AnSh + Saanchi SS: FOR BHAI & BHABHI:PART 3 Pg 4 - Page 3

As he turned back after the dramatic performance he had given and looked Saanchi in the eye, Rohan Malik held his breath, internally, while his face reflected nothing but confidence, and some faint boredom as he waited for Saanchi's response.

"Please Saanchi.." Rohan thought silently. "I know you don't want to do this. You've refused me before. But I do need you. And you need this. Please.."

Saanchi Shekhar smiled, and if Rohan had any doubts about whether this was the woman for him, the way his blood froze at the naked threat in that smile would have reassured him. Yes. There it was. The glint of devious intelligence, the sweet promise of payback. The eyes that promised revenge even as the plump lips curved into a sweet smile. This, indeed was his woman, the one made just for him---God help them both. His tigress, now in complete control once again, spoke in her soft, dulcet voice:

"Mr Malik, you have been invaluable this evening. Such compelling arguments! I feel like I really have taken advantage of your good nature. Now I know that you do need my help, and I know to what lengths you will go to get it. I am quite ashamed of my family, for treating you in the way we did'Honestly, I don't know what came over us...You must be so shocked by our behavior. I really think we were a bit confused, maybe the sudden shock of seeing you this evening made us overbold, or over-eager to hurt you. I am truly sorry, how you must have suffered as we...kher choriye! You were so sweet about it too !! Confessing everything, and that too, to Bhai! I cannot say no to you, now, can I? I will see you tomorrow, Mr Malik. Bright and early."

Saanchi's voice was syrupy sweet, but there was an element of suppressed excitement in it. As much as she tried to hide it, the idea of going to meet Rohan Malik at NDTV, even if he had said all this just to mess with her, was strangely appealing. She liked the idea of contributing to whatever this enigmatic, intelligent man was doing with his story.

Saanchi then turned and spoke to Anandi who was trying to convince Shiv that Rohan was genuine and really did need Saanchi's help and it would be an opportunity for her to use her training as a lawyer and get paid for it.

"Paid! Why? Have we not got enough here for her to live in luxury", Shiv whispered a scowl on his face. Anandi sighed at her husband, and patted his hand as she let her sister-in-law lead her away as they discussed whether they would go out for dinner to celebrate Saanchi's new job

And thus, Rohan Malik was left alone with Shivraj Shekhar. Rohan sighed to himself as he stretched his arms above his head, rolling his neck to release some of the tension. He could feel those chocolate eyes burning holes into his back.

This was going to be good.

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"I don't know what you think you are doing, Malik. But I can guarantee that you are not going to be using my sister or getting through to me or to Anandi through her. My sister is not available for you to hire. You might as well forget about her taking on any case you have, because she doesn't need to work, and she even if she was interested in going back to a law practice, she certainly won't be working for you."

Shiv glared at Rohan, longing to throw him out of his house. Something was stopping him, and it was only later that Shiv realized what it was. Right then, he was feeling angry, confused, and not a little stunned. It was only later that he realized why he had not immediately kicked the obnoxious arrogant ass out of his house---it had been Anandi's response to the offer Rohan had made his sister---the confidence and faith he had subconsciously heard in his calm wife's voice.

Rohan smirked, an expression that made him look almost eerily like Mahi.

"Mr Shekhar, why do you not have the intelligence that your wife does? For the top businessman in this country, you seem quite stupid. Were you not right here when your sister not only accepted the job offer, but promised to be there at the NDTV offices tomorrow? It's a genuine position, she is ideally suited for it, and frankly, I think she will be goddamn fantastic at it. It will be good for her, I'm glad she accepted. I'll take your leave now, I have to get ready for tomorrow."

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Rohan turned to the stairs, his mission done. He had come to Shekhar House this evening with a completely different agenda, but he could not deny that things had worked out very well. While the job offer he had made to Saanchi had been done on the spur of the moment, the serious circumstances behind his offer were absolutely real. He really did need a lawyer, and the story he was covering was so sensitive, he needed someone he could trust, and who would be a brilliant partner, and not just a paid flunky. Someone smart, tough and in tune with his own razor sharp instincts.

Saanchi Shekhar fit the bill. Unconsciously, he had chosen the exact thing she would be perfect for. He wanted to spend time with her, out in the open, and this was an excellent excuse. But aside from that, he wanted this for HER--he wanted her to explore what she could do, for herself. He wanted her to use her abilities, her intelligence and education so she could see for herself how capable, how amazing a woman she truly was, even without Shiv by her side. By her response, Rohan sensed that Saanchi would relish the challenge professionally, even if he would have to tread carefully when it came to them personally.

Then, just as he was about to stride down the stairs, Shiv's words brought him to a halt. In that arrogant, condescending tone that made him long to fight him Shiv said, without even realizing how demeaning he was being to his own sister:

"She is my sister, my responsibility. She is vulnerable, and she needs to be protected, and not harassed and brow beaten into agreeing to absurd things, like you just did with her. She made a mistake, when she agreed, but I know she will not do anything that I tell her not to do. I can speak for her when I say she won't want to have anything to do with you once she cools down. I don't want to know what happened between you, but whatever it is, I won't have her exposed to someone like you, and she will herself realize this was all a mistake in a few hours. "

Rohan sighed; his lady's older brother was a force to reckon with and he was not making any of this easy for him. So Rohan turned to face Shiv again and spoke in the most sugary, sweet yet sarcastic tone he could manage

"The last time I checked, India doesn't have any law that prevents fully grown adult women from taking their own decisions without needing their older brother's permission. Maybe you should be reminded of a few facts, Mr Shekhar. Saanchi is your sister, she is a trained lawyer, she is an independent, smart, intelligent woman, and if she wants to, she can accept any goddamn job offer or do any goddamn thing she likes.

What I asked her to do is between her and me. She could have said no, and she chose to say yes. You don't really factor in this situation, now, do you? I didn't see her take your permission right now, when she agreed to come to work for me. But then..."

Shiv gritted his teeth. He was quite proud of himself since he had still not murdered Rohan Malik but the man was clearly goading him. Shiv didn't know how much longer he would be able to resist just punching the guy out. However, he controlled himself mindful of what Anandi would say to him. He knew she worried about him. She thought and rightly so that he had withdrawn into his shell; that he no longer trusted anyone; that he had not healed; that he had nightmares from that terrible day; that he was still in pain. This would bring tears to her beautiful eyes and if there was one thing he did not want to see in her eyes it was tears.

So, instead of pushing Rohan down the stairs, as he itched to do, Shiv silently escorted the journalist down the steps, and out to the front door. Taking a lot of satisfaction from the vicious way he banged the front door shut after showing Rohan Malik out, he went to his room thinking about how he would convince Anandi to stop Saanchi from going anywhere near NDTV and Rohan Malik.

awesome update Sheena...i am excited to read what unfolds with Sanchi working for Rohan...