Chapter 19

EPISODE – 31

 

"My decision is final."

"Naina you are behaving like a stubborn child."

"I don't know and I don't care. But I am not changing my 7 am slot."

"Naina... I thought you told me you'll think about it when you left on a leave."

"I know... Then I was indecisive but now I have made up my mind. It's either 7 am or I quit."

"That's not the way you behave with me Naina. We have a six year long association and I know you better than this."

 

After a small pause she continued.

"Sorry Boss... But aap bhi to hamesha meri baat maante hain na. But aaj..."

"May I ask you one thing?"

"What?"

"I have never ever heard that 'I quit' thing from you... Why is it there now? Is it the reshuffling matter or Alekh."

He glared at Alekh and Naina who were sitting right in front of him. Mr. H. L. Sharma, the owner of Radio Mirchi was not just a good business man; He had this ability to see through things. He knew something between them is not right.

 

"Oh come on Dad, if she wants to quit, let her. I am sure we can find some one better." Alekh snapped.

"It's not about the better Alekh, it's about the best. And for your kind information I am the best." Naina retorted.

"So are we." Mr. Sharma cut her in between. He continued.

"If you are the best RJ, we are the best FM Channel. And you know this way better than Alekh, since we both have literally grown up together with our careers. So now both of you keep your personal matters out of my Radio Station and grow up and start behaving like professionals."

 

"Fine sir... then let's talk in professional terms. I am hosting this morning show for last 6 years and have successfully retained few listeners all these years apart from making a few new ones all the time. And now I don't think it will be easy for either me or our listeners to adapt to the changes you want and I am sure you won't risk loosing our listeners. We have got them addicted to radio and changes in habits are not so easy to accept."

"I don't think so... In your absence also I think we have done quite well... without you." Alekh interrupted her.

"That's because even the listeners knew Naina will be back."

"You do have a point Naina, but I still don't think I am convinced."

"But I am sure of what I want."

"Hmmmm.... Waise bhi I can't remember when was the last time you lost out to anyone for anything."

A wide grin appeared on her face.

"To main kal subah ke show ki tayyariyan karoon."

"Sure but it's still tentative."

 

********

 

"Zyada khush hone ki zaroorat nahin hai... I hope you remember what dad said... It's tentative."

"But looks like you have forgotten... He wasn't in a mood to allow me even that."

"Let's see for how long will he allow you your liberties."

"Woh baad ki baat hai. Filhaal mujhe tum se kuch aur kehna tha."

"Yehi ki Raj and you don't have anything going on and you both are just good friends... The same crap again."

"You bet.... It is a crap... Since yesterday... Aaj ka fact yehi hai ki WE ARE DATING!"

 

Saying this she left the office without waiting for any reaction from him.

 

********

 

"Naina tera dimaag kharaab ho gaya hai!" Navin yelled at her.

"Bilkul nahin...Jab aap itne kamaal-kamaal ke suggestions dete ho to sab kuch is fine but jab main unhein implement karoon to mera dimaag kharab ho jaata hai... That's not fair!"

"Naina you are not making sense. You both are seeing each other kyunki maine aisa kuch kaha tha. Aren't relationships supposed to involve mutual admiration more than any third persons' ideas'?"

"To main kab mana kar rahi hoon... I have always liked Raj... Right from day one. Aapko bhi to pata hi hai."

"Naina..."

"It's okay Naina... it's your life and your decision. And of course we cannot object to it since this time it's Raj." Neetika stopped Navin in between.

 

They both were on the other side of Naina's cell phone. After a little more general conversation they hung up.

 

"Neeti I can't believe you are supporting them."

"And I can't believe you are not. Kal bade josh mein aa ke un dono ko samjha rahe the na... Ab bhugto!"

"What do you mean?"

"Tumhein abhi tak samajh mein nahin aaya. Kal usne chup chaap suna tha na sab kuch... yeh usi ke after effects hain. Kal usne kuch nahin kaha but ab woh apni baat apne tareeke se keh rahi hai."

"Niti... I am not getting even a single word of yours."

"Ufff... Navin it was so clear ki woh jhooth bol rahi thi. They are just pretending to be dating."

"What? But that's all the more insane."

"Relax... Just thank God ki apni is insanity ke liye usne Raj ko choose kiya... Kisi aur ko karti to...."

"I don't know I should be relieved or more tensed with that."

"I think you should be relieved... Tumhein to abhi tak aise jhatkon ki aadat pad jaani chahiye. Afterall you and your darling sis have always been together." She chuckled.

 

********

 

He opened the door to find Naina standing there. Her right elbow was positioned against the wall and she had tilted her head slightly on her wrist dangling loosly in the mid air. She stood with her legs crossed that looked damn sexy beneath her denim micro-mini. She whistled.

"Hi handsome."

Saying this she entered his apartment and put her arms around his neck looking seductively in his eyes.

 

With a smirk he pulled her closer holding tightly by her waist. He took two steps backwards and kicked hard on the door to shut it. Then he pushed her against the door and kept his hands a little away from her face on the door and brought his face closer to her's.

"Yeh sab kya ho raha hai."

"Kya ho raha hai kya... Apne boyfriend pe line maar rahi hoon."

"Itni nautanki ki koi zaroorat nahin hai...Okay." He left her standing here alone and returned in the hall.

"Yeh lo... Us din to tum mujhe romance sikha rahe the aur ab apni official girlfriend se aise baat kar rahe ho."

"OFFICIAL... Iska kya matlab hai.... wait... Kis kis ko bata ke aa rahi ho tum?"

"Zyada nahin bas Bhaiyya, Bhahi and Alekh."

"Navin ko... Marwaaogi tum mujhe."

"Possibilities hain! I mean you should have heard him yelling on the phone... Ab pata chalega unhein."

 

"Hmmm... waise what was that 'line maar rahi hoon' thing?"

"Tumhi ne kaha tha na ki I am so unromantic to maine socha ki mujhe no actually humein romance ki practice honi chahiye."

"OKAY! So kahan se shuru karein rehearsals... With a kiss or you are staying back tonight."

"Romance karne ke liye you don't have to sound so sick!"

"Aur nakli girlfriend banne ke liye you don't have to sound so original... Waise bhi mujhe abhi tak samajh mein nahin aa raha why am I doing this?"

"Kyunki harek cheez ke peeche koi well defined rationale ho yeh zaroori nahin hai."

 

He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and shook his head.

"You know what... You are impossible."

"Thank you but compliment to aisa do jo usual na ho. Yeh to mujhe sab bolte hain. Tum mujhe woh batao jo tum mujhe as your girlfriend bolte."

"You as my girlfriend.... Okay..."

He turned to her. He took her hand and kissed it. She smiled waiting for something nice.

"The very thought of having you in my life as my girlfriend is..." His voice was soft and he took a small pause before he continued.

"HORRIBLE!!!"

 

Next moment a cushion hit directly on his face.

"Naina..."

"Main jaa rahi hoon." She fumed and got up to leave.

He held her by her hand and stopped her.

"Oh come on Naina... Yahan hamare alawa koi nahin hai jahan humein pretend karna pade... Now don't tell me ki you want to listen that I want you with me as the love of my life."

"Maine aisa kab kaha?"

"To kis baat pe gussa aa raha hai tumhein. Your reaction suggests ki tum abhi wohi sunna chah rahi thi jo kal Navin sunna chahta tha."

 

She turned back to him. Something just struck her in her mind that said he was right.  That wasn't the thing she wanted to hear. But her reactions differed from her thought. She could not figure out why she fumed at his words or how could she expect him to tell her that he want her to be more than just a friend.