Part 5
First of all thanks for your wonderful comments and a bigger thanks to all those who sent my name for nominations for fan fiction.This is my first story and that my story was chosen for four categories - Most Realistic, Most Descriptive, Best Fanfic and Best Writer is a great feat and I hope I can deliver in the future to your expectations. So keep sending your comments and if you have time please vote for me too.
Now here's the part.
Gauri had to admit that there were several perks to join her father's office. Not in the least was the room she had been assigned to. It was one of the rooms on the uppermost floor with a breathtaking view of London, a room that was worthy for the Vice President of the company. But after a while she got restless and decided to take a round of the office to get better acquainted. She was just getting out of the lift when she dashed against someone and mumbled out a hasty apology.
"I am so sorry…"
"Well I am not!" came the prompt reply, effectively halting her steps from going any further.
That reply startled her and she turned abruptly towards that voice and got one of the most pleasant surprises of her life. She threw herself on him, pulling him in an enthusiastic hug.
"You will not change, will you? Stop teasing me, it isn't my fault I keep on dashing into you whenever we meet." She said playfully hitting him on his arm.
"Oh well! Why would I change? Don't you know by now," Gauri arched a well shaped eyebrow at that "Karan Mehra is the epitome of perfection. Why on earth would anyone want to change that?" He answered back, smug and arrogant. But a corner of a smile escaped him and soon both of them were laughing at it.
"So, What are you doing here, Karan? Weren't you in Germany?"
"Well, I was but then I got a better offer to work here, with better future prospects. Since I had yet to sign a formal contract for the German firm, I rethought and here I am." He supplied with his hand gesturing exaggeratedly the word" here".
"And what about you? Weren't you angling for Blackwell's?"
"I was, but my father wanted me here, and I complied. It isn't that bad, especially now that you are here, but there are moments. But now we have each other for company and to take care of each other's backs, right. I have been hearing some nasty comments about myself. Being the Boss's daughter isn't always fun."
"There you go again. Miss poor little rich girl! The Boss's daughter, Huh, you never told me or I would have made my decision earlier. By the way does this mean I can get some favours. You know like getting to office late, I do hate mornings." Karan teased her but the warmth of his hand covering hers in a silent gesture indicated he understood well what she was talking about and would help her out whenever she needed. That was what she loved most in him, right from the university days, he always put her out of her misery with just a few words and always silently watched her back from enemies.
"Anyways," He continued "I need to attend this meeting which should be starting any minute now, so adieu till we meet again." He mock saluted her and waving back to him she watched him turn around and head for his meeting.
Gauri glanced at her watch and realized that she ought to be going back to her cabin now. Her father had spoken about some project discussion he wanted her to be present at. He must have emailed her the particulars by now. She turned back to the lift lobby and for a moment stood frozen at the spot. Ahead of her a man in a dark navy suit stood busy on his mobile. Only his profile was visible, a profile which she now knew well and which was a source of constant embarrassment for her. The man from the balcony last night stood in front of her. Now apart from his face she had his other features to store in her memory. He was tall, so very tall which was saying something since she herself was no midget. And very handsome too, Gauri mused as she felt flutters inside her. His lean fingers were curled around the sleek mobile and made Gauri compare her own fragile hand with his. A simple gold ring and a techno savvy watch were all that he adorned. Her eyes moved towards his hair which seemed to have been cut recently and fell on his forehead in waves. And his voice.....
Gauri was mesmerized by that voice. Deep and laughter filled, that voice sent shivers down her spine. It was an automatic reaction on Gauri's part; she ran down her hands to smoothen her skirt and ran her fingers through her hair to make it flatten and to look as poised as possible. Realizing what she was doing, she stilled for a moment. Gauri never did this, try to make that extra effort to look good, but with this man, she wanted to look better than the best, if it was possible. But the man never turned around, and instead walked in the lift still busy on his phone. Gauri walked in as he held the doors open, a paradigm of courtesy as he asked his lift mates about their destination floors. Clearing her throat, Gauri chipped in her floor number too, a sense of disappointment making its way through her at his total disregard. Here she was totally taken by him, acting like a schoolgirl after so many years and yet not even a glance from him. Giving up she let out a sigh and leaned back on the lift wall, her head down and her hands crossed in front of her.
Pratham Mittal was not having a very good day; he had just received the news that the project that he wanted approved for the past few months was headed for yet another round of discussions. That was the problem with the older generations; they just didn't get it the importance of time, instead of all they focused was on goodwill and relationships. This thought brought to his mind the other problem of the day. Mr. Agarwal, the senior partner had yet again granted the Mason's another chance for delaying payment. It really was not fair, this was the third time in two years this crisis had occurred. Word was out in the market that the Masons were losing big time, the sensible thing to do was cut away before their problems made their way to your firm, but instead Pratham Mittal was forced to stand by and watch as Mr Agarwal continued giving them a favored position, owing to past friendship. That man he mused was a thorn to his side. If it weren't for his father's sensibility God knows if he would even have this company to come to now. This company, his company shouldn't have to suffer for the idiocy of Vishal Agarwal which was why Pratham was talking his way into Mr James graces at the moment to ensure that today at least, the Videl's project would get final approval. He hated doing something like this, playing up to people but left with no choice, he clenched his teeth and talked and cracked jokes with Mr James to enlist his help. His teeth were really hurting and his temper hurtling to newer heights as he was given another bad news. If Mr. Agarwal was not enough now they would be joined by his daughter. A certain charming young lady who went by the name of Gauri Agarwal had been installed as a VP.
He was trying to get more information about this newer headache as he entered the lift, maintaining his cool aura. Nobody would be allowed to know the going-on in his mind. He absent mindedly pressed in the numbers as one by one the three other occupants listed their destinations. That was when he heard an unfamiliar voice and his concentration broke. Maybe it was the unfamiliarity which increased his awareness or maybe it was the disappointment which was laced in the voice which touched his heart, he could not help himself but turn back to look at the woman with that voice.
There she stood his savior from the evil clutches of Ms. Moira Haveld who had lead a campaign to assure of her indispensability in his life for the past few months. If her clinging to him throughout the party last night was not bad enough, her accosting of him as he had stepped outside for a smoke and to get rid of her company if only for a few moments was enough to make him cringe even now. No amount of hints at her state of being unwanted, even some direct digs were enough. She had flung herself in his arms last night with words of undying love and he was thinking of an excuse to disentangle her from him when he had seen her walk in. She had long hair and a beautiful figure but what had drawn his gaze to her were the uninhibited emotions on her face. She was not aware of their presence, he realized as she walked in lost in her own world. She stared ahead at the grounds and then at the sky gazing at the stars. And then as she inhaled the fresh air, her arms stretching out encompassing the world in front of her and a most serene smile lit her face. He would have continued watching her but for Moira who with her impeccable timing drew the mystery woman's attention to them. It was like a reindeer in the darkness getting stunned with the onslaught of bright light. But that lasted only a moment, which was enough for him to know how beautiful she was and for his interest in her to increase. He watched amused as she stared at him. Gazing eye to eye, he felt a connection to her. He watched as she broke that gaze and her eyes traveled downwards to his face. He was used to that reaction from women, the current example being Moira still sniffling in his arms, but with her it was different. It wasn't the awestruck expression he was used to; her eyes seemed to be assessing him as a person. Her eyes were unwavering and her face solemn, she has character, he thought. And he had to know her, even as the thought entered his mind she was running away. He had looked for her in the party afterwards but to no success. Yet looked like luck favored him, she had walked right in his domain.
In broad daylight his earlier assumption was strengthened, she was gorgeous. Even with disappointment crowding in her posture, she was breathtaking. Too bad, he thought that they were surrounded in the lift with people before whom he could not make her acquaintance and she was on another side of the lift. And she was lost and aloof to the rest of them. If only she raised her eyes from the ground she was staring at and gave him a hint of recognition. It wasn't possible that she had forgotten him, was it, he frowned as a possible reason to her state of indifference came in his mind? No, not possible, something told him she could not possibly forget him. And just then he got the answer to his question. Her eyes met his. It was in the alertness in her posture after that, and the way her hand went to her hair, she remembered him Pratham was certain. He bestowed on her a charming wolfish smile as he turned more towards her, ready to approach her when the lift doors opened.
They both stood in their own world when suddenly he felt all the eyes in the lift on the woman, making them very conscious. Were they that transparent? Or had his heartbeat become so loud that it drew everybody's attention to him. To his displeasure which was mirrored in her eyes too, he noted that this was her floor. She looked at him expectantly and hesitatingly before straightening up and walking out of the door, clearly flustered at a further clearing of someone's throat. He was disappointed once again, why this game of hide and seek, but as she turned around and gave him a small smile even as the doors closed after her, he knew he would find her. Now or in the future, he would definitely find her.
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Indian Mythology
Sampoorna
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