Arakshi FF: Now-Before-Later! (Completed!) - Page 6

Part-9:

Sometimes it's better to keep silent than to tell others what you feel because it will only hurt you when you know they can hear you but they can't understand.

"What I've to think about them?"

She asked in return.

"I need my staff's peace of mind. You know well they are not happy because of you. You are not happy and you are making-"

"A scene?"

"Nope, but-"

"I too am your staff ACP, still. I don't see you are concerning about my happiness. Why should I to make others happy for the mere sake of you?"

She stabbed with words.

"They are your friends too."

"I too once thought I was your friend."

"See Sakshi. I need back my staff's-"

"I need back mine,"

She said emotionally.

He gathered that this was not going anywhere, but revolving on the same base with different words.

"I tried you to understand my position. And I got that my plan went without working," he quietly said as he tried to explain his problem.

"But I proved my point well without a plan or anything," she returned.

Not in a hundred years, he can make her understand!'

He stood up tiredly.

"Yes, you did, and did well."

He admitted with a sigh.

"I'm not here to talk about the past, Sakshi, but about the future. You can't blame your friends for my-"

"Fault?" she asked clearly.

He put his hands in his pockets and said softly.

"Whatever. They don't deserve it. I just want you to think about it once."

The pain in his voice hit her hard. She heard her say, "I'll!"

His face changed yet again into a colorful butterfly. He looked at her thankfully and felt as though his burden had gone away without a word.

"Thanks,"

He voiced his feeling whole heartedly.

His heart was light, to his surprise, even though she did not announce her decision.

But the thought that she had accepted to think about it made him smile.

He felt as though everything would be okay by tomorrow morning.

The truth that he would not have to confess about that day' made him chuckle.

'God, everything'd be ok!'

He reassured himself.

Here after he did not have to cheat anyone, meet anyone to do so.

He did not have to face the suspicious looks on his own staff's faces.

They would be all right; everything would be all right in fact.

They would smile at him as in old days.

They would smirk at each other as in old days.

They would be more active and alive than before, he was sure.

He did not have to feel guilty anymore.

She would see to it for sure, he trusted.

But there would not be any more sly looks from her that he had to avoid or act as though he realized nothing from them as before.

She would call him as before and talk-

His mobile buzzed.

His memories got disturbed temporarily. And he had the remaining night to indulge in with them.

He saw a new number was calling him.

"Yes."

After finished talking he called me to inform that he had a meeting with the editor of that 'Hero' newspaper the next morning and ask if I could make it along with him.

Part-10:

The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, which hurts and is desired.

- Shakespeare.

"Did you see the morning paper?"

"Unfortunately the paper boy in our area is not an early riser,"

"But not ours,"

'It's too early in the morning for this sort of talks,' I wanted to scream.

He led us to the office room.

"Do you know why I asked you to meet me?"

He inquired in a mystic voice as we entered his office room.

"I thought you would tell," Arjun responded and his voice was in the same tone as the editor, "Once we met."

He was not going to budge in even a bit, I surmised.

"Mommy..."

A kid's complaining voice heard behind us.

#

The boy opened his eyes and reached for his mother in the dark. Once got that she was not there, he got up and descended the steps.

When he saw a light in a room, he moved there and called as he thought his mother might be there.

Once saw that his share-auto was standing there, he lifted his hands casually.

Without thinking Arjun picked the boy up and turned to the editor to explain.

The editor was busy in taking some news paper from his table. Quite obviously it was his newspaper's edition.

He extended his hand toward us.

I thought extending hands towards others was their family problem.

Arjun bought it in his free hand.

The article was published with a picture that was taken the previous evening.

It was the replica of Arjun with the boy. Except the situation and outfit, nothing differed much. The article went something like, the police, who are risking their own life saved the children of the school.

"Cute boy!" I said and gave him a caressing pinch to his cheek.

The boy glared at me and turned his face away from me.

The editor said, "He was the reason why I decided to meet you in my office room and now he's woken up, we can go over to the hall. Please come."

The procession again started towards the hall.

The boy turned to see me once and when I looked at him he again turned away as though he thought I too would ask for a lift in his share- auto.

We settled on the sofa and the boy was sitting on Arjun's lap beside me. I was too careful then not to touch him again.

Coffee came along with some cookies.

Arjun refused the coffee as expected.

I took one cookie as the boy extended a hand toward me habitually.

I whispered, "Without brushing-"

The boy plucked it from me.

"Bad manners!"

He looked at me with an apologetic smile; at least I thought it was. He put it in his mouth and I decided to let it go. When I reached the cookies platter once again he leaned forward and put the cookie which was in his hand a moment before, into the platter.

I eyed the platter with watery mouth and looked the boy with angry eyes.

I moved a bit away from Arjun for the fear that I would lose my coffee too.

When I placed my lips for a sip on the rim of the cup...

The boy smiled sweetly and pinched me hard in the thighs.

"Ishh..."

The other two stopped talking and turned toward me with an enquiring look.

I looked at the boy who was doing something with Arjun's shirt button sincerely.

I grinned and said, "Sorry, the coffee is too hot!"

When I again went to put my mouth on the cup, the boy suddenly turned toward me.

Without any objection I put the cup down on the teapoy.

He was still looking at me when a man appeared and removed the cups from there as I was longingly looking at the dishes.

When I turned vigorously he patted Arjun's hand to get his attention. I checked myself at once.

Arjun was saying, "I'm happy, at last you realized it. See you around sir,"

"Thank you, Mr. Arjun, thank you so much!"

When we returned to the car, I was still rubbing my thighs.

"What's it Shree?"

"He pinched me, sir!"

'Oh, not again!'- he laughed aloud and moved the car.

Everything was getting all right, even quicker than he had expected.

He had finished one problem yesterday night successfully and now this one - solved itself.

'She is not a problem anymore!'

His heart was light then.

"Cute boy, isn't he?"

He was saying with a smile without seeing my whimpering face.

#

We reached the office then the conference room.

Ayesha and Chottu were there. They looked up as we entered. "Where is Sakshi?"

I asked.

They shrugged as Arjun took his seat.

'It'd be a surprise for you guys!'

As though to answer my question, Sakshi entered in with a tray.

It was not the tray she held or the dress she clad, but the smiling face got our attention at once.

She said cheerfully, "Hi, guys!"

We were shocked to hear her old voice that we did not respond for some time.

'Yes!'

She extended the tray and waved her bangles filled hand before me, "Hey, where are you? Come on, take it!"

The smile enlarged further.

'That's it!' he was about to lift his collar in his mind. But-

None spoke, but everybody turned to see Arjun in astonishment.

His eyes dilated.

'What! This is not fair, not-fair-at -all! Come on, give me a break. If she doesn't speak I'm the reason and if she does, am I the damn reason?'

Awesome update dear

nice update
well anything to do with sakshi arjun has to be the reason 😉
thanks for pm

Awesome update

Now-Before-Later-2!

You taught me not to forgive one easily, and now I'm practicing what you taught me, sincerely.

Part-11:

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.

Now-2:

"Saki, take this pouch," her Dhi (Cousin Sister) put a golden color pouch on the dressing table.

"See, you can't talk like a little girl, he is soft and I know you won't disappoint us. But still-"

She stopped as Sakshi looked her through the mirror, who was adjusting her hair.

She started a minute later, "Don't talk to him loudly, ok? You are a good girl and he should see it too, right?"

She took some bangles and extended toward Sakshi.

Bangles? What's in colors once the color of life faded out altogether? She sighed.

Her poor Dhi did not know she was not wearing more than one bangle these days. And most of the time she wore white color, as though trying to calm her mind which was seething more and more as days passed.

She took two black color bangles from her Dhi and when she tried to argue, Sakshi quieted her with a look.

Her Dhi took the shawl (Dupatta) and said, "Saki-"

"Dhi, stop it. As you said I'm going, right? If you are going to talk like this till I get ready, I'll cancel the dinner."

She threatened.

Her Dhi, though was shocked, did not say a word then.

Sakshi knew and it was hurting her too. But she could not tolerate these things even for her Dhi.

From the morning, as soon as she (Her Dhi) arrived, her Dhi had started talking about him.

All right, he was a king in humanity, a lion in friendliness, a gem in men and a child in innocence, but who cared, who wanted?

Oh, she could not tell this her dear Dhi!

But she could tell him. She had decided to talk to him that day.

Finally the time came and she got in to the car. She had forgotten to bid a good bye to her Dhi or...

She was silent, but her mind was not.

'Just call him and tell', it started, 'Just finish it at once. Just ask him to cancel the dinner and go to the beach.'

In a beach, you can talk nearly anything and it will be easy too.

Before a sea, nothing will seem big, heavy... and unsolvable.

Just call him.

She turned to him as he looked at her and smiled.

'No, this is not like his, for sure. Hisd be more appealing, you know,'

Shut-up!

"I -" she cleared her throat and asked, "Can we go to the beach?"

His smile broadened, "Why not? If you wish, we can go anywhere! And yes, after the dinner we'll go to the beach, Sakshi,"

'You fool! you were to ask him to cancel the dinner!'

She tried again, "Can we go to the beach now?"

"We shall, but we can't. I've reserved a table there in the restaurant, for it is Sunday. If you really want to go to the beach, we can cancel the reservation," he turned toward her.

'To say 'No' what if it is a beach or a restaurant?'

"We can go to the restaurant, I think."

But she did not know when she said it that her fate was there waiting for her, with an evil smile all over its face.

#

He stopped the car in front of the restaurant.

"Shall we?" he asked with a smile.

"Haan?" she came out of her evening dream.

His smile broadened and he pointed a finger toward the restaurant.

"Oh, sorry! I-"

Her gaze widened and she felt the giddiness her brain was sending down through her spine.

When he opened the door for her, she felt as though she was choking suddenly.

Her brain was screaming, 'NO, NO, NO...'

She knew she would not feel her foot touching the ground here by floating sensation or by sinking sensation.

Now the later one...

She was not ready to move when he extended a hand to help her.

She thought as though she was descending from an ambulance, for there was no stretcher to move her with, that up to the hospital bed, she had to walk herself.

She could see it visibly that her fate laughing hysterically and led her way toward the restaurant.

When she reached the steps, she whispered, This can't be true!'

The fate rose in the steps, steadily.

She entered in.

No- she was not alone there. There were a lot of people, smiling, serving, clinging, glistening even stuttering.

Suddenly, Shiva came there. Where was he this long? Where did he go, leaving her all alone with her fate at the entrance? Is this for her Dhi sent her with him? Irresponsible-

But, from there, he never left her alone, he showed her a seat to sit in before her knees buckled in and when she extended a hand he offered a glass of water.

'Yes, he is soft,' she thought.

'I know it, well before, Her fate interrupted.

She turned and saw that it was sitting beside her.

'Shut up! I didn't ask you!'

'I know it too, well before!'- It giggled.

She turned away and saw that Shiva was sitting in a chair there.

He smiled and she returned that smile.

He started ordering without asking her opinion. Thank God! She doesn't have to say to him that she has no opinion from t'hat day'.

'He is so considerate!'

To her surprise the fate was silent. She thought maybe it got another companion in the crowd around.

But when the food was served, she had to admit that the fate was watching her this long and was suppressing a thunderous laughter ever since.

Suddenly she had started seeing through the crowd.

"What's it Sakshi?"

He asked seeing her searching.

"Nothing," she thought she was talking to the fate, "Just seeing whether any familiar face is around, " still she was searching for that one face. But he was not there, anywhere.

"Hah, Sakshi, come on. We are not in the 18^th century. If we were, we can't come out like this, " he motioned toward her and him.

Then she got that he was talking to her.

"If we were, we don't have to come like this," she said sarcastically.

The bearer came to collect the soup bowl and saw that she had hardly touched it.

She smiled and moved the bowl for him to collect fast.

./

./

./

She was still stirring the food, whatever they had served in her plate.

He was talking in a low voice, once in a while she noted it, but she was talking to her fate all the time.

Suddenly she remembered that she had not yet started telling him the purpose she came with him there.

I' bet, you won't!' the fate started.

'You think? Even now I can tell him. Be ready to go away from me.'

'----

'Hey, have you already gone away?' she laughed.

'He..he..no! I was waiting for you to tell him. See he's finished eating.'

'Me too!'

'Ten to one you won't tell him!'

'Go away!'

'Ten to one-

She pushed the plate away and sighed as though she had moved a mountain- no, in real, now she had to!

She looked at him and opened her mouth, but he asked, "Ice cream?"

She felt the giddiness again and the slackness in everything around her.

Ice cream?

Mm..no need if you talk to me some more!..

She felt her cheeks turning red in anger now.

If I say you are the one who is going to pay for the ice cream then will you say so still?

She heard the sound of clinging cups from 'that day'.

We are going there only...

She gritted her teeth and clutched her pouch tightly. If her nails had been somewhat sharper, the pouch would have spilled its contents on the table.

Come on Sakshi, it's getting late...

She snapped.

She had decided to kill her fate.

She stood up suddenly and he looked shocked.

"What happened, Sakshi?"

Then she felt that people around them were staring at them.

But she would not sit back-No she had heard enough.

"I want to go," she insisted, "My head is aching."

She was not lying then; her head was pounding like a hammer.

"I think you've to consult an eye specialist. It seems it's annoying you often. That day too-"

"Very well, you don't have to marry a girl with defects," she said hotly.

"Sakshi, I-"

"Shall we move or I?"

Part-12:

Sometimes, I'm thinking that if I didn't know you I would be happy without you.

Before -2:

[This one is after the days came after 'that day'!]

If eyes could talk; tears could explain.

If crying could dissolve your pain you could cry till it dissolved even the dregs.

If she had to cry to dissolve the memories of him from her heart, then she had to cry for the rest of her life.

No, she neither deserved it nor her memories. He could be wrong, but not his memories she had stored in her heart dearly.

They were precious. They were sacred.

None could give her anything to compensate them. None could eradicate them from her heart too!

She was not ready to lose those memories that were fueling her every moment in life.

She was not going to lose them in her tears too!

She could live if they were with her till the end. And there were no end for the memories till she breathed her last.

She had wiped the tear balls long before.

But still she could not fake it as though it was not hurting whenever she had to see him in the eyes, had to talk to him in the corridors as he could.

He was living as though nothing had happened amid, as though he was the same person as before, as though she was the same person as before. But- she-was-not-anymore!

#

She had started talking again.

Although it was a mere show at first, soon she had started talking again casually.

Months rolled.

Except in some moments when she had to work, talk or argue with him, the old Sakshi came out to her annoyance, but her recovery was wonderful. She would call the other Sakshi out even though it took all her might.

Sometimes, when she could, she would avoid his proximity. Of course, some scars never leave like some sins. The only problem was she could not decide whether he was a scar or a sin.

Anyway, she had to be more careful, since she knew- ''Whoever sups with devils should have a long spoon', - well. And she tried to have the longest one when it comes to him.

Thus days were going in peace on the surface.

See, if I say to her that, "Sakshi, I'm still talking about you here,"

She is coming to me.

"Why should you to talk about me alone? See, Ayesha is here. Haan, our Chottu Bhaiya is here. Even our ACP-"

She stops short and is looking hither and thither for any trace of him.

She turns to you and speaks in a whisper, "ACP is still in this building. We can't talk about him. If he knows then everyone present here including you can't hear the rest of the story. So keep quiet."

She hits me on the head with her pen and moves away.

She is correct as she said now wait guys to see the improvements of the story-

Oh, God, here comes the Shiva, the devil!

See, how Sakshi's face turns once seeing him.

Right, next I'm going to tell you about this new character. Though he is not new to the world, he entered into our lives one day suddenly with a new problem, which enlightened us on a matter still was itching. In a way we decided to exploit him for our new, unnamed mission, right away.

One day this fellow knocked the door of Arjun.

"Yes."

"I'm Shiva."

"Yes?"

"Your staff said you could help me on convincing Sakshi to marry me-"

"Did they say- they -were-my- staff?"

He asked between his gnashed teeth.

Part-13:

Setting goals for yourself is a way to fuel your ambition.

"Your staff said you could help me on convincing Sakshi to marry me-"

"Did they say- they -were-my- staff?"

He asked between his gnashed teeth.

============

After the first slip, Arjun told him to sit to talk.

After all it was a chance for him to prove that he could solve the problem and it would be permanent too.

Sakshi s uncle and Shiva's father were friends. As the two heads decided to become relatives, now the proposal of their marriage arose.

If the pair agreed, why not?

And they were waiting for their reply eagerly.

And it was when Sakshi realized the hanging knife and was trying to avoid the marriage, let alone Shiva.

He was ready to marry her, if she said 'yes'. As she seemed thinking, he decided to approach her friends and came to the office without announcing her. Unfortunately fell in our eyes and now sitting before Arjun.

****

"She was talking to me just like a friend, until this marriage proposal arose, sir. I don't think she dislikes me, just shy, I'll say."

"Uh-huh."

"First I thought this much shyness wouldn't suit me in life. When I tried to protest and told about this shyness of her, her uncle, you won't believe me- just looked at me a moment as though I was a bullet-train about to hit him then he started laughing as though it was a wonderful joke.

"It happens," Arjun said pensively.

"What do you mean?" Shiva frowned.

"I mean when a rare thing happens many won't believe it at once. I believe you."

"What's the use? I couldn't find it whether I'm doing the right thing or not. If she doesn't like me then it's ok."

"Nope. You can't decide things in express way. Calm down. I don't know whether she likes you or not, but you've approached the right person. I think I can help you."

"Thank you, sir!"

Thus the game started ever since their first meeting.

#

"See, she is a clean slate, now you've to write something worth that would touch her heart. She is like a mirror, now you've to show your qualities to her and when she sees her in another mirror then the images of you two will reflect on the other and she would realize you in her heart that-"

"Wow, fantastic! I didn't suspect you even once!"

"What," he was shocked literally and asked slowly.

"You've hidden a poet in you. I didn't think that you were this much friendly. To be truthful I thought you wouldn't be ready to meet me in the first place. But between your schedule-"

Arjun had to stop him from this sort of talk, for the fear that he would get suspicious otherwise.

"Wait, wait. See, I'm not a Mahatma', ok? In fact, I have selfishness in this matter."

"I don't think so. What could be-"

"Yes, I have. See, if my staff gets a gem of a person as her life- partner, then it'll be my pleasure and so I have selfishness to help you in this matter."

"Pure Back Scratching," I turned to Ayesha and Chottu.

They nodded as overhearing the talk in Arjun's room.

"Why don't you try a person who is so close to her in the house?" Arjun suggested.

"I think it's her sister."

#

When we heard a door-open we put our ear-pieces down.

When we were doing something busily (?!) Shiva came to us.

"Hi!"

Chottu unnecessarily stood up and touched the man's shoulders, "Hi!"

When Shiva bid a good-bye, he clutched his hand in both hands and shook it.

After Shiva left, Chottu turned to me and extended the microphone that I planted on Shiva's arrival.

Sakshi approached us as I was setting the earphones and the microphone in their respected boxes.

"Ayesha, I'm going to the canteen. Are you coming?"

She asked quietly.

"I'm coming," Chottu announced.

"Me too," I said, "Let me see, Arjun sir wants anything."

I stood up as Arjun came there. [I knew he was coming]

"I don't need anything, Shree."

We turned toward the entrance.

"Why sir, your friend brought you something?" I asked as was slyly looking at Sakshi. Her face changed as expected.

Part-14:

Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest.

We got that Shiva was going to visit that day. I was arranging the ear pieces and the microphone for his visit.

"Who is going to plant it today?"

I started as Ayesha appeared.

"Tomorrow I'll,"

She volunteered at once.

"Not me, last time when I touched him he looked doubtfully at me and went quickly,"Chottu tried to reason with the matter.

"See guys, we've promised each other to help each other in this mission no matter what happened. It's our duty and I've showed you how simple and effective this method is."

"Still not today!"- Ayesha.

"Me too!"- Chottu.

"But seriously, I'm the one planting it on him every time. So-"

I started opening a drawer and put a box on the table.

They raised their eyebrows.

I opened the box and put a microphone for each of them on the table.

"So, today we are going to start improving, right take one and be ready, we all three are planting today and going to overhear in our respective pieces."

"Not, ok!"

"To me too! Sounds terrific!"

"It's an order!"

"Then ok!"

"To me too! But still sounds terrific!"

We stood ready; as planned Ayesha went to the entrance and was waiting for his arrival.

When one of the staff asked, she said, she was waiting for a friend to arrive and when the girl said she would send her friend in, she refused with a smile.

"He is just shy and he won't see any other person except me?"

The girl looked at her dubiously and went away.

Shiva came in. Ayesha took a box and approached him.

"Hi!"

"Hi!"

"Today is my mother's birth day!"

"Oh, I see,"

"Take the sweet,"

"Oh, thank you," he put his hand into the box and found there was only one sweet left. He raised his eyebrows and she said, "Sorry, I've given everybody."

He smiled and was about to move when Ayesha extended a hand.

"You didn't wish her," she reminded him.

"I-"

"I'll remember you to her in the evening."

She shook his hand and went toward the conference room.

She discarded the empty box there and saw that Sakshi was working on some notes.

She covered the ear-piece underneath her hair and approached her.

#

When Shiva reached the computer cabin, I stood with a camera.

"Hi, morning," I wished him.

"Nice shirt," Chottu said.

Shiva smiled and wished me back.

"Is he in his room?"

He asked casually as though he did not know it already.

"No," I said at once.

"No?" he took his mobile.

"I saw him in his room,"

Chottu said hastily.

Shiva's face blossomed the next moment.

"Sorry," I said apologetically.

"Hey, it's ok."

He moved away.

"One minute, one snap?"

"Sure."

He stood still and smiled.

"One with me,"

Chottu draped an arm around his shoulder as his left shoe innocently touched Shiva's right shoe.

I approached him, corrected his collar and said, "Good."

#

He entered in to Arjun's room.

"Hi!"

"Hi, morning!"

"Morning!" he showed a seat for him.

He sat down.

"Any improvement?"

"Not a thing so far," he said pensively.

"Did you think, love was easy?"

"No, but she is not even turning my side."

"Oh, come on. We can- make her turn,"

He said and stood up.

He came around the desk and saw that the thing in one side of Shiva's collar was not a button, but a microphone.

He suddenly asked, "Did you meet any of our staff on your way here?"

"Why, I met all of them for that matter."

"I see."

He moved away from Shiva and said in a lower voice, "You know one thing," his voice suddenly changed in to a mere whisper toward the end.

Shiva turned back to see what was happening.

Arjun was putting a glass down on the other table at the far side of the room and turned.

Arjun came near him and said, "Hey wait a minute," he shook Shiva's collar and took the microphone in his hand.

"Just an insect," he said, lifted his hand to his mouth and blew hard.

Part-15:

Pain is temporary, Quitting lasts FOR EVER.

-Lance Armstrong.

Ayesha returned to us from the conference room once she knew that Shiva had gone to Arjun's room.

I gave Chottu and Ayesha, their ear-phones and settled in a chair.

"What happened to the sweet box?"

"God, once I went to the entrance a girl saw that box and I had to give it to everyone there," Ayesha explained.

We went silent as we heard a, "Hi!" in the ear piece.

And when Shiva said he met every one of us before he had entered his room, I did not suspect anything.

As the voices inside the room went low and literally stopped, naturally I increased the volume to hear better and it was when I heard a gale that flew in to my ears directly, suddenly.

Then I heard nothing.

I turned to see Ayesha and Chottu, but they were hearing the talk, all right.

I increased the volume further. Still nothing!

I shook my head and removed my ear pieces. This time I shook my ears, but still there was nothing that I could hear except the indistinguishable sound of 'Shh...Huu...'

"Chottu!"

"Shh!

"I-"

"SSShhh!!"

He put a finger on his lips.

He quieted me and listened keenly.

#

"I just don't know what to do next. When I went to meet her in her house yesterday, she said she had to visit a friend and left at once."

"Do one thing, go to my staff and ask them what her favorites are!"

"I've to go now. Maybe, tomorrow."

#

Shiva came to us on his way out as I was working with the pictures I took of Shiva and Chottu that day. Shiva leaned down and looked the pictures from behind my chair.

"Wow, nice!"

I was not listening, just that I could not.

Ayesha who was sitting beside me touched my arm lightly to signal me.

She looked behind me and I followed her sight.

Shiva was standing there.

I smiled at him.

"He is perfect in photography," Ayesha volunteered.

I got from his look and their smiles that they were talking about the pictures.

"Nice, na?"

I asked innocently.

Before he could suspect anything, Chottu approached us with a paper and pen.

"Wow, nice!", as though he was just then coming and seeing the pictures.

He missed the pen and bent down.

He picked it up and the microphone from Shiva's shoe as well.

Ayesha stood and extended her hand toward Shiva.

He looked askance at her.

She smiled beautifully and said, "I called my mom and she said to thank you for the birthday wish."

As he hesitated she took his hand in both her hands and shook.

He had left, but I was still shaking my ears vigorously.

As though he was informed, Arjun came there and took a seat next to me. He asked me, "Shree, are you all right?"

Ayesha touched my hand; I turned and looked bewilderingly at Arjun.

Chottu took his position behind Arjun.

Chottu signaled me to nod my head.

As though I was seeing casually I looked here and there then at Chottu and nodded with a weak smile.

"I thought you would need a day off."

I saw Chottu and shook my head.

"You should visit your doctor, right?"

I saw Chottu. He nodded once and shook his head twice.

"What, you need to go or don't?"

I finally nodded.

"Right, then pack your things. I don't think you can go there yourself. I'll drop you. Chottu!"

He called him suddenly.

"Didn't you start still? The lawyer will be busy in the afternoon."

"Going sir, the file-"Chottu took a file as Arjun said, "I'll wait for you in the car," before he turned to my side and went away.