chapter 40

Continuation of the day:-It was just a mistake I have been a bit infatuated...there is nothing worth in it....it holds no meaning to me...He said the last part looking at Sukh indicating those words were for her...While she was frooze there listening to him as if the world stopped for her at the instance ..... Ok Sir!! Ravi said readily oblising his words and biting it down on his writing pad breaking her trance...I sh.. should leave have a great day ahead...Sukh said stammering holding back her tears and slammed the door closed behind her without waiting for his next wordalthough he was still looking at her without even blinking his eyes ones....Soon she was out of his cabin with her tears who are now threatening to fall anytime...Oh my God I can't beleive my eyes it's so good to see you..... chirped Malvika in her morning melodious tone embracing her in a sweet hug getting her first sight as she entered the floor...Wow...well it's been just a day love...Sukh voiced in a low tone...God we missed you at the Group lunch yesterday...she added to her sentence and broke the hugHey babes are you alright...are you crying your eyes are all red...and what about your voice...she suddenly asked looking at her face which seemed to be unusually pale at the early hours of the day...Yes I am alright... actually something got stuck in my eyes.. and about voice, it's just like I have a sore throat today...she uttered looking at her...But it...!!she was about to say something when...Excuse me I got to leave... Sorry...Sukh interrupted and left the place Yup it's alright!! take care....she shouted from her back Hey Dear wait... girl's washroom is on the other side...she yelled behind her trying to affirm but soon she was out of her sight...Wait what!! Dhruv asked amused to a confused Malvika...Oh..God Morning Dhruv Sir... Sorry actually I didn't saw you coming...she excused for being noisy in Office ...Morning Malvika!!! Well I heard you yelling something weird now....he added with a smirk...Yep I was calling Sukh!! I guess she took the wrong side to washroom...she replied nonchalantly...Oh let it be she will find her way...maybe she is a bit nervous ....remarked Dhruv examining Sukh's desk ...I guess you are right she looks a bit down today as well....said Malvika her voice laced with concern...Oh don't worry she will be able to compose herself...he said getting hold of the file while examining it...Hope so...Oh....I forgot let's Complete the remaining work ...she remarked reminscing about the left work...Well don't bother about that it's done...Dhruv replied with the sweetest smile closing it...Thank you Dhruv Sir am glad you managed to complete it before time after we left....chirped Malvika hearing the news...No it's not me..Sukh did it before our arrival, it's kept on her desk.. infact I was here for that... divulged Dhruv...Sorry I didn't had any idea that... she tried to sayWell that's what she is all about...he remarked cutting her off mid-sentence with a small smile....copy that...she returned the smile this timeWell let's have our morning Coffee together Malvika...hope you don't mind joining in...Dhruv proposed Sure Sir...she agreed as they both headed to the Pantry....Besides....Ravi go and prepare the Conference Hall !! we will be having our first meeting for the day shortly!!...was all he voiced without looking at him still maintaining his composure after she left his cabin.....Sure Sir!! he said while collecting his Coffe too...Drop it!! He ordered..Sir but it's cold now...he tried to reasonI said drop it and leave Ravi...he whispered-yell in a cold tone scaring the hell out of him and he went away...Sighing after taking a long breath Rishabh went to the glass windows in his Office cabin holding the Coffe on his hand now...Heartily attempting to compose his thoughts which are swirling inside him... with his eyes reflecting the emotions of being equally hurt like hers and glistening with same unshed tears which he too held back .....Spending some uncountable moments in silence he went out of his cabin masking his emotions again with the cold Bussinessman aura which always surrounds him.....On the other hand Sukh went to the fountain which is her favorite sight at Office and sat beside it in an attempt of Composing her thoughts...she had a day to continue, works to deal with and everything which she couldn't do with such thoughts running in mind...His words were continuously reverbating in her mind...many questions swirling her head...she was sniffing in a low voice to herself when she heard some footsteps approaching her way....Well I discovered this new side of Office today for the first time...he commented ..She wiped her tears and stood up to see the person to find it was none other than Rahul...Hey are you crying.....he asked concerned looking at her eyes...No it's just something is stuck in my eyes...she reasoned Oh..Ok...But there is no washroom around this place..he informed...I know I just took a wrong turn...she added looking away...Well I may help you out...he said approach her taking a step towards her...No it's fine thanks...she replied taking a step back...Sukh wait!! let me...he tried to convinceRahul I guess I will be more comfortable if we are distanced apart we are not that good to be good friends...she blurted her heart out much to his disbeliefOk...Well Sukhpreet I know you think of me to be a jerk but I am not a devil of a guy...he said after a long pauseIt's just that ...you are intimidating and I can't resist it....he uttered his true feelings..Huh!!!she asked shocked...Look dear don't take me wrong..see I have a girlfriend and am never going to break her trust...he said showing her the pic of his girlfriend; his phone's wallpaper...I don't know what gets into me that I always come to your rescue...he added..I know we didn't started it in a good note...See if you don't trust me it's fine...it's absolutely alright but please find someone whom you can open your heart to, atleast confront your feelings and convey it to someone ....it's really important to keep one sane...he suggested looking at her and those words seemed meaningful ...Thanks Rahul...I will definitely work upon it and yes Sorry I was a bit rude last time....it was just Circumstances we were in...she answered waiting after a few minutes as her mind took time to register his words...It's Ok.. he smiled looking awayLet's be friends...she approached taking a step towards him stretching her hands for a hand shake...Sorry but I have some work with the files ...I got to go...he said imitating her tone from the last night making her a bit embarrassed...I am...she was to say whenBut I will be glad having you by my side he smiled and took her hand for a handshake....and continued shaking it for sometime smiling a real smile which she returned too....Mr. Rahul Agnihotri... As far as being considered you are scheduled for a meeting now...a voice from behind interrupted their moment..G. Good Morning Sir...greeted Rahul stammering looking at his pissed self letting go her hands....I was on my way when...he tried to narrate butI am not here to listen to your tales... follow me to Conference Hall... Rishabh bitterly stated looking at Sukh's face and turned to leave...After you Sir... saying this he left not before looking back and bidding a small smile to her...She was about to return to the fountain's side Just then her phone beeped and it was Cara on the other side....she called her urgently in Dhruv's Cabin and sounded much panicked... without saying much she hung up...Consoling herself by keeping her thoughts away she went to Dhruv's Cabin as was bothered about the new misery just appeared....What's wrong guys is everything alright... was the first question she asked entering his Cabin...where Cara and Malvika were already there...Nothing it's like... they tried to narrate but their voice's muffled as their mouth was stuffed with something...Nothing ... don't hide anything guys Cara sounded so worried....she asked considering her voice...Calm down its Ok...Dhruv voiced beside them...It's Ok...she asked puzzledYup actually we wanted to divert your attention so we played a prank...Dhruv spilled...Prank...she posited...Yup it was just a small prank...Dhruv shrugged...A small prank...I came all the way here running, you guys scared me to hell and calling it a prank...she whispered-yelled at everyone sounding hurt by their stunt....Sorry Sukh...we didn't intended to hurt you it's just that you seemed stressed since morning so ...Dhruv approached keeping a hand on her shoulder consoling her...So ....she jerked awaySo we thought...he utteredThat play with her emotions... being oversensitive she will rush here like anything....she interveined looking away from themAbsolutely No Sukh...I never intended to hurt you anyway...Sorry if I did so...he added sounding embaressedSorry...is not acceptable...I want the biggest scoop of the ice-cream and thrice compared to all of you...she clamoured conditioning faking anger much to everyone's disbeliefGod you scared me!!...Dhruv reposted chuckling taking a sigh of reliefAs you feel only you can play pranks....she remarked dancing her brows....I accept my defeat...he said raising his hands...It's alright...she waved off giving him I am the best lookSo let's get started...he stated handling her a bowl full of ice-cream scoops...Later that day at Conference Hall...After both the groups shared their presentation it was time for the board members to decide the best amongst the two....Anuj all the while was standing proud of his work although Sukh and her team looked a bit nervous...but by the reviews it seemed Presentation by Sukh's team was most liked....Yet the final decision was still in Rishabh's hand...After hearing everyone he finally stood up looking at both group heads and announced...Both the teams have worked incredibly hard and I appreciate that...I would like to Congratulate Anuj's team for getting selected....You are all dismissed for now...and went back to his chair refocusing on what he was previously doing in laptopAnd that was his another bomber for the day....most of the people around looked puzzled but no way anyone was going to question him so none said anything and rather Congractulated Anuj on his victory and left one by one.......Cara was most dejected after the inciedent but didn't showed it and left...Soon Anuj too left exchanging glares with her....she was alredy pissed since morning and this was getting her agonization to another level...she knew her team was best but the behavioural changes Rishabh bought in him since morning prevented her for confronting anything to him...letting go off all her thoughts she collected the files and walked towards the exit whenMs. Mehra wait... Rishabh voiced in a cold tone...making her halt in tracks...Yes!!...she replied turning around...Here this is is the hardcopy of your team's work...he said handling her those...She nodded and took it without asking or saying anything...Shread it!!! He ordered still looking at his laptop screen...Excuse me !!!What .... she asked bewildered You heard it right..shread it I want this trash to be destroyed now.....he said more like ordered making her more irked.....while she was unable to process the reason behind the bitterness his words held...The looks at her face turned immediately to anger from being hurt ....she jerked it from his hands and rushed out of his Cabin....She reached her cubicle and there already stood Cara and Anuj ....she didn't heard the full conversation but a part if it which stated he was trying to put her down through words....in a way insulting her.....Anything wrong guys!!...she interrupted the two...No it's nothing Mam.. reciprocated Cara with a small smile....Oh.. Ok..she acknowledgedWell Congratulations Anuj...she stated faking a smile...Well it was certain...and am not surprised by it...he chuckled helding his head high and went away.....where are others...asked Sukh to Cara getting seated in her cubicle...they are at 24th floor...she replied looking at her...You didn't went with them...she asked surprised...No I guess Malvika Mam is mad on me she thinks I didn't did it well so all the team's effort went in vain....she said shrugging her shoulders...Don't bother about her...she was not much fond of me even when we meet and I was assigned the group head...she narrated her first emotional encounter with her...I can't beleive you!!!she asked in disbelief...Trust me over these!!..she is a bit impulsive sometimes...the first person who gets mad at anyone and the first person to hug up and sort things, give her sometime she will be fine ....she remarked but she was not yet convinced...You think so...she asked againI know so...she added What was he saying by the way...she asked pointing at Anuj's direction who was a few cubicles away speaking with someone still eyeing them...N.. Nothing Mam..she answered looking away....Cara...she persuadedHe was saying I must have bounded myself and not tried to mess with him....she conveyedand didn't you reciprocated...she questioned....Kind of.. she replied in a low tone...I told him he is not going to decide my boundaries so better keep his thoughts to himself...she uttered looking down to her lap...Then ....she sounded serious this time..Then he was about to say something but you came...Cara replied looking down to the floor expecting her to be bitter to her as others already are...Well that was good to start with...she uttered much to her surprise..No one is ever going to come to rescue you Cara you got to take a stand for yourself...next time he tries to mess with you give him back....Ok...she hyped holding her hands which was kept on her desk...I will... Cara smiled a genuine smile this time....Great...she replied her with a smile too...So you ladies are engaged in dreams of Nainital... commmented Dhruv suddenly appearing infront of them....Dhruvji!!! pouted Sukh...No Dhruv Sir we were....Cara was about to add when Malvika embraced her in a hug from behind and continued blabbering her apologies...The small stunt pulled by her made them all amazed by her mood swings despite Malvika dragged Cara away from Sukh's cubicle...So was it just about Nainital or about some adventurous sports you would like to put on there....Dhruv asked sportingly sitting at the Chair beside her where Cara was sitting before shoving out his phone and switching to PubG ....While his words dragged her mind to the memories of her and Rishabh's Zip lining incident...the first adventurous activity she put on, on his insistance...the way she felt secured with him and as reality striked she reminsced his behaviour towards her now...Nothing....we were engaged with talking about some random things...and Nainital ke baare mein soch ke bhi kya fayda hoga na (by the way there is no use of thinking about it..)... we are not going there.....she remarked raising her brows...Who told you that?!...Dhruv smirked looking at herIt was said the team who will win is going to Nainital so what will others do there...she asked back turning to him...Sukh dear you are wrong here...let me correct you...it doesn't matters you are selected or not we are all going...and that makes her the happiest person on earth.... He said pointing towards Malvika who was grinning ear to ear...So she was mad because she thought she will not be able to go...asked Sukh puzzled..Yup kind of.... actually the main reason behind her anger was that....Dhruv smirked again this time looking down to his phone again...That's Silly...Sukh whispered nodding her head side ways...I know.... murmured Dhruv.. and now your are trying to make me fool with your statements...said Sukh turning back to her desktop screen...I know you are lying or better to say playing Prank again...she added..tsk tsk...No it's not like that...Dhruv tried insisting focused on his phone screen..I know you Dhruvji but I am not going to be in your trap this time...she added smirkingGod seriously...I don't know how to make you beleive me....Dhruv's sighed frustrated after losing the game as was playing absent-minded...Soon Rishabh too passed from the passage and Dhruv interrupted to call him to her desk where they were already conversing....Look Bhai she is not believing me!!I told her we are all going to Nainital but she says.....he started Complaining...It's not your problem if she doesn't trusts you...it's great you informed else she would have payed for declining.... Rishabh stated glaring at her cutting Dhruv mid sentence much to his surprise It's Ok Bhai you don't need to be rude.... persuaded Dhruv holding his shoulder...I am not being rude I am just stating a fact.....he added sounding much more bitter again looking at her....And to clarify things to you Ms.Mehra everyone means everyone is leaving today...he declared and addedyou too must have known this if you have been here yesterday but by God's grace you were with your loved ones.....it's not my duty to inform my staff about the happenings....he voiced stressing on the word staff and left...and all those while Dhruv was looking down in embaressement as was not aware of his anger and weird remark before....I am Sorry for being rude and hurting you but ...he sighed mentally apologising turning around looking at her sad pale face before stepping inside his Cabin...Don't mind his anger Sukh he is just stressed about tomorrow's meeting I guess....uttered Dhruv apologetically looking at herHmm....she answered switching to the desktop again...See I apologise on his behalf I don't know what's wrong with him,since last night he is behaving strange...he added looking straight at her..It's Ok I understand...you don't need to justify it....Sukh responded smiling to him..a smile which didn't reached her eyes...making him more guilty of his stunt..I know that..it's !!!....Well you are coming for lunch with us right...he asked changing the topicNo thank you...I have my lunch and already apologised to Malvika before the meeting for my absence...she replied sharply swaying her hair braid behind her back.....Where...he asked looking around her cubicle..Dhruvji I am not going to share that today...she stated crossing her hands at her chest raising a brow...Ouch that hurts...he said dramatically placing his hand near heart...Excuse me Sukh we are heading to the Italian Restaurant it's my treat!! it would have been geat if you would have joined...but I am not going to force you babes... announced Malvika interrupting them sounding excited and left for the spree dragging Cara with her alongwith others who cheerfully followed her not before asking Dhruv to join along ....It's Ok...there are plenty of better options for you I guess...she smiled and waved him off too....I am not going to be a part of this journey...I really don't want to be around him...she mumbled to herself after everyone left making her mind for an urgent plan to escape the situation and turned to the file whom he ordered to shread...It's really easy to preach than to practise...you preached Cara to takeher stand but here shredding your files yourself...her inner self mocked her...In-terim Rishabh passe through her desk throwing daggers at her...she looked at his direction then away ignoring his looks and continued working....His rage definately deterred her, she couldn't for the life of her understand where his rage comes from, why he get so offended when she'd ask basic questions that she had the right to know.... considering he was dragging her on a journey that she didn't ask to embark on....Enough is enough aise kaise woh hume leke jaa sakte hain apne saath...hume nahi jaana aur hum nahi jayenge....Hum abhi jake keh dete hai unko yeh...(how can he take me alongwith him....I don't wanna go and I will not go...) she murmured again to herself determined to back off from the journey....unke pass jake!!!...aise kasie unke pass jayenga woh toh subah se mooh fula ke baithe hain....(I will go to him ...how could I.....he is angry over God knows what since morning)..she questioned herself realising what is she getting into...Hote rahe gussa hum apni kahenga aur wapas aa jayenga...Haan bilkul sahi rahega yeh..(let him be angry I will say what I want to say and will come back.....yup that will be fine..) she hyped herself and stood up from her desk and left for his Cabin....After a while knocking his Cabin door she asked for his permission to enter...but to her surprise he was not there....Where is he disappeared all of a sudden abhi toh yahi se gusse se dekh rahe thay.( a moment ago he was gawkling me from here)...she questioned herself and sat opposite to his Chair....but unknowingly she dropped the files at the adjacent side of his desk which make her jolt in surprise....She clasped her hands to her mouth and hurriedly went to collect all the files from the floor ....Thank God he is not here he must have been more angry if he would have came across me being clumsy again....she remarked at her silly mistake collecting the filesShe kept the files back to their place and sat back to her chair decently keeping her hands at her hips looking around when she saw a Piece of Paper secured with a Paper weight kept near his laptop...again igniting her curiosity...She reached for it and began reading it...getting back to the chair again...it basically read the person's contract is terminated because it seems to violate Company rules ....the words were printed in bold and sounded more like disparagement.....She wondered whom could it belong to but the next thing she came across was her name assigned to it...Her eyes were sure of the size of a soccer when she read that and attempted to read it again when he stepped inside the Cabin and called....Ms. Mehra!!!..Making her nonplussed as she kept the sheet back to its place and stood up to greet him...May I know the reason behind your presence here...he asked through clenched jaw....I am Sorry Sir...just wanted to inform you that before you want me to leave hume khud hi chalna chahiye..( I better leave myself...)....she said in broken words....Excuse me!!! he asked bewilderedI ..I mean You want us to leave by 3:00 right... I got some work so I am leaving now and I guess would make it on time....she excused herself and marched to leaveMs. Mehra it's just an hour left...you can't leave... Rishabh conditioned helding her wrist stopping her in tracks.....Just then...a faint knock at the Cabin door interrupted and someone from outside informed him about Client's arrival for lunch ....Aap jaaiye hum aapko ab pareshan nahi karenge aapko jaana hai aur ab toh hume bhi jana hai...( You must leave I am not going to trouble you any longer...You are ought to leave and now even I got to go...)....she said and stormed outside realising her hand from his grip.... brushing his hands unintentionally sending sparks in him...It's strange jitni bhi koshish kar le hun kabhi bhi gussa nahi kar sakte uspe...( how hard I try I can never She means a world to me...it's just about a day uske baad hum khud aapko sab keh denge Sukh sab saaf ho jaayega...lekin abhi aapka humse door rehna jaruri hai...he mentally remarked and moved outside following her....Later that Day:-Sukh was sitting outside an Ice-Cream Parlour and now golloping her fifth bowl of Chocolate Sundae .... staring outside the Cafe lost in her thoughts...tears carelessly flowing down her beautiful orbs which are now more puffy and red....Should I get you something else Mam.... a waiter showed up interveining her thoughts...Yup!! another bowl of Chocolate Sundae please...she placed the same order againMam but I guess it's not preferred for you now...he suggested sounding worried looking at her....Excuse me!!..she asked confused..Mam I am observing you since half an hour... grabbing ice cream to forget about your pain is not going to help anyway...he opiniated...I am not here to forget anything..it's just that I am treating myself with my favorite after a long timespan....she defended herselfMam Winters are already approaching in Delhi, aur Delhi ki sardi ka toh pata hi hoga aapko...(andbyou must are aware of severe winters in Delhi...)your eyes are all red ...it's gonna temper your health you know.....he suggested concerned...Ok...then make it two Cups of Cinnamon Coffee and would you mind joining me....she offered with a small smileMam I am a staff here I can't sit with you...he stated looking around...It's Ok afterall there are few very few people around ....I don't think the owner will mind it too...she replied looking at the cash counter where the owner was ...and he nodded in a Yes as they were not kuch far from him...Sure Mam....he replied after the person's agreement...So tell me more about yourself...she asked after her first sip of Coffee...Well I am a student and work here part-time... actually I am a delivery boy...we have shortage of staff today so I am working here....he introduced...Sukh felt nice speaking to him...he sounded like a gentleman she also came across the fact that he wants to be a Chef and his dream is to own a Ethnic Restaurant....he continued speaking and they continued their conversation for almost a couple of minutes....Until it was 4:00 pm and they were supposed to close the Parlour for half day cleaning....she was a being escatic speaking to him...and left for Office after bidding him Goodbye....not before she checked the clock and it showed 4:05....which means she is an hour late from the departure time....much like she wanted as she had planned to delay her arrival intentionally...she thought others are so excited for the journey that they will not wait for her to show up and will leave leaving her behind...and by the time they will be back from the journey she will be already fired and will not happen to see them again...But to her amazement when she reached at the Office's basement her team was present there and everyone looked so tensed.... especially Abhimanyu and Dhruv who were pacing around the place with their phones pinning their ears as they were redialling someone's no. continuously...Hii guys you all didn't left is everything alright!! she asked confused when Cara came and embraced her tightly....Thank God you are safe we all were so worried!!...she sighed embracing herIt's alright Cara but why all of you are here...you were supposed to leave!!!...she exclaimed looking at themLeave...Yup we were supposed to leave but how could we, without you...Dhruv slightly rebukedSeriously babes do you have your phone with you or not, we have been trying to call you since an hour ...do you have any responsibility towards us....she added suddenly appearing from behind himExcuse me Malvika you are shouting for no reason !!...she commmented...Yup!! no reason ...we were hell scared here but you doesn't seem to care least...she pouted waving her fingers in airDhruvji you know me it's not like that ... she tried to explain but he turned away..As I know it...he commmented turning back with a frown...Ok Wait...let me Confine things first...I left for an ice-cream parlour after lunch but on my way back Shivalik broke downso I had to fix it which took me around an hour and yup I forgot to take my phone alongwith me it was kept on Charging...and that's my small thrilling story now tell me yours why are you all so stressed....she narrated all the inciedents post their departure then asked narrowing her eyes to them...Actually a brutal accident happened across the highway near our Office and the victim is a girl of around your age and resembles you in many ways...I mean same beard same scooty model, even the clothes matches with yours....so we were all worried...Cara interrupted narrating her the reason behind their worries....Your Mom even was so panicked that she called the Receptionist for the nth time now and we had a hard time daunting her worries....See if next time you try to pull any of stunts like this...keep me in your side atleast...Dhruv remarked still frowning looking at herYou must first go and talk to her.... Abhimanyu suggested...I will do that but I am Sorry for troubling you all I mean seriously...she pronounced looking at everyone who are now watching her with a frown angry upon her silliness...well it's not wanted but if you really want to initiate then you will have to apologise for everyone here and to Rishabh Bhai as well then...Dhruv exasperated crossing his arms..Rishabh sir !!! Sukh exclaimedYup he has been most restive and jittery all the while, you know he is now at the Hospital where the girl is admitted.... divulged Ravi making her gaspWhat!!...she asked shocked clasping her mouthYes Ofcourse...though you doesn't count on us we love you unconditionally sweetheart....said Rahul in a flirting tone from behind everyone with a wink ... making her smile and aware of his presence too...and even I do joined in Malvika and then others too joined...and they grouped for a group hug...So what now!!!she asked breaking the hug...Bring the blue Flue from the Office library it's a Compensation.... proclaimed Dhruv ...Office library!!! now!!!..she asked confusedYes my legs are aching now and I am sure everyone here has nore stamina anymore... especially me I am hell tired....Dhruv shrugged dissmissively not before gesturing everyone to not interrupt him ...Ok...will be back within minutes...she announced and left ... meanwhile Dhruv informed Rishabh of Sukh's arrival...and after his small conversation shoved his phone back..Glad she is fine...Abhimanyu promoted again...Yup!! let's have a round of Coffee until Bhai returns he rejoiced others and went to the Company's Canteen....On the other hand the first thing she did getting hold of her phone was calling her Mother which she picked at the second ring....Hii.Maa....actually...she tried to explain butMaa..Oh my God So you remember you have a home and a family besides your Office.....Thi kaha tum subh se....Nashta bui nahi kiya lunch bhi nahi ...kal. raat ka dinner nahi aisa bhi konsa kaam hai jo itna jaruri hai ki apni sudh nahi hai tumko.... mil ke bhi nahi gayi kisise, ek Call toh karta hai insaan.....(where are you since Morning, you have not had your breakfast,not taken your lunch with you didn't had you dinner properly last night...what's bothering you so much that you are taking yourself for granted.... don't bothered to meet anyone before leaving...you haven't thought of calling once the entire day) .....she yelled from other side of the phone interrupting her mid-sentence sounding stressed...Maa...You know everything is happening here aur aaj. Nainital ke liye bhi nikalna tha so I thought...che tried consoling her, but ...You thought!!... without bidding us Bye you left...itni door ja rahi ho ghar se door rahogi do din ke liye upar se...(you are going to travel so far and adding that gonna stay there alone for two days...)...she continued interveining her whenMaa it's Ok...hume kuch nahi hone wala..( Nothing is gonna happen to me...) Sukh declared...Kuch nahi hone wala tum thi kaha, news dekha hai...uss ladki ka kitni buri tarah se accident hua....uske dead body cease kar li gayi hai...jab tak tumhara phone nahi aaya tab tak pata hai kya haal thay humare....( Nothing is gonna happen....where were you did you saw the news..the girl had a brutal acciedent , her dead body is ceased by Police......do you have any idea how much worried I was until you called...) her Mom uttered with broken words ...Aao tum wapas... tumhari toh dande se pitaai hogi...(I am surely gonna hit you with a stick when you return...) she added sniffing a bit...Oh my innocent mother don't worry about that, Roohi Dande chupa degi....(Roohi will hide the stick....) Sukh proclaim diverting her mother's thoughts sensing her sad and worried tone...Bilkul Nahi Jiji hum khud Danda thamayenge....(Ofcourse not I am going to handle the stick to her) Roohi sounded from around her..Yaar Roohi tum bhi Mumma ke team mein...(Roohi dear even you are in Mumma's team..)..she complained pouting a bit...Team chodo aap batao aapko Call nahi karna tha....yeh kya hai Jiji aapko pata hai Maa subah se pareshan hai...dahi sakkar bhi miss kar diya aapne aaj toh for the first time...( Forget about team ...you must have called once...you know Mumma is stressed since the whole day...you even missed sugar curd goodluck mixture...)...she complained back...Yaar aaplog toh ek news ke peeche itna suna rahe ho humko...it's Ok...sun li na awaaz...kharash tak nahi hai matlab hum thik hai...(Guys !!!you guys are yelling me over a news..you heard me right....I am not even having a sore throat..which means I am Ok....) she replied...Thik hai!!...woh toh tum humse pucho...jab khud Maa banogi tab puchenga maza aata hai na pareshan karke...(...You are alright...ask me about it...I'll ask you that when you will be a mother yourself.....you feel great troubling me...) Her Mom sounded sad Maa...Achaa Sorry .....(I am Sorry...) Sukh said apologetically....Ab kal se har do ghante mein call karenge phir mat kehna pareshan kar rakha hai humne....( from tomorrow I am going to call you every two hours...then you mustn't complain I trouble you always...) Sukh added exchanging small smiles over phone...Achaa thik hai...( It's Ok..)...her mother answered fine the other line... controlling her emotions...Achaa Maa aadhe ghante mein Nainital ke liye nikal rahe hain... thoda kam bacha hai aapko kuch der baad call karte hai.....(Mom we are going to leave within half an hour...some part of work is left will call you after a while ...) she stated before disconnecting the call..Apna dhayan rakhna....(take care of yourself...) voiced her mother from the other side...Ji aap bhi..(you too...) She replied smiling...Bye Rooh...she voiced a bit louder for her to hear as wellBye Jiji... Roohi replied...Chalo ab let's look for the file now....she scanned through the shelf and found the file kept at the top shelf....Pouting she assembled some of the bean bags from around as in an attempt to reach te heights...but no use ....Then dejected she had to climb up the stairs to get an hold of it.....but still no use as she was still unable to reach the heights...She was now standing upon her toe fingers in an attempt of getting it when Rishabh barged inside the library and yelled...Ms. Sukhpreet Mehra!!..where the hell were you... Rishabh shouted at the top of his voice...she turned around startled and scared with the loud noise to find the sight of an exhausted Rishabh...He was not wearing his blazer, his tie was loose around his neck, hair all ruffled and his eyes were a bit puffy too......She then turned around to the shelf stretching her hands again composing herself ....Hum jaha bhi thay aap kyu luti hui virasat ke Maharaja ki tarah ghum rahe hain....(wherever Ivwss why are you resembling the King of a lost kingdom...)..she mumbled Excuse me what did you just called me.... Rishabh asked gritting his teeth..Nothing I was just saying you should not bother about where I was...she added...Nahi usse pehle....( No before that...) He asked again...Kya usse pehle...( What before that...) Sukh faked innocence acknowledging her fault.....I heard it very clearly Sukh....Luti hui Virast ke Maharaja!!...hum tumhe lute hui virasat ke Maharaja lagte hai...niche aao hum batate hain kaun kaha ka kya hai...(you called me king of a lost kingdom ...do I really resemble one to you...come down I am gonna clarify who resembles what...) He said clenching his jaws tight fully vexed...Aur kya kahe aapko.. pata nahi itne kyu aur kis..(so what should I address you as.. I don't know why....) .she tried retreating turning around when she lost her balance and slipped down the stairs..Sukh sambhal ke..( Sukh be careful..)...he shouted and ran towards her to get her hold but by the time she collapsed to the bean bags lying there Rishabh despite too tripped on his way and lost balance thus fall over her...His body was now lying upon her although his hands at her side prevented him to crash her with his weight.. They both looked at each other for some moments with their eyes helding so many unasked questions....Rishabh's eyes although showed some relief when she found her safe but now reflected slight anger and are blood shot red...like he cried...it was like he is trying to mask his emotions with anger....Sukh too was flabbergasted with her own self.... she just now had made her mind that she is never going to feel anything for him....She will only think and priorities her feelings for her family and now finding herself weak around him...He is surely having an impact on her they both could feel each other's worries but none spoke....His breath was fanning her cheeks and they both were inhaling each other's scent....Sensing their ultimate intimacy...she turned around to other direction making even him realise they were too close to each other....Rishabh quickly stood up from there and standing stretched his hands out for her to hold it...despite she looked another way and stood up herself without taking his support.....Ms. Mehra wait!!! aapne bataya nahi aap kaha thi....(you didn't replied where were you..) he asked causing her to stop in her tracks..Woh humari Scooty kha.....kharab.(...My Scooty w....wa...was...).she replied stuttering when she grabbed her wrist turning her around him so that she was facing him now while her back was pressed against the adjacent wall.. Sach sunna hai hume Sukh...yeh kahani aap kisi aur ko kahiyega ....( I want to hear the truth Sukh...not a story of yours you must keep it for others...) He acclaimed authoratively helding her tight around himself..Aur aapko kyu lagta hai ki hume aapko yeh batana chahiye...(and why do you think I should answer you...) She retreated...Aapko kyu batana chahiye....aap do ghante gayab thi Sukh...(why should you answer me...you were vanished for two hours..).... for bloody two freaking hours....koi idea hai aapko sabki kya halat thi iss beech...( Do you have any idea what was the condition of everyone here...)Dhruv ko aapki Mumma ne kitne calls kiye unhone hume kitne calls kiye....( How many times your Mom called Dhruv how many times she called me..how worried she was..) he divulgedUnki chodo... Malvika Cara Ravi sabki halat kharab thi, sab pareshan thay..( forget her do you have any idea how much worried were Malvika Cara Ravi...) He sighed adding...Ek ghante pehle hi Company car jaa chuki hai par woh sab ab tak aapka wait kar rahe thay...( Company car left an hour ago but everyone is waiting here for you...) He stated again after a pauseUnki bhi chodo woh aapke team members hai... Company ka Security Guard Madan .....woh kitna pareshan tha...aapko pata hai usko kitni fikr thi aapki....har aate jaate bande se aapke baare mein puch raha tha....( Forget about everyone do you have any idea how much stressed was Company's security guard Madan..he was asking every passing person your whereabouts..) he stated again looking straight into her eyes..Koi fark padta hai aapko....aur yeh aapka phone...khachde ke dher mein daaliye isko kyuki aapne saath rehkar bhi yeh kisi kaam ka nahi hai. ......( Does it bothers you at all..and your phone...dump it in a trash... because it's really doesn't makes a difference it's with you or not...)....he propelled and taking her phone from her hands threw it to the walls breaking it into pieces showing the peaks of his anger to herYeh kya kiya aapne...(what have you done..)...she uttered grasping not believe his agressive stunt.....Wahi jo sahi tha...hum jante hai yeh sab aapki childishness hai...aapne socha hoga ki sab aapko chod ke chale jayenge Nainital ke enthusiasm mein right....( I did what was right...I know you intentionally did this....an another act of your childishness... thinking everyone will leave you in the enthusiasm of Nainital's trip..) he voiced catching her off guard pinning her to the walls helding his hands at her side making sure she doesn't has any place to move.....Kyu isi liye gayi thi na aap...ki log aapko chod jaayenge aur aapko ek aur bahana mil jayega ...(so was not that the reason behind your absence... you thought people will leave you and you will get a point to make another excuse...) he stated again after taking a long breath engaging her in trance of thoughts as she too looked straight into his eyes....Aisa nahi hai...( It's not like that...) she tried to reason looking away from himphir se jhoot ...agar aisa nahi hai toh aapne kyu kaha ki ab toh hume bhi jaana hai... ( It's a lie again..if it's not like that...then why did you uttered that you got to leave too..) he asked holding sincerity and authority in his words which are wrapped in his voice full of anger...Answer me!!!...Aapne ab tak jawab nahi diya Sukh...(you still didn't replied...) He asked again punching the wall with full force making her startle...Kya jawab de hum aapko....aap toh saare jawab jante hain...humne nahi kaha tha aap sabse ki aap humare liye pareshan ho....(what should I say... you know everything from before ... I didn't asked you all to be stressed about me...) she retreated looking at him helding her head high...Haan gaye thay hum bahar aur haan is liye gaye thay kyuki hume aapke saath nahi jaana tha...kyuki humne....(Yes I did went out and yes I went out because I don't want to be with you in this trip.. because...)..she stopped mid-sentence..Kyuki kya.... (because of what)...he questioned again..Kyuki Kya aapko fark pada humare jaane ka...( Because it didn't bothered you why I left )...she asked looking down to the floor all of a sudden catching him off guard...She know she wouldn't get an answer as to why he reacted the way he did but that wouldn't stop her from trying to get to open up as nd tell her more about things in future....If they were going to be stuck on a cross country road trip together he was not going to be a stranger to her....Kyuki koi matlab nahi banta humara waha...hum kyu jaaye jab humara presentation seleted nahi hai...hume apna mazak nahi banana....( Because my presence there doesn't hold any meaning...why should I go when my presentation is not selected..I don't want to make fun of myself...)...she explained her side to him...I knew it, so it's just because... Rishabh voiced full of rage Hum nahi jayenge...kyu jaaye hum aapke saath aur upar se humara phone bhi tod diya aapne aapko pata hai iss phone ke paise kitni mehnat se jode thay humne....(I am not coming with you...why should I adding you broke my phone...do you have any idea I saved money going through what kind of hardships to buy this phone...) she stated with her trembling lips looking at the direction of shattered pieces interveining him...Achaa aapko ab tak iss phone ki parvaah hai....(you are worried about your phone yet..) Rishabh asked shocked with her statements...Kyu na ho...aapke 1.5 lakh ke phone mein jo network nahi aata woh humare 15,000 ke phone mein aata hai.....( why shouldn't I..the network in my phone worth 15,000 was more efficient than your phone worth 1.5 lakh) she proclaimedPura tukde kar diye uske..( you shattered it in pieces.)....she stated moving past him while he intently watched her collecting her sim card and then headed towards the exit...Kaha jaa rahi hai aap...(where are you going to...) questioned Rishabh...Apni team ke pass woh sab humara wait kar rahe hai....(I am going to my team they all are waiting...) she replied..Sab jaa chuke....(everyone is already left...)he divulged..Kaha..( where..)... She asked puzzledWahi jaha jaana tha...(to the destination..)....he shrugged getting the file thanks to his height...Toh ab hum kaise jayenge...( The how will I go..) she asked innocently..Humare saath...( With me...) !! He announcedHuh!!! Par kyu ( why for...) She whispered..Hume aapka koi bharosa nahi... kya pata aap aadhe raaste se laut aaye....(I can't trust you over this...you may return halfway to the destination...) he opiniated..Yeh galat hai aise kaise aap ....(it's wrong how can you...) she grumbled...Sukh ab chahe jo ho...you don't have an option with you...( Whatever happens now you are coming with me...) he declaredOfcourse I have one... everyone has other options...she addedNo you don't...and get this into your brain...hum dono saath ja rahe hai aur yeh aapke liye preferred hoga ki aap humari baat maane..( we both are going together..and it will be preffered for you to do as I say...) he said scanning through the last sheets of file while her mind took time registering his words....Aur ab Chaliye....he uttered closing the file walking ahead her...Soon they were at the basement with Sukh following his footsteps as he walked ahead of her...but gestured her to move towards the Car when his phone ringed and it had to be picked...Array Ajay tum bhi humare saath ho..Chalo tumse baatein karte karte time achaa niklega... ....( Ajay are you too coming with us.. it's great the journey will be great talking with you..) she said gladly surprised with his presence there and was about to open the front door...rahter...Tum waha kya kar rahi ho...(what are you doing there...) Rishabh's voice interrupted....Ajay ke saath baatein... Conversing with Ajay...Koi kisike saath baatein nahi karne wala ...hume ek presentation pe kaam karna hai aur hume apne aas paas disturbance nahi pasand....( No one is going to speak to anyone..I got to work over some presentation...and I don't want any disturbance around me...) he conditioned Aur tum!!(and you!!) come to the back seat now...he ordered in a threatening tone and she quitely oblised ... mumbling curses to him under her breath...Chalo Ajay...he instructed sitting comfortably in his seat...ek toh hume apne saath leke jaa rahe hai upar se baaton par bhi band laga diya itna lamba safar hai...chup chap kaise katega....( You are dragging me to a journey with you and even conditioned me to be quite...how will this long journey pass in silence...) She whispered looking outside the glass window in agony after a while ....Kya hua kuch kehna hai aapko...( Do you want to say something...) he asked looking at his laptop screen...She nodded her head in a No in response and turned to the window again....relaxing in her seat she dozed off for a couple of minutes while he continued working over his laptop....but ultimately fall to a deep slumber...After three hours her sleep was interrupted by a sudden break of the Car and her head was about to hit the front seat when he placed his hand over the spot preventing the chances of her getting hurt...she came back to her senses looking around and the first thing she asked was... Aap thik hai..( are you alright.!!).. looking at Rishabh...Ji Sorry Sir actually the bike took a sudden turn so...Ajay explained...It's Ok Ajay ...Drive safely...Rishabh instructedAjay tum thik ho.( Ajay are you Ok)..she then asked him...Ji Mam Sorry again...he replied and ignited the engine...No it's fine...she responded and turned to look away..She continued her staring again when...an idea striked her and she asked...Ajay play recent tunes in the amplifier... Sure Mam!! he agreed....and played all the recent tracks which are now Rishabh's favourite too...The first song which pooped the screen was thodi der by Shreya Ghoshal the same song she performed...a smile creeped her face and she began singing with the lyrics in a low tone....Stop it...I told you I don't want disturbance and Ajay you must get it at once....he shouted in annoyanceI am Sorry Sir he apologized and switched it Off...Ajay play it again... despite she asked him looking at Rishabh yanking him in thoughts....Office mein isse jyada shor hota hai tab nahi hoti aapko disturbance.... humari baaton par bhi band laga diya hai...sirf aapki nahi chalegi...( Office has more noise around you...you made me sit quietly banning my conversation... it's not going to be according to your will always...)Excuse me...yeh humari gaadi hai aur Ajay humara staff...yaha waisa hi chalega jaisa hum chahe...Pata nahi aapko yeh baat kyu nahi samajh aa rahi hai....( Excuse me that's my car and he is my staff...things are going to be according to my will here...God knows why cantbyou understand this ...) he added sounding pissedaapki gaadi right....Ajay stop the Car .....( Your car!!...) she repeated his words exclaimating themMadam kya...( what!!) he asked back not able to hear her clearly....I said stop the Car....she asked againKya kar rahi ho tum ...( What are you doing...) he asked perplexedAapke aur aapki gaadi se door ja rahe hai...( I am going away from you and your car...) she acclaimed...Yeh kya bachpana hai Sukh...hum NH pe hai yaha koi lift nahi dene wala tumhe....tum kya yaha se Nainital paidal chal ke jaogi...(what's with this childishness Sukh ...we are now in NH no one is goi g to provide you lift...are you planning to walk till Nainital...) Rishabh stated glaring at her insensitive move...Hum paidal chale ya Chopper pe yeh aapka concern nahi hai....( That's not your look out whether I walk to my destination or fly in Chopper...) she retreated closing the door beside her You know what I am having enough of you....Rishabh rebuked...Me too....she reposted..Fine then ...Rishabh stated with clenched fists...Happy journey to you too ...she said waving off her hands and he asked Ajay to accelerate the Car... Soon the Car was out of her sight and she looked around to find herself at the middle of a never ending pathway....and that started her inner conflicts...and she murmed down sentences to her with some intervals of silence...Achaa hua chale gaye....waise abhi time kya ho raha hoga...jo bhi ho... hum manage kar lenge lekin kaise humare pass na toh phone hai aur na hi paise...( It's good that he left...by the way what time it must have been)...she asked herself looking aroundKoi na Sukh koi na koi jugaad ho jayega just keep walking without looking back....kisi Police Petrolling van ko dekhte hi unse help maang lena...it's gonna be alright....( Don't worry Sukh...you will get a way...you may ask some Police Petrolling van for help...it's gonna be alright...) she consoled herself...Lekin kya woh sach mein chod gaye hume aise beech raaste...haan bilkul chod gaye tumhe dikh rahe hai woh aas pass...( But did he actually left me in the middle of the way...ofcourse he did left me..I am not able to see him around me...) she justified her thoughts now increasing her pace walking irritatedly...suddenly adding more to her adversities started downpour drenching her in no time...Ab kya karenga... abhi aani thi baarish....(what will I do now. was the rain ought to happen now..) she acknowledged finding no shelter around her and thus covered herself with her vain and crossing her arms near her shoulders began walking again...tum bhi na Sukh khud hi khud ko problems mein daal deti ho......( Sukh it's your fault ..you always got stuck into problems due to you stupidity....) her inner self mocked...nahi toh kya karte unke saath rehte jo kehte hain humare rules pe hi duniya chalegi (So what should have I done stayed with a person who believes the world will go according to my rules..) she justified her action...Toh kya hua maan leti unki thodi der kya pata sach mein important kaam ho.... tumko pata toh hai unke baare mein...har baat pe gussa ho jaate hain...( So what you must have obeyed her...there are possibilities of that work being very important...besides you know him, he is short tempered sometimes....) her inner self proclaimed...Par care bhi toh karte hai tumhari warna ek staff ke liye kya koi hospital mein ghanto wait karta....Kya koi itna pareshan hota kisi ke liye....(but he is caring else who waits for hours in hospital for his staff...he looked so worried was it all because of a staff just ...) she felt reminscing the care and rage his eyes held looking at her...Haan unka toh gussa hamesha sahi hi rehta hai... bus hum hi galat hai...achaa hi hai in sab mein yeh toh pata chal gaya ki jo hum kal se unki aankhon mein pyaar dikha ka rag alap rage hai vo vegan tha humara....woh koi pyaaar vyaar nahi karte humse...( Yaa he is always right being angry..its me who is always wrong..its good he left..atleast I have a confirmity that the love song I am singing since last day thinking I have found love in his eyes was all a myth of mine...he doesn't love me a bit...)she continued mumbling to herself when her trance was interrupted by a loud noise of a car's honk and a sudden headlight spotted her...she looked at the direction of light to find a car who was approaching her and running across the highway crossing all the speed limits ....she was numb at the sight and before she was able to react the car reached almost near her and was about to hit her when someone's hand grabbed her waist and she was pulled over her feet...her petite figure swirled around her saviour's body and she autonomously embraced him as held his neck for support....though she did not saw the person by the time but she was well known to his touch...she felt his warmth around herself and the way he protectively held her was enough to comprehend who it was....She twitched away a bit but still he was helding her waist... supporting her palpitating body....Aap yaha !!! she voiced with her trembling lipsWithout even uttering a word now Come with me...he ordered cutting her mid-sentence and dragged her to his Car making her sit with him....Ajay let's go and yes switch to the heater !! he ordered and pressed a button at his side for privacy ....She was still shivering when he wrapped a stole around her shoulders and yelled... Do you have any idea what could have happened to you ...Heights of being stubborn and careless.... He remarked...God knows what came over you and stepped down the Car...how can someone be so irresponsible....he accused looking at her shivering body holding her palms...I was not irresponsible....she reposted with her broken words...Oh so you had a plan B with you...what have you thought hon'ble PM of the country must have dropped a Chopper for you right....he asked gritting his teeth still holding her palm...I didn't said anything like that...she answered looking at her lap..Then answer me why did you stepped down...he interogatedAap ne kaha tha yeh aapki Car hai Ajay aapka staff..... amplifier bhi aaapka hai...(you mentioned the Car belongs to you the amplifier belongs to you and Ajay as your staff who too belongs to you...) she enounced looking to her lapSo...he interrogated..So hum aapke nahi hai hum yaha kyu rehte....(I don't belong to you so why should I have stayed...) she then stated looking straight into his eyes..who were immediately softened listening to her.... leaving him speechless....Ek ghante se aapne hume Pareshan kiya hua hai....apne aapko dekhiye... (you are troubling me since an hour....look at yourself...) your palm is as cold as ice...he said grabbing her hands changing the topic and starts rubbing them...Yeh pahado ki baarish hai..( it's not the season of monsoon showers in hills...) even kids don't drench themselves in this season here...and look at you enjoying monsoon showers in approaching winters.... He was then again mumbling something in anger but she didn't heeded to it...and rather grabbed his left hand..she rested her head upon his shoulders and closed her eyes.... and in no time drifted off to sleep again... he besides after blabbering for some more time and getting no response looked down to her sleeping self and a cute smile creeped up his face too...Her body was still shivering in cold so he wrapped his work coat around her shoulders as well...and positioned her head a bit away releasing his hand...Actually he too was all drenched in water thus took out his extra clothes and changed his shirt to a new one...his laptop bag was beside him but switching it he choose to sit around her and she autonomously held his hand again while sleeping soundly and he gently rubbed her palm which was still cold....Rishabh Sir aapne humara phone tod diya...kitne jor se chillaye aap humpe....kitna gussa kiya humpe...par humara liye itna kaafi hai ki aap hume chod ke nahi gaye...aap humare liye wapas aaye...chahe jitna gussa karlo aap sab sahi hai...(Rishabh Sir you broke my phone today...and yelled over me in such a harsh tone..you were so angry on me..but it's enough for me that you didn't left me halfway you cake back for me...I am not going to bother about your anger now be as much as angry as you want, it will be Ok by my side...)she mumbled in her sleep keeping her eyes closed and a lone tear escaped for the side of her eyes and he immediately wiped it with his thumb....Her words were now making him grin widely as she kept a loose strand of her hair aside her ears and thought to himself....I thought I will drop her to the Resort where others are already staying ...lekin kaise chod sakte hai hum aapko Sukh...aap duniya hai humari...( but how can I.....you are my world Sukh)You don't know how I felt when I came across that news of the brutal accident...it was like my heart stopped beating .....ek din aur fir aapko sab keh denge....tab tak aap aaram kariye humari baahon mein ...( It's just about a day then I will confront everything to you...till then you can rest comfortably in my arms....)he mentally stated looking at herHe kissed her forehead then mumbled...aap apni baaton mein ye add karna bhool gayi ki Car, Staff, Amplifier ke saath saath aap bhi humari..( you forgot to add in your statements that besides Car amplifier and staff you too belong to me..)..and wrapped his hands around her shoulders.... closing his eyes in relief as he had his world beside her....______________________________________So guys we are at the end of this Chapter...and would hereby like to notify we are nearing to the end of the story...Hope you guys enjoyed it and am extremely Sorry to keep you guys waiting..being stuck with online classes and College Practicums...Thanks a lot for bearing me and sticking around...Please show you love by hitting the vote button...Don't forget to vote and comment ...adding sharing it with your friends...Love you a lot...stay home stay safe...Be blessed...See you all in the next chapter update very soon...Till then Smile...and spread happiness as much as possible...Love you all...Take Care...This is meSigning out...Bye...