Chapter 2
Jadhav residence
At night
While Kalpana was helping Prerna fall asleep in their bedroom, Prerna asked, "Di, did you meet your boss today?" "Hm," Kalpana replied. "How was your first meeting?" hearing Prerna, Kalpana remembered the incident happened near the pool and said, "It was not that great."
Prerna: why? Did you make any mistake?
Kal: hm. After today I don't know how I will be able to face him and how he will react seeing me.
Prerna: is he an angry man or friendly?
Kal: of course an angry man and I have never seen any angry man like him before.
Kalpana still couldn't forget Ragahv's raging eyes toward her while they were in the pool.
Prerna: it means you scare of your boss right?
Kal: hm
Prerna: if your boss scares you then why don't you leave the job?
Kal: no matter how he is, but I have to work for him until I repay the debt.
Looking at Prerna, Kalpana said, "choti, now you sleep. You have to wake up early and go to school." "Ok di, you also sleep. Good night."
The next day morning
In the hospital
After paying the hospital bill, Kalpana went to talk to the doctor. The doctor told Kalpana that Vittal has to stay in the hospital for one more day and after releasing from the hospital he needs to take complete bed rest. After talking to the doctor, she went to Vittal's cabin. Seeing Kalpana, Vittal said, "Beta, come, sit here beside me." Kalpana sat beside him.
Vittal: I heard everything from Nitu. I put you all in trouble.
Taking his hand in her, Kalpana said, "Baba, you don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Vittal: if you work over there, how you will be able to continue your education?
Kal: I am planning to take classes after work.
Vittal: make sure you don't drop out of your college.
Kal: I will not baba. I have to go to work now. You take care.
Saying so Kalpana left for Singhania Mansion.
Singhania Mansion
In his office room, handing over a briefcase to Raghav, Vittal's manager said, "Mr. Singhania, here is your 1 crore rupees. According to the deal I kept 2 crores for myself." Returning the briefcase to the manager, Raghav said, "Keep the change."
Manager: you meant to say whole 1 crore rupees?
Rag: hm. Make sure Mr. Vittal doesn't get a job anywhere.
Manager: Don't worry, Mr. Singhania. Though Mr. Vittal is an honest employee but for you I will not give any good recommendation for a job.
After the manager left with money, Raghav walked toward his family photo hanging on the wall. Looking at it he said, "This is the first step of my revenge. I made both members of Jadhav's family unemployed. Let see how they will be able to survive now."
While Kalpana was entering into the Mansion, she saw the manager was leaving with a briefcase in his hand. Why is he here? Kalpana thought, he must be here to apologize to Raghav sir. After all it was his company's reputation. Then she let it go from her mind and entered into the living room. She looked at her wrist watch. It was 8:20 AM. She came in 10 minutes earlier. She thought to wait for Mr. Khanna in the living room. She sat on the couch. All of a sudden she heard a 60 years old lady calling one of the maids standing on a tool, "Rekha, give me the piece of cloth on the table. I need to clean the dust of the photo frame." Kalpana looked around and saw there was no one around. She got off from the couch and walked to the table. Taking the piece of cloth laying on the table she walked toward the lady. Without looking at Kalpana, the old lady took the cloth from Kalpana's hand and started cleaning the photo frame the garland around it. While cleaning the dust, Kalpana noticed her sneezing. "I think you have dust allergy," hearing Kalpana, the old lady looked at her. Raising her hand, Kalpana said, "Please come down." The lady came down.
Old lady: beta you?
Kal: Namastey. My name is Kalpana. I just joined at Singhania Construction. Today is my first day at work.
Old lady: I see.
"If you don't mind, can I do it?" Before the old lady could say anything, Kalpana took the cloth from her hand and started cleaning the photo frame. She noticed a couple's picture in the frame. While cleaning the dust Kalpana said, "At this age you shouldn't work this type of work. Also you may fall down from the tool."
Old lady: what can I do? Raghav is very sensitive with anything related to his family members. He doesn't let anyone touch his parent's photo.
Kalpana's hand stopped for a moment. She looked at the old lady and then looked back at the photo frame again. She heard the old lady saying, "Yes he is my younger brother Vikram and his wife Gauri and Raghav's parents." Kalpana slowly came down from the tool. "Aunty ji, when did Raghav sir lost his ...?" taking a deep breath the old lady replied, "a month ago. He lost his younger brother on the same day too." Kalpana felt bad hearing the loss of Ragha's family members. Before she could say anything a maid came and told the old lady that the breakfast was already served on the table.
Old lady: Kalpana, that's your name right?
Kal: ji
Old lady: Please come and do breakfast with me.
Kal: thank you but I already had my breakfast.
Old lady: at least have a cup of tea with me
She noticed Kalpana hesitating.
Old lady: Beta, don't worry. Raghav will not come to do his breakfast now. He already had his breakfast at 7:30 AM. He is very punctual not like his other family members. He is going to office at 9:00 today so you still have time to have a cup of tea with me.
When Ragahv's bua Gayetri was insisting Kalpana, she couldn't say no to her. While sipping tea from her cup, Gayetri asked, "so who else is in your family?"
Kal: My father, mother and a 10 years old sister.
Gayetri: seems like you both sisters have huge age difference.
Kal: hm. She is my step sister. When I was only 5, I lost my mother. Because of me baba had to marry again.
Gayetry: I see. Hope your step mother is nice toward you.
Hearing her, Kalpana looked at her. Gayetry continued, "I meant to say, most of the step mothers are unable to give the same love toward their step daughters as their own daughters." Kalpana didn't say anything. She just stayed quiet.
Gayetry: Kalpana, finish your tea.
Kal: ji
After finishing tea Gayetry and Kalpana went back to the living room. After fixing herself beside Gayetry on the sofa, Kalpana asked, "Can I ask you a personal question?"
Gayetri: hm
Kal: what exactly happened that all the family members die on the same day?
Gayetri: I heard that Ragahv's younger brother was trapped by a girl into her false love because of his money. He was very innocent and was totally unaware of her true color. When that girl got to know that his family members were against this relationship, she forced him to leave his family. When he left his family and came to her with empty handed, she could see her dream to be a queen of the Singhania family broken. Then she ditched him as she didn't want to marry any boy who didn't have money. He couldn't bear that causing him to commit suicide. Gauri had a heart attack and my brother also died on the same day. Because of that greedy girl, Ragahv had to lose his whole family.
Kal: sorry to hear it.
Gayetry: Raghav broke down totally. I raised Raghav since he was only 3. I know how sensitive he is. He keeps things inside. He never shares his pain with anyone. Hearing the news I rushed back to Delhi to look after Ragahv. As long as Raghav is here in India I will not leave him alone.
Kal: hope he recovers soon
In the meantime Mr. Khanna came in and told Kalpana to get ready for the office. Before she left for the office she said, "Aunty ji, please take care of yourself." "You too beta and congratulations," Gayetri replied with a smile.
Singhania Construction
Mr. Khanna introduced Kalpana with all the office staffs as Raghav's secretary. They congratulated Kalpana. Then he took Kalpana with him to show Raghav's cabin. Raghav still didn't come to the office. She noticed it was a huge and well decorated cabin. His father's picture was hanging on a wall. All of a sudden her eyes fell on a small table with a computer at the corner of the room. "Hope as his secretary, I don't have to share the same room with him," Kalpana mumbled to herself." Her trace broke hearing Mr. Khanna, "Ms. Kalpana, as his secretary you need to be with him all the time. If he needs to go out of the city for work purpose, you have to be with him as well." "Ji," Kalpana replied softly. He added, "Also, you may need to share this room along with him but I will let you know." then he took Kalpana to show her store room where all the files were kept. The room was dark that's why they didn't get into the room. In the meantime an office boy came and told him that Raghav just came in and was looking for him. He took Kalpana with him. He told her to wait for him outside and then he got into the cabin. After 10 minutes he came out of the cabin. He told the office boy to arrange a table and a chair along with a computer for Kalpana outside of the cabin. He knew very well that Raghav did it on purpose so that he didn't have to see her face all the time. On the other hand Kalpana was very happy as she didn't have to share the same room with Raghav. She thanked to God thousand times. In an hour her table was set with all the equipment's. Handing over a diary and a pen, Mr. Khanna said, "Ms. Kalpana go to sir's cabin and take dictation." Taking it in her hand, Kalpana slowly entered into the cabin. She noticed Ragahv was sitting in his chair facing his back. "Gggood morning sssir," Kalpana said scared. Without replying her, Raghav started giving her dictation, "To whom it may concern..." He was still sitting facing his back. "Sorry?" Kalpana said. Raghav continued, "This is about..." now Kalpana understood. She started writing without sitting on a chair. She was having problem as he was going very fast. All of a sudden something came up into her mind and a smile appeared on her face. After 10 minutes Raghav said, "It should be prepared in 20 minutes. Now leave." Kalpana left the cabin. While going to her desk, she mumbled to herself, "Thanks God, I took shorthand and type class as an optional subject when I was in high school." She came to her desk and started typing. She tried very hard to finish it on time. Once she finished she almost ran to the cabin and knocked on the door. Few seconds later Mr. Khanna opened the door. She noticed that Ragahv was busy talking to a client. Handing over it, Kalpana said, "Please give it to Raghav sir." Kalpana was still standing outside. The door was slightly open. She saw Ragahv took the paper from Mr. Khanna's hand and had a single glimpse of the paper. "5 minutes late. I don't need it anymore," Saying so Raghav threw it in the nearest dust cane. Kalpana felt bad and came back to her desk. "I made him upset again," she mumbled to herself upset. Few seconds later she got a phone call from Vittal.
Kal: baba, is everything alright?
Vittal: yes. I just wanted to know how you are doing over there. How is your boss and other office staffs?
Kal: everything is fine baba. You don't worry. As time passes, I will be able to get used to with everything.
Seeing Mr. Khanna was coming toward her, she said, "Baba, I will call you later. You take care." Then she cut the call. Handing over a piece of paper with written something in it, Khanna said, "Ms. Kalpana, go and look for this file in the store room." Kalpana took the paper and directly went to the store room. She tried to switch on the light but there was no electricity. She came back to Khanna and informed him but in return he said, "Our electrician is out of the city now. So somehow you have to manage it." "The store room is too big and there is no electricity. I don't know how I will be able to find out this file," mumbling to herself, Kalpana walked to the store room. Using her phone flashlight, she started searching for the file. She noticed that none of the files were kept in the shelf alphabetically. It will be very hard for her to find out the file, she thought. After one hour of searching finally Kalpana was able to find out the file. When she handed over the file to Khanna he said, "Ms. Kalpana, I can't believe that you took one long hour to find out a file. I don't know how Ragahv sir will react." Kalpana lowered her eyes apologizing. He added, "Anyway, keep all the files alphabetically in the store room and this will be your job for the day." She knew very well that when Raghav orders something the job has to be done without any complain. It was 6 PM. Kalpana was still working in the store room without taking any lunch break but still couldn't finish it. She thought to do it tomorrow as she needed to go to college to talk to the principle so that she could change her classes from morning shift to night. She came out of the store room. When she told Khanna, he denied saying, "Raghav sir doesn't like any incomplete work. Finish the work then go wherever you wanted to go." All the office staffs left one by one but Kalpana was the only person who worked until 10 PM.
Singhania Mansion
While having dinner with Raghav, Gayetry remembered Kalpana and asked, "Raghav, how was her first day at work?"
Rag: bua, who are you talking about?
Gayetry: I am talking about Kalpana.
Rag: Do you know her?
Gayetri: I met her today here in the Mansion. She is such a nice girl.
Rag: don't judge anyone with one meeting. All the bad people are roaming around with making their face innocent.
Gayetry: I know why are you saying that? Because of that one girl you can't give same judgement to all the girls. Kalpana is really...
She stopped from saying further when Ragahv got off from his chair angrily as he didn't want to hear a single praise about Kalpana.
Gayetry: Raghav, what happened?
Rag: I am full.
Saying so he left from there leaving her alone confused. "He just stared eating. How can he be so full?" she mumbled to herself confused.
The next day
It was a Govt holiday. Her office was closed. Kalpana thought to do some work. After bringing Vittal home from the hospital, she went to meet all the people whoever she owed money. After returning their money when she was coming home, on the way she met her classmate Purvi. When Purvi asked the reason of her not going to college, Kalpana told her everything happened with her family last few days. Purvi felt bad for Kalpana. She also said that she needs a job from where she could earn some money.
Purvi: but Kalpana how you will be able to manage all by yourself? You will be busy all day. How you will be able to manage time?
Kal: I don't know how but I have to. Baba is sick. I can't let him work outside.
Purvi: I have an idea.
Kal: what?
Purvi: Do you remember I got good marks reading your note?
Kal: hm
Purvi: Then why don't you sell note for junior students? Your note is the best in the entire class. You can do it at night after returning from college and can earn some money.
Kal: are you sure this will be a good idea?
Purvi: of course. Junior students would love to read your notes. You just start working on it and I will gather students.
Kal: Thank you Purvi.
Once Kalpana reached home, her phone rang with Mr. Khanna's number. She picked up the phone.
Kal: hello Mr. Khanna. Is everything alright?
Khanna: Sir needs to go to Shimla to attend an important meeting. The meeting is tomorrow early in the morning. He needs to be there by tonight so that he could attend the meeting on time. Come to the Singhania Mansion. You need to be there with him.
Kal: who else is going with him?
Khanna: only you and sir. Who else?
When he didn't hear anything from Kalpana, he asked, "Kalpana, are you there?" "Ji," Kalpana replied. "One more thing," he added, "this time do not mess anything up or you will have to lose your job. Prove yourself that you are not a useless." She understood what he meant. Until now she couldn't give her best. She had to lie to Vittal that the whole team was going to Shimla or he wouldn't allow her to leave with Raghav alone.
It's been three hours, Raghav was driving while Kalpana was sitting on the passenger seat like a statue. There was totally silence in the car. Neither Raghav nor did Kalpana say a word. Ragahv's attention was to the front while Kalpana was looking at the side window. She kept praying to God so that this time she could please Raghav with her work. Another half an hour passed. All of a sudden Ragahv stopped the car causing her to look at Raghav. she saw him opening the window and talked to a police officer.
Rag: Why too much traffic over here?
Police officer: There was a big accident that's why road is closed.
Rag: how long it will take to clear?
Police: it will take time sir. Why don't you spend the night in any hotel around? I am sure by tomorrow morning road will be cleared.
Rag: do you know any hotel around?
Police: the closest one is the 10 minutes' drive from here.
Rag: thank you
Without wasting a second Ragahv drove off to the hotel.
In the hotel
Receptionist: sir, I am sorry. There is no room available.
Rag: Please manage one for me. I am ready to pay double, triple.
Recep: give me a minute sir.
Then the receptionist dialed his managers number and after talking to the manager, he said, "Sir, I can manage one room for you but you have to leave the room before 7 AM."
Rag: give me the key
Rec: sure
Taking the key Ragahv was about to leave but stopped hearing Kalpana, "Sir, I will be here in the lobby. If you need anything please call me." Without saying anything Ragahv left from there. The space of the lobby was too small. Kalpana looked around. She noticed that there were two couches at the corner of the lobby. She thought to spend the night sitting on a couch. She walked to one of the couches and fixed herself. Few minutes later a middle age man came to look for a room. When he didn't get any room he thought to spend the night on the couch too. He sat to the opposite side of Kalpana. On the other hand, after freshening up, Ragahv called the receptionist to get the phone number of any restaurant or first food around so that he could order some food for him. After getting the number, he ordered pizza for him. When Kalpana was sitting in the lobby she noticed that the man was staring at her lustfully. Few minutes later he got off from the couch he was sitting and came to the couch Kalpana was sitting and sat beside her with bad intention. Realizing his bad intention, Kalpana got off from the couch and came outside. There was a bench infront of the hotel. It was little cold outside. Wrapping her dupatta around her body, she sat on the bench. On the other hand in the hotel room, after he finished eating pizza, he opened a bear bottle. Taking it with him he walked to the window. After sipping once he looked outside. While sipping the next one, his eyes were fixed as he saw something unusual outside of the hotel. Few seconds later he moved his eyes off from Kalpana who was sitting outside. Totally ignoring her he came out of the window.
The next morning
Kalpana looked at the wrist watch. It was 6:30 AM. She entered into the hotel and asked the receptionist if Ragahv woke up. The receptionist said not to worry as he already knew that he has to check out before 7 AM. Kalpana thought to use the washroom before Ragahv comes down. After freshening up, when Kalpana came back to the lobby, the receptionist informed her that Ragahv just left. She rushed outside but he was not seen anywhere. Not even his car. "He left without me?" she mumbled to herself. Then she dialed Mr. Khanna's number and he told her to reach the place taking bus.
After three hours, Kalpana reached the place. She walked to the room number; Mr. Khanna taxed her where the meeting will be held. As she opened the door, she saw that people were shaking hands with each other. "I think meeting is over," she mumbled to each other, "I took too long to reach." She looked around and saw that Raghav was talking to one of his business associates. Few seconds later seeing him alone, Kalpana was about to go toward him, in the meantime a tall and elegant lady came in and said raising her hand, "Mr. Singhania, it will be my pleasure working with you." Taking her hand in him, Ragahv said, "same to you Ms. Ana." As Ms. Ana rubbed her thumb on his hand, Ragahv looked at it and then looked back at her and smiled. It was not unnoticed by Kalpana though she was standing little far from them. When Ana left, Ragahv turned, and his eyes fell on Kalpana. Before Kalpana could give him any excuse of her being late, Ragahv totally ignored her and walked outside. Kalpana was following him behind. "Sir, I am sorry for being late." totally ignoring her Ragahv got into his car and closed the door. Kalpana was still standing there. She was not sure what was going on Ragahv's mind, he wanted her to go with him or take bus? She heard him start the engine. She understood. She turned and was about to go to the bus station to take bus, but stopped hearing Ragahv, "Get into the car."
After one hour of driving seeing Ana standing on the road, Ragahv stopped his car. He opened the window and asked, "Ms. Ana, is everything all right?" "Nothing is alright," Ana replied and added, "My car is not working. Can you give me a lift if you don't mind?" "Sure," hearing him, Ana thanked him. As Ana walked to Kalpana's side, Kalpana opened the door and let her sit beside Raghav. Once Kalpana fixed herself in the back seat, Ragahv drove off his car. On the way in the car, both Ragahv and Ana were talking and sharing their working experience to each other. She also said that sometimes she needs to go to USA for work purpose. Kalpana was listening to them while sitting back seat. She noticed that Ana was very open minded. While talking sometimes she would hold his hand, sometimes touche his hair, sometimes fall on his shoulder while laughing. After two hours of driving, Ragahv stopped his car near a restaurant. "Come. Let's eat something," saying so all came out of the car. Raghav and Ana walked to the restaurant while Kalpana was standing near the car. 10 minutes later, Kalpana opened her bag and took out a biscuit packet. She was about to eat in the meantime a waiter came and said, "Are you Ms. Jadhav?" "Hm," Kalpana replied. "Raghav sir is calling you to eat," hearing him, Kalpana thought to deny but thinking he may get angry again, she agreed to go. The waiter took Kalpana with him and gave her a separate table, little far from the table where Ragahv and Ana were sitting. Handing over a menu the waiter said, "Please order food for you." Returning the menu, Kalpana said, "I don't want to order any food. If you don't mind can you please give me a glass of water?"
Waiter: Sir and mam ordered lot of food for them but aren't you hungry?
Kal: no.
Waiter: ok. Let me get water for you.
Then he left from there. Few minutes later Kalpana came out of the restaurant. 30 minutes later while paying the bill, Raghav noticed that the waiter didn't include Kalpana's bill. He asked, "how come you didn't add Ms. Jadhav's bill?" the waiter replied, "Sir, she didn't order any food. She only drank water. For water we don't charge any money." "Ok," saying so Ragahv paid the bill and came out of the restaurant taking Ana with him. while walking to the car, Ana asked, "by the way who is she?"
Rag: she is my secretary
Ana: I see. Don't you think she is very outdated?
Rag: I don't care as she is just a secretary.
Two hours later they all reached Delhi. He dropped off Ana first. She insisted Raghav to have a cup of coffee with her in her house but Ragahv denied saying, some other time as he was very tired now. Before she left she kissed Raghav's cheek and whispered, "I will see you soon." On the other hand, Vittal was very worried about Kalpana. It was 5 PM but she still didn't come back from Shimla. He couldn't stay at home. He came outside and pacing back and forth worried. All of a sudden hearing the sound of a horn, he looked back and saw Kalpana with Raghav in the car. Once she came out of the car, Vittal asked worried, "Kalpana, why did you take too long? Why didn't you call me? Do you know how much I was worried?" "Baba, my phone didn't have any charge that's why I couldn't contact you," Kalpana replied. Raghav was just watching both father and daughter sitting in the car. When Vittal's eyes fell on Ragahv, he said, "He must be your boss right?" Kalpana nodded her head.
Vittal: hello sir. I am Kalpana's father.
Rag: hello.
Vittal: if you don't mind, please come inside and have a cup of tea with us.
Kal: Baba, what are you saying?
Vittal: I know we are not as rich as he is but when he came in front of our house how we can let him go like this.
Before Kalpana could say anything, Ragahv came out of the car. Kalpana was not only shocked but surprised when Ragahv said, "yah, sure. Let's go." Raghav also wanted to see how his enemy's life style with his own eyes was. Vittal took Raghav inside the house. As he entered into the house, he looked around and saw that it was a small living room with very few pieces of furniturers in it. So this is her living condition, Ragahv thought, living in her current situation she dreamt of living in a wealthy manner. Showing a couch, Vittal said, "Please have a sit." Ragahv fixed himself on the couch. Looking at Kalpana, Vittal said, "Beta, go and make tea for your boss." "Ji," saying so Kalpana walked to the kitchen. The kitchen was next to the living room and she could see Ragahv and Vittal talking to each other through the window. "Hope Ragahv sir, doesn't tell baba that I went to Shimla with him alone," she kept praying to God. After making tea, Nitu poured it into a cup and told Kalpana to take it for her boss. Kalpana's all the attention was to Ragahv and Vittal that's why she didn't realize the cup was too hot causing it to fell down from her hand and the cup broke down. Seeing this Nitu got angry. Hearing the sound of breaking of the cup, Ragahv looked at Kalpana through the window. He saw Nitu was scolding Kalpana. He heard Nitu saying, "we don't have any income. On top of that if you keep doing this it is not too far that we have to beg on the street." Then she took Kalpana's one hand and put it into a hot tea pot and said, "When you will see your burn hand you will finally learn." Not bad, Ragahv said in his mind, I didn't know that you get punish at home too. Then he smirked.
Sorry for the grammar mistake.
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Shiv Shakti
Anupamaa
