Restaurant
Pancchi was sitting on the wrought iron silk-cushioned chair as if it is going to explode any second. She was locking and unlocking her fingers again and again , her heels tapping on the carpeted floor, her eyes darting here and there as she forked the spaghetti and asparagus in her plate , nervously. I mean, it was strange. Daksh was being so gentlemanly and charming, there were violinists playing such beautiful music but the sheer dominant power of Daksh's appearance was making Pancchi feel overpowered and anxious. She was not used to be treated like a queen , especially after the Danish episode , and that too from Daksh. Her unpredictable, multiple-personality disorder inflicted , massively sexy boss! Daksh looked at her almond eyes looking down at the carpet and he put his fork down. He put his right knuckle under his chin and observed her with his calculating and shrewd slanting black eyes.
Daksh ( clearing his throat )- I can buy it for you if you like it that much.
Pancchi's reverie of thoughts broke and she snapped out of her thoughts. She blinked her eyes at his searching face.
Pancchi ( shakes her head )- Am sorry. I was not paying attention, Sir. Just got on my flight of thoughts. Sorry.
Daksh ( sitting back and sipping his wine )- The setting , the music , the romance – reminds you of Danish?.....( Pancchi looks at him in surprise )……Danish, interesting name. I heard he dumped you. Sad. But its cool. Am sure someone better awaits you.
Tears well up in Pancchi's eyes as she gulps the pain , and nodding , goes back to eating. Just then, the manager walks in with a black velvet box with a pink satin knotty ribbon sitting pretty on it. He gives it to Daksh . Daksh smiles and the manager goes away. Pancchi looks at Daksh in bewilderment. Now what? Daksh looks at Pancchi and forwards the box to her.
Daksh ( smugly )- For you. Don't give me that 'OH' look. Open and see it. I am sure you will like it.
Pancchi ( puts her fork down )- What is going on, Sir? This expensive dinner , a limited edition designer label dress, diamond chandeliers , this queenly treatment and now….this?
Daksh ( rolls his eyes )- Pancchi , cut the crap, will you? You should have known by now. This is me. I am treating you like a queen because I want to make you feel special – I want to undo my rudeness to you. Words are never enough , okay? They don't undo any wrong . For me , its all about gestures.
Pancchi ( curtly )- Or money? You are a MIDAS Sir. Synonymous with gold. You weigh everything in money.
Daksh ( shrugs his shoulders )- That's me. Money can't buy happiness but hell yeah. It can buy things that at least create an illusion or a solid presence of happiness. This dress , the earrings , this velvet box will be a permanent memory of my apology. Can you argue with that? NO. So, stop going all Marxist and open the box.
Pancchi understands that she cannot argue with Daksh. She purses her lips, shakes her head and puts her delicate fingers on the small button lock of the box. She unlocks it and slowly opens the box. As she lifts the lid, her lips form a small O and her eyes widen in surprise. On a sheet of black velvet rests a platinum chain with a pendant which has a heart shaped emerald held by two fairies carved in white gold and encrusted with diamonds. The glitter of the magnificent jewel reflects like a thousand stars on Panchhi's face. Daksh is observing her face quietly.
Daksh ( softly )- Makes you speechless, doesn't it?
Pancchi ( looks up with a softened expression )- It does…..but its too expensive….
Daksh shakes his head and gets up from his chair. He comes and bends over the table , putting one hand on Pancchi's shoulder and the other on the table. Pancchi feels a strange numbness climb up her legs and get stuck in the middle of her chest. He had a strange raw animal magnetism to him – something prehistoric – yes, prehistoric manhood that overrode all his Valentino sophistication and polish. Daksh fingers the emerald and whispers in Pancchi's ears, making her heart pound.
Daksh ( taking the locket off the box)- Magnificent is the word. Not expensive.
Daksh slowly sweeps Pancchi's hair aside , baring her fair neck. Pancchi clenches her fists and she has a strong urge to turn around and just hug this strange creature who is sending her senses to Bahamas. Daksh's mouth curves into a sly knowing smile as he puts the beautiful jewel around her neck, raising it slowly over her chest , brushing against her skin. He holds the two ends of the chain and fingers the back of Pancchi's neck. While Pancchi thinks that her boss is feeling her neck , she is unaware that Daksh is looking for a particular nerve. He finds it and his hand stops. As he holds the hook and loop of the locket, the frontal of the hook is straight as a needle and not curved. His hands around Pancchi's neck, Daksh bends again and looks at her face.
Pancchi ( breathlessly )- Daksh….
Daksh signals the violinists to leave and they do. Daksh looks down at Pancchi's face again- her glossy pearly pink lips shimmering in the lamps. Daksh pulls her face closer and his breath paralyzes her senses.
Daksh ( in a husky voice that turns off the fluctuating bulbs of Pancchi's brains )- Suddenly, you've become beautiful……
With this , he presses his mouth to Pancchi's lips , pulling her into a passionate kiss and as the girl gives in , whispering his name, he pricks the needle into her neck – looping the locket, permanently as the needle embeds in her vein. Unaware, Pancchi loses herself to the passion that she feels for this man.
TO BE CONTINUED……………….
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
