9 E
Tonite would be the night they both actually did something for the first time.
But before that
To her credit............... she did well in her job, she did not let the new dilemma in her life overtake the quality of her work. She actually accomplished over 4 of the 17 pending issues she had that week. She was slowly able to get past Shaan's visit. Seeing him at work was not helping in this enterprise but she was trying to shut up in the hope that, his curiosity in her would progressively wane
She spoke to her parents daily. She was enjoying Nivedita and paula's company. She had her routine 1 on 1 with Ram and it went great. She threw her name in the hat for being Modi & Dastur rep. at the "joint Project Committee for Cassa"
She hated working late and hated working weekends but always delivered despite all her whining
To his credit'''''' he did not ponder over her too much. Didn't force himself to be around her, did not call her unnecessarily, did not linger after meetings, did not seek out her company, did not offer her a ride home, nor did he try and coincide his arrival time to match hers. Did not make any attempt to ride the elevator with her'''..did not try to make eye contact, did not make any lame attempts at flirting'''''''.. not that it would have worked with her. It wouldn't have!
But he didn't waste his time either. He continued meeting friends in the evening, casually, socially'''''' was the Man Friday for who ever wanted him to be. Nachiket loved him Ehsaan adored him, and everyone in between gushed. He had never let work be disrupted.
If it was about HIM then work came alongside
Thursday nite'..Khanak takes a cab to the nearest train station and gets off at Chembur'' Ritu was returning tonite.
She was excited. She missed Ritu a lot. They talked a lot. It was a very rare friendship. They shared everything. Purses, clothes. Gossip''''' Ritu was her pillar of strength, when Sooraj passed away.
If Khanak could think of someone at that time, it was either her parents or Ritu. Her parents were keen Ritu get married and "settle down" in life. Ritu could not stop gushing about Shaan the nite of the engagement.
Khanak was not sure if it was pure adulation or something more. Ritu seemed very excited at being the object of his attention that nite. She wondered if they exchanged phone numbers''.. maybe even added each other on FB.
But if she had dated him or met him socially Ritu would tell her, she wouldn't lie.
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Thursday nite..........
Ritu was home already and opened the door for her
Stared for a minute
Khanak: Kya hua?
Ritu:Hi!
Khanak: Is everything OK?
Ritu YOU tell me'''. Did u get a facial? (suspicious) Liar! Akele hi chali gayi? We had an appt next week nahi?
Khanak: walks inside' to see things strewn all over the living room''' Ritu is the disorganized "slob" Khanak the organized, orderly '''' smiles Looks like lots of things have been bought. While in Delhi
Khanak: Nahi to! Rubs her cheek as she sets her laptop bag and purse by the divan looks up at her reflection in the mirror'''..
Ritu: You are GLOWING!
A warm gush of something spreads rapidly over Khanak's face.
Ritu haath mein kya hua? (Khanak has a orange silk scarf wrapped around her palm, she did that when she stepped off the Corp Off, to "lock in his scent" She had never before done anything so unmeditated, passionate'''' or plain stupid)
Khanak: I think I scraped it someplace it its just sore (a guilty flush covers her face at that lie)
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Thursday nite.............Fabio made his regular SOR, he turned around to look, sights, sounds music, laughter psychedelic lights, dancing, moving walking talking people all around.
He waited for two of his ex coworker/friends Rajat and Saira'''' looked like they were running a lil late. It was past 10 PM'''' he stared down at his drink.
The ice was slowly losing its battle with the liquid gold'''. There was a bunch of girls sitting a few bar stools away, laughing chatting, nudging, giggling''. He chuckled to himself. One of them in a black mini dress walked by and said "Hi! There"
Shaan: Hi!
Girl: Arent you Rishi's friend?
Shaan: And that would be which Rishi?
Girl: Rishi Batra (grins)
Shaan: (that's a new pick up line) Yes I do.
Girl: I don't see him anymore, do u know where he is?
Shaan: You know him but don't have his number? (smirks)
Girl (lies) Nope!
Shaan: Unfortunately, I don't either
The girl's phone beeps, she checks her msgs
A lady sitting on his other side wearing a white dress with a yellow and green scarf she walks past Shaan and the girl'''. Shaan's eyes go to the scarf'''. He is reminded of Khanak's skirt, her eyes''.. and her first gift that SMILE.
Suddenly he has no interest to be in the club
Shaan: Excuse me! Be right back
Steps out of the pub, calls his driver first Rajat next'' gets in the car
Edited by aditee - 14 years ago
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
