Kalyani's POV
Wow! Just wow! In the same day, Kalyani tried to kiss and slap the CEO, and failed in both. If Kalyani was Elena Gilbert, her diary entries would be funnier than Damon's- Dear Diary, today I met a chipmunk and he asked me my name. I told him it was Joe and that lie would haunt me forever. If only Damon Salvatore were real, then Kalyani would make Malhar jealous and he would never think of refusing to kiss her. D for Damon, A for Atharv, M for Malhar...Kalyani didn't know any person with names starting from O and N to complete her rhyming. Why the hell did she kiss Atharv in front of everyone with Malhar looking at them? She knew that she just kissed him somewhere between the left side of his chin and cheek, and it was not that much of a big deal. But Kalyani was fully aware what he and his gang did with Malhar just two days ago. Malhar's leg was badly fractured and there were still cigarette burn marks on his arms and face. He was still not able to open his left eye completely. And the worst thing was that it happened on the same date of his parents'death anniversary.
"Kalyani," Nishigandha called Kalyani but she ignored her.
Khushboo came running towards me and said, "Kalyani! Nishigandha ma'am is calling you."
"Not now," Kalyani muttered in frustration as loudly as she could.
Nishigandha ma'am pulled a chair for Kalyani and gave her a Dairy Milk.
"No ma'am," Kalyani was at loss of words, "I can't take it."
Nishigandha cajoled her, "Don't keep any dark feelings in your heart, Kalyani. You are so sensitive and flare up so easily. I'm just like an elder sister to you. Chill maro, yaar!"
Khushboo said, "Ma'am only wants the best for us, Kalyani."
Guys, presenting to you the mashup of The Office x The curious case of Jekyll and Hyde. Nishigandha had transformed from Manjulika to Indian TV soap heroine just in a day. But in these six years of working, Kalyani had seen enough of such Dairy Milk Diplomacy to be fooled. Tomorrow, the same Nishigandha would do break dance on her head. But great men have said, live in the present, leave tomorrow to tomorrow.
Just then Kalyani hallucinated Atharv in the office. He was wearing a nice suit and had the same arrogant expression he used to have during our school days. Interestingly, Kalyani's hallucinations were updated with time and age and Deepak in my hallucinations was not a teenager but similar to my age. Ha! Het imagination is so intelligent!
But what if Atharv was here for real? Kalyani would surely die of embarrassment.
Third person POV
Atharv wore his best clothes and the most expensive French perfume he could afford. He was finally going to meet the CEO of the topmost IT giant. Unfortunately, the CEO had joined just a few days back so he couldn't find much about him on the web. But he had heard the whispers that the young CEO was very strict and dynamic. With his never say never attitude, he had accomplished seemingly impossible feats. This was the opportunity of his lifetime for him. He would give it his everything...
Just then, the prim receptionist announced, "CEO Sir is calling you. Remember, you just have ten minutes."
"Sure," Atharv flashed his smile. He made a note to flirt with the receptionist later because one needed to have such connections in corporate world.
"G...good morning, S...sir," Atharv's legs were trembling, "It's b...been an ho...honour to stand b... before you."
What the hell! Atharv was always so charming and confident, but he was not able to speak clearly now. Shit! But being a middle-level project head, he never ever dreamed of standing before the CEO himself. And to add to it, the Business relations department of the company had especially recommended his name for this collaborative venture. Imagine! Finally his charming strategies and underhanded manipulations were paying off.
"Oh, really? You really think it's an honor for you to meet me?" The CEO's voice was full of sarcasm. The CEO was sitting facing the wide window through which blue Sahyadri hills were visible with the back of his swanky chair towards Deepak.
"Y...yes Sir," Atharv was still stammering, "S...sir here is t...the o...over...view."
"Leave it," the CEO's voice boomed in the cabin, "First speak your full name and qualifications without stammering."
"Y...yes Sir. M...my..."
"Sir. My name i...is..."
"Good m... morning Sir. M...my..."
Atharv was having the strangest sense of deja vu. He must be dreaming all this up. Why would the CEO...?
"Still not recognised me, Mr. Atharv Bapat?" Nikhil swiveled his chair facing Deepak, "I never thought you being so slow, Atharv."
"Malhar, you?" The expression on Atharv's face was definitely what Nikhil had waited to see all these years.