PART 3 Damini looks at Prithvi from head to toe with disdain.
"Did you forget your way or something?" she asks arrogantly and Prithvi actually counts to ten to rein in his temper.
"No" he replies shortly. He didn't understand what was up with this girl. Why had she taken an instant disliking to him was way beyond his understanding, but he was in no mood to fight. He was thrilled that he had bumped into Nikki the instant he had landed in Mumbai. He was a small town boy and the hustle bustle of the big city had actually made him feel lonely in the sea of strangers.
Meeting Nikki was a good omen, he smiled to himself. Now at least he had a friend in the new place.
"What is so funny?" Damini's sarcastic voice cuts into his thoughts and he sighs heavily. He hated this reality. The woman standing before him was gorgeous and angry on him for some reason. He wished he was Sameer at this instant as his brother had this amazing quality to pacify angry woman, especially the ones he had cheated on. He hadn't even spoken a sentence with this one and she was already on his throat.
"Nothing''I didn't know you knew Nikki" he replies.
So the smile had come on his face thinking about Nikki, Damini thought and it incensed her. "I don't'.I was just giving her a ride" Damini snaps back.
Here went another try to make a conversation with Damini, down the drain. He was tired and didn't want to prolong this cold war so he decided to come to the point.
"Ok'..well I am the new hire as your Stud farm manager" he tells her and watches disapproval cloud her face. He sighed inwardly. She was not going to make this easy for him and he wanted the experience.
"I didn't appoint you" she tells him. There was no way she was going to make it easy for him.
"I know'..your mother, Ms. Ila Gujral did'....do you want to interview me too?" he tries to be reasonable but every passing minute and Damini's attitude was making that difficult for him.
"Yeah'I do" she grabs the opportunity with both hands. She couldn't believe that he would give her such a chance.
"Ok'.shoot" he says, ready for the interview.
"Not now'..ummmm'..tomorrow'..at 11 am" she announces.
"11? Why? Why don't you get it over with now so I can start working" he asks, his patience about to snap.
"Well Mr. Saxena'..I am the boss'..so I would like to make the decisions here and that is when I have time" she replies curtly and Prithvi's lips tighten in anger.
"Fine'..as you say boss lady" he replies and turns away, not wanting to talk to her anymore. This irritates Damini but she lets it go.
"Abhi'..he is unsuitable'..arrogant and irritating" Damini calls Abhimanyu as soon as Prithvi leaves.
"Come on Dami'..have you even met him?" he asks.
"Met'..that 'that'man'.no let me rephrase it'.that arrogant, self praising man has just left a second ago" and she tells Abhimanyu about how she met him and Abhi listens silently, allowing her to vent.
"Dami'.you usally give everyone a chance'.look maybe you are right, maybe he is everything you say'.but still aunty appointed him and he is Balraj uncle's son'.we do owe their decision respect" he tries to explain and hears her sigh resignedly.
"Yeah'.I hate it when you are right Abhi" she makes a face and Abhi laughs, as he knew she had made a face and crinkled her nose cutely.
"Well so you will not fire him but try to give him a chance?" he asks.
"Yeah yeah yeah" she replies and wishes him goodnight.
Nikki is excited and happy the next day she arrives at Sanjeevani and when she reaches the nurse station she sees a harried looking sister Lovely waiting for her.
"Dr. Nikita'..Dr. Modi ji is waiting for you" she informs her but Nikki is busy greeting the gang.
"Nikki'.Modi is calling you" Armaan says.
At the same time Riddhima too says the same thing. They look at each other and Armaan can't resist, so he says "Jinx'..now don't say a word till I call your name" he tells Riddhima, who simply makes a face and turns to talk to Nikki.
"You should go'.Dr. Modi has asked about you four times already" she tries to hurry Nikki up.
"I told you don't speak''now you have to take a punishment" Armaan stands in between Nikki and Riddhimma.
"Fine'.I'll go and see what that Sadu wants" Nikki huffs and walks away.
"Don't be stupid" Riddhima snaps at Armaan and starts to walk away.
"Hey scaredy cat'.running away? Any tall, dark and handsome coming to help you?" he teases her and that infuriates Riddhimma. She turns and pushes Armaan against the wall and he looks stunned into her grey eyes.
"What's your problem Dr. Mallik? You know what'.you think you are such a stud'..I don't need anyone to help me, much less a man'.. I alone am capable of kicking your butt" she says, jabbing her finger at his chest mercilessly.
He holds her finger, but she flinches at his touch. "Really Dr. Gupta? Or are these just words?" he challenges, his blue eyes laughing at her.
"Let me shut you up for good''tell me'.how do you want to compete?" she asks, he grey eyes turning stormy.
"OOOO'..am shivering" Armaan lisps but then in a serious tone says, "Ok'.basket ball match?" and a glint appears in Riddhima's eyes.
"Done'..when?" she asks.
"Tomorrow'.in front of the gang" Armaan challenges.
"Done" she says and starts moving away when Armaan' says, "What do I get if I win?"
Riddhimma turns back and smiles, "Oh so you think you will win? What If you lose?" she asks.
"That madame is impossible'.but if that ever happens'.I'll be your gulam for a week" he throws at her.
"A month" she throws back.
"Done" he bets.
"Now what will you do if I win?" Armaan asks.
"What do you want?" she asks.
"Hmmmmm'.let's see'..how about you do as I ask'.for just one day" he says and Riddhima's eyes narrow. She knew he would ask the wildest things of her even in that one day.
"Fine" she retorts and walks away.
"The report Dr. Nikita" Abhimanyu asks impatiently.
"Well I was busy yesterday'..will give it to you by end of today" Nikki snaps. Trust this man to spoil her mood.
"Busy? Our project report is due in 2 weeks Dr. Nikita and you had the easy part of putting together the introduction" Abhimanyu replies.
"Still have two weeks'don't we'..why are you after me Dr. Modi? Why aren't you breathing down other's necks?" Nikki asks rudely, which angers Abhimanyu. He gets up abruptly and walks around his desk.
"The rest'..Dr. Nikita don't shirk from their duties'.much unlike you" he replies, faking calmness in his tone and watches Nikita redden before his eyes.
"Then you really should find someone else to do the presentation" she replies and turns to walk away.
"I didn't think Dr. Malhotra's daughter would be such a disappointment" he says softly and Nikki freezes midstep.
"Well you will get it by the end of the day" she replies, her voice quiet and Abhimanyu feels a pang of guilt to having taunted her like this. He knew the relation between the father and daughter but he had been unable to stop himself.
"It's 11:05 and he is already late'.he is definitely fired" Damini fumes to herself.
Prithvi enters Damini's office with Ila and they are busy talking to each other, which incenses Damini more.
"Damini'.this is Prithvi'.our new manager for the stud farm'.a very talented boy'.he used to run the adventure club in Manali singlehandedly" Ila introduces him proudly.
"I '.mumma'.I was going to interview" she starts but Ila waves her statement aside.
"No need beta'..he is Balraj ji's son'.has to be good" she says and gives Prithvi the details and requirements of the farm, while Damini watches, he mouth agape.
Prithvi leaves after the meeting with Ila and Damini follows him outside.
"We are not done" she hisses.
"Well what did you want to know" he crosses his arms against his chest, standing taller, tired of Damini's unreasonableness.
"Do you even know how to ride?" she asks.
"Want to compete?" he asks irritated and a slow smile spreads on damini's face.
"Sure'.lets go" she accepts the challenge.
"Fine'.lets" he says, his eyes darkening in anger.
"If you lose'.you are fired" she bets.
Prithvi lets out a snigger, his eyes still cold, and "If you lose boss lady, you'll leave me in peace" he says.
"Done" Damini agrees and they head out to the farm for the competition.
continue, i dnt mind. 😆
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Anupamaa
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