KR TWO SHOT : Amidst the chaos

"Rohit , I want you to cover the interview with Nanda tomorrow. Take all the papers ,info whatever that you need from Kria and get the work done. " Rey spoke with the authority looking straight at Rohit , making me gasp instantly , which he ignored conveniently as everyone gave me a helpless eye.

This was the 5 minute daily standup meeting which we have ,wherein everyone informs him what he or she is gonna work on for the day.

Then shifting his expressionless gaze towards me , his cold voice came "That will be all for today" He made it clear that everyone should leave as he buried himself in his papers.

Everyone walked out of his cabin except me , I could do nothing but simply stare at him disbelievingly. He seriously has the nerve to ignore me. I simply stood at my place looking at him intently and tapping my feet to gain his attention.

Finally he looked up "Yes , Ms Ghai , what's up ?" he asked in the most blank tone he could ever use. Although that was the only tone he always used with me.

"That's what I want to know , what's up with you ?" I gritted my teeth and asked controlling the rising temper in my head.

"Nothing .. nothing at all .. everything seems to be in place , on time and perfect , I believe " he said nonchalantly , just giving me eyeful for a second and then going back to his papers ..

I walked up to his table and hit it with my fist startling him and a few other stuff on the table jumped at my force .. "I don't know what your bloody problem is with me , but I am not letting that worthless Rohit cover that interview. I have been following Nanda for an year now , I was the one who tracked all his details. So no one , mind you no one gets to just brush me aside. "I burst out with all the fury pent up inside me. "This news is mine and I am going to do it. Its final." I said pointing my index finger to him shivering with rage.

For a moment , I could see his eyes flicker with an emotion but before I could register what it was , his eyes were hard as steel. " Ms. Ghai , I take the decisions here and no one else." He raised his eyebrow to make his upper hand in this deal known to me. "If you have a problem then , you can very well look for other options , and yes I don't need to give you any reasons. " He completed smoothly.

For a moment I just stood blank and forgot what I was supposed to say to him . How could he do this to me ? Taking away all my hard work and just giving it to some idiot and that too for no reason or maybe for a reason which he was unwilling to share. Holy Crap !!! I worked day and night to gather all the information about the well-known politician and his political party. In the past he gave me an interview too , even though he was in a total mess of scandals around him. And now that I had new inside fine points regarding a few of his dealings , and with the election just round the corner , a point which would just be sensation when the interview would be telecasted on our news channel , Rey doesn't want me to be a part of this.

"You can't do this to me" I don't know why but I sounded so broken.

"I already have. " He got up from his place. " By the way I have been invited as a chief guest for a school opening and then lunch. So I am leaving. I need you to work on the interview with the CEO of the leading IT company. " He simply took his jacket and keys and left his cabin , leaving me still standing rooted at the spot.

******

Life is such a b*tch !!!

I threw the notepad I was carrying on my table and flopped on my chair with a force with which I wish I could hit that a**hole.

This work , it's my life , I enjoy it and just love it. But , now suddenly am getting this feeling that , my work is being snatched away from me, my powers are being diluted. I am being observed , monitored and maybe not being taken seriously.

I buried my head in my palms in frustration.

I , for one, definitely know from when it has started and also can safely blame it on that one person , because it was the same time , the person entered my life 1 month ago.

Mr. Reyaansh Singhannia , son of Mr. Ketan Singhannia.

Mr. Ketan Singhannia was the MD of the leading news agency for which I have been working as a lead journalist from the past 6 years. He was the one who saw the potential in me. I had joined as a fashion journalist. But , he believed in my abilities and gave me projects where I could prove myself and yes I did that. I loved the adventure , the thrill and not to forget the danger which came inevitably with that. I moved away from interviewing the dumb actors , models to capturing the live news from "THE" place of origin. I reported news about bomb blasts , corrupt politicians , scams , gruesome murders. And he had done nothing but praise me , appreciate me and motivate me.

As they say , all good things don't last for long. So when Singhannia Senior had a massive heart attack 2 months back and then he went in coma for a while and then passed away , Reyaansh was called to take over the agency. So he handed over the overseas news reporting to one of his colleague and headed back to take his place here.

And I must say what a return. Till now I had just seen him just covering the news , so I basically saw him on screen. I hadn't met him personally before. I have to tell you that there is something very attractive about him. The way he carries himself , his dedication towards work , his passion when he talks about a matter , it just shows the real man he carries underneath the most handsome face I have ever seen.

I hit my head for drooling over that mean boss of mine again.

Whatever may be the case , does he really think am I fool ? Does he think I don't have eyes or a brain to reason? I have given my f*cking 6 years to this news agency and what is he doing , he is slowly and quietly pulling out one by one the many areas I work on , stating the pretext that he would hand me a different responsibility. He has already put Rohit on many of my important works.

I seriously wonder why ? What have I done to get this treatment from Rey ?

A part of my mind said , maybe Rey is threatened by me. But, that's impossible. We may have started our careers around the same time , he has really raced ahead of me. He had handled the overseas news from the very beginning. He actually went to Afghanistan , Syria , UK etc to report on location news about Taliban , political unrest and so many other international news. I had always secretly envied the work he did and at the same time admired his courage. I only report on national issues. So why would he feel that way about me ? I wondered scratching my head.

Or maybe he has some other interests in you , popped a tiny voice from one corner of my heart.

I almost laughed at this thought in my head.

But, then I sat back to think , is that even remotely possible ?

Maybe he finds me attractive. I shook my head vigorously , that would be the joke of the century. Rey finding me attractive. You know to find me attractive he must at least look at me once. He just behaves as if I am invisible and makes it so damn obvious too.

I let out a loud sigh , this meeting and many more prior to these have led to this confusing mind exchanges with my own self.

I can't let him ruin me , my career this way , I kept chanting to myself and grinding my teeth in frustration when suddenly my cell phone beeped snapping me out of the trance.

I looked at the message , " Free for a girls night out ?" . I immediately replied with a "Yes". A coded message which required me to call a particular person.

Then took out another cell phone from my purse and casually looked around myself. Seeing no one in particular looking at my side , I walked calmly to the women's washroom, checked if I was alone and then locked myself in one of the cubicles. I took the 2^nd cell phone and dialed a number. "Hmm" I said. And what I heard from the other end literally made me drop my cell. It took me a whole long moment to register what was being said , then I had to process in my mind what I had to do. I looked at the watch and realized there was nothing much to do but to dash to the location.

This was my secret informer. Whenever I worked on any news item , I would inform her and I really don't know how she does it , but she gives me such accurate tips and information about anything and everything I ask her. She has never let me down till date. But today what she told me, was something I had never asked her to follow up. She had accidentally landed on that information. She thought I would be able to handle the matter.

Immediately I dialed Rey's number , but it kept ringing. What crap , why can't he pick my phone, Damit !!!

I sent him a message, "Please don't leave the venue , be around people, I am coming"

I took a deep breath to control my nerves to look as calm and composed as ever. I took my jacket and purse and was just leaving my cabin when ,"Hey Kria, I needed your help in preparing for the interview , can we sit now ? " Rohit asked.

"Rohit , I am meeting a friend of mine , its urgent. Can we sit some other time ?" giving a sweet smile. "Sure" he replied.

I had to literally clutch my legs to make them walk at a normal pace. Once I sat in my car I just forgot all the speed and traffic rules and rushed to the event location. In between I kept trying Rey's number but now it was switched off.
What the hell has happened ? , I panicked.

As I reached the venue , I could see people leaving the place . That means the function was over , I rushed to the small hall where lunch was being served. I scanned the whole area but couldn't find him. I just asked a few people and found that he has just left the place and must be still in the parking lot if I wanted to find him.

I ran to the underground parking lot as fast as my legs could take me and literally screamed his name "REY".

Suddenly, I saw him near his car and he turned with a jerk on hearing his name , and even more shocked to see me running at top speed towards him. He was bewildered "Kria " was all he said with confusion written all over his face. Relief washed over me seeing him safe and sound , I could do nothing but rush towards him.
I know you won't believe what I did next. I flung my hands around his neck and then pressed my mouth to his ear.
"You have got to believe me. You are in danger" I whispered breathlessly.
He pulled me apart from himself and looked at me with an Are-u-gone nuts expression. "How do you know ?" He asked me coldly.
Before I could catch my breath and reply I saw from the corner of my eye , a figure crouched behind one of the cars far away move.
As my gaze shifted from Rey's eyes to past his shoulder , I saw the figure stand and adjust the aim of the rifle towards Rey and in no time I heard a shot.
Now comes the most unbelievable part.
I seriously think I have gone insane to be doing this ,but yes, I did it.
I used all the strength I had in my hands and placed them on Rey's shoulders and pushed him hard on the ground screaming "Watch out" And was going to land myself over him to save me too but , I erred in the timing . I was a fraction of a second late.
I felt a piercing object hit my shoulder with such tremendous force that I was thrown a few feet away from Rey and the last thing I remembered was that my head hit the ground. No need for guessing I passed out.

******
I struggled to open my heavy eyelids which refused to open more than half. With those half open eyes I tried to gauge where I was, only to be looked back at me by a pair of dark chocolate brown eyes full of anxiety.

I tried to blink and register who the hell is he when I felt something soft against my cheek and heard "Kria , Kria ,are you ok ? " voice full of worry. Along with the words which went to my ears I felt hot air on my lips ..
My disoriented mind urged me to ask if I was dead and in heaven when I felt something move over my cheek making it warm. "Kria say something is it still hurting ? " he asked again.
I was still confused to get the meaning out of his words. I blinked a few times to finally understand that it was Rey who was hovering dangerously close over my face.

I frowned a bit thinking what is he asking me , what is hurting me ? I had no clue.

Then I did something which I shouldn't have done , I looked from his eyes towards his lips. Unknowingly, my lips parted slightly when he moved his tongue over his lips in concern, his thumb caressing my cheek.

I looked again into his eyes only to find him gazing at my lips too.

Then something incredible happened. Yes , at least for me.

He leaned forward slowly , lifted my chin up a bit and brushed his lips against mine for a moment and then looked at them again, instantly I put my lower lip inside my mouth. Then in no time , he kissed the corners of my mouth with so much softness that I invariably had to let my lower lip out and had to capture his lips into mine. He kept gnawing my lower lip sending this sweet tingling sensation down my whole body. Must admit , It felt like pure ecstasy. A kiss which was simply comforting , soothing ,giving and not demanding , as he kept pecking my upper and lower lips alternately and making me swoon as this little gesture was pleasuring me.

I never knew that a little touch with his fingers under my chin and his lips over mine could be so divine.

I could feel my mind going blank as I concentrated only on the movement of his lips over mine , the slight touches of his nose as he kissed in a rhythm and our hot breath mingling together giving a heavenly feeling which I had never felt with any guy before.
Without my own knowledge ,I had closed my eyes and was enjoying the feel of his lips , when I slowly moved my hands to curl around his neck, something hurt. And then I realized it hurt real bad.

"Aaah , it hurts " I pulled out from the kiss , eyes still closed and scrunched my nose in pain and panted.

"What , the kiss hurts ?" he asked stunned.

"Unbelievable!!! Jackass!!! " My mind screamed and the words tumbled out of my mouth too. I opened my eyes to glare into a pair of surprised but twinkling eyes. "No this hurts " and I looked at my right shoulder.

I just stared at my bare shoulder showing me a dressing on my wound. I completely forgot about my pain as my eyes were glued to my shoulder.

Why the hell is my shoulder bare ? I gasped . I hesitantly roamed my eyes over my upper body and then looked around me. Instantly my body stiffened. I was lying on a couch , with my trouser covering my lower body and just a flimsy piece of lace to cover my upper essential. Though , It was my favorite lace which showed more than it covered. I feel really se*y wearing it , but right now cursed myself for choosing this day to wear it.

I awkwardly covered myself with my left hand and looked at Rey "Where is my top ?" I asked.

"It's soaked in blood , I removed it as I had to dress your wound. The bullet brushed past your shoulder. " his eyes looking away from me and his fingers ran thru his hair and he seemed nervous with his words "I am sorry" , he bit his lip slightly.

The kiss which we shared was breathtaking , but this sight in front of me was so endearing that my heart skipped a beat. Yes , the Reyaansh Singhannia whom I had thought to be such an arrogant full-of-attitude dude , was blushing. I could see his cheeks getting heated. He glanced at my hand and then quickly looked into my eyes.

A moment ago , I was cursing myself for wearing the same lace , now I patted myself in my mind , this lace was making it hard for even Rey to keep his eyes from the obvious. I giggled in my mind at his self control.

"Is it still paining?" he questioned. I tried reading his eyes which had a lot of concern for me.

"Its fine " I replied. "Why didn't u take me to a doc ?" I asked a bit confused as to why Rey did my dressing.

"Well this place was nearby and don't worry I am trained in these. I have given u a pain killer injection , due to which you slept for almost 3 hours and now the effect must be wearing out , so it must be paining , but it will be alright soon " He answered again keeping his hand gently on my unhurt shoulder.

"Is this your house ?" I asked again looking around very well aware of the heated softness hitting the uncovered part of my upper arm.

"No actually it's Dad's , No one knows about it. Even I didn't know about till I came back. I felt we would be safe here. I have asked my security guys to find about the person who was targeting me." His eyes clearly showing some emotion which I couldn't decipher easily , but his voice definitely was concerned over my safety.

"I need a shirt " I blurted out realizing that I couldn't be sitting with my hand over my bosom all the time.

"Sure, I will get one of mine. Also will get you some soup and sandwich. It will be good for you. "
He walked out of the room but before closing the door he turned back and looked at me , ran his fingers in his unsettled hair , gave a charming smile. I felt my heart beat race seeing this action of his .. " I am not sorry for the kiss " and left.

I simply touched my warm cheek with my left hand to control the blush which had arisen as a result of his simple words.

******

After a while ,he returned with a sleeveless grey shirt of his , and a tray with soup and sandwich. He kept everything down on the table beside the couch.

"I will help you with the shirt " he simply remarked and without waiting for my response , gently inserted my right arm in the shirt and did the same with my left too. All the while his eyes locked with mine. Then his fingers started working on the buttons. He left the top 2 buttons as it is and started with the 3^rd one. My breath hitched in my throat as I became acutely aware of his slithering fingers moving cautiously on the buttons , but making a slight brush against my body. I had this sudden urge to arch my back so that I could feel his hands on my body. The moment this thought crossed my mind , I held my breath. I felt my eyes closing by that mere feeling, a feeling of being on the edge which was the result of his fingers touching me and also not touching. All the while his eyes intently staring back at mine.

I didn't know Rey had the power to immobilize me just by that gaze. Only when he placed his hand gently on my shoulder and shook me by calling my name , did I realize that I was holding my breath. I literally let out a sigh letting him know clearly what I had been going thru.

This must be sheer madness , a sane person can never feel so terribly attracted to the mere touch of fingers. I must have hit my head too , I thought.

"Here , have some soup" he forwarded a spoon near my mouth. I could see a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Without any fuss and any more embarrassment to myself, I finished the soup and the sandwich.

He was quiet for some time and then again spoke "How did u know that I was in danger ?"

"Well I have my own sources " I gave a small smile.

"Informer?" he questioned.

"Hmm"

"Tell me the name." he asked and I could feel a bit of severity in his voice. But, I chose to ignore "No I can't. "

"Why not ?" his voice rising and I could see fine lines on his forehead emerging.

"Because first of all she is a secret informer , she has been working for me from so many years , she has always given me precise information. " I retorted with equal force in my voice.

"So she is a girl ?" he asked

"Does that matter ?" I asked a bit surprised.

"People change with slightest change in intentions " his voice hard as steel.

"She won't , I trust her completely " I was enraged.

"But , I don't " his eyes hardened.

I was a bit appalled at his reaction. "At least trust me. " I said then continued " I can't put her life in danger."

He didn't even let me take a breath and said harshly "And you can put my life in danger ?" his voice dripping with scorn.

"If I wanted to put your life in danger, I would have sat in my office and waited for your death news to reach me , but what did I do , I almost died saving you , you jerk " I screamed. Ok, I didn't have any idea why I saved him , why I pushed him down and risked my life, but the truth was that I did it. I was finding it hard to believe but ,yes , I couldn't see him his life in danger.

We kept looking at each other with furious glances and an awkward silence crept in the room.

He slowly turned around and walked to the table where there was a bottle of water. He poured it in a glass and the rest he drank it himself. Then came towards me , pulled a chair and sat in front of me and held the glass of water for me "Please have it " spoke in almost inaudible whisper.

As I drank the water , he kept looking at his shoes which were scratching the carpet vigorously.

Finally he looked up to face me. At that moment all my anger vanished. Rey's face portrayed a blend of sorrow, guilt and fear. I couldn't help myself "Rey, what happened ?" I asked out of worry seeing this sudden change in him.

"I am sorry , Kria " after taking a moment he spoke earnestly , "I shouldn't have lost my temper. "

I simply nodded acknowledging his apology , it seemed to be genuine.

He shook his head in negative "Nothing is ok. " He knew it was time to pour out his fears , his doubts , he couldn't live like this anymore.

"During my initial years of working in US , I was covering a news regarding 2 terrorists who had held a group of children captive in a school and had demanded a huge ransom. My whole team , along with other news channels teams , had stationed outside the school covering any and every bit of information which we could get our hands on.

One of my colleagues , who was a local correspondent from that area , she informed that she has got a tip that the terrorists want to give a message as they have not received the ransom and are asking for a news channel to come near the school gates. She urged my team members, the cameraman to cover that as our news channel would be the first to telecast their message. I was not present at the site that day. The whole team was ready to go in as everyone is hungry for the latest news. Fortunately one of them decided to call me and inform me. I was at that moment with one of the police officials getting information regarding the decision about the ransom. He had informed me that the money had been deposited in their bank.

I have no idea why , but I found something fishy. I told my team not to move whatever happens , they were not supposed to go in till I came. Luckily they agreed to my decision except her.

Next I heard another news channel had gone in and the terrorists gunned them down. Every one died on the spot.

I don't know who was wrong here or what happened. The local correspondent put in her papers the next day and left. Did she get a wrong tip from her informer ? Or was she involved with the terrorists or any other groups ? Or did she get some money ? Or there was some other ulterior motive or it was a genuine mistake on her part ?

I only know that my whole team could have died.

This was just one of the many incidents which I have faced in my career , people who were loyal to you change overnight"

He took a deep breath. " I can't trust anyone easily " he buried his face in his palms.

"So this was the reason ,you tried to take away all the high profile news which I was working on ?"

Suddenly I realized I knew the answer to what I had been looking for so many weeks. He bloody doesn't trust me. I felt deceived , he could have talked to me. How could he conclude something so vital all by himself.

I vigorously tapped my feet to gain his attention.

Finally he lifted his head , "I trust you now " his voice low.

"After I almost gave my life ?" I asked sardonically and started getting up from the couch. I didn't want to stay a moment more in this house with this disgusting man. "I can't believe you don't trust because of some of your past incidents. Everyone faces them , but we use our discretion the next time we trust someone. We just don't stop trusting. You tried to jeopardize my career with your whim about me. I worked with Ketan and he used to praise you so much ,but you know what , you are not a bit like your father. " I spat the burning venom inside me.

He surprised me by holding my wrist "Please don't go Kria " he choked. He kept looking on the ground for a moment as if contemplating to say something.

I tried to shrug off his hand "Dad didn't die a natural death, he was murdered" his voice low and breathless reached my ears. He slowly looked at me expectantly.

I stopped struggling and stood motionless. Did I hear him correctly ? I looked at his blood shot eyes brimming with tears. My knees buckled and I fell on the couch.

"What do you mean ?" I uttered the words with confusions growing inside me.

"I had talked to Dad just an hour before when he had his heart attack. He was perfectly fine. He was enthusiastic about the Nanda case which you and he were working on. He had got some trail he was saying. "

"Ya I worked with him on that " I frowned a bit .

"Even our family doctor said his health was as good as it could be. Something happened after my call that he got such a shock that he had an heart attack "

I realized that Rey was still holding my hand , he was now squeezing it tightly.

"He had complete faith in you , Kria. He told me always about you. " he ran his hand over his face in frustration. "I was a fool to not to have believed him" he left my hand and clenched it in a fist.

"When I arrived here, he had gone in coma. Just before he died , he had gained consciousness. I didn't know what to do. Everyone was new here. I had to take up his position which was a huge responsibility in itself. Plus I was confused as to what exactly happened with him. I just didn't have anyone to confide in. I was scared to trust. " he clutched the edge of the chair so hard that I could see clearly the veins of his hands. His eyes as vulnerable as could be. "Today after the attack on me , I am 100% sure , my dad was murdered" his voice cracked.

For a moment I thought he might just break down. I might have never been thru this situation before , but seeing his condition , I could feel what he must be going thru. He was alone, he was lost . He needed someone to talk to , someone to trust. And he had none.

I slowly placed my hand over his. I gently caressed it so that he would relax. Ketan had been my mentor. He was a person I had looked up to. I had never imagined that he was in some kind of danger.

"I want to help you in every possible way I can " I looked in those eyes hoping that he can trust me with everything.

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down , staring at me. And then he embraced me snugly in his arms "I can never thank you enough " He mumbled into my hair and I simply patted his back softly letting my head rest on his shoulder.

******

"My informer says that there is someone in the office who might be involved " I looked at Rey as he got dinner for us and sat beside me.

I had decided to stay at his house as we could discuss what our next plan of action should be.

"Did you inform her about the attack today ?" he asked a bit apprehensive.

"No , I asked her to find about anything regarding Nanda. He is standing for elections this time. He does have a lot of illegal business. A number of court cases also going on against his company. But , nothing has been proved. I was also working along with Ketan. But all the information I have , nothing seems so fishy. I believe Ketan found something which he had not disclosed to me"

He nodded.

"Trust me , everything will be fine. " I smiled to encourage him.

"Hmm " he looked fixedly at me as he again fed the rice to me. "You are the best thing that has happened to me" came his calm and serene words, only to leave me choking on my food. Even as I was coughing I could see a slight smirk on his face as he helped me with the water. This guy did have a way to embarrass me in front of him, I mentally hit myself.

"Did Ketan tell you anything what he might have got a trail on ?" I asked after I was feeling much better.

"He didn't give me any details , but he said everything is in the open and wide."

"Hmm " I scratched my nose a bit. What does that mean , I wondered. Was he going to expose Nanda over some issue ? Why would he say something like this to Rey and not mention it to me. Do I know about it and can't relate to it.

"Have you checked his cabin ?" I suddenly asked.

"Yes , all his files. Even checked at home. Couldn't find anything ." he replied disappointedly. "There is no news even about assailant, I really don't know who sent that man to attack me. Dad would have brought everything in open if he were alive " he said dejectedly after a while.

"Now that I am with you , I will check my cabin too. " I said giving him some hope.

"You sure , you can go to work tomorrow. I would suggest you stay here and rest." His voice reflected his concern.

"I will be fine."

******

Part 2 - next post