' Boss, it's you.' Yuvika asked, half confused, half shocked. But her foot pressing the brake paddle was already acknowledging this as a fact. The car stopped while creating a loud noise and skitting on the road.
She didn't wait for his reply, forgetting about grabbing her phone, as she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her car door to run in the direction the car was coming out of the habit of following her bosses.
After all, she might live like a family with her bosses. But her professional manners still remain the same. Then how could she not be there to receive her boss? That would be so unprofessional.
Ashutosh stops his Lexus GS-F right on time, to ensure that she won't have to run much. Soon, she approached his car, then was ready to open the door for him, but he did the courtesy himself.
' You know, I am not here to meet you like your Boss.' Ashutosh corrected the girl, who was completely immersed in her role of the assistant. Yuvika just blinked.
' Well, I thought, it would be better if we stayed together. So that we can reach the venue together and won't get entrapped in either one or another hassle.' Ashutosh suggested.
Yuvika stared at the guy in front of her and started contemplating the offer he just suggested.
' But, the bride and groom aren't supposed to stay together before the wedding. In case you might not know, according to the tradition, they aren't even allowed to see each for at least a week before the wedding.' She replied.
'Okay. Good night, Miss Chauhan.' Ashutosh said, leaving with nothing to speak or converse about. Besides, he knows how much the people believe and follows the customs and traditions here. So, it would be better not to challenge that.
'Good night, Mr. Pratihast.' Yuvika wished him and then bowed as usual. After which she started leaving, she reached her car, open her door, fasten her seatbelt and ignite the engine.
She started driving.
A few minutes passed and she was confused to see the same car following her.
She was about to slow her car down when the voice rang from the call which was still ongoing, unknown to her.
' Focus on the road. Don't slow down. I am just dropping you back home, safely. That's the least I can do, I guess.' He said with a strong, determined voice.
She nodded, not really caring that it's a voice call and not a video call. That he can't see her nod.
'Oh, okay.' She finally replied, when the realization dawned upon her. Earning a soft throaty chuckle from the other side. A small blush crept on her face, due to embarrassment.
After driving for half an hour, they finally reach the Housing Colony designed, constructed, and run by The Raj, where Miss Chaudhary acquired a penthouse of her own, on the top. She didn't disconnect the call, since it would be impolite to do so. The moment she reached near her building, the valet was already waiting. So, she got out of the car and turned back to see the blue car standing at some distance.
She smiled and waved her hand to show she had reached safely and now she is under the protection and safety of The Raj.
'Good night, Miss Chaudhary.' Yuvika hears the voice from the ongoing voice call and then the call gets disconnected, she sees the car leaving silently in the starry night.
~~
Yuvika opened her house's door and couldn't help but feel the complicated feeling, she thought she won't be feeling anytime soon. The time of departure has come. She will be leaving this little home of hers forever. After all, things will never be the same, after divorce. She has to leave The Raj, that goes without saying.
She spent her 'me time', thinking it might be the last. Then, she did her night care regime and hit the sack.
~~~~~
The Wedding Day ;
When the entire city was in haste, working with lightning speed. A certain calm creature was sleeping soundly. Her phone was on silent mode, her sheet mask sticking on her face, devoid of all the serum it contained.
The loud bang on the door finally brought sleeping Yuvika back from the dreamland to reality. She heard the loud banging on the door and frowned. Strange. This has never happened before.
Half sleepy, half-conscious Yuvika got up from the bed and stumbled on many things on her way to the door. So, after muttering a series of curses under her breath at the person on the other side of the door, she finally opened the door.
She was stunned by what she saw. Her… her family, they were here, standing in front of her, showcasing their affection, love, and care towards her.
But her family wasn't the only one. Her schoolmates, batchmates, classmates, and colleagues were all there. Her maternal and paternal relatives were also present and she had that dumbfounded expression, wondering what kind of nightmare she was in.
But this nightmare was super scary and she wanted to end it, asap. Because here people were loving her, showing their affection towards her, gently caring about her, trying to get a glimpse of her, trying to talk with her. Even competing with each other to get her attention.
She did what she thought was the most common and obvious thing to do. She shut the door close, with a loud bang. Then, she returned back to her bedroom and lay down on the bed. She covers her face in the sheet as if to hide, to protect herself, to save herself.
She pulled the cover and was about to sleep when she saw the screen lit up. She picked the incoming call.
'Hello, This is The Raj's CEO Miss Kirti Rajput's personal assistant Miss Yuvika Chauhan, hereafter referred to, as Miss Chauhan speaking. How may The Raj help you?' She said in one long breath.
' Miss Chauhan, why so formal? So, did you miss me? Of course, you must have. That's why you were addressing me and you in the same sentence, right! I attended the concert last night and it was mind-blowing.
You see, the reason why my voice is hoarse is that I scream during almost the whole concert. Shine. Dream. Smile. It was one of the best and most memorable concerts of mine. I will remember it till my last breath.
You should have been here with me, Miss Chauhan. You missed out on a great deal. Nevermind. Next time, make sure to book two tickets. One for you and one for me. Okay!' Kirti's exciting voice flooded in, removing even the specks of the nightmare she just had.
'Yeah. Yeah. I got it, you are enjoying your break well, Miss Rajput.' Yuvika said with a smile. Who can think that this girl is the brain behind The Raj? This bubbly, cheering girl.
' Don't tell me, you started working overtime, the moment I left, again. Miss Chauhan, work is one thing, life is one thing. We shouldn't clash these things, you know. You need not work overtime, rather live your life.' Kirti started lecturing Yuvika.
'I know. I know. When are you coming back?' Yuvika finally asked, with another smile. After all, this very girl has established such difficult rules and regulations in The Raj, that a person can't even breathe freely, without the fear of getting fired. Yet see, she is preaching about living life here.
' Well, I will be back this coming Thursday. But, I won't be coming to the company. So, please keep that a secret.' Kirti said with a mischievous smile on her face.
'Again! Now, what is it this time?' Yuvika asked with a sigh, holding her aching head in her palm.
' DSW. The Department of Student Welfare is organizing a charity event, followed by a youth conference. You see, this time, we will be arranging a formal event, which would be held at a national level and its chief guests would be respected President and Prime Minister.
All the VIP, VVIP authorities would be present. And as you know, when it comes to handling events of such a level then they have to give the leadership to their best student, which is me.
It would be a 7 days event, but we would be taking care of the 9days. ' Kirti replied.
Yuvika heaved a deep sigh. This girl and her zeal for learning something new, keep doing something new never ends.
' Okay, I get it. I will take care of it, as always.' Yuvika said with another sigh.
' Aww, thanks a lot, Miss Chauhan. I love you. See ya soon. BBye.' Kirti bid her farewell and disconnected the call. Bringing a sweet smile to Yuvika's face.
She was about to place the cellphone and continue to sleep when her eyes fell on the screen.
25.. 25 missed calls. Yuvika jumped out of the bed, in terror. What the…
She unlocked her mobile and stared at the name written on her screen, all thanks to the true caller app. Ashutosh Pratihast.