Chapter 9: chapter 9

Aditya's POV I was waiting for Anika , she came and hugged me, we were best friends.When she was about to leave me, her hair got stuck in my shirt button. When  we were trying to remove it, I saw a girl entering the room. I could see the shock in her eyes and she immediately turned around to the other side.I think she misunderstood us.When Anika asked her to give the file I understood she might be her assistant.her eyes lids  were down, as if she was hiding something.I felt I saw her somewhere, but couldn't recollect where I kept staring  at her and asked " Did we meet??" she said, " I gave her the gold medal on the  graduation day I recently attended"I replied " Oh!! ok!! "you have chosen  Miss gold medal,  good choice Anika "Anika smiled and said, " yeah, I think I made a good choice ,she is very hardworking and quick learner "I smiled and said,"Anyways ,it's already late, let's have lunch before we talk about business"They nodded and we started eating. I felt she was a little uncomfortable sitting with us, she didn't lift her head, she ate very little."I think your assistant didn't like my hotel's food ", my words were for Anika but my eyes were on her"."Nothing like that sir, food is really good, it's just that I am full, that's it", she replied, even now her eyes were searching for some random spot, she didn't even look at me.I  don't know why but I felt she was avoiding me.my thoughts were interrupted by Anika, she gave me the business proposal file and we discussed business for sometime and left.Sanjana's POVIt was a strange feeling  to sit with him. I felt my heart beat had become abnormal, I was trying to control  myself by not looking at him. I wished this meeting would end soon. if it would have been earlier, I would have danced for the opportunity to sit next to him, but one incident changed  everything.Soon the meeting ended and we left.My lifestyle  is normal now, on weekdays I am  working and on weekends I am attending a jewellery design course.One day when I returned home, I saw my mom clearing her wardrobe.Mom, what are you doing?? "Sanjana, I think there are many unused clothes in my cupboard,  let's pack them all, we will give them to the orphanage", she said.  I started helping my mom.When I was cleaning the wardrobe, I saw two old photo albums.I took them out, sat on the bed , slowly opened it and saw many photos of me ,dad and mom.tears welled up in my eyes when I saw my dad's pictures.I was my dad's princess.I saw this album more than a hundred times , just to see my dad.when I turned a few more photo sheets in the album, I saw Mamta Aunty and mom's pic.I remembered that day, a few years back,when I saw Mamta Aunty along with Aditya giving an interview on  TV.I quickly remembered something and went back to my mom's room to get the album. I was surprised to see that Aditya's mom and my mom were friends.When I asked my mom she confirmed. That is when I came to know that Aditya is my mom's friend's son. Maybe that was one more reason I liked him.Hmmmm, There is no use in thinking about all these Sanjana, my inner voice said."Sanjana what are you thinking", my mom's voice brought me back into my senses.Nothing mom, you and Mamata aunty look beautiful in this pic.My mom smiled and said," this pic was taken when I was carrying you".I  tapped  my index finger on my chin  and said, ok let's take a photo  together now, we will collage it, with a caption " within me and with me"wow super idea mom, what say?? I smiled and raised my eyebrow My mom  smiled ,patted her forehead and said, "don't disturb me, let me do my work, you go from here."" ok ok sorry mom, I will not disturb you", I replied and started helping my mom.Sanjana's POVTwo months  later ,Ashish came back from Mumbai. He came to my cabin and said, " I need your help"I stood up and said, "  how can I help you?"" One week later, it's mine and Anika's birthday, as a brother I want to buy her a necklace as a gift, can you please accompany me in selection today", he asked me in a very polite tone.I was struggling to say yes because, if someone sees me with him outside in a jewellery shop, they will misunderstand me, but I couldn't say no ,he is my boss and he is asking me to help in buying a gift  for my other boss.I reluctantly agreed to go along with him.After office , we entered a huge jewellery showroom, and started selecting a necklace.I admired the latest  collection  and I felt delighted for my thought , " one day people will wear the one I design".I subconsciously smiled, Ashish observed and  said with a smile on his lips, what are you dreaming about Sanjana?? you want your prince charming to buy these things, Hmmmm???"Why should prince charming buy these for me?, when I will be successful ,I will design my ornaments  with my own money", I replied.Ashish smiled and said," I admire your thoughts Sanjana, I wish you all the best in your career".I smiled and said, " thank you".Very soon I selected the necklace and as I was about to go to the counter, I saw Verma uncle walking towards us.He is my neighbour, they have recently moved in. "Hello uncle ,how are you? ", I greeted him.I saw him wearing the uniform of this showroom, which means he is working here. I saw a badge on his shirt " floor manager".He smiled and said," Sanjana, why are you here?""Obviously to buy", Ashish replied.I looked  at Ashish and signalled him in a pleading way to  not to talk "  "Verma uncle, this is my boss, we are here to buy a gift  for his sister.", I tried to explain to him hurriedly so that he wouldn't misunderstand me.He nodded his head and asked " whether we are done with the selection"When I said yes, he personally took us to the counter ,where Ashish paid the bill and  we came out.I felt uneasy, this will definitely create a misunderstanding, I have to clear this with my mom.I quickly waved a bye to Ashish and reached home.When I reached , I saw Mrs Verma sitting along with my mom, it looked like she got a call from her husband already.I expected this, she might have come to tell my mom that I have gone out shopping with a man.I greeted her with a plastic smile on my lips, and I could feel her glare on me." Hi aunty ,I just met Verma uncle in Jewellery shop, I went there with my boss to buy a necklace for his sister, Verma uncle took good care of me and he even helped in discount, He is so kind, moreover  aunty ask uncle to buy something for you, collection is too good there, and price is also very reasonable, if uncle can help us in discount, he can definitely get it for cheaper price for you  ", I said it all in one go.Mrs.Verma smiled and Said," Yes beta, your uncle is very kind , he always helps people he knows , and I will definitely ask your uncle to buy me a necklace"She forgot  what she had come here for, after hearing about the necklace, she hurriedly left.I knew this lady is fond of sarees and jewellery.When Mrs Verma went away, I started explaining my mom about the jewellery shop, but she raised her hand in mid air and said,'' I trust you Sanjana,I know, my daughter will not do something which will make her mom bend  her head infront of anyone, so you need not to explain, I trust my upbringing. go to your room , you might be tired, I will bring coffee for you.I smiled, hugged my mom and said," thank you".