I rushed to Avinash Sir's office. What the hell it is? He just can't do that. I knocked at his door in a hustle. The voice came from inside.
"Come in."
I entered within a flash.
"Sir, is this true?"
"Yeah. From now on you will assist me instead of Mr. Singhania and there will be someone else in your place. There will be no changes in your salary package."
"What!" I blurted. But I controlled myself the next moment as I realized that I'm talking to my boss and said in a calm tone, "But sir, how can it just change suddenly? I mean Rakesh is already assisting you. Then why me?"
"Look, Ananya it's Arjun's decision. Maybe it seemed right to him. And about Rahul, I think he will be given some more responsibilities from now on. Hope all your confusion is cleared. Now can we get back to our work?"
"Yes sure sir."
"Fine, I have sent you one email. Check it."
I came out disappointed. How can he just replace me? Why? Because I misunderstood him. My steps took me towards his cabin but I found it empty.
"Where is he? He should have come by now."
I took my phone and pressed his number. It started ringing but no, he didn't receive it. I dialed again. You can't ignore me like this Arjun. You can't. I don't know but his ignorance was increasing my frustration level.
I returned to Avinash Sir's office.
"Yes?" You checked the mail?"
"Sir actually till now I was working with Arjun Sir. He asked me about some work. Once I was done I have to submit it to him. But he is not present yet."
"He won't. He will work from home today."
"From home, is he fine?"
"Maybe or maybe not. I am just telling you what he said to me."
"Is he in his farmhouse still?"
"Hmm"
Once again I came out disappointed. No this can't go on like this. If you are so offended by me then just tell me to my face and end it at a point at least. I have decided already I will go to his farmhouse today.
After office, I left for his so-called secret place.
My god! It's beautiful. No, it's not something huge or palace types usually t has. It's a small two-storeyed house with a sea view. What makes me fall in love with it is it's so close to nature. Well, I never knew Mr. Arjun Singhania loves gardening. I saw him in his garden in his white shirt with sleeves rolled up and the pajama wrapped up below his knee while peeping through the main gate. God! he looks more handsome while gardening smeared with mud caressing his body.
Well, there is a security guard.
"Yes?"
"I want to meet him. I mean Arjun Singhania."
"Sorry. No one is permitted to enter. You are late. It's going to be dark soon. Go back. Meet him later."
"I know that. But can you please tell him that it's me, Ananya Roy?"
I said a little loudly so that he can notice but he went inside his house without glancing at me.
"Uncle please just one time."
"Madamji, I can't. No one is permitted to go inside without Sir's permission. Come tomorrow."
"Exactly I know I need his permission. So can you go and ask him once please," I pleaded. I don't know why but the more he was asking me to back off, my desperation to meet him was increasing. I know he is not fine and that's because of me. I heard from Rahul whenever he gets stuck in some emotional turmoil or wants to stay alone he comes here and spends time. He must have some deep interconnection or emotional attachment with this house, it may work like a healer to him. Even his dad doesn't come here. In that case, my sudden appearance might look severely daring. But I will try hard to cover up the enormous tension I'm having right now. I will take all the blames, and accusations he has for me silently but just can't take ignorance.
Somehow the whole scene was looking quite familiar to me. Last time I came to start this fuss this time to end it. But will he let me in like the last time? I heard the gate to be opened.
"You can go in."
"Thank you."
I took slow steps toward the main entrance of the house. After entering when my eyes searched for him I saw him standing behind the long glass window glancing at the outside which is on its halfway to welcome one more newborn night in its lap.
I cleared my throat.
"Sir"
"Who gave you the address?"
My heart skipped for a moment hearing his deep husky voice which I felt like hearing after a long time.
With that, he turned towards me. His eyes were so deep. Every feature of his face was firm.
"Are you fine?"
"Who gave you my address?" He took two steps towards me arrowing his intense glance and cutting in through me mercilessly. I looked down as it was getting hard for me to keep up with his staring game.
"We-we can talk about that later," I said noticing him coming sideways. This time I took back steps.
"Who gave you my address?"
"Oh God, why this man needs to act stubborn always," I said under my breath. His calm cold voice was scaring me.
"Co-could you please stop?" I stammered at his strange action. My back hit the wall finally with him also reaching to me caging me between his tall stiff masculine body and the hard wall.
"No" he whispered. I felt like I'm gonna die as he made it impossible for me to breathe properly.
"Who gave you my address?"
"Rahul" I spoke up the name finally realizing I couldn't keep it secret from him.
His lips shaped in a grin.
"Why does Rahul always need to do the exact opposite of what I want him to do? Every time."
"I gave you your answer. But you didn't." I managed to spit out those words ignoring the proximity we had within us. Why is he behaving so strangely? He hates me, right? Suddenly I felt a cold soft touch on my cheeks. His muddy palms started caressing my cheeks gently. It was giving me goosebumps. Oh God, I think I should have taken Neha with me.
"What are you thinking? You shouldn't have come alone?" He asked, hovering his eyes all over my face.
"Are you feeling disgusting at my touch?"
Surprisingly not. It never.
"I know you won't do anything to me," I replied trying hard to keep my voice normal.
"You have no idea what I can do. You shouldn't have come alone here. It's dangerous anything can happen to you."
"Maybe. But you will save me." His expression suddenly turned into an angry one and he moved away from me.
"Get out."
"Why you removed me from your PA post? You can't do that."
"I think I'm your boss. It's me who will decide that. Moreover, I haven't removed you or demoted you. Just have changed your position."
"May I know the reason? Why? Because I misunderstood you. Blamed you for something you never did. I know what I did was wrong and ashamed enough of that. But why are you replacing me?"
"To save myself. Who knows you won't do this again. It will be better for me to keep my distance from you?"
So he has decided to attack me with his words today.
"In that case, Avinash sir is also in problem."
"Maybe he is. But I think you won't do it with him. I'm your main target."
"No there is nothing like that. If I can blame you can blame him also."
"Yeah, that's totally up to you. But I did what I thought was right. It's Avinash and your thing what will you do? But let me remind you if you thought anything about leaving the job that you had a contract with our company. So.."
"I never knew my one misunderstanding can change things this much."
"Change? There are no changes. It was always the same. It's my fault that I started making some wrong assumptions about you. You are so into your blind thoughts that you can't trust anyone. You always do that. Remember the first time when your engagement broke? You pointed your finger at me without any reason and now again."
"But you never clarified things to me." I know soon my tears will start their work.
"Like you gave a chance! Never. You just know pointing at others for every fucking thing. And I seriously felt no urge to make clear things to you after that."
Saying this he turned to go but stopped.
"And one more thing, I don't need such dirty tricks to get someone. They put so much effort to get me, even attempting some tricks also like, fainting in front of me obviously without drinking, spiked drinks or acting to look like good human beings, or even baseless seductive actions and the list goes on. So.."
"Maybe. But I'm not one of them."
"Leave"
"So you won't forgive me, right."
"I already have. Now it's time to stick for us at our position."
Ok if he thinks it's right for both of us then let it be. I also wanna see how long you can ignore me.
I came back home. As I entered Dadi and Neha came running towards me.
"Hey, where have you been? You were not even receiving calls? Have you seen it? Arrey, are you listening at all?" As usual, Neha started her chat box. But what is 'it'?
"What thing?"
"Oh God were you walking closing your eyes?" Dadi asked me.
"Ok come." Neha took me to the parking lot. See."
There was standing a new blue scooty."
I looked at her confusingly. She glared at me.
"Girl, at least say something. You are the owner of it."
"Don't you like it?" I heard Dadi saying behind me. And then I realized I need to say something or show them how happy I am. Didn't I always want to buy a scooter? In Kolkata, I had one but before coming here we sold it. But why I'm not getting the feeling of happiness maybe my mind is so heavy with all the other things going on in my life.
"Thank you, Dadi. Thank you so much. But wait how you bought it? I mean the money."
"Girl, you are forgetting that your Dadi also used to do jobs some days. Yes maybe now has grown old but..."
"Ok. I got it. No need to clarify more."
We returned to our flat.
"Hey wait a minute. Don't tell me nowadays your boss is giving you the duty of working in the field." I got confused by Dadi's comment.
"What?"
"Look at you." She directed me turning me towards the mirror when I saw the mark of mud on my left cheek and the whole scene came flashing to me. I touched the spot.
"Hello, what happened?"
"Nothing Dadi." With that, I came running inside my room and closed the door behind me. I closed my eyes.
"Hope you forgive me and we can be like earlier again."