While Paakhi went right to Kalpana's office , Kalpana made her way to the left where the client-meeting room was located. After having walked a few steps she stood before the glass door of the room where Mrs.Sharma was waiting from past 15 minutes, "Damn it..", Kalpana cursed herself and that arrogant idiot thanks to whom she was late. Readying herself with few deep exhaling inhaling she entered the cabin with a smile.
A middle-aged woman was sitting on one of the chairs placed across the table near the window. On hearing the squealing sound of the glass door caught the woman's attention and she looked up to see at the entrance and on seeing Kalpana her expression changed ,"This day is definately not going to go smoothly", Kalpana thought to herself.
"Good Morning Mrs. Sharma", Kalpana said joyously while moving to take her seat across the table in front of the woman. While pulling the chair to sit comfortably Kalpana said, "Sorry for being late actually I..", she couldn't continue further as Mrs.Sharma raised her palm to make Kalpi stop in mid. "No need Kalpana.. I've already heard it many times and now I don't think but I know so that you don't ever mean those words..", the woman said rudely.. "What happened Mrs.Sharma ?? What's the matter??", Kalpana asked. She had met this woman many times and even though she wasn't one with sugar-coated words she never was ever even so rude to her.
"Look kalpana I don't want to say things indirectly. Its straight and simple. I came here to terminate the contract between us", Mrs.Sharma said and just when Kalpana opened her mouth to but in she continued," Please don't make me tell you the reasons you already know.. Kalpana my friend suggested your name saying that you were the best marriage planner in town but you and I both know that in past few months your reputation has degraded.. Still.. still I thought of giving you a chance but now I guess it was a wrong decision. My daughter's wedding rituals start in a week and nothing is going on as per schedule. So before it's too late I want to hire another planner", and Mrs.Sharma completed now waiting for kalpana's answer...
"Please if you give me just two-three more days I'll get it all in schedule...", Kalpana tried to reason but Mrs.Sharma nodded her head in denial.. "You said that last week too.. Sorry but my decision is finally", saying so the lady got up to leave. "Mrs.Sharma..", Kalpana called out but was ignored and the lady opened the door and left.
Kalpana stared at the door slowly closed while her last hope had walked away. She sat on the chair still staring at the door sadly.. Looking down she thought about her current situation wherein her once successful company was now falling apart..
During the time when Hrishikesh (Ashutosh's father) was suffering through heart ailment due to the shock of his son's death Kalpana took the responsibility of their business. No other relative came to their help ,Paakhi was a model hence only Kalpana who was qualified as well capable came to save Raichand company. The company was saved but in this Kalpana had to ignore her own business and now she was in heaps of debts. This project was her only hope and now that too was no more.
"Kalpana ma'am", a girl's voice broke Kalpana's trance and she looked up to find her assistant, Aditi peeping through the partially opened door..
Straightening her face Kalpana said," Come on in..", smiling the jeans t-shirt cladded girl entered the cabin.. "Have a seat", Kalpana said pushing her own chair near the table and then crossing her arms on it..
"Umm.. Ma'am the bank statements you had asked for..", Aditi said handing over a yellow file.. Kalpana opened it to read the contents.. The numbers from the first page added to the frown creases on her forehead.. She turned the page and the lines on her forehead deepened.. Shutting the file she closed her eyes while massaging her brow with her forefinger and thumb...
Then leaning back in her chair she said to aditi," Inform everyone that on saturday that's day after tomorrow we'll have an important meeting..".. "Ok..", Aditi nodded.. "Anything el..", Kalpana's cell phone buzzed and gesturing aditi to just wait for a minute she removed it out of her bag.. 'Gauri Ma calling', the welcome screen read.. "Nothing else, you can leave and ya Paaakhi is in my cabin just check if she wants anything", Kalpana said to Aditi before answering her phone..
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Pacing back and forth from the door to Raghav's table Sammy finally said," Bhai you should've atleast asked Dad once before taking the final decision..", shaking his head Sammy continued pacing.. "Ok now let it be..", Sahil said, facing Raghav who sat on opposite side of the table he continued," For now I'll handle it but Raghav next time for god's sake just control your temper.."
"That's the limit dad..", Raghav complained," I spent whole night correcting that quotation and she sent the wrong one.. Now what's my fault?? She had to be fired for being so careless..", he said irritated that even now his brother and father thought that it was his temper that was at fault and not the employee..
"But Raghav, you too know Mr.Singh is my friend and we could ask him to change the quotation sent by our company", Sahil said.. "And besides she was meant to be on leave due to some family problem, yet she came to work..", Sammy seconded.. "And ended up doing such a great work..", Raghav said sarcastically.. And before the discussion could continue Raghav said getting up," I messed up, I'll sort it.. fine with yoh two?? Now if you'll excuse me I have a meeting to attend..", and without waiting for Sammy and Sahil's reply Raghav left the cabin.. Left with no other option they two too left..
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"Its not even been a day and you husband is showing his workaholic side", Kalpana teased Paakhi while they drove to Raichand mansion.. "Come on di, I told you na he had really important work.. he was going to meet me at home in afternoon and pick me up from there but then I came to your office and his car too broke down..", Paakhi explained.."So how's he coming now??", Kalpana asked..
"Remind me why am I agreeing to drop YOU at YOUR sasuraal??", Raghav asked irritatingly while inserting key into the ignition.. "One Because you're that person because of whom I had to leave early to office today and Two because you wanted the only other spare car at home for driving to the meeting, thanks to your morning accident..", Sammy reasoned to which Raghav gave a tired expression and replied," Do me a favour and don't remind me that morning incident.. God knows why women drive when they actually can't??", Raghav huffed..
"Oh wow what a reason.. his brother asked him so he went to office leaving behind your 'rasoi' and 'pagphere' rasam.. What a brilliant brother-in-law you have..", Kalpana replied making Paakhi chuckle a bit," Its ok na Kalpi di.. work is also important.. anyway now Raghav bhaiyya is coming to drop Sammy so you'll get to meet my brilliant brother-in-law", Paakhi said the last lines in same sarcastic tone as Kalpi did..
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"Mom", Paakhi squealed before engulfing Gauri in a bear hug... "Arey.. arey.. easy on me beta", Gauri said laughing while trying to prevent falling on her back, " its just been a day.." .. "See Kalpi di.. she is already getting used to my absense.. she didn't miss me at all..", Paakhi cribbed pouting her lips.. Shaking her head Gauri cupped Paakhi's cheeks and said, "Who said I didn't miss you.. I was just saying that, so that I don't land up in hospital coz your hug which was really bone -breaking", Gauri teased.. "Mom..", Paakhi whined again..
Laughing, teasing the three walked to the kitchen.. "Thank god Kalpi you came.. everyone left yesterday itself and many servants too took leave, so there was no one to help me in welcoming Samar but now no worries as my other daughter is here..", Gauri said lovingly pecking Kalpana's forehead..
Soon all of them got busy.. while Paakhi munched on fruits sitting on the kitchen platform Kalpana and Gauri with help of other servants were doing necessary preparations as Sammy and his brother were to arrive any moment now.. (And talk of the devil) the door bell rang.. "I'll go check..", Paakhi jumped off the platform but was stopped by Gauri," Arey re.. wait wait.. it might be Samar.. Kalpana you take the take the tikka I'll bring the aarti thaal...", saying so Gauri handed a small plate with gulaal mixed with water to Kalpana while she herself went to get the other plate..Holding the plate in one hand Kalpana went to open the door..
"Samar stop complaining.. here take the car keys and go park the car the way you want...", Raghav said finally getting irritated of his brother's 'You-didn't-park-the-car-properly' drama.. While Sammy went to go park the car Raghav rung the bell waiting for someone to open
And here Kalpana opened the door ... but seeing the person standing in front her smile turned to shock as her eyes widened into big saucers and " YOU", they both said together..
"Kalpi??", Gauri's voice broke their trance and Kalpana looked behind while moving a bit so Gauri could see the newly arrived person's face.. Seeing Raghav Gauri smiled and said," Raghav beta.. (looking at Kalpana) Kalpana let him in.. he's Samar's brother.." Still glaring at him Kalpana moved away and came inside.. "Aunty Sammy is outside parking the car he'll be here soon..", Raghav said before walking to sit on the couch.. "The one who should be here is parking the car and the one who should be parking the care is relaxing on the couch..", she muttered...
Few minutes later Sammy came back and Kalpana & Gauri welcomed him inside in a traditional manner with aarti and tikka. Making him sit comfortably Gauri and Kalpi went inside to get the snacks. Paakhi too came to help them serve it.
The snacks were served and everyone was now seated comfortably when Kalpana said," Ma I'll leave now..".. "Kalpi first eat something and then go..", Gauri said.. "No ma.. actually I have some urgent work and before that I have to get my car repaired..", Kalpana replied.. Confused Gauri asked," What happened to your car??", and before Kalpi could reply Paakhi jumped in," While di was coming to pick me up some 'Arrogant idiot' hit her car", she said making Raghav choke on the water he was drinking..
"Careful bhai", Sammy said while Gauri went on to ask Kalpana if she got hurt or anything.. "No ma I'm fine.. don't worry.. I'll leave now..", and she left..
Note: If you guys are confused about Kalpana then let me tell you that unlike Raghav who shows through his anger that he had a bad past Kalpana tries best to not let others know of her sorrow. Both in a way try to mask their vulnerable sides.. While one uses anger as his mask the other uses her smile as the mask..
Sorry for making you guys wait for so long, I was stuck up in studies and all (still am).. I said updates will be regular but I guess my regular means once a week..
Thank you so much for being so patient with me.. and a big thank you especially to you premap for your lovely words that always have encouraged me.. thanks a lot
Please everyone do tell me did you like the update or no😊
