Kashish was getting ready for office next day.She was happy that she had a friend for her Team lead.She was all excited with her work and reached office with a smile.Sam was already at her desk and was waiting for her.Today Rudransh was going to introduce them formally with the other team members.
Kashish and Sam reached the small conference room.There were a few people there.They sat on the chairs waiting for Rudransh.Rudransh walked in when all the others greeted him by thumping him on his back.Kashish and Sam were surprised to see how friendly Rudransh was.
Rudransh said,"Guys...please let me intorduce these two beautiful and talented new members of our family...Kashish and Samira.They will need all the help for the first couple of weeks.Komal I want you to help them out.They need to be familiar with all the processes by end of this fortnight".
Komal nodded her agreement.Kashish and Sam were made to meet all the others in the team and followed Komal outside.
The whole day Komal gave them different documents to go through and asked them to ask her if they were not sure of anything.During lunch the entire team sat together for lunch and Kashish and Sam came to know that Komal and Rudransh had joined the company together and they were good friends.Rudransh trusted Komal and she was his very close friend because she shared almost all his interests like Soccer and photography.Everybody knew they were good friends.
Rudransh sat next to Kashish and Sam and was talking to them.He was asking them about their interests and was very friendly with them.Komal was very friendly to others in the team but she was still strict with Sam and Kashish.She did not speak too much with them during lunch also.Kashish was surprised at this.
Kashish and Sam had gone through the entire documents that Komal had given them.They were familiar with the process now.
Komal just asked them inbetween if they needed any help.They both said no and she went away without another word.
Kashish was tired by the end of the day as she had read through so many documents.She was tired and walked slowly to get a taxi.Nobody was ageeing as she walked by.Suddenly a car pulled beside her and the dorr opened.Kashish was surprised.
Rudransh got out of the car,"Kashish do you want a lift?I can drop you home".
Kashish said,"No.Thank you.I will take a taxi".
Rudransh replied,"Kashish,I can drop you home.Its not a problem.Its getting late and what if you dont get any taxi.Its better if I drop you".
Kashish sat inside the car.Rudransh was silent all along the way and dropped Kashish home.Kashish invited him to her house.Rudransh agreed and came along with her.
"Grandpa,Di,Granny....where are you all...??Just give me a minute Rudransh...",and she ran in quickly.
Kashish's grandparents and Smitha were on the first floor.She went in and told them that Rudransh was there.
They were all walking down when they could hear two people talking.Kashish was not sure who Rudransh was talking to.Suddenly she reaslised who it was."Raj...Oh Di!! what is he doing here?I wanted you all to meet Rudransh and why did Raj have to come here....?",Kashish was complaining to Smitha while her grandparents walked ahead.
Smitha smiled as they reached the hall."Papa called Raj here.He was worried that you were late and your cell was not reachable.He asked Raj to come here and pick you up from office".Kashish was shcoked that her grandfather trusted Raj enough to send him to her office to pick her up,"Di...my cell has no charge...I need to recharge it...and by then you people were sending Raj...I dont know what he has done to you all".Kashish was grumbling about this as she entered.Raj and Rudransh were talking to each other like they knew each other for many years.Rudransh said,"Kashish do you know Raj and I are school mates.We studied in the same school.I shifted back to India after schooling and we lost track of each other.I am so glad you invited me to your home.I got to meet a close pal of mine."
Kashish was shocked to know that they were close friends in school.She looked at Raj.He was smiling and telling something to Rudransh.Rudransh was listening and laughing.She introduced Rudransh to her grandparents and Smitha.They were happy to notice that Rudransh was a very friendly person.They asked him to join for dinner but he refused saying his mother and sister would be waiting for him at home.
Everyone walked up to the door to bid him goodbye.Raj shook his hand hard and hugged him before he went.
"Raj,join us for dinner today",it was Kashish's grandmother.
Kashish was getting angry in her mind wondering why she had to invite Raj.Raj saw the look on Kashish's face and agreed.He called up Saurabh and told him that he was having dinner at Kashish's place.Saurabh then spoke to Kashish asking her how she reached home.Kashish told him about Rudransh dropping her home.She promised to meet him the next day.
Raj was speaking happily with everyone while Kashish was silent at the table.She did not know why she was bothered with Raj.They finished dinner and sat down in the patio speaking.Raj was telling her grandparents about his childhood.She had forgotten her irritation about him and laughing at all that he was telling.Raj was a very naughty child and was always up to some pranks as a kid.He was telling all about the pranks he played in school and at home.
It was already 10pm when Raj got up to leave.Smitha asked kashish to leave Raj till the gate while the others went in.
Kashish walked beside him till the gate when she looked up to say something and opened her mouth and Raj also looked up to tell her something.Both of them smiled at each other and said,"You wanted to say something....." and stopped.
Raj smiled and said,"Kashish,you looked pretty smiling".
Kashish was silent and did not know what to say in response.He shook her hand and turned back to the street.Kashish felt she was letting go of something and she did not want to.
Kashish was thinking of Raj even in office next day."Raj looked so cute when he was telling all his childhood tales.He had become a kid himslef laughing at what ever he did back then.I felt so happy when he complimented me" and smiling to herself when Sam hit her on the back."Kashish .... where are you lost?? I have been watching you all this time...you have been smiling to yourself...like you have a secret candy with you...whats the matter?" Kashish just nodded her head as no and got back to read the papers she had.
Kashish left early from office.Kashish went to meet Saurabh that evening.She was looking around for Raj.He was not there.Saurabh saw her and said,"Dont worry,Raj is not here.He is on his way to the air port.He is flying to London today to attend to his business".
Kashish was shocked.Raj had not told her at all."Why will he tell me anyway??Who am I in his life?I am stupid thinking of him",she was thinking to herself.
Saurabh was asking her about her work and friends there when there was a call."Hello....ok...I'll send it...No..dont come back...I'll send it",Saurabh answered.Kashish was wondering who it was.Saurabh said,"It was Raj.He seems to have forgotten his file here.I cant send it with some servant because its important.Kashish can you take it to him.His flight is in an hour and he cant come back for it now.I'll talk to your grandparents.They will understand".
Saurabh called Kashish's home and told them about it.They agreed and told Kashish can go.Kashish was happy and angry at the same time.She collected the files and got into the taxi.
She was excited that she would meet him before he left to London."I will ask him why he did not tell me that he was leaving.How can he do this?...but what if he asks me why he should tell me ??....I will just give him his files and come back....I dont care",Kashish decided.
Kashish reached the airport and was looking for Raj when she saw him at the magazines section.He was intently looking at them.She walked up behind him and said,"Here are those files".Raj turned around and was surprised to see her.Kashish was still rambling,"You are so careless.Do you think everyone is here to do your bidding...."
Raj asked her to stop and asked her to wait for a minute when he went away.Kashish was looking at the books when he came up and said,"These are for you" and handed her a lovely bouquet of red Carnations.Kashish took them from him and before she could reply Raj was gone.He was walking with the files towards the flight.She put her hand forward trying to stop him but she did not know what she would say to Raj to stop him.He did not look back.
Kashish saw there was a small card inside it.She opened it and read through "Dont miss me too much....Bye,Raj"
Kashish reached home and called up Saurabh to tell him about Raj.She was silent at dinner too thinking of Raj.Smitha came into her room when Kashish went up.Kashish was standing and looking at the Carnations Raj had given her and reading the card."Kashish...I have been watching you since evening when you came back from the air port.What is the matter??why are you so tense??Are you missing Raj?"
"Di....please I told you there is no such thing.I am not missing him.I am infact happy that he has gone.Good riddance",Kashish answered."Then why are you looking at his card and the way you are feeling those flowers even now...I am sure you are missing him...",Smitha said.
"Di..There is no such thing.I am not missing him..I like these flowers and am feeling them...thats it...nothing to do with Raj....now you too go back to bed and let me sleep else I'll get late for work tomorrow",she said and covered herself as she got into bed.
Smitha just smiled at her and thought to herself,"Kashish...I know you are missing Raj...I know you will realise it soon". She switched off the lights and closed the door.
************************************************************
Edited by harpy - 19 years ago