Part 8
She was silent they looked at her expecting an answer, she could feel anxiety kick in.. fear crept as she looked at the white rug with a blotch of colour on it, one of her friends ruined the carpet and the table too got chipped from being made a foot rester.
"What is this Pratigya?" Preeti yelled. "come here at once" her friends were silent just watching. Pratigya came slowly to her and Krishna.
"maam I.."
"enough, I told you to look after Siya and you take advantage by inviting your friends?! Pratigya shook her head.
"no ma'am I didn't.. its..
"oh shhh.. and you just listen.. your friends have ruined this carpet, do you know how much it costs? Pratigya looked at Krishna but he didn't say a word, she didn't know why she thought he might jump in and rescue her from this.
"I'm sorry I will pay for the damage.. Preeti laughed.
"I'm sorry I will pay for the damage.. really you have 3 crore stashed away then great.
"what?" i.. ma'am .. sir? Pratigya felt so low, she felt like she was going to be sick.. her eyes started to well up a little, Krishna noticed this..Pratigya looked down prayed she didn't cry it would be so embarrassing.
"you will pay for It and... who am I kidding tumhari okad hi kya hai ladki.. Now Krishna turned to Preeti he shook his head hinting her to stop.. but she ignored and went on..
"beer cans.. cigarette .. smoking and that too with child in the house?" Pratigya could now feel a tear drop.. she couldn't stop it..
"Preeti enough! She learnt her lesson she won't do it again forget it now, Krishna gave a quick look to Pratigya, she too looked at him for a brief second.
"exactly!! Someone replied from the crowd.. Pratigya saw who it was and he was coming towards her, Krishna and Preeti exchanged a look at to who this is.
"My self Ayush and you both can't speak to my Pratigya like this" he put his arm around her.
"really well then if your Pratigya didn't do this things then we wouldn't need to" said Preeti.
"Its sorted now.. so.. said Krishna trying to ease the situation.
"hey listen Mr.. baby what's his name. who is this.. your boss ka son?" Pratigya was feeling so embarrassed, Ayush was slurring and trying to stand straight and he wasn't stringing a sentence very well. Preeti got annoyed and went to the kitchen, after the way Krishna undermined her she left in a hurry.
"Ayush shut up" she said in a low tone, pushing his hand away, but he kept placing it back.
"baby.. who is this.. who are you?"
"I am her boss.. Krishna"
"you're her boss.. and you have a one year old girl.. kya didn't do college or become single father he laughed.. Pratigya was really annoyed with Ayush.
"Ayush enough.. stop it, you don't know sir at all, he is amazing and an inspiration she looked right into Krishna's eyes and he starred back.. me an inspiration really?" he smiled for a nano second. "learn something.. he is only a few years younger than us and he is already a business man.. unlike you who is just wasting his life travelling.. she rolled her eyes Her friends moved in a little crowd and slowly exited the front door, leaving Krishna, Pratigya and Ayush.
"see working here has changed you.. not anymore.. she doesn't need your job"
"what?" she replied.. what the hell is Ayush saying.. her mind screamed.
"well in that case we will start looking for someone else." Said Preeti. She reappeared again next to Krishna.
"hmm.. if Pratigya doing this makes you unhappy then.." Krishna said this and it shocked Pratigya.
"what sir no that's..
"thank you will take your leave now" he said pulling Pratigya along,
"but... Pratigya mind was blank what just happen did Ayush just lose her.. her lively hood. Her only income.. as he pulled her, Krishna's eyes didn't leave hers.. she looked shocked and reluctant to go..
"I will just walk her to the door Preeti" he yelled.. she nodded to him and went upstairs, Krishna quickly raised behind them. Ayush opened the front door.
"Ayush let go of me.. I'm not quitting my job I need this job. " she turned to Krishna as all three of them stood in the front door way, except Ayush he was looking forward and pulling her along, untill she stopped, because he was drunk he just stood in a daze.
"Sir I need this job, please don't listen to him" Krishna shook his head but with a smile. oh no he think's I'm pathetic.. I'm begging but what do I do? I need this job for my brothers and papa.
"Pratigya relax.. see you tomorrow, I was never going to let you go, your best babysitter we have got and Siya adores you. Pratigya felt relief to hear that.
"oh thanks sir and I'm so sorry about my friends, actually what happened is..
"you don't have to justify yourself to me.. and ahem you can do a lot better than him" he didn't explain anymore he shut the door abruptly. huh better than Ayush..
"you ready" he asked her.
"let go off me" she said in a strong tone.
"what?.." he said half drunk half sane.
"this isn't working, It's over I don't want to be with you anymore"
"what your dumping me.. just like that?"
"hmm" she folded her arms.
"we just.. where wrong for each other..
"what?.. since when? Ayush became serious he actually was shocked she was dumping him.
"just I need to do this..
"no.. I see what's going on here?"
"hmm what?"
"well its him.
"him..him who?" Pratigya genuinely didn't know who he was referring to.
"him your Krishna sir.." Pratigya was shocked, omg am I that transparent?'
"what? What rubbish are you talking!" she lied.
"he is an inspiration, amazing, hot blah blah blah.."
"its not true"
"face it Pratigya you have the hots for your boss.. I saw the way you look at him, its all written on your face.
"well its not true, I work for him, that's it and us.. we are over that's it" she walked over to her car and drove off.
*
Pratigya came into her room.. saw Gauri on her ipad.
"Look I know what your thinking but.."
"chill its fine, I mean its not fine but I really am just tired I'm going to bed"
"did Ayush come over.."
"it's over I broke up with him.. I can't be bothered and waste my life with this a pathetic idiot."
"oh.. you want to talk.. you sad?"
"hmm a little.. but more because he humiliated me in front of everyone, if he loved me he would never have done that!!" whilst speaking she fell asleep.
*
"So Poker night Krishna after how long?" said Sunny.
"I know its been a while but, I feel like relaxing and what better than chilling with my boys so my place tonight? Kushan is coming and Rishi and you know the rest...
"Krish what about.. "hold on a sec.. "eh bhaiya drape that on the side, it's a casino royal theme" he pointed to some guys who were decorating the hall.
"hmm you were saying?"
"um ketan" Krishna's face became annoyed.
no I don't want Ketan there he's.. a lose canon" Krishna spoke.. "Listen Sunny Ketan, he can't control his drinks..
"Yah he's better now and don't worry I will keep on eye on him.."
"you better.. in that case he can come too but I mean it if he steps out of line then"
"aree he won't
"thanks yaar ok see you around 8pm?"
"ya bye" he hung up the phone.
Pratigya rang the door bell, Sargam let her in as she was on her way out.
"come in Sir is in the hall with some friends" Pratigya nodded to her and walked in closing the door, she looked around feeling as if she walked in to another place, it looked completely different, she walked in further and so Krishna wearing a cap at a table with five guys, there were cards on the table, along with match sticks and money, he saw her dark pink salvar and looked up getting her attention, not just him all the guys stopped playing for a second.
"who is she?" whispered Ketan. Krishna ignored his question.
"Siya is in her room" he wanted her to go upstairs.. she nodded.
"ok sir" she replied about to take the steps.
"how rude are you not going to introduce us" she turned to the table direction when she heard..
"Ketan shut up, enough now with the drinks stop! Said Sunny.
"I wasn't talking to you.." he replied.
"so Krishna who is this chamak chalo" he eyed Pratigya. Krishna was already getting annoyed he wished Pratigya would leave from there, he liked his friends but it was obviously making her feel uncomfortable.
"Excuse me" he got up from his seat.
"Pratigya, go upstairs Siya is waiting" he said politely.
"yah ok" "and listen" he placed a hand on her shoulder turning her..
"just um stay up there till game is over and everyone goes home" a door knock came at that point.
"Pizza is here, Sachin get the door" yelled Krishna as he continued to talk to her.
"ok sir I won't come down till you say" his hand was still on her shoulder.
"ok" he smiled.. giving her a quick squeeze. the smile made her blush but before she could show it she wanted to leave.
"Listen have you had dinner?"
"hmm no i.."
"no time.. no probs I have ordered plenty of Pizza, I will send you a plate up to Siya's room with a drink what would you like?"
"Hey Krishna.."
"Just a minute Sachin take it too the kitchen I will be there in a minute" Sachin did as he was told.
"hmm drink?"
"Just a thumbs up will be fine"
"oh yeah you don't drink when your driving"
"hmm" she looked down.
"ok got it" he removed his hand.
"unlike these guys who can't help it.. Sunny remember what I said." He walked back to the table. Pratigya looked on for a second then took the stairs.
"Ketan if you can't control your drink then I suggest you leave"
"aree chill.. he took a sip, who is that girl.. your girlfriend?" Krishna looked at the others.
"Sunny?"
"what Ketan we are here to play a game let's just play, stop thinking about other things."
"what I just asked if.. Kishna sighed.
"she's Siya's babysitter now shall we get on with the game?" he sat back down.
"ok..." he took a sip from the can and Rishi started to deal the cards out.
*
2 hrs had passed and the game become interesting, Krishna, Rishi, Pulkit were the ones left Krishna so far had been winning.
"come on Rishi make him lose he has been draining our cash all night" chucked Sunny.
"guys I'm just going to the washroom" Ketan got up unnoticed the rest were so into the game.
"ok your move" he placed a card.
"ok all in?" said Krishna obviously he had big amounts of money to gamble.
*
Pratigya wanted to take the dinner plate back down that Sargam had brought up for her, but she remembered what Krishna had said.
"ok madam time to sleep" she put Siya down in the cot but she was standing and wouldn't lie down" she guggled.
"ok where is your dummy.. this will make you sleep na baby.." she looked around, and then saw it in the edge of the cot. "ah found it..here you go" but Siya spat it out.
"aree what's wrong, normally you like it, Pratigya attempted again and this time it fell on the floor.
"oh no.." Pratigya held it in her hand and now Siya wanted it.
"now you want it. But it's dirty and if you have now then germs will go in Siya's tummy and then you will fall sick we can't have that.. I will just wash it in the washroom and come hmm?" she kissed Siya's forehead and sat her down in the cot, Siya began too whinge, but Pratigya quickly gave her toy which she was distracted with. She came out of the room.. "quickly give this a quick wash.." she came into the washroom and ran it under the tap. "better hurry back or Siya.. she saw someone in the mirror she startled and quickly turned
"Pratigya right?"
"where did you come from?.."
"that colour looks hot on you" he just ignored her questions..
"your name Pratigya.. myself Ketan Pratigya didn't say anything ..she took a nano step back, her eye on the open door.
"You didn't join us for the party" he eyed her up and down making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"I have to..
"Never mind we can have our own party" he closed the door.. fear crept upon her, as he started to come towards her.
*
"Yes!! Come to daddy.. he took all the winnings in the middle.
"Krishna I think you do some magic or something" said Pulkit
"how is it that he always knows the right cards.." Krishna smiled smuggly.
"Sunny where is your brother?"
"washroom.. since how long has he gone there?"
"don't worry its fine.. said Sunny almost getting smashed but still in his senses.
"ok... Rishi deal the next hand I will just got washroom.. and guys last game then Preeti will be home. She is having a kitty party it just got over and..
"yeah" all agreed. Krishna went to check the downstairs washroom Ketan wasn't anywhere to be seen. "oh no" his mind just had the worst fear, he went into Siya's room and Pratigya wasn't there.
"Listen if Krishna sir h-hears.. me s- scream t-then..." she stuttered in fear.
"scream no one will hear you.. they are all busy playing poker, he forced himself on her.
"please let me go" she screamed. Krishna walked over and saw the washroom door shut.
She tried to loosen his grip but he was too strong.. his mouth was briefly on her neck..tears rolled down her eyes at the revulsion.
"Let me go!"
Krishna opened the door from outside. THUD! went Ketan's head against the corner of the bath.. a pool of blood formed as he lost consciousness and fell to the ground. It happened so quick Pratigya eyes bulged out in shock.. she looked at Krishna he was equally shocked seeing Ketan on the floor.. she was shaking from the shock, shivering, her face lost colour.. She felt unsafe, with his head close to foot, she looked at Krishna, he looked worried.. but more worried for her.. she didn't know what to do.. she just wanted to feel safe she followed her instincts and ran away from the scene, running towards him.. Straight in his arms, her hands clinging on to his waist whilst her face hiding away in his chest wanted this to disappear . He didn't realise when he put his arms out slowly to her before she came into them, holding her protectively she sobbed, still shaking, shivering, tears rolling down her cheeks, her cheek making his t-shirt wet, she was in Krishna's arms but her mind didn't register she was too shaken up by two things that just happened with her, her mind couldn't even enjoy this feeling of Krishna holding her.
"oh my god.. what have I done" she looked down at Ketan he wasn't moving, Krishna looked down too, his arms still around her now rubbing her, as she felt cold like she was losing consciousness herself, she looked at Krishna and then again at the awful sight in front of her.
"don't worry" he cradled her head patting it gently. what just happened how did he get her involved with this a situation, she looked so distraught.
"Its going to be ok" he continued to make her feel safe.
"no its not.. I ... i.."
"listen.. listen to me" he held her face making her look at him.
"nothing will happen he will go hospital and.."
"but what if he.."
"he won't.. your in shock, listen I need"
"Hey Krishna everything ok up there" he looked away still holding her face,listening to the voice coming from the bottom of the stairs.
"we heard a loud sound" said another voice, he couldn't focus so ignored it.
"do me a favour ok you will na?" she nodded."go to Siya's room and lock the door I will come there in 5 minutes.." she nodded and hurried to Siya's room.
"Aree Krishna I'm coming"
"Sunny.. I.. Krishna looked at Sunny and then noticed Pratigya' dupatta on the floor covered in blood stains.. he quickly grabbed it and pushed it in the drawer and shut it.
"there you are we.." Krishna quickly rushed over to Ketan as if he just saw him
"what?..." Sunny's eyes were in utter shock.
"Sunny call an ambulance" Sunny went over to his younger brother..
"Ketan? Krishna what happen?"
"I .. don't know I came up here to the washroom and he was on the floor.. I warned you he can't handle his drink's seems he fell and hit his head" Krishna lied. And the rest of the boys came up and were shocked by the sight, one hurried to call the ambulance they came and took him on a stretcher he was still breathing, Krishna's night had turned into a nightmare. He breathed heavily to release some tension the house went quiet as his friends left. He rubbed his temple
"oh Pratigya.. poor girl she's still here" he quickly raced to Siya's room.
Precap:
"see I think there is more too it then this then your letting on and what's this Pratigya quitting her job all of a sudden."
"whatever Preeti think what you like" he walked off.
"really then what is this I found in the bathroom drawer" Krishna turned around.
tbc
hope people are still liking this ff 😳