FF: Forever and Always........Updated link to Thread 2 - Page 31

PART 9

The Khurana office was standing out in all its glory. Naina, Pari and she had got into the 5^th floor as directed. A short plump girl came near the new joiners and said in a very formal tone," Hello everyone. I am Pinky Manchanda and many of you have already talked with me over phone. I will be your training program in charge. You can call me Pinky. Any kind of issues should be directly taken up to me. I would like you guys to remember that Khurana Enterprise is one of the most reputed MNCs in India and the world. We expect nothing but the best from you. Now follow me to your classroom where you will be given the further instructions. "

All twenty of the lot followed them to what looked like a training room with desks and PCs arranged. Pari, Naina and Geet took the same row. Something about an entire day out had made Geet and Pari more comfortable to each other. After the basic introductory presentation they were given a half an hour break for getting some breakfast from the cafeteria. Once they were back they had to read through and sign numerous forms and bank account related documents. The documentation took a hell lot of time and it was time for lunch. Once the lunch time was over they were instructed about their training schedules and at last they were told that they will have rigorous training for 20 days excluding the Sundays and a final test will be held. Once the test results will be out they will be assigned under some mentors. The top 4 of the batch will be the lucky ones to work with the senior most officers and they can even get a chance to work with MK if luck permits.

It was a light day to keep it easy and light for the first day. They were also given their hostel allotments and were asked to shift within two days. Naina, Pari and Geet were roommates again. They came out of the office when out of the blue Naina spoke out," I want to be third or fourth."

Geet started giggling with Pari and then Pari said," Dude!! No offence but people generally say they want to be first."

Naina made a very serious face and said," Not my fault. I have my reasons."

Geet: "Care to share?"

Naina: "I want to be under Dev."

Nobody reacted. Suddenly Naintara realized what she had uttered and said," Umm...I wasn't supposed to share that."

Pari spoke out," You are Naintara Rathode...the royal princess engaged to Dev Khurana?"

Geet watched gob smacked. She was a princess, a real princess??

Naina turned and smiled foolishly as she said," That would be me."

Geet: "U mean to say that the Dev you keep talking about is one of the owners of the company I joined today? And I had been sharing my room for the past two days with a real flesh and blood princess??"

Naina smiled as she heard Geet. The way Geet described made Naina feel as if she is some fairytale character. Naina smiled and said," Well the royalty is really a title. We live in a democratic country. But yeah, we do follow the customs. That is why I was engaged so early. Khuranas were a family friend and I loved Dev from the time I realized what Love means."

Geet : "I always thought the rich people are snobby but you are the second person to prove me wrong. I mean you own the company kind of. But you are here, with us, staying like you are one of us."

Pari:" I agree with Geet. I wouldn't have known had you not said you."

Naina:" See, I had grown up with all the rules and customs. Walk like this, talk like this, dress like this. The only time I breathed was when I and Dev used to sneak out in Delhi. I also gave exam like any of you to get into the company even though I am engaged to Dev. MK is pretty strict that way. Dad wanted me to join the Delhi branch so I can stay at my home and work. But MK was adamant about no special treatment and I came here. Dev wanted me to stay with his family but for once I wanted to be like any normal girl of this country. I wanted to go and get lost in crowd, I wanted to have panipuri and chat from road side stalls, I wanted to bargain and do street shopping, and I wanted to live."

Geet smiled. She knows the feeling of wanting to live. She said softly," Okay, you will. We will pretend that you are like one of us and not her Highness."

Naina gave a mock glare and then all three burst out laughing.

Once back in hotel room Pari asked naughtily," By the way Naina, why do you want to be placed under Dev? You are worried he would flirt with other girls or something?"

Naina: "No Yaar. I want to be in top Four because that gives you the maximum exposure and you learn a lot. But I don't want to be under MK. He is a hard task master and trust me, when he looks at you with those eyes of his you feel like you are dead."

Pari:" But he is hot!! Dreamy!!"

Geet: "I am sure Pari Yash would love to hear more!!!"

Pari said in a sweet voice," I love Yash but nothing wrong in appreciating the view."

Naina:" Exactly my point."

Geet rolled her eyes and continued packing. They had decided to shift to hostel that night itself.

Naina: "but MK is sweet."

Geet: "Really, I heard he was a task master or something?"

Naina:" That he is. Actually the deaths in the family had taken a toll on him and managing had been hard. But he cares."

Naina remembered her last encounter with MK.

It was a while they were fighting sitting on the living room.

Dev:" Naina, no more arguments. You are staying with us and that's final."

Naina: "No way Dev."

Finally not able to bear anymore of their useless rumblings MK said in his serious tone," Dev, what is wrong with you?"

Dev: "See Bro, she wants to stay in hostel with all the other girls."

MK:"And what exactly is wrong in that?"

Dev:" How will she live there...it is a hostel Bro."

MK:" Am pretty sure Naina is not the only girl."

Dev:" How will she adjust? She has lived like a princess and suddenly.."

MK:"Every girl is a princess to their family Dev. I hope you will respect this fact and not let the status get in your head."

Then MK looked at her and said in a very soft voice," Naina, thought I don't really agree with Dev's reasons I know why he wants you here. He is worried about you and wants to give you the best. But as much as I love my brother Naina you are also like a sister to me. So your wishes will be respected as well. So are you sure you want to stay like a normal girl in the hostel because Khurana villa will always be your home?"

Naina watched him. He had been kind of a protector to him, the elder brother who fixes all things for her and Dev and for once she wanted to prove herself.

Naina:" Yes Veerji, I want to stay in the hostel. I want to do it like any other girl, no special treatment. But I might attack you on Saturdays and Sundays for sponsoring some shopping trips."

Naina added with a glint of mischief while MK smiled endearingly. Ruffling her hairs he said getting up, "It's fixed then. You will stay in hostel and I leave it upon the HRs to select your roommates. And for shopping spree I am sure your personal driver is more than ready. And you can always have my credit card."

Pari and Geet who had been listening to everything smiled.

Pari:" Wow!!! Veerji and all, then why are you calling him MK now?"

Naina:" To stay incognito of course. You know I had to actually practice calling him MK. I mean I had called him Veerji since always."

Geet: "But Dev agreed just because his brother said?"

Naina:"That is the best thing about my Dev. Even though he really loves to pamper me he always gives in to my wishes no matter how crazy they might sound. Veerji just made it easier for him to convince."

Pari and Geet shouted together, "MY DEV!!!"

Naina blushed scarlet and said," Don't you guys have packing to do."

Geet:" Of course your Highness!!!"

Naina:" One more time your Highness thingy and you would see the worst of me."

The three packed and came down to the reception only to see a handsome young man walking towards them. He straight away hugged Naina and said," I missed you Tara."

Geet knew it can be none other than Dev Khurana when Pari whispered dreamily," Dev Sigh Khurana!!!"

As they broke the hug Naina said, "Dev, you never said you are coming."

Dev: "Come on Tara. It was your first day and how can I not come. Now stop wasting time and introduce me with these two beautiful ladies!"

Naina turned to her friends and said softly," These are my new friends cum room partners Geet and Pari. And guys, this is my fianc, Dev."

Dev shook hands with both of them and said," Since it is first day of office for you Tara we are going to celebrate it and I am not going to take no for an answer. "

Geet smiled watching them fight. She spoke up," It is fine Naina. You can go and have fun with Dev. We will take your luggage along with us."

Before Naina could even respond Dev spoke," Absolutely not. We are going to drop all luggages in the hostel room and go out for dinner."

Geet: "But how can we go with you?"

Pari: "And I think you guys should enjoy the moment together. And we can manage."

Dev: "Do you have any idea how many pieces she will chop me into if I let you guys go?"

Getting a whack from Naina he said sincerely," Moreover I would love to have your company. Please don't say no. "

Geet and Pari looked at each other helplessly when Naina announced," Oh cut this. They are coming. We are friends now right and I can make this much demands from my friends."

All of them smiled heartily. It is not really easy to win an argument with Naina.

Once they settled the luggage, all four of them were dining at some posh restaurant. Geet was silently eating.

Pari: "If you don't mind me asking when will we have the luck to meet MK?"

Dev: "Actually Pari, bro is out of town for some business purpose. He will be back in a month or so. And who knows by then one of you might be working under him."

Pari:" I wish!!"

Dev:"If your wish is fulfilled I will come to you. You might change your mind."

Naina:"Come on Dev, Veerji is not that bad!"

Dev:"Only he is the perfectionists and wants everyone to be like him."

Geet was silent for most part listening to others than really talking. She just wanted to give her best. Rest is left upon time to decide.

*****

Meera had been restless from the time she had parted with Geet. It had only been just two days but she is missing everything; Geet, college and even that stupid Sid. She did not know why but she wanted to talk to someone, anyone. But she did not want to call. It was like she was conflicted within.

Her phone rang. She picked up to see it was Sid calling. Unknowingly a smile crept up on her lips.

Sid: "Meer!"

Meera:"Hey Sid! Wassup?"

Sid: "You know I was kind of being nostalgic. For the past fifteen years I, you, Geet had been like a family. I miss you all."

Meera:"Are you going to cry Sid?"

Sid:"I might you know!"

Meera:" That would be really bad! You look very bad when you cry Sid!"

Sid:" You are making fun of me!"

Meera couldn't help but giggle. He sounded like a whining child. Sid felt like getting peace with her sound of laughter as he said," And you look beautiful when you smile Meer."

There was a sudden silence spreading over the conversation but it was not uncomfortable. Sid said softly," I missed you Meer."

Meera acknowledged his words and said softly," Strangely enough, I missed you too."