This is my first ever OS. A little mushy, but what the heck I am feeling a little mushy today
I dedicate it to Aazeen02. She encouraged me to try writing one. Thank You my friend.
I post this story with trepidation - All feedback welcome
After the Confession
Kabir and Ananya just stood together in each other's arms after that mind-blowing confession. Literally. Their minds stopped, thoughts stopped, they could only be present, feel.
Kabir felt blessed holding her slender heavenly frame in his arms. Ananya, enveloped safely against his chest felt humbled at how much this beautiful man loved her. They both held each other tightly, afraid it was a dream.
Kabir slowly lifted his head and gazed into her beautiful eyes which looked up at him shyly. He leaned his head forward placing it on her forehead.
He chuckled, "The hoops you make me jump thru Miss Kashyap - I have never had this much difficulty speaking"
"Speaking ?!" she startled - "Don't you have to give speech at the conference?"
"Well" he said looking at is watch, "if you would just stop holding me so tight, we could make it there in 20 minutes when I am supposed to go on stage"
"Me holding onto you ?!, - you are the one who...!! - Wait a minute WE could make it?
"Of course. I am a keynote speaker and you are my special guest - Shall WE Miss Kashyap?" releasing her reluctantly and giving her his arm
She hooked her arm in his and they strode proudly together to the car and drove to the Conference Hall.
At the Conference
As they walked in to the main Conference Hall arm-in-arm, the KKN team almost trampled them.
Malvika glared at their linked arms, Manav snickered, Khalid took it all in, his eyes twinkling, Ronnie-Richa-Trisha-Sony all beamed with big smiles.
Missing nothing, Kabir calmly walked onto the stage - He had two minutes to get miked up and give his speech.
As he went behind the podium, the audience settled in their seats in pin-drop silence. They waited eagerly to hear this handsome enigmatic man speak.
He started his speech - "Transforming the face of Journalism in India". Incisive, he spoke impactfully punctuating with anecdotes, humour and meaningful pauses. Ananya couldn't have been prouder of her idol..
Brilliant as usual, there was an other-world glow on his face today, a clarity in his words and a passion so vibrant it reverberated throughout the room. It was like he was being channeled. But he knew. His heart was now at peace, free to express itself fully. His muse right in front of his eyes.
He ended his speech with his usual Jaane Se Pehele. The audience was stunned for a few seconds, silent. Then broke into a thunderous applause.
Kabir came off the stage and was immediately surrounded by people clamouring to congratulate him.
The KKN team finally pulled "their Kabir" away from the crowd.
Khalid gave him a warm hug, beaming ear to ear; Manav reluctantly but firmly offered his hand for he too was impressed. Ronnie-Richa-Trisha-Sony gave him a group hug as they praised him.
Out Come the Claws
Malvika sidled up to him, grabbing onto his arm, congratulated him preening as if she personally wrote his speech.
Kabir slowly released Malvika's arm, and went and stood close to Ananya.
"What is she doing here? - She is no longer with KKN - She resigned"
"Resignation Cancel" He said with aplomb. "KKN is lucky to have an exceptional proven reporter like Miss Kashyap. She helped us get to No. 1 - I am sure Khalid has no objection - Do You Khalid?"
Khalid eyes twinkling with dreams of TRPs said - "Welcome back to the No. 1 Channel Ms Kashyap" - Nothing escaped his sharp eyes
Not one to give up easily, Malvika piped, "But she got a Senior Reporter position in Mumbai with News Star Channel, with a 15% raise and a car and flat - why would she give up on that?"
"How do you know what they offered her Malvika?" Kabir asked pointedly
"Well that's what the agent was asked to do - my friend at... Star... News... erm... assure...d... me..." she blustered realizing what she just said. Manav snickered.
Kabir wasn't going to let this opportunity go - "So you actually arranged this offer from Star News to get Ananya to leave KKN? Why would you sabotage your own channel Malvika?"
Grasping at straws, "And anyway, if you are cosy with Ananya, she can't work with you at KKN, that would be a conflict of interest" she threw back.
"Are you suggesting that I or Miss Kashyap are unprofessional and cannot separate our professional and personal lives?. I hope you give a considered response Malvika".
"Well..., Well..., I am the owner KL's daughter, I don't have to answer to anyone" she hurrumphed
"With all due respect Malvika, sounds like you might be having a conflict of interest yourself" said Kabir
Knowing she was beaten, Malvika stomped away. Khalid sighed and hurried after her to calm her feathers before she threw a tantrum with KL.
Everyone broke into laughter "Check & Mate". Even Manav smiled - "Kya kismet paayi hai Kabir ne"
Kabir reached for Ananya's hand and threaded his fingers thru hers. Ananya had never felt as protected and supported before.
The inquisition
"Party toh banti hai - Lets go into the lounge and Celebrate" said Sony ever ready to eat.
They all settled around a table having refreshments and talking excitedly all at the same time"
"So... Kabir sir", Trisha winked outrageously at Kabir, "Looks like Coffee with Kabir was fruitful after all - abhi toh ukhde ukhde se nahin lagte"
Kabir gave a stern look and then burst out laughing - "Tu toh wait Trisha Ki Bachchi, jaanti ho ke fire nahin kar sakta to mauka pe chauka maar rahi ho"
"Nahin Sir, Sixer" the minx retorted
"But seriously, thank you for arranging for Ananya to come to the office so we could clear things up" he said with warmth
Ananya looked at Trisha and then Kabir "Aap dono mile hue the, mai chhodungi nahin tumko"
Trisha leaned over and teasingly trying to pull Kabir and Ananya's interlocked hands apart, Achha to kya tum regret kar rahi ho ke Kabir Sir ne propose kiya?"
"Nahin Meri Ma, I owe you big time" said Ananya.
"So... " Richa said hesitantly - Kabir sir are you Ananya's boyfriend now"
"Yes" he said, "if she will have me - Make no mistake - I am still going to be her Khadoos boss at work 😊"
Kabir then turned to Ronnie sitting on his left and held out his hand to Ronnie.
"Thank You for giving me Ananya, Ronnie, I am eternally grateful to you" said Kabir sincerely, genuinely.
"Woh Meri thi hi Kab Sir, Woh toh 8 Saal se Aap ki hi hai" smiled Ronnie wistfully ."I am happy for my best friend and for you Sir. Take good care of her, otherwise you will have to me to answer to"
Ananya, sat there taking it all in - tears rolling down her eyes. She hugged Ronnie, saying "How did I get this lucky?.
Coming Home
Ananya's jumped up, frantic, "Oh Baap Re Maine Ma ko phone nahin kiya - Maine kaha tha ke Mumbai pahonch ke phone karungi "
She quickly phoned Anita and said "Ma, Mai Abhi ghar aati hun. Nahin nahin Main Bilkul theek hun, ghar aakar sab samjhaawungi"
Anita smiled, she was just glad her daughter was coming back and that she sounded happy.
Kabir stood up. "Its getting late, I will drop you home, we have to be at work on time tomorrow"
"Khadoos" she mumbled and smiled
They all went home.
Kabir drove Ananya home in his car. Both silent, Both content.
When they reached Ananya's house, Kabir reached over and kissed her softly. Then more passionately as Ananya kissed him back.
He broke the kiss reluctantly, his eyes warm, his heart safe - "Sweet Dreams My Beautiful Budhbudaati Reporter"
Anupamaa
Real Estate
