After many days, here is the chapter. Hope you all like it.
Like always, I have not proofread. Sorry for that.
Love, Mishti.❤️
Chapter 5:-
Prerna- 'Ma, jaldi se breakfast do. I am in a hurry!'
' Arrey, Aaram se Priyu. Itni jaldi kya hai?'
'Di, Kya aapko apna boss bohot pasand hai?' Shivani chuckled.
' Ek Thappad! Chup kar! Khana khake college ja.' said Prerna and switched ON the TV.
She, as usual, started watching the business news of West Bengal.
Her breath hitched in her throat when she heard,
' The mysterious business tycoon RB has landed in Kolkata and is busy with his men. Yesterday only, a big scam in Basu Publications got revealed in public. There is a rumour that RB has a link with this scam. He is thought to be the one to cause this.'
Prerna's eyes were as round as saucers.
' Unbelievable!' Prerna mumbled.
She somehow finished her breakfast, took her bag and rushed out.
' Itni jaldi mein Kyun thi?' Sekhar wondered.
'Jab se PA Bani hai, tabse ajeeb ho gyi hai!' said Veena.
' Perks of taking job far too seriously!' said Shivani.
As soon as Prerna entered office and checked the time, she realised she was a bit too early.
Nevertheless, Prerna went in her cabin and went through the files.
Her phone beeped.
Ignoring it, she continued to do what she was doing.
' See the message, Miss Prerna Sharma.'
She shuddered.
' Sir...Aap...'
' Yes, me. How can you be so careless?'
' Sorry, Sir...I didn't knew it was you.'
' Be it me or someone else, you have to pay importance to the calls and texts and emails too.'
' Umm...Yes sir. I will keep in mind.'
' Good. Carry on your work.'
Rishabh came in his cabin.
' Yes, Mr.Mehra, any updates?'
' Sir, the news in showing...'
' Ah. I know what the news is. Leave it. Someone is taking care of the news.'
' Sir, we have meeting with the Goyals today, regarding the new venture.'
' Yes, Miss Sharma informed me. You take care of the legal matter.'
' Okay, Sir.'
Prerna was thinking about the BP scam and the rumours of her boss linked with the scam.
A part of her refused to believe this and was constantly in feud with her other part.
Meanwhile:-
Mohini- 'Moloy, I am going out. You take care of yourself.'
'Kahaan ja rhi ho?'
'Kucch kaam hai.'
'Accha. Jaldi ghar aana.'
'Haan. You don't worry.'
............
The door bell of the Sharma Niwas rang.
Veena went to open the door.
' Mohini Di.. Aap?'
' Haan woh Rajesh bhai Sahab se kucch baatein karni thi.'
' Andar aiyye na...'
Mohini sat on the sofa.
Veena -' Mahesh, jaldi se ja aur dukaan se mithai lekar aa.'
' Nahi. Nahi. Uski koyi zarurat nahi hai. I just came to talk to Rajesh Bhaisaab.'
' Boliye, Bhabhi.'
' Woh mujhe Yeh kehna hai ki... I want Prerna to join Basu Publications again.'
A shocked Veena looked at the husband, who was also in the same state.
Rajesh- ' What? Why?'
' Because among the young employees, she was the most trustworthy and efficient. Don't worry, I will pay her a huge amount as salary.'
' Yeh aap kya bol rhi hain? It isn't possible! She is already in a top position in her current company. How can she resign?'
' I will take care of it. I will pay a huge sum to her. Just tell her to resign.'
' I am sorry to say, but she won't. She isn't going to do this. Never.' said Rajesh. He clearly said to her that his daughter won't do such a thing.
Mohini started fuming in anger and stormed off, surprising Veena, not Rajesh.
He knew what the matriarch of the Basus was upto.
' What's for today?' asked her boss, flipping through the pages of a file.
' Sir, we have a meeting with The Daily News sharp at 2 and then Mr. Arjun Sen has an appointment with you. About some land.'
' Carry on..'
' This is all for today, sir.'
' Good... Now, listen...'
She was just humming and nodding as a response, because she was busy in her own world.
'I still can't believe it. Everyone in this office praises him. He can't cause a blunder!'
She was lost. Lost between the war of her heart and brain.
' Miss Sharma, Miss Sharma?'
No response.
Irritated, he said a little bit loudly, ' PRERNA! '
Prerna sprang up from the chair.
' Prerna? What happened...' He asked...
'No... nothing,Sir.'
' Are you sure? Any problem?'
Prerna shook her head negatively but started mumbling to herself,' Should I ask him or not?'
' If you have any question, you can ask me.' said Rishabh.
' Sir...woh...the news...I mean... rumours...' Prerna fumbled.
' Huh? So you believe all this? Expected. These are not fully true. Although there is scam in BP, I have no hand in this. Why would I do this? To ruin my reputation?'
Rishabh asked.
Prerna looked at the floor in shame and said, 'Sorry, Sir. I am sorry. I shouldn't have...'
' Shh. No further talk about it.'
Prerna couldn't stop but admire him in her heart.
Mohini called someone over the phone.
' How did he come out? Huh? Do I shower lacs of money on you for free? Tie him to that spot. He shouldn't come out again!'
' But ma'am..'
' No buts and ifs. If he causes any problem again, you will suffer. Your whole gang will suffer.' Mohini cut the call.
' I have to find out a way to make Prerna join my company. Anyhow! I will go at extreme lengths to take her in. Only she can give me information about her present company and boss.'
Prerna was having lunch in the canteen, with her colleagues.
Ahana- 'Rishabh sir is so hot na? Hayeeee. My Rishi...'
Prerna was startled.
Mohit- ' Ab Yeh Rishi Kaun hai?'
' Arrey idiot! Yeh Rishabh sir ka name hai... Maine diya hai...'
' Tu bhi na!' Her colleagues facepalmed.
' Iska matlab that my boss is not my Rishi. There are lots of men named Rishabh Bajaj, just like many people have been named Prerna Sharma.'
' Oye, kahaan khoyi hai tu?'
' Haan...woh...kuchh nahi. I have finished my lunch. You guys carry on, mujhe Jaana hai. I have some work to finish.' replied Prerna and got up and went away.
' Ise kya hua?'
Prerna was mentally disturbed. Since she saw her boss for the first time, she was lost in her own world...
Rishabh watched her silently. He could guess she was lost somewhere. After all, in childhood... they were inseparable and could read each other's hearts but something and some people changed their lives, forever and they were forced to to go away from each other. Life has given another chance to them.
Will they unite?
' it's time for me to go to the NGO. Bye, will meet again on Monday.' said Prerna and went out.
' Hello, kids! How are you?'
' Good, Didi. Aaj ka planning kya hai? '
' Aaj ka planning Yeh hai ki...'
' What, Didi?'
Prerna spent two hours with the kids of the NGO and went home.
As soon as she stepped inside the house, she noticed the atmosphere was tense and gloomy.
' Itna Sannata Kyun hai?' Sekhar Blurted out. He stepped in the house just few moments after Prerna stepped in.
'Baba? Kya hua hai? Aaj sab Chup Kyun hain? Ma? Itna Sannata Kyun hai?Veena didn't reply. Instead, she questioned her.
' Yeh Bata, Mohini bhabhi ne tujhe phone Kiya tha? Tujhse Milne aayi thi? Ya Nivedita? Ya Anurag? Ya uss ghar ka koyi aur Insaan? Tune unki baat nahi suni na?'
' Aaram se Ma! Kya hua hai? Itni tensed kyun ho aap?'
Rajesh- 'Bacchi Abhi Abhi lauti hai. Thoda aaram karne do.'
' What? Kakima ne Yeh sab bola? How? How can she forget business ethics?'
Prerna was shocked.
' Kukki beta, you know, we will move to a new house soon.'
Kukki smiled. She asked in gestures,' When? Will I make friends there?'
' Next week we will go there. And yes, you will have many friends there and you will get your family.' Rishabh said and fed her the last spoon of food.
...
Rishabh sat on the couch and began reminiscing about his past.
Many years ago, Bajaj Mansion in Kolkata was home to joy, laughter and happiness. No traces of evil or anything bad was there. Ajay Bajaj lived there with his wife Meera and children, Shweta and Rishabh. Although they had everything one could ask for, none were as humble and down to earth as them. They were the epitome of a perfect, happy, humble family.
But...
One day, everything changed. It didn't change suddenly, it had started changing slowly. This start was unnoticed by the Bajajs.
Rishabh clearly remembered that night. How his whole family had to run away for their lives. How Ramu Kaka, their household help, till his last breath had protected him and his elder sister.
The Sharmas were in Delhi, in Rajesh's in law's house. They had gone to attend a ceremony there. And when they returned as soon as they received a phone call from a common friend of the Sharmas and Bajajs, everything was finished.
Rishabh dozed off in the couch.
Elsewhere...
'Why did you leave me, Rishi? Why? Maine Kiya kya tha? Itne saal ho gye... Maine tumhe kahaan kahaan nahi dhoonda? Jitni main dhoond Sakti thi... Utna dhoonda. Please, laut aao Na... Please. Mujhe Aisa Kyun lag rha hai ki mere paas rehkar bhi tum mere paas nahi ho?'
Next day...
Offo... Itna saara kaam! Oh God!
'Le aur bann RB ki PA!'
'Main Apne marzi se PA bani hoon kya?'
Her colleagues smirked.
' Prerna Madam, Mehra ji aapko conference room mein bula Rahe hain.'
Prerna raced to the conference room.
In the meantime:-
' Yes, I am eager to come on rent.'
Veena- ' Kya hua, Rajesh...kuch pucho inhe...'
Rajesh was lost in his own world of thoughts. The moment he saw the business tycoon at his doorstep, that moment only he felt something weird. He felt that he had a connection with him.
' Haan.. Mr. Bajaj, I don't intend to offend you, but can I ask why you are coming on rent in my house? You can easily afford the most lavish and expensive house in kolkata.'
Rishabh smiled and replied,' Because of my daughter. She needs a family. She is having complications in speaking. Doctor told that if she mixes with people, she may improve.'
' But...'
'Sir, Ma'am, you must be thinking that why I chose your house only. Because this is my PA Prerna Sharma's house. And I think her family will be as good as her....'
' Aap Priyu... I mean Prerna Kay Boss hain?' Veena was surprised.
' Yes...'
'Pehle Kyun nahi bataya?'
Rishabh smiled and said,' I don't like official matters in unofficial things. But I had to mention her to clear my cause for stay...'
' When are you shifting? Everything is ready.' Rajesh said.
' As soon as possible.'
' You can shift tomorrow.'
' Thanks a lot.'
________________________________________________
Precap:-
' Sir? Aap Yahaan?' Prerna's eyes were as round as saucers.
' Yes, I have come here on rent.'
Prerna took Kukki in her arms and asked,' Par...'
Elsewhere:-
' Ma! How can you say this? This isn't fair! You had many dreams regarding Bhaiya's marriage!' A shocked Tapur asked.
' I don't have another option. Let me ask Moloy. I am sure he will give consent for this relation.' said Mohini.
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