The Mirage and Oasis...New FF: Chapter 13 updated - Page 39

Khushi rushed into the office the next day, like an eager teenager. She badly wanted to know if ASR would react at least a little more humanly to her.

So, though she avoided the cafeteria normally, today she rushed there and waited for ASR to come for his morning coffee and breakfast,

At sharp 8.15 he came in, looking handsome in a brown shirt and cream trousers.

She tried to think if she looked good too. Yeah she had looked at the mirror in the morning and in her pale blue and white combination kurta and slacks, she had looked quite passable.

But she need not have bothered for all the attention he paid to her.

He took a seat far away from her and did not pay any attention to her. He ordered his breakfast and coffee and ate it while reading messages in his iphone.

Khushi's eyes brimmed with tears. She thought at least he would acknowledge her after yesterday.

She sat for a while fidgeting with her breakfast and coffee. But he ever even looked up.

Well why would the great ASR bother about a low level employee? So what if only the previous day he had hugged her, even if it was by accident and dropped her home,

She got up and left the place without a backward glance.

ASR watched her disappearing back.

He felt bad about ignoring her. But sitting there, looking so pretty in her soft blue attire, he had been tormented at the thought of not going and talking to her.

But he did not want to give any ideas to anyone, including her.

He was never going to allow woman to be his weakness.

Khushi again started avoiding hm. There was little else she could do as he had been so obviously mean to her.

But just when she avoided him, fate again intervened.

It was a week later.

She was suddenly summoned to ASR's room, which was rare.

NK was already there.

'Hello,' she said nervously glancing at ASR and taking in his handsome face.

'Hello,' he said, 'Take your seat.'

Khushi glanced nervously. Were they going to fire her She had done a good job so far, had broken no rules. Never came late. Nervously she moved her bracelet around her wrist.

ASR watched her as she fidgeted. He was beginning to notice a lot of things about her, without wanting to. She came in at 8.30 and left by 6.00. From the grave pine he knew, she never partied and always went home. He was now familiar with her clothing too. Western formals or kurtis and slacks. Occasionally she wore jeans but always wore a long kurta. Quite conservative in her life and way of dressing.

He saw her beautiful wrist and the lovely bracelet. He felt he could gaze at it forever'

'ASR has called you about a business engagement. Our creative team has suggested your name to travel with him,' NK said.

'What? Travel? Where? Why?' Khushi asked in dismay.

'A week to Simla, for a creative advertising bid with a big company,' NK said.

'But why me?' Khushi almost wailed.

'Because the client only wants a fresh mind with lots of talent and no jaded old copywriter,' NK said.

'But'errr'but-----'Khushi gulped, unable to get a word out of her mouth.

'Is there a problem?' ASR lifted a brow,' Hope you know tons of freshers would die for such a chance,'

'But my Daddy----he won't agree,' she said.

'I don't believe this,' ASR rolled his eyes.

'I am serious. I never go anywhere alone. Not even to my relatives' place. Dad is very strict and protective,' she said.

'Then you should not be working,' ASR said annoyed. Then looking at her crumbled face he asked,' But do you want to go?'

'Yes!' she nodded vehemently. First she was going with him and then she was going to see another place.

'Ok then. I will talk to your Dad,' he said.

'What?' she said stunned.

'You heard me. Give me his number,' ASR said.

Kushi gave the number.

She watched, as ASR spoke, with her heart in her mouth.

'Yes sir----for a week sir'yes. She is coming with me-----no. there is no one else coming------ok sir. I will tell her she can't go,' he concluded and then looked at her and shrugged.

'I knew he would say that. But wait. Let me talk to Mom and ask her to convince,' she said and rushed out.

After half an hour of her pleading with her Mom and her Mom pleading with her Dad, Khushi finally got their permission.

She went back to give the news to ASR.

'Daddy said it is Ok. But I have to come on skype everyday,' she said.

ASR gave a smile at that. She really was a kid.

'Ok get packed. We are leaving tomorrow.'

Once outside she gave a whoop of delight---one week with the incredible ASR---

Within his room ASR was thinking one week with this crazy but attractive girl. He had to be careful-----------