~~
Vivek and Yuvika handled the office for half a day without their boss's presence. Then, they both come to a conclusion of taking rest. After all, as a business person, procrastination is a common thing to do in normal timings.
But half an hour later, their peaceful rest came to halt, when Vivek screamed, earning Yuvika's attention and there it was, looking like a devil from hell, their boss, giving them a skeptical look. Fine, their company has a strict 'No procrastination' rule, which they sometimes forget. Just like this one. After all, that rule comes under implementation only when Miss Rajput is present.
Well, Vivek felt some tingling sensation and found a toy lizard on his arm, leading to the scream. It took him a moment to realize, it's fake. Also that he had been caught red-handed resting in his workplace.
Both Yuvika and Vivek stare at each other with ' We are dead' look, then try their best to gather some courage to face the almighty, Their Boss, who was giving the grim look. After all, if there's anyone who makes Kirti's every dream come true, then it's him.
So, how can he tolerate the violation in the rule she implemented in this company? [ The reason why there's no procrastination rule is to ensure that every employee works from 8-4 continuously, while spending the rest of the time with their family, friends and relatives, without worrying about the work.]
They waited and waited for a good lecture, but it never came. Vivek raises his head a little, with little guts only to see the guy staring at Yuvika. Making him realize, his boss is waiting for her to raise her head.
When even Yuvika can't take it, she raises her head, only to see her boss staring at her, confusing her. It was a normal gaze, unlike his grim, dark face of earlier.
' I have something to show you. Come with me.' He said in a calm, polite voice. Making her confused, but she nodded nevertheless.
'One more break and you are more than free to pack your bags, Mr. Bacchas.' Ashutosh's cold, terror filled voice resounded in the empty room. But since Ashutosh's back was to Yuvika and his front was to Vivek's face. Both tremble in terror.
Yuvika thanked her lucky charm as well as heaven, that the warning wasn't for her. While Vivek nodded furiously, freaked out by the look, he received. Now, even if he wants to rest, the flashes of this face won't let him be.
Ashutosh started walking out of the cabin, Yuvika in tow. She neither utters a word, nor dilly-dally, she even manages her breath, so that they won't be loud enough to disturb the pissed man.
~~
Half an hour has passed;
Yet the roads don't seem to end. Yuvika might have been silent and all, but her eyes were busy looking at the road ahead. After the fifth or eighth turn, she had lost track of where they were heading to.
The drive was silent, she didn't want to make him realize that she was also present in the car. But she was already at her rope's end. All that she could see was either a road or a crossover.
At the end she asked out; ' Boss, where are we going?'
Only to get a throaty chuckle from him. She shifted her gaze from the road to him, only to find his eyes fixed on her face, but then he again stared at the road ahead. Though, the smile was still there in his face, making her wonder, what did she say wrong?
' So, are you done fearing me, now?' He asked rather than replying to her question. She froze, but he didn't give her any chance, his eyes once again fixed on her face. The car came to a halt, because of the red light.
'I-I… Boss, I didn't mean to take a nap. It was Vivek Sir's idea, completely. I was just following his command.' She utter, not knowing how to apologize at the moment. Especially when his eyes were fixed on hers.
'You know what, Miss Chauhan, lying can never help. It isn't a solution, either. It will only lead you into bigger trouble. So, you shouldn't lie.' Ashutosh said patiently, his eyes fixed on hers.
'I… I am sorry, Boss. I didn't mean to lie. B-But, I was afraid. We wrapped up the work and since we had nothing to do, he suggested we rest for a moment. When did we end up falling asleep, we didn't know.
I am sorry, Boss. It indeed is my fault. But it won't happen again.' She sincerely apologized, while staring down at her hands. Since, she doesn't have the guts to face him.
Ashutosh smiled at her sincerity, her genuineness and before he knew it, his hand was resting on her head, slowly, gently patting her. She froze when she realized what he did. But neither he retracted his hand, nor he pretended like he did something, he shouldn't. Or that it was a mistake. He continued to pat her.
Making her finally raise her head, only to see a serious look on his face, confusing her.
'Don't move. There are paparazzis following us. Act naturally.' He said, while leaning dangerously close to her, in her ear, in a whisper. She was amazed, but after absorbing the information she nodded and smiled back.
'Is it that bad? Your smile is more monotonous than that of a robot. Am I doing it wrong?' Ashutosh asked in a genuinely concerned voice, even forgetting the paparazzi around them.
'N-No, it's not.' She replied, while trying to correct her stiff smile. But she couldn't.
' Then, you should smile like an affectionate, loving wife.' He suggested her, completely forgetting that people might find something amiss.
'I-I… want to. But, I don't know how to?' She said, showcasing her helpless side.
' You don't know how to smile? I thought you had a pretty contagious smile.' He said, looking amazed at the sudden revelation. She got confused further.
'Fine. Just imagine it's your favorite person patting your head. Instead of me.' He suggested, making her nod.
She took a deep breath and relaxed, then she closed her eyes and focused on her favorite person. She was expecting her father's image or Kirti's image flashing on her mind.
But it turns out to be him. The person she once had a die-hard crush on. The face which she can never forget. The face which shatters her self-confidence and heart into million tiny pieces. The person, who ends up becoming the reason why she left her home, in the pretext of a job.
The reason why she never returned back home. The reason why she wanted to find her Mr. Right. The reason why she spends countless nights alone. The reason why she willed herself to be self-sufficient, to be alone, to be self-dependent.
They say what motivation fails to achieve, a strong hatredness can get that easily. It wasn't a complete lie, though. She had seen herself becoming the type of personality her father wants her to be, not because of his motivation only, but because she hates him. She was the girl he didn't want, made fun of, and mocked. So, she wanted to be the girl he would never have.
She opened her eyes, before the huge turmoil of negative emotions overpower her, only to find those dark brown eyes staring at her, with worry, with concern.
She was so lost that she didn't even realize that he had stopped patting her head and now his one hand was on the steering wheel, another on her cheek holding her tiny face in his palm.
His concern is clearly evident, with his face, eyes and body motions. Rather than focusing on the road, his entire attention was on her. He would delay for as long as he could to stare at the road, while snapping back immediately in her direction once he measured the road.
Finally he brought the car to a safe place and stopped it.
'Are you alright, Miss Chauhan?' He asked in a gentle, soothing voice. As patient as an adult becomes with a toddler. Her eyes were welling up from the miserable past memories and the contrast she was facing in the present. But she didn't want to cry.
That was her bottom line to herself.
When Ashutosh didn't receive any answer from her. He unbuckled his seatbelt and held her little face in his hands, but when he saw her avoiding eye-contact, he wrapped her tightly in his arms. Her face landed in his chest, he let her rest in his embrace, while his one hand kept patting her head.
Even he was shocked by what he did. Little more shocked than the time, when his hand landed on her head, patting her. But, one thing was certain, his body was moving against his will, which gave answers to all his questions.
It's her. She has to be the one. His body can never betray him, unless it's her. But, he can't jump to conclusions. He has to find it out first. He has to confirm it first.