|Last Resort| - KuVan SS

Guess, there is no dearth of directions a story can take. So, this story is going to follow up after Vandana's marriage to Vaibhav has happened.

And, wanted to thank everyone who take their time out to share how they liked the story I am posting. Gives any writer, motivation to continue.

Part 1

The sight of her glowing face was irking.

That khann khann of her wedding bangles was deafening.

And that sindoor...it was blinding him.

Kunal couldn't help but glower as Vandana skipped around the office, on her second day of marriage.

He didn't want to think, that Vaibhav had used her love.

He didn't want to ponder what her husband was doing with her sister, behind her back.

The thought made him nauseous.

His failure sickened him.

He had failed this girl. She had signed up for the worst ever heartbreak.

He didn't want to imagine the pain she was going to be in. Because one day, Vaibhav was going to abandon her. There was a reason why that duo had not eloped. They had definitely planned something.

So lost he was in his thoughts, that he forgot to skip the step ahead, stubbed his toe against it, stumbled next and hit his knee against the pillar.

"Shit!!" Kunal groaned.

Vandana, who was busy admiring her mangalsutra was alerted by the murmured profanity, and turned to see him sitting on the stairs, nursing his knee.

"Kya hua, sir?!" Shouting, she rushed to him and dropped on her knees to look at him.

Kunal grumbled, "Am fine. Go do your work".

Complying immediately, she stood up but stretched her palm towards him.

He glared at her hand, and then at her, "NO! What part of it, do you not understand?" He snapped.

He turned his face away then, only to see Vaibhav and Mrunal's reflection in the glass. And his temper flared recalling Vaibhav's warning to maintain 'samaajik doori'.

Not wanting to be fired for the transgression of offering help, Vandana turned to go back to her seat but paused when Kunal spoke, "Haath do".

Turning her head, she saw his waiting palm and scrunched her face in annoyance.

His brow shot up in response, and sighing, she clasped his palm in hers and pulled him up to his feet. Kunal stumbled then, his feet disbalanced as Vandana wrapped her hands around his torso and he found his cloaking around her back, for support.

So, when Vaibhav and Mrunal stepped inside, they found Kunal and Vandana in embrace.

"What the hell is going on?!" Vaibhav thundered, as Vandana pulled away from Kunal and Kunal scoffed.

'Jiska khud ka zameer nahi hai, vo dusro ko raub dikha rha hai!'

"Nothing Vaibhav, Kunal sir fell so I was just helping him", Vandana replied innocently.

"Aur kitna girenge, Kunal sir!" Vaibhav mocked while Kunal rolled his eyes.

"Competition hota toh meri haar pakki thi. Kyunki kuch log toh itne gire hue hain, ki unhe uthaya bhi nhi jaa sakta!"

Having earned a tick from Vaibhav then, Kunal proceeded to move towards the recording room but winced and limped, as his knee jerked. Immediately, Vandana came to his aid, throwing his arm over her shoulder and wrapping hers around his waist.

Their gaze met then, and for that split second, everything ceased to exist. She didn't deserve this. Oh, how he wished he could protect her!

A very pissed Vaibhav walked up to the two then, and broke the trance as he spoke, "Let me help him, Vandu". But as he moved to take Kunal's hand, the latter raised his other palm upfront, to stop him.

"Who allowed you to come inside?" He shot a scornful look at Mrunal making her flinch.

" And...did I allow you to touch me? Kunal Malhotra aksar logon ko paas nhi aane deta aur jinhe allow karta hai..." He looked at Vandana then, "unhe jaane nahi deta".

He glared at Vaibhav then, his hold on her shoulder tightening, "Get me into the room Vandana and bring the list of trainees, for longlisting".

Nodding, she mouthed a sorry to Vaibhav and helped Kunal wobble into the room. And while the door of the recording room was slowly being shut, Kunal glowered at Vaibhav and as the other man's face reddened, Kunal realized what he had to do.

Keep Vandana close, and drive Vaibhav so over the edge that his facade would crumble sooner than later. So that Vandana wouldn't be blindsided much longer.

Recalling the 'act' Vaibhav had put up when Kunal had barely touched him that day, Kunal was determined to take page out of Vaibhav's book.

Her heart was going to break anyway. He would rather it happen in a manner that would spoil Vaibhav's and Mrunal's nefarious schemes for good.

yes kunal go off! *evil smirks*

oh I love this version of him. cunning and challenging. Vaibhav better fasten his seat belt lol

The scenes between Kunal and Vandu are written so beautifully, nish.

I only wish we get to see something like this on-screen.

Can't wait to read what Kunal will do next to irritate vaibhav and protect his vandu. I am going to read this piece once again to enjoy it all over again! that's how fun and good it is.

keep writing more and more.

I love it ❤️

Please update soon

I can't wait to see Kunal Vandana close 😍

Part 2

His father was arriving on 16th.

"Exactly 12 days..." Kunal muttered, before leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

They had yet to find the voice they were looking for. The candidates he had screened didn't give him much to work with. He also needed to conduct interviews for the Bandra office too.

Another deep sigh.

He had so much to do. Cherry on the top was his aching knee. To think he would end up bruising the very one, he had broken in the accident 4 years back.

"All OK?"

His eyes flew open to the familiar voice, straightening his neck to address her but words abandoned him as he saw her.

Peach saree. Hair in a lose bun. Bindi on forehead. Neck adorned with mangalsu...

Kunal sat up immediately and cleared his throat. "I am fine".

Still unconvinced, Vandana nodded and proceeded towards her work desk, while Kunal pinched the bridge of his nose.

"All ok...at home?"

Vandana turned to see Kunal looking at her and smiled. "Sab acche hain, baba se abhi milkar hi aayi hoon aur--

"I was asking about your sa..sasural", Kunal interrupted and Vandana 'oh'ed.

"Sab bahot acha hai. No one minds my work, and I am allowed to sing". He wasn't sure of the look that crossed her face then and paid heed.

"Vaibhav is quite busy these days though. Told me he has a new bos- And Vandana pressed her lips tight in confusion. Why was she telling Kunal sir all of this?

Kunal nodded as he got off the couch and walked towards his cabin. Busy, right. In making a fool out of you, most definitely.

It was after lunch that Vandana found herself being called to Kunal's cabin.

"May, I come in?"

Kunal looked up from the papers he was going through and ushered her in.

"Take a seat, Ms. Karmarkar".

She was tempted to correct him then, but resisted and took a chair in front of him.

He opened a file then and taking out what seemed to be some sort of legal document and handwritten sheet, placed in front of her.

Vandana's blood turned to ice. That paper was...it was...that contract.

She looked at him, her gaze clouding with fear and Kunal shook his head then. "I have drawn up a new contract. I am cancelling the old one."

Eyes shifting to the legal pink papers then, she fingered them hesitant. What new terms had he added now?

He watched her face mired in dread and wasn't surprised at how transparent she was.

"I.. realize that it was an unfair contract". She looked up as Kunal continued, " I was desperate and..." He looked away then, wondering if making amends was supposed to be this hard.

"Vandana, I...want us to turn over a new leaf. I may not be the most pleasant man out there, but I don't enjoy exploiting others. This is a legal contract, and your official offer letter, as an employee of Kanak records, that is, if you would still like to continue".

Vandana didn't know what to make of it. Kunal was offering her a truce. He was giving her a choice. Was this real? She could still vividly recall the humiliation he had put her through. How he had walked all over her respect, how he had expelled them from their house, how he had almost terminated her for daring to speak.

A tear trickled down her eye, the wounds suddenly fresh and hurting.

"What is written in this contract? Tell me", she urged suddenly, wiping off her cheek.

He tried to read her face. Hopeful but still cautious. On edge.

Kunal nodded then. Bitterness was hardly palatable.

"This contract states that Vandana Karmarkar is being hired as a Personal assistant in Kanak records, for a gross payment of 35,000-/- per month. Sundays and second Saturday are holidays. One paid leave per month is allowed. Otherwise, there will be deduction @ 1000 per day. Then-

"You won't be taking my 90% salary to pay off the house debt?" She interrupted and Kunal agreed, "Yes, I won't. I have decided to draw a separate contract, where we can decide on the amount, you'll find agreeable to pay on a monthly basis. Though, I suggest minimum of 10,000 because the--

"I will pay 15,000 per month", she interjected again, before something came to mind and she added, "The interest?"

"None, Vandana"

"But--

"I am not a loan shark, nor a commercial bank. All I want is my money. Nothing more. Nothing less"

"But, I don't think that's fair".

"Have you suddenly hit a jackpot?" He asked, as her brows furrowed.

"Then, why must you insist on increasing your burden. Just pay back the Principal, Ok?"

She hesitated and Kunal stressed himself, "Ok?!"

She nodded then as Kunal continued, "Great. So, you will be paying 15,000 as monthly installments and if, you ever happen to have extra money to spare, you can pay in advance. And uhm.." Leaning on his elbows, fingers steepled he added, " as you were paid four months in advance, I can exempt you from monthly installments for the next two months".

"And must I continue to work here?"

Kunal winced at her question. He hadn't exactly been a jolly boss, though.

"No, there is no compulsion. However, you will have to work here four months atleast since-- He left the sentence hanging and Vandana nodded. The advance.

"Your work hours will be 9-6, and unless required otherwise, you are free to leave the office at aforementioned timings without my permission. Also, I'd prefer if you will hire a peon, to accomplish the basic tasks around here, like cleaning, fetching posts and such".

"But sir, itna chota sa toh office hai. Main kar lun-

"No, you won't", Kunal raised his finger shutting her down, "This is an order. You will find a person suitable for the job and will relay the same to me for necessary formalities".

Vandana nodded, a bit indignant. She was thinking of his gains only!

"I appreciate you worrying about our finances, but we are good", He replied, forcing her eyes to widen. Had she said it aloud?

He tilted his head at her.

No, she hadn't. This man could read minds.

Kunal bit back the small smile threatening to find his lips, for her face was conveying her thoughts all too well.

"You are my P.A. You are hired to assist me, in my tasks. The only person whose orders you have to comply with are mine, and mine alone. And that too, only if they are relevant. I will say it once, so listen well- you are not a servant. You don't have to do everything under the sun. You don't have to do menial and unnecessary tasks, assigned by anyone. You can, and you must speak for yourself. Is that clear?"

Vandana smiled, "Crystal!"

"Carrying on, you may be required to accompany me on work trips, occasionally. That is, in case if were to conduct auditions in some other city, or maybe something else. I don't want any excuses later on".

She nodded immediately, and Kunal nodded too.

"That will be all then. You can take your copy of the contract, and if you have any questions, we can discuss them tomorrow", And with that, he immersed himself back into the file in his hand.

Sliding back the chair, she roused and turned to leave. As she did, her anklets chimed and Kunal paused, mid reading, distracted. She shuffled towards the door, and her anklets jingled again. He stared at her retreating form a beat before stopping her.

"One more thing, Vandana"

She spun to face him, and Kunal willed himself to focus. "It will be better, if you will dress simple".

Vandana gave herself a onceover in response. She wasn't exactly running for a fashion show!

"What I meant was, your...this..." he signaled with his hands, " is too distracting".

"Ji?"

Kunal coughed, "Saree isn't good for...mobility and your anklets are loud". And seeing your red partition, reminds me of that trash, and the mere reminder sours my mouth.

Vandana acquiesced. She also preferred suits.

"Shall I leave now?"

"Yes. And I want you to check the company mail. The shortlisted candidates have updated 3 minutes singing clips, and I want you to go through them and give me your input".

Her eyes bulged, "Main?"

His brow rose in response.

"But sir aapko toh-

"You have till Lunch tomorrow. Now, off you go".

'-but aapko toh meri aawaz alien jesi lagti hai'. Vandana walked to her desk disturbed. The man had, of his own volition waved the flag of peace, then why did he assign her this task?

"Ugh, he will definitely mock my choices!" Vandana grumbled before settling down and getting to work.

No choice here, Vandana. None at all.

Ooff this one, took some more than usual thinking and rephrasing.

Have a great reading time!

Nish

Oohhh I would love to see something like this in the show 😍😍

Please please continue soon

These two updates are sooooooooo good!!! I really wish this happened in the show!!! I had hoped V would get back to work but the 4 days of leave seem to be dragging for ever! What a lovely write! Please keep this going - so much nicer than the current minimal K&V scenes the writers of the show give us! Really loved reading these two parts!

These are so so damn good! Please continue this! Would love to read this new phase of KuVan

Originally posted by: Mirage09

These are so so damn good! Please continue this! Would love to read this new phase of KuVan

Glad to know you liked it😁

Originally posted by: luvzindagi

Oohhh I would love to see something like this in the show 😍😍

Please please continue soon

Show main toh shayad hi proper apology mile.