood to negotiate. He had gone round the factory again in that time…ensuring he didn't miss out on any other wrong doings. Everything else was fine. He came back to the cabin and found Muskaan waiting there. He took a place next to her on the couch.
Muskaan thinks his mood is better now..so even she relaxes a bit. In a few minutes the manager comes in with a rough report as he was asked. Armaan goes through it and gives his approval.
Manager: I am extremely sorry sir…this wont happen again
Armaan: its ok…but I am disappointed…how did you make a such a mistake..
Manager: sir..my little son was not keeping well and I had to make frequent visits to the hospital…that took my attention for a while…and the assistant here is new..so she made that mistake…but eventually I am responsible for it
Armaan: hmm…I understand Mr.Khanna…we all have a personal life…and I wouldn't have minded your taking a leave completely…but upon handing the work to someone responsible enough
Manager: Yes sir..this will never happen again
Armaan gives him a friendly pat on the back…the manager smiles thankfully and leaves.
Muskaan leaves a breath in relief. Armaan turns to her.
Armaan: are you ready to leave…no more sun now
Muskaan: hmm…ya
Armaan: you want to have something? Tea ya coffee
Muskaan: some tea
Armaan orders tea and biscuits for them. Muskaan has it all in complete silence, stealing glances at him time and again. He was still occupied with thoughts…lines forming on his forehead.
They finish their tea and get down the building. Armaan was talking to the caretaker of the plant when Muskaan feels something at the back of her knees. She turns to check what it was…and screaming, clings to Armaan's arm in fear. He instantly turns…and sees a huge dog standing there.
Armaan: heyyy…Maxi…how r u
The dog starts barking at them. Armaan bends down and lovingly caresses him…the dog calms down and starts licking Armaan happily.
Armaan: how have u been my boy…m soo sorry…I didn't meet me even once…u r angry on me..ya…u r? [the dog barks in reply]…m so sorry…
He hugs the dog … even the dog didn't wanna leave him. Muskaan was admiring them.
Muskaan: who is this Armaan
Armaan: Max…the care takers dog…n my gooodd friend…ya Maxi??
The dog was so happy with him…he was licking him, wagging his tail away, barking for replies to him.
Armaan: come here Muskaan…I will introduce the two of you
Muskaan: no no…its ok…dur se hi… acha lag raha hai
Armaan: hahaha…common…he is very sweet…he just looks scary…yaha par ao
Muskaan: nahi Armaan please…mujhe bohot dar lagta hai
Armaan: tumko kis cheez se darr nhi lagta..that will be a shorter list I guess
Saying that Armaan holds Max with one hand and moves towards Muskaan…and before she could run away he grabs her arm with his other hand and pulls her towards him.
Muskaan: Armaan plzz plzz
Armaan [cuts her]: kuch nahi hoga…main hoon na…Max shake hands with her…she is my friend…shake hands [he nudges the dog]
Max moves his leg towards her. Muskaan wanted to run away.. but Armaan's grip was so tight…and looking at the calm dog in his strong hold, she decides to give it a try. Slowly but very unsteadily she moves her shivering hand towards Max. She looks up at Armaan and gulps her fear. She very slowly closes in the distance of the last few centimeters with the dog, gives a very light shake and quickly moves her hand back. The dog barks loudly in acknowledgement and Muskaan screams again.
Armaan: that's like a good girl…and that's like my good Maxi…
He leaves him.
Armaan: now I have to leave…will come back soon to meet you again…[hugs him again]…bye
He gets up…waves at Max and the care taker…and the people that had come to see him…the manager and staff…and Muskaan and himself get in the car. Their car drives through the huge gates of the plant and out on the main road.
Muskaan saw Armaan was now smiling…she too smiled thinking back of the last few minutes.
Muskaan: he is quite fond of you
Armaan: hmm…I have known him for 3 years now…so how did u like the plant?
Muskaan: oh very impressive…very well structured and maintained…even the water recycling unit…energy production…waste management…it was so eco-friendly too
Armaan: hmm…yeah
Muskaan: Armaan…ek baat puchu…ghussa to nahi hoge na
Armaan: ghussa kyu? Pucho
Muskaan: tum…wo…emm…manager par… ghussa kar rahe the… na…evening me
Armaan: hmm…tumhe kaise pata?
Muskaan: wo…main…room ke bahar hi thi
Armaan: ok…ha usne mistake hi aisi kiya tha…he was following the schedules and quality description as per the old report…we have revised it after you joined…lekin production pe uska koi result nahi abhi tak…agar hum dono aaj nhi ate…2-3 weeks baad ate…to kitna material waste hojata pata hai
Muskaan: ohk…that was bad..emm…par tum itne ghusse me…maine kabhi nahi…
Armaan: acha…zyada hogya tha?
Muskaan [very innocently]: aur kya…cabin ke bahar tak tumhari awaz aa rahi thi…shayad puri building me
Armaan laughs: hmm
Muskaan: what hmm…pata hai mein kitni dar gayi thi…mujhe kya pata…ki tumhe itna ghussa bhi ata hai
Armaan: hamesha nahi baba…bas kabhi kabhi…tum kyu dar gyi thi…me tum par thodi ghussa karta
Muskaan: kya bharosa tumhara…u were looking like an agitated tiger
Armaan: Muskaan…did I ever say anything to you till date?? Or raised my voice??
Muskaan: haan u didn't…lekin fir bhi…agar mujhse tab koi mistake ho jati to?
Armaan: to bhi nahi
Muskaan: acha…aur agar…jo galati us manager se hui wo hoti to?
Armaan: hmm to..[he looks at her..her innocent face]…to bhi nahi [smiles]
Muskaan gets a wide grin on her face.
Armaan: achaaaa…isi liye tum meri har baat chup chap man rahi thi…mein bhi sochu…ye kya hogya
Muskaan: kya…mein waise bhi… tumhari.. sari baatein manti hu
Armaan: acha?!
Muskaan: ha!
Their leg pulling session goes on as the drives goes on.
Muskaan was resting on her seat with closed eyes. It had been an hour since Armaan was driving…and he seemed very tired.
Muskaan: Armaan…let me drive…u take a nap…there are 3 more hours to go
Armaan: why? I am fine
Muskaan: I can see that…and I have had a nice nap in the rest room while you were working…let me drive cummon
Armaan didn't want to hand over to her…on these roads…but she went on insisting.. so he finally gave in.
Muskaan: ab bolo…kaun kiski baat nahi manta
Armaan: ok baba fine…see… yaha se… it's a highway…and a straight road…when we enter the city…u will realize it…hand it back to me thn…u wudnt know the way
Muskaan: okk…ab you get out and give me that steering.
They soon reach home…after a lovely…and contented journey… in their rooms…for a peaceful sleep.
Part ends.
Comments awaited.
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