EK ANOKHI KAHAANI - Part 3
(Sorry for the late update)
Aastha got ready in a hurry. She went towards her scooty and wore her helmet. She thought for a moment and changed her mind. "Scooty kahin beech mein band pad gayi toh? Better to go by Auto..." She removed her helmet kept it inside the dickey and locked it. She kept the scooty keys in her sachel and hired an auto-rikshaw from the auto stand across the road.
Aastha kept checking her watch throughout the way and kept telling the driver, "Bhaiya jaldi chaliye!".
Several thoughts poured into her mind...
"Pata nahi kyun bulaya hai mujhe... Yeh zaroor uss khadoos ka hi kaam hoga! Main maanti hoon ki meri bhi galti thi, lekin... Mera interview bhi nahi liya aur kya kya sunaya! Ab sab kuchh toh ho gaya tha kal, pata nahi aur kya natak hone waala hai aaj!"
Her link of thoughts was broken by a voice... "Madam, pohoch gaye! 37 rupay hue hain."
Aastha paid the driver and came out of the auto. She looked at the building as she entered the gate. She went through the lobby towards the reception.
Receptionist : Hello Ma'am! How may I help you?
Aastha : I am Aastha Kirloskar. Actually, today about an hour ago I recieved a call from here. I was told to...
Receptionist : Yes! Please wait here (pointing to the half-empty seats in front). You will be called in shortly.
Aastha : Thank you!
As Aastha sat down, she thought of asking the receptionist the reason she was called here. But she discarded the thought. "Jitni beijjati honi hai, cabin ke andar hi hone do...!"
She waited for her name to be called.
Shlok's PA, Riya, came out from Shlok's cabin and gave some papers to the receptionist. She told the receptionist something and left the reception area. Aastha waited anxiously.
Just then, the receptionist called out...
Receptionist: Aastha Kirloskar!
Aastha : (standing up) Yes!
The sachel, which was kept on Aastha's lap, fell down. The receptionist smiled at it. Aastha picked the sachel up with trembling hands and walked to the reception.
Receptionist : (calling out) Akaash Pandit!
A young and good-looking Akaash stood up in response and came up to the reception.
Aastha looked at him. "Yeh kaun hai? Aur mere saath iska naam kyun liya? Waise jo bhi hai, bohot handsome hai!"
Receptionist : Please sign in front of your name on these two papers!
The papers contained the details of both of them along with their photographs. Aastha and Akaash signed on the papers. Aastha remembered, "Yeh saari details toh tab di thi jab maine iss job ke liye online application form bhara tha!"
The receptionist told both of them to enter Shlok's cabin. Aastha didn't understand why Akaash was with her.
Aastha : Ms. Mansi, are you sure we both are to go in together?
Mansi (receptionist) : Oh yes! I am pretty sure! By the way, Ms. Aastha, how do you know my name? I don't remember having told it!
Aastha : (smiling) Catched it on your I-card!
Akaash : (impressed) Smart!
Aastha had mixed feelings of confusion and fear and anxiousness as she entered the cabin with Akaash. There he was, gazing out of the window, with his back at them. Aastha gulped with tension and fear. She did not know what the next moment would bring!
Akaash : Excuse me Sir!
He turned to face them. And Aastha stared at him with a confused look! "Yeh kaun hai?" He was not Shlok but someone else. He introduced himself to them...
Person : (with a smile) Good Morning!
Aastha : (to herself) Kaisi Good Morning?!! Mere liye toh lagta hai baaad morning hai!
Person : I am Rahul Vaidya, Assistant Manager of the Agnihotri Group of Industries. Please be seated both of you!
Aastha said to herself "Shayad yeh wohi hain jinhone kal Shruti ka interview liya tha..."
All three sat down. After a pause, Rahul continued...
Rahul : So, Ms. Aastha Kirloskar and Mr. Akaash Pandit, you both were here yesterday, along with many others, for your interviews. It was not at all expected that you both would...
Just then Shlok entered the cabin, not realising the scenario inside...
Shlok : Rahul yeh tum...
Before he completed the sentence, he saw Aastha and Akaash sitting there! His face turned red with anger.. Aastha undeliberately stood up, a bit scared of the raged sight!
Shlok left the cabin in anger. Rahul excused himself and went out behind Shlok, calling out his name.
Aastha didn't know what was going on. She looked at Akaash who seemed nervous. Probably he too had said or done something wrong during his interview. Now Aastha was pretty sure that it was all about her stupidity the day before, that she was called here.
Her eyes watered.
Aastha : (to herself) Yeh main kahan phas gayi hoon!!
TO BE CONTINUED... 😉
Hope you all like it... Do give your precious feedback if you want me to continue...!!
All criticism, comments, discussions, suggestions are most welcome. 😊