Part 5 - Back To Square One
"Just put the key on his table and walk out Khushi. Just' don't speak to him." I mumbled to myself as I walked towards the building. And maybe just take a good look at him. My cheeks went red at the thought in my mind and I remembered what Jiji had told me.
"But jiji, why am I feeling this pull towards him? Why do I want to see him?" I said and di chuckled. "What? What's so funny?" I whined and pouted sadly.
"You are such an idiot Khushi. You have always wanted a fairy-tale for yourself and you cannot understand your own feelings now?" I kept on staring at di, nothing made sense at all. "You are so dim-witted Khushi! You are attracted to him you moron! That's why all these feelings!" She shook her head and then walked away, leaving me behind, completely dumbfounded.
Shaking my head, I pushed the door open and walked in, only to receive weird stares and hear the murmuring of people. I didn't dare look up and quietly walked to my table, only to be blocked by someone. Sim, Pam and La ma'am.
****
As I walked up the stairs from the car-park, I wondered if she would have arrived by now. Looking at my wristwatch, I realised that I was already late. I raced up and pushed the door open, only to see Khushi standing there, blocked by the three fashionista bimbos of AR. I didn't make a move, waiting for them to open their mouths. As I expected her to, Lavanya opened their mouths, and the word that escaped was one that I.Hated.To.The.Max.
"What are you doing here chamki-"
****
"Miss Kashyap!"He yelled, making us all jump. He was standing a few steps behind me and I wondered how on earth no one noticed him. Oh wait, he was late.The ASR was late. "How many times do I have to repeat myself? She has a name. I do not like that insulting name you use and I don't think she does either. I don't care if she works here or not, be respectful to others."
My jaw dropped to the floor. He was talking about giving respect? He, who did not know what respect means himself? Second shock of the day. But I really couldn't help but feel touched by this gesture, and I began to wonder exactly how many times had he told them not use the name Chamkili.
"ASR, why are you getting so angry baby?"
****
I help my hand up, signalling her not to continue. "Miss Kashyap, I want to see you in my office in exactly 10 minutes." I took a step towards her but stopped, deciding to talk to her later. She turned and looked at me, a thin layer of tears resting on her bottom eye-lid, threatening to fall any moment. Good lord, why was she crying now?
****
I almost laughed at the expression on his face. He was just plain confused. And I wasn't crying because I was sad. I don't even know why I had tears in my eyes, but I was guessing it was because of what he just did. Slightly smiling at him, I mouthed a thank you to him, and he smiled. Smiled? He is surely going to get me killed by giving so many shocks in a day.
****
I smiled at her and nodding my head to indicate a no problem, walked into my cabin.
5 minutes later, I was cursing myself for smiling at her. I needed to be the same ASR I was to get her back in the office. Because this ASR would really not be able to her back. Just because you are attracted to her doesn't mean that she is attracted to you Arnav! I thought about what I was going to say to her when Lavanya walked in, without knocking.
"Who gave you the permission to enter my cabin without knocking?" I asked, staring at my laptop screen and not sparring her a glance.
"ASR-"
"Sir, that's how you address me. Sir."
I knew she had lost her cool because the next second, she screamed. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Still not looking at her, I replied, subtly breaking my so-called relationship with her. "Nothing. But something is wrong with you, it always has been. And that is that you are not good enough for me, and not for my family either. It's over Miss Kashyap."
"But-"
"I don't have the time to talk-"
****
I stood there, my jaw wide open in shock. I saw him turn around and look at me and that's when I realised that I had been staring at them rudely. The shock of hearing the news was still quite fresh, but I decided to speak up before I got told off.
"I knocked but' umm' none of you heard, I think."
"Ya, the knock must have died because of Miss Kashyap's screaming." I tried to stifle a laugh as I saw La ma'am's face go red with anger. "So Miss Gupta. I wonder what landed you here in my cabin? You were just meant to clean your desk and leave. Oh wait, are you here to pay me the 1 lakh rupees that you owe me? And also that 25000 for the damages of my car?"
This man never has, and never will fail to annoy the hell out of me. Didn't he justsmile at me? Just look at him now. And jiji says he is attracted to me. Ya right! "No, I am not-"
****
"Whatever the hell happened-" I noticed Lavanya standing opposite me, glaring at Khushi. "Miss Kashyap. Out of my office and back to your cabin. I want those designs done by today. No excuses."
"But-"
"Out." Fuming with anger, she huffed out of my cabin and down the stairs. Rolling my eyes at the drama queen, I looked back at Khushi, focusing my attention on her. "So, as I was saying Miss Gupta, whatever the hell happened to your I am going to pay you back Mr Raizada chant?" I almost laughed as I saw her go red with anger. "What? Stop staring at me like that."
****
I tried to keep my cool, but he really wasn't helping at all. "I really am not interested in your talks ASR. I just' I just came here to give you your key. It has been with me ever since and I think it's high time you take it back."
Getting up, he took a step towards me and I backed away into the shelf behind. "Oh. So the great Khushi Kumari Gupta's big fat ego and self-respect talks have gone down the drain. Oh well, understandable. I know you-"
****
"Cannot afford it?" She asked with determination evident in her voice. "You got that right, I cannot afford it. And you know what? Shove your money." And placing the key on the book-shelf, she turned to walk.
Did my plan just backfire on me? Wasn't she meant to get angry and accept the challenge of working here for a few more days? Wasn't she going to say that "Yes, I will pay you back your money, by hook or by crook"? I heard her take another step towards the door and forgetting where I saw, I held her hand gently and turning her around, pulled her close to me.
****
I stared at him wide eyed. What the hell was he up to? I tried to loosen up his grip, but it didn't work. Did he have any idea that my heart was about to pop out because he was just inches away from me?
He looked at me, boring his chocolate brown eyes into mine, locking me into the trance for what seemed like forever. I stood there, completely forgetting that I was in his cabin, in his office; completely forgetting that I was meant to just give the key back, walk out, not talk to him. It was as if I had forgotten to breath, forgotten to blink, and I could see the same in his eyes.
****
Did she feel the same way that I did for her? Or was I reading too much into things? If I was, then why was she still here? Why was she not yelling at me? Why was she not screaming at me? She wasn't screaming, but her eyes were. She didn't want to leave, and I didn't want her to leave. For the first time in my life, I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to stop her from leaving. I didn't know what to do.
"Don't leave." I whispered. "Please."
****
His breath kissed my skin as he whispered the words into my ears. I found myself nodding, agreeing to what he was saying. I didn't care what the rest of the staff would think, I didn't care how bhuaji would react, all that really mattered right now was that he was asking me to stay. And somewhere, deep inside, I knew I wanted to stay.
****
I let go of her and stepped back. I avoided her gaze, afraid I'd give away more than what I already had. Awkwardness enveloped us as I stood there, staring at my surroundings. Gosh, just' what is wrong with me?
Mustering up some courage to speak, I ordered her. "Now don't just stand here. Get back to work. I am sending some files downstairs to your desk. I want them typed."
"What? Again? The same-old-boring-job. Again? Who are you kidding ASR?"
"To tell you the truth, I am kidding no one. And' it's not ASR. Sir, I am your boss. And you don't leave till the work is done. Now go." She was about to turn and leave, when I said, "And Miss Gupta. Welcome back to hell." I saw her nostrils flare in anger and all at once, I knew we were back to square one.
O~o~o~o~O
So this is it! :D This SS is done, finished. :) Thank you to you all who have read it and commented! :) I cannot thank you guys enough :D And please, do not ask me to continue because if I do decide to, I will fail my exams :P
Anyways, like it, dislike it; do let me know :D Do comment! :)
Lots of love
Edited by ..Jojo.. - 14 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
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