chapter 21

  Rakshit Sir... would you like to dance!!!At Malhotra Mansion....The car went to the driveway of Malhotra Mansion...Sukh was astonished seeing the high security outside the Mansion.....She held Mrs Khurrana's hand in fear...she assured her with a smile they are good people, all this is just for security reasons... don't worry ....Within no time they were outside the huge building.....Sukh was a bit terrified so she was holding Mrs Khurrana's hand all the while.....On reaching the foyer the huge gates open upon themand they were greeted by Mrs. Malhotra ....she engrossed Mrs Khurrana in a tight hugSukh was standing beside them witnessing the scenario..For Sukh she seemed to be a beautiful kind lady and was  so down to earth else people who are wealthy are rarely fond of giving warm hugs during reception of their guests....Mrs Khurrana introduced Sukh to Mrs Malhotra saying she is dear to me just like my daughter...she is Mr Mehra's daughter who is my husband's childhood friend  ...she is a very sweet and hardworking girl and used to work in Orange and Peaches as a Manager...Sukhmani Malhotra came to her and said so dear do you remember me !!!!though her face seemed to be familiar to her but she was unable to  recognize her....Sukh abruptly  shook her head in No....She reminded her remember 9 months back you took part in a dance competition which was organised, for welfare of Heart  Patients.... The event was organised by Malhotra Pharmaceuticals Industry....she reminded herself Oh yeah now I get it that's why you looked so familiar she cuddled her and said I am so glad to meet you .....the trio laughed ....Mrs Khurrana interrogated about the incident ...and how come they know each other....Sukh exclaimed happily Aunty you remember I was enthusiastic about the dance Competition and you helped me with the steps.....I exchanged my costume with fellow Compatitor....Looking towards Sukhmani she continued....  that day you were so genuine to help me with my costume and accessories. Despite being the Chief Guest.. else I would have been unable to be a part of the competition....Mrs Malhotra exclaimed I just helped you but you won the competition because you were the best among them, the event was a huge success all thanks to you and your friends....After the warm welcome all of them headed  to the Grand hall of the mansion ,the interior there was elegant but homey.....While Sukhmani and Mrs Khurrana were talking about the marriage to be held Sukh stood up and helped herself in exploring the hall she came across a beautiful painting at the alcove....Dhruv eneters the scenario as he returns after his Soccer Match which he likes to play every weekend with his close friends ..He saw Mrs Khurrana there and hugged her from backside saying missed you a lot aunty it's been too long since you last visited us....Mrs Khurrana stood up from the couch and hugged him back.....   He found Sukh at the corner staring a painting....finding Sukh in his house he was very happy , he greeted her with the brightest smile ever... he stated it's a pleasant surprise to see you around,  remember when we were in college I called you many times at my home but you never showed up...Sukh smiled at this and said I am here with Khurrana aunty it's for inviting you guys at brother Sumit's Marriage.. Dhruv replied I know about it.. actually it's a secret you know...the bride was our senior remember, and he used to have a crush upon her..Sukh completed and finally after so many years they found each other on a matrimonial site and by fate they are getting married....Dhruv smiled cynically at this and said you are such a kid ....you know it's not the actual story ,I helped in uniting the two lonely hearts in this case.....Sukh pouted and said I will be glad if you can narrate the story to me as well....Dhruv chuckled at this and said...later some time let me introduce you to my mother ....Sukh cut him off by saying we already meet.... by the time he held her wrist and dragged her to his mother saying Maa (mother) look this is Sukh remember I used to talk a lot about her during my college days....Sukhmani was overwhelmed hearing she was the Sukh whom Dhruv used to talk about....she stood up from her seat and cuddled Sukh again ...all the while Mrs Khurrana was smiling at them....All of them were seated at the hall and we're talking about the old daysDhruv continued babbling ..how Sukh used to be the most nerdy girl around .....while Sukh was staring him with deathly glared she too continued how Dhruv always used to pull her legsand how they always faught in Mr Agnihotri's class who was the HOD in college...Sukhmani and Mrs Khurrana too spoke about their college life, how they used to be the closest friends, how they took part in the dance competition at national level and even won the prize ....Sukh was amazed hearing them ....they even took out some old photographs of theirs sharing the memories with the two children there... Sukh was too delighted after  hearing  their story that she asked the two to dance a bit in the reminisence of old times.....Dhruv too encouraged them for dancing ,though they were shy at first but later both of them agreed ....Dhruv played the music on the amplifier, the staffs we're asked to be seated as audiences and to cheer the two ,the duo fixed there Sarees  and both Mrs Khurrana and Rishabh's mother started to dance....  Dhruv and Sukh both were applausing to encourage them while they were dancing merrily.....suddenly Rakshit Malhotra came to the hall with a file in his hands ....but he didn't uttered anythingat first he had a serious look upon his face hearing the loud voice coming from the hall...but seeing his wife dancing after so long he too smiled at the sight...he was standing there at a distance away ,seeing the love of his life dancing.....But the moment the staff noticed him everyone kept quite and stood up from their places.....Mrs Malhotra too stopped dancing...He understood everyone is being shy so he started to walk away sayingI was just passing by from here you guys continue .... Everyone was scared but Sukh went to him and asked his permissionSir remember we meet at the Seminar on developing Financial Management skills few months back organised by your Company......You were the speaker there and were welcomed by the College Prefect ,He completed her sentence saying I remember you Sukhpreet... with a soft smile...She continued Sir I am an admirer of yours.... So she stammered before saying the last part .... would you like to o dance with us....Everyone was quite hearing this ...they thought Rakshit will surely refuse the proposal...he went to the hall infront of them kept the file in the sofa table and glared at everyone around surprisingly he started dancing too...everyone was surprised seeing him dancing... everyone smiled with happiness while Dhruv and Sukh too joined the crew.....Rishabh came home and heard loud sound  of music from the hall  there were no staff to greet him he went towards the direction of music and saw everyone including his father dancing ......he was amazed and very happy seeing them frolicking. .it's been too long the family enjoyed something  like this...He was even startled seeing Sukh at his house....Seeing him everyone frooze at their places for a fraction of seconds but later Dhruv went to him and  asked to join them...Rishabh excused himself saying Sorry guys ... I am just back from work don't have much energy left....I will be back after being freshen up.    and went straight to his room....After dancing all of them went to the terrace garden of the house .....while the staff served them... Coffee...everyone was taking among themselves about somethingwhile Mrs Khurrana and Mrs Malhotra were busy talking about the marriage preparations and the ceremonies to be held...Sukh, Dhruv and  Rakshit Malhotra was talking a lot about work and business...Dhruv informed his father that Sukh joined their Company  a week ago...He was galvanize hearing Sukh, she was all logic and business while talking to him...at the same time she was attached to her culture and values.....They were talking about the preparations of the  marriage ceremony.....while Sukh was listening to them attentively....Mr Malhotra out of the blues asked her tell us more about yourself Sukh....I know you are hired and it's not an interview but I will like to know more about you...Sukh smiled at this and said Sir I am glad you asked me about myself ....she continued I hail from Ambala, we shifted here 5 yrs back...I have done my Graduations and Masters from here..I am living a decent life with my family and I love them....Rakshit smiled heartily hearing her, for a split seconds he considered her to be the ideal bride for Rishabh...he imagined Sukh in the wedding alter with Rishabh on her sidehe autonomously commented Sukh we are glad to have you with us beta...Sukh took her gaze up ,I am sure you will be a valuable asset for us..... despite he changed the last part of the sentence saying for our Company....They resumed the Conversation and expressing their views upon various ceremonies....Sukh had pre planned most of the things and was interacting among them while Dhruv made a silly comment upon something saying see you guys are doing maximum creative work and keeping we boys outof it for many events...  what should I do I am eager to work upon it as well .....Everyone stared him for a couple of seconds and bursted in fits of laughter         Just in time Rishabh eneters the place and saw Sukh beaming.....it left an impact upon his heart....like he was being stabbed.... he felt the warmth retrieving there.....He took a seat near his mother silently ,and was hearing their conversation......the evening passed in a glimpse of seconds and it was time for their departure... Sukh and Mrs Khurrana went up towards the main door when their driver called them saying the Car broke down so he is getting it repaired , he will be late as this work will took around half an hour ....Mrs Khurrana suggested him don't worry Ravi....we will take a cab to homeSukhmani suggested my son will drop you home..   Rishabh was excited hearing his mother, he went to his room to get the car keys ...He was about to leave from his room when his phone beeped and he received the call... it was from Mr Rathod and he was discussing about the financial strategies...  He continued to discuss the matter with him which took a bit longer time....Disconnecting the call he ran downstairs but found no one there...he looked around himself Mrs Smith who was their made ;was making her way towards the kitchen he approached her and asked where are othersShe replied politely...Mr and Mrs Malhotra went for their evening walk while Dhruv Sir went to drop the guests....he felt dishearted as he wanted to drop them back ,he wanted to have a small conversation with her, it's been an whole day and he didn't heard her teasing him while she was around......He ran back towards his room and began surfing the files again...That night at the dining table  .....At the dinning table everyone was praising Sukh...the way she behaved the way she spokehow Sukhmani met her the first time , how Rakshit meet her ,and Dhruv who has been her batchmate ...while  Rishabh was having dinner in silence.....In Sukh's house she  was narrating her whole day's experience to her family .....the people out there, Dhruv Sukhmani Mam as she called her and Rakshit Sir who was her inspiration.....Roohi was most excited while hearing her words....Her mother exclaimed that's fate.... it joins people who are least connected to each other ; and look at the irony you meet almost every member of that family even  before joining the Company....in which you dreamt to work at..  After wishing each other Goodnight Sukh and Roohi went to their room..Rishabh went back to his study after having dinner with his family.....he had some files to be taken care of...he was a bit annoyed over Mr Rathod as he was unable to design the financial strategies for the beverage drinks project  despite he was one of the most senior and experienced staff of the company.....Out of nowhere Sukh's name crossed his mind,he thought to himself she is capable of doing this her previous works are a proof of her skills and audacity....he made a plan on making a team..  who will work upon the beverage drink project for extra hours...after few more hours of work  Rishabh stood up from his desk and went towards his roomhe made up a plan on his head upon which he will start working from tomorrow.. The mere mention of Sukh's name started to make an impact upon him he couldn't resist the attraction he feels towards her... but deny to accept his feelings....He lied upon the bed trying to sleep ,while his mind was tired due to working for long hours in his study,but he was not sleepy today,glimpses of today event playing at the back of his mind...he thought to himself Sukh made everyone smile today everyone was so happy.....and even Papaji (Dad) danced today....nice moments ....in the other hand Lavanya is so ignorant towards  family values....Did I just compared Lavanya and Sukh what's wrong with me, why I drag her always in my thoughts from nowhere...I must sleep now ...I think I am being intoxicated due to lack of sleep..Sukh on the other hand was walking on the backyard of their house thinking about her mother's words        she aggreed to her... surely it was the game of fate that she meet almost every member of that family before joining the Company... even Rishabh though he was the only one with whom the meeting ended up on a bitter note.....She reminded the day they first meet how he asked her to apologise without knowing the actual reason for her behavior, how he yelled at her...She reminded of the incident when they embraced each other......and today when he was staring her bluntly as she is the only person around...She was uncertain to her feelings for him...  Just in time Roohi called her..and she rushed towards her room....______________________________________So guys we are at the end of this chapterhope you all liked it.. She you all in the next chapter update....Till then Smile and spread happiness😊😁😁This is me Signing outBye*****