Chapter 24: chapter 24

The byway leading to the restaurant, which Emma remarked was very striking.It seemed to be a small market more than a pathway as it was subsisting numerous tiny shops and well organized.The way the strore-keepers were managing and the purchasers were procuring, it showed their respective efficiency and comprehension.It reminded me how I and my idiots used to shop. *smile*Most of the time, I was the only one to shop and they were accompanied just to carry my shopping bags without complaints.Moreover, I used to choose their attire as well. Because, they always agreed to the fact that girls have a better sense of the combo fashion and quality. I miss them! I was immersed in musing while contemplating the surroundings, a snap almost near to my ear brought me back."Seen enough? Wanna walk ahead?", Ronnie winked.Oh boy! I was physically earthed without even realising."Oh..um..", I emitted."How's it?", he tittered. "Meticulous", I let out the only word I could think of.He smiled."Babydoll, we are dying of hunger", twins complained. "I am sorry", I followed them. We stepped into a restaurant, which had a pleasing ambience and we took our seats.They ordered their commonly preferred ones and propelled the menu card towards me.Being a vegetarian, I asked for whatever was available in vegetarian as it was a complete non-vegetarian eatery."Hey, you are a veggie ha?", Emma asked."She already said that yesterday, didn't she?", Ella smacked Emma's hand. "Yea, right. I forgot", Emma grinned.The waiter served our dishes and went back to his work. Though I was hungry but because of its taste, I couldn't eat as it was requisite."Well, what were you doing near that trash?", Ronnie asked, gulping his food.Listening to his query, I choked on my morsel and coughed a little hard. Don't tell me he saw what all happened?God, please no more embarrassment. "Are you okay?", Emma panicked."Is the food too spicy?", Ella was worried."Have water", Ronnie offered me a glass of water. I sipped water and calmed them down once I felt better. They eased off. "Say na, what's with the trash?", he repeated. *imaginary face palm*Why did he take it up again?"Um.. that..". I was collecting words to form a sensible explanation, but Emma and Ella jumped in, taking the conversation to another level."Trash?", twins unisoned. "I saw her there standing alone with her phone in hand", he answered.Standing alone?Holy Lord! I sighed as I realised he didn't see Mr. Hoodie and what all transpired. "Babydoll! What transpired?", Ella asked."Nothing to worry about.. just..my phone.. slipped-off into the dumpster..", I could hardly finish. They laughed.Obviously! Who will not?"But how? What were you doing near to that trash can?", Ella asked with a pinch of sense.Super! Time for another one. What do I say now? "Am..ah..leave it", I tried to hush the matter."But..", Emma stretched however, her phone rang at that moment."Just a sec guys", she excused herself. Uff! "We need to leave right away. Abby wants to discuss something", she spoke once she was back. We nodded and were out on our way to the conference hall.I entered the conference hall and took a seat beside Julie (one of my team mates), where I was asked to."So, I got an update team. Neil Sir will not be a part of our meeting today as he had few other commitments", Abby initiated."Neil sir?", I murmured. "Neil Oberoi, our CEO, newbie", Julie whispered. Sheesh! Was that so loud? "Sorry", I gave an awkward smile."Not fair", there was a chorus of female colleagues. Not fair? What for? *puzzled**Buzz*I got a message. It read Emma.*Don't give that look. You haven't seen him yet. Once you see that handsome hunky, you will join this chorus too! 😉*I gave her another puzzled look.*Buzz*One more message.*Babes! Every girl here dies for just a glimpse of him. Cut it! You will understand once you see him 🥰*I looked at her and dropped my message. *Shut up*Post sharing the message, I kept my phone silent and shifted my focus on Abby's words."However, he will be here next week specially for our new project's basic presentation", Abby added. "Abby! Who is going to give this basic presentation?", a guy from our team asked."Oh yes! I forgot to add this. This time I am choosing a new joinee for this presentation. It's Aashika", he announced.What? What? What? Me? Presentation before our CEO? *nervous*"Good luck!", Abby greeted.I nodded a YES, reluctantly. I closed my eyes to take in the situation. Aashi, it's not the time to be nervous. It's an opportunity to prove yourself. I should do this. I will do this. After an hour of meeting, we headed towards our cubicles. I discussed some required codes with Abby and called it the end of the day.On the way to the flat, Vicky accompanied us in the cab. He tried to strike a conversation, but thanks to twins, they helped me out in this by keeping him busy with some other discussions.As I entered my room, my phone rang. It read Ayu.Heck! I didn't call him. I swiped the green icon.Me- Sorry! Just reached my room. Ayu- Good! Just tell me are you okay?Me- Haa!Yash- What happened? Start, NOW! Me- How do you guys always manage to be on a conference?Yash- Don't change the topic, duffer. Me- Um..fine! V..Vicky is here. Yash/Ayu- That jerk from our college?Me- Yes. He has been working with Oberoi's for 3 years. Yash- Now I get it. That England flight and all that crap! Did he do anything?Ayu- Did he behave unacceptable?Me- No! He is just as if we are long lost friends. Bullshit! Don't worry, I will handle it. Yash- Are you sure?Me- Yeah! And, I met that hoodie guy again and this time it was my fault. Ayu- Ab kya namuna pesh kiya tune?Me- Arey! To get rid of Vicky, I hid myself behind his Aston Martin.Ayu/Yash- Woah! He owns Aston Martin? Me- You heard just that? Focus!Ayu- Sorry! Continue!Me-  I didn't know he was inside and I didn't even know how my phone reached him. Ayu- Lemme guess! You might have done something of your usual self proving yourself to be the "QUEEN OF NAIVETY".Me- Ugh! I am disconnecting!Yash/Ayu- Sorry! Sorry! Then?Me- He was trying to help me but I assumed he wanted my number. I..I threw the phone from his hand into the trash and..Ayu/Yash- And that was yours! *laughs*Me- Idiots?*laughs*Me- You...*laughs*Me- Fine! Keep laughing! 😠Beep.. Beep...Argh! This behaviour of theirs was meant to happen and to be honest I was prepared for this. But, my irritation level exploded.After sometime, they called me back and we had a normal conversation, obviously with lame fights in between, followed by a video call to dad, mumma and others.I took the presentation very seriously and was working on it trying to avoid all the possible loopholes if any.Days flew likewise. I was a bit successful in avoiding Vicky with the help of twins and Ronnie sometimes, at least for now.I must admit, they are very sweet and supportive.Finally, the day came and I braced myself for the first ever professional presentation and that too in front of the NEIL OBEROI.I was nervous to the core, nevertheless, somewhere down there, I knew that this is one of the best opportunities I could ever get.*prolonged sigh*As usual we reached the office. Emma and Ella had some work with accounts, so they headed towards the account's building and Ronnie was busy with his colleagues."See you at lunch, Aashika", Ronnie waved at me and walked to his wing. I made my way to the elevator and stepped in. The door was about to close, when someone tucked foot in-between indicating the motion sensors to pause and stepped-in. I twitched to see the person. The moment his face came into the picture, I stood nonplussed. Oh freak! Is he stalking me? ******************************Who do you think HE is? See you in the next chapter. Till then stay tuned and miss me😉#KeepReading #KeepLoving♥️♥️