Chapter 1 : Introduction- The Resemblance in the Contrast..!!
Avni was sitting in a mountain cliff loosening herself in the tranquality of ambience. As far as her eyes could reach, the jade green sea water was rippled in front of her like a Velvet spread of blanket. And the sea waves were perfectly adding their effects like that of convoluted creases on the blanket. The horizon was edged with a silver tint and a cormorant was flying into that place where sun and water meet. His wings were a blur of motion and he soon faded from sight. Breathtaking, Wasnt it?
The very next moment she felt a push and found herself flying down the mountain with a speed that of a rocket. All she could hear was a thunderous splash while hitting the sea water, before drowning deep inside the sea. She panicked. She struggled. She prayed. All at the same time. Her heart was sinking and eyes were threatening to shut, when she saw some light emerging from the surface above her. A blurred figure appeared like a shadow diving and approaching her and his hand extended to reach out to her. Before she could hold the hand... A bellowing sound of alarm burst out in the room.
Avni woke up with a start, panting and gasping. She scrutinized her surroundings for traces of sea water and relaxes on finding nothing but her bed and blanket. She cupped her head and exhaled a loud sigh.
"Avni, kya hua.? All ohkay.?" She heard a familiar concerned voice, getting louder as the owner of it approaching near her.
"Yeah Angie, i am fine. Relax" Avni replied in assurance to her Best friend slash Rommie.
Anjali was by her side in less than a minute and carresing her hairs " Firse Voi Sapna Dekha Tune.?" She asked unbelievably.
"Yeah, a bit extended Version of it" Avni informed disintrested.
"What do you mean by that? Tell me in detail."
"Angie, u are impossible, i just saw a blurred figure who was extending his hand to save me from drowning. Thats it" Avni shrugged. Its been a while Avni is having such dreams and there was nothing new about it, atleast to her.
"Aaahaa..! A blur male figure.!" Anjali's eyes glinted with mischeif " Avni, ho sakta hai teri life me tere SRK ki entry jald hi hone wali hai. Hayee.!! Imagine tera Prince charming, Ghode pe sawar... no.. Not actually ghode pe.. but Boat pe sawar, Life Jacket pehen ke Tujhe bachane aayega. How Romantic..!!" She explained the scenario with the cute dreamy smile while clapping in air in enthusiasm.
Avni looked at her blankly "Angie, Apne Sapno ki dunia se bahar nikal, ye SRK wala pyaar, ye Prince Charming, ye sab Movies me or teri stupid Romance Novels me hota hai, Real life me nahi." Avni playfully smacked her stupid Friend's head.
"Avni i know one day U'l believe me and u'l laugh remembering our discussion."
"Ohkay baba, Now let me Get Ready. I am already late in waking up." Avni dramatically folded her hands in front of Anjali.
Anjali gaped her mouth hearing her " My dear Friend u are only 5 mint and 32 sec late. As if it matters. Vaise bhi tera Sadu Senior Doctor 11am se Pehle Morning Rounds ke lie Nahi Aata. Moreover u just slept 2hrs ago."
"It matters Angie, It matters to me. I cant cheat with my duty and my responsibilities not even for few minutes and u know that. Right?"
"Oho Meri Mother Teresa, Tera kuch nahi ho sakta. U are talking as if, Pure Jaipur ko Swasth Karne ki Zimmedari Tere hi Kandho par hai."
Avni just smiled at her sarcastic comment and hurried up to freshen up.
*********
In Hospital Canteen.
"Avni what is all these Beta. Just 2hrs of sleep? Unbelievable.! U also skipped ur lunch Yesterday.? Stop being stubborn or i'l be forced to bring u back to Mumbai and keep u right in front of my eyes." Neela's Voice slammed through Avni's Phone while she made guilty faces which obviously her mother cant see. Its been a little less than 2 yrs and this has now became like a morning dose to Avni, like a routine but the happiness, hearing Neela's voice, brought to her is undescribable.
Avni placed a hand to cover the speaker of phone and placed her order on counter "Pack the usual" while Neela continued with her scoldings like a broken record in background. "What is the need to go so early in morning? U were in OT whole Night. U could have taken Rest."
"Maa, Maa, Maa. Relax. Take a deep breath. I am fine. Its usual for me. Or agar mai ward nahi jaaungi toh Shivam ko Pastry kaun dega? Barkha ki topphies bhi pending reh jaaegi" Avni spoke on phone while collecting her packet and rushing through the corridors.
Neela couldnt help but smile. Her daughter was truly one of her kind. Unique. Single piece of her genere. "Shivam voi na, Jo tumhe Apni Girlfriend kehta hai.?"
Avni smiled at the thought " Haa Maa or ek din to Usne Director Sir ke Samne Mujhe GF bulaya. It was so embarresing for me. But its ohkay Agar Mere pastry dene se, Pyaar se baat karne se Ek 7 saal ke Marte hue Bacche ko thodi Khushi milti hai to Its worth it na Maa? Do u think i can afford to loose this by sleeping some extra hours in my Room?" And the message was conveyed in the language her mother would understand better than her.
Neela was nothing but Proud seeing her younger Version blossoming in front of her with the exquisite fragrance capable of filling anybody's life with pure joy and happiness.!
*********
At the same time, in some other Corner of the World.
Mumbai
Three Luxury Black Cars entered the doorway of a Skyscarping building, in succesion like a chain. "KHANNA INDUSTRIES" was inscribed with a creative font in a circular Metal borad, hanging in the building's Front wall, at sufficient height. Just like their position and reputation in the market added the bonus, their shares.
The driver ran immediately to open the gate of the Middle Car. A dashing, well built young guy wearing most expensive branded uncreased Formal Suit and shinning polished Shoes came out from the car. He buttoned his Coat and removed his Shades while arranging his curly hairs with his other hand. He looked towards the borad of Khanna Industries and flashed his charming content Smile and every other thing's shine faultered in front of him.
He is the Man.
He is the Owner.
He is the Creator of this Empire.
Mr. Neil Khanna.
A Self Made Man with his own list of Principles, beliefs and Morals.
Redifining, Style with Attitude.
A middle aged man holding few files stepped out from one of other car and joined Neil. Mr. Sharma, Neil's PA.
A heavily built guard opened the door for them and greeted them with a Smile and a nod. Neil returned the gesture.
"Mr. Sharma, Brief me about the schedule for today. I hope its not much hectic." Neil asked his PA walking towards the elevator keeping his one hand inside his pant's pocket.
An elderly peon was mopping the floor nearby in his own trance going backward and was about to fall from the staircase behind him. Neil saw him thus, immediately rushed to his aid, hold him in time before fall and the uninvited trauma was succesfuly avoided but the mopping waterbucket somehow fell and tainted his Expensive fabric.
Before the worker could recover from the shock of being helped by none other than his Superlative Boss, another shock awaits him. Mr. Sharma was about to explode on him but Neil stopped him by keeping his hand on her shoulder and nodding in negative.
He folded his hand in apology saying "Mujhe maaf kar Digie Sir, Aapke Itne Mehenge Kapde meri Vajahse Kharab hogae" The man was on verge of crying.
Neil hold his folded hand. "Kaka, Maafi to uss baat ki Maangi Jati hai Jisme aapki koi galti ho. It was an Accident. Dont worry." His calmed voice pacified the horrified and scared man in a jiffy. His proud smile was a proof of Neil khanna's magic on him.
"Aapko kahi Chot to nahi lagi na.?" Neil asked him humbly to which he replied a silent No, all the while admiring this Young succesful yet so gentle Boy in front of him. A rare Combination, Indeed.!!
******
Neil's chamber was as classy as him yet there was some soberness in it. The interior was breathtakingly beautiful with carved stones and wood. Today things were different, his chamber was entirely filled with exotic flower bouquets as a token of best wishes and congratulations for his biggest deal and making a mark in Telecome buisness, with his first project. He just smiled, appreciated and engrossed himself in work.
"Sir, Aapki Foreign Deligates ke sath Bohot imp meeting hai. Aap kahe to Aapke lie Dusra Suit Mangwa du.?" Mr Sharma asked him.
"Usse kya fark Padta hai Sharmaji, Un logo ko hume apna kaam Dikhana hai Kapde nahi." Neil spoke without even looking at him.
"Speaking of the work, Meeting ke lie Presentation Ready hai.? Quotations mujhe Khud check karni hai."
" Haa sir, Sab ready hai."
"Thik hai File Gadi me Rakhwa Do mai Jate Jate padh lunga." Neil concluded.
"Sharmaji Vo New Vaccancy ke lie Interviews hogae.?"
"Sir Aaj hi Rakhe hai. HR department manage kar lega. Maine unhe instruct kar dia hai" Mr Sharma knew his job well enough to get things done even before his Boss's instruction, just acc to his taste.
"Great.! Make sure there is no scope of Bribing, Corruption or Personal Preferences. Only the deserving Candidate should get the job. Fair enough.?"
"Yes Sir."
"Khanna Industries me Politics or Partiallity ki koi jagah nahi hai. I'l personally take the final interview of 3 shorlisted candidates. Spread my word to HR department." He instructed politely.
"Right Sir.! Uhh Neil Sir, Kal koi "D. Sinha" ka call aaya tha aapke lie. I didnt bother to disturb u late evening" Mr Sharma said in querry as He never heard of this name earlier.
Neil stood up from his chair preplexed "What.? Or aap ye Mujhe ab Bata rahe hai? Anyway call him. Now." Neil was restless, something which was a rare sight for Mr Sharma.
"Hello Abhishekh? Neil Khanna here...
Dont tell me u have nothing on ur plate...
But I want results..
I m waiting for the news...
Listen i am forwarding u my personal number, from next time call me on it, any time, as soon as u get what i want"
Mr Sharma was amused. This mystery is getting more messier to his knowledge. "I'l do that sir" He hastly replied to Neil as he saw him turning towards himeself, before instructing anything.
*******
Evening
Khanna Mansion
The situation of Khanna house was nothing exceptional from Neil's office and his chamber. Flowers and cards lying everywhere covering the whole living room like a sheet. Neil's Family cant be more proud and happy, for this Diamond belongs to them. Neil bent and took their bleesings one by one.
"Iss baat pe to party banti hai" Bebe suggested enthusiastically to which Neil chuckled.
"No way, Party me time waste karne se accha mai ye time Apni Sweet si Family ke sath spend karu" Neil argued. And there is no surprise as who won. The Khanna family spend the evening laughing teasing and bantering, like the usual.
Later in Night Bebe was massaging Neil's head which eased him like a magic spell. He was enjoying the massage with closed eyes and suddenly a smile crept on his face, definately not remained hidden by bebe. She carresed his face lovingly.
"So Tillu, Shadi ke baare me kya socha hai tune.?"
"Jab time aaega tab vo bhi Hojaegi bebe."
"Tere Sapno ki Rani to milne ka Naam hi nahi le rahi hai." Bebe mocked him disappointedly.
"Mil jaaegi bebe. Kabi na kabi, kahi na kahi to mil hi jaaegi. Aakhir Neil Khanna ke charm se koi bach sakta hai bhala.?" Neil winked at her and the duo shared a heartwarming laugh only to be disturbed by an annoying beep of Neil's phone.
"D. Sinha. Ye kis tarah ka naam hai Tillu." Bebe read the caller's Id and handed over the phone to Neil. He went near window and answered the call.
"Haa Abhishekh bolo...
Really..
Great.!! Good job.."
Saying this Neil kept the phone back on his pocked and grinned ear to ear while staring Moon unblinkably.
Bebe was amazed to core seeing him thus. "Tillu Ye kya tha.?"
"Good news Bebe.!!" he smirked and his smile only grew wider leaving behind a confused Bebe.
To be continued.
P.S Sry for the dramatic start. 😆
Love
Riya
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
