*::.~FF Dostana~.::* OLD CHAP PUT UP AGAIN - Page 42

thank u ammu... pooja sprained her leg badly...... she might update tomorrow if she s well

thanks guys! I am a little bettr now.... but pain is not good for creativity so am nt being able to update... sorry...

~ HELLO LOVELY PPL!!!~

and yes I am bettr now, the pain in the leg is less... thanks for the concern guys!!!😃

Shantanu played with the pen, turning it in his fingers as he read a file, and made corrections, when coco came and snuggled his left foot. He absentmindedly scratched her belly with his right foot before he looked up to see Khanak typing away on her laptop, as she sipped her third cup of coffee. He smiled as his eyes travelled the contours of her profile; he loved the way a little pout appeared on her lips when she was concentrating, the way she would blink multiple times when she wasn't sure about a particular line or sentence. He looked back into his file, as he thought about the previous month. How he had skilfully hidden his confused emotions from Khanak, and how the confusion that had him doubting his emotions and feelings for Khanak, had almost gone away. Yes he did find himself staring at her from time to time, and he did start to notice little things about her, like how she wet her lips, or bit them when she was even slightly nervous, how she always put rest her face on her palm in a delicate manner before asking, "so what is up today?" but "so what?!", he asked himself every time he found himself recalling these little things and smiling, "those are cute little things about a good friend that I find cute, and sweet and cute, nothing wrong with admiring them!" was his ready answer to himself.

He looked back up and saw her refilling her cup, "don't you think you have had had enough of that for today?' he pointed at the cup.

'frankly Khandelwal, I don't think I have had enough of these!' she said without looking away from her laptop screen.

'Khanak...you have had three cups already, in the last hour, god knows how many have you had in the day.'

'six-seven...i don't know, I have lost count.'

'that bad?!'

'yes.' She answered, ' Honestly, you crib about your staff, but at least you are the boss and don't have to answer to some psychotic person, who just loves humiliating you! And on top of that, you don't have a brain that has simply stopped working! And a job from which you are on the verge of being sacked!'

'that is not entirely true, I mean, I do have financers...'

'Khandelwal, please let me wallow in self-pity for a minute! And let me envy you for being the boss and not the employee.'

'fine, go ahead...' he said with a smile, 'but you are not going to lose your job. You are brilliant!'

'well thank you, but tell that to my sadistic boss, who recently broke up and so is even more nasty than usual, plus there are these rumours...'

'rumours?'

Khanak stopped typing and took her coffee and went and sat beside Shantanu, resting her head on his shoulder, 'yes rumours, that a writer, from Mumbai is being brought in, and he/she will be becoming a permanent member of our team...' she sighed.

'so?'

'so... if that person is better than, well me then, and might get my job!'

'you don't make sense!'

'I know, it's the coffee, and boss, the no- man- in- life scenario and the coffee speaking!'

'again, you don't make sense!'

'whatever, what are you doing?'

'well, this is the London project that bro is going to go for, I am just...'

'making corrections, and basically re-doing presentation because you are a perfectionist?' offered Khanak.

'hmm...ya pretty much.'

'Oh! Shaan we both are so sad! And I have a feeling that I am forgetting something...'

'chicken!'

They both ran to the kitchen where they had left a pot of chicken on low heat to cook.

'check it! Check it! Check...!'

'I AM!' shouted Shaan, as he took god's name before opening the lid, 'oh thank god, it's safe!'

Khanak leaned back and took a deep breath, 'you can say that again!'

'oh, god, it's so beautiful, cooked to perfection!'

Khanak leaned near him and saw the pot, 'aww...gorgeous...'

Shaan took a spoon and tasted it, 'oh... that. Is.good.'

He offered some to Khanak, 'one.freaking.word.perfect!'

They both laughed as they looked at each other, realising they were going gaga over a pot of chicken, 'we are sad,' said Khanak again.

'to hell with it, the chicken is perfect, partner!'

'I wish tomorrow at work, the day is as perfect as this chicken.'

'it will be, and if it's not, then call me and I will make it, with a fantastic lunch.'

Khanak smiled, 'Thanks Khandelwal.'

'You are welcome, Now get the scotch, I will take this to the table, and get the rice. I need to eat!'

Khanak ran to get the scotch from Shaan's house, perfect evening, with a perfect friend! She thought with a smile, as she went back.

::::::::::::::::

Khanak took of her coat just as she neared her assistant's desk, 'Meher, please send a cup of coffee in, and tell Rohit to meet me, in five minutes...' she walked into her office, as her assistant followed her.

'uh...ma'am?'

'hmm...' Khanak looked up and smiled, 'yes?'

'Simran called she is with the new writer today, and she would love to introduce the two of you tonight, at dinner, at her place, all the editors and important people are invited.'

'oh...' Khanak sat in her chair, shit shit shit! She said to herself, the dread full def col. house, the witch's den! And the other writer! Great just great, 'okay, just remind me around the time I will be leaving office will you? And get Geoffrey on the phone please, but after ten minutes, I have to talk to someone, and ask Rohit to meet me, after twenty minutes...'

Meher nodded and went back to her desk, as Khanak pulled out her blackberry and called Shaan.

'hello?'

'hi! Um... I will have to cancel tonight with you and Rohan, Simran wants me over for dinner with the new writer, whose introduction party she is throwing, and no one knows who the hell is this person.'

'Okay, now I have to go.'

'ugh!'

'fine, you have a minute to bitch about her...'

'just a minute, what is more...'

'your time has started.'

'oh, fine! She is the meanest thing I have ever seen. I mean who she thinks she is, ordering us all to be at her place tonight, as if we all are just waiting around, doing nothing, but keeping our calendars free for her last minute parties! I don't even know I will wear! And...'

'your time is up!'

'hey! It's been thirty seconds only!'

'Bye Kapoor!'

'I hate you Khandelwal!'

'hmm... and wear that purple thing Tashu gave you for Christmas... imagining you in it, makes my heart skip a beat.'

'hmm... I had forgotten about it! Thanks Shaan, and bye!'

Khanak smiled, 'hmm... that went well, and the party will go great to! Because as Shaan said, I am brilliant!'

:::::::::::::::::::

Shantanu put his mobile next to his laptop as he smiled, 'pagal...' He whispered with a smile.

'hey Shantanu,' a distort looking Rohan walked in his cabin.

Shantanu looked at him and went still, 'did you just fight a war?'

'worse, I had a fight with Tashu.'

'well that is worse!'

Rohan slumped into the chair opposite Shantanu, 'never.date.a. writer.'

'noted. Now kya hua?'

'we got over our honeymoon stage.'

'huh?!'

'sab kuch achcha tha, perfect, even , and then Bam! The honeymoon stage ends and then you start noticing the smelly socks and dirty dishes.'

'huh?! And yuck...'

'I didn't mean literally, just, you know, everything is perfect and then notice the thorns in the rose. Tashu and I had a fight, because I didn't want to well...'

'Rohan hurry up a little I don't have all eternity.'

'she ... asked me to move in with her.'

'and...'

'I froze.'

Shantanu closed his eyes, 'please tell me, in this crucial moment, you didn't do what almost all fellow species do...'

Rohan looked at Shantanu, 'sadly, i did, I froze.'

'please tell me not for more than a minute!'

'It was definitely more than a minute.'

Shantanu leaned on his desk, 'at least you un-froze before she walked out of the room!'

'uh...no.'

'God damn it!'

'Don't "god damn it me!" you be in the situation, where a woman comes up and takes the huge leap in the relationship, and then we will talk!'

'what did she do next?'

'she... well, we had a huge fight, where she accused me of not being emotionally mature enough or sure of my feelings when she asked me to move in. She was right there, since I told her I love her, but am not ready to take that leap.'

'god you didn't!'

'then, I got upset and said, that she was not giving me enough time and space to make this decision, that I cant just get up and say, yes I will move in.'

'Oh God! This is painful to hear!'

'then she said, "fine, I will give you all the damn space you need!" and... um booked tickets for Mumbai, for her cousins wedding, which she wasn't about to go to...'

'ouch!'

'then I got more pissed and said, "fine go where ever the hell you want!".'

'nail in the coffin!' whispered Shaan in frustration.

'I am doomed; I just drove away the woman I love! I mean what the hell is wrong with me! I want to move in with her! I really do! But I just froze! And now if I say yes then she will think that I am saying this under pressure or something!'

'well buddy! Hota hai, sometimes when women take initiate, they blind side us and we...go blank and freeze up. And they feel that moment of panic is our reluctance for relationship, but it actually is just being taken off-guard.'

'Exactly! Oh! I need her, I can't stay calm, focussed or anything remotely productive, knowing she is mad at me! and she won't pick up my calls!'

'sorry, I have nothing to say, Tashu is much more a mystery to me than to you.'

'I know! Urgh!'

The phone rang and Shantanu pressed the loudspeaker button, 'hello shantganu Khandelwal here.'

'Shantanu I need your help!'

'hey bro! The file is done, I will just...'

'no, I have not called to take the file! I need your help in making a very important decision.'

'important Decision!? Akshay Bhai, yahan the love of my life, mujhe chodkar, Mumbai ja rahi hai, aur aapko important decision k,i padi hai.'

'Rohan? Is that you?'

'haan, Rohan, stupid, idiot, frozen Rohan.'

'Shantanu isse kya hua?'

'Tashu asked him to move in and he froze, and then he said, that he needs time and space to decide.'

'OOH! That would have not been a pretty fight.'

'Rohan banged his head on the table, 'I.need.her.'

'Shantanu, rohan ko le kar aa ja, please I really need you!'

'Rohan and me?! why?!'

'Just come and meet me at Emporio.'

'Dlf Emporio?!' Rohan asked, 'shopping emergency hai kya?!'

'Nahi! Bus jaldi aao!'

'Par kyun?!'

'I am getting a ring for Khushboo.'

'so? You have got her plenty of gifts before, why do you need us this time?'

'this is not an ordinary ring Shantanu.'

'kyun?'

'God! Shantanu I am getting her an engagement ring! Alright! Main Tiffany's main hoon, but I need your help, so kindly get your asses here!'

'coming in five minutes.'

Shantanu and Rohan got their trench coats and walked out towards the lifts, after Shantanu asked Sameera to clear his afternoon.

'maybe...'

Shantanu looked at Rohan as the lift went down, 'No.'

'It is not a bad idea...'

'It's a terrible idea!'

'but...'

'Rohan!' Shantanu closed his eyes, 'you are not getting Tashu an engagement ring. And that's final!'

Rohan shrugged, then looked at Shantanu like a eight year old who was denied candy on Halloween , 'fine...'

::::::::::::::::

'what?! you are going to Neha's wedding! Neha the cousin you hate! Neha who stole all your boyfriends in college, and then rubbed it you face. Neha who broke all your barbies whenever she came to visit you in Mumbai. Neha...'

'YES! That Neha!'

'one tiny question, why?!'

'I asked Rohan to move in with me...' she whispered.

Khanak held her phone tighter to her ear, 'what? I didn't get you!'

'I. Asked.Rohan.To.Move.In.With.Me.' Tashu said a little louder.

'you did what?!'

'I ASKED ROHAN TO MOVE IN WITH ME!'

'God! Woman I got that! But why? Out of the blue?'

'well, we practically live together, I thought why not? I mean then he won't even have a reason to not do the laundry!'

'so let me get this straight, you asked him to move in with you so that he doesn't have an excuse to not do laundry?'

Tashu smiled, 'no! I love him, and I am not ready to get married, but I want to move forward in our relationship, so I thought...'

'so... what happened?'

'I asked him, while we were watching Iron Man, Robert looked really hot by the way. Anyway, so I asked him when we were getting more popcorn and drinks, and he froze.'

'oh he didn't...'

'yes, he did, he didn't even un-freeze, so to speak, when I went outside the room! And then we got into huge fight and he...he...' Tashu sobbed a little, 'he said he wanted some time and space in the relationship to make the decision!'

'oh! Tashu, I am so sorry, but you did blind side him, a little!'

'I know! But what the hell does he mean by time and space! I am not one of those girlfriends who suffocate their boyfriends, he is like one of those khula sandhs(bull)'

'I know you are the best girlfriend ever. And I also know that you know that Rohan loves you a lot!'

'I know, but I am going to give him his "space and time" that's why I am off to Mumbai, for three weeks!'

'hmm... up to you, anyway, I have got to go, have to stop at the parlour and get the usual drill done, before I reach home, have a party to attend.'

'okay, my flight is in another half an hour, I am at the airport, so I will see you after three weeks, in time for you birthday!'

'yes see you then, and have a safe flight. And don't you dare not be there on my birthday!'

'I have never missed it! And never will, bye then.'

'bye Tashu! Love you!'

'right back at ya!'

Khanak put the phone down and made way out of her office.

'god I hope this party is not as dreadfully boring as the previous one!'

Khanak looked behind her and saw Garv, friend and fellow editor.

'hope so too! Hey do you have any idea who the hell is this new writer?'

'nope. But I have heard that Simran fought harpers and vogue to get him! And that he is absolutely gorgeous!'

'gorgeous? You couldn't have heard that bit!'

'I didn't, saw him, a glimpse actually a day or two before you joined again. Which reminds me, how is that sexy friend of yours Shantanu 'yum' Khandelwal!'

Khanak muffled a laugh, 'well...ahem... Shantanu 'yum' Khandelwal is quite good actually.'

They reached the lift and waited, 'so tell me, is it true that you are his neighbour?'

'Shantanu 'yum' Khandelwal's? Yes.'

'Oh you lucky Biatch! Wish I were in your place, first neighbours, then...'

'Garv, we are just friends.'

'Just friends?! Please! You have one of the yummiest looking men on the planet as your neighbour/friend and you are just friends? What is wrong with you!?'

The lift finally came and they both stepped into it, as Khanak replied to Garv's question.

'Stop calling him 'yum' makes me imagine his face on a chocolate clair! And yes we are just friends...'

'as you wish, I am your friend and just wanted to tell you, advice more like it, that grab him before someone else does...'

'I will keep that in mind, thank you very much...'

'Anyway, what are you wearing tonight?!'

::::::::::::::::::

Khanak looked around and sighed, this was more boring than the party before this one had been , and Garv was late, as usual. 'great I am stuck here!'

Her blackberry beeped, she opened her clutch, hoping it was a message from Rohan/Shantanu/Tashu, but the email was from a new id, 'as.soccer@gamil.com?' who the hell is that?!'

She opened the IM:

Many have dedicated millions of words and phrases to the beauty of various women. They all had words because they hadn't met you, for I am utterly speechless, seeing you tonight...

A.S

Khanak raised her eyebrow as a slight smile appeared on her face, 'who is this!' she whispered to herself. She IM'd back

I don't think you are utterly speechless, as you just managed to use a pick up line, through an IM! And as nice as it was, I don't flirt with men I don't know, or have ever seen.

Don't IM again,

Khanak.

Khanak read it again, 'that should do it.' She pressed send, and looked up confidently, and went for a drink, 'ma'am what would you like?'

'uh... wine, no actually, i think i will have scotch, single malt, with a twist, I feel like having that.'

'in a minute.'

Khanak then took a drink and went and talked to a few of her colleagues when her Phone beeped again, 'uh... sorry, excuse me.'

She checked her phone, it was the same id, 'god! I have a stalker!'

She opened the text.

Well...what can I say, I am speechless yet inspired, by you. And you can flirt with me, you know me, and have met me.

A.S

'sick pervert! Who the hell is this! Creep!'

She furiously typed:

Even if I have met you I still don't know who you are right now, I don't want to IM flirt a guy I don't see. So either, come in front of me and prove you are not a stalker/creep/pervert. Or stop IMing me!

Khanak.

'Khanak! God this is such a dud party! Have been looking for you everywhere!'

'Garv! likewise.'

'Oh you look FAB!'

'thanks. Tashu, gave the dress, gift.'

'I love her, how is she!? Didn't meet her since... um, wow, I can't remember!'

'Yes, she is Mumbai, must be landing right now I guess...'

'Khanak, Garv, lovely to see you, meet our newest team member!'

Khanak smiled at Simran and then turned to her back, where she was pointing.

Khanak smiled as she saw who it was, 'hi...' she said with a smile.

'hello to you too... hope you remember me?'

'of course, not many come up to me in parties and talk about an article that I had written ages ago, that I forget who you are.'

Simran and Garv, looked back and forth, 'so you know each other?'

'yes! We met in Goa.' Answered the man, 'but she left in a hurry then, couldn't tell my name,' he turned to Khanak, 'so this time, names first, before you run off again,' he extended his hand, 'Aditya Singhania.'

Khanak smiled, as she took his hand, 'Khanak Kapoor, features editor.'

'and now my boss.'

'you can say that.'

'well I love a powerful woman.'

'good.' she replied with a smile.

'good, then...Aditya, we should go, I have to introduce you to so many more people.'

'yes.' Aditya nodded to Simran, but just before he walked of, he leaned towards Khanak, 'hopefully I have convinced you that I am not a creep or pervert or a stalker.' He whispered with a devilish smile. Khanak just looked at him, surprised, 'and,' he continued, 'you look ravishing.' He gave her wink before he went.

::::::::::::::::::

And hour into the party, Khanak looked around and saw Aditya, graciously meeting Nina, the fashion editor.

'so you know him?' asked Garv.

'who doesn't? Aditya Singhania- one of the most famous authors and lifestyle journalists in India, also quite famous abroad. I had heard so much about him, but had never seen a picture. Didn't ask his name in Goa, who knew he would be joining our magazine?'

'how is it that you know all the hot men?! Rohan Mehra, Shantanu Khandelwal, and now you have this handsome flirting with you too...'

'he was just...'

'save it Khanak, I know a "look" when I see it, why do you think Simran took him awa so early?'

'Oh! Pl...'

Khanak's phone rang, the screen lighted and hsowed Shantanu's name, 'I have to take this.'

She went outside and picked up the phone, 'hey what's up?!'

'well Akshay Bhai is engaged.'

'WHAT?! That is AWESOME!'

'I know, Rohan and I helped him, and he proposed Khushboo today, and well they want to go on a holiday now.'

'well Duh! He just proposed!'

'yes, and that means I am going to London for two weeks...'

'what?! Why?'

'I am giving Bro an off, and taking up his project, I am flying out tonight, can you?'

'I will be there as soon as possible, just, just don't go without saying bye.'

'hurry!'

'Promise you won't go!'

'I won't.'

'okay, I will be there ASAP!' she put the phone back in her purse, 'Soumya is still mingling, god why did I carpool!'

'hey! What are you doing here?'

Khanak turned around to see Aditya, 'do you have a car?' she asked.

'yes...'

'can you lend me the car? I really need to go...'

'if its that urgent, I will drop you.'

'dont you?'

'no, I lied that I have a headache, I hopped to take you for dinner, discuss you article again, but I drop you instead.'

'tsk tsk... lying to your boss, even before joining office!'

Aditya smiled, 'yes well you have to do this, to save yourself from dying of bordome, now let me drop you?'

'okay...'

::::::::::::::::::::

Khanak fidgeted as she told Aditya to take the next right turn, god oh god! Please don't let me be late, I want to say bye!

'so why is it that you have to be at your place so urgently?'

'uh... A friend is going to London, for business, have to say goodbye.'

'hmm, is it one of the friends you were with, in Goa? Not that you have to tell me...'

'yes. And another right. Just there.'

'good, at least you will stop fidgeting. You are making me nervous!'

'it's just I don't him to go without saying good bye...'

'special friend?'

'very. Just stop here I see him, thanks... will meet you tomorrow,' she opened the door, then stuck her bent down, 'forgot to say it- welcome to the team.' She said with a smile, before she ran towards Shantanu.

:::::::::::::::::

'Shantanu you might miss your flight, you should go.'

'no. Rohan just a minute more.'

'fine! I will back the car.'

'Khanak where are you!? I don't want to go without saying good bye either.'

'Shaan!'

He turned around to see Khanak running towards him, he was flooded with happiness as he saw her, she ran into his arms.

'sorry, traffic!' she said into his chest.

'well you just made it!

'ya... ' she looked at him, 'this is for the first time we will be away, since our friendship, I wanted to bye... I said bye to Tashu also when she was coming to Delhi, and now I don't care!'

Shantanu smiled, 'I wanted to say bye to.'

Khanak hugged him again, he arms going around his back, as she buried her face in his arms... 'i will miss you Khandelwal!'

Shantanu buried his face in her hair, 'me too Kapoor... me two.'

'hey guys! Have to go now!' Rohan called out.

Shantanu moved away, 'take care...'

'I want to come...'

'no...no, I am not going forever, will be back before you know it! You have work, go, sleep!'

Khanak smiled, 'safe flight.'

'thanks, will call as I land.'

'okay.'

She hugged him again, and kissed him on the cheek.

Then stood back as he entered the car, and waved her bye, as Rohan drove out of the parking lot.

'what will I do now?... I miss you already Shaan...'

~the one in which they both find right-now's~

'Meher I am just turning, I am five minutes away, what is this emergency meeting about anyway?'

'Black and white ball, it is only a month away, you do remember?'

'oh of course! How could I forget?'

'Don't sweat it ma'am you have a lot on your plate, plus it's boring.'

Khanak smiled, she loved talking in an non-official way with Meher, she is a fun and intelligent girl, who knew what to say to make her feel better about working her ass off, 'yes, but it is one of the most important social events of the season, anyone who is somebody will be there! And this is my first black and white ball- I missed the last one by just two days!'

'yes you did morn over it for a week after you joined, I do remember, anyway, Mr Aditya called, and asked when will you be in, he does seem awfully desperate to talk to you.'

'I don't know what you mean...'

'yes of course, you are a pre-pubescent innocent girl.'

'Do you forget I am your boss?'

'oh no, I don't, that's why I call you ma'am.'

Khanak almost laughed, 'anyway, did anyone else call, message, and leave a word or anything?'

'If you are talking about Shantanu, then no, if Natasha then yes, she asked you to call her, if Rohan, then yes again, he left the same message. And Simran, and a few others.'

'okay, umm... fix a lunch date with Rohan for today, remind me to call Tashu after the meeting, and I will see what Simran and others have to say then tell you what to do... I am parking, will be up in ten minutes.'

'I will be waiting next to the elevators, with coffee and my notepad.'

'see you in a bit.' Khanak turned off the loudspeaker in her phone, and then started to back her car in the parking spot. She then got of her car after retrieving her purse from the back, and walked towards the elevators, hurrying as she wanted to be in the warm building and out of the cold Delhi fog. She pressed the button for the elevators when she looked down at her phone, still o message. 'what is wrong with him?!' she whispered, ' why hasn't he called?! Or IM'd this is so unlike Shantanu...', she tapped her phone against her palm, perhaps he is still in the flight, I mean with the cold weather the flight might have been delayed... she thought, what am I doing! I should e-mail him, why did I act like a girl waiting for a call back after a date, in the first place? She wondered as she opened her inbox and clicked write mail.

Are you held captive in air due to fog/snowfall or something related?

If yes, then you are lucky you are in business class, trust me being held up in air more than what you had prepared yourself for in economy is the worst kind of night mare! If no the you must have a great excuse for not messaging or calling me!

Message me idiot! I miss you.

K.

She re-read for spelling mistakes then hit the sent button.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Shantanu went through his file, for the third time, when the air hostess gave him his scotch. 'Ah! Thank you.' He said with a smile, as usual completely courteous to all females. He took a sip, as his eyes fell on his laptop's screen, the screensaver (picture slides) changed to a picture of him and Khanak in goa, dancing like a crazy, while Tashu smiled and cheered them on... a smile spread across his face, 'do you miss me Khanak? Of course you do...' his phone beeped at the exact same time. He smiled as he read the message from Khanak. He clicked on the reply button:

No we were to stop in Paris for an hour, am now on my way to London. And when did you fly economy? I thought you got business class tickets when you travelled?

And yes I have a perfect answer for not messaging- battery was dead. No that was a lie, had to meet Grazie, for a meeting, she is friend. Anyway, I miss you too, am in a habit of someone disturbing me when I am working, feels weird working un-disturbed.

What are you doing? Let me guess stumbling into office? ... And Meher is handling you your third cup of coffee? Did I ever tell you? You drink an awful lot of coffee!

Shaan.

He pressed sent. Then looked back at the laptop as another picture of him, Khanak and coco flashed on the screen, 'I don't know how I will spend the next three weeks without you. I guess... I never realised how much time we spent together, we were practically living together! Message me soon woman!...'

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

'This must be my lucky day, the sight of a beautiful woman before a day of hard work, I probably would have gotten anything else that I would have asked for, except, of course I would not ask for anything else.'

Khanak smiled at Aditya, 'well, good morning to you too.' She turned back to the elevator door as Aditya came and stood beside her.

'so you were able to say good bye to your friend that night?'

'yes, yes I did. Thanks to you.'

'He must be very important.'

'Yes well... he has grown to be... of a lot importance in my life.'

'lucky man... Mr.?'

'Shantanu Khandelwal.'

'Oh! I have heard that name... but where?'

'He is only one of the most influential business men in the country and the youngest.'

'Do I see pride for his success?'

Khanak looked at him, 'immense pride. And I am proud of all my friends.'

'Friend? Well thank god, for a minute I thought he was your boyfriend. I thought I would have to back off, that I don't have a chance to be your knight in shining armour- of sorts.'

The elevator doors opened and Khanak stepped in, 'do you like shamelessly flirting with your boss?' she asked.

Aditya stood next to her and pressed the button for their floor before answering her, 'Evidently.'

'Well Mr. Aditya, don't expect any leniency, just because you are a master of words.'

'Oh I wouldn't dare. I just expect you to go out for a little harmless dinner date with me.'

Khanak smiled as she turned to him, 'I don't mix business with pleasure.'

'really?! And here I thought working with you will give me the perfect opportunity to make you date me.'

'did you really think it would be that easy?' she said with a playful smile.

Aditya smiled back at her, he placed his hand on his heart, as if trying to make it stop beating fast by just patting it, his eyes drifted to her lips for a second before her answered her question, 'well it generally is, but...'

'but what?' she stepped closer to him, and leaned towards him, 'I am not amongst the "general" population of women, Aditya,' she said in a whisper.

'I know, and that's why I like you, you are... a challenge, more importantly an equal.' He answered in a whisper too, as his eyes dropped to her lips again.

Khanak smiled, as she looked deep into his brown eyes, 'good.' she moved away when she heard a beep, before the doors opened to let in people.

Aditya kept glancing towards Khanak, who was standing waiting for the lift to open, and when it did she stepped out closely followed by Aditya.

'Meher! Thanks for the coffee, and...'

'hey!' Aditya said, as he leaned towards her, 'you should call me Adi, the people I like call me Adi.'

'I will try remember that Mr. Singhania.' Said Khanak with a smile.

'good, and you are vibrating,' Khanak started slooking through her pockets, to find her phone, when Aditya looked at Meher, ' hi Meher is it?' he said with a smile, as he walked away.

'yes. Sir, Mr.Aditya... Oh he is so cute!'

'hmm...'

'Shantanu?'

'yes!' she said with a huge smile.

'Oh! Thank god, now you will not ask me whether he has called every fifteen minutes! Khanak Ma'am? Hello! Earth to ma'am...'

Khanak looked at Meher, 'I am here! When is the meeting?'

'in twenty minutes.'

'okay, now have you fixed the meeting with rohan?'

'yes, but aren't you going to reply?'

'yes I will but in front of you, but in the comfort of my warms office,' she started walking towards her office, 'Now, tell Rohit that for a hundredth time no he can't an article on marrying over 35, Vogue did a similar article for their Icon issue, and I don't care what angle he wants to give it , he is not running with that story, and did Simon call?'

'yes, and he said, that he interviewed Karl and he is going to be back tomorrow and will handle you the interview himself.'

'oh good! and tell Aditi to send me her research for the article... and fix a meeting with Aditya, preferably after the Black and white ball meeting... That'll be all for now.'

'sure will do all, you coat,' Meher took Khanak's coat and went to her desk. While Khanak went to her chair and took out her blackberry.

Shantanu Khandelwal! Grazie? You couldn't wait for a few hours before starting to meet "friends"! tsk tsk! And I travelled economy when me and Tashu went on a France and Italy trip after college, the most brilliant days, Paris-Tuscany-venice. Yes Khandelwal, you don't know everything about me.

As for what am I doing, well you were close, I was getting (nt stumbling!) out of the elevator and taking my second (not third!) cup of coffee! And no I don't take an awful lot of Coffee... as I have said before I don't think I take enough of it.

Anyway what are you doing going through papers and drinking scotch?

Oh! Shaan I don't know how will I spend three weeks without you and Tashu and Rohan!

K.

She smiled as she pressed the send button.

'am I disturbing?'

'Oh! Aditya come in, I didn't know we had a meeting?'

Meher followed him, 'you don't he...'

'we didn't but your secretary...'

'Assistant,' corrected Meher.

'...Assistant called and asked for a meeting, and I thought we can do it right now...'

Khanak smiled and looked at Meher, 'Ma'am I told him you were busy replying to very important e-mails, but he...'

'I didn't listen; I thought you wouldn't mind...'

'but I told you she will.'

'yes you did, but I wanted to...' he turned to Khanak, 'I wanted to talk to you, but I can...'

'uh... no it's...fine, come on in.'

'are you sure? You ...'

'Meher, thanks a ton, it's okay.'

'okay ma'am.'

Aditya sat opposite to Khanak, 'sorry about that, it's just that I had such great idea! It couldn't wait.'

Khanak smiled, 'well I can't take offense in someone's passion for their work! What is it?'

'well, I was thinking about your article, and about fashion, and...'

Khanak's phone beeped, 'sorry, i have to take that.'

'it's fine.'

Khanak smiled as she read Shaan's message:

Oh I could never dream to think I know you completely my Ms. Mystery... and please think of me kindly, I am not always sleeping with a girl when I go to meet her! Grazie is an old friend, an artist, you will like her, she is quite famous in Europe, abstract art something... was just catching up!

And yes you do drink an awful lot of coffee!

And ditto, was checking up on papers, but I don't think you should call the scotch on board scotch, it'll be an insult to scotch! We never realised how much we know each other did we? And I am faced with a similar dilemma, I will miss all four of you (my list included Coco) and Rohan is in Delhi, why did you include him in your list?!

Shaan.

Her smile seemed to grow, her eyes glowed, 'uh... sorry I will reply to this, then will get back to you...'

'it's fine.'

Khanak quickly typed in her blackberry:

Good. I love being Mysterious... and Please tell me you were talking about Gabrielle Adeline DuPont! She is THE artist of our generation! Wow Mr. Khandelwal, I am impressed! Anyway hve to go, am in a meeting, then have a staff meeting in ten, about the black and white ball, which reminds me- You are my date for the B&W ball, I would love to be in the arms of Delhi's most eligible bachelor! So keep yourself free and buy a tux!

Call me later,

Love,

K.

'Sorry about that, had to email back, so... where were you?'

Aditya smiled, 'I was saying, that I would love to do apiece on how fashion is empowering women, how it is liberating them... or something around the lines.'

'hmm... Interesting, what do you have exactly in mind?'

'I was thinking about how fashion is liberating, how fashion helps women not only in looking good, but feeling confident about themselves, how it helps express themselves and thus empowering them in a way...'

'Interesting... run with it!'

'Uh... guys the meeting with Simran is in five, you better run, word is she is in a foul mood!'

'Oh! Right... we should go.'

'ya...'

Khanak stood up and started collecting some files.

'Khanak, I need to ask you something.'

'ya? What?'

'uh... will you go with me to the B&W ball?'

'oh... sorry I am going with a friend, and as I said, I don't mix business with pleasure...' she said with a smile as she walked out of the room.

Aditya watched her go as he smiled, ' like you Khanak Kapoor...' he whispered to the walls before walking out behind her.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

'Damn Flight rules! Couldn't even check Khanak's email! And I have always used my blackberry on the plane and none of them have plummeted down to earth!' Shantanu muttered as he pushed his trolley, while attempting to open his blackberry. He had been forced to shut his phone by the airhostess, when she noticed that he was emailing someone, he had been restless for the whole of forty-five minutes, in the flight. He read the message and smiled, ' So like Khanak, to inform rather than ask!' he said with a smile, then his eyes went to the love, and for a weird second he felt his heart skip a beat, but her ignored it as he typed, "of course will do!" and sent it. This is going to be boring three weeks of my life, in cold London!

'I wouldn't be too quick to say it'll be boring, if I were you.'

Shaan turned around to see a beautiful young woman; he smiled flirtatiously, out of habit, ' and you are?'

'Kiara Mittal, and I presume you are Shantanu Khandelwal, Akshay's replacement.'

Shantanu smiled, 'nice meet you and I am Shantanu,' he extended his hand to her, Kiara smiled back at him, 'I didn't think you would come and pick me up, I thought a driver or a assistant, not the boss.'

'well I had to meet you, I have heard a lot and I couldn't wait.'

'I hope I haven't disappointed.'

'Oh! Absolutely not. Now let take to Ritz, and we can go over papers in the car, of course if you aren't tired.'

'I never am when it comes to work.'

'see, I like you already.' She smiled in a sexy manner, as she walked towards the exit. Shaan smiled, 'this is interesting...' he said under his breath as he followed her.

Love you...will read and get bk!

what do i say.......😭😭😭 i m missing shanak together😭😭😭😭....... in RBO and DOSTANA...... yet shanakism is alive thru the letters and e mails in both.......

update ended.so short.....awsme1.they r missng eachodr so much.so cute.plzzzz cont soon....

just read it...and again i have no wrods to tell u how much i have njoyd it, but I m sad actualluy....again I have to wait for god knws how many days for the nxt par....noooooo😭

Originally posted by: priya_cool_123

what do i say.......😭😭😭 i m missing shanak together😭😭😭😭....... in RBO and DOSTANA...... yet shanakism is alive thru the letters and e mails in both.......

even i stopped for a second on that LOVE K in khank s email and was happy to see realise that..... very realistic.......

ADITYA..... i love him yaar.... not just becos it s kavi...... somehow i liked the character and his flirting......

3 weeks.... 3 weeks they r not gonna be together........😲😲😲😲.........

kiara perfectly fits the bill... will wait for moreof her in the next......

did i say i love COCO ..... if i ever got a pup....ever( there r nil probabilities though).... i would name him COCO.....

Oh and i could see fashion and art written all over... from the ball... simaya....wow.....looked like i took a peek into a page 3....

i admit i am greedy for more...... i could not stop myself from scrolling up and down to see if it is actually over..........

pls don keep them away for long from eachother and from us.....

ps i am amazed at ur brain cells activity under pain and pain killers..... take care....

i am done with my essay😊

thanks priya🤗

Originally posted by: cadbery

just read it...and again i have no wrods to tell u how much i have njoyd it, but I m sad actualluy....again I have to wait for god knws how many days for the nxt par....noooooo😭

Originally posted by: Yasharanrocks

update ended.so short.....awsme1.they r missng eachodr so much.so cute.plzzzz cont soon....

thanks😃