SS: Dheere Dheere Se - ArDhika + NeSam ~ 2/13/16 p63 - Page 20

**No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the characters but storylines are my own.

Chapter 10: Khamoshiyan

Arjun stared mercilessly as he weaved to and fro throwing a combination of short jabs and side punches at the black punching bag hanging in the corner of his room. The rhythmic thumps matched in tune with the clinking sway of the chain as the punching bag absorbed the punishment it was being dealt. As he was nearing the end of his set he heard his cousin walking into his room.

"So who are you beating up so early in the morning?"

"No one," Arjun panted in reply as he struck his last blow. He held the bag in place and then took off his sparring gloves. "You're up early."

"I am?" Neil replied as he took a bite out of an apple.

"It's 8:30...you usually sleep until 10:30 on the weekends." Arjun picked up the water bottle sitting next to Neil on the workout bench and took a long pleasing drink.

"Never knew you were keeping track of my sleeping habits," Neil chuckled. "I'm meeting Sam for lunch..."

"You've been spending a lot of time with Sam lately," Arjun interrupted.

"We're friends and Radhika is also coming too...so it isn't just us. You know these are the type of things friends do. They do things together. You know..." as he took another bite of his apple, "You need to really get outside more often. Your whole life can't just be about work. Go out and appreciate the world around you a little more." He arched his eyebrow in wonder at Arjun's reaction and inquired, "Why are you laughing?"

Arjun had a gentle smirk on his face, "It's nothing...just that someone said that to me recently."

"Well, that person was right. After lunch we are going to the mall and then a movie. Maybe even have dinner together depending on when the movie ends...want to come?"

"Radhika's coming along too..." shaking his head, "No. I spent enough time with her last night."

"Yes she is. What's your problem with her? She's a sweet girl. I think sometimes you're a little too rough with her at work. She's got some great ideas and has done some fantastic work," Neil praised.

"I have no issues with her work. I'm not stopping you. I have things to do myself...so no," Arjun replied declining the invitation.

"What, reading books? Checking email? Watching the news?" Neil chuckled. He saw the stern look his cousin was giving him and relented, "Okay. I'm not forcing you. I can understand the mall part. I'm not looking forward to being the bag carrier but the movie at least will be interesting. I'll text you once we decide what movie we are going to be watching. You can decide if you want to come or not. You don't have to converse with people when you are watching a movie...if that's what's stopping you."

"I'm going to take a shower. I'll see you at the breakfast table," Arjun simply replied and walked into his bathroom. Neil just shook his head and left the room.

Neil was doing circles around the living room couch clearly searching for something as he stuffed his hands in the crevices between the back cushion and bottom of the couch. "Chotu, are you looking for something?" Neil lifted his head and sheepishly grinned. "I've seem to have misplaced the car keys Ramu Kaka."

"You mean these?" the family servant replied as he picked up a set of keys from the fruit bowl sitting on the coffee table.

"Those are the ones," Neil smiled. "Thanks. I may not be back for dinner Ramu Kaka. I've already informed Aunt Nandini."

"Very well Chotu."

On Neil's way out he rushed passed Arjun and simply stated, "I'll text you," and was then out the front door of the house.

"Munna, would you like any coffee or chai?"

"No thank you," Arjun replied as he sat in one of the arm chairs with his newspaper in hand.

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the door bell. Ramu Kaka looked at his pocket watch and smiled. "That's the plumber. He's come to put in the new kitchen sink. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."

"Thank you," Arjun nodded and opened his folded newspaper. He didn't get very far in the first article when he heard the tapping footsteps of high heels on the floor board. He looked up to find his aunt dressed in a stylish sari.

"Oh Arjun there you are. You haven't seen the Patel file have you?"

"No, I haven't I'm sorry," Arjun replied.

"Of course you haven't," Nandini said shaking her head. "Why would you know anything about that file? You're working at Birdsong now not with me at Shine LLC Events Managing."

"What color is the folder? I can help you look for it," Arjun offered.

"It's a red portfolio folder...and..." snapping her fingers together, "I just remember where it is. Don't worry about it. I'll stop by the office to pick it up on my way to the luncheon," then mumbling to herself, "But I have dinner with some old friends tonight and I really don't want that file to be sitting in the car all day...I'll pick it up after the luncheon then."

"You'll be out for dinner as well?"

"Yes, just received an invite to dinner from some friends that I haven't seen in a long time. I couldn't afford to say no." She then looked at the front hallway and saw Neil walking back through the living room threshold.

"I forgot my wallet," Neil stated. "I left it on the dresser drawer." He then paused and added, "And I must say Aunt Nandini you look stunning." Nandini smiled at his compliment. "Let's take a selfie...for the family to see back in the US. Come on get in close." Neil took the photo on his phone and grinned. "Caption is going to say me and my hot Aunt Nandini."

"Oh Neil," Nandini said and gently pinched his cheek, "You're too kind." She then looked over at Arjun. "Aren't you going with Neil?"

"He's declined the invitation," Neil answered for him.

"Sam...and...Radhika...isn't it? Your co-workers?" Nandini inquired. "I just naturally assumed that Arjun would be going with you when you told me of your plans this morning. You two use to be inseparable."

"He's got other things to do," Neil replied.

"Oh..." looking over at Arjun who was still holding the newspaper in hand, "I see." Nandini didn't get to say anything more when her cell phone began to ring. She picked up and smiled fondly, "Yes Juhi...of course I can come over early to help. That was my plan from the beginning. It will be so nice to see Hetal and Rohit again..." Nandini then waved farewell to her nephews and left the house.

"Are you sure?" Neil inquired.

Arjun simply nodded making him shrug his shoulders. He went back to reading his news article and heard his cousin quickly running up the stairs and then back down before shouting a goodbye and slamming the front door shut. Arjun was alone in his solitude again.

Nandini gave a tired but happy sigh as she turned the key and open the front door of the Mehra mansion. It was 1:00am. She slipped off her heel highs and relaxed her feet against the smooth wooden floor. Her ears immediately perked to the sound of voices in the dimly light household. As she walked down the front hallway she recognized that the voices were coming from the TV. Arjun had fallen asleep on the couch while watching the news. She turned when she heard the soft sounds of slippers. "Ramu Kaka..."

"Munna fell asleep again? He told me he was going to bed soon. Otherwise..."

"I know. I thought with Neil back he'd be out and about again. In Goa it seemed he had some fun," Nandini said.

"He's still settling in at his new job...there will probably be a period of adjustment...I'm sure things will settle in time," Ramu Kaka replied. "Do you need my assistance?"

"No, I'll be fine."

"Then I'll take my leave," Ramu Kaka answered. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Nandini located the remote and turned off the TV. She then gently rubbed her nephew's shoulder, "Arjun...Arjun..."

Arjun gently stirred and slowly opened his eyes. "Bua?" he hoarsely responded.

"It's time to go to bed," she softly replied.

Arjun nodded and got up from the couch and walked up the stairs. Nandini followed behind him. She entered the bedroom and looked at the photo frame at his bedside table. Picking it up, she tenderly ran her fingers across the familiar faces her mind preoccupied with distant memories of the past.

"I miss them."

She turned and saw the sorrow in Arjun's eyes. Giving an understanding look she said, "I miss them too. Some days I feel like they are still here and I'm going to see your Father and Mother walk through that front door."

"They say time heals all wounds...how much longer is it going to take?"

Unable to give a fitting reply Nandini took his arm and coaxed, "It's late. Take some rest. You'll feel better in the morning." Arjun obediently did as he was told and allowed himself to be tucked inside his bed. Nandini caressed his hair and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, "Sleep." Arjun smiled and closed his eyes.

Nandini turned the lights off and carefully closed his bedroom door and headed to her own room. She took her phone out of her purse and dialed a number patiently waiting for the line to be picked up. "Sorry for calling so late. There's been a change in plans..."

Arjun closed his office door behind him and pinched the bridge of his nose trying to release some of the tension in his body. He had just stepped out of an extremely long strategy meeting with upper management. He walked over to his desk and picked up his now cold coffee and took a sip. His eyes spied a white envelope the size of a card on his desk with his name on the front. He put his mug back down and carefully looked inside. It had torn pieces of paper inside. He was confused by this and dumped the contents out on his desk so he could rearrange the pieces and figure out what this was all about. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket and without bothering to look at who had called him he simply answered it. "Arjun Mehra speaking."

"Good Morning Sir!" Arjun groaned at the voice on the other end. "That's not very nice Sir. You should at least greet people back."

"Good Morning Radhika, what do you want?" Arjun paused in realization and then asked in a bewildered tone, "Wait...how did you get this number?" He pulled his phone away from his ear and saw a number he did not recognized. He then looked out his window and saw Radhika slyly smiling at him with her phone to her ear.

"What's the matter Sir?"

"You-you're not suppose to have this number..." Arjun sputtered.

"Why not? It's your mobile phone. Do you like your gift?"

"Huh? What gift are you talking about? Radhika I really don't have time to play games right now."

"Games? Why Sir, that's what you've been doing this whole time. I've returned your bill since you obviously have a mobile phone of your own. And here I was actually starting to feel sorry for you because you have been literally without a phone since we left Goa. But you deceived me Sir. How can I trust you?"

"I didn't deceive you!" Arjun retorted. "I said you owed me my mobile phone. I got this phone for work only. And what did you do to this bill? You shredded it!"

"I did not shred it. It's torn into pieces," Radhika corrected.

"I don't care what it is. It's not in its original form. And who gave you this number? It was Neil wasn't it. Well?"

"You answered your own question Sir," Radhika replied.

"I knew it..." Arjun sighed.

"Well, you shouldn't blame him. You're the one who lied about the phone."

"Can we talk about this in my office?" Arjun hung up the phone and sat down in his chair waiting for Radhika to enter his office.

"Arjun Sir..." Radhika started as she opened the door and walked into the room.

"This is not your house. This is the office," Arjun stated. "Are you going to knock?"

"But you called me in Sir..." Radhika's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance at the way he was looking at her, but she turned around and obediently did as she was told.

"Come in," Arjun replied when he heard her knock.

"Sir, you called for me?"

Arjun smirked at her remark amused that she was playing along. "Yes, I did." He gathered the pieces of ripped paper on his desk and put them back in the envelope. "This I believe belongs to you." Radhika stared at the white envelope that she had placed on his desk and frowned that her plan had backfired. "Here take it."

"But Arjun Sir, it doesn't belong to me. It has your name on it," Radhika smartly replied with a small twinkle in her eye that she may yet to salvage this situation.

Arjun threw it back down on the desk and searched through his pen holder for an appropriate writing instrument. Just as he found the black permanent marker he was looking for he heard a knock on his office door. It was Piyali at the door. Arjun replied, "Come in."

"Oh good you are both here. Meeting in the conference room," Piyali smiled and then walked away.

Neil pulled the suitcase out of the trunk of the car and rolled it to the side. "All set Sammy?"

"You were here to see your cousin off and you're here with me," Sam said looking at Neil with a gentle smile.

"He can take his suitcase out himself," Neil replied and glanced over at the other car parked a few spaces down from them where Arjun was taking his suitcase out. He then lowered his voice and whispered, "I didn't know Radhika drove. I saw how she took that light. You sure she can make it home in one piece?"

Sam laughed, "It was one of the things I was determined to teach her when she first came to Mumbai. She's gotten better."

Neil swallowed hard. "That's better?" He immediately straightened when he saw Radhika coming towards them.

"Sorry, Ma called," Radhika explained. "Sam she says have a good flight. So ready? You have to check in..."

"Yes," Sam replied but before she could grab her suitcase Neil took it from her.

"I'll take care of this," he then motioned with his eyes for her to walk forward.

Thirty minutes later Sam was boarding the plane with Arjun. They stowed their carryon bags in the overheadhead compartment and then took their seats in business class. Sam turned towards Arjun and said, "These seats are quite comfortable. We should probably take advantage of the in- flight services they offer...the experience will be helpful in our proposal." Sam frowned as Arjun turned his head away towards the window and closed his eyes. "Wow, Neil predicted this..." Sam softly muttered to herself.

"Excuse me?" Arjun replied as he opened his eyes.

"You turned your head away while I was talking. That's considered rude. If you don't want to talk then you can just tell me. I'm trying to think of ways to make this proposal you brought to our attention with Singapore Airlines a success."

"I'm sorry," Arjun apologized. "I really didn't hear...I didn't know you were speaking to me. I've had a late couple of nights trying to get some things done before this trip and I'm extremely tired. I was hoping to take a small nap. I didn't mean to offend you. What were you trying to tell me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry to have snapped at you. I was just saying how we should take advantage of all the services they have to offer...we can use the experience to enhance our proposal. What better way to show them we know and understand Singapore Airlines?"

"That sounds like a great plan," Arjun replied and then yawned. "Excuse me."

"You should take a nap. And while you are resting I can get a head start on this service review. I'll wake you in two hours?"

Arjun gave a tired smile. "Thanks Sam."

"No worries..."

Sam took a soothing drink from her glass of water before she continued typing on her laptop. After a five hour and twenty-two minute flight she and Arjun had gone straight to the hotel to check in and unpack. They then met at the hotel's international buffet restaurant to compare notes of their flight experience and grab something to eat.

"I think we got a lot of useful things," Sam said with a smile. "The Team will be able to use this and come up with something."

"I agree," Arjun replied as he softly typed on the detachable keyboard of his tablet.

"Well, I know we've been snacking here and there but I'm actually ready for dinner," Sam said as she shut down her laptop.

"I could go for something myself," Arjun grinned. "You go first."

Several minutes later they had their electronics packed away and had their dinner plates in front of them enjoying the international cuisine the hotel had to offer. They were making polite conversation with one another getting to know each other better as co-workers.

"So Neil told me you grew up in London?" Sam inquired.

"I was born in Mumbai and at the time my Father was doing some work in London. So I lived there until I was four and then came back to Mumbai," Arjun answered. "I went back to London for graduate school and had a short internship there."

"I've never been to London but have always wanted to go."

"Didn't you take a trip to the US recently?"

"Yes, I did. I went to California and travelled around to several cities...Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego...I also drove across into Las Vegas, Nevada and visited the Hoover Dam and the casinos. I had been saving for the trip for awhile. I have at least one of the places off my list."

"The US is a pretty big place."

"I have some others but the State of California was up there on my list. My next goal is London," Sam replied.

"Well, if you like I can give you a list of things you should really check out while you are there. Some of my personal favorite places to eat and great things to do and see in the city and in the countryside," Arjun offered.

"That would be fantastic! Thank you."

Arjun quietly chewed his food and reached over to take a sip of wine he had ordered. His eyes fell on Sam and noticed a small grin on her face. "Is there something on my face?" he inquired.

"No, nothing at all," Sam answered and put a fork full of lo-mien noodles in her mouth.

"It must be something," Arjun replied as he swallowed his wine and put the glass back on the table.

"You're not what I had expected...what someone told me..."

"Would this someone be a Miss Radhika Mishra?" Arjun replied with an air of confidence. He could see from the reaction on Sam's face that he had guessed correctly. "So, what did she say about me?" He grinned in eager amusement.

"Nothing really..."

"Let me guess...I lack social skills...and can be temperamental?" Arjun ventured. Sam started to gently cough causing Arjun to hand her a glass of water. "From your reaction I guessed right."

Sam took a tiny sip of water and calmed her coughing. "She never said that exactly..."

"But something like that. Anything else?"

"Why are you so eager to know?"

"No reason," Arjun replied trying to play it off that he could really care less as he took another sip of his wine. "Well, I hope I haven't been temperamental and made you feel uncomfortable."

"No, not at all," Sam said shaking her head. "I think maybe the phone incident has caused this. She normally isn't like this. She's a very sweet girl...she's a hard worker...willing to help anyone...you can ask anyone at Birdsong..."

"Ah, the phone incident," nodding his head, "Like I told Neil I want to make this very clear I have no issues with her work. She's very talented. I think Birdsong is extremely lucky to have her. Out of the office...she's a bit peculiar...overly talkative...likes to butt into other people's business...she tends to think that life is some happy go lucky merry go round that everyone must enjoy...and forgive me for saying this as I know she's your best friend."

"She can be a bit naive but she has a heart of gold," Sam rebutted. "She can't see anyone unhappy."

"Is that why she bothers me all the time?"

"Are you unhappy?" Sam asked making Arjun realize that he had actually said what he was thinking out loud.

"No," Arjun answered. "Radhika must have mistaken me for being unhappy...about the phone."

"That phone again," Sam sighed. "You're sort of stubborn like Neil...must be a family trait?"

"I suppose..."

"You're staying with your Aunt Nandini? Must be nice to get away from the parents..." Sam said.

"I would think my parents would be fine with it...Aunt Nandini practically raised me."

Sam went back to eating her food when she noticed the change in Arjun's demeanor after she mentioned his parents. She felt as if she had hit a sore spot with him. She glanced up at Arjun wanting to apologize for making things awkward. Just as she opened her mouth she received a call from her cell phone. It was her mother. "Hi Mom," she answered. "Yes. Didn't Dad tell you? Oh...uh-huh..." Sam looked towards Arjun who was motioning that he was going to go up to his room.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning," he simply stated and left with his things.

Sam frowned a little and then was drawn back into conversation with her mother. "No...Arjun and I were just comparing notes from our flight on Singapore Airlines. We're eating at the hotel buffet...well, Arjun just finished and went up to his room to rest. I'm still eating...oh you heard from Manya? How is she doing?"

Radhika was focusing all her attention on the computer screen in front of her. There had been a last minute logo change the clients wanted to see before they made their final decision. She was playing with the design in Photoshop and re-arranging some of the placement between the logo and the new company catch phrase. She sighed and as she turned to her side to look at a portfolio file. Catching something out of the corner of her eye she screamed almost jumping out of her seat. "Neil! Wh-what are you doing?"

Neil just laughed heartily at her reaction. "Wow that was one of the best reactions I have ever seen before! It's up there with Arjun's." Neil was sitting in his chair with his elbow on the edge of her desk. "I have been sitting here for the past five minutes wondering when you were going to notice me. Talk about dedication."

"You scared me Neil!" Radhika pouted.

"Sorry. I didn't realize you were that engrossed with your work. You're not staying late again are you? Remember what happened last time?"

"No, I am almost done," Radhika replied.

"Okay good. So you have plans tomorrow?"

"No, not really...maybe do some laundry and clean up my room, why?" Radhika answered with a thoughtful look.

"How about meeting up for lunch? My treat," Neil replied.

"You don't have to treat me."

"I want to. You've helped me out a lot Radhika...made the new kid on the block feel a little less awkward. It's the least I could do. So lunch at 12:00 or 12:30? You pick the place," Neil firmly stated. He saw Radhika sit up straight and give a slightly mischievous expression. "So you thought of a place..."

"Yea, and Sam is going to kill me...going without her...but the paneer here is fantastic," Radhika said with a toothy smile.

"All right looking forward to it. I'll pick you up at what time?"

"12:00 will be fine," Radhika answered.

"Noon it is. I'll see you then. Don't stay here too late," Neil warned.

"I won't. Goodnight." Radhika turned back to her computer and quickly browsed through the portfolio confirming her idea. She quickly saved the three logo versions she had been working on and then shut down her computer. It had been a long week and she wanted to go home and start her weekend. Just as she was gathering her things she received a call on her mobile phone. She answered it without looking at the screen and greeted warmly, "Hi Sam!" She was taken aback when she heard the deep voice on the other end. "Do you naturally assume every caller is Sam?"

"Arjun Sir?" Radhika asked with surprise. "Wh- how did you get this number?" She heard his husky voice chuckling on the other end catching her off guard at his attitude.

"Remember you called me first..." there was slight pause before he continued, "Did you like my gift?"

"Is that why you called?" Radhika replied with an edge of annoyance in her voice. Her eyes went to the white envelope propped up against the pen holder. His name had been marked through with a marker and in its place was her full name, Radhika Mishra. The "gift" had been waiting for her Friday morning after she had dropped Sam off at the airport.

"It must have been good because you are speechless..."

"I am not. As I recall you once said it is best to gather your thoughts to articulate your point then to spout off nonsense..."

"I'm flattered that you remembered. Are you still in the office?"

"Yes. Are you checking up on me? I assure you Sir I'm doing work---"

"I'm not like that Radhika. I know you work hard. Don't stay too late."

Radhika's lips curled upward into a gentle smile after hearing his words of concern. "So, Sir why did you call if you are not checking up on me?"

"I need a favor...Can you go to my laptop in my office?"

Radhika immediately walked into Arjun's office and stood in front of the desk staring at the laptop. "Okay, I'm here. I can't log in without a pass---"

Cutting her off, "Username is amehra and password is s!d @nd N1a."

"You really trust me with this?" Radhika joked. "I'm surprised you didn't call Neil...he is your cousin after all."

"I have no choice but to trust you. His phone is busy...probably talking with Sam."

She heard his sigh at the other end and replied, "It's quite a password you have...I doubt I would remember it. Did you see the Merlion yet?"

"The Merlion?"

"Arjun Sir, how can you not know about the Merlion? It's Singapore's mascot! It has a head of a lion and a body of a fish. How can you not know what it is?"

"Oh yes that's what it's called. I've seen the posters and saw them in the souvenir shops at the airport."

"You should visit Merlion Park. I asked Sam to get me something with a Merlion on it." Radhika said with a smile.

"Are you logged in?"

"Yes, the computer just loaded. Where do you want me to go?" Radhika listened to his instructions on locating some files he had forgotten to put on his USB drive before leaving for Singapore. She zipped the files up and emailed them to him. "Arjun Sir, did you get them?"

"Not yet..."

"Sometimes it takes awhile. One time I was sending something to my brother Ankush and it took ten minutes before he received the email. We just talked on the phone until he received it. The neighbors had just bought a new puppy and it was outside in the courtyard howling at the moon," smiling warmly at the memory, "It was really funny. We would be talking then out of nowhere I could hear this howling in the background. Ankush Bhaiya would get so angry that he would yell at his bedroom window for the puppy to be quiet and then start shouting into the phone," giggling, "I would start yelling into the phone too because Ankush Bhaiya was yelling...and we'd just get louder and louder...Ma eventually entered Ankush Bhaiya's room wondering why he was fighting on the phone and Sam came into my room wondering the same thing. That day it really made me miss Bhaiya," pausing slightly before changing topic, "Did you eat dinner Sir?" She heard silence in response and cautiously called out, "Arjun Sir? Hello? Sir, you still there? Did you put me on mute?"

"I'm here. Mute only blocks my voice it doesn't block yours..."

"I'm talking too much again?" Radhika sighed.

"No..."

"What? Where is Arjun Sir? Sir, are you feeling all right?" She smiled as she heard his laughter at the other end.

"I'm not as you think Radhika...temperamental...lacking social skills..." Radhika's eyes bugled at his words and she opened her mouth to protest but started to cough as she inhaled too much air making her throat extremely dry.

"Radhika? Radhika are you okay? Drink some water. Radhika?"

"I never said that..." Radhika replied swallowing hard as she controlled her coughing. She was trying hard to act like she had not been caught. "I just said that..."

"Oh, you said that?" Arjun interrupted. "Warned Sam that Mr. Grumpy was going to make this trip difficult for her?"

"How do you know about Mr. Grumpy?" Radhika replied slipping up. She mentally cringed as the words left her mouth.

"I overhear things, remember?"

She could hear the smirk in his voice and she sighed in defeat at herself. "I am going to have to stop talking at work," she pouted.

"As peaceful as it would make the office place be..it would also make it rather dull..."

"Sir..." addressing him with an air of hope.

"Yes Radhika?"

"You're not as bad as you sometimes make yourself be," Radhika replied. "You can be nice..." sensing his smile at the other end she ended with, "When you want to."

"I've got the email," Arjun stated. "Go home and have dinner. I'll talk to you later."

"Goodnight Arjun Sir," Radhika answered. She had a soft grin on her face when she heard his reply back. "Goodnight Radhika."