Taani SS: Moving On (updated pg 9) - Page 6

Everything felt out of place and weird as I closed the bag that contained all my memories from my "Rey's Corner". I had decided to pack it all up and throw it but I still couldn't find the balls to do that, so for now I will only be packing it and putting it in the storage.

I cleaned up my room which was left a mess from last night when me and bhai had decided to watch a horror movie. Bad idea! Me and bhai plus horror movie equals to popcorn spilled everywhere, torn pillows and lots of scars on our hands.

I moved to the nightstand where I had kept an envelope. I opened it, reread it and took a long breath.

"Taani beta kya kar rahi ho?" Tauji entered my room suddenly and I broke out of my deep thoughts.

"And what is in your hand?" I looked at the formal typed letter and envelope indecisively. Should I tell him what it was?

"Actually Tauji, I wanted to tell you something." He looked at me seriously and then sat down on my bed to listen to all I had to say.

"Woh...don't get mad...but I had applied to Shekhawat Industries for the position of Director of Finance. And I know I'm in just in college and everything but I have been a gifted student when it comes to business also my experience from Jodhpur when I worked under you counted as well...so they offered me the position a few weeks ago."

"But why Taani? It's your own company, you could just join as a CEO if you want...I'd gladly give that place to you."

"Yes Tauji but I can't just snatch someone else's right at being the CEO plus I still have a long way to go. Last time I was working as a manager so I'm going to step up my ladder and be the Director now."

"So you thought of taking up the offer?"

"YES" His eyes sparkled when I responded and he gave me a bear hug.

"But I don't want you to tell this to bhai because he will feel guilty that he isn't taking the business responsibility and instead I am."

"He should...what he should be doing, you are doing it Taani."

"But Tauji I don't want him to do something that he doesn't like and I also don't want you to make him feel guilty about that as well." I gave him my signature puppy pouty look and he melted.

"Fine...just for you."

I know I know I had said I would make everything alright between Tauji and Bhai but at the same time I had to think about this job that I was offered. The deadline was a few days away and I had to reply, so the sudden decision. I had first thought to deny it because Rey had started to complain about how I wasn't giving NDC and him enough time. But now I don't have to worry and think about him.

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The Gang:

"Are yaar...Taani kahan hai?" Bharat asked irritated and looked at Rey.

"Mujhe kya pata..."

"Woh aati hi hogi," Swayam began but then saw Taani entering with a huge smile on her face, "lo..aa gayi."

"Hey guys...sorry had to talk to VP sir about something important and also I got CDs of other competitors too."

"Thank you so much yaar!" Simmi exclaimed while taking the CDs to her laptop.

"And one more thing guys...I won't be here for after college rehearsals anymore."

"WHY?!" Rey asked (all hyper) and Swayam looked at him, signalling him to calm down. "I meant you're the GS, you're supposed to be there."

"Yes but Tauji needs me so I will be helping him." She said a white lie here, not exactly the truth but not exactly the whole lie.

On the other hand Rey was happy that she was finally thinking about herself, and Swayam didn't care because Taani usually helped his father out.

"Rey, smile karna band kar warna pakda jayega," Swayam whispered. Rey sterned his face and asked everyone to begin rehearsals again.

After a good hour of rehearsal everyone left except for Taani and Rey. The two did feel the tension and uneasiness in the room but thought to behave politely with each other for the sake of the team. Their breakup shouldn't be jeopardizing their relationships with others.

"Taani, it's late..."Rey said softly when he noticed the time. She looked at the time and gasped when she saw how late she was for her first day at work. Rey saw her fumble with things and hurrying, he went towards her while she was facing his back putting away her laptop.

"Taani." He said and she quickly turned back to only collide into his hard chest. Her breath got hitched and a lump formed in Rey's throat when he felt her small figure close to his. The lavender and jasmine aroma and her long straight hair were making him go crazy. If he didn't move back now, he would lose it.

"Sorry," he said and stepped back.

Taani stammered but bid him goodbye, "I...I'll see you tomorrow."

She thanked god that the interaction did not last long. Rey still affected her, even his presence made her stomach churn and heart skip a beat. The few month long relationship that she shared with him was still not enough to make her immune to his scent, charm and piercing gaze.

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This place was amazing! My boss ... the Vice-president- Arjun Kirlosker was a complete gentleman. He showed me around the whole place and also offered me help.

To be honest, I was embarrassed when I entered the huge building wearing jeans and a corset. Everyone else was there wearing formal clothes and had everything from their hairstyle to handbag neatly set. And if that wasn't enough, enter Arjun Kirlosker...the man had good looks, charm and intelligence. He was mature and sensible and Tauji was a big fan of him.

'Taani, you really need to go shopping girl' I mentally noted.

"So Taani...that's all for today." He offered me a cup of coffee and started sipping from his. "This is really good Arjun...never had it before."

"Oh yeah! That's my specialty." He winked. I thanked him for the delicious coffee.

"Toh let me tell you more about myself. My name Arjun. I have no nicknames, except for the one in school 'Stinky Pooh'."

"Stinky Pooh?" I burst into a fit of laughter at the mention of the name, "WHAT? Ahahahaha WHY? Ahaha"

"Because one day I was playing on the steps of my friend's house which had an open gutter (sewage) passing through. His mom warned me ahead of time to watch out as I might fall into it and me being me paid no heed. Next thing I knew I fell into the gutter...soaked. Had to walk back home smelling like a gutter."

"Omg Arjun...ahahaha...this is hilarious."

He laughed along with me, "Well yeah my friends and even my dad thought it would be funny...for a good two years that was my name for everyone."

"Aw poor baby...by the way koi girlfriend shirlfriend hai kya?"

"Are nai yaar...most of them are either fake or gold diggers." Arjun pouted and he looked so cute!

"Accha so any good friends?"

"Nope...I am very busy in work and all my friends are left behind in Delhi...all I have are my employees."

"No worries...when Taani's here, there's no fear...you can consider me as your friend. And anyways we are the only young ones here... in budhon ke saath friendship karke kya karoge..." We laughed and talked the whole night.

Arjun was a like breath of fresh air...a great being from the heart.

The next morning there was something different about Taani. She was smiling and laughing. She was cheerful and bubbly, just like when she had first arrived at St. Louis. She stopped near the guard to greet him good morning and said her hellos to all the janitorial staff at the college. There was no one in the college except for the dance team, who were rehearsing for NDC.

Ringgg! Rrriiinnnggg!!!

Her phone rang and she smiled when she looked at the caller id, "Good morning Stinky Pooh!" She giggled while Arjun grunted from the other end.

"Stop calling me that Taani!"

"Nope never," she let out a mischievous smile.

"Fine then...two can play the game miss Chubby Bunny!"

"WHAT! Arjun tumhe mein moti dikhti hoon?"

"Nahi but the way you eat...how does someone eat a whole plate of Manchurian, fried rice and then noodles! That too for lunch! Oh and that large mango lassi..."

"Shut up! I like to eat..."

"Okay okay, was just joking... Anyway called you to ask if you can come a bit early today, need to discuss a few things with you."

"Yeah sure I can."

She cut the call and entered the rehearsal hall where she saw the team taking a break. Taani continued on in her own world on the phone while Vicky wondered something.

"Yeh Taani ko kya hogya hai aaj?" He whispered to Nil who also looked stunned. "Haan yaar, itna khush aur woh bhi jab hum yahan break le rahe hai."

"Neha thinking Taani nice being."

"Nai yaar kuch toh hai, varna aise Taani..." By now the whole gang had huddled together and were wondering what had gotten into her?

"Shut it guys aisa kuch nahi hai," Rey tried to explain. "Aacha tujhe bohot pata rehta hai," Vicky teased.

"Are woh woh..." Rey stammered but Bharat finished it for him, "Teri AGS hai...sab logo ko pata hai beta ab apni bakwas band kar."

RIiinnnggg! Riiinnggg!!

They heard a phone ring and everyone started looking into their pockets.

"Sharon tera phone hai...uttha utthaa..." Vicky yelled.

"Nahi mera nahi hai!" She replied, "Nil tera hai!?"

"Nahi toh..."

"Abe ghadhon...Taani ka phone hai," Swayam said as he slapped Nil's head.

"Accha..." They all calmed down but went into attention mode when they realized that it was Taani's phone!

The gang huddled again and quietly went near Taani to hear what she was saying.

"Yeh sab karna zaroori hai kya?" Rey asked annoyed at the gang.

"Abe chup rehna tu..." Vicky yelled quietly.

"Guys seriously woh meri behen hai." Swayam thought of how ridiculous they were being.

"Par humari nahi hai...humari toh hitler GS hai...ab chup kar!" Nil shut him up too and before Sharon could say something Simmi told her not to.

"AB kya hai ARJUN!" Taani said loudly in frustration.

The gang looked at each other wondered who this Arjun was, Rey wasn't putting his hands into a fist yet but he was surely getting more and more curious.

"Maine kaha na mein sab kuch handle kar dungi...don't worry baby!" Taani called him a cry baby in the conversation before because Arjun was complaining but the gang didn't hear that, they only heard baby.

"WHAT THE HELL!" Rey muttered angrily. Swayam looked at him and tried to calm him down.

"Are guys kya hua rehearsal nahi karni?" Taani looked at them and they all stumbled into their positions nodding that they had to rehearse but Rey was still lost in her.

"Swayam mein abhi aaya.."

"Rey Rey...rukh..." but before Swayam could do or say anything more he had left from there.

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"If you are saying then I will only do the accounts today and you can finish the rest tomorrow. But I will need your help for the marketing part," Taani sat in the fire escape talking about all the things that needs to be done before she went to work after college.

"I know Taani...so how about we meet up over dinner...waise bhi kitne dino se koi khoobsurat ladki ke saath dinner nahi kiya," Taani giggled.

She had gotten used to Arjun's flirty nature...he would flirt with all the time but never meant anything seriously. (So please guys don't ask if Arjun & Taani will be a couple...they won't. They will just be really good friends.)

Rey heard Taani giggle on the phone with someone and stood near the doors to listen more.

"Flirt karna band karo warna jhootey milenge," she laughed again but then bit her lip, "waise mujhe bhi bohot din hogaye kisi handsome ladke ke saath dinner kare hue."

This was enough for Rey to get riled up.

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Cheers,