I felt my breath stop. His warm breath brushed against my cheeks. I stepped back, away from him. "Thanks!", I replied without smiling.
"Cut it MD! It looks amazing.", Adam cried. I smiled and blew the candles. Everyone clapped and sang. I could hear his hands clapping though he didn't sing. I smiled inwardly. The cake was purely chocolate and damn delicious. I fed a piece to everyone, including Will...but I wasn't too sure if he would eat it.
"Will, does your Sir eat cake?", I asked.
"No Mam! He doesn't. He doesn't take unhealthy things.", he smiled. I frowned.
"So, he still calls you Ms Runaway?", Maria pulled me aside. I bit my lip. I was startled myself.
"I didn't know that he still remembers."
"Clearly he does", she winked. I really wanted to shut her off. She noticed my looks and changed the topic to work. Few minutes later, a hand touched my shoulder. I turned around only to have a spoon pushed inside my mouth. It was the cake. "Happy Birthday", he spoke melodiously. I gulped the cake down my throat. "Thank you!", I smiled. He didn't smile back. "I am sorry for...", he left the sentence incomplete.
"I am sorry. I didn't realise I advanced too far", I looked away.
"No, it was my fault. I was not in a good mood", he spoke.
I remained silent for a while, taking in his apologies and his voice after a long while.
"That is..", I looked up and found that he had left. I turned around and couldn't find him.
The rest of the party went on smoothly. My parents called at midnight. I was driving back home. They wished me Happy Birthday and told me that my present was dispatched.
Reaching home, the security guard gave me a parcel. "Happy Birthday" was written on it. I sighed. Now what?
I opened it once I was inside and dressed in my Pajamas. It was leather purse and the I Card for Kundra Mansion, along with a letter.
Dear Ms Mallick,
A very happy birthday to you. I hope you enjoyed our service for you this evening. That was just a small way of making your birthday memorable and a token of apology for my behaviour. I wasn't the best of myself. I hope you'd understand.
I would sincerely wait for another meeting. As and when you are free.
-Rishabh Kundra
CEO, Kundra Iron and Steels, Ltd.
I gazed at the letter. It was signed formally... I sighed. His image was spinning in my head. What had he done to himself. Aunty was playing with words and he was a completely changed guy. I rubbed my eyes as I succumbed to my tiredness.
-----------
Stacy called me in the morning to open the door. I woke up, and realizing it was a Sunday morning, my heart felt joyous. Nothing lightened me up than a beautiful Sunday Morning. She walked in with a bouquet for me. "Happy Birthday Mam!", she offered it to me and hugged me. She was a sweet fellow.
Maria, Adam and many other office staff called me to wish me. As if yesterday's party wasn't enough. I took a shower and dressed up in a crop-top and shorts. Leaving my hair open, I came out in the living area and got Stacy to make me Coffee. I didn't like parties or celebrating ON my birthday. I liked to spend it in solitude. Whatever my friends wanted to do, they could do it on a day before or day after. Stacy was doing the dish washing and room cleaning and so I crouched up on the sofa, and took out some office papers. They were due tomorrow. I sat for an hour or so, reading and correcting the reports. The tip of the pencil moved inside my mouth as I chewed it slowly. And, I didn't realize that there was a door knock.
Minutes later,
"Mam! Someone is here to meet you."
"Who?"
"Mr. Will. He says you know him!"
"Crap! I do. Get him in Stacy"
As soon as she left, I wondered. How did he know where I lived; though obviously the parcel had reached on the correct address last night.
"Good Morning Miss!"
He greeted me formally.
"Hi Will. I got the parcel. And it was really sweet of you!"
"Mam, I didn't send the parcel to you. Sir personally left it here."
"He did??", I was shocked.
"Yes Mam! But yeah, he has asked me to get these to you. Small gifts. Can I let them in?"
"Yeah...", I was pretty much unsure what they were.
Soon, 4-5 workers entered my house with a bazillion bouquets. They covered my entire living area and some had to be taken to my bedroom. Stacy was appalled. Will left as soon as the bouquets were received by me. I fell on the sofa. What was happening. "Have a good day Miss.", he smiled and left.
In the gift that was left for me last night, there was a number. I dialled it.
"Hello?"
A husky voice sounded from the other side, "Hello Madhubala!". It was him. He had my number saved! That's a development. "RK?", I asked. "Hmm...hope you liked the gifts.", he sounded straight.
"Aren't they too much."
"No they're just enough."
"Thanks."
"Hmm", and he hung up. I stared at my mobile. I was about to throw it on the sofa when it beeped. A message.
"Will shall be there any moment for security checks. Let him do whatever he wants to"
What did he mean? *knock* it must be Will. He smiled when Stacy opened the door. This time, 4 men in black entered my house and starting checking it. I felt embarrassed. My stuff was all over. I felt sheepish when they moved my clothes from the couch to look around. Will was jotting down something. Stacy was perplexed and so was I. We gazed at each other.
A while later, Will's men exited my house and soon after RK came in. He wore white cotton shirt neatly ironed and tucked in his blue denims. He had black glares and his hands were in his pocket. I bit my lip.
"Everything is alright, Sir", Will folded his hands on his chest as he spoke. RK nodded. Will gave him the list he was making. RK peered through his glares and then asked Will to leave. I looked at Stacy. She seemed to be lost in RK. I rolled my eyes as she saw me. Stacy left and me and RK were alone. He sat on the couch. I frowned.
"What will you be able to eat?"
"Huh?", he glared at me. I glared back.
"Considering the fact that you got my house checked before keeping your precious foot inside, I thought I better ask you, what is safe for you to have?", I taunted.
"That is a routine check up. I have many enemies."
"Well, I clearly know why!", I glared at him. He moved uncomfortably. I closed my eyes.
"Happy Birthday", he took his glares off and looked at me. I was whipping coffee. "No Milk please", he said. I nodded. "Thanks.", I smiled.
"Your coffee!", I gave him a cup. He nodded. I sat on the other sofa.
"How is your work?", I asked.
"It is going smooth. How is your journalism?", he asked.
"Fine."
"What are you planning for 100th edition. I heard about it."
"Clearly you did, I was thinking of interviewing you. But...", I sipped.
He looked away, trying to hide his face.
"What happened RK?", I couldn't help.
"As in?", he spoke.
"Why are you behaving like this? This is not you."
"This is me. Ms Mallick. I am sorry if I don't approve your standard"
"Its not that. Where's the RK who was my friend?"
"He is dead", he glared at me. I was taken aback.
"What rubbish are you talking!", I yelled.
"Volume low Ms Mallick", he ordered. I fell back with a growl.
"Why are you here?", I was furious.
"Because I owe a day to you. For what I did yesterday"
"Well, if the RK I knew is dead...you owe me nothing. This RK doesn't know me!"
"Well, I am here as a kind gesture. I turned away when you took out your precious time for me. And I am just paying back!"
"What the hell! And if I say I don't have time for you?"
"You can't lie to me. I know you like to be alone on your birthdays."
"We haven't spoken since years. How do you know that?"
"Just like I know your address and number?", he barked at me.
"You have been stalking me?", I yelled again. He glared at me. I closed my lips.
"I was finding out about you. Just to apologise"
"...just to apologise?"
"Yes.", he emphasised. I held my head. It was spinning. This guy was driving me nuts.
"What for lunch?", he asked me.
"I can't cook. Stacy will be here."
"No outsiders while I am here!", he ordered.
"RK, This. Is. My. House", I emphasised.
"As long as I stay here, I have the right to get things done my way"
"Are you for real?", I shot an eye.
"I can cook.", he said and got up. I moved back in surprise. This man was testing my patience. He pushed me away from the cooking table and opened the fridge, cabinets and everything. I frowned and fell back on the couch. I was so tired. It was really cosy and warm and I fell asleep.
He woke me up for lunch. He had made so much. There was pasta and pizza and there were bottles of wine. We sat for lunch and I quietly nibbled. It was tasty. And I clearly noticed the minimal use of ingredients. There were not many of them, just the ones that were needed to make a perfect lunch.
"It is nice"
"Thanks"
He checked his phone while he ate. I felt suffocated. I couldn't stand people who used their phones on the dining table when they are with someone. Ruthless as he was, I chose not to speak.
"Where do you want to go at night?"
"Haan!", I was startled by his sudden question. "Why are you doing this?"
"Its your birthday. I already mentioned. I don't like repeating things."
"Where do you want to take me?"
"You still like discs?"
"Umm...yeah. I do crash the discs at times"
"I'll take you to a disc of mine. Be ready at 10"
"At 10? I have office next morning. Can we keep it early?"
"When will you be comfortable?"
"7? We could be back by 10!"
"Alright. The car will be there"
"I can come on my own. I have a car."
"But I can pick you..."
"I don't like favours I can't return. Being a Richie Rich that you are, I cannot return this favour. So please don't do this"
"Fair enough. Will will text you the address."
"Shall I save that number I called on as yours?"
"That is not my number"
"Then give me?"
"It is too soon!"
And he left.
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