Posted:
I am new to this forum, but I have been a silent reader for so long. I love the FFs and SS, OS that other members are contributing. They are a pleasure to read. This is my first attempt to write any kind of story. So, please do read and like.
Statutory Warning: Pleasure Not Gauranteed...Don't expect much! š
SO NEAR SO FAR
INDEX
Chapter 1 - Page 1
Chapter 2 - Page 4
Chapter 3 - Page 5
Chapter 4 - Page 7
Chapter 5 - Page 10
Chapter 6 - Page 15
Chapter 7 - Page 17
CHAPTER 1
The entire building was buzzing with excitement and gossip. Everyone is tense and waiting for the arrival of the company's new owner. Amer Enterprises was started by the late grandfather of Mr. Bharmal Singh, the current CEO of the company. He is succeeded by a son, Bhagwandas Singh and daughter Jodha Singh. Bhagwandas has been trained since birth to take over reins of the company after his father's retirement. He is a shrewd business man who would never sacrifice ethics for business. After his mother's death, he has taken care of Jodha like a father. Though his father loves Jodha, he cannot show it because she reminds him so much of his beloved dead wife, Mrs. Mainawati Singh. Jodha Singh is an MBA trainee and currently doing her internship in finance department from Amer Enterprises. Her father and brother has kept her away from public limelight, so not many people within the company knows that she is the CEO's daughter.
The company has been in financial troubles since a decade due to economic crisis and series of bad investments. To avoid bankruptcy, Mr. Bharmal has agreed to sell the company to Mughal Industries, a conglomerate with branches across the world. Mughal Industries is owned by Mohammad Jalaluddin. In the business world, he is called a hawk that preys on companies in financial crisis and sells them in parts for huge profit. He is considered a corporate genius with a Midas touch.
Today, the new owner is supposed to arrive with his assistant. Nobody knows at what time he will be coming so everyone is on tenterhooks. The door opens and two men enter the reception. The tall man with powerfully lean body is wearing a custom three-piece suit. Inky black hair framed a breathtaking face. He has an air of untouchability around him. He looks like the kind of man who doesn't need to ask for anything and the world around him is ready to cater to his smallest whim. He does not look here and there and directly moves towards the elevator. The one behind is of average height with sharp eyes. He follows the tall one. Both of them are joined by a friendly group of three. Suraj, Karan, and Moti are chatting and laughing and seems to be in high spirit, completely ignoring the two men in the elevator.
Just before the elevator door closes, a girl comes running inside. By sheer chance, she makes it and also manages to avoid tangling her long hair in the elevator door.
"Phew! That was close." Said the girl and gives a wide grin and a huge sigh of relief. Suraj, Karan, and Moti also share a smile at her antics. She is Jodha.
"Have you heard the latest gossip!" said Moti with a secretive look. "The Hawk is in town."
Suraj, Karan, and Jodha give her a confused look. "Who?"
"Don't you know?" said Moti with irritation. "The hawk of wall street! I have heard that Jalallaludin will be in office today?" Everyone gives her a shocked look. Moti smirks seeing their expression. Suraj says why should we be bothered? We are too small a fish in the sea. Karan agrees. Yah! Whatever he does, it's not going to impact us. Moti smirks and said "I do know of one thing that is going to impact us...at least me and Jodha."
Jalal is irritated with all the nonsense going around him. Abdul know that Jalal hates gossip. He also knows that a lot of things are going to change in Amer Enterprises. Suddenly, something in the conversation has captured Jalal's interest. Abdul has no idea that Jalal has stopped listening the moment he heard "Jodha". The name struck a chord in his heart. He was standing like a statue but his heart started beating erratically. It was as if he knows "Jodha" as well as he knows himself. He knew with certainty that he has never met anyone with that name, then why was he having this strange feeling. It was as if the air around him was whispering her name in his ears...Jodha...Jodha...Jodha...Registan ka gulab...He wanted to shake this feeling but he was in a grip of powerful enchantment. He tried to get a glimpse of the new girl but his view was blocked by the group in front of him. He can only see her long black hair. Something catches his eyes and he looked down to see the beautiful payal in the girl's leg.
The elevator reached fifth floor and everyone moved out, except Jalal and Abdul. Even now Jalal could not see the girl's face. When the elevator reached the top floor, both Jalal and Abdul get out. On the way, Jalal saw the payal lying on the lift floor. He picks it up and put it in his suit pocket. Abdul is about to ask him about the payal, but stops himself when Jalal gives him a stern look.
Both walk towards the board room.
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If you have bothered to read so far, please also leave your comments...I am open to both good and bad feedback...
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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