Chapter 1 (AR)
Parking the car opposite the building, he got down and walked briskly towards the restaurant next to the building. Stopping right at the entrance, he raked a finger through his hair, and pulled on his aviators. Straightening the collars of his jacket, and smoothening the imaginary creases, he engulfed a pack of air, and adorning a calm and composed posture, he entered the place.
He was greeted by a fusion of voices trying to rule out the others. Everyone sat on their tables, chattering away to glory, trying to prove that they were the only ones present. The variety of food in front of them just added colors to the already lively place. He passed a table with a group of girls, who stopped their gossiping, and looked at him slyly. He winked at the group, which was returned by their giggles and soft blushes. He shook his head, and moved to the receptionist across the room, his steps smooth and calculated.
"How may i help you sir?", the receptionist added a smile to her routine question.
"My friend is supposed to be expecting me", he leaned on the counter, holding back his body at the same time.
"May i know your friend's name?", the envy at the word friend, didn't miss his eye.
"My friend goes by the name of Mallik, Mr Mallik to be precise", he stressed the word Mr, and saw the girl's tensed up brows relax.
"He's waiting for you at table 5, the waiter shall lead you", she smiled, and pointed to the guy standing next to them.
"Well, thank you gorgeous", he waved his hand, as he saw her futile attempt to control her blush, and followed the guy who was to lead him.
The waiter stopped at a table that stood right next to the glass windows of the place. He saw a man sitting at the table, his back facing him, as he mumbled his thanks to the waiter, and dismissed him. He moved in front of the man, his body bent in a bowing gesture.
"To what pleasure do i owe your presence my dear...", the next words couldn't leave his throat, as he looked up between his speech, and recognized the man infront of him.
"Mr Ma.. I mean Boss... I mean sir, you...", he tumbled as his knees gave away, and he held onto the chair for his precious life, fumbling with his words.
"Aah! It's always a pleasure to meet you my dear friend, ain't it?", the man in his seat gave him an amused smile.
"Sir... Actually... The thing is... Its not my fault sir... I mean really...", he fumbled again, smacking himself mentally, for losing all his senses.
"I understand, have a seat", the man remarked, and his sudden seriousness couldn't be missed. He took the seat before things could worsen, and started his apology speech without any delay.
"I'm sorry sir, i hadn't planned to meet you like this. I was under the assumption that i would be meeting Rahul, i mean Rahul Malhotra, here, you know. It's always him, to use my name to reserve his table. He'd been pulling my leg since a long time, about how i couldn't disguise up my calm demeanour, and act all chilled out, like him. I wanted to prove him wrong, and that's why, i tried his small actions. But guess he was right, i literally screwed things up", he finally looked down, after trying hard to explain his behavior. There was a few minutes silence before the other man spoke up.
"Armaan, my boy, you know it, that you're better than the mighty Rahul Malhotra. My son has been living with secrets since a long time, and thus, he's learnt to take whatever life gives him, with a humour of his own. It makes life easier for him. But you, you are very different from him. You have your own personality, something that makes you unique, which sets you apart, as an outstanding officer, my best officer. You don't need to be Rahul Malhotra, just like he doesn't need to be Armaan Mallik", the old man's words had a soothing effect.
"I guess... you're right", Armaan uttered in a low voice.
"Armaan! Why is it that you lose your calm whenever you're with me? You behave clumsily, so unlike the maturity you show all the time. Do i scare you?", the words made Armaan gape in horror.
"No sir, that's not true. The thing is, i've seen my dad as the world's most chilled out person. A complete contradiction to your serious behavior. I've always wanted to be like you, the best officer. But i've also seen you as my best friend's dad, since my childhood. You were never too stern, and never too lenient with him. I guess i always want to impress you, that i could be like you, and that makes things messy", he finished off like a shy bride.
"Hahaha", the old man laughed at the young man before him, "Armaan, no wonder Rahul made sure you became his best friend. You're actually an entertainment piece. I'm still in doubts if you actually are my best officer. The humour you possess, oh hahaha", he laughed again, and Armaan just smiled.
"No sir! You, Mr Shashank Malhotra are the best officer that we have. No one can compete against you, except for Officer Gale, ofcourse", Armaan spoke pointedly.
"My boy, you may be smart enough, but you're too young to fool me", Armaan colored up at this, "Don't i know that you worship my Officer Gale, and are desperate to meet the officer just once? There's no doubt that Officer Gale is the best officer that i've seen all through my life, but don't underestimate yourself, you're equally good. Just because you refused to operate outside Mumbai, and the fact that Officer Gale operates on the international chart, you feel you aren't any better. Here you are so wrong", he watched him intently.
"Sir, can't i meet Officer Gale just once? I am sure the name's a hoax, obviously the guy's real name isn't Gale, he's Indian for hell's sake. There's no clue about him and his whereabouts, at all. I've tried hard tracking him down, but i always end up at a dead-end. You don't know sir, i really really want to meet him", his desperation was audible in his voice. Shashank watched his face with an amused smile about to break on his face, but controlled it. His best officer had been always desperate only for one thing - Officer Gale.
"Someday, you will my boy, someday, you will", he consoled him, "I know you worship Officer Gale, but there are other matters that need your attention. It's time you focus on this", he pushed the file towards him.
Armaan opened the file, and his fingers ran through the ink, which read, 'Riddhima Gupta'.
Edited by krs-ff - 13 years ago
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