New FF: Tere Meri kahani.(Radev) part 16 pg 11 1/11/14 - Page 4

Then Dev went on to speak about his plans for the company which were all good. He then invited Mrs Shukla to say a few words, which she did. That was an emotional moment; giving twenty-five years of her life, she had an single-handedly grown, Ace Advertising Agency from her living room into an organisation, of over two hundred employees. At the end, she received a prolonged thunderous applause.

Dev again took over. I would request the department head to stay back. Everyone else can kindly resume his or her work. One more thing - next week, we will start a cafeteria for the employees. Food and beverages will be provided to the employees at no cost to them.' That announcement got loud hoots. Free food is the best.

Within minutes, the numbers dwindled to a handful. Listen Vishu, I am living. Just fill me in later about whatever is discussed here.' Radhika tripped over some chairs while making a hasty beeline for the door.

Her movements were noticed. Dev glanced sharply at Simone; she got off the dias hurrying after the younger girl. Ms Sharma! Ms Sharma! Radhika, please stop!'

Already outside the hall, Radhika reluctantly paused. Still not turning around, she inquired of the PA, What's up?'

All department heads have to be there.'

Radhika turned to face the older women. Hustling her most imperious tone, she said, My counterpart, Ms Vishaka Verma is in there, so I thought...'

Simone cut her off, All department heads have to be there. Please follow me.'

Bandit queen, where's your gun, Radhika stewed. She headed for the conference room, muttering a churlish, Fine!'

The assembled, including Dev and his group, along with the department heads, sat in a circle.

Headed bowed, Radhika stiffly slid in the empty chair next to Vishaka. She peeked up to flash a strained smile at her colleagues. Super canary shit! Opposite her, barely a couple of feet away, sat Dev. His eyes veiled eyes fixed on her. Within seconds, a familiar colour hovered on Radhika's cheeks.

Dev looked away. Please introduce yourselves, your department, and the number of open projects, giving a very brief status update,' he requested.

Radhika, promptly, opening her notebook scribbled, U do it ... plsss.' Vishaka imperceptibly nodded.

Dev directed, We'll start from my right.'

Crap you'll have to do it now!' Vishaka scribbled right back. Radhika literally trembled! Her hands went cold, and sweat listened on her forehead. She felt dizzy and nauseous; the panic came on full swing.

Dev spotted the tell-tale signs. So that has not changed, she is still petrified of it, he thought appeased. Feeling some heat on him, Dev glanced around. Vishaka glared at him.

Coolly, Dev shifted to listen to the head of account management, Ms Preeti Kaushik - an attractive young women saying her piece.

Preeti spoke, gazing only at Dev. One would think she was having an intimate conversation with him, her tone low, a bright smile drawing attention to her colour stained lips, gesturing hands showing the curve of her arms and torso. Radhika glanced once towards her and shifted her gaze immediately to notice his expression. He was gazing listening to her though was cornering his eyes at her. This disturbed Radhika a lot seeing Preeti's gaze on him.

Having worked for big companies in the metro cities for the past several years, Preeti had recently joined the AAA. Her aged father's ailing health had forced her to come to this small town, which openly and vocally disliked.

Thank you Ms Kaushik. You speak very concisely, giving the big picture in a nutshell,' Dec complimented the girl, aware of the flirtatious attempts.

Oh please call me Preeti!' the other girl blubbered.

Gadheri!' Vishaka muttered under her breath.

Soon it will be my turn; ill be the agency's laughing stock, Radhika worried. Her head felt like it was about to explode.

Net to speak was, Mr Vishal Tiwari, the head of the graphic and media department. A pass out of a renowned college from Delhi, his tenure was a stopgap arrangement, until his paperwork in American University came through. Vishal, a born rebel of the society and its norm, while talking to Dev purposely tapped his kohlapuri clad foot (wearing slippers at work was against company policy) and rubbed his pierced eyebrow. There was no rule on pierced eyebrows yet, but vishal was damn sure he was flouting some rule somewhere!

Thank you Mr Tiwari and nice sandals,' Dev commented with a straight face. Vishal reminded him of so many of the youngsters one who came across nowadays - either orgasmic about brands or arch enemies of materialism.

Radhika was up next. This should be fun... the silly girl has forgotten all that I taught her and has already worked up to quite a state, Dev deliberated.

Radhika, ferociously, clamped her parched lips; blood sang chama chama in her ears. She could almost taste the bile in her mouth. Miserably she glanced up, blanching even further as all and sundry fixed impatient eyes on her. Preeti sighed irritated; Vishal increased the tapping of his ethnic footwear.

Radhika, Ms Sharma cant speak today, her tonsil are hurting. But as the peer manager of the design department, I can give you all and Mr Sarin the latest status update,' asserted Vishaka, loudly.

The only way you can refute me, is by disclosing to everyone here that you met Radhika earlier today! Vishaka's eyes challenged Dev, who gave her a dark look.

Radhika crazily relieved, mumbles a limp sorry and sat back.

She does seem kind of sick,' agreed Mr Telang. Do you need some water, some cola, something?'

The plan thwarted, Dev backed off, curtly. Fine, Ms Verma continues. Ms Sharma, go get yourself a drink or whatever it is that you need!'

Precap - Dev please! Don't make fun of her. Devki called me earlier today. Because of this fear, Radhu is refusing to go for the presentation which is part of her final exams,' Vaishali confided.