Part: 3
Three of them immersed in their own entertainment and the time showed 8. Outside it is still raining. Angad continued playing some notes even after they finished their singing. Kripa is fascinated looking at him. Anittah feeling relieved after seeing them. Angad closed his eyes and enjoying playing guitar. He is also missing playing it for long time. His old memories are flashing in his mind.
Kripa at last made an attempt to disturb him "Anittah! Mujhey chalna chahiye. Pura din yahin bitayi. Sur miss karti hongi."
Anittah agreed and got up to send her off. Angad looked at her with soulful eyes "Next time bring Sur and stay overnight with us." Kripa surprised at him "Is it a order or request? Yeh humesha kyon mujhsey aisi commanding tone main baat karta hai?" she thought and silently shook her head.
Angad got his keys and walked out and Kripa followed. Kripa and Angad were silent till they reached Kripa's parent's house. It's pouring outside and roads are flooding. Angad is driving slowly coz of heavy traffic. Both are remembering their past and immersed in their own world.
Past:
'Khanna Industries' is located in 10th floor of a multifloor building in the heart of the city of Powaii, Mumbai. Dilip Khanna is very ambitious industrial man and he started business in computer software 20years ago and never looked back till now. His business started with 5 persons in accounts and 10 in software in a three room apartment and it has grown into ten times of employees and to a huge 10,000 S.ft floor now .
Angad walked into his father's office first time as he was instructed by his dad to take up his share of work now, keeping his 'bachpana' aside.
At the breakfast table in the morning when Angad was hurrying himself out in patchwork jeans and T-shirt, sneakers, shades, steel chain necklaces, playing with key chain, Dilip stopped him, "Angad! Yeh kya pehan rakha hai? Yeh koyi tareeqa hai dress pehenney ki?"
Angad checked himself holding out his hands wide "Ismein kya burai hai, dad? I'm perfectly fine. Aaj kal youngsters like this way." He gave side glances to his mother Naina who is having her breakfast along with Dilip and her mother-in-law, Devyani. Naina shrug as she was helpless.
"Aaj tak tum kaisey jiye mein kabhi interfere nahin kiya tha. But now, listen to me. Yeh kapadey badallo and be formal. Yeh T-shirts ke badley dress shirt pehna karo. And these necklaces, shoes, rings, tattoos, ear rings, remove them. You just look like a street side rowdy. And what is this unshaven and uncombed get-up? I can't tolerate this. Aaj sey kaam shuru karo and learn your duties and responsibilities. Aakhir Khanna khandan ki ek laouta waris ho. Behave responsible and dignified. See you at 10 in my office." Dilip ordered and gave a stare to Naina to follow-up and walked out for work as his assistant waiting for him in the living room with his briefcase.
Naina sighed with relief after Dilip left and Devyani chuckled at her daughter-in-law. Naina likes posh life but obeys her husband's each and every word as she respects his work and principles in life. She saw him grown from middle class status to high class with hard work and honesty and she respects him a lot for it. She goes out for clubs for fun, movies for entertainment but never neglected her household duties. Devyani respects her for that but she dislikes Naina's lavish spendthrift as she names it "wasting money'.
"Angad! Change your clothes and go to the office. Dad ney oder diya hai and you know he never interferes in our lives but when he does it's an ultimatum. I can't do anything in this matter as I already warned you earlier."
Naina supports Angad in financial matters, friends and parties, but dislikes Angad's habits with girls and drinks. She warned many times as she is scared if he falls into any wrong hands. She always keeps an eye on him if he gets habitual to drugs.
Angad sighed and walked into his room as he has no option. He dressed in grey stripes with white dress shirt and blue trousers.
When he entered the office he saw a big group of people gathered at a corner and talking loudly in excitement. Some are congratulating, some are praising, and some are eating something.
Angad looked a guy near him staring at the crowd "Yeh kya ho raha hai?" The guy identified him and folded his hands in front with respect "Sir, Damini ma'am ka beta ka engagement huva tha kal. Uss kusi mein wo mithai baant rahi hai."
Angad sighed "Is office mein jab bhi aatha hoon kuch na kuch celebration hoti rehti hai." He got irritated and walked into Dilip's cabin. The guy shrug at Angad as "what is his problem?"
"Goodmorning Dad!"
Dilip showed his appreciation at him and showed a seat opposite to him. "Dad! Aapka office mein koyi kaam bhi karta hai?"
Dilip looked over his glasses as he has no clue what Angad is talking about. Angad turned his looks to the lady in formal dressing of beige skirt and jacket and white camisole, beside him and smiled.
"Yahan ka log agar kaam nahi kartey toh yeh company aaj itna progress nahin karpati"she smiled and continued "Hi, Angad! You look handsome. Wonderful to see you here. Sir is just telling about you joining us from today. It's nice to have you here."
Angad grinned pouting his lips."Yeh baat nahin hai, Misthy! Whenever I come here I see people celebrating one or other occasion. Bus ussey mithai khaney ke liye kuch excuse chahiye."
Misthy smiled again "That's the way they develop their close relationship at work and forget they are in some strange place. Yeh gussa chodo, why do you care about such things? Who bhi pehla kaam ki din!!"
Misthy is a Senior Project Manager who manages multiple projects in and overseas clients. She was three years senior to Angad in engineering college and joined the company on Angad's recommendation through Naina as she grabbed a medal for her high grades in studies. She proved herself "intelligent and hard worker" in three years in Dilips's books. She corrects, advices, suppresses Angad's anger, short temperament occasionally. Angad respects her for her seniority in college and at work.
Angad smiled but his face still holding grin. Dilip is checking some file with his assistant while Angad and Misty silently watching them. Four of them turned for the knock on the door.
"Ayiye Damini jee! Congratulations! How was the function went yesterday?" Dilip welcomes her.
A lady in her low 50's, in crisp black Bengal cotton sari, and matching jewelry, walked in with a sweet box and a big smile on face "It was awesome Dilip Sir! Meri bahu bhi ayi huyi hai." She turned to Angad and showed her excitement "Isn't he Angad? How nice to see you here, Angad! Dad was telling that you are working from today; it's great to know that. Congratulations for you" She again turned to Dilip "Sir! Now time for you too to get Angad married soon, Issey bhi meri bahu jaisi susheel, sulakshan, aur samajdar ladki miley aur iska short temper ka khayal rakhey" she patted Angad's back. Angad is stunned for her over friendliness "how does she know about my short temper? Dad might have told her."
Dilip introduced her to Angad "Angad! She is Damini Bose, humara purana employee. Actually she was the first person to join us as accountant. And now she is the chief accountant in our company. Most reliable person in our company." Angad smiled and folded his hands respectfully.
Misthy took Angad out to introduce to the staff. The group of people is still gathered at a corner and Damini is excitingly talking to them. Angad wondered that the lady is so center of attraction.
"Is it that great to perform son's wedding?" he whispered in Misthy's ears. Misthy smiled and nudged in Angad's stomach. Angad hid laughter and walked forward. Misthy introduced everyone and came to Damini's table. "Aao, Angad! meet my daughter-in-law, of course, would be daughter-in-law, Kripa, Kripa Sharma".
Kripa turned and folded her hands "Namastey!"
Angad wondered to see the most obedient bahu, "Is she whom Damini referring to me? Aisi ladki mera short temper ka khayal rakhegi? Looks beautiful, but not my type" he sighed in his mind.
Misthy took him to another department and introduced some more employees. She took to a table where a man in his high 50's sitting and searching seriously something on computer. "Yeh hai, Suryaban Sharma, Kripa's father, Damini madam ka samdhan, and our engagement manager. He was also one of the oldest employees here." Angad shook his hand with him.
Both are walking in the corridor towards Misthy's cabin.
"So, here even matches are fixed!!!" Angad exclaimed sarcastically and Misthy grinned at him, "Angad! Tum itna irritate mat hojaao. They both were working here since the company started and their children are friends. Both liked each other family."
"I'm not interested how they got into these relations, Misthy! But for me this office looks like a lodging rather a software company." Angad irritated.
Misthy laughed at his irritation, "And one more thing you should know now that your mom is the best friend for these two families."
Angad stunned and confusingly looked at Misthy. Misthy continued, "Naina aunty likes clubs and kitty parties. Damini madam and Sarma's wife Gayatri ji are the country club members. And for your information Naina aunty pays the club membership for them and chauffeurs both the ladies quite often for club meetings."
Angad is surprised for the information he is getting "I never noticed these things, may be coz I spend most of the time outside the house."
Misthy smiled "you may come over more surprising things then."
Angad more surprised to see at where Misthy is looking at. Anittah, his sister, who calls herself most sophisticated young lady, walked into the office and hugged Kripa "Congo, dear! Atlast Damini Aunty won you." Damini's face lit with full of smile and showering proud at Kripa. Kripa is all smiling and hugging Anittah.
"Yeh donon ek dooserey ko kaisey jaantey hai?" Angad asked with a frown. "They study together and as much as I know they both are best friends too."
Angad laughed unbelievingly. Anittah noticed Angad and waved her hand. She dragged Kripa with her and met Angad "Bhai! Mom ney batayi ki aap yahan hai. How is the first day?"
Angad is watching Kripa "Kya hai iss ladki mein sab iski itni tareef kar rahay hai? Is it so great to get her married? Or is it just the affection they had on Damini ma'm since years?"
Anittah noticed his looks and introduced Kripa to him "Bhai! Yeh Kripa hai. Meri best friend. Kal hi iski engagement huvi thi and we both are going out for party. You know, she is my best friend."
Angad shook his head as understood thinking in his mind "Bestfriends!!! I don't even know that. Did I miss something??"
"Humara party ka kya hoga Kripa? Damini ma'm just gave mittai but we need grand party. Aakhir she got you" one young guy teased Kripa. Kripa smiled "Party toh Damini Aunty sey hi poochlena, Raj!"
"She has beautiful smile and voice, I should admit" Angad thought. Kripa gave side glance to Angad "Why is he looking at me like that?" she thought about Angad.
Raj laughed unnecessarily (Angad thought) "Mein toh Prithvi sey hi poochloonga, kahan hai wo tumhara honeywala pati?"
Kripa laughed "Woh yahan kaisey rahengey? Woh toh kal raat hi Pune chalagaya tha." Kripa is still giving side glance to Angad as his looks piercing her.
Misthy excused themselves from everyone and took Angad to her cabin.
Kripa's looks followed Angad. Angad looked at her until he passed her and turned at her before he walked into Misthy's cabin.
Edited by vallanki - 18 years ago
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