Thanks guys. Here is chapter two
Chapter 2
You have to come to the party Sammy." Dia implored."I want no excuses."
She crossed her legs and pouted.
I smiled inwardly.Dia was such a drama queen but she was my friend and a really good one.
"Candy chill!Has it ever happened that you asked me to do something and I refused?"I asked her.
Her face relaxed into a smile."I know!Sammy will never say no to his Candy."
I laughed."Thats right Candy."
There was a small knock.Then Mr.Bhatia entered.He eyes locked onto Dia and he grimaced.
"Samrat,Mr.Shergill is looking for you."he said in a tight voice.
Dad!Oh no...
"Do you know why?"I asked him
"He wants you to make a presentation for the Malhotra deal to him."Mr.Bhatia said.
Damn...I have literally no idea about it.
"Mr.Bhatia..Couldnt you..."I began
"No I couldnt Samrat.Not this time.He wants to see you in thirty minutes."he replied shutting the door quietly.
I stared at the door.Thirty minutes!Damn!What was the Malhotra deal about?
"I think I better leave."Dia said getting up.
I forced a smile and nodded.
"I will see at the party Candy."I said.
She turned and flashed me a smile "Or sooner."
I grinned back at her and she left.
I took my cellphone out and called my second-in-command.
"Hey...Samrat Guru"a voice said
"Benji..Do you have any idea about the Malhotra deal?"
"Nope"He said lazily.
"Gawd!Dad wants a brief about it in 30..well twenty nine minutes."
"OH-OH...nO..What do we do now?"he said frantic.
"Well..I will try to skim through the file..."I said.
"I will try to find a better option."he said
... ...
"Here it is!"Benji announced from the door."The problem to your solution."
He opened the door and a petite girl wearing specs entered.
"Samrat Meet Gunjan Bhushan."Benji said in a triumphant manner.
"He knows me.Mr.Samrat was the one who appointed me."the girl said in a quiet voice.
Oh Yeah
"Of course...Gulshan.."I said.
"Gunjan."Benji hissed.
I cursed myself but the girl didnt seem to mind.
She opened a few files and then began.
"The Malhotra deal was proposed by Mr.Bhatia in September.He was particularly impressed by the amount of turnover and the increased percentage of profits the deal could..."
The girl continued speaking for the next five minutes.In a quiet manner she had given me a comprehensive overview of the deal.
I sighed in relief.Dad can be dealt with. I winked at Benji.He looked smug.
There was a knock and Mr.Bhatia entered.
"Mr.Shergill is calling you.Are you ready?"
"More than ever ."I quipped.
I stood up to follow him.Then something stopped me.I should thank the girl.I turned around.She was reorganizing the files.But what was her name again.
"Hey Chasmish.."I said.
She turned startled.I chuckled.
"Thanks a bunch."
She nodded shyly.
I turned to leave.She cleared her throat and called out to me.
"Mr.Shergill.."she said.
I blinked. " Thats my Dad,Call me Samrat."
She looked down.
"Well yes..you should take this."
I took the paper she gave me.She has neatly summarized the essential information.Dad will be jumping with joy now.
I looked up at her.
"Chasmish...I love you for this."
Laughing at her dismayed expression I left.
...
I gingerly touched the rose coloured silk.It looked so beautiful! It looked exactly as it did when I had first started sketching it.The tag on the dress read Vicky S but it was my design.I smiled as I read the elegant label.It was so Vicky to make things dramatic.I had been astounded when I was appointed.I had told him that I was autistic but he seemed willing to try me out.
"No risk no gain!"he said beaming at me.
I had tried hard to please him.And now he introduced me to the new staff members with a mega watt smile.
"She is autistic.You know what that means.That means that when she gets nervous she catches all the flaws I missed out."
I smiled vaguely,my eyes back on the dress.Vicky had been unwilling to put the design in.But I had insisted.It had been a big success.We had managed to sell the whole lot and orders still poured in.He had given me the dress as a gift on Diwali.
"For a special occasion."
I had never worn it,mostly because I never went to parties and if I did they werent the type where I could dress myself in rose coloured full sleeved dress.But Dia's party'it seemed to be the perfect time I could'
"Wow!Nupur!That is a beautiful dress."
I smiled at my mother.
"Yes..I was thinking of .."
"It would look beautiful on Gunjan.Make her wear it tonight."she said chirpily, interrupting me.
I stared at her.Yes.It would be incredible on my sister.
"Ma..that's exactly what I was thinking."
... ... .
I was trying hard not to look at myself.It was the horror of wearing a long waving dress that refrained me from even glancing at the mirror.I looked down watching the soft wave of the dress.How did I agree to wear the dress?But when my mother puts her mind to something it is hard to disagree.
"Ma..I am not comfortable wearing such.."I had began
"Really?Well..Do you like comfort more than your sister?She specifically designed the dress for you.Do you want to disappoint her.?"she said.
I shook my head.If it made Di happy I would wear this anywhere she wanted.Nupur Di deserved all the happiness in the world.So I agree to wear the dress and I kept my mouth shut when Di curled my hair into elaborate setting.I kept mum when she delicately applied make up on me.
I didn't want to see myself though certain I look like a cartoon character.I tried to convince myself it didn't matter.I was never a part of Dia's party for the simple reason I was never whole heartedly comfortable.So no matter what I wore I would be unwelcome and uncomfortable.
I looked at Nupur.She was positively radiating with happiness.
"Wow!Gunjan ..you are looking stunning.I always knew that my sister is beautiful but this beautiful'you look exactly like Kareena did in that award function by god."
I laughed.
"Its all down to you Di.The design is superb and you are terrific with the make up.By the way..you look very pretty too."
She did!She was dressed in a peach coloured straight cut dress,her hair tied in an elegant bun.
She winked at me.
"Of course Gunjan.If you are Kareena then I am obviously Karisma..'
She laughed again.I stared at her.There was something wrong.Di seemed to be in high spirits but her smiles seemed forced,her laughter unnatural and she was fidgetting with her the accessories,arranging them in perfectly angled style.
A sure sign that she was nervous.
"Di.."I began.
"By god Gunjan its 9!We should leave "she stood upIt wasn't a long walk to Dia's house.It seemed shorter as my mind was working to find a reason why Nupur should be nervous.Di loved the idea of parties.She loved crowds,glamorous settings'this should be her idea of fun.She wasn't allowed to go to many parties but when she did she was always in mood for them.
Was I reading too much in her behaviour?But as we moved closer to Dia's house the feeling of unease grew stronger.Nupur was staring ahead,a muscle twitching in her cheek.She was clutching her dress.
She spoke suddenly as we reached the main door.
"By god!Gunjan I completely forgot I was supposed to check on the buffet arrangements for Dia.I will just do that!They are set in the garden'You go inside.I will.."
"No..Di.I will come with you."I said firmly I wasn't leaving her alone like this.
"No.Gunjan.You go in.I will join you in a while."
With that she sprinted off in the general direction of the garden.I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease surrounding me.With a sigh I turned back to the door and opened it,gingerly walking in.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
I smiled to myself.The low jazz numbers,the golden lights,the soft white and pink decor- all were perfect.More importantly they were worthy to be in Dia's party.
"Candy'you are the best when it comes to throwing parties."Samrat said from my side.
I smiled at him,looking at him underneath my lashes.He looked so good!Dressed in a black jacket and a red shirt,he looked devastating.I could see girls throwing jealous looks at us.
I smiled at their idiocy.Dia and Samrat were meant to be together.We looked perfect together.I was wondering whether his thoughts were the same.
Apparently not!
"By the way where is your brother?This is his homecoming party."
I grimaced.A million dollar question!Where was Mayank.?
"My brother doesn't like 'parties."I explained lamely.
An understatement.
My eyes reluctantly sweeped over the crowd.Mayank was nowhere in sight.I excused myself looking for him.I found him upstairs in the lobby engrossed in his laptop.There was no indication to show that he was even aware of the bunch of giggling girls shooting covert glances at him.
He looked as I approached him.
"What are you doing here.?I demanded.
"Trying to stay sane."he said.
I put my hands on my hips.
"The entire purpose of this party was'"
"To show what a splendid hostess my sister is and we have achieved that."
I clenched my teeth.
"Mayank I am warning you."
Before he could respond,our mother appeared at our side.
"What is going on? Why are you two chatting here?"
She glanced at me.
"Dia'Ramu wants to ask you about the dishes.So go and deal with it."
Mayank smirked.
"Go play the hostess D doll."
I glared at him.
"And you'"my mother began.
Mayank looked up."Yes Ma."
"Go down yourself,'"she ordered.
"And do what exactly.?"he asked grimacing.
My mother smiled.
"Why?Find a bunch of girls and start flirting with them."
I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.Mayank stared at her.Then his eyes moved to me.
"So the entire purpose of the party was to .."
"Find my prospective daughter-in law'yes"My mother announced chuckling.She ruffled his hair and walked out.Mayank seemed dumbfounded.I seized my chance.
"Come on bro,it isnt that bad!I mean..I was just about to start the rock band.."
He froze.
"A rock band??"he asked with a faint look of distaste
I nodded.
"I am getting out of here."he said
Before I could say anything,he had walked out to the gardens..
Damn'weird brothers.
I turned around and gasped.Hovering uncertainly at the door was a awestriking girl.She looked like a goddess. Her dress was wonderfully designed and the rose colured silk set off her complexion fabolously.She looked slightly familiar.I wondered who she was.
Then gave up on it.Maybe a family friend's daughter.I turned around.Many of the people were staring at her,admiration evident on their faces.The evening started to go downhill from that moment.
Edited by Neha_S - 13 years ago
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