Next day, he came to his cabin and called his secretary on the intercom "Rashmi zaraa aaj ka schedule leke aana to" without waiting for an answer he cut the call.
Riddhima stared at the phone as she heard his voice and then the beep as he cut the call. Did he say 'Rashmi'? Who is Rashmi? Then she remembered she was his ex-ES. Oh so it means he has forgotten that she no more works here. Good. Forgetful camel is her boss she thought. But she was still not able to understand how she should behave now? She has made herself look like a fool. She picked up the Schedule Log and hesistantly left for his cabin.
Hearing a soft knock at the door, he pressed the button at the left corner of his table. Riddhima saw the green light blink besides the door indicating that she is allowed in and clicked open the door. She stood at the door as if waiting for the permission to enter, she was hell like nervous. Though Armaan did pressed the entry button which was almost a reflex action, but he was too engrossed in his work that didn't realize if somebody is standing at the door.
Not knowing what to do, Riddhima stood at the door for around 5 minutes waiting for him look up so that she can ask for his permission. When she realized she would not be getting any response she cleared her throat "Ahem-ahem"
Hearing the sound he shook his hand carelessly towards her signaling her to come in, still busy with his Laptop.
She came forward and stood besides the visitor's chairs holding the Schedule file and waited for him to tell her why has he called her. She was still clearly embarrassed. He waited for her to narrate the day's plan but nothing came up. Confused his eyes shifted a little away from the laptop and he saw somebody's legs covered with light-blue salwar shifting awkwardly. As he looked up his eyes broadened.
"TUM? Tum yahan phir se? tum..." he stopped in the middle of his sentence as he saw confusion on her face. Of course Riddhima was confused at his response. Has he lost his memory? Realizing why she was there he spoke again in a lowered voice "Oh... tum"
"Good Morning Sir" she greeted him pulling a straight face. Not wanting to show her discomfort and embarrassement, she tried to behave normal, but only she knew how she had convinced herself to say sorry to him.
He simply nodded in response and waited for her to continue looking back in his laptop.
It was the first thing as per his office routine to go through the Day's Schedule before doing anything else. Whenever he called Rashmi and he lets her in, she would simply come and will start narrating him sitting in the front chair.
When Riddhima still didn't start he spoke again "Do you need to look for some mahurat to start up the narration?"
"What?" she asked while he signaled towards the file she was holding. Understading his gesture, she mumbled "I was just waiting for you to concentrate"
"What?" he looked up as he heard her mumbling something.
"Huh... Nothing... nothing" she nodded anxiously and narrated him the schedule. "And that's all for the day..." with that she closed the file.
"Alright Rashmi..." he started only to be interrupted by her
"Riddhima..." he looked up hearing that and wrinkled his brow in question so she continued "My name... if you have forgotten, its Riddhima, not Rashmi..." she stated in a lowered voice.
He realized his mistake, but instead of apologizing he chose to say "I know... I was just testing how alert you are while taking instructions" the haughty look on his face changed everything.
She made a face while he looked back in his laptop's screen. She waited for him to continue what was he about to tell her, but when he didn't continue she turned back and moved towards the door.
"Cancel all my schedules for the day after 2:00 pm." He spoke still looking on the screen.
She turned back towards him "What?"
He shook his head in annoyance and said "Do I have to keep rewinding my sentences for every instruction I pass?"
"No... but I think I heard you telling me to cancel all the appointments after 2" she said.
"Oh, so it means you heard it..."
"Yes, I did, but then..."
"Then what? Ok you want me to say it in our Mother tongue, as in 'Matra Bhasha Hindi', ok... aaj 2 baje ke baad ke saare appointments cancel kar do..." he said "2 baje matlab dopahar ke" he added quickly.
His reponse changed her decision to say sorry to him. She stood there gritting her teeth in her closed mouth. Does he have to say it all in this way? Cant he speak in a straight and simple language? "I know what you meant, but I was just reconfirming it since you have an important meeting at 4:30 'PM' today with a client..." she stressed on PM.
"I heard the schedule and I know who is the client... just do as I say" he replied. As she turned around he added "And yes..." She looked back to find a haughty smirk on his face. He continued "don't forget to apologize to the client"
Replying with a fake wide smile she walked out while Armaan spranged back into his chair smiling. Hmm, this is gonna be something different he thought. Then once again he got engrossed in his work.
She entered her cabin murmuring things under breath. "Bas kah diya ki appointments cancel kar do, arey aise kaise cancel kar du, kuch reason to dena chahiye tha..." she sat on her chair "Ab kya karu? kya reason du client ko?" She cupped her cheek in her hands while her elbows resting on the table "Pata nahi Rashmi kya karti thi? Maine to ye kaam pahle kabhi nahi kiya, to mujhe kya pata ki kya kahna hai?"
She thought for a while and then picking up the phone she dialed Rashmi's number, but it seemed to be busy. Putting down the phone she looked at the file again. Then thinking something, she dialed the client's number and immediately cut it.
The phone rang abruptly. She picked up the phone and thanked god for the help as she finished the call. The client she was about to call to cancel the meeting has called himself apologizing and asking if they can postpone their meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At 1:50pm as she sat in the cafeteria having her lunch, her phone rang.
"Where are you Miss. Gupta?" she heard his annoyed voice.
"I am in the cafeteria" She replied.
"What the hell... I told you to cancel my appointments, have you done that?" he asked.
"Its done sir"
"Alright I am leaving for the day... in case anyone ask for me, just let them know that I wont be available till tommorow... get it?"
"Yes sir... I do"
As she put her phone down and started her meal Sunaina, Atul's secretary who was accompanying her asked "Armaan the?"
"Hmm..." Riddhima replied.
"What was he saying?"
"Nothing, just telling me that he is retiring for the day"
"Ok..." Sunaina had seen her irritated expressions when she picked his call. She had also heard the incident from the last day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Armaan reached Vaibhav's school and took him to their house.
Armaan was in his room getting ready, while Vaibhav was waiting for him in the living room. Suddenly he thought of something and picked up the phone. Hearing his voice he spoke
"Hi Yash, main Vaibhav"
"O... Hi Vibhi, tu aaj school bus mein nahi aaya, phir ghar kaise gaya?" Yash asked him.
"Wo mujhe chachu lene aaye the"
"Kya? Superman aaye the... aur mujhse mile bhi nahi..." Yash replied grimacly.
"Arey yaar, hum jaldi mein the na, lekin sun hum log Essel World jaa rahe hain, tu chalega?"
"Essel World? Wow... chalunga, lekin mom... pata nahi wo jaane degi ya nahi" he sounded sad.
"Don't worry about that, Main unse puch lunga, aur phir chachu bhi to hai na"
"Theek hai, main mumma ko bulata hu" Yash ran to call Muskaan.
"Hey buddy, whats up? Kis se baat kar raha hai?" Armaan asked Vaibhav as he came down.
"Shh" Vaibhav shushed him as he heard a voice on the other side "Hello Muskaan Aunty?"
"Hello Vaibhav kaise ho tum?"
"I am fine Aunty... Aunty main Essel World jaa raha hu, kya Yash bhi mere saath ja sakta hai?"
"Essel World... lekin bete abhi-abhi to wo school se aaya hai, aur phir usne apna homework bhi nahi kiya. Aaj nahi beta, phir kisi din" Muskaan said in a motherly tone.
"Please aunty... aane do na. Hum jaldi aa jayenge, aur phir wo apna homework kar lega"
"Nahi bete, aaj nahi phir kabhi" Muskaan tried to convince him.
"Please aunty, main chachu ke saath ja raha hu, unhone specially aaj office se chutti li hai" Vaibhav whined.
"Kya hua Vibhi" Armaan interrupted "Muskaan nahi maan rahi kya?"
"Nahi..." Vaibhav nodded.
"La mujhe de" Vaibhav handed him the receiver "Hi Muskaan! How are you moti?"
"Hello kaun Armaan?"
"Haan main"
"Hi Armaan... aur main moti nahi hu soon-to-be-Mamu-yet-again" she giggled
"Ok-Ok soon-to-be-mother-yet-again..." he laughed "Arey yaar, kyun mana kar rahi ho... Aane do na Yash ko humare saath"
"Armaan Yash ne homework nahi kiya hai abhi tak aur tum kya in dono ko akele leke jaa rahe ho?" she asked
"Haan, to kya hua? Nahi to kya poori fauj leke jaani chahiye... wo homework to to wapis aake bhi kar sakta hai... aur agar ek din nahi bhi kiya to kya hua?"
"Armaan tum na in dono ko bogaad doge... aur tum rahne hi do, ye dono milke tumhe pagal kar denge" she replied
"Arey, kuch nahi hoga, main sambhal lunga, tum bas Yash ko ready rakhna... I am coming to pick him up... bye" he cut the call without waiting for her answer.
"Kya hua chachu, aunty maan gayi kya?" Vaibhav asked.
"Manti kaise nahi... ab chal lets go and pick him up, then we will go to Essel world"
"Yayyyyy" Vaibhav jumped in joy and walked to his car holding his hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yippieeeee..." he jumped and kissed Muskaan's cheek "Thanks mom"
Around 30 minutes later she heard the door bell ring and got up carefully to open it as no one else was home.
"Hi Aunty... Yash kahan hai?" Vaibhav asked her as soon as she opened the door.
"Hi Vibhi, Yash upar hai apne room mein" Muskaan smiled at him while he ran to Yash's room.
"Hi Muskaan" Armaan hugged her "Is he ready?"
"Hi..." parting from the hug she added "he is... Tum baitho, main tumhare kiya paani lati hu..."
"Koi aur ghar pe nahi hai kya?" he asked seeing no one else as he followed her to the kitchen.
"Nahi... Mummiji-Papaji, Papaji ke kisi dost se milne gaye hain, aur Rahul aur Baby office gaye hain" she explied taking out the water bottle form the refrigerator.
"Oh... to iska matlab you will be home alone"
"Haan" she gave him glass of water.
"To ek kaam karo tum bhi humaare saath chalo" he adviced as he drank.
"Arey main kya karoongi wahan... aur main koi bachchi nahi hu Armaan"
"Bachchi nahi hai, lekin is haalat mein aise ghar pe akele rahna theek nahi hai... kahi koi zaroorat pad gayi to?"
"Armaan tum bhi na... abhi sirf 6th month chal raha hai... koi zaroorat nahin padegi... Kanahiya kuch samaan lene gaya hai, abhi aata hi hoga... aur thodi der mein Mummiji-Papaji bhi wapis aane wale hain..."
"Lekin phir bhi..."
"Lekin-wekin kuch nahi... agar main tum logo ke saath gayi to wapis aane tak mujhe Mental Hospital mein appointment leni padegi... nahi baba main to aise hi theek hu..." she chuckled
"Theek hai as you wish, but call me if you need anything"
"OK Boss... tumse bahas karne ka koi fayeda to hai nahi" she laughed.
"Of course, so don't even try" he laughed too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He entered the room to find Yash fidging with his shoe laces.
"Hi Yash" Vaibhav greeted him as he jumped on his bed.
"Hi Vibhi! tu aa bhi gaya?" Yash replied "Superman nahi aaye?" he asked as he tried to peek at the door.
"Aaye hai na... neeche aunty se baat kar rahe hain"
"Ok... main abhi ready ho jata hu" Yash replied while Vaibhav waited. Suddenly his yes fell on the photo frame lying on a table so he turned towards Yash and asked.
"Yash Angel kahan hai? We will take her as well"
"Bua to office gayi hain" Yash replied.
"Oh... wo kya jaldi nahi aa sakti, hum unhe bhi saath le chalte?"
"Pata nahi..." Yash shrugged.
"Do you know her number?" Vaibhav asked.
"Haan... main unhe phone karta hu" Yash went out and came back with the cordless phone and dialed Riddhima's number. "Hi Bua"
"Hi Yash... bolo kaise phone kiya?" she smiled hearing his voice.
"Bua we are going to Essel world... aap bhi chalo na..."
"Essel World... wow... 'we are' matlab?"
"Matlab main, Vibhi aur uske chachu"
"Ok... but sorry Yash I cant come, mujhe aaj bahut sara kaam hai"
"Please bua" he requested.
"Kya hua Yash?" Vaibhav asked. Yash nodded negatively and handed him the phone. "Hi Girl Friend" he addressed her.
"Hi Vibhi! How are you?"
"I am fine... Girl Friend hum Essel World jaa rahe hain... main, Yash aur chachu, aap bhi chalo na humare saath"
"Vibhi I would have loved to, lekin mujhe office mein bahut saara kaam hai, main nahi aa paongi" she replied
"Please Girl Friend, please" he requested.
"Main jaroor aati Vibhi, lekin aaj mere boss bhi nahin hai office mein to mujhe permission kaun dega, warna main zaroor aati."
"Agar aapke boss nahi hai, to aap office band karke aa jao, unhe pata bhi nahi chalega"
She laughed "Aise nahi ho sakta Vibhi... unke peeche se mujhe hi unke kaam karne hote hain... aur agar wo wapis aa gaye to? Wo to mujhe job se hi nikaal denge... kya tum ye chate ho ki wo mujhe job se nikaal de" she tried to explain.
"Nahi... agar aap bolo to kya main apne chachu se kahu ki wo apke boss se baat kar le... mere chachu bahut strong hain, unki baat koi nahi taal sakta... aapke boss bhi aapko nahi daantenge aur job se bhi nahi nikalenge" Vaibhav suggested innocently.
She laughed again "Nahi Vibhi, iski koi zaroorat nahin, lekin agar maine office aise hi chod diya aur peeche se koi bahut important kaam aa gaya to? Phir to problem ho jayegi na... phir aapki Girl friend ka impression bhi kharaab ho jayega, tab kya tumhe achcha lagega"
"Oh... theek hai, but aapko promise karna hoga ki next time aap jaroor chalogi"
"God Promise... next time pakka" she pinched her throat.
"Ok GF"
"GF?" she asked.
"Haan GF matlab 'Girl Friend'" he elaborated.
"Ok..." she smiled.
"Bye GF, hum kal beach pe milenge, aaj to main shayad nahi aa paonga"
"Ok... bye and enjoy your day"
"Kya hua? Bua maan gayi kya?" Yash asked as soon as Vaibhav put the phone down.
"Nahi... unhe bahut saara kaam hai... maine socha ki bekaar main unke office ka nuksaan kyun karaaye, aur phir unke boss ko kuch nahi aata, isliye GF hi saara kaam dekhengi..." Vaibhav replied making up his own story.
"Oh... chalo phir"
With that they went down stairs and drove to Essel world with Armaan as per his promise.
The crazy trio enjoyed the whole evening messing up with things and people around. They played and even pranked with some of the visitors at Essel World. As usual Armaan pampered them by buying bulk of toys for both of them. Finally at around 9:00pm he dropped Yash his home. Rahul asked him to come in when he handed sleeping Yash in his arms, but Armaan refused signaling towards Vaibhav, who was also sleeping in his car. Bidding good night to Rahul, Armaan drove back to his house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the elevator door opened and a few co-trekker employees in the lift disboarded, she heard someone yelling at the top of his voice. She tilted her head and tried to recognize the voice, but could not do so as the lift door closed in seconds.
Entering her office, she sighed. She organized her cabin properly and then went to check whether Armaan has come or not.
She didn't see him in the office. He might haven't arrived yet, she thought and started clearing the mess he has created in his table. Hell... what does he do? Everything is strewned on the table.
She saw a bag lying on the side table. It was his Laptop. Oh it means he has come... but then where is he? What am I thinking this, he is the boss, its his office, he can go wherever he want. He might have gone somewhere, she shrugged and continued the clearing the muddle. Once she was done placing things at their right place, she called the cleaning staff to clean up. None from the cleaning staff was allowed in his office till they get permission.
Dilip, the chief cleaner came in and unsoiled everything under Riddhima's supervision. Once he was gone, Riddhima check his personal Fax machine for any sort of faxes. Thankfully none of them were there. She made her way to her cabin and started checking his formal business mails.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He was frowning angrily as he open the door to his cabin. Seeing his table cleaned up and everything in place, first his glare increased, but as he opened his drawer and checked other things, his face relaxed a bit. Everythings was in place and of course arranged in an extremely organized way. He sat on his chair with his head resting on its back and closed his eyes to loosen up.
It was yet another mistake he had to handle. Why cant they work following such simple and small instructions? He thought. His eyes fell on the glass partition which separated his cabin from Riddhima's. The blinds were closed. He got up and walked towards the Balcony at back side of his table. Holding the railing he leaned over it and stared at the road below. He couldn't hear the noise as he was on the 10th floor, but the crowd seemed to be sending silent roars.
He was angry. He could handle everything, but carelessness was something he could never stand. Mistakes, a little bit of imperfection were granted, but negligence, NO. He ran his hands through his hair. Hearing some sound, he turned around to see her rummage around with some files on the shelf on the right side on his table.
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EPISODE TWENTY-EIGHT
He was angry. He could handle everything, but carelessness was something he could never stand. Mistakes, a little bit of imperfection were granted, but negligence, NO. He ran his hands through his hair. First the morning incident, and now as he entered the office, this carelessness. God, its a bad day. Of course it is... its the same ugly day. Hearing some sound, he turned around to see her rummage around with some files on the shelf on the right side on his table.
He walked in "What are doing?"
"Huh?" she turned around.
"What are you doing here?" he repeated annoyingly.
"I... I was searching for the Tender file for Jacob Lines" she replied a little startled with his tone.
"Oh... so you remember that you are working here? Good..." he scoffed
"Excuse me?" she was puzzled with the way he was talking.
"Yes... its great to know that you are aware you.are an employee here and should also work sometimes..." he taunted
"What do you mean? I always knew that... and what did I do, that you are talking to me that way?" she asked still not able to understand his taunts.
"So you also have a problem with the way I talk... then... are you here to give me lectures on 'the ways to talk to your employees'..." he raised his voice.
"What are you talking about? I came here just to get the file so that I can study it and prepare the presentation for day after tommorow's Tender staging... but I guess you actually are not interested in any work right now... instead in a mood to make mockery of others, I think I should better leave..."
She turned to leave, but he walked to her and grabbed her by her upper arm "What do you think of youself? You are 'my' employee, I am not yours... I have a complete right to say anything if you make any mistakes, and if you cant handle it just get out of here..." he shouted.
"Look... I dont know what are you talking about... As far as I remember, I didnt make any mistake and leave my arm..." she cringed in pain as she struggled to free herself.
He stared at her face in anger while she kept trying to release her arm from his grip. She looked up at his rigid face which reflected only frustration and anger. Why was he behaving like this? What did I do? She chould not understand.
He looked down at her irritated face. He could 'see' she was in pain, but his mind was too much occupied to 'feel' that she was in pain. His brain wasnt working as his intensified rage had dominated those emotional regions of his heart which could never ever hurt anyone.
Their short conversation was interrupted as the phone rang. He let go her hand and took a deep breath trying to compose himself.
"Hello" he picked up the phone.
"Armaan, where are you?" It was Omang.
"I am in my cabin dad..."
"Ok, come down here, I have to show you something"
"Dad, I am sorry, but can you give me some time" he knew that he will not be able to concentrate at the moment.
"Why? Whats wrong Armaan? Is everything alright?" Omang removed his glasses and put them on his table as he sensed tension in his voice.
"Nothing Dad... I am just... not feeling good..."
"But..." As his eyes fell on the calendar, he remembered something "Oh I understand... Its ok son, if you want, then go home and take care ok... I will take care of rest"
"Thanks dad... and I am sorry" Putting down the phone he picked up his Jacket and walked out.
Riddhima had already left as soon as the phone rang.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She sat in her cabin rubbing her arm. His grip had left some marks on her delicate wrist. Whats wrong? Did I make any mistake? She tried to recall, but couldnt find any. Then something striked her... Oh, could it be the reason? No, it cant... if it was it, then he could have mentioned yesterday itself. But he didnt say anything. Yes it could be... she argued with her own thoughts... may be he didnt remember yesterday and today he do.
*Knock-Knock*
She heard a soft knock on her door.
"Come in..."
"Hi Riddhima!" He greeted her.
"Hi Sir..." she stood up "please take a seat..."
"Pahle to tum mujhe ye Sir kahna band karo... tum Rahul ki sister ho, to mere liye bhi sister ki tarah hi ho... call me Atul"
"Ok, but I wont call you by your name" as he raised his brow she added "Aap agar Rahul Bhaiya ke dost hain to mere liye bhi aap bade bhai ki tarah hain, isliye I will call you Bhaiya... if you dont mind"
"Arey that will be the best" he smiled.
"kahiye what can I do for you?"
"wo... main actually Armaan se milne aaya tha. Kuch discuss karna tha, but he is not in his cabin. Do you know where he could be?" he asked.
She adjusted her dupatta over her arm adjusting in her chair "No" then she looked up "He was there in his cabin few minutes back..."
"But he isnt there right now... usne tumhe bataya nahi wo kahin jaa raha hai?"
"Nahin... he was looking a little angry when I went to his cabin"
"Kyun kuch hua tha kya?"
"Tch... nahin... I dont know..."
"Phir is tarah kahan gaya hoga wo?" Atul said while trying to think where he could have gone. Armaan was the one who never left the Office, without informing anyone. "Anyways, I will leave now... main dekhta hu kahan hai wo"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As he walked out of the elevator still trying to think he saw Omang coming over
"Atul"
"Yes dad"
"Its 14th June today"
"Oh... so that's why..." Atul recalled the day "Dad he is not there in his cabin"
"Yes I know... I asked him to go home. He was sounding very angry"
"Alright... but he wont go home in this mood" Atul said.
"Even I think so... I am sure you know where he could be" Omang asked.
"I am not sure, but may be I can find him... dont worry dad, I will go nd try to find him"
"Ok... I will take care of everything here... Riddhima and Rahul are here to help me..."
"Ok dad... I will inform you as soon as I find him" Atul left with that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He sat on the chair near the bar holding a glass of strong plain soda. He wasnt a regular alcoholic, but just an occasional drinker, who would pick a glass just to accompany his business associates, yet he had an immense control over himself. He could handle hard drinks very well. It was yet another impressive part of his personality. He didnt like drinking, but what could he do, it was a matter of civic mannerism and respect for others. People these days, no matter which section of the society they belonged to, think that drinking is a status symbol, a fashion for modern and advanced people of 21st century.
Armaan thought adverse about it. For him drinking was ok for the people who live in cold zones of the earth as hard drinks help in keeping the body warm and saves them from getting cold. But it wasnt in for him. To him it was the symbol of cowardness. People, who take it as a status symbol, just try to justify it to cover up their bad habit.
He wasnt an inflexible man. In fact, he loves adapting good things from other cultures and people, but only good ones. The habits or things which were appalling had to stay away. To most people it sounded old fashioned, but for him it was the most respectful part of his culture.
He had seen many families victimised by alcoholism. The damages caused by this habit were irreversible. Just coz of one person's bad habit he had seen the whole family getting destroyed. The pain, the suffering of poor kids hurt him the most.
If not needed he always try to avoid its consumption. Even in an emotionally stressful situations, like the one he was facing at the moment while sitting alone in the pub, he preferred to stay away from it.
He stared at the women swaying on the dance floor, while his emotions were floating somewhere else. He recollected the same day from his past once again. It was the day he listed as of a betrayal. He stood up and walked towards the floor. Gripping the girl dancing there, her twirled her around and brought her back with force. She landed on his chest and looked up startled and a bit annoyed. Her glare turned into a smile as she saw his face. Oh so he is the Armaan Malik. Its my lucky day I guess, she thought.
They danced with each other for more than an hour. For her, she was enjoying dancing with the most handsome, rich and eligible bachelor in the country... but to him, it was his way to show that he can make any girl sway on his finger tips. Though he was dancing, but his mind was wandering in his past and on something which happened that morning. He recalled the morning incident.
"Bye Mom, bye Shobs" he bid goodbye to Aarti and Dadi and drove towards the Office.
After driving for a while, his car stopped with a jolt. He tried to turn the ignition on a few times, but it didnt work. Looked like his car wasnt in a mood to move. Thankfully he saw a Sign board indicating a Garage nearby. Locking his car he walked to the Garage and asked the Mechanic to check his car.
"Arey bhai, meri car wahan atak gayi hai... zaraa aake dekhna to kya problem hai"
"Abhi karta hu saab" the mechanic replied and went with him to check the car. After 5 minutes of diagnosis, he told Armaan that they have to tow it to the garage as there is some problem with the Ignition Coil of the car. Armaan asked him to go ahead. The mechanic called one of his co-worker and they pushed the car to the garage. Since it was going to take sometime, Armaan told them that he will be back in a while.
He walked into the Mall and decided to look for some good Business Magazines. He purchased a few of them from a shop there and walked through the corridor.
As he took a right turn he heard that name. His feet stopped automatically and moved towards the voice. He peeped there hiding behind the other side of the wall and saw a couple romancing in a solitary corner at the back passage.
"Oh baby... I missed you sooo much" the guy whispered in her ear while rubbing her back.
"Me too darling" the girl replied in the same way.
"It took you so long this time... How was America?" he asked playing with her shirt.
"It was fine... but no fun without you" she replied tugging his hair pulling him closer.
"Ahh... we havent done it for quite for sometime..." his hands wandered in her shirt pulling it upward.
.
"So whats the problem, lets do it now Sahil" she said seductively.
"Really?" he smiled wickedly "What about your husband? He might come following you in minutes" he asked.
"What about him... I divorced him 2 weeks back"
"What? Again?" he looked up.
"Why are you looking surprised rascal... you know me..." she replied with a snooty smile.
"So it means you are completely free to do anything... you came alone here..."
"Of course... Well I was getting bored with him as well, and by the way I was free to do anything even when I was with him." She bit his ear "He wasnt as good as you in bed" she replied in a seductively hoarse voice. "besides, he saw pictures of our funtime"
"Which one?" pulled her a little away still holding her by her waist.
"The one when you came over our house in America and we had our time in my bedroom"
"O... they were wonderful pics..."
"yes they were" she pulled him closer again.
"but how did he get them?" he asked kissing her neck..
"Well I was missing our sexy session, so just to enjoy I was watching them along with our video we shot and he came back earlier from his work"
"Oww... he must have blasted?"
"Shush... he never had those guts... I turned the tables around by proving him impotent and now I have another set of few lakh dollars added to my account. So we can enjoy more"
"You are such a bitch"
"So are you dog" she laughed.
"Oh... I am so dying to do it again... right now" he slipped her shirt down.
"Even I want it so badly..." she snapped his waist belt.
"then, lets do it now Manvi..." he tugged her hair from back and pushed his lips on hers.
"Oh my..." she groaned in between their wild kisses. "Come on darling... take me..."
"Not here... this is India remember... Lets go to my appartment" he suggested pulling away while she kept kissing his bare neck and chest since she had opened his shirt buttons.
"Alright... lets go..." she pulled back and wore here own shirt properly which they have almost removed during their short feral session.
They were doing it at a public place. Its disgusting. Dont they have any shame? Oh... shame do you think they have some after hearing what they were discussing? Bloody ugly swines... But is she the same Manvi? He couldnt see her face as her back was facing him. He saw them with disgust. His fist tightened as he heard their spiteful talk. He stood there for a few more minutes, thinking nothing, after he saw them leaving. He punched the wall beside him making some concrete shed off it, then frantically turned around striding away.
Walking into the Garage, he took the keys of his car back which was fixed by now. Shoving a few currency notes which were much more than the actual bill on the desk he drove away without saying anything while leaving the mechanic bewildered.
He drove mindlessly for a while, but came back to reality hearing the honk of a car behind him. Driving back to his office he parked his car in front of the office building and shove the keys to the transport supervisor of the company. He walked through the reception area and entered the elevator without responding to anyone's greetings.
Entering his cabin, he almost threw his bag on the couch and sat there with his hand on the coffee table breathing heavily. After a few minutes, he got up from his seat, opened the drawer and took out some of the papers. He was still confounded and unknowingly he was taking out stuff from various drawers and shelves in the cabin and kept laying them here and there. He wasnt thinking anything. It looked like he wanted to take out every pain hidden within himself and throw it away.
The fax machine rang to distract him. He went over to the machine and read the document he has just received. His eyes narrowed in anger as he figured out yet another mistake due to the carelessness of one of his employee.
Without thinking even for a second, he marched to the 4th floor and yelled over the man responsible. After giving him his peace of mind, he went back to his cabin.
Why? Why is it happening to me? Was she the same girl? If yes, then why is she back? Oh come on Armaan that girl you saw in the mall could be anyone else, its not like there is only one Manvi in the world, and even if she is the same one, then that doesnt meant she is gonna come back to your life again. Of course, even if she tries, you know her reality, so it shouldnt affect you. His mind argued, but he still wasnt able to think any further.
He came back to reality as he felt a pair of soft lips pressing down his throat. The girl he was dancing with seems to be smitten by him. She was trying to seduce him. He smirked arrogantly and pulled her hair. Looking down at her face, his index finger traced her face from her forehead till her jaw line through her cheeks finally stopping at her dark red lips. Hauling her closer he pressed his lips on hers so as to vent out his anger. The strokes were lacking any sort of emotions. It was just a physical attempt.
He stood some distance away and saw him kissing the unknown girl unthinkingly, but didnt go to stop him. He was rooted at the place he was standing. He didnt want a scene to be created in public. Besides nobody was actually noticing them kissing as they all were busy in their own world while the duo was kissing each other in one corner where the lights were extremely faint and barely anyone could see them.
The girl seemed to be enjoying the physical pleasure she was receiving from him. She was ready to give into the physical intimacy. It doesnt matter to her what it was, she was on the air thinking she was being kissed by none other than 'The Armaan Malik'. Suddenly pulling away he yanked her away and walked out of the pub without any words. She looked at him strangely for a while and then shrugged and started dancing again.
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Atul found him leaning on his back over the hood of his car, one of his leg folded at knee while other laid hanging down. He has removed his Jacket, tie was loosened and a few of of his shirt buttons were open. His eyes were closed and one of his hands rested on his forehead while the tension was clearly evident in his face. Atul slowly placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Tune mujhe dhundh hi liya na bhai" Armaan said without opening his eyes. He didnt need to open his eyes to recognize his close ones.
"Armaan?" Atul said.
Armaan opened his eyes and looked at him "Dad ne bataya"
"Hmm..." he nodded.
"Kyun? Why does this day even exist in my life?" Armaan said getting up from the car. "Maine kisi ka kya bigada tha jo mere saath aisa hua?" he walked to Atul and continued "Kya main itna bura hu bhai? Kya main sach mein ye deserve karta tha?"
"Nahin Armaan..."
"To phir kyun?" he cut him in between "Kyun hua mere saath ye sab? Kyun mila mujhe dokha?" he screamed. "Why?"
"Kyunki you deserve the best..." Atul replied "they didnt deserve 'YOU' Armaan... they werent worth it... your feelings, your love arent meant for such brutal hearted evil witches... its precious than everything else in the world..."
"Then why was I betrayed?" Armaan asked in a hoarse voice.
"Coz you you were wrong..." Armaan looked at Atul puzzled. Atul continued "You were wrong 'AT THAT TIME'... you were wrong in judging them... you were trying to give away the most valuable thing in the world, 'your heart', to the malicious and undeserving... So it was just god's way of saving you from making a mistake..."
Atul placed a hand on his shoulder again and continued "Armaan... apne bhavanaaon aur apne pyar ko aise gire hue logon ke baare mein soch ke barbaad mat kar... they are meant for someone special who might be waiting for you somewhere ahead... manta hu ke aaj ka din tere liye dard leke aya tha, but you have to try and forget that time and those people... tu hi kahta hai na ki we should always spend our valuable energy and time at the right place and for the right people... to phir apni zindagi ke is anmol din ko un ghatiya ladkiyon ke baare mein soch-soch ke kyun kharaab kar raha hai tu?"
Armaan watched at him for a while listening to him and then suddenly hugged him "Thanks bhai" he said with his eyes welling up "Thanks a lot" Atul hugged him back and patting him affectionately. They stood that way for a few seconds, then...
"Waise tu andar kya kar raha tha?" trying to lighten up the atmosphere Atul asked him as they parted from the brotherly hug.
"Kya?" Armaan asked rubbing his tears away. Atul raised his brow rolling his tongue. Understanding what was he talking about Armaan's eye widened and he added "What? D-did you... see that?"
"Yep..." Atul nodded.
"Wo... Wo main..." Armaan stammered.
"Chal koi baat nahi... I know there wasnt anything serious or intentional... lekin kahin kisi din phas mat jana apni in harkaton ki wajah se? aur specially agar Dad ko pata chala to..."
"NO..." Armaan interrupted him "Nahin yaar... dad... dad ko mat batana... please" he requested.
"Nahin bataonga... lekin ek shart pe"
"Mujhe teri har shart manzoor hai..."
"Theek hai to promise kar ki ab se kabhi bhi mujhe bataye bina is tarah kabhi kahin nahin jayega... pata hai tujhe dad kitne pareshaan the... Mom aur dadi ko to abhi pata hi nahi... socha hai ki agar unhe pata chala to unhe kitni taqleef hogi?" Atul reprimanded him.
"Sorry bhai... it wont happen again" Armaan apologized bowing his head.
"It better not..." Atul paused for a while and then added "Waise agar tu chahta hai ki main ye sab dad ko nahin bataon to... tu shaadi ke liye haan kar de"
"WHAT?" Armaan yanked his head up.
"What WHAT? I am saying shaadi ke liye haan kar de... tere liye achchi ladki main dhundh ke laonga" Atul suggested.
"Bhai now this is blackmailing... tune kaha tha ki 'EK' shart manani hai aur wo maine maan li... ab bas aur kuch nahi" he protested.
"Arey lekin..."
"NO"
"Par..."
"Nahin... NO... NEVER..." he sat in his car and drove away.
Atul stood there nodding his head "Ye nahin manane wala itni asaani se" he looked up at the ceiling of the parking area "Kahan phasa diya mujhe dad..." then he cursed himself "meri hi galti hai... mujhe pahli shart mein seedhe us se shaadi ki baat hi karni chahiye thi... shayad baat ban jaati... ab ise manane ke liye kuch aur hi sochna padega..." sitting in his car he started the engine "Kaash koi hota jo meri madad karta... kaash koi ladki mil jaaye mujhe jald se jald, to mera peecha chute..." he sighed "chal bhai Atul back to square one" he spoke to himself.
He called Omang "Dad... yes he is fine... dont worry, he is ok..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Armaan didnt go to his office after that. He needed to calm down. He drove to Aashraya and spent sometime with kids and old people living there.
It was around 8:00pm when he came back home. After refreshing he had dinner with his family and went back to his room again.
He opened his closet and to grab something, when his eyes fell on his mistery lucky box. He caressed it and then closed his eyes as he remembered the little girls' words. He tried to recall all the happy moments he has spent in his life. With his parents (Radhika and Avinaash), with his family (Vaibhav, Dadi, Omang, Aarti, Atul and Anjali), with his friends (Yash, Rahul, Muskaan, Minnie, Shubhankar and Kirti), and even with his employees.
But his eyes jerked open as he saw another new addition to his thoughts. He saw the same green eyed girl whom he met in Hotel Regal a few months back. What is this? Why did I see her? How come she came to my mind? Was it also a part of my happy moments? No... it cant be... I mean I dont even know who she is? I dont know where did she come from? I didnt even speak to her or see her face? Then why is her face... no wait... why her 'eyes' are haunting me?
He layed on his bed with his legs crossed and one of his hands resting on the back of his head. Staring at the ceiling his thoughts wandered towards his mystery girl once again. Who was she? She didnt look like one of the party invitee... Then who was she? What was there in her eyes that they keep coming back to my thoughts? Thinking about all these things he drifted off to sleep.
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Hey Friends... So the reason why Armaan has been disclosed. I am really greatful for all your support and comments. Thanks a loads lovely friends 🤗 love you all a lot. Please dont stop commenting.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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