"What's the matter, Arjun? Radhe kaka told me that you haven't taken your dinner properly today and also haven't gone to meet your friends?"
"Arjun, I'm asking you something?"
Dinesh caught the ball which was becoming the victim of Arjun's frustration for the last 15 minutes as he is constantly throwing it to the wall and catching it.
"I don't think this can solve the problem."
"There is no problem." Arjun stood up from the sofa.
"I don't think so. Then why didn't you go to hang out with your friends?"
"Who told you? Shriya?"
"She called me. She was concerned for you. You were not even answering her calls."
Arjun kept silent.
"Come on, now tell me, how much are you going to make me pamper you?" He patted his son's back.
"Dad please, leave me alone."
Arjun saw his father's eyes which seemed to be hurt. Dinesh stood up to go. Arjun held his hands.
"Dad, please sit it's just... "
"Stop hesitating and tell."
"Ok... actually today I despised an employee unnecessarily too much I think."
Dinesh raised his eyebrows at this.
"Since when have you started feeling so bad over scolding your employees? Isn't it normal for you?"
"What? What do you mean by 'normal' for me?" Arjun glared at his father.
"No, I have heard that the MD of DRS Empires is so strict and moody. One mistake and straight dismiss."
"Oh yeah, can you remember from where you heard that?"
"Umm.. there are talks in the town about him. And as a resident of this town, it came to my ears also."
"I can't believe Avinash discussed this too with you. I don't ever scold or shout over anyone until they made a mistake that can cause harm to my work."
"Then what's different about today that's bothering you too much that missed hanging out with your friends, even though you didn't take dinner properly? Hmm, I can smell..umm... something fishy."
"I think I reacted too much."
"If this bothers you too much then for some time keep your bossy ego aside and make an apology to that person and end it."
"Apology?"
"Yeah, just say that you have no intention to hurt her or him, actually your concern for your work caused you to overreact too much. But in future, you really hope to have good cooperation between you too. And you know as a successful business I have to understand that in every field cooperation is a must. When you have a good cooperative relationship with your employees no one can stop you. You will grow definitely."
Arjun hugged his father.
"Arrey, what happened?"
He broke the hug.
"Dad, you are the best you know. How easily you solve my every problem. Thank you so much."
"My pleasure, sir," Dinesh dramatically replied to his son.
"Then, then should I call her now and apologize?"
"Arjun, now this also I have to tell you. Ask her when you wish or tomorrow at the office."
"Ok."
"And yeah, spend some time with your friends also. In this busy lifestyle, we often forget our loved ones and when become alone in life we don't even realize it. I don't want that for you. Meet them often you will feel good. I'm going now. I need a night of sleep. Bye, good night. "
"Definitely. Good night, Dad."
In Ananya's house
"Anu? What are you doing? Take your food properly." Dadi yelled at Ananya.
Ananya raised her eyebrows at her Dadi.
"Look at your plate. Seems like some bird is eating from that plate. You are not eating but scattering." Dadi replied annoyingly.
She finished one rooti somehow and stood up.
"Arrey, take another rooti."
"No, Dadi I'm full." She rushed to her room after washing ignoring her Dadi's continuous calling.
She jumped on the bed. Today her all thoughts are surrounding one person. What she did was not right. He was right she doesn't know anything about his life. Each person has their own life story. And one shouldn't criticize without knowing anything. But unknowingly she does the same thing with him every time. She sighed.
But suddenly a tension took over her. What if he dismisses her? Obviously, that contract paper is not gonna stop him from doing that. And the way she behaved it's not impossible.
She tapped on her head. After all, it's her fault. He just asked her the reason. She should have handled it in some other way. But her short temper spoilt everything. Not only he but any boss would dismiss such employees. How can she behave like such an irresponsible? In fact she never behaved like that with her previous bosses but God knows what took over her when she is with him.
She stood up and started pacing in her room. What she will answer Dadi if that happens?
Her phone started buzzing.
"Arjun sir! Maybe he is going to tell me that I have lost my job." She panicked.
"Hello." She replied nervously.
"Hello."
"Please don't say, please please please, oh God." She started chanting in her mind.
There was a little pause on both sides.
"Ananya" Arjun started making her more nervous.
"Umm... I'm... I'm sorry."
Her mouth hung open at this. The whole world seemed to be standstill for some second.
"Ananya."
"Uh.. yeah." At first, she was bemused about what to say.
But she gathered herself and replied.
"It's ok, sir. But I also owe you an apology for my behavior, sir. It's me who was at fault for the first point. It's an important meeting and I shouldn't be acting like.."
"Ananya!.... Leave it."
"But sir I don't think I'm suitable for this post after today. I think you should appoint someone else in, I should leave.."
"Ananya! No! I need you."
Arjun cut her. But the next moment he realized what he just said.
"What!"
"I mean we need you. I don't want my company to lose a sincere, hardworking employee like you."
"But sir.."
"Let's forget everything and start fresh. Tell me do you agree with me? Please don't say no." A part of his heart was begging.
"There is no reason for me to say no after this, Sir."
A smile plastered unknowingly on both of their lips.
"Thank you, Ananya."
"No, it's me sir who should thank you."
"Well, that's my pleasure."
And there was an awkward silence.
"Umm, anything else sir."
"Uh.. no, ok bye, then."
"Bye."
"Good night, Ananya."
"Good night, sir."
Ananya came out on the balcony and took a deep fresh breath. A part of her heart felt at peace today. She got lost in the serenity of nature with a heart-warming smile on her lips.
For the first time, there was an unusual calmness between them but that felt so comfortable. Guilt was evident in their voices. Each of the words they said they meant it.
And to spend the last few hours of the night before welcoming a new day with new hopes they closed their eyes.