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I know all are excited to see Mishti as Abir's PA..
Hope I'll do justice to your fantasies..
Enjoy the next part
|~~Tere bin na lage Mera Mann~~|
Chapter 43
Mishti walked along the hospital corridor..
Today Badimaa will be discharged after her hopefully last and successful chemo session..she was weak but at Rajvansh's she would get the peace of mind being with all others..
She had called Nihaal in the morning and had arranged a meeting with him..so that both of them can go and meet with Badimaa's doctors on the appointed time..
Abir was having an early morning meeting with Mark to tie up some deals before he left for his vacation.
As she stood among people in the elevator she thought about the riot night they had last evening.
*****
Kuhu was going full steam ahead on the makeover plan and Mishti had to somehow put brakes on it.. even though they had enough money to spend now that doesn't mean they can squander it away..and Mishti told her that verbatim pulling Kuhu aside.
" Seriously Mishti you too think fashion means money.. !..you just see how I find the cheap but elegant stuff for you..it's an art darling sis..and let me do my magic.."
Mishti was almost side lined in the shopping fest..but to be honest she liked what Kuhu purchased..
Kuhu did keep in her mind that she loved simple look..The silk shirts and Cami shirts were Kethu's choices and the pantsuits Kuhu's.. Kuhu even went for a lingerie collection.. Mishti protested vehemently .
But
" What is inside makes you confident Mishti..mark my words this is going to be an iconic say someday!!"
And surprisingly they got a good discount too..
Parul massi was truly enjoying the nightout with girls.
Abir had texted her to know their whereabouts and she told him the details..she knew he would have made arrangements for the 'discount' putting the tab on RGC..
After shopping Parul massi took them to a salon she had membership in as her surprise treat to Mishti...,Kuhu and Kethu..
Mishti was not generally much into beauty care but today she indulged into the simple but stylish hair pampering and basic facial routine with manicure..
Needless to say Kuhu and Kethu had a riot time as Parul indulged them to their whims..
Later Mishti treated them with icecream concotions of their choice and they were late for dinner by the time they reached back home.
And there he was waiting for her ..
Leaning on the upstair railing...in the pretext of talking into the phone.
Both pair of eyes hungrily devoured each other..
His eyes widening at recognizing the subtle changes in her appearence..
Her's searching for his silent approval ..
"Mishti...jaldi khana khate Hein and it's tryout session.."
Kuhu's voice had brought her back..and her phone chimed..
" Missed you .!..I wish I could have come with you ..your boss has some fantasies about how you should look.."
Mishti bit her lips hard to control her overwhelming emotions and looked up ..
He was not there..
It was late when they slept and she couldn't even call him as Kethu slept with her .
****
Nihaal was waiting for her and smiled formally at her as she reached him..
As he spoke about the technicalities to be completed and care to be taken at home..
Mishti frowned at the cold vibes she was getting from Nihaal..
She stopped herself from directly asking him as they went to meet the Doctors panel treating Badimaa.
Mishti noted that Nihaal kept a call ongoing and suspected it was to Abir..but she couldn't ask.
The doctors were happy the way remenents of her tumour was shrinking and by the way she was regaining health day by day and they suggested a follow up in six months.. Rajshri just need to nourish herself and everything was alright from their side ..
Mishti was elated and Nihaal too was happy....and as they came out Mishti thanked him profusely for his unconditional support ...
Nihaal smiled formally and looked at his watch repeatedly as if to imply he was in a hurry..
Mishti knew this was her last chance to meet Nihaal .. almost privately..and she had been noticing Kethu's lovelorn eyes ...
Now she can't just ask him directly ..but she needed to know if Nihaal too was interested in Kethu any way...
" Umm...do tell my regards to Pratap uncle and Bharti aunty...uhh..is everything okay with you..?.I..umm see you are a bit distracted...'
Nihaal looked at her Mishti directly... thinking of the numerous questions in his mind..
But he needed clarification from his friend and not from Mishti..
"Everything is fine and maa do speak about you uhh..many times a day I think...Dad as usual is busy...and you see me.I am okay..."
Nihaal brushed off her concern..
Mishti wondered at the remark about Bharti aunty talking about her. But now she had an important mission.
Mishti carefully worded her dialogue observing Nihaal for subtle reactions
" Ah... great that you are doing fine..at home Kunal is frustrated with exams..Kuhu is in her own world and...umm.."
Nihaal's eyes widened at the tidbit being offered to him even without asking...
" Kethu is not feeling well...may be the climate is not agreeing with her..but everything will be okay.. Even Nanu is healthier.."
Mishti did catch the odd sparkle in his eyes as she took Kethu's name and saw the concern forming in them when he heard about her condition..and did a double cartwheel in her mind...
Yes!!!
But will this bait reel him in towards Kethu...?
She did what she could now and she now she know Kethu affects Nihaal..
Now she just have to wait it out to see if anything materializes out of this....
****
Mark was waiting for her in the office when she reached there after making Badimaa comfortable at the Rajvansh mansion..Kuhu did all the preps and Badimaa was visibly very relieved to be home...
" Mishti .you ..umm..look different but perfect... ready for the roller coaster ride...!?"
Mark's words made Mishti a bit panicky..
They were in a small breifing room..adjescent to Abir's cabin.
" So this is Abir sir's daily basic routine in the office..mind you this is the basic layout.he can change his course at any point of time and you should be ready for it.."
Mishti took the print out from Mark and went through it..
" Now with regard to work you will need to learn the name of his GMs and their franchisee...it is a bit tough but there is no point in being in this post without familiarising with them..you understand?"
Mishti nodded ... soaking in the seriousness..
Mark encouraged Mishti.
"I know you can do it very well Mishti..and these are the file names which would be needed for the coming two weeks.."
Mark handed over her a tablet..
" And this has all relevant phone numbers and names and apps required for your smooth functioning.."
The breifing went on and Mark's phone began to get pings..
Mishti looked at Mark's uncomfortable face ..
" You go on..I will go through this and let you know if come into any difficulties.You have to get ready for the trip too..."
Mark nodded and went out in a hurry.
Mishti sat there looking at the printouts and with a deep breath.. started to devour them from one end..
Reciting wierd names aloud she walked along the room..
Testing herself...
A tingling feeling made her look at the door ...
Abir stood there ... leaning on the doorframe... looking every inch ..a boss!..and taking in the new look of Mishti in a black sleeveless pencil dress..with a deep neck and matching heels..
" Uh..amm..Abi..."
She bit her lips and squared her shoulders.... greeting him.
" Good morning Sir.."
Abir cocked his brows in askance as he entered the room... letting the door close.
" Mishti..no need to call me that..you can call me by name . I would like nothing better than that..."
Mishti nodded to his directive..
" And no formalities when we are alone .."
He came close to her and gently cupped her face ... noticing her panic in her eyes ..
" You can do it Mishti and it's me ...we can do this ..okay.."
Mishti looked into the golden orbs giving her so much confidence and belief in herself..and pressed her lips onto his palm..
" So come on ...you can start your "tailing your boss day"...and by the way..Kuhu does have a talent..I like this outfit..you look..tich but powerpacked ..!"
He said as he fingered the silky texture of her shirt collar...his fingers gliding along the edges of the deep neck formal Wear she wore ...playfully..
Mishti held his hand and pushed him around...
" After you boss...I am.ready to tail..you.."
The day went from their leisurely banter to a hectic one as Abir got busy with his daily appraisals from the groups of GMs...Audit report and fund approvals etc..
Mishti found it easier to remember the heads of various franchisees as Abir included her also in the video conferencing he had with them.. Mark's pointers on each of them helped her too..
Though she was meticulously observing the way his office functioned .she did assist him at times as she could anticipate his requirements as if she was doing this all life..and Mark beamed with approval.
***
As the office hours winded up Mishti bid a farewell to Mark.. wishing him bon voyage..
As she walked back to the office she got a ping..
" Join me at roof top"
Mishti was puzzled at this.
She had planned to go home alone..not wanting to put Abir in a spot..
But now..as she walked looking around to find out where he was in the vast roof garden...
She was surprised at the backdrop in front of her..
A secluded spot lit by a single lamp.. a meeting site for relaxed client meetings transformed into a cozy place...
And Abir stood there.. sans his coat... looking very much appealing in his skyblue shirt...in sync with the blue sky above..
Her eyes took in the small cake on the table..
"A small welcome treat for you...!,"
Abir came towards her ...and guided her to the table ...
" Abir...you made Mark do this before he left?"
" No..I just asked him to make sure this area was not to be disturbed at this time..This is all me.."
Mishti was awed at his admission...and as she turned to thank him his finger pressed on to her lips ..
"You absolutely know the pleasure is mine ..."
" But Abir... tumhein yeh sab pasand nahi hei na...Kunal was saying that you haven't celebrated even your birthday's all these years...phir..."
Abir pulled her to him by her waist .... lifted her chin in a caress and looked into her confused eyes ..
" I spent many years as a troubled guy Mishti..and decided that I don't deserve all these celebrations....but now with you near me ...my mind is clear and calm like this vast sky...it can hold unlimited happiness. And for me it's you..."
He pressed a light kiss on her forehead..
" Ab der mat karo...cake and wine waiting for you.."
As Mishti fed him the cake she playfully smeared a tiny brown blotch of chocolate on his nose ..as he caught her lean fingers..and treated himself with the morsel from her fingers..
" Abir ..." Mishti protested .
" You know what... everything tastes extra delicious when I have it like this..." Abir said with a wink ..
"Now my celebrity's turn..."
Abir fed her the piece of cake...as Mishti laughed lightly at his ministrations..
Abir's eyes sparkled with humour and the glint of hunger too was noticed by Mishti..
She looked at him... unsure of herself..and licked her lips...
" Aah..no.. actually I got another way to make chocolate taste out of the world..."
His face closed in to her ...pulling her onto him by her waist.. pressing her softness hard onto the hard planes of his chest...
" Abiirr..." Her lips moved but were imprisoned by the soft yet demanding invasion...
And as his kiss deepened .....Mishti ..though trying to put reins on her responses .....could sense the way Abir was trying to leash on his rising ardor...and failing in bits as his hand flittered over her eagerly moulding her body...
She held him close .
Her hands wound around him stroking his back in a soothing motion.. relying to him her understanding ....
As he calmed down and slowly broke the kiss.. Mishti cupped his face and looked into his arderous golden orbs...her dark ones sparkling with same intensity...
" Abiir..." Her attempt to speak was stopped by him as he scooped her close in a precious hug..
" I won't say sorry for losing my mind over you....but yeah... I'll try to be more cautious in these days..."
Mishti stroked his biceps..
"You don't have to....." Her low but clear voice brought a smile to his face..
" We need to... otherwise as Kunal said RGC will need firefighters...!"
" He said that..?!"
Mishti faked her anger at Kunal...
" He does tend to take offensive Rajvansh and rebel Mishti a bit seriously.."
Abir said laughingly as he seated Mishti and poured out the wine..
" So tell me how do you find your first day...?"
And then they comfortably switched to the days events and Abir narrated his take on the GMs and the franchisee performance under them...
The discussion was kept alive in his car too by the prompting and doubts by Mishti...Till they reached Rajvansh mansion.
****
Mishti looked at the Harley Davidson bike parked by the side of Rajvansh mansion and raised her brows in question...
Which was answered by Abir..
" Nihaal..! .Bataya hi nahi aanewala Hein?..You met him in the morning na...did he mention anything about coming over..?"
Mishti bit her lips to curb her mischievous laughter and shook her head..
Abir was more interested in the bike as he went over and admired the bike..
" Seriously Abir.. tumhara dost Ander Hein aur tum uske bike pe nazar daal rahe ho.. what's with you guys and bikes..?"
" Tum nahi samjhoge.."
Abir replied with a grin...
" Ouch ..srk reference...mein jaati Hoon."
As Mishti went inside she saw Kuhu Kethu and Nanu having a chat in the hall... with Nihaal.....his eyes going back to Kethu's face repeatedly who sat demurely...
" Wow Mishti aagayi..!! pehla din Kaisa tha...aajao batao na..yeh Nihaal bro...I mean I can call you that na..." Kuhu turned to Nihaal and turned again without bothering about his answer...
" Ko mein bata hi Raha tha 8 th wonder of the world ke baare mein.."
Mishti made a face at Kuhu and replied .
" Umm..it was good..I didn't completely botch up..if that's what you are asking."
Mishti smiled and raised her brows at Nihaal who was looking at her with a mixture of admiration and awe..
" Tum Sabkuch ache se Kiya hoga.."
Nanu said .. completely satisfied with the smile on Mishti''s face..
Nihaal walked towards Mishti..
"Congratulations Mishti..I didn't know Abir and you were on such a good terms....waise woh kahaan Hein... drooling over my bike I guess.."
Mishti smiled and Nihaal noticed her sparkle as she nodded. As he came close Nihaal said in a low voice..
" Nice try to bring me here... seriously how did you know I'll take the bait.. anyways thanks..and I'll try to return the favor..."
Abir was amused to see Nihaal whispering to Mishti...as he came in..and seeing Abir ..Nihaal was all smiles..
Mishti knew it was time to make herself scarce.
" Still drooling at my bike eh..?"
Abir smiled wide and both friends hugged in a greeting..
" Yaar I was reminded of our Hawa ke saath saath days..and then we both became busy...by the way tum yahaan kaise and this ?"
Abir looked at the overnight bag Nihaal was shouldering...
" You staying in today ? Right ..? This is epic..!!"
Mishti by this time had reached Kethu...
Shouldered her lightly...and whispered in her ears..
" Doctor ne Kya kaha Kethu...? See I just mentioned that you were unwell and he came running...kuch toh baat udhar bhi Hein..."
" Mishti..chup.."
Kuhu reprimanded.. whispering..
" Okay..! Mein Badimaa see milke aati Hoon..."
Mishti said to all and moved to Rajshri's room...
Parul and Meenakshi came out from the study and was all smiles seeing Nihaal and Abir together and Nihaal's infamous backpack..
" Waah great things do happen again... Nihaal staying over I guess... I'll send extra pillows.."
All laughed at Parul's comment..
Now even Kuhu couldn't resist shouldering Kethu..
" Tum fresh ho jao Abir..tumhareliye coffee mein bhej deti hoon.. Mishti nahin aayi abhi Tak? Pehle hi din overtime laga Diya Kya.."
Abir just smiled in response to Parul's Comment and thumped Nihaal on the back as both took to the stairs..
"Mishti Dadi ki pass Hein Parul aunty.aur Mera bro itna pathar Dil toh nahi na Kethu..?"
" Haan Bhai aisa thode karenge..kuch bhi maasi.."
Meenakshii smiled at the girls defending their " bro"
" Mein bhi sunu ki aaj ka din uska Kaise chala.."
Meenakshii too went to join Rajshri as Parul signalled her she will be coming and went to kitchen..
" Kethu..beta..tum yeh coffee aur Nihaal keliye juice leke jaana ..mein Sam se kehke Nihaal keliye kuch special banvane ka soch rahi Hoon..Kitne barson ke baad woh stay over Kar Raha Hein.."
" That's very good Aunty... unhein ab se hi Ghar jamai banana Hein...oops..!"
Parul looked at Kuhu in wonder thinking about their wishes being automatically fulfilled..but turned away from the girls to not let them know...
Kuhu winked at Kethu who was going through a trumphet of emotions.. parading on her face..
" I'll go and see what Mishti was upto in RGC. Kethu..chal..bro keliye coffee le jaana"
***
Abir put the wet towel by his neck and took his tracks and a Tshirt out of his wardrobe..and on second thought pulled out another pair and tossed it onto Nihaal who was lying on his bed... looking at him.. oddly..
" Change karle.."
Nihaal picked up them and sat up.
"What's with Mishti joining you in office as your PA..?..I thought you guys couldn't tolerate each other...and wham!! what am I hearing..you trip with her to Greenville. Then this job offer... what's going on...?"
Nihaal was direct and Abir's gaze shifted from him as he turned away from Nihaal in the pretext of unfolding the T shirt.
" Nothing.. it's just that Mom was a bit angry at me by the way I treated her...so I had to make some allowances... that's all.."
Nihaal's eyes narrowed at this blatant evasion by Abir...of course he knew it was difficult to extract the truth from his zip mouthed friend. Time to weild his ace stroke..
" You know na our Mom's are planning my marriage to Mishti..."
Nihaal said casually as he got up and went towards Abir.. his eyes trained on his friend who stood with his back to him.
The effect of the words on Abir was not easily visible to untrained eyes...but being Abir's confidante in his most troubled and rebellious times made Nihaal easily pick up the shock coursing through Abir...
His broard back frame tautening in one second...
Hands fisting wrenching the fabric of the T-shirt in his hands...
Pretending to be oblivious to the reaction he was getting Nihaal went on..
" Meenakshii aunty and Mom seems to have taken the decision and Mom has been hinting morning and evening how she would like to see me settled...how pretty Mishti looks.and how Meenakshii aunty adores her and so on.. And frankly speaking Mishti is a nice girl.. I like her and got to know her too in these months...Both Mom's haven't started talking about it officially but I think they will soon.."
Abir stood there trying to control the sudden fear of losing Mishti ... and the anger welling up inside him from making him do things that would damage years of trust love and friendship..
He tried to hide his reaction by putting on his T-shirt and pushing his palms inside the track pockets..
Abir tried to be calm...
Nihaal was never at fault..
Who wouldn't love his Mishti..
But Mom....why would she do such a thing..?
He was sure that Mishti was unaware of these plans going on behind her back...
Unsure as to what to say to Nihaal, Abir composed himself barely and turned slowly..
And as he was about to speak he ..paused .
His eyes taking in the tear stricken eyes of Kethu...
His problems instantly vanished and concern for his sister flooded inside him..
" Kethu Sethu...Kya hua...tu ro kyun rahi ho..?"
Nihaal who was intend in cornering Abir was not paying attention to the door and as Abir took Kethu's name he turned swiftly .... blood draining away from his face realizing his words...
Abir's frown turned into vexation as he relieved her of the trembling tray with coffee and juice... making her sit on the bed..
" Tujhe achanak yeh Kya ho Gaya..? Mishti aur Kuhu...kahaan Hein..? Nihaal ek minute ise sambhaalna...mein paani leke aata hoon."
Nihaal ..who stood there like a deer in headlights at the speed of events happening around him was brought back to the reality in front of him when Abir called out for him repeatedly as he shot out of the room.
Kethu sobbed and seeing her devastated state and intuiting that his words were responsible for her disturbed mind Nihaal reached to her in a flash..
" Ketki...uhh..umm..ro mat..woh mein.."
Her sobs turned harder and in an urge to console her and to clear his end Nihaal sat in front of her ... hesitantly his hand moved to her wringing palms ... enveloping them in his , consoling her ...
" Well..umm.what you heard just now...uhh....I was just joking around Abir ...just to rile him up... Mishti is just a friend..."
"Aap..(sob)Mujhe yeh sab (sob) kyun Bata rahe ho.......mein rouu ya hasoo...aapko Kya Fark padtha Hein...(sob) ..aur agar yeh joke that toh .... aap bohot ghatiya jokes bolte ho..(hiccups)..
Kethu's words brought a smile to Nihaal's lips..
" Agar Fark nahi padtha toh jab Mishti ne kaha ki tumhari health theek nahi roh aise mera Dil khabrata Hein Kya.?..itni busy schedule ko laat maarke dosti ka bahaana banake yahaan aata Hein Kya?"
Kethu looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion...and Nihaal knew of no way to assuage her doubts other than to cup her face and lean on to her and touch her forhead with his...
" I don't know how when and why...but somehow a shy smiling face has been haunting me in my days and nights...and was punishing myself for having feelings for my best friend's sister.... mustering bits of courage to tell him ..."
***
Abir slowed down as he reached down and thought of not panicking everybody..and spotted Mishti and Kuhu coming out of Massima's room..
Seeing Abir's face Mishti sensed his distress..
Abir jogged up to them...
"Pata nahi Kethu ko hua Kya Hein...ro rahi Hein...kuch Bata nahi Rahi...Kuhu tum ek glass paani leke aana please... Mishti Chalo.."
Abir held her hand and pulled her lightly along him...as Kuhu moved to the dining table..
Mishti asked Abir what happened and at his desperate shake of head ran ahead of him..and came to a sudden still as she reached the door..
" Wh..."
His incredulous outburst was stopped in time by a palm clamping his mouth..
*****
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