But this… "..."
' So, you didn't find anything wrong with people gawking at you as if you were their next meal?' He asked her directly while controlling himself for claiming her against her will.
' Mr. Pratihast. Are you serious? Can you even hear yourself? This thing is not something new. I have been dealing with it, in fact far worse than this, for the past nine and half years of my life, since I decided to live alone.
Now, I have been too numb to even care about it. But when did you start caring about it? Is it because you are my husband? Sir, whenever a girl decides to break the stereotypes of this society, she is bound to face all of this.
This is the unspeakable truth of our society. This male-dominated society. There's nothing that either you or I can do to change it. It is how it is.' Yuvika explained to him, not quite understanding why he would make a big issue out of something like this.
[ Well, there were times when she, herself would make a huge fuss out of it. But in return, she would get fired from her jobs, while the other person would earn the apology and pity of everyone in the name of family and responsibilities while continuing to work and even gain promotions.
So, after dealing with this unfairness, when did she become too numb to them? She never found that out, nor really cared. She learned one thing in her life, if she has to get rid of it, if she has to earn respect, then she needs to be in a higher position.
But even now she has to face this biasedness, this partiality of society.]
After hearing her statement, he hugged her tightly and whispered; ' I am sorry, Miss Chauhan. I am sorry.'
Making her confused. ' Why?' She asked.
' For not being there for you, when you needed me. For not knowing you earlier. For not protecting you from this society. For not shielding you early. For letting you go through all of this, alone.
I am sorry.' He whispered softly. Making her speechless.
' But I promise, from this moment onwards, it will change. Either I or The Raj won't tolerate any such practice being committed anywhere near the premises or inside The Raj.
Miss Chauhan, fix my meeting with DCP. I have some serious words to share with him. Also, fix my meeting with every employee of The Raj in the evening, in Seminar Avenue. They, including you, need to know about the new rules of The Raj.
After the announcement, I want you to take charge of implementing the new rules immediately in The Raj. Anyone breaking them would be kicked out of The Raj, without any mercy. Okay!' Ashutosh said while staring deep into her dark brown, doey eyes, making her see the spark, the fire igniting in his dragon eyes.
She nodded and earned a kiss on her cheek from him in return, for her utmost obedience. Then, he smiled and returned back to his table.
As expected, Yuvika fixed the meeting and then Ashutosh and DCP[ Deputy Commissioner of Police ] talked for hours with each other.
While in the evening, Ashutosh explained that under the partnership of Delhi Police and The Raj new rules would be implemented in The Raj which clearly mentioned that if any employee dares mistreat, harass, bully or molest any employee or hurt them either physically or psychologically or socially then they would be directly sent to prison along with them being kicked out of The Raj.
Since, The Raj believes in fairness, equality, and freedom. So, it won't tolerate anyone or anything going against its belief. Every employee of The Raj will get the respect they deserve. Anyone be it senior or junior doing anything illicit will be punished by The Raj, according to the law.
Bringing a pleasant smile to Yuvika's face. Not every person ought to be the same. Some are the bringer of change. The Raj and its chairman being one. Well, thanks to this, many girls would be able to work freely without fearing the eyes of others.
~~~
They had their dinner and now they were lying on the bed facing each other. Not saying anything or doing anything, just staring at each other till their fatigue took over and they fell asleep in each other's embrace.
~~
Next day ;
Another day full of meetings for Yuvika and Ashutosh. But as if that can stop Ayushman from achieving his target. He has been super sweet throughout the day.
He has even apologized for misunderstanding her. He had brought coffee, juice, water, meals, and even flowers for her. To whom she has courteously declined, with the cover of him doing a lot for her.
But when he brought the bouquet of red roses and offered it to Yuvika as an apology, then left with no choice she had to accept it. This was all Raj's staff needed for their snacks and tea break. Yuvika and Ayushman become the hot topic in The Raj.
Unknown to the fact that Yuvika had placed those red roses in the common restroom which was akin to throwing them away.
~~
News surely flies fast. In the morning the bouquet scene happens and in the evening it reaches Ashutosh's ears.
Even till now, Ayushman was acting like a clingy kitty in front of Yuvika, making it hard and difficult for her to reject or avoid her advances. It's like whenever Yuvika comes out of her office for any work or any briefing, she is bound to meet Ayushman, with his one or another tactic.
Ashutosh stared at the empty office, after disconnecting the call when the news reached his eyes. Then, he dialed a few numbers and the CCTV footage of The Raj started showing on his laptop screen. He could see how Yuvika was walking with files in her hand to the PR Department and how the same man from the meeting and terrace was following her, offering to handle the files every now and then.
To whom she was declining courteously. Left with no other option, Ayushman snatched the files from her and started walking, leaving her with no other option except for following him politely.
Ashutosh clenched his fists tightly. Then, remove the footage and start working on the file. But his mind was full of flashes in which Yuvika was acting like a sweet girlfriend.
~~
Yuvika returns feeling mentally drained from the briefing and dealing with Ayushman. Now all that she wanted was to rest. But how can an employee rest in The Raj?
Sigh!
She sat on her chair while starting to look at the next project. Since there was still time for Ashutosh's coffee break. It was getting hard for her to focus with so much going on in her life and head.
After all, she knows Ayushman ain't the type to give up easily on something or someone he has decided to make his. It's this competitive and never-giving-up spirit of his that attracted him. His athletic body and handsome face just act as the oil in the fire, attracting her further.
But now, things were different and the traits that she once loved about Ayushman were the traits that were creating trouble for her at present.
Only if that guy had learned how to quit. Sigh!
She was busy in her thoughts when she found hands resting on her shoulders. She looked up to see her boss staring at her with a small smile on his face. Before she could either get up or ask him about what he wanted.
He started massaging her shoulders gently, giving her the relief she mostly needed at the moment. ' It's good to work hard. But not at the cost of draining yourself both mentally and physically, Sweetheart.
Feeling better?' He asked softly, making her nod and show her sweet smile to him.
He kept massaging her shoulder, the back of her neck, her neck, her forehead, her head. When he let go, she was already feeling renewed and rejuvenated. Completely healed and refreshed.
' You know you have me if you can't handle something or someone!' He gently tells her, expecting her to confess about everything that's going on in The Raj, in between her and that new employee.
She nodded while showcasing her sweet smile.'Of course, I do.'She said with a wide smile on her face.
~~
It was already evening time and Yuvika was finally able to wrap things up. She was about to leave when she saw her husband still being busy with work.
' How long, Mr. Pratihast?' She asked gently.
' Not much, are you done?' He asked back, while letting the laziness overwhelm him. Staring at her.
'Yes.' She replied with a nod.
' Alright. Then, why don't you leave, I will join soon.' Ashutosh suggested her, making her feel a strange type of feeling deep inside. Some type of fear, she didn't understand. It was the feeling of losing something or someone.
But she wasn't able to understand it. She just thought something might be wrong with her gut.
' But, I have checked and dealt with everything that needs to be done for tomorrow.' She replied, wondering whether she missed something or not.