chapter 23

 The deal.....That Evening....After bidding Goodbye to Sukh Rishabh went back to his cabinhe asked her to accommodate from tomorrow and he didn't wanted his staff to stay in unprepared room so he was staying back along with the interior designers and his secretary Lavanya....The designers were giving final touches to the rooms....He inspected everything properly and found everything upto the mark although he made certain more changes after that...he was tired with all the extra work loads , so he asked Lavanya to get him a cup of coffee.. Lavanya went to the pantry and made him a Cup of it....She handled him the mug and stood there staring him...The moment he took the first sip of it he missed Sukh's Coffee...Coffee with extra flavor of Cinnamon... eventually he didn't liked the Coffee she made...He said .. Lavanya it's good but I don't feel like having it ....maybe I am hungry or so...take it back...Lavanya was shocked at this...she asked him why are you sending it back I made it the same way I used to make it before...Rishabh mumbled to himself it seems tastelessbut....then turning towards her he said I don't feel like having it it's not about the taste..Lavanya sighed and grabbed the Coffee Mug .. she was too busy cursing him in the mind that it slipped from her hands and the whole Coffee fall upon his Jacket...Lavanya continued chanting Sorry and went closer to him with some tissues to make attempts to clear the marks it left ...gesturing the show how much she cares for him...**leverage of the situation...**Rishabh however didn't liked their intimacy and asked her to back offShe continued I am sorry to spoil your jacket give it to me I will clean it for you....he said it's Ok Lavanya I have extra set of Clothes....Lavanya exclaimed extra clothes why did you have any plans for tonight...is there a night out or something...Rishabh sighed and said No it's nothing special I just have it on emergency purpose....He mentally statedit's unpredictable with Sukh .... she can spill Coffee , water or anything on your clothes anytime so it's better to keep an extra set....He excused himself and went to change his clothes.. Sukh informed everyone at her family about her stay at office for a certain period , everyone disagreed with the idea of her staying there alone ...it will be the first time if it happens...she never went alone anywhere..  she tried to  make them understand the situationStill they didn't thought of giving it a chance....Rishabh on the other hand was driving his car way back home...        His mind was still occupied with thoughts of Abhimanyu the way he behaved today made him a suspect in his eyes...and he saw him copying the software too with ease....Just in time his phone beeped and he saw the caller ID... seeing which he jerked the brakes of his Car..  Sukh was  sad after hearing her parents..She narrated the whole thing to Roohi who was busy making her assignments...she assured her don't worry Jiji ,I will convince Mom and Dad on your behalf ...but in return you will have to give me a treat and also buy me a denim Jacket and Black Kurti...Sukh nodded her head with a smile...God knows how but eventually they all agreed , maybe because Dhruv was there with them and her Mother trusts him as his own child  Moreover Rishabh is a responsible guy in her eyes ....It was she who convinced her father ....All thanks to the two girls in her life that her father too agreed.. The call for Rishabh was from Aarav ...he smiled at that ,he informed him bro I am done with my work don't worryI will look over the matter Don't stress yourself we are in it together....        Rishabh smiled at this and said... Thanks bro I was really worried, because this time Culprit is among us and it's really hard to fight with our dear ones.....Later he received another call from Mr. Avasthi and he sounded every excited....He was conveying him something about the deal but as he was too excited he can't make out his words..  he smiled to him and said Mr Avasthi it's fine I know you are very excited and happy....but it will be great if you will narrate me things slowly...I can't make out what are you trying to say in a humourous tone....He heard Mr Avasthi laughing hard in the other side of the phone...This time he narrated him everything slowly...Sukh was worried about the inciedents which took place today...The incident of Abhimanyu and his mother, the voices she heard from Mr. Rathod's cabin ,the deals the Company lost and the thought of Mr Rathod being the Culprit...she was in a  flummoxed condition .....         Mr Rathod is one of the senior staff members of the Companyand she was not sure if she heard him or not , there maybe someone else involved in it who is trying to frame him ...Rishabh on the other hand was shocked hearing the news...he confirmed himself Mr Avasthi are you sure you are not mistaken .....         you mean we got another tenders which are alike the tenders we lost....He heard Mr Avasthi laughing with joy...he continued you heard it right beta (son) and that too with the profit will be double if you get this contract...but there is a problem....He was shocked and  interrogated what problem !!!!Mr Avasthi continued you will have to leave early Morning tomorrow.. as the venue is  in the adjacent town, and tomorrow is  the last datethey will not receive any tenders after submission hours...Rishabh rejoinded ...and that will not happen don't worry Uncle in a cold tone...this time I will not let the deal go...but you have a responsibility ... don't let anyone know about this matter , not even the Office staff ....not even Dhruv and Dad.....I will inform them personally....Mr Avasthi sighed and agreed to this...  he knew Rishabh is adamant to fulfil whatever he says...Mr Avasthi reposted don't stress yourself son...and don't worry I will keep the matter with me...just  take care of yourself... A small smile popped on his face  in reminiscence of her words..        her words were playing at the back of his mind...no one can steal your destiny.....if  something is meant to be yours it will be yours...Hardwork will pay back....God never does wrong with the right people....He mumbled to himself she was right ...He disconnected the call and paved his way towards Malhotra Mansion....Sukh and Roohi were in their room and Roohi was in a deep slumber...Sukh too was laying on her bed but was restless thinking about Abhimanyu ....She seemed to relate to him a lot...when they were new in the town and she was in an urgent need of job she faced almost the same circumstancesShe had to pay her semester fees and that too by herself ....not because she had to but she wanted to ..She never liked being a burden to anyone... and at that time the financial conditions of the family were not that stable....They were living upon there little savings which were on the verge of getting exhausted....She is still very grateful to Khurranas who helped the family in bad time....she knew what it costs for having a decent job, and how you life becomes dependent on it ..Rishabh informed everyone in the house about the new contract and the team he made .....His Dad was proud of his son's decisions...but he noticed that though it's a good news it doesn't seems to make him happy. Rakshit sensed his worry but didn't asked him anything...Rishabh informed everyone that he will be leaving early tomorrow Morning so he excused himself earlyHe asked the servants to pack his bag and started making changes in the presentation .....Sukh was running out of sleep , all the thoughts in her mind were making her restless...she looked upon Roohi who was in deep slumber beside her....        She went to the study table and saw all the stuff laying there .....she saw the project she was working upon and found it incomplete....It was not her habit to keep the assignments pending to the deadline but as she was preparing for the Quiz Competition and her semester exams she started working in the 11th hour....She knew It was the deadline to submit the assignment tomorrow and since Roohi can't complete it she thought of completing it ...she thought it will be the best way to divert her thoughts away.....After working for 3-4 hours he completed his work...He finally went to his room and saw everything is prepared and his Mother arranging his stuffs...even his mother packed him some stuff to eat ....He hugged his Mother from back and asked why are you stressing yourself you must go to your room...He sighed and stated it's all because of me my Mother is still awake ...She slapped him lightly on his cheeks and said it's not stress it's love....it's my way to show you that I love you..  and I know your nature , you hate eating out...He kissed his mother's hand and said...you know me more than I know myself Mom....but all this is so much , I will be out for half of the day I will come by evening tomorrow....She reposted it's not much it's just enough to fulfil your appetite you should work upon your diet Rishabhdon't let your health suffer because of the  stress....see you are getting thinner day by day...Rishabh sighed and said Mom you know I am a hunk ...  I should look handsome , not chubby old stud and winked to her ... Her Mother hugged him and said I am proud of you my son I know you are not showing it but you are nervous.... don't worry God always does the best for Good person...Rishabh abruptly said "woh bhi aisa kehti hai... "( She too says that)...His mother was amazed hearing Rishabh  talking about a girl.... She broke the hug and interrogated....whom are you talking about do you have a girlfriend....in an excited tone..Rishabh was embarrassed and said No it's just a friend Maa , the words slipped out.... the verdict is used by my friend Ishaan....His Mother replied.... Thank God you have some optimistic friends too,  else I have thought all your friends are business minded and chauvinistic like you...Rishabh too laughed over it....They both continued with their sweet  conversation for about 25 minutes after which his Mom left from his room...It's 3 in the night and Rishabh was about to leave after two hours.....Out of the blues he reminded of the meeting with Mehta's which was scheduled to happen today at 11:00 am but he has the files related to the meeting....An idea came to his mind and he picked his phone up...he called Lavanya and asked her for Sukh's no...**He thought of calling Sukh not because he had to but he wanted to see her before going to the meeting ..... strange but true.. 😉He saw the clock once again and it was 3:15 amHe thought once again of giving up the idea...  but he just wanted to see her once....Collecting all the courage he had He called her .....Unfortunately she didn't picked up ..He took the phone in his hand and started cursing himself....        ....he stated what's been into my mind I called her so late... what she must be thinking of me I must not have done this....Sukh on the other hand was amazed receiving the call from Rishabh...she thought of calling him back....He was about to put the phone away when the phone rang....He saw the no and it was Sukh who called this time....He felt nervous all of a sudden.. . this was the first time Rishabh was being nervous in front of a girl... He calmed himself and and received the call....They both greeted each other simultaneously Hello!!They both chuckled at this....breaking the smile she asked him Sir you were calling me ..is everything alrighthe continued Sukh  come to my house ASAP I need to discuss something important...She politely replied Ok Sir but how can I ...I mean???.... she stammered saying...Rishabh replied don't worry about that...I am sending my driver at your house, he will pick you within 15 minutes....Sukh nodded her head in agreement and he said Sukh stop nodding your head I am waiting for your reply....Sukh blurted I am coming...in a nervous tone and disconnected the call...Sukh mentally prepared herself...I will discuss about this matter to him he should know what is going behind his back...Sukh took a quick shower and got ready ..  he left a note at the desk for Roohi and informed her mother before leaving...The Driver was on time within half an hour she was outside the Malhotra Mansion....entering the house she as greeted by Marium Aunty with her brightest smile....{she was their old made in her mid 50s she was there even before Rishabh was born everyone in the house respects her a lot.... }Sukh meet her before during her last visit ....she too smiled to her and entered the Mansion.....It was almost 4:00 am Marium Aunty was instructed to make the guests feel comfortable and send them to the hall....The surrounding was cold so she wrapped her veil around her body like a shawl..        Since it was so early....the ambience there was quite ....she was mentally fighting with herself whether to inform Rishabh about the Scandal or not ....she was in a conflict with her mind and soulshe was being scared what will happen if he will come across the truth....he will surely not believe her as he hardly trusts her and Mr Rathod being the senior staff is respected by everyone....and moreover she doesn't have any proof of Rathod's involvement in the matter.....he was a major suspect to her , but she can't blame anyone without concrete evidence....Her trail of thoughts were broken by Mrs Malhotra who wished her Good Morning she was going to the temple nearby but stopped seeing her.....she went to her and touched her feet , they both greeted each other Good Morning....she asked her the reason of her arrivalSukh narrated her the whole situation and she smiled to her...she exclaimed my son is a lunatic and so his staffs....the servants may have brought the file to you... He troubled you without any reason, he  is a workaholic and thinks the whole world to be the same...Sukh replied Mam I am not at all bothered please don't say that .....and I think Rishabh Sir is very hardworking which is the best quality of a person to admire....His mother sighed at this and said he is accustomed to hardworks...you know he has been working all night in his laptop , he didn't even sleept properly I just pray he gets success in the work he is heading to....Sukh smiled and said Ofcourse Aunty he will be successful for sure....they both smiled .....Sukh felt someone's glare upon herself and turned towards the direction she saw Rishabh standing at a distance from there..  She kept quite and his mother excused herself saying here comes your boss....I will take your leave dear....and went away....Rishabh walked towards her in a fast pace and snapped What are you doing here ... I asked you to come to my study .....you are not here to waste my time, are you???Sukh replied I am Sorry Sir I was asked to wait here and moreover didn't knew the way to your study .....Rishabh was taken aback...He thought to himself... she is looking nervous is everything alright, he sensed discomfort in her tone , actually he was missing the Sukh who yells at him , who has the audacity to show him his mistakes, who flights with him ....Rishabh sighed and replied "the file is in my study follow me...."He made his way towards the place when her veil gets tangled with his files and falls of her shoulders...She immediately tried  holding a corner of the veil but it slipped out of her hands.. .she lowered her gaze and curled herself in embarrassment.....         He was taken aback by the scenario....Sukh for sure was playing havoc with his mind....______________________________________Glimpse of the next chapter....Shut up!!!!it's not been a week since you know him and he is the person I adore since childhood....Rishabh : You don't have any proof against him.... Sukh :  either you don't have themRishabh : I will fire him now..Sukh : You can't do it....Rishabh : Who will stop me and what will you do....Sukh : I will include Rakshit Sir in this matter...______________________________________So guys we are at the end of the chapter....Hope you all enjoyed it .....Don't forget to vote and comment ....See you all in the next chapter update....Till then Smile 😊😀This is me** Signing out:) :) Bye....***Â