CHAPTER 1 B - "The Shocking Shock"
Nandini aka Niti's POV
"Krypton Towers... yeah, I'm here." I cross checked the address that was sent to me by Alya, the photographer's assistant who was supposed to do the photo shoot.
Apparently, this agency and the photographer were new. I haven't heard about them before but despite of it, what brings me here is the subject of the photo shoot, The Bridal Shoot.
The bridal attire always gives me a different feel. It's just an altogether other level of zeal when I dress up as a bride. It's may be because I know that I would never get a chance to be a bride for real.
The person whose bride I wanted to be, killed all my desires and dreams of becoming a bride, his bride. Now, I can't be his and honestly don't want to be someone else's.
*********
My thoughts were put on a halt when the lift doors flung open. I reached my destination, which was the 7th floor of this tower.
I keenly observed the surroundings, it was different. I have never seen something like this. The look, the design, everything there was different.
"Freak." I shouted in whispers when I was acquainted with the surroundings. I was in front of a pent house.
...
I have always dreamt of living in a pent house. My next wish in my bucket list, on which I was working on, was this, buying a pent house, my own pent house. Ghosh, its beautiful. Breath taking.
I was busy ogling the beauty of that beauty when I suddenly realized that I was here for work.
But wasn't I suppose to meet the photographer at his studio? May be it's his studio and home, both.
Whatever is was, I composed myself and lightly pressed the bell and in the next moment, the door was open. Pretty fast I must say.
I was led inside by a mid aged man, who was probably the servant. I walked behind him into the living area and was highly impressed by the taste of the owner of the house. It was pretty much similar to mine. The earthy ambiance and spacious rooms always attracted me.
I walked behind that man and saw a young girl sitting in living area. As soon as she saw me approaching, she stood up with a huge smile to welcome me. She has to be Alya.
"Hey Niti. I'm Alya." She said with a broad smile and forwarded her hand for a hand shake which I took instantly.
"Hi." I replied with same vigor and we had a warm hand shake.
...
We were just settled on the couch when the butler served me with a coffee.
I was hesitant at first because coffee was one thing in these 5 years with which I was still not comfortable with. Of course that gives a clear view that coffee is badly associated with my past memories which are my unhealed wounds on the heart.
I did not wanted to sound rude by not excepting it and was finding a suitable and polite way to deny it but guess that wasn't there to happen. Alya observed my hesitance.
"It's ok Niti, don't be so formal. Have it." She said with another smile and I smiled back faintly.
I took the coffee and to my surprise it was caffe mocha, my favorite one. The first sip that touched my lips and then lingered on my tongue for few seconds, blew off my mind. This can't be possible.
The coffee had the same taste which always came when he made it. Yes, he loved to make coffee for me and I loved him even more for that. Though he wasn't a great cook but I can bet that he made the world's best coffee, only for me. I tried it so many times, he taught me so many times, but the taste was never the same when he used to prepare it. NO, this can't be possible. May be I am over thinking.
"Be comfortable Niti. Relax, you seem nervous." Alya's words bought me back to reality.
Was I nervous? No, I was actually nervous. But why?
It's been 5 years I am working in this field, in this profession. Almost everyday I meet new people but I was never nervous. And the whole credit of this goes to him. He made me so self- confident and strong that I never felt weak even when I was new.
But why do I feel weird today. I was having jitters since morning but I choose to neglect it. But, right now, this rapid thumping of my heart and this new environment was giving me strange vibes.
"I am ok Alya, thanks." I replied to her and continued with my coffee.
"Ok, so major things were sorted out yesterday only on the call I guess. This is your contract for 1 year. Just go through it patiently and then sign it. We are in no hurry." Alya started of with the business and handed me file that has my contract.
"I'll see you around half an hour. You read the clauses carefully." She stood up to leave when I interrupted her.
"Where's your sir?" I asked all of sudden. Don't know why, but I was too eager to meet him.
"He's busy right now. But will see you in some one hour. Ok." she replied with a smile checking her watch and I nodded.
...
With that she left the living area. I held the coffee mug in my hand and walked ahead to take a quick glimpse of that house.
The living area was followed by the dining area. The corner kitchen with the stainless steal kitchen island bar, was giving it an ultra- modern look.
The center of the dining area was occupied by hand hewn dining table and seating, both of which are made from wood.
Wasn't this something I planned for? Center dining table , raw wood furniture ; this was my ideas for my dream home.
Strange, seems someone just peeped into my mind and snatched out all the ideas.
Well that could only be the reason as I never shared this with anyone, not even with him.
The corner of the dining area had stairs which according to my guess, were leading to bedroom.
Well, a perfect example of what I actually wanted. But, sadly, it was not mine.
*********
My coffee was finish, and so was my admiring session.
I moved towards the living area to go through my contract.
10 minutes were already gone, and I was fully engrossed in the contract, when the butler came back again and this time, with a sandwich.
"Thank you but I am not hungry, you may take it back." I said politely to him.
"Sir has asked me to give you. Please take it." He too replied back with a smile.
I didn't felt nice to deny him again so took it after mouthing a thank you to him.
Veg sandwich, again my favorite.
The hospitality was way too much to get.
Well, I started munching it and my attention was back to the contract.
...
"So, are all the clauses clearly stated? I hope you don't have any problem with the contract." I heard Alya, and raised my head to look at her. She was hear exactly after half an hour.
"Yes, no problem. I am fine with all the clauses." I replied with the smile , taking out my reading glasses from my eyes.
"So shall we go ahead with the signing process?" She settled herself on the couch and asked me.
"Sure." I replied and took the pen out of my bag.
I was about to sign the papers when my phone rang showing an unknown number. I chose to ignore it as this contract was more important and silenced the call.
I moved my pen to sign the papers but the pen wasn't working. I jerked it two times but nothing worked.
"It's ok, take this." Alya handed me her pen and I took it with a smile.
As I started to move the pen on the paper, my phone rang again, with the same number.
"Take it, can be important." Alya suggested. Yes, it can be. Our work is mainly dependent on phones only.
"Excuse me." I excused myself and went aside to take the call.
"Hello.. hello.. hello." I kept on repeating the word but got no answer. Network problem may be.
I went back to sign the papers and thankfully this time I signed them all without any hindrance.
Alya stood up with a smile and I handed the contract file back to her with a smile.
"Congratulations." She exclaimed happily and we shook hands again.
"Thanks." I replied with excitement.
...
While Alya cross checked the signatures are complete or not , I looked around for Mr. photographer, who was yet not seen anywhere.
"Is your sir free now to meet?" I asked her but before she could answer me back, we both heard a voice.
"Yes, I am free... Miss. Moorty."
NO..NO..NO..NO..!! A BIG NO.
It can't be him.
I know I am imagining. This can't be him. It shouldn't be him.
But this voice, how could I forget this voice. It can't belong to someone else.
I was frozen on my feet like a statue. That one sentence rose my goosebumps.
Gathering my courage and praying to my stars, I turned around and looked at the biggest disaster of my life.
HE was there, standing on the stairs.
HE WAS ACTUALLY THERE.
************
TO BE CONTINUED...
Kumkum Bhagya
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