Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Surviving ASR

"Khushi, you are here finally. What would I have done without you?" Pari's mom hugged her lovingly.

Khushi smiled at her "don't worry aunty, I'm here now & will take care of everything."

It was Pari's Sangeet ceremony & guests had started to arrive. Khushi had involved herself completely in the wedding preparations. Their friends were coming in the evening & she wasn't sure she was ready to face them yet. Twice Pari had caught up to her and asked if she was Ok.

"Of course I'm Ok silly" Khushi had lied. "Go to your room, I'm coming to get you ready for the Sangeet." Khushi ordered and hurried away from her.

As Pari & Khushi came down for the ceremony, she saw a few of her friends. Karan walked up to Khushi, "Hey, so you decided to show up, did you?" He asked sarcastically.

"Yeah, I thought there should be something worth looking at in your marriage video, shouldn't it?" Khushi retorted.

Karan smiled & gave her a half hug. "It's good to have you back."

Khushi looked around nervously, Karan sensed her discomfort and said, "Relax, it's only the Sangeet & only CLOSE friends are coming."

She quickly caught the hint in his statement & visibly relaxed.

Khushi was making sure all the arrangements were alright when 5-6 girls practically pounced on her.

"Khushi, you idiot, where have you been?"

"You don't answer calls."

"We thought we're friends."

"Did you forget all of us?"

She was overwhelmed with questions & reproaches. "I'm sorry girls I'"

"Don't give excuses now." Reva scolded her.

"We miss you every day." Priya pouted.

Jas the silliest of them all hugged Khushi saying, "Why didn't you come back when he'"

"SHUT UP JAS!" All the girls glared at Jas.

There was an uncomfortable silence when a voice from behind came, "So did anyone miss me too?"

Khushi turned back surprised & smiled, "Akashji, how are you?"

"I'm fine Khushi." Akash smiled at her. "But how are you?"

Khushi knew it was more than just a casual question.

"I'm much better Akashji." Khushi reassured him.

"I'm glad to see you here Khushi, I was half expecting you to avoid."

"No, I couldn't do that. Karan & Pari are more important." Khushi answered.

"I always knew you were not one to dwell in the past." Akash said.

All Khushi could do was smile back.

Yes from now on she would not dwell on the past but' Could she forget the past'? She wasn't so sure about it.

******Flashback******

Khushi had met Akash on her 3^rd day at work. She had come for her lunch at 3 PM & ASR had blasted her for no apparent mistake of hers. She had sat alone in the cafeteria & wept silently over her food.

"Can I join you?" A soft voice had politely asked from behind.

Khushi had tried to discreetly wipe off her tears before mumbling a barely audible 'sure'.

"You are Khushi right?" A tall guy dressed in a suit sat opposite her smiling.

"Yes" Khushi said "but how do you know?"

"Everyone knows who ASR's new PA is." He smiled at her, "I'm Akash by the way."

Khushi couldn't help but smile back. He was the kind of guy one would know is a nice guy at the first instance."

"So, why are you so upset?" he asked, "ASR got to you already?"

"Can we not talk about that Laat Governor please?" Khushi fumed.

"Laat Governor?" Akash looked puzzled and amused.

"Yes, what does he think of himself? Does he ever listen to anyone'?"

"I know Khushi, he can be a bit difficult sometimes."

"Difficult?" Khushi couldn't believe her ears. "He's a complete nightmare. He is so arrogant, khadoos, cruel, insensitive'"

"Umm' Khushi" he interrupter her. "Can you please not call him names in front of me?"

Khushi gave him a confused look.

"Well' He' is my brother." Akash said sheepishly.

Khushi's jaw dropped to the floor. She was completely frozen with shock. What had she done! 'Hey Devi Maiya' She was ready to sink into the floor.

"I-I'm s-so s-sorry" she stammered.

"Hey relax, don't worry, I'm not gonna tell any of this to bhai, trust me."

His eyes were honest but Khushi was beyond realization.

"Look Khushi, I know you are upset, bhai has been harsh on you but I don't want you to be disheartened. For some reason, I feel you are perfect for this role & I would like you to succeed." He saw she wasn't convinced. "Karan & I are good friends; you can talk to him if you like."

That seemed to relieve her a bit. "You know Karan?" Khushi asked slowly.

"Yes" he said, "and I'd like to know you too." He put forth his hand for her to take. She took it uncertainly and shook it with a small smile.

After that Khushi & Akash became good friends. Though Khushi always wondered how 2 diametrically opposite people could be brothers. Akash told her a lot about ASR which helped her in her work. He told her that she hadn't done anything wrong & ASR's temper was always like that'about to blow off.

Once she stopped taking his taunts personally, it was much easier for her to interact with him & concentrate on her job. Unlike with ASR, she was an instant hit with the rest of the employees. Thanks to Karan & Pari, she got introduced to a lot of people & made loads of friends. Thanks to Akash, she was actually starting to believe that she could survive here.

shraddska2012-08-18 16:36:59