Sona took a deep breath as she got down from the cab. She remembered last time she was here. To fight with Mr Dixit over her online marriage profile.
Today however she knew she had a tougher task. She swiftly walked through his office and came to Tina s desk. Tina was nowhere to be seen.
'I shall wait. I atleast need to say goodbye to her.' She sat in visitors chair and was soon lost in thoughts. She was sad how this had turned out and so sudden. Everything was happening so quickly. Her moment of realisation of first love was quickly snatched away by her very own destiny. She sighed.
"Ms Bose, aap yahan??... Sir toh nahin hain... Aapko toh pata hoga. Aap thik hain?? " Tina walked in and sounded more worried than confused.
Mr Dixit had been travelling to Germany with his new business partner and soon would be wife Ms. Natasha Gujral. Sona knew this but she wanted to get out of everything as soon as possible. She knew she should wait for Mr. Dixit and should personally inform him but she just couldn't bring herself to spend any more time in Ishawari mansion. Every thing reminded her of Dev and his memories of their endless fights, discussions, laughter... All of it. It was best to get out early before it gets any uglier.
"Ms. Bose aap thik hain??... "Tina asked again.
" haan ... Mmm... Main thik hoon. Ye... Ye letter dena tha... "
"Okay... Should I give this to Sir. He shall be back after a month on 12th...Is this urgent then I may have to email him "
"Yes Tina... Ummm... Thanks ... You have been very helpful. This is urgent. I am leaving...As per the contract, This is my resignation letter and I intend to leave after a month. 10th is my last day."
Tina looked troubled. Her facial expressions changed to worry. But she soon calmed herself down.
"Ohh am very sorry Ms Bose, but I feel you should atleast wait for Sir to come. He will get mad. He is very possessive... I mean very caring for you. He has high regards to you. I dont think this is a good idea. "
"Tina, am helpless...I cant... " Sona looked down. Though she perfectly understood what Tina meant, she could nt bring herself to follow through. She just wanted to get out.
"Okay then... Take care Ms Bose. I will email Sir and tell... " Tina suggested.
"Tina I dont think thats necessary. I will call him once he comes back. "Sona blurted out hurriedly.
"Bye... Tina. " Sona held back tears. But her shaky voice gave away. Tina got up and hugged her.
"Auntiji aapke reports aayen hain." Sona came in Ishawri s room.
"Aare nutrition, ye sab muzhe nahin samazhata. Tum dev ko call karlo na beta. "
"Haan auntiji,... Bass aap itna jaan lo ki ab aap thik ho gayi. " Sona further lowered her voice... "Ab aapko meri jaroorat nahin hain. "
Ishawri looked at Sona. She understood what it meant. She knew this gal had worked hard to get her health on track. She patted on Sona s head. "Sachh... Ye sab tumhari mehenat ka natija hai... (Pause)... Muzhe malum hain Dev tumhe yahaan jabardasti laya tha... Mere liye... Aur ab main thik ho gayi toh tumhe jana hai... Lekin dev ke aane tak toh rukogi naa... "
"Woh Auntiji main ... Main nahin ruk paoongi. " Sona looked down.
Ishawri staired hard. But she couldnt see the turmoil in Sona s mind. Something was a miss but she couldnt put her finger to it.
"Jaisi tumhari marji beta. Main tumhe jabardasti nahin rokungi... Lekin kabhi kabhar aa jana milne... Yahan paas main hi toh ho... Kyun!!! "
Sona nodded. "Main aapke liye fruits bhejati hoon auntiji. "
Ishawri nodded too. 'I am going to miss this gal... ' she thought in her mind.
It had been her third day for her at Mr. Ahuja s office. She liked it in here immediately. Felt good to be back to professional routine. It also felt good to be treated as an employee. And not as a friend... 'Really do I like it... Damn Mr. Obodro leave me alone.'... Sona thought. But somewhere she knew this job would help her to regain her equilibrium.
Mr. Dixit had not even called her. She was atleast hoping to say good bye. 'Or may be I should have called.
It was lunch time. She dreaded to eat. Her phone beeped. She was startled to see Tina calling. " Hi Tina."
"Ms. Bose kya aap aaj shyam ko free hain... Sir wants to know. He would like to have coffee with you. "
"Tina please tell him thanks. But I wouldnt be free today. Also is it possible to talk with him right now. I just wanted to say good bye. I havent called him since i have left. "
"Sir toh abhi busy hain... Natasha madam ke saath meeting mein hain. "
Sona s heart sank in. She gulped her sadness and spoke "Okay Tina fir tum hi keh dena meri taraf se... Good bye. "
She cut the call and fell in her chair. She felt hurt and angry. Jealous to the core. She dint know when she would be able to be Dev free.. Pain free.. Jealousy free... Free finally. Though she dint want this to happen... She wanted it to happen.
At home... Sona relaxed after dinner and was trying to go back to reading.
Mr. Dixit calling. Her phone said. Sona got scared. Why is he calling at this hour.
"Hello"... Sona said in low voice.
"So you are too busy to talk to me now" Demanding voice of Dev was all she needed to hear.
"Mr. Dixit... Voh main aapko... "
"M picking u up in 5 mins from your home. "
Call was cut. She liked his command. She smiled. She had heard his voice after long. She felt it very consoling.
Splashing came realisation. She regained herself.
Both silently sipped their individual coffees. Bistro dint have many people at this hour. So atmosphere was very secluded. A perfect one for confrontations and settlements.
Dev looked enigmatic. Sona couldnt keep her eye s off him. But she soon got her back to her senses as Dev cleared his throat and spoke.
"I want you back. "
"I can't... I have already joined... "
"I don't care... I thought we already talked about this...and I consider you as a friend. I really need you around. "
"I cant do it Mr. Dixit. I want to move on."
"But why... I will give you Same position... I know this isnt about money... I feel something has gone wrong... M unable to pin point though...i can make it right whatever it takes"
"No you cant. And dont try also. Because there is nothing wrong. I just want to move on. It cant be always your decision as per your needs. You need to let people do their life their way. You dont own them"
Dev hesitated...
" And friends... Yea we had become... But am unsure of future. I dnt want to be your friend... Anymore... " Sona so wanted to say only instead of anymore...
" and dare you try to remove me from this job... This time I will not be helpless. Trust me... "
Sona was a nice girl. He actually had come to liking her after initial fights. Seeing her reaction... He wonderd 'Why is she behaving this way. and saying all this. I dont want to loose her and she is so blunt... I dnt know what to say. '
Sona was aware of the aggressive tone she had taken. However she was actually calmer than before with kinda silent brunt she had given him.
She picked up her purse to leave."Dada will pick me up now... All the best Mr. Dixit. "
She turned and walked away. Dev felt sad... Something was not right... He will find out... He decided to himself.
To be continued