III."Mr. Dixit, mujhe yaha bulana ki koi khaas vaja?" Sonakshi asked, locking her hair back behind her ear.
"Yes, Ms. Bose. I was actually have a meeting here, and I thought I might as well discuss Mom's reports with you. If, you don't mind." Dev explained.
"Of course not. And it's Dr. Bose to you," She reminded him with a smile adorning her face.
"Yes, of course." Dev chuckled as he held the seat out for her.
Sonakshi blushed as she sat down. Reigning her feelings had started to become increasingly difficult but she tried her very best whenever she was around him. After all, she had to. It wasn't wrong that she was in love. No. That was a very pure act that should be enjoyed to its fullest. What is wrong is that she has fallen for her boss. Granted she has become an intimate part of their family and the way she is conducting her profession is a bit unusual, but he still remains her employer. There should be no second guessing in that.
"Dr. Bose?"
"Huh?" Sonakshi snapped back to reality to see her boss looking at her a bit worried.
"Are you okay?"
"Haan." She replied, a red hue creeping up to her cheeks.
"Okay..." Dev spoke not entirely believing her. "Let's get something to eat. We can discuss the reports later."
"No, I'm fine. Let's talk now."
"Dr. Bose," Dev used his authoritative voice which always signaled he wouldn't hear any excuses. "We'll eat first. Consider it my treat for feeding us every day." Dev said, opening up the menu.
"You're buying me dinner?" Sonakshi asked raising her eyebrows.
"Of course. Unless, you would like to cook for us." Dev said with a smirk on his face.
Sonakshi scrunched her eyebrows slightly offended.
"I may not know how to cook many things, but whatever I do, I make it very well."
"Oh yes, like your oh-so-famous walnut cake. Right?" Dev asked with a grin on his face.
"H-How do you know about that? I-I mean, I don't know what you're talking about." Sonakshi failed in trying to control the damage she created.
"You can try as much as you want, but you can't lie to me Dr. Bose."
Sonakshi was taken aback by Dev's attitude. He had never been this laid back or teasing with her. Something was off...
"Dr. Bose," Dev called out loudly.
"Huh?" Sonakshi snapped out.
"Are you feeling okay? This is the second time that you have spaced out." Dev asked, setting the menu aside and leaning forward.
His hands were clenched but reaching across the table.
"I'm fine, Mr. Dixit. Really." Sonakshi replied in her attempts to console him. "Shall we order?"
"Okay.." Dev trailed off not entirely trusting her.
"Can we get one coffee, black, and one tomato soup." Dev ordered. Closing his menu, he asked, "What?" when he saw Sonakshi giving him a weird look.
"Your order. It's so... bleehh. Like seriously? Black coffee with a tomato soup?" Turning to the waiter, "Cancel whatever he ordered. We'll get one Orange and Avocado Salad and one Asian Orange Chicken. And for drinks, we'll just have two glasses of water, minus the ice." Sonakshi ordered with a smile.
"Very well Ma'am." The waiter replied taking away the menus.
"Dr. Bose, you know that I'm a vegetarian. So why the chicken?" Dev asked.
"That's for me. The salad is for you."
Sonakshi giggled at Dev's astonished face
"Salad? You think I will stay full by one simple salad?"
"No.. if you get hungry you can order something later on. But for now, you can stick with one salad."
She smiled as Dev rubbed the back of his neck.
"Umm.. how are Auntyji's reports?" Sonakshi asked, sincerely hoping everything came out normal.
"They came out perfect." Dev answered with a huge grin. "Dr. Sinha was completely amazed. He was shocked that Maa was able to recover so fast and so well. But then he said, considering it's you who was taking care of her, he shouldn't have been so surprised."
"That's great!" Sonakshi answered with equal enthusiasm. "I am honestly so happy that Auntyji is better now. If she keeps following the diet that she is on now, then trust me, she will never get sick again."
"Yeah..." Dev trailed off.
Sonakshi's smile faltered as she took in his changed appearance. He was becoming more hesitant, more protective of his emotions. Becoming controlled, in charge of how he wished to appear to the world.
"Is everything okay?" Sonakshi asked.
"Yeah, it's just... that means... you don't have to work for us anymore. You can find a different job."
Sonakshi sat back as that registered in her mind. She hadn't considered taking on another job in a really long time. She continued getting many offers, but her default answer had always become no. There was no need for her to take on another job when she had one already. Plus, she had gotten so close to the family that it didn't even seem like a job anymore. Rather, it was more as if she was taking care of another family member.
Her heart fluttered as a small thought flit by her mind. Did Dev really care that she won't be able to work for him anymore? Yes, he brought it up but he surely must have done that to talk about her serving her notice. The legal stuff. Where they discuss final payments, any references for future jobs, etc. It was all professional and technical. There was nothing personal.
"Sonakshi,"
"Huh?" She snapped out once more.
"Are you okay?" Dev asked, his eyes searching her face, his body leaning closer towards her, his hand resting warm on top of hers.
Wait.. his hand was resting warm on top of hers..
Sonakshi looked down and saw it was indeed. Her lips trembled as she was unable to forge coherent words. Dev was touching her, making physical contact due to a concern for her.
"Sonakshi?"
He's taking her name... has it always been that beautiful or does it just seem special today?
Sonakshi looked up as Dev walked on over to her to stand by her. Crouching down right beside her, he held her hand in both of his.
"Are you feeling okay? Tell me the truth."
"I-I'm fine," Sonakshi spoke after a big swallow. "I.. just feeling nervous.."
"Nervous? Why?" Dev asked, curiosity screaming in his eyes.
"Just.. nervous." Sonakshi answered with a laugh.
Dev stood up with her hand still in his.
"Sonakshi..." He trailed off, looking equally nervous. "Would, would you like to join me for dinner?"
"We are at dinner.." Sonakshi answered as if it wasn't obvious enough.
Her eyebrows scrunched as she became concerned for his well-being now.
"No, you had come here as Dr. Bose, my employee." Dev explained. "Would you like to stay as Sonakshi... my date."
Sonakshi's heart started pounding.
"D-Date?" Her eyes widened.
"Y-Yes." Dev looked at her for a moment before looking away not wishing to see the rejection come directly out of her mouth.
"I would love to." Sonakshi spoke quietly.
Dev's eyes darted right back, a minute regret as to why he couldn't see the acceptance first hand. But the dazed, hazy look in her eyes meant everything to him. His lips expanded into a wild grin, making him blush profusely. Having her hand in his, he shook it a few times unsure of what to do with before he let it go.
Sitting down in his chair, they both laughed to themselves, blushing.
The dinner passed by in hues of reds on the cheek, and orange on the plates.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
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