Without a shred of doubt the topic of discussion the entire day at KKN was none other their new EIC - Mr. Kabir Sharma.
Ananya stiffened at the mention of his name every time, preferring silence over response.
"Isn't Kabir Sharma quite a charmer, Ananya? I have heard that he is a graduate in Journalism from one of the top universities in the US and has left his job as a World News lead anchor to join KKN...amazing, haina? ..." Baby said dreamily trying to know Ananya's opinion about their new EIC
Ananya shuffled in her chair, ill at ease, conversing about Kabir was the last thing she wanted to do but instead simply shook her head in approval trying to camouflage her emotions when she realised that everyone was glaring intensely in her direction waiting for a response.
As the discussion continued, as if on cue Ananya turned her eyes towards his cabin, perhaps feeling the pair of eyes staring at her in fascination. Her eyes met Kabir's! For few moments, time stood still as they gazed at each other through the wall of glass. Bold, intense dark brown eyes pierced the light brown velvety eyes in a secret message that even their conscious minds would not identify or acknowledge.
Ananya shifted warily on her feet like a bird poised for flight as she came out of the unnerving eye-lock. She hurriedly made up an excuse and rushed out of the office in order to save herself from facing him again as she observed him getting ready to leave for the day.
"How was your day? You look so tired. Too much work at office today? "Sudhir greeted his beloved daughter at the door with a smile and hugged her.
"It was good. Yes...kind of "Ananya replied with an endearing smile
"Great! You mom and Armaan just shortlisted few colleges for his engineering degree...and she is in a good mood today" Sudhir tried to update Ananya about the current happenings
"Di!! Come here! See I have finally shortlisted few colleges...Aap bhi dekh lo na ek baar please" Armaan came with a sheet of paper and looked at her expectantly
"All these colleges seem to be good, Armaan! But, tell me truthfully do you really want to do this? Don't give up on your ambitions please..." she kissed her little brother affectionately trying to give him the courage to follow his heart
"ANANYA! Stay out of this and don't you try to manipulate Armaan...We know what is best for him...Don't sway him into becoming a failure like you and ruining his future" Anita intervened their ongoing discussion
"ANITA...I have told you before that we will not talk about all this...please" Sudhir tried to calm down before the matter worsened again
"That does not change the truth, Sudhir! The bitter truth that this girl is nothing more than a botch for all of us" Anita commented in resentment
"Anita! Kaisi baat karti ho? She is our daughter... our angel... your perfect child who always made you so proud with her achievements" Sudhir tried to pacify Anita once again as he observed an unresponsive Ananya making her way towards her bedroom but Anita continued to be livid like always.
Ananya sat on the edge of her bed remembering the old times when she was always tagged as "the perfect child, genius, one of a kind, mumma's and papa's pet, teacher's pet and everyone's dream child" followed by the years of struggle, rebellion and resistance - sometimes even passive-aggressive behavior that gave her the courage to undertake the current quest of finding herself in this imperfect world irrespective of all the hardships that came her way.
CID
Bigg Boss 19
