Sorry for the delay...
Please enjoy reading
😃
Chapter 3: Coming back to his senses, chiding himself for getting lost like this, Kabir gently lowered Ananya on the ground, back on her feet...
A: thank you...ji...
She added the last word mortified seeing Kabir in front of her...
K: uh..you're ..welcome..ji...
Kabir was equally stunned to see Ananya there...
Kh: ahmmm!
Khalid cleared his throat awkwardly...
S: oye! Anu! Tu theek toh hai na? Sorry yaar inse milne ki excitement mein...galati se dhakka lag gaya...
Sunny apologised genuinely...
Ananya smiled at him...
A: its ok...koi baat nahi...zyaada se zyaada kya hota...mera sar phoot jaata...main coma mein chali jaati ya mar jaati! Bas!
She said causally...
S: yaar tennu sorry bola na! Ab apne eklaute Sunny ko maaf nahi karegi kya?
He asked sadly & Ananya rolled her eyes...
A: chall theek hai...maaf kiya...ab khush?
S: bohot...
Sunny beamed...pulling her in a friendly hug...
Kh: uh...well okay...guys...there's our Editor-in-cheif, the one & only Kabir Sharma!
Khalid cheered & gestured to a smirking Kabir...
Everyone had different reactions to Kabir joining KKN...
Some were delighted thst KKN would finally get good ratings...some were jealous...some were swooning over Kabir's looks while some were neutral...
Mal: c'mon Kabir! I'll show you your cabin...
Malvika grabbed his arm & began to lead him away...
In Kabir's cabin:
Mal: I hope, the cabin is good enough for your taste...
Malvika asked...not getting her hands off him...
K: yes, of course..thank you...
Kabir answered in unintrestedly...
K: uh...Malvika right?
Kabir turned to the woman who was hell bent on bugging him...
Mal: yess???
He swore she purred at him but shook it away...
K: main ek ek karke saare reporters se milna chahtahoon...apne cabin mein...personally...its best I get to know them to have to work with them...
He said, trying to get her to leave him alone...flashing his charming smile that always got his work done...
Malvika looked displeased at first but then gave a coy smile seeing his smile...
Mal: sure...I'll inform them...
K: great, thanks!
Kabir sighed in relief as Malvika left him to get settled...
Kabir took a seat in his leather seat...
Stepping outside, the proud daughter of the channel owner cleared her throat, making all the employees stop their eork & look at their PCR head...
Mal: guys! Humaare naye Editor-in-cheif personally sabse ek ek karke milna chahte hai...
She announced & trotted away to her cabin upstairs...the clicking of her 6 inch high heels fading in the background...
T: oh my goddd! Pehle toh main hi jaungi! Kabse iss bande se milne ka bahaana dhoondh rahi thi! I never thought I'll say this...but I LOVEE Malvika!
Trisha gushed...
Everyone chuckled when a horrified Richa scooted away from her...
Ri: kon ho tum? Humaari Trisha kaha hai?
Ananya & Ronnie burst out laughing...high fiving each other...
S: designer kapde lete waqt mall mein kho gayi lagta hai ji !
Sunny winked...making Trisha glare at him & the others roar with laughter...
Trisha jumped up & down happily as she knocked on Kabir's door...
K: come in...
Was the husky reply she heard...
Kabir smiled at her & Trisha almost fainted...
K: aap...Trisha Rajput hai...right?
He asked & Trisha nodded...
T: yes sir! Main bollywood aur weather bulletins padhti hoon!!! Aapko kabhi bhi fashion statement chahiye ho...toh mujhe hi yaad kijiyega!
K: yeah sure..its going to be a pleasure working with a pretty reporter...
He smiled & Trisha was sure she was dead & in heaven...
He called her PRETTY!!!!!
K: okay, Trisha...send one of your colleagues when u go out please...
He requested curtly...
T: o..ok sir! Sure sir...
Trisha was squealing by the time she came out...
S: oye Trisha! Bandar ki aatma ghus gayi kya andar galati se?
Sunny teased making Trisha throw daggers at him & the others who were snickering...
T: No stupid! Arrey...he called me pretty!!!!!! Oh my gossshhh! Main abtak zinda kaise hoon?????!!!!
She gushed...
S: wahi toh hum soch rahe hai...aaj ki taareek mein...
Sunny muttered & began run as Trisha began to chase him...
Kabir's cabin:
Kabir was still wondering about his date from last night...
Ananya Kashyap.
She was here too...they were now in a professional relationship...that of a reporter & Editor-in-cheif...
He just so confused...
He wanted to reject her like the other several hundred girls his bhaabhi & maa had tried to set him up with...
But something deep within him stopped him from saying no yet again...because all those women wanted his money, fame & high society status...not him or his conpanionship...but Ananya seemed different...
S: excuse me sir ji?
Kabir was broken out his thoughts by Sunny's voice...
K: yes, please come in...
He said in a professional tone...
S: sir ji myself Gunny Sill from Punjab ji!
Sunny introduced & immediately bit his tongue realising his folly...
S: ( to himself) oye Sunny yaar kya kar ditta!
( loudly) oh teri! Sir ji...I mean...myself Sunny Gill from Punjab..
He grinned...
Kabir quirked an eyebrow at him...
K: very well...myself Kabir Sharma from Jaipur..
Kabir introduced himself in the same way & Sunny's face lit up like a 100 watt bulb...
S: changa ji changa!!! Sir ji vaise...
K: aap ki ijaazat ho toh main pehle baaki logo se mil loon, Sunny paaji...hum ye discussion fursat se kal karenge!
Kabir promised...
S: oh..uh..kyu nahi ji! Main bhi maata ko kehta hoon ki uska bulaava aaya hai!
Sunny exclaimed...
K: sorry?
Kabir asked...confused...but Sunny had already left...
Kabir shrugged & got back to his file...
A few moments later, the was a knock on Kabir's door again...
A: may I come in...uh...ji...
He heard a sweet yet hesistant voice ask...
K: of course, please do...ji...
He didn't know why he added the " ji"...probably after looking up to see who it was...
K: toh...main apka naya..mukhya sampaadak hoon...
Kabir began...unable to understand why he was getting so conscious before his junior...& dinner date from last night...his mind added, much to his annoyance...
A: ji?
Ananya was startled...
(Ye kya bolta hai isko khudko maalum hai? Mukhya sampaadak? Like seriously? Isne aakhri baar apne dimaag ka ilaaj kab karwaaya tha vaise ?)
K: I meant...Editor-in-cheif...hindi mein Editor-in-cheif ko mukhya sampaadak kaha jaata hai...
He informed & Ananya resisted her urge to roll her eyes at her now senior...& of course DINNER DATE! her mind screamed...
( yaar! Isko ab roz jhelna padega! Just fantastic! Aur agar kisi ko pata chal gaya ki hum dono ek doosre ko pehle se jaante hai...aur vo bhi kaise phir toh maha kalyaan ho jaayega!... Nahi nahi nahi!!!!! Life ka maza aajaayega by god!!! * note the sarcasm!* )
A: ( phirse shudh hindi jhaadne aagaya! Hey bhagwaan! Main hi kyu??)
She lamented mentally...
K: ji...toh aap yaha junior reporter hai...
Kabir said with his signature smirk...maintaining all codes of professionalism...
A: ( nahi... Main yaha bartan bechne aati hoon!!! Oh thank god atleast isne Junior reporter ka bhi hindi anuvaadh nahi nikaala varna iska ka khoon pee jaati main!)
She thought fumingly...
K: great...mujhe aasha hai ki aap jaanti hongi ki ab jab main mukhya sampaadak hoon toh aapko mere anusaar karya karna hoga...
( let's see tum kaisi reporter ho!)
Kabir told her in a tone that meant buisness...
A: main samajhti hoon...aur agar mujhe lagta hai ki aapka karya karne ka tareeka sahi hai toh avashya uske saath chalungi...karti toh main vahi jo mera dil kehta...sorry if that offends you sir...
Ananya looked at him straight in the eye & spoke confidently...
K: aap jaa sakti hai...
Kabir quirked a challenging eyebrow at her & smirked...ignoring her answer...
A: thank you sir...
Ananya left the cabin & walked out...
Kabir looked on...a rare smile forming on his lips...if he was impressed...he'd never say it aloud...
Meanwhile...
In Ananya's cubicle...
Ro: Oye! Kya hua tujhe? Milkar aayi Kabir Sharma se?
Ronnie, Ananya's best friend inquired...
A: Haan...
Ananya said nonchalantly...
Ro: Main bhi... Kaam karne ka tareeka alag hai...par banda achcha lagta hai...
Ronnie said...
T: Aur hot bhi...
Trisha added making everyone roll their eyes...
Ri: Saath hi aude waala bhi...
Richa piped in...
Roh: Arrey yaar uss Manav Gupta se toh behtar hi hai na... At least ab KKN mein love story ke alaava koi aur story bhi hogi...
Rohan said with a sigh & the others agreed...
A: Okay okay guys...ab zara kaam bhi karlo...varna sur naraaz hojaayenge...
T: Haaye!!! Phir toh gusse mein vo aur bhi hot lagenge!!
Trisha cried out dreamily & the others gave her hopeless looks...
Just then...
R: Ananya madam...Kabir sir ne aapko unke cabin mein bulaaya hai...
Rahul, the office help announced and left...
Sunny wiggled his eyebrows teasingly...
S: Kya baat hai maata! tera bulaava phir aagaya!!! Vo bhi itni jaldi...kahi Kabir sir mere hone waale pitaji toh nahi...kahi tumdono ke rishte ki baat toh nahi chal rahi?
Sunny asked naughtily and Ananya gasped...
A: ( In her mind) Ise kaise pata chala? Mar gaye!!!!
She thought...
In Kabir's Cabin...
A: Uh...may I come in...ji?
Kabir heard a sweet soft voice...
K: Yes, please come in...ji...
He added the last word looking up just in time to see Ananya...
A: Aapko koi kaam tha ji?
Ananya asked a bit nervously...
Kabir found himself getting quite conscious as well...she was just his junior!!! & his mother's childhood best friend's daughter...his favourite playdate & Best friend...
Not to forget...their fathers were best friends too...are rather...
His mind added and Kabir accepted grudgingly...
K: Ji..maine aapko bulaaya...I need u to work with me on a case ji...toh shayad aapko ghar pohonchne mein thodi der hojaayegi ji...will that be fine ji?
Kabir physically tried very hard to not grimace at how he sounded...
A: Ji...zaroor!!! Aapke saath kaam karna!! I will be honoured ji!!! Thank u so much jiii!!!
Ananya beamed so brightly at Kabir that he smiled...something rare in his professional life...
K: You're welcome ji! See u at 10 in the PCR ji...
He replied...
Ananya's eyes shone with happiness and Kabir found it peculiar as to why she was so excited...
A: Okay ji! See u ji!!! Bye bye ji!!! Phir milenge chalte chalte ji!!!!
She gushed...returning to her cubicle leaving behind a puzzled Kabir...
Kabir shook his head and sighed...getting back to the file he was reading earlier...
Later...
In the PCR...
Kabir reluctantly admitted that Ananya was one knowledgeable and intelligent reporter...genuinely talented journalists with a spark were few and Kabir was desperate to come across someone like that...
A detailed discussion on case footage they viewed ensued...
K: Chaliye Ms Kashyap...Storeroom mein kuch puraani files padi hai...jin mein hune kuch aur information mil saktihai...ji...
That annoying " ji" just had to stay...
A: Ji...
Ananya muttered uncomfortably...
In the store room...
A: Pata nahi kis bewakoof ne ye files itni upar rakh di hai...jaise mere paas Doremon ka koi gadget ho jisse meri tange lambi hojaaye...Ekto yahapar stool bhi nahi hai!!
She huffed angrily...
K: Toh aapko cartoons pasand hai Ms Kashyap...
He heard a voice mock her and squeaked in surprise...jumping around...
Kabir held her in place though...
A: Hey bhagwaan! aapne toh mujhe dara hi diya tha!...ji!!
She sighed in relief...
K: laiyye ji...main nikaalta hoon ji...
Kabir offered...
Ananya pouted...
A: Nahi ji Ananya Kashyap apna kaam KHUD hi karti hai ji!!!
Kabir raised an eyebrow at this and watched his stubborn junior huff and puff as she jumped to catch hold of the file...
Ananya was ready to yelp when two strong hands encased her waist in a firm yet gentle grip...& easily lifted her up...helping her to easily take the needed file...
But the sensation that ran through her body at the touch made her speechless...completely...
Kabir carefully put Ananya down...
She pouted and Kabir knew that it was the cutest...the way her lip stuck out was too sweet...
A: Sirrr!
She whined...forgetting the "Ji" for once...for which Kabir was thankful...
A: Aapne meri help ki!!!! Main khud apni madat karsakti hoon!!!
She insisted way too cutely for Kabir's liking...
Kabir merely smirked though...his years of expertise in masking hus true emotions helping...
K: Aapne toh apna kaam khud hi kiya hai ji...file toh aap ne hi nikaali na...
He gave a gorgeous smirk...
Ananya was about to reply with a saucy answer when they heard something...
A: Ayee!!!
Ananya gasped in surprise hearing a key twist in a lock outside...
Banging on the now locked Door of the storeroom...she called out...
A: Arrey koi hai!!!!! Darwaaza lock kyu kiya!!!!
Ananya cried out...banging against the door...
Kabir rushed to her...trying to call out for help...
But all in vain...
K: Dammit!
Kabir whispered to himself glancing at his watch...
It was quite late...nearing 11...
Certainly, the office help responsible for locking the storeroom must have left already...
A: ji..ab subah tak yahi rehna padega...
She pouted...
K: Ji, I guess...unless main CID ke Daya ki tarah darwaaza tod doon...
He chuckled wryly...
Ananya's saddened face instantly lit up...accompanied by cute giggles...
Kabir quirked an eyebrow at her...
A: Toh ab kya kare ji?
Ananya asked anxiously...
K: For starters...
Kabir began but Ananya cut him off...
A: Haan...for starters...can we stop this JI business...jab dekho tab aye ji oo ji...ab ek aur baar ji suna na toh mera dimaag gusse se blast hojaayega...
She fumed...
K: Mera bhi...
Kabir muttered...
A:J... I mean kuch kaha aapne sir??
K: No Ms Kashyap...main kehraha tha ki aajse no JI business then...alrigh?
He proposed...
A: Perfectly!!!
Ananya gushed...
K: Okay then!!!!
Kabir sighed and settled down on the floor...resting his back against a few old boxes...stretching his muscles...
Ananya gave him an incredulous look...
A: Sir? Aap itni jaldi haar maan lenge?
She asked innocently...
Kabir couldn't help but smile...
K: Main kabhi haar nahi maanta, Ms Kashyap...but be practical...raat ke 11 bajkar 20 minute hogaye hai...iswaqt office mein koi nahi hai...sivaay ek chaukidaarkee jo ki 10 floors neeche hai...so come...sit here...
A: But sir...
Ananya began to protest...
K: Ms Kashyap, I said...sit down...
Kabir commanded softly and Ananya pouted and settled down next to him...
K: Tumhaare paas apna phone hai?
Kabir asked her...
A: Nahi na!!! Wahi toh...maine thodi plan kiya tha ki aaj subah uthungi...maa ke haatho ka breakfast karungi..aur raat ko Kabir sir ke saath lock hojaungi!!! Phone charging par rakha hai...Aur aapka?
Kabir handed her his smartphone with a sad smile...
A: Battery down?
Ananya asked sadly and he nodded...
A: Arrey yaarr!!!!
She fussed...
K: Exactly...arrey yaar!!!!
Kabir piped in...
A:So... ?
K:So. . ?
Kabir gave a questioning look...
A:So...hum tum ek kamre mein band ho aur koi darwaaza lock kar jaaye!!!!
Ananya giggled mischievously...making Kabir wonder how she found happiness even in this scenario...
However,, he pretended to awkwardly clear his throat at her words...
K:So...I guess aaj raat bhar...hume yahi rehna hai...so Ms Kashyap...please make yourself at home...be comfortable...
He advised...
A: Hmm..
Ananya still had her big pout intact which was mekting Kabir at a rate of uncountable litres per second...
A: Chaliye...ab atak hi gaye hai toh zara dekhte hai...kya pata kuch kaam ka mil jaaye...
Kabir smirked at her...his way of silently praising her for her wuick thinking...
Rummaging around for a while, Ananya finally caught hold of an old tattered blanket...
Kabir looked on as his junior pouted yet again...it was the mist innocent thing he had ever seen...
A:Sirrr...
She whined...
K: Yes, Ms Kashyap?
He inquired...slightly clocking his head...
A: Uh...blanket...ek hi hai...aur...yaha...thand bohot zyaada hai...
She said nervously...clutching the old blanket they had found luckily...
Kabir saw her shiver momentarily and said...
K: Aap le lijiye Ms Kashyap...I'm good...
Kabir said...trying to sound confident...not to show he was cold too...
A: Sir...
Ananya began...
A: Hum yaha lock hogaye hai...raat yahi bitaani hai...aur aap aise rahenge toh aapko thand lagjaayegi...phir aapki kulfi jamjaayegi...and mind you...I LOVEEE kulfi...phir main aapko khaa lungi!
She said sweetly & gasped loudly & covered her mouth...realising her great folly...
Kabir quirked an eyebrow at her...
K: Um...I don't think I'll be sweet tasting like kulfi!
He smirked naughtily...
A: s...s...sir..I...I...didn't...m..mean...
She stuttered innocently...after opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water for her first few attempts...going completely red...
Well...Kabir Sharma was edible...quite edible thoughEvil Smile
Ughhh! Ananya! What are u thinking??
She cursed herself mentally...
Kabir held back a chuckle, as his red faced junior dropped down besides him...clutching the blanket...fidgeting nervously...
She was too cute!! Kabir thought to himself...
Ananya shivered as a gush of cold wind went by through the single window in the dilapidated room...
Kabir noticed this & hesitantly put an arm around her before resting it against the boxes behind her...making her look at him innocently...
Their awkward silent session was interrupted by the simultaneous growling of their stomachs in protest...
Both turned beetred...
A: Sir, aapne kuch khaaya nahi?
Ananya asked worriedly...
Kabir shook his head...
K: Kaam ke chakkar mein reh gaya...then I thought ki ghsr jaakar kuch bana lunga par...aap dekh hi rahi hai...
He muttered sarcastically...
A:Ji...EK MINUTEEE!!!!
She suddenly shot up making Kabir jump...
He gave her an annoyed look and she smiled back sheepishly...
K: Ms Kashyap...itni raat hogayi hai...aap thakti nahi hai?
He asked with a tired sigh...stretching his legs...
Ananya shook her head...
A: Arrey!! Mere paas har thakaan ka ilaaj hai!!!!!
She squealed making Kabir smile a bit...
A: Tan Tadaaa!!!
Ananya removed a chocolate and water bottle from her bagpack...
She pouted realising that there was only one chocolate bar...but instantly brightened up...
When she thought Kabir wasn't looking, she quickly broke the chocolate, putting the smaller piece in her mouth & then handed the bigger than half peice to Kabir...
A: Ye lijiye sir...
She innocently handed him the peice...
Kabir gave her a meaningful smile before thanking her loliteky and accepting his " dinner! "
However, nothing she had done escaped the smart journalist's sharp eyes...
A slight smile graced his features at her action...
It was good to know that in this cut thriat world of journalism too there were still some people who believed in doing good to others...
A: uh...Sir?
He heard a hesitant yet extremely sweet voice...
Kabir snapped out of his thoughts to face Ananya...
K: Yes?
He asked his junior...
A: Paani...
She handed him her water bottle after she had taken a few dainty sips...
Kabir accepted the life giving liquid rather gratefully & took a gulp...
Ananya observed his adam's apple bob up and down and this muscled bicep as he drank from the bottle...
Blushing, she looked away still unable to stop how handsome he was...
Her mother had shown her a picture of when she and Kabir were babies...
He had transformed dramatically from a cute babbling chubby little toddler to a dashing handsome young man...
A: Uh...sojaate hai...k
Ananya awoke suddenly, finding herself cuddled against a warm, firm yet soft something...
A pair of large, strong hands gripped her waist & a mop of dark curls were nestled into her neck...
It wasn't a something but a SOMEONE!
According to her phone, it was 2:30 am which basically meant that she was wrapped tightly in a fast asleep Editor-in-cheif Kabir Sharma's arms...lovely!!!
Just as she was about to try and untangke herself from Kabir's arms, she spotted something that made her loose her voice...
A dynamic little white furry tyke was clutching at Kabir's jeans near his shoe clad foot...
Ananya threw a hand over her mouth to stop her scream when the little rodent's gleaming red eyes met hers...but he was more content with trying to break into Kabir's clothing fir the time being...
A: K...Kabir..sir...
She shook his shoulder lightly unable to look away from the little troublemaker...
But Kabir merely grunted and pulled the blanket closer...
A: Arrey sir!
Ananya insisted when the mouse latched onto Kabir's leg for life...its red eyes daring Ananya to move it herself...
A: Sir! Kabir sir!! Please!!!!
She shook him as she pleaded...
K: Uhmm...abhi nahi...
Kabir grumbled..too sleepy to do more...
A: Arrey abhi nahi toh kabhi nahi dammit! Ye aaj aapki jeans ka pocha banakar chodega...
She hinted at the little creature munching away merrily on Kabir's expensive jean pants...
A: Please sir mujhe maaf kardiyega! Par aap uth hi nahi rahe the!
She murmured and with a last thoughtcinched closer to him...unknowingly inhaling hus masculine cologne...
Cupping her hands over his ear she yelled...
A: KABIR SIR UTHIYE!
Kabir shot up with a silent scream on his lips...
K: MsKashyap!! Ye kya badtameezi hai!
Kabir demanded sternly...rubbing his ear...
A: I..I'm so sorry sir...lekin...
Ananya began...
K: Lekin kya...? Raat ke 2:30 baje mujhe jagaane ki kya zaroorat padi aapko?
He asked irritatedly...
A: Uski vajah se...
Ananya told him meekly...
K: Kiski?
Kabir frowned until he heard it...
"squeak squeak!!! "
Kabir's frown deepened at the sound until he saw in the direction Ananya was still pointing...
Horrified would be an under statement of what he felt when he the nice white ball of fluff gnawing on his well liked pair of jeans...
It took all of his will power to not shreik like a girl...
He was terrified of mice but his junior couldn't and wouldn't know that right?
Kabir tried his best to shrug it off but it was as uf the mouse was in love with the jeans...
A: I want Mummy!
Ananya lamented as the mouse came closer...
K: Me too Ms Kashyap...
Kabir whispered to himself with a grimace...
She threw her arms around Kabir's neck...encasing him in a death grip...
The mouse was forgotten as Kabir breathed in Ananya's sweet feminine fragrance...her petite body wrapped against his much larger and muscled one...
A gush of cold wind fromonly window in the dingy room sent Ananya's soft hair flying all over Kabir 's face...and to his surprise he didn't mind it at all...
Kabir wrapped a tentative arm around her...
A few minutes later, he had finally managed to rid themselves from their little roommate...
K: Ms Kashyap...
He began...still holding Ananya...
A: Ji?
Came her reply muffled due to her fave being buried in his chest...
K: Am I an exception ya aap sabhi ko kaskar pakad leti hai jab aap dari hui ho?
Kabir gave a cocky look and Ananya flushed red...pushing him away quickly...
A: ai...aisa kuch nahi hai...main kisi se nahi darti...
Ananya stuttered...and Kabir smirked knowingly..
K: if you say so...
He said to her...and she glared at him...
Her eyes suddenly fell on his hair and protectively covered his hair...gulping as he was reminded of her fetish for pulling his hair when they were little...
She didn't do it unless he had completed pissed her off...but when she did...he was sure someday he would be bald...
Kabir heard her giggle...and couldn't help but muse about how sweet and mesmerising it sounded...
A: don't worry...I'm grown up now...
She cried out...huffing when Kabir raised a teasing eyebrow at her...
Sure, she was all grown up...
He was elder to her by a few years and could never get her cherubic angle like face with chubby cheeks, curly ringlets and big doe Hazel eyes off his head...till date...
But now that image was getting replaced by a stunningly beautiful brunette's image...the sane curly gden brown curls but more tamed...the same angelic face without the baby fat...
Even though their parents met every now and then, the children were busy with their studies and career to much...
Seeing Ananya after 20 long years, Kabir felt a sudden warmth in the heart he believed was long cold and dead...
Both Kabir and Ananya smiled and exchanged looks as simultaneously a beautiful memory hit them...
Flashback :
Two tiny tots were playing merrily in a play pen...
One was nearly 1 & a half...& the other was a cute most probably 3 & a half year old chubby toddler...
The sweet, tiny 1 year old was babbling away cutely to her teddy bear while the elder toddler was happily playing with his blocks...building away merrily...
Little baby Ananya squealed in delight seeing a brightly coloyred block & extended her tiny fist towards it...
Toddler Kabir let her take his block...not minding one bit...
Little Ananya examined the pink coloured peice for a minute before promptly stuffing it in her mouth...
Little Kabir saw this & extended a pudgy fist to grab the block out of her mouth...but Ananya didn't allow him to...
K: nai nai...mum-mum ( food) nai ae! ( hai)
He explained in a sweet baby voice...
He again tried to remove the toy from her mouth but unfortunately this time sweet little angel Ananya flew into a rage...puffing her cheeks up angrily she grabbed Kabir's soft dark baby curls & tugged angrily...
Tears glittered in the toddler's eyes & his his lower lip jutted out in a pout...wobbling dangerously...
Soon the once quietly playing cute baby Kabir burst into the loudest wail in history...while poor Rajveer watched in horror...rushing to fetch an adult...
In record time, the whole family came running to the playroom...
Ananya's horrified father carefully freed the poor toddler from his daughter's clutches, scooping up the bawling Kabir...
Su: aww my baby! Sshhh Kabir...its ok beta...koi baat nahi...ajao hum Anita auntie ka special cake khaate hai...
He soothed the bawling child, tenderly caressing his hair...bouncing him in his arms...kissing on the top of his head over the injured spot...
Su: Ananya! Aapne Kabir ke baal kyu kheeche?
Sudhir asked his baby daughter firmly yet very lovingly...he knew she didn't know any better...she was only a baby...
A remorseful seeming Ananya joined Kabir's sobbing session & the helpless father figure cuddled & kissed the head of both the babies...
Now, both little ones settled on Sudhir's one knee each glanced tearfully at each other...
A: s...sowwy...( sorry)
Ananya let out a sob followed by a hiccup...
K: Is otay! ( its okay)
Kabir's voice was heavy with the crying but he was grinning inspite of his chubby face being covered in tears and snot...
Ananya giggled in delight, clapping her tiny hands happily she smacked a big, slobbery, noisy kiss on Kabir' soft chubby cheek...
Their parents awed as the said toddler ( baby Kabir) turned bright red...
K: I wuw you Ana...
He said shyly...tiny fingers still on his cheek...
A: Ooo?
Ananya cocked her head in question...making baby Kabir pout...
K: Ooo nai...wuw you!
Kabir explained...
A: Ooovvv!!!
Ananya squealed and baby Kabir pouted again...smacking his little forehead, amusing their intrigued parents to no end...
K: Wu..uuuvvv...youuu Kabil bolo!
He explained...
Ananya looked to serious for a 18 month old for a moment before she squealed something out...shocking everyone...
A: Uvvv K..Kab..kabbie!
She cooed...throwing her chubby little arms around Kabir...making him squeal as well...
FLASHBACK ENDS...
Ananya heard a deep, husky chuckle and glanced at Kabir...
K: No matter what we did to each other, we were best friends...weren't we Ms Kashyap?
Kabir reminiscened...
Ananya nodded, a small smile gracing her pretty pink lips...
A: haan...sir aap humesha meri barbie ka sar nikal kar chupa diya karte the...
She accused playfully...
K: Only because tum mere toy soldiers ke weapons chupa leti thi...
Kabir shot back...
K: vaise bhi tum din bhar unn dolls ko dress up karke nakli chayy pilaati...aur mujhe bhi zabardasti khilaati thi...
Kabir smirked seeing Ananya fume...looked like he still loved teasing her more than anything...her angry puffy cheeks were priceless!
Wait what?
Kabir shook his thoughts away...he was Kabir Sharma, the most powerful and influencial, rich journalist now Editor-in-chief of the country...he had no place for anything but news in his life...
A: haan! Atleast aapke unn stupid games se toh achcha hi tha...aap dinbhar blocks se building banakar car usmein crash karke tod dete the...aur phir repeat...
Kabir flushed & looked away, embarrassedly...
Ananya smirked at this...
Ananya sensed his hesitation and spoke up...
A: hum kitna khela karte the saath...aur phir jab aap 9 saal hue, you had move...
She smiled sadly...
It was a wonder how clear their memories & bond was inspite of being separated when they were so young...
But their bond had been the type to never forget...
Kabir nodded...a forlon look crossing his handsome features...
K: mere papa ko business expansion ke liye Mumbai jaana padraha tha...and we had to go with him...
He said sadly...
A: aap bohot badal gaye hai Kabir...sir...
She added the 'sir' suddenly...realising she hadn't said it first...
'Kabir' just came out naturally for that was what she would call him...
Kabir scoffed, covering it timely with a cough & looked at her...
K: bilkul...waqt ke saath sabhi badalte hai Ms Kashyap...for the good or worse...
He trailed off...
K: hune so jaana chahiye...its late...
He said in his Editor-in-chief compelling Ananya to follow...
A: yes sir...
He heard her murmur in that sweet voice she had always possesed...
******
A: he was right!
Ananya admitted with a grumble as she settled down tiredly on the floor...this room had no way out except for the door that was locked from outside nor was there avsoul out there at this time of the night...
She glanced at Kabir...he was fast asleep...he looked so calm...so peaceful...
Frowning at his head resting on the grimy ground, she carefully settled her bagpack next to him, smoothening it and gently lifting his head to lie on the soft leather of the makeshift pillow her bag served as...
There was a little frown line on his forehead which she gently smoothened...tracing her fingers over his surpringly soft skin...
Kabir rolled over mumbling something incoherently in his sleep, his arm wrapping around her & buried his head in her thigh...
Ananya looked slightly uncomfortable...
This was her best childhood buddy...she ate, slept, played, studied did everything with him...and now here he was...meeting her several years later...the sweet chubby baby Kabir who babbled and giggled with her all day, went to school with her, even played ridiculous doll games with her...was now a grown, mature man with stunning intelligence even better than before and devilishly handsome looks like no one else...
She almost laughed out when she remembered how much of a cherubic angel he was as a toddler...
Lovely chocolate brown tufts of curls, fair skin, hopelessly chubby & rosy cheeks, pouty lips, big dimples and the biggest brown eyes ever...
She remembered how they would play merrily all day...throwing a fit when being separated...
Those were such lovely days...she sure pulled his hair and made him cry a lot, but Ananya adored Kabir as a toddler and only played with him till school days...
Now, here they were...with Kabir as her boss in KKN...and the man her parents desired her to marry...
K: you have a lovely smile & an even lovlier laugh, Ms Kashyap...
Ananya gasped hearing his voice...blushing on realising that she was talking out loud all the while & woken him up...
She blushed harder when he complimented her...
Did the Kabir Sharma just compliment her?
She thought noticing the genuine look on his face...not the coy flirty one he was accused of giving woman...
Kabir smirked at her, and rolled away...falling asleep again in no time...
Lost in conflicts, several questions soaring across her mind yet pleasent memories soothing her, Ananya fell into an uneasy slumber next to Kabir...
Next Morning:
Kh: guys...I'm so sorry...I hope kuch zyaada taqleef toh nahi hui na...pata nahi ye sab...ye Rahul!
Khalid spoke after finally getting Kabir & Ananya out tge wretched store room...
K: bilkul nahi...
Ananya tried to keep a straight face on sensing the sarcasm coated reply of her senior...
Kh: uh...right...so...ab kya karne waale ho tum?
Khalid stuttered uneasily...
Kabir glanced wearily at his jeans..at the spot where the mouse had seated himself earlier...resisting the urge to gulp...
K: pehle toh ghar jaakar nahaunga...
He mumbled & Ananya let out a giggle...immediately clearing her throat when she realised her folly...
Malvika frowned seeing Kabir standing close to Ananya with his blazer still around her...
Mal: Kabir...are you alright?
She bounded over to him, hugging him..
Kabir did not return the hug but nodded at her...
Just as Kabir was heading to his cabin, Ananya's voice stopped him...
A: uh...excuse me sir...
Kabir turned around to face her...
K: yes...?
He asked...
A: uh...aapka jacket...
She handed him his blazer with a shy smile that warmed him...
Kabir nodded & left to gather his stuff from his cabin while Ananya went to her cubicle to do the same...
It was still early and her friends were yet to arrive...
She gathered her stuff and proceeded towards the reception...
She would freshen up and return back...
Meanwhile...
Delhi Kranti Office:
Kabir stepped into his workspace.to collect his remaining things...
Just as he was almost done, he heard a voice...
Kabir whirled around to find his mentor & guide, Panditji leaning against a wall, clutching a familiar envelope...a small meaningful smile playing on his aging features...
P: kahi ise toh nahi dhoondh rahe the?
He asked, extending the envelope towards Kabir...
Kabir looked flustered as he recognised the envelope being the one with Ananya's picture which Sandhya had given him...
He didn't want to admit that he'd been searching for it, however Panditji knew better than to ask him...
P: She looks like a lovely girl...
He began...his only motto being that Kabir, his best employee or rather student deserved all the happiness in the world...
He knew what Kabir had suffered & wanted Kabir to get the much deserved everything he'd denied himself for the last few years...
Never before in the past few years had he seen Kabir show even a bit of interest in women...before a few daya back...
The look on Kabir's face when he first saw Ananya's picture was priceless & it didn't take the old Editor of the well known newspaper to put two & two together to understand that thus girl was special and would bding happiness to Kabir in due course of time...
However, Kabir had different ideas...
K: nahi...meri bhaabhi toh har din kai ladkiyon ki photos dikhaati hai maa se discuss karke...but that doesn't mean I'll get married...meri zibdagi ka maksad hai power paana...journalism ki dunia mein sabse upar rehna...aur usike liye main KKN jaa raha hoon...
Kabir said monotonously, bending forward to take his mentor's blessings...
P: khush raho Kabir...all I want to say is ki khudko apne hisse ki khushi deny mat karna beta...ek baar mauka dekar toh dekho...har baar kismat ki vahi chaal ho aisa zaroori toh nahi na...beta mana hai tumhe...usi hak se keh raha hoon...ekbaar apni bhaabhi ki baat par gaur karna...vo tumhaara achcha hi chahti hai...
He said with a sad smile...
He was saddened that Kabir was leaving but overjoyed at the same time that Kabir was stepping up another big milestone in his career...
He was at the top of print media, now it was time to rule the mass media...
( SCROLL TO THE NEXT POST FOR THE REMAINING CHAPTER) 😃
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