New Arshi FF : Merger - Link to Thread # 2 on Page 141 - Page 2

Arnav looked at Khushi. She was looking at him with hopeful eyes. Khushi felt as if he was apologising to her with his eyes. Arnav's eyes said "I am sorry for what I said earlier today. And I don't hold anything against you."

Arnav turned his head towards his laptop and spoke without looking at them."That's alright. Keep the coffee here. I don't need the rest. And leave the door open when you leave." Ramu Kaka kept the coffee and left with Khushi.

Just before leaving his cabin, Khushi turned back and gave him a small smile"Thankyou" her eyes said. Arnav was looking at her when she started to leave and was caught off guard when she turned back and said Thankyou with her eyes and smiled. He made a stern face and quickly turned towards his laptop. Khushi's smile dropped and she left.

The rest of the day went in a daze. Khushi went about learning all her tasks. She was told that the Manager liked his black coffee without sugar at sharp 9 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM every day. She made him his special, bitter beverage and served tea to the rest of the office. She was also to clean the office and help around the HR and Accounts executives in their tasks. The HR executive, Manju was also the manager's assistant. She was pregnant with still a few weeks away before she took leave. The accounts executive, Mr. Sharma was an old man. Both of them liked Khushi instantly.

Arnav sipped his black coffee in the morning. It was brewed just right. He went about his day holding meetings with all the department heads. And telling them what kind of reports he needed from each of them.

In the afternoon, when Khushi was passing through his cabin, she saw Arnav rubbing his brows to relieve some tension. Khushi saw the time. It was 1.50 PM. Time for the bitter coffee. Later, she knocked at his door, which was already open. He was working on his laptop now. He gave a nod asking the person to come in. She placed the mug on his desk softly and went out of the room. Arnav looked at the time. 2.00 PM sharp. He lifted his head to pick up the mug.

His cabin had one-way see-through glasses. He could see everyone sitting outside. But they could not see him. He insisted in keeping his door open. Manju's desk was right opposite to his cabin wall. And he could see the reflection of the pantry, where Khushi sat, on his open door. He heard Manju asking Khushi if she had her lunch. She said no and will have later. Manju left to have her lunch. Ramu Kaka asked her what she would like to eat, he would pack it for her as he was stepping out. She told him she was not hungry. Once Ramu Kaka left, she drank 3 glasses of water and wiped her mouth.

For some strange reason, Arnav kept looking at this scene playing on his open door from his chair. Once his coffee was over, he went back to his work. She came 10 mins later and took the mug away. Again silently.

Khushi served the evening coffee to Arnav. And Ramu Kaka had told her that he would stay back till the Saheb left. And she should return home. He gave her some money to arrange for food for the coming week. She walked back home realizing that she cannot afford the bus fare as yet.

The next few days Arnav and Khushi got into a routine of their own. Arnav would start from his guest house at 7.30 AM in his company provided car. And would see Khushi already walking along the way to the office. Khushi would reach office half an hour after Arnav. But the coffee came promptly at 9 AM. He began to look forward to the coffee. His day seemed to begin well.

Arnav noted that Khushi never took a lunch break. And left promptly at 6.30 PM. He asked himself why he noted all these, but could not come up with an answer. He reasoned that it was due to their unusual meeting.

The week went calmly only until the Friday afternoon. That's when all hell broke loose.

Next Chapter : The tyranny of ASR