As the sun rose, casting a warm glow through the curtains, I was sleeping soundly, wrapped in dreams. Suddenly, I heard Ammu's voice breaking through the fog of sleep. "Krishna, wake up. It's already morning. Everyone is downstairs waiting for you."
Hearing this, I decided to pretend to be asleep. Ammu, noticing my lack of response, walked over to me, gently placed her hand on my shoulder, and gave me a soft push. "Krishna, wake up," she insisted.
Instead of waking up, I playfully grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed beside me. Wrapping my arms around her, I hugged her tightly. She laughed and protested, "Krishna, what are you doing?"
Slowly opening my eyes and smiling, I said, "Nothing, just enjoying a comfortable hug." I kissed her neck lightly and asked, "So, why are you calling me?"
Ammu, with a smile, replied, "Everyone is downstairs waiting for you to eat breakfast."
"Oh, I see," I said, hugging her even tighter and kissing her neck again. "Let them wait a little longer."
Ammu laughed, but then she struggled out of my embrace, sat up, and positioned herself on my stomach. Smiling down at me, she said, "Mr. Krishna, don't be lazy. It's already time for you to go to work. You have some meetings to attend, and as your secretary, it's my job to wake you."
Hearing this, I said, "Oh, I see. So, what's today's plan?"
Ammu, still smiling, replied, "Anu isn't going to college today because Raji is here, so we've decided to go to the parlour, and then we're going to do some shopping."
I nodded, smiling back. "Sometimes I wonder why I'm even giving you a salary, considering that either Parimal or Seenu is doing your work most of the time. I was just thinking, why am I even paying you?"
Ammu's smile grew wider. She grabbed my collar and pulled me close. I couldn't help but smile as she brought her face near mine. "And whose fault do you think that is? Who told you to make your secretary your girlfriend? And for your information, Mr. Krishna, when you're not here, I'm the one handling your work. I'm working overtime."
I held her and swiftly switched our positions, pinning her beneath me. Looking down at her, I said with a grin, "Yes, ma'am, it's my fault for making you work overtime. But now that you're my girlfriend, I think I should hire a new secretary."
Ammu, still clutching my collar, pulled my face closer to hers and said with a hint of anger, "Don't you dare." I smiled, and before she could finish, I kissed her gently on the lips. After a minute, we parted, and looking into her eyes, I licked my lips and said, "Sweet."
Ammu blushed slightly, and as I was about to kiss her again, we heard Anu's voice calling from downstairs, "Krishna, Ammu, what are you doing? Come downstairs!"
Smiling, I replied, "Yeah, coming!" Then I looked back at Ammu, still smiling, and said, "Maybe next time."
Ammu punched me playfully, her smile returning. "You idiot."
After that, Ammu made her way downstairs while I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The hot shower felt refreshing, washing away the last remnants of sleep. Stepping out, I dried myself off and opened the wardrobe. I selected a sweatshirt with a simple, minimalistic design in a solid, muted color—probably gray or olive green; I never was good at remembering colors. I also picked a necklace with a circular pendant, and paired it with black pants.
Dressed, I grabbed the file that Bheeshma had given me yesterday and headed downstairs. The aroma of freshly made breakfast wafted through the air. As I reached the dining area, I saw everyone seated around the table, their faces lighting up when they saw me.
"Good morning, guys," I greeted them with a smile.
"Good morning, Krishna," they chorused back, their smiles mirroring mine. I placed the file on a side table and joined them, taking a seat at the dining table. The sight of the spread before me was inviting: hot idlis, sambar, and a variety of chutneys.
Anu, with a teasing glint in her eye, asked, "Did Ammu manage to wake you up on time?"
I chuckled, glancing at Ammu, who was already seated beside me. "Barely," I admitted. "She's quite persuasive."
Raji laughed. "Well, it's a good thing she is. Otherwise, we'd never get you out of bed."
Ammu nudged me playfully. "You should be thanking me, not making fun of me."
I grinned and took her hand under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Ammu. You're the best."
Breakfast was a lively affair, filled with laughter and conversation. We talked about the plans for the day, with the girls excited about their trip to the parlor and shopping spree. As we ate, the room buzzed with warmth and contentment.
Finishing breakfast, I leaned back in my chair, feeling content. "Alright, time for me to dive into work. You girls have fun today."
I rose from my seat, picking up the file Bheeshma had given me. I looked at the girls and said, "Enjoy yourselves and take care. If anything happens, call me, okay?"
They all nodded in agreement, and Raji, with a mischievous glint in her eye, stepped in front of me. She extended her hand, palm up, as if asking for something. Puzzled, I asked, "What?"
"Money," she said with a playful smile.
I couldn't help but chuckle. Taking out my wallet, I handed her my ATM card. "Happy?" I asked.
She nodded with a wide grin. After a quick farewell, I headed out of the house, the morning sun already warming the day. I made my way to my car. Sliding into the driver's seat, I started the engine, the hum of the car a familiar comfort.
As I drove toward Paani's house, the atmosphere of the morning felt serene and comforting. The sun was casting a gentle, golden hue over everything. It was one of those mornings where everything felt right with the world. Craving a soundtrack to match the peacefulness of the drive, I took out my phone and played "Lag Jaa Gale" by Lata Mangeshkar. The hauntingly beautiful melody filled the car, enhancing the magic of the moment. I felt a sense of calm and optimism, as if today was destined to be a good day.
After a while, I reached my destination. I parked my car outside the gate of Paani's house and stepped out, making sure to grab the file from the passenger seat. As I looked at Paani's home, I admired its well-maintained, modern design. The house, with its light-colored roof and multiple stories, stood as a testament to his success and taste. The front yard was meticulously landscaped with vibrant greenery, and a sleek red car was parked in the driveway. It was a peaceful, upscale neighborhood, the kind that radiated tranquility.
I walked towards the gate, expecting to see Paani waiting for me, However there was no sign of him. Perhaps he was caught up with something. As I scanned the yard, I spotted a wooden bench. It looked inviting, offering a shaded spot to relax.
Deciding to wait for a bit, I made my way to the bench. I sat down comfortably, placing the file beside me. The cool breeze rustled the leaves above, creating a soothing, natural melody. I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in the sounds and smells of the morning. The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers mingled in the air, adding to the serene atmosphere.
I thought back to the drive, the song still lingering in my mind. "Lag Jaa Gale" had always been a favorite of mine, a classic that never failed to touch my heart. Its lyrics, full of longing and love, resonated deeply with me. I hummed a few lines softly to myself, feeling the emotions of the song wash over me.
As I sat there, savoring the tranquil morning, the peaceful silence was broken by the familiar melody of my song "Kabhi Na Kabhi," the one I had posted on YouTube just yesterday. I thought, wait, is that my song? Curiosity piqued, I looked around and spotted two girls sitting on a bench a little farther away. They seemed oblivious to my presence. One of them, wearing a bright yellow saree adorned with a floral pattern, caught my eye. She looked cute, but she was doing something a bit unusual, while the other girl was filming her.
It dawned on me—they were making a reel using my song. It was surprising and flattering to see my song already being used this way, just a day after its release. The girl in the yellow saree was trying to lip-sync to the lyrics, attempting to capture the right expressions. After a moment, the girl with the camera showed the video to the yellow saree girl. "Di, look, it's done," she said.
The girl in the yellow saree scrutinized the video and shook her head. "No, it's not good. Let's take another," she said with a slight frown.
The other girl nodded, and they prepared to record again. The song started playing once more, and the girl in the yellow saree resumed her efforts to lip-sync and convey the right emotions. Her dedication was evident, but as the second attempt concluded, she still seemed dissatisfied. "No, it's still not right. Something is missing," she said, frustration creeping into her voice.
I couldn't resist offering some help. "Should I help with something?" I called out, my voice carrying over to them.
Startled, they both turned to look at me. I smiled warmly and waved at them.
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