It was a day at KKN as usual. People at their desks, furiously working towards a deadline, files flying between a table and another. Then there was the quintessential PCR activity, lines buzzing with online updates as people frowned at their screens with a grave expression. A few muttered on the mikes with headphone clamped on and yet a few others tried to make sense of the information made available to them by their stringers.
A playful voice punctuated the official working atmosphere as a pretty lass bounded out of the lift.
"Baby Baby Baby mujhe log bolein..."
"Ah there she is..the latest flick from bollywood!" Richa muttered to Ananya, who cautiously turned around. She needn't have bothered anyway, as the source was headed to their table.
"Good Morning, Ananya Ji...Kaise ho, Richa Ji...and Ronnie Praji?" Richa rolled her eyes and Ananya pasted a fake smile of welcome. Ronnie smiled politely and turned around, bumping into Sunny in the process.
"Aur mera wala Good Morning? Wo kithe hain?"
"Another dramebaaz!" Now it was Ananya's turn to roll her eyes. Sunny in the meanwhile had crossed on to Baby.
"Baby...meri Baby! Ki haal hain tainu..."
"Assi to changa houn ji..." Baby sighed theatrically, "Chal hatt...mainu vaddaa kaam shaam..."
They were rudely interrupted by clicking of heels and soon Malvika was towering above them.
"Ohhh so we have a Punjabi gang here! Baby, can you please come to my cabin? We need to finish a few joining formalities. And Sunny, the camera needs overhauling. Can you please..."
"Main nikla... oh Baby lekar...!" Sunny was about to break into a Bhangra jig when Ananya tapped him on the head with a wake up call. Sunny mock glared at her and quickly bounced off on her no-nonsense demeanor.
Meanwhile Baby was listening to Malvika in rapt attention.
"Ok, Baby...so these are the issues we would like to focus on. By the way, we don't know much about your personal details, apart from the fact that you wanted to be an actress. Would you like to tell us something more about yourself? Your family, for instance?"
"My family...papa ji is retired from the Army and my mom, a homemaker..." Baby leaned forward conspiratorially, "Papa runs a security concern and Ma ka kuchh mat poochho ji. She has only one job now. To get me married! Every day she gets these many proposals..." Baby flung her arms as wide as she could, "And then I have to go through them all. Some engineers, other doctors. Not to say Army officers! And I am not liking anyone, Ji...anyone!"
Malvika's lips curled in a smile.
"Haven't you tried the media?
"Media?"
"Yes, there are many eligible bachelors here...Kabir, for instance..."
The squeal was quite ear shattering.
"Oye tussi...Kabeeer Sir! Unmarried? Koi Gal na ji...I mean koi girl nahi mili Ji?"
"Yes, he is quite unattached!"
"Ohh God Tussi Sach much Great Ho!" Baby would have done a small victory dance there and then itself, had it not been for a stern glare from Malvika. But inwardly she was feeling elated...her idol since the past so many years was single and unattached!
"Ok, back to work!" Baby practically leapt to her feet and skipped out of Malvika's room. Now to put in 120% of efforts and impress Kabir Sir...
Malvika smirked out loud as Baby left her cabin. So what if Kabir wasn't interested in her. He couldn't be Ananya's sole property either!
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"Smiling alone? Oh come on, come on...share the joke"! Malvika abruptly schooled her expression and looked up to Manav standing in the passage.
"It not worth sharing with anyone...And now, if you please..." Malvika opened a file, her tone with ample hints of a dismissal, but Manav was too experienced to be perturbed by that.
He just walked in and settled in the chair opposite.
"Stop the pretence, Malvika. I know as well as you know it yourself, that you are not so busy. What was that cozy talk with Baby about?"
"I told you then and I tell you again. Its none of your..."
"Business? Well, Daarling..." Manav leaned forward, "I know for sure it is not mine. But it is yours. You are the owner's daughter! But the problem is that walls have ears..." Manav paused and stood up abruptly, "And for someone like Baby with that volume squealing, you don't need a mike!"
Malvika looked daggers at him and he continued relentlessly.
"The entire floor heard what she had to say. And I am sure Kabir would love to know where that hint about his personal life came from!"
Malvika blanched at the thought.
Manav turned at the door.
"There is a good movie on the cable tonight. Suggest you watch it. It is titled "Baby's day out!"
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Anupamaa
Real Estate
