PART ONE A
"Nikita... Nikita! Will you stop mumbling and get the bloody hell up please!" It was 8am, and Nikita was still sleeping... Sabiha wasn't happy about this. They both had classes at 9, but the 'princess' just couldn't get enough sleep.
"What... please, five more minutes mum..."Nikita mumbled sleepily. She was awake, but loved taunting Sabiha, who acted like her mum most of the time.
"Kasam Niks, if you're not out of this bed in 30 seconds, I'm so making you do the laundry today..." Sabiha knew how much Nikki hated washing clothes, and threats like this normally worked. Today was no exception. Nikita jumped out of bed instantly grumbling that she never got to sleep these days. Sabiha sighed, and walked into the kitchen, only to be greeted by her favourite person - Nitya.
"Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. I'm hungry! What's for breakfast? Why isn't Niks up yet? Why are you looking at me like that?" Nitya laughed knowing Sabiha wasn't in the best of moods, and yet she just never lost an opportunity to tease her best friend.
"Nitzie, I swear, the amount of food I cook for you three is unbelievable. Sometimes I wonder if I'm your best friend, or your mother. I feel like I run after everyone, trying to get things done. And finally, the princess is up... let's hope I'm not late to class this time." Sabiha sighed, and got to making French toast for Nitya, who gobbled it all up before Nikki had a chance to walk into the kitchen. Sabiha shook her head, and smiled. Nothing changed around here... she wondered where the fourth crazy was.
"In answer to that silent question you have sitting on your face, as you look towards the door, is that she's still getting dressed last I checked. I wonder who it's for this time..." Nitya started laughing, knowing very well that she only ever got dressed for one person...
Sabiha rolled her eyes, used to Nitya's taunts about everyone's love life. Thankfully Nitya could never tease her about it - Sabiha didn't have a love life. In fact, she'd never had one. She'd spent most of her life running away from all that, although she possessed an uncanny ability to guide everyone else onto the path of love.
Just then, Nikita walked into the kitchen, wearing what could only be described as "Asian chic".
"What the hell are you wearing? I thought Nitzie was the eccentric one. Niks, please, don't scare me!" Sabiha closed her eyes for patience, and Nitya almost fell off her seat laughing.
"What? It's the latest rage, printed leggings. And by the way, 'mum', at least I'm wearing leggings for once."
"You are serious Nikki, right? I don't think I'd be able to stop laughing if you walked into college wearing that." Nitya gasped for breath, while Nikita stood there defiant in her short black dress and flowered leggings. Thankfully her cardigan wasn't so offensive - just a dash of silver embroidery.
"You two need to start taking notice of the fashion pages. I'm 25; I need to make the most of my youth." And then even Nikita began laughing at how absurd she sounded. The trio almost collapsed into laughter, when suddenly Madhuri walked in wearing the exact same leggings, only this was paired with a white top and a long black thin cardi.
"How do I... NIKKI? Oh come on Niks, you promised not to wear yours until next week! Don't make me come and take them off!" Madhuri's mood went from cloud nine to the ground in less than thirty seconds. Sabiha sighed, and walked into the kitchen to grab some fruit, and Nitya followed, wanting to avoid the first argument of the day.
"Maddy, I didn't promise not to wear them this week. All I said was that I might not wear them this week... and besides they look so much better with my dress than that... that... fake rock look you have going on there!" Nikita stood there, arms crossed, expecting Madhuri to quietly accept Nikita's decision, and change. But Nikita was unpleasantly surprised when Madhuri answered that it would take forever to find something else, and besides they were in Nikita's apartment, there Nikita could change into something else.
"Arrey, Nikki, samjha karo... Maddy's trying to impress..." Nitya quietly mentioned this to Nikita, who finally realised why Maddy looked like a train wreck waiting to be discovered. She sighed, grumbled, and went to change into plain white leggings instead.
"Oh my God, can we get going now? Please you three, I'd like to make it on time!" Sabiha was practically begging for them to leave the apartment... if she didn't get to class on time, there went her job.
The girls picked up their lunches (all prepared by Sabiha the night before), and set out to college... Excel College.
- - -
It was proving to be a sunny day when the foursome arrived. And, for the first time, they were actually early. Nikita parked that car, and stepped out, straightening her dress and sauntering off to the ladies' to check herself out once more. It could be said about Nikita that she was a vain girl, but that wasn't true. Yes, it was true that Nikita spent a lot of time getting dressed, but that was because she believed in being properly dressed all the time, no matter where she was going.
"Watch her go, it's as if a Bollywood hero was making an appearance today." Madhuri loved watching Nikita, and was just as protective of her as Nikita was of Madhuri. She loved Nikita with a crazy sisterly passion, and would lay her life on the line for her - which she had done awhile ago (that's what happens with drunken nights).
"Maddy, be thankful that she didn't wear the flowered leggings... now that would have caused a commotion." Nitya giggled, loving the arguments between her friends. She played the devil's advocate in every 'debate' they had, and had immense fun all the time. Although she was the eccentric one, she was also the little princess, and generally got her way, all thanks to her 'mother', Sabiha.
Sabiha shared a special relationship with Nitya - as it was Nitya who supported her through her bout of depression when her parents cut off all emotional and financial ties with her, all because she refused to get married. Nitya proved to be her 'devilish' angel in disguise, and Sabiha never relied on anyone more; but it didn't stop her grumblings about Nitya all the same - after all, since when did sisters get along all the time?
"Alright, cut it out you two. Give me a bit of peace for an hour... and do NOT send me silly messages during the lecture about Manav, he is a nice boy and he does NOT want me. Thank you... love you!" Sabiha smiled and shook her head as she walked to her lecture room to get everything ready. She laughed at her friends' antics, and then she remembered...
"Sabs, I knew you wouldn't forget. Thanks Di, I'll see you at home? Love you too." Nitya took Sabiha's car keys and found her cute vintage Alfa Romeo gleaming in the sunshine. Nitya loved taking Sabiha's car to work, and was currently persuading her to give Nitya the Alfa, and for her to get that Porsche 911 Carrera she'd been frothing over for the past six months. Nitya parked "Mickey" (as they'd affectionately called it) and hummed as she walked to her office, shared with one of the coolest people around, Aisha Bannerjee.
Aisha was the senior executive assistant to the boss, and Nitya was the junior. That didn't mean they didn't work on projects; in fact they worked longer hours than everyone else in the office - they were the ones who gave everything final approvals. It was common knowledge that Aisha was going to get the top job - the boss spent more time playing golf than focusing his attention on meetings.
Nitya personally couldn't wait for Aisha to become boss - Nitya would be given the senior assistant position, and only she knew how to deal with Aisha's mood swings, which ranged from crazy happy to crazy scary when she was stressing about a deadline. Maddy and Aisha are quite similar, Nitya thought. Best not to have them alone together...
"Nitya, you're here. Brilliant. I thought today was your day off? Anyhow, doesn't matter... I need your help. Now, we both know that it's happening soon, and I need to delegate a lot of tasks to everyone, especially you. Now, when I become boss, you're taking charge of the major clients - which you shouldn't be too worried about, and you know them so well... but I'm also putting you in charge of a new client, who could potentially become one of our biggest if things work out. You'll be meeting them tomorrow with me, so Nits, please no t-shirts honey. Wear a dress shirt or something to go with those fabulous dark skinnys of yours. Heels would be nice as well.
"Now, where was I? Ah right, so it's a lunch meeting, and it's a father-son team; I have the file here somewhere. It's just a brief meeting, and then if they like what we're offering - which is guaranteed - it'll be full steam ahead. But we'll deal with that later. Let's clean this office to make it yours-" Nitya almost stopped breathing.
"-because I forgot to tell you... I signed the power of attorney last night! But no one's finding out till Friday. I've got a lot to get out of the way, so let's get started!" As Aisha spoke, she'd poured two flutes of champagne, and toasted to their now former boss - "May God make him a brilliant golf player!"
The girls giggle and got to work; Nitya had great plans for her office, and couldn't wait to re-decorate this place... it was too cluttered for her liking. As she worked, she dropped a file... she picked it up, and found it labelled 'Khandewal'. Hmmm, this must be the new client; I'll look at it after lunch... I can't wait to tell the girls!
- - -
Thank God, I'm here early... it means I get to notice what everyone else wears today. I wonder how many are going to wear last week's off-the-shoulder-with-shorts combo. So blah! Instead of focusing on her lecture, Nikita was more worried that someone was going to copy her look... which really wasn't possible, as Nikita had her own style, but all the same... if only her parents hadn't been so damn conservative and made their daughter pursue a degree in IT management - it was such a tedious job, even if it did pay well, and thankfully her workplace were footing the bill for Nikita to gain her PhD.
But it didn't stop her wishing that she could have pursued a career she wanted; and since childhood, she wanted to be either a fashion designer or a flight attendant. She had managed to study design as an elective during her bachelor's degree... but flying was something she only experienced when she travelling to see her family. If only...
"Nikki! You're here... you're early! Did my second favourite person drag you out of the apartment while you were kicking and screaming?" Rohit Patel was Nikita's fellow PhD student, and close friend. He never lost a chance to tease Nikita about her sleeping habits, and today was no exception.
"Rohit... shut up. So, hows... I forgot her name... was it Sunday? No, I think I'm referring to Wednesday. How's Wednesday?" If Rohit spent his time ribbing Nikita about her sleep, Nikita never let Rohit off about his numerous 'girlfriends'. She knew that they were meaningless, but it gave her good opportunity to shut her friend up.
"You know-" Just then, Professor Shukla walked in. He walked to the front of the class, and noticed that his favourite student was already here. "Wah, Miss Nikita, you made it on time today. Very good, maybe you can assist me today, no?" Nikita gulped wondering what Shukla would make her do today. Damn, this guy won't leave me alone! Ab kya karoon... think Nikita. But it was of no use, today she was a goner, and she noticed Rohit looking away from her, assuming the look of an innocent bystander.
"Jee sir, of course I'll help you. It's just one of my... favourite things to do. Ahem." Nikita wondered if Shukla just liked picking on her. It wouldn't be the first time; something about Nikita seemed to scream 'lazy' to the lecturers.
"Arrey, not right now Nikita. Right now, I have a quick announcement regarding our special guest speaker. As you all may know, Excel College works very closely with the Indian government to make sure that all students get the best quality education. Over the next few days, a number of people will come through Excel to talk to you about any issues you may have, any career choices you might be interested in. In regards to our guest speaker... well, he's not just anyone. I know how many students have met previous officers, and thoroughly enjoyed the talks they've given. This year, a veteran Indian Air Force officer will be coming in, and I expect all of you to attend. He has since retired, and now owns a major corporation along with his uncle. He shall be here in two days, and I have requested that you all take part in this conference. Therefore, today and tomorrow, you all shall be working on mini projects that will be looked at, and assessed by the guest, and other members.
"But more of that later. Let's get back to the task on hand. Today, we'll be discussing ethics in management..." Shukla began lecturing, and the students began sleeping. Nikita, on the other hand, was excitedly writing notes to Rohit.
Oh my God Rohit. OMG. An Indian Air Force officer, here, at Excel! I know, I know, I'm acting all crazy happy here. But an air force officer, do you know how cool it is? Reckon I'd get advice on flying? Stuff Shukla, I'm off to be in the clouds...
Niks! Stop it dude. He was an IAF officer... now he's a hotshot business owner. Calm down, no advice. If you really wanna fly, seek classes you bimbo.
Rohit, stop trampling my dream you freak. If I wanna talk to the IAF officer, I'll talk to him. I wonder how old he is... seems middle aged, I mean, he does own the business with his uncle. Maybe he had to take over the business, and leave his passion.
Ah, passion. And here we go again. Niks, get it through your fashionista brain - not everything is about passion. Look at you and me - we're not doing this because we have a passion for it. We're doing this to a) keep our 'rents happy, and b) bring in the green. Stop dreaming, start listening. And you know Shukla's gonna call on you after class. As usual.
Rohit proved to be right. Shukla asked Nikita to stay behind for a few minutes. "Nikita, I know you have other things going on at the moment, but I was wondering if you could do something for me. It's a big task, but I think with your maturity, and initiative, you're the best person for the job. I need someone to look after the guest we're having. It's going to be hectic, but I'm confident you can handle this..."
"You want me to stay with the IAF officer while he's at Excel? OF course I'll do it sir! I'm stoked... this is so cool. You can count on me sir." And with that Nikita walked briskly out of the lecture theatre with a big grin on her face. Speaking to an IAF officer about flying would be the coolest thing. She couldn't wait to tell the girls and Rohit about the responsibility she was given. One thing was for sure, she wasn't going to stuff this up.
- - -
That's the first half of Part One.
I need comments Crazies.
Edited by -saBii- - 15 years ago
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