Part 18
Madhu had asked Prachi to help her with preparing a few transaction records. Her son being sick she had rushed off to the hospital entrusting Prachi with her work load. Prachi had little experience in the field but she agreed nonetheless, what use was it studying it at college then she had thought. She was pleasantly surprised at the amazing clarity with which she remembered how to get about it, satisfied she had completed the task at hand. Filing the data and locking Madhu's cabin behind her she had turned to leave for her own office when she stumbled on the large potted Ficus lyrata near the door. Rubbing her feet in pain she pulled off her shoes studying the bruise carefully, she touched the glossy leaves of the plant feeling the smooth sheen on her finger tips. She loved nature in all forms the plant was one of her favourites, shaking her head at her carelessness she smiled.
Holding her shoes in her hands she had stepped in Milind's office, she spotted the windows open and felt the warmth of the afternoon breeze as it billowed freely through them. Putting down her shoes she moved forward to close them but just as she reached the table she felt several sharp pricks in her left foot. Looking down she saw the shattered fragments of the photo frame, picking up the frame she had replaced it on the table top. Blood oozed from the gashes in her foot quite a few shards were imbedded in her soft sole. She had left her shoes by the door and if she retreated her steps the flawless marble floor would be stained by her bloody foot prints. She realized she couldn't stand there forever, valiantly she had attempted to hobble forward when the shards pushed up further in her flesh. She bent down in agony horrifed to see the crimson mess on the marble.
The door clicked open and Milind strode in to find Prachi clutching her aching foot, she blinked her eyes in an attempt to stop tears that shone in them. "Kiya hua?" What happened? Milind had asked apprehensively crouching down beside her he pushed away her hand to guage the extent of the injury. "Tuu bhi na Prachi" Oh Prachi he chided her holding her by her shoulders he steadied her up , clasping her hand in his he made her lean on him guiding her to one of the chairs placed near his table. He could see she was afraid of the stains made as she walked her eyes darting back to them now and again.
Her hands trembled in his her body warm against him. "Kaisey hua yeh?" How did this happen? he had asked seating her "Shayad hawa sey frame gir ker tuut gayi mujhey malum nahin tha, main to khirki band kerney ayi thi" The wind must've knocked it down, I just came to close the windows she had explained glad that he wasn't mad at her. He went into her room and returned with the first aid kit in his hand, kneeling down by her chair he held her delicate foot in his palm. "Aap chor dijiye main ker luungi" Please let it be I'll do it myself she had tried to persuade him in vain but he simply ignored her and placed it on his propped knee. Gradually pulling out the shards with the tweezers he felt her wince under his gentle hold, he could see she was putting up a brave front but her knuckles had turned white as her fingers dug in the leather chair.
He then wiped the wounds with dettol, applying ointment and finally bandaged it off. "Waisey yeh frame kidhar sey aaya?" Where did this frame come from?he had asked as their eyes clashed. "Woh Preeti key kaprey liye they tab gift mila tha " It was a gift we got it when we purchased Preeti's clothes at the mallshe had clarified "Meri tasveer bhi gift kii thi kiya salesgirl ney tujhey?" Did the salesgirl gift you my picture too? he had questioned though his tone remained calm his eyes bored right into her in a way that sent a hot wave over her face and made her look away. Her eyes had lowered with compunction her cheeks flaming, she'd never thought of him being so articulate about the tiniest detail. How could she tell him his photograph on her table top made her heart swell with pleasure. It was her companion, her sole confidant she talked to it often complaining, complimenting even chiding his framed image when he was brusque or indifferent to her.
Her heart thudded what if he had access to her thoughts, clearing her head she realized he awaited an answer "Woh to Madhu sey lii thi mainey" That I took from Madhushe had stated meekly. She was suddenly very much aware of their proximity pulling her leg away she placed it on the floor he too had been caused to snap out of his trance, letting go of her foot with reluctance. The peon had cleaned up the office and she had spent the rest of the evening sitting opposite him, trying to avoid being conscious of his presence near her.
Later that evening as they wrapped up their work Milind had stuffed the gift box bearing the bracelet in his coat pocket, the necklace he had safely stowed in his office vault. Prachi had gotten up with care the peon had placed her shoes near her she pulled one on the right foot but try as she would she couldn't get on with the second one. Her foot had swollen firstly because of the bump and secondly due to the fresh wounds, giving up any thoughts of further attempts she picked the shoe up in her hand and mustered up courage to walk all the way to the door. She staggered forward grimacing every time her foot touched the ground, putting out her hands she tried to brace the wall but she faltered plunging towards the floor when she felt herself hit a solid resistance. Milind had watched all her attempts grimly presuming her fall he had cut in at the right moment embracing her as she fell heavily against his broad chest.
"Sabar nahin hai..... aa to raha tha main" Don't you have any patience... I was coming he had gritted his teeth in anger what if she would've fallen. She saw he was furious at her lone endeavours and considered it best to remain quiet, biting her lip in remorse. He held her against him taking slow steps feeling the pressure her fingers exherted on his own every time she stepped forward. Locking his cabin he cast a wry look on his wrist watch at this rate they'd reach home in the next millennium. Without any qualms he lifted her in his Herculean arms, the office was empty they usually were the last ones to leave.
Prachi felt herself being lifted by him and watched stupefied as his arms held her with ease, he felt her body stiffen in his hold this certainly was not something either had anticipated. Their eyes had collided and she had seen concern flow in his for her,he could feel the goose bumps that had suddenly risen on her flesh where his hands touched her, he watched as she read his face as if analysing his thoughts. "Der ho rahi hai" It's getting latehe had clarified though why did he that was something he didn't understand.
He didn't need to give her explanations, he did what he thought was right and people didn't question him. Yet her eyes... they held the power of speech each gaze spoke a million words and what harrowed him the most was the fact that he knew how to decipher this language effortlessly. Right now he understood Prachi's astonishment he knew she had had maintained her limits through out these years she wasn't the type who let every Tom, Dick or Harry lay his hands on her, yet he had touched her that too without prior permission. He had heard about Inder Shah's daughter people in his business circle often cited her as a pearl pure and beautiful.
And in these past months he had only known her to be extremely sensitive, soft spoken and an overtly shy girl someone who had the heart of a lion and the courage to brave a thousand storms but she was like a delicate flower inside one that got crushed at the slightest negligence. He had to protect her, he knew she was his responsibility the moment she laid foot in his office. Returning from her house that day after returning her file he had received the biggest shock of his life, he had never imagined his mentor's family to be in such a grievous situation. After his release from the prison he had been allowed to travel outside his homeland, his absence had created havoc in his business. His shares had plunged his reputation was stained and his hotels were nothing more than haunted accomodations. He had flown to Turkey on the first available flight it was the place he had started it all his retreat to fame, glory and recognition, business he realized had rather flexible rules if you had the money people never looked back.
And he had worked like a dog slaving nights and days to lure investors, make the most of his meagre resources. The biggest feather in his cap came when he bagged the contract to host one of Turkey's biggest rockstar's wedding with his British bred Turkish girlfriend who happened to be a top actress in both states owing to her bilingual skills.The paparazzi had gone wild, every news channel had covered the event and his hotel had attained the much coveted position of one of the five best hotels in the world. Word of his success had spread like wildfire his shares had sold on as hot cakes he ofcourse was major share holder and the coveted CEO of the entire empire he had single handedly created.He had been lucky his struggle uphill had been a short one and he had reaped the rewards at the precise moment not faltering or lingering on the way. Once his Turkey hotels were refurbished and kicking in action he had headed back to Mumbai sadly he realized in his mad rush to reinstate his doomed pride and power he had lost track of Inder Shah and had not known till that fateful day at Prachi's house of him as no more.
"Chalein" Shall we go he had heard her voice float to him pulling him out of his train of thoughts, it dawned on him that he stood staring at her absent mindedly. "Hmm" he had murmured as he sauntered towards the exit,he felt her muscles relax in his arms as she lay her head against his shoulder closing her eyes in satisfaction. She smelt of fresh flowers lying content in his firm grip, he could feel her softness melt in his rugged hands. He wondered why she hadn't reprimanded him for his action on the contrary she had acted quite the opposite did that mean she trusted him, or was it because he held authority over her whatever the case he wanted to drop her home fast and this was the fastest way possible.
Stepping in the elevator he heard her rhythmic breathing as the lift descended to the ground floor, she had not dared to open her eyes fearing it all to be a dream. What if she opened them and it would all vanish away, how she wished the elevator ride would never end but as all good things it too came to it's end. Meanwhile in the parking lot Sapna had stepped out of an auto she had forgotten her purse in her haste at the office and had returned to retrieve it when she witnessed Milind with Prachi in his arms. This was too tempting for her pulling out her mobile she quickly snapped them together saving the photographs in her cell. This was her lucky day just earler in the morning she'd thought of a million plans to exact her revenge from Milind Mishra, she had toiled hard for three years and he hadn't even considered her for a promotion she well deserved. Well it was time for payback, kissing her mobile in triumph she had retreated in the evening shadows.
😊
Edited by blind horizon - 17 years ago
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
