Shaan left the hotel after a while and Khanak decided to not let the sadness creep on to her face before he went. Ma used to say that it is inauspicious to make a sad face when a loved one is leaving and she used to send off papa everytime he went on a tour with a smiling face. She remembered this and sent him off with a smile sealed with a kiss.
Yep...all parents say that...roo ke bye mat karo...and "jaa rahi hu" nahi..."jaa kar aati hu" kaho😳
In flight, Shaan sat with the MD. Zarine and Rajat were at the same post as Shaan so they too were leaving for Mumbai and Shaan was happy in a way, as two of the nuisance creators who he thought could trouble Khanak, were going back. So she was comparatively safe in Hyderabad.
Yep...me too relieved coz of that😆😆😆 both the nuisances are going😆😆
Shaan remembered that he was not supposed to sit with Zarine, as a part of 'seating rules' and a smile swept on his handsome face thinking about her. However after last night's comment from Zarine, the last thing he wanted to do was talk to her, or look at her.
Hezzz sooo cute...heheh...The sitting arrangement...Love it !
"You must be thinking the need for urgent meeting, SK?" asked MD.
"Yes Sir, I was really shocked." He said coming back to the present.
"We got some details from the technology department and maintenance guys'..we have managed to track down the laptop used in transfer of data as we retrieved the URL address from the back-end."
"It is really commendable Sir. We need to take urgent steps."
"That's true, and for that we need to meet in the head office immediately. I cannot afford any sort of delay. We don't know how many people are involved and we have important expansions lined up for next month including the Singapore and Middle East. We can't take risks."
"What are we planning Sir?" he asked.
"We need to get down to the roots and first thing that we have to do is fire the person who is the owner of the laptop that we got the details of'..and set up a detailed inquiry."
"Sir, may I ask you, who is the owner of that laptop?"
"You will be shocked to hear''.it belongs to Miss K. Sharma, she is working with you." revealed the MD.
I am NOT...I sooo knew it...I KNEW IT !!!!!!😆😆😆
Shantanu was shocked to the extent of becoming speechless. He blankly looked at MD for a minute as MD kept on speaking and then he spoke.
"I think that there is some gross misunderstanding, Sir. I know Ms. Sharma very well. She is absolutely not involved."
"How can you be so sure? Look, I know she is a part of your team. Naturally you will be shocked and upset. But, don't worry, I am just not raising a finger on you."
"No Sir, I am just not talking about my credentials. I am talking about her. There is some misunderstanding'...some framing."
"We have proof SK. Her laptop was being used for transactions. She had visited New Delhi last month and the competitor group's Head office is in Delhi. The important officials of that group were in Delhi then."
How dumb !! Does he not realize that a smart culprit will never leave clues and use their own laptops🤢🤢 they will always make sumone else bali ka bakra or bakri in this case😕
"That was purely a co-incidence Sir." He reiterated again, emphasizing on his words.
If only the stupid MD knew what a mess the poor girl went through when she was in Delhi.
"These days we can hardly judge people. And some people do take such steps to achieve monetary gains faster. Don't take it on yourself. I know how you feel."
I was right...I shudve just killed him when I was planning to last time for separating SHANAK...Iski naubat hi nahi aati😆
Shantanu was highly irritated as the MD was just not listening to him. He put his views very strongly in support of Khanak once again, but all MD wanted was that he should fire her as soon as the delegates came back Monday morning.
"Don't stress out. We will attend the meeting and come to a conclusion on what else could be done. And also we need to discuss the steps needed to avoid this in future."
Not seeing any scope of improvement in the tubular vision of MD'..he sat back in his seat and closed his eyes thinking of what could be done next.
Someone had breached the security of the organization and passed on important datas to the competitor group, using Khanak's laptop.
The first thing he did after landing in Mumbai was call her.
MD and others had dispersed for their homes to freshen up and meet in Head office at a decided time.
He was very angry at her.
How could someone use her laptop without her knowledge'. he thought'.
She had been careless and someone had used her innocence to trap her. It was either a co-incidence that 'her' laptop was used, as it had to be someone or maybe, somebody purposely did it so that she could be removed from the system. His brain was not working in sync with him''.and all he wanted was to vent it out on her.
"Hello," one word from her and he forgot everything that he had been thinking. He just wanted to be with her and hold her in his arms'..and protect her from everyone.
"Yaa''.''..Khanak, it's me."
"I know it's you'''.. Why are you so disturbed?"
"Nothing''..I just reached here. So, I thought that I'll call you."
She smiled and leaned on the window pane looking outside.
"Are you fine?" he asked.
"Shaan, we were together just 3 hours back. What will happen in 3 hours?" she said cajoling him.
"I am asking Samir to get the tickets done. Come here by afternoon."
"What?? Are you serious?" she jumped and asked with shock on her face.
"Yes, I am. I want to see you here."
"But, Shaan. Suddenly?? I mean, what will we tell others?"
"Samir knows about us and he will be coming with you. Which others?"
"Ronit?"
"Do you care about Ronit?" he asked sharply.
"Not at all'''"
"Then?"
"Kavya?"
"Tell Kavya about us'''I don't care. Tell everyone." He said curtly.
"What happened Shaan? You sound so different."
"Come to Mumbai and I'll tell you''''..By the way, where is your laptop?"
"May be in the office'.." she said slowly.
"Maybe?" he became angry.
"I mean, it 'is' in the office."
"Why?... It has been given by the company to be kept with you. Why does your laptop lie everywhere except with you? Do you know how serious it is? You just leave it on your table and roam around for lunch and coffee and with your friends''" he spoke so angrily that even he was shocked that he shouted at her.
She was quiet for a moment completely shocked. Even when they used to fight and even when they were the worst of foes, he had never shouted on her. He used to be sarcastic, bitter, rude and insensitive at several times when he wanted to hurt her and she knew that she hated his words then. She hated his undertones, loudly screaming 'I-care-a-damn', to her.
But it wasn't the same today. He had shouted at her for the first time and she did not feel bad even for a minute. Though his words were rough, but they were filled with immense love, care and affection. He scolded her for something that was right and she could land herself in trouble because of that. She kept quiet thinking of why he was irritated at her soon after reaching Mumbai. These topics could have waited.
"Why are you quiet? I'm sorry''.didn't mean to shout at you."
"Shaan''''you are scolding like papa." She said slowly, wondering at his concerned tone.
"Aren't you angry?" he was surprised
"No''," she said casually, "I loved it. I can read concern in your tone."
He sighed and moved his tongue on his dry lips, "I'll be waiting for you'"
Hezzz sooo CUTEEE...I luv him😳...Frame Khanak...put her in Jail...M marrying this guy...Shaaantanu...Main arahi huuu😆
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''..
"Samir, there is an emergency. I need you here." Was all that Shantanu had said and Samir was there at the airport with Khanak.
Their tickets were done and both of them were worried about the reason for this urgency. Khanak was happy to go back, on one hand, as she was feeling pathetic since he left but was apprehensive at the same time thinking of the reason why he had called them back.
Samir was going for Shaan but was obviously elated as he too was missing Jaspreet there.
"Why do you think he called us?" asked Khanak.
"I was just now thinking of asking you the same. I thought that he must have told you."
"No, he didn't. He just said that he'll tell us when we reach Mumbai."
"But he called as soon as he reached Mumbai, that means something happened in the flight," Samir was thinking aloud, "I think he is missing you."
"Oh thanks, hope you are right. But, I am dead sure, that he is not missing 'you', so why did he call you?"
Hahahahahahahaaa...I luved the above line...ahahaha...
"Good point''he said that there is an emergency''..what could it be?"
"I hope he is fine''" murmured Khanak.
Samir smiled at this. He had seen her since she had joined the office and they had become best of friends since then. He had always seen her pre-occupied with Shantanu, whether she accepted it or not.
"He appeared fine. I think something with that security meeting issue. Let's not fret over it ''we'll be reaching in a while."
He is such an amazing friend...U need to be really lucky to have such awesome friends...aasani se nahi milte aise dost...SHANAK are lucky !!!
Samir dropped Khanak home as Shantanu couldn't come to pick them up and after that he went to the office to meet Shantanu.
The whole day passed''.Khanak tried to call Shaan and Samir, but their phones were unreachable. She was apprehensive all the while and she couldn't focus on anything as her mind was stuck on them and that so-called 'emergency'''.
Poor thing...usko kuch nahi batayaaa...Awww...Hez soo protective😳
In the evening, she took a shower and changed in a white cotton buttoned-down short top with subtle white embroidery and turquoise blue skirt. Again, she switched on the TV and lied down on her bed flicking some senseless magazine that she had picked up on the airport but her mind was not stable. She could concentrate on nothing and felt extremely uneasy.
The doorbell rang'..and she looked at her watch'.it was 9.30 pm'.
She had completely forgotten about the time and had been sitting like this for a few hours now''
Thinking about some neighbour's unnecessary intrusion or maybe Jassi'' she rose from the bed. With unhurried, casual steps she proceeded to open the door and found him standing there.
"You'.?" she was surprised.
He looked tired but still he looked absolutely stunning in chocolate brown collared T-shirt and beige trousers. He looked at her face, amused at her expressions.
"Expecting someone else?" he asked casually, while entering inside and leaving her on the door to close it.
"No, but still I didn't think it could be you. You asked me to come all the way from Hyderabad and didn't even get time to call me, once I reached here." She spoke complaining, while closing the door.
He ignored her statement and strolled to go directly to her open kitchen. Opening her refrigerator, he asked, "Do you have anything to eat? Haven't had anything since morning."
Awww...Such a cute scene...I loved it that he came to her place and is behaving as if ye unn dono ka ghar hai...its just sooo awww...Can I fall any more for this guy !!!!!!! They are soo much like an already married couple...hehe
"Neither have I," she said coming to the kitchen, "I'll cook something'..."
"Do you know how to cook?" he turned back and asked her, raising his eyebrows.
"Of course ! What do you think I eat everyday?"
"Maggi, boiled eggs, bread butter''." He replied teasing her as she picked up a pan and poured water in it to boil.
"Very funny'''.." she faked an expression of irritation and took out rice for washing and added them to the pan.
He was amused to see her move about the kitchen so efficiently. Being a regular at her house in Delhi, he had always known that she was a good cook and he was simply trying to tease her, but to watch her cook was a visual in itself. She worked with smooth and swift movements. As she worked on another pan for curry, he picked up an apple to cut.
M gushing about this guy...the ease with which hez moving about in her house has me zapped...its sooo sweet !!😳😳
"What are you making?" he elevated himself to sit on the kitchen slab.
"Prawn curry and rice''" she turned towards the deep freeze door of the refrigerator to get the prawns.
"Wow'.I love it''.'.." he said.
Me too LOVEEE it !! Am I invited??...thoda sa hi khaungi...LOL !!😆
"Thank you sooo much for telling'''..otherwise I would have never known." She said in an artificial animated tone and turned back towards the slab.
"No problems'" he answered equally, "If you want, I can tell you a lot about everything that I love'.." saying this, he pulled her by her elbow and made her stand beside him.
She came near him and looking into his eyes, she said softly, "Why?...why would you want to tell me anything about you?'..you generally don't believe in telling me anything'.."
He looked at her seriously for a moment and then smiled at her as he jumped off the slab in a subtle movement and turned around to pick up a small pan, saying, "You know, you will make a typical wife''you never get tired of nagging and questioning."
He took out milk from the refrigerator and poured in the pan for coffee. They stood side by side while he made coffee and she made the curry.
She blushed at his comment and said, "And you will make a typical husband ''you never listen to me and never tell me anything. You think that I am some dumbo''."
He laughed aloud at her reply and put his arm around her, "No, I am not a fool to think so'. You are not at all a dumbo. You are very intelligent...in fact so intelligent, that you leave your laptop everywhere to be used by random people."
Yeah...ever heard about screen password???? Use it next time khanak...! Dumbo !
She turned her head to look at him and said, "What is this laptop mystery? You were saying the same thing on phone too'.."
"Do you know, that your laptop is being misused by some wrong people''.to transfer data out of the company for the competitor group?"
"What ?" she just whispered and looked at him with a blank face.
"Yes, and the investigation team found the URL id of your laptop after the search."
"And they think that I did it??" she was shocked beyond intellect, almost simultaneously murmuring, "Shaan, I didn't do it''."
"Did I ask you whether you did it or not?" he said irritated and removed his hand from her shoulder to fetch 2 coffee mugs.
"What happened at the security meet?" there was panic in her voice.
"You don't need to worry. I'll handle it''." He said while pouring coffee in the mugs.
"But, what was the decision taken ?" the worry was written all over her face.
He looked at her blank and pale face and felt bad that he revealed everything to her so suddenly, without preparing her mentally.
"Errr'''''.I am supposed to fire you on Monday." He answered while he picked up both the coffee mugs in his hands and took them in her room adjoining the open kitchen ''she had this studio style apartment with one huge room which was her living room cum bedroom.
Hahahahahahaa...I swear if sumone said that to me I'd have whacked him...hahaha...He is saying it as if he is announcing that he will come to pick her up for office on monday...sooo casually😆
He kept the coffee mugs on a low side-table and sat on the cushions thrown on a rug on the floor. It was a very cosy floor-seating arrangement with few large cushions and a huge velvet rug''.he simply loved it.
He removed his shoes and made himself comfortable by reclining on the back-wall. She simmered the gas and followed him to the room and he watched her as she sat in front of him.
She took the coffee holding the mug from the circumference of the whole width''.she never used the handle of a cup or a mug, but held it always from the other side.
He observed this and sighed softly. Every little act of her's made him observe her intently. She was adorable in every little act and every little word she spoke. But he never liked it when she was nervous or worried. And she was doing exactly that, right now.
"Are you really going to fire me?" she asked raising her eyebrows.
He didn't answer, just picked up his mug and concentrated on the coffee.
"What will Ma, papa feel? How will Jai respond? My colleagues'..my friends'..oh My God''" she panicked.
"Khanak''.Can you please shut up?" he said casually, least perturbed.
"I am sooo nervous, I don't know why? Usually, I am a fighter''..but today I feel so shocked and worried''." She said.
"Don't worry''..'" he stretched his other hand to her, with coffee in another.
She placed her hand in his and raised herself from where she sat, to go and sit beside him.
I loved this little action...of indicating her to sit closer...they are such an adorable twosome !!
"Shall I resign before I get fired?" she asked a very genuine question.
"Have patience... We haven't done anything wrong''then why should we be worried? We will find out a way out to prove that you are innocent."
"But how? They have found the evidence that my lappy was being used''."
"Someone is clearly trying to frame you along with transferring data out of the organization. We need to found out who he/she is?"
"How?"
"We are thinking''.me and Samir thought about it in the evening''I have asked Akshay too''he has given me some insight on how to proceed. He will be coming down to Mumbai for a day''.tonight''Do you have any idea who could have used your laptop?"
"Not at all''''is Akshay Bhaiya coming today?"
"Yeah'''..and then we will go to the office''."
"I will come with you''''"
"Obviously'''..how are we going to proceed without you? I actually came for this reason itself. We'll pick up Akshay and then go to office. His flight lands at 12.30 am."
She hugged him tightly, "A little carelessness from my side and all of you are getting troubled''"
"You can pay me later''."
"How?"
"By getting troubled and helping me out when I become careless''" he looked at her and shrugged in a way, as if nothing had happened.
She closed her eyes and placed her head on his shoulder. And he tilted his head to her side, to lightly touch hers to give her comfort.
"Shaan''." She spoke with still eyes closed.
"Hmm''"
"Suppose, we are not able to do anything significant''..and the charges against me are sustained'.??"
"Nothing will happen, we will resign'.." he shrugged and spoke very lightly. She was surprised at his calm and composed self.
"We??"
"You and me'''."
"Why you?"
Because he is the CUTEST and the most DARLING person on earth at present...!! I am soo gonna keep your fic saved with me and if I get married I will give this fic to my hubby and tell him...this is how you are supposed to be...Else...U are in trouble Mister !!😆😆
"I will be supporting you relentlessly, so they will question my credibility too''and I prefer to resign rather than firing you for no fault of yours, and staying there for these senseless people'."
"No''..you can't be doing this" she said in a worried tone, while raising her head and sitting back alert, "first you denied your promotion and now this''..I am proving to be so detrimental to your career'.."
"Detrimental?? It is a very big word'.." he laughed off her concern and put his arms around her holding her close.
"I am serious''" she became annoyed and said seriously, looking at him with eyes which held moisture.
"Do you really think that I won't get another job? Don't you trust me?" he asked lightly.
"I do''.I didn't mean that''.."
"Sweetheart, I am Shantanu Khandelwal''I don't need this job'..this job needs me. I am a well known name in this industry and almost all big organizations know me as RBM of GY group ''at this stage we don't need to worry for jobs."
She felt proud of his confidence but was still worried.
She hugged him again wanting to lose all her worries and stress in his embrace. He hugged back.
"Khanak''."
"Hmm'''."
"I smell something''.." he said sniffing.
"Oh My God''..my curry''." She got up and ran in the kitchen.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''.
They had the food and talked for a long time till it was time for Akshay to reach Mumbai. Akshay reached in time and was received by Shaan and Khanak at the airport.
Shaan hugged Akshay warmly and took his luggage. She greeted him and Akshay subtly stepped ahead to hug her slightly sideways by putting his hand around her shoulders and assuring her. She had met Akshay for the first time after he was told about them and felt a little shy for some time, as compared to other times when she used to meet him casually and talked freely.
She had always liked and respected Akshay. He was always the balanced one since their childhood and was a typical intelligent and sane bright kid. He was maturer to all of them and they all turned to him whenever someone needed any guidance or advice. He was very responsible and reliable. And it was true even today.
I like Akki too...how nice of him to come down to help inspite of being busy...Kaash I had an elder brother...elder bro's are sooo good !!
Right now, when he hugged her, she felt as if Jai had hugged her'..and she felt like a lump was held in her throat, remembering Jai.
It was almost 1.00 am. Shaan was driving and Akshay sat beside him.
"Shaan, will we be able to go the office right now?" asked Akshay.
"Yeah''..I have the keys. The pantry staff is kind to me, I have asked Ramesh and Gopal to be there. They won't tell anyone. Samir will also reach there."
Khanak knew that sometimes Shaan used to work late in the office and kept the keys with him. The pantry staff respected him for his behaviour with them. She felt proud of him and looked at him from the back seat. He was driving and saw in the rear-view mirror that she was looking at him and was lost in thinking about something.
He raised his eyebrows to ease her and she smiled back nodding a 'nothing.'
"Thank God, you called me Shaan. And you did not try to go ahead yourself like everytime you do. I know you could have done it but it is always better to get an opinion since I am experienced in these matters, it keeps happening in business circles."
"I know Bro''..I did thought of trying to tackle on my own, but this time it is Khanak ''.And I didn't want to take chances''."
She felt her heart skipping beats. She hated to be a cause of concern for anybody and she had never caused pain to anyone knowingly or purposefully. But here she was agonizing and troubling the person who loved her the most and cared so much for her.
"It is all because of me''.." she murmured.
"Khanak, please," he said softly, "how do you know that it is not because of me? ... maybe someone framed you, 'coz of me'."
Akshay saw them interacting and smiled at how cute they looked, "I am so happy for both of you'.."
"How mean bro''.You are happy that both of us are going to lose our jobs tomorrow ''" Shaan asked Akshay in a funny tone, making light of the situation.
"Well, I'll be happy for that too''.if both of you leave this and join Khandelwal group. I will be the happiest person on this earth''." Said Akshay.
"I will love to''." said Khanak softly whispering to herself, but Shaan heard it.
Awww...Apne future family business ko join karne ki itniii jaldi...hehehehe...good going...I give you full permission...first prove urself innocent and then u both can quit the job and move to delhi and join Khandelwal group😃
"We can go back anytime, but right now, the most important thing is to keep our self- respect and dignity intact. We will not leave as traitors. We will prove that we were loyal to the organization that we worked for."
"I am so proud of you Chotey," said Akshay with a glint of pride in his eyes.
"Me too''" she whispered very softly again, smiling at him, missed by Akshay but heard by Shaan.
ME THREE !!!!!!!! ME also in LOVEEE with you !! *Blush*
@Mani - Sorry for late comment...Was caught up with sum stuff...and wanted to comment fursat se on this part...Loved the whole part...Cant wait to see what happens next...Have a fair guess on it...but wont spoil the suspence for others...since I seem to be bang on with my predictions most of the time...hehehe !!
Will wait on Wednesday for the next Update !!
*Muahhh*
Luv,
Vandu
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