Girl Friday

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 14

Arav

I was lying on my bed with various thoughts clouding my mind. Ever since I was a kid, I had been a believer of transparency. That makes any interaction with people easy. You don’t have to worry what the other person is plotting about you. One thing I admire about Anjali is that she always speaks her mind. You can be yourself whenever you are around her. No sham, no con, extremely fitting. But, how can she do this to me? Was she trying to play with me?

Do you think she will play with you? asked the voice of my heart.

Someone as young and as naive as Anjali is not capable of deceit of this kind. However, I cannot put it past my father to manipulate her easily. He has been in the business world for long and it has definitely given him needed manipulation skills.

 “He didn’t even give me a chance to talk.” She had said.

Varun Malhotra was well versed in all rules of business and the most important rule is to not let your opponent voice opinion.

Is Anjali innocent? Why is my heart not ready to accept the fact that she can be wrong? I have known Anjali for months now. She is sweet, caring, childish, sometimes clueless but never devious.

Everything is damn confusing!! I closed my eyes to fall asleep. For me, sleeping on an issue always helps to gain a fresh perspective.

The loud ringing of my phone disturbed my slumber and I woke up with a groan.

“Hello?” I asked in a gruff voice

“Boss, what did you do? She has been crying ever since she came home.”

Sleep eluded me at once and I asked confused, “Rishab?”

“Yeah!!” he replied. “She didn’t even eat dinner. She is keeping on crying like a kid. Not even telling me the reason. What happened?” asked Rishab concerned

“I will be there soon.’” I said getting up from the bed

“Okay, address is...”

“I know.” I said before cutting the call.

Time was thirty past twelve and so it took me only twenty minutes to reach Anjali’s apartments. I took the stairs to reach her floor and knocked the door. The event that happened last time I was here flashed in my mind but soon was replaced by Anjali’s tear filled face from evening. Damn! I should have been more sensitive in dealing with her. I should have known she takes things to heart easily and been more patient with her.

“Hey, boss.” Greeted Rishab as he opened the door.

I just nodded at him as I wordlessly walked towards Anjali’s room.

“Why is it locked?” I asked trying to push the door

“I kept on trying to feed her so, she locked me out.” Said Rishab with a shrug

I placed my ear on the door for any signs of sound. If she was sleeping, I don’t want to disturb her. But, when I heard moving of something, I know she was awake.

“Anjali...” I called knocking on the door

There was a minute of silence and she didn’t answer.

“Anjali...” I called again

“Is that you?” she asked trying to assess my presence

“Yes, open the door.”

Within less than a minute, Anjali was standing behind a slightly opened door looking at me with narrowed eyebrows. Her eyes were red clearly indicating that she has been crying. I felt really bad for being the reason for her state.

“Let me in.” I said

She opened her mouth to say something but soon decided against it as she walked back inside her room keeping the door open.

“Rishab.” I said holding back Rishab who was about to enter the room, “Just give us a minute alone.”

He didn’t look convinced, but still let me inside and walked back to living room.

When I walked inside Anjali’s room, I noticed her sitting in the middle of her bed leaning on the bed post hugging a pillow. She hasn’t changed from clothes that she wore to work today. I sat on the bed facing her.

We didn’t speak anything. I was forming words in my mind that wouldn’t hurt her anymore.

“I didn’t lie to you.” She said sniffing. I shifted my eyes from staring at the nightstand to look at her. “Your father wanted me to set you up with Maya Kapoor so that business deals between Kapoors and Malhotras prosper. He asked me to do this after that day he came to visit your studio and you both argued.” She explained.

I sat there patiently analyzing whatever she was saying.

“I know more about you than you give me credits for. I didn’t plan anything with Maya. Probably she came to Goa on your father’s insistence. She told me that she is aware of your father’s plan for you both.”

I heard her snort a little followed by a sniff and I placed my hand on hers trying to calm her down.

“How can you accuse me of something so low? Why would I use you to gain a position at Malhotra Industries? I may not show it, but I really like working with you. I respect you a lot.”

Tears that she was probably holding in with much difficulty cracked at her last sentence and she started to weep. Her fingers tried to wipe away the salty water but fresh tears made way. I was hurt beyond words at the sight of her sobbing weakly. Due to lack of better words to calm her down, I moved forward and put my arms around her.

Wiping her palm over her eyes, Anjali moved closer to me and placed her head on my chest.

“How can you!” she asked hurt

“I am sorry. I was not thinking rationally.” I said

It seems surreal to think that I am the one apologizing to her after being angry at her for her actions. But, that didn’t make me feel any less of a person. I get a picture of what might have transpired between Anjali and my father. Maya, she must have just tried her luck at the becoming the good girl at the expense of Anjali. Though I will still hold it against Anjali for not confronting in me earlier, I don’t think that she is a bad person here.

“I wanted to tell you, but then Asha was born and we went to Goa and I was distracted by other important works.” She said lowly hiding in my chest/

“Shh... Its okay.” I said caressing her hair trying to calm her.

“I was...”

“Anjali, I said it is okay. I understand. Now, you just stop crying.” I said

She lifted her head and looked at me not more innocent than a five year old with glassy eyes. “Have you forgiven me yet?” she asked

“Yes” I said pushing her hair away from her face.

“Do you trust me?” she asked

“Yes.” I repeated this time more firmly

“Promise me you will never draw any conclusion before talking to me.” She implored

“Promise.”

When she was convinced that I have really forgiven her, she smiled at me brightly and I couldn’t help but return her smile.

“Thank you so much.” She said hugging me closer than before. My hands automatically went to her back. One hand held her securely, while other hand caressed her head. I could feel her breath on my earlobe and for the first time I realized how close we are.

How to get out of the hug without making both of us awkward?

My hold on her loosened, but before I could pull out of the hug I felt her moving and so I halted. Anjali slowly raised her head and instead of pulling away from the hug abruptly, I felt her soft lips caress my cheeks. I literally felt like I was electrocuted. One, two, three caress and then her lips pressed on my cheeks softly. I didn’t know how to react. Pulling away was not even an option considering how affected I was by the mere touch of her lips. But, no way can I do anything that my mind suggests. That will make things very awkward if they are already not going to be.

Saviour came in the form of knock on the door by Rishab. “Both of you, open the door. Sharmaji, I am starving. If you don’t come out now, I am going to eat the entire pizza.” Warned Rishab playfully unaware of what is happening here.

I was staring at the closed, but unlocked, door, when Anjali pulled out of my arms with a force. I at once created physical distance between us by standing up. Awkward silence filled the space. She was staring at her nails sincerely, while I was rubbing my forehead formulating on what to say.

“Well...” I said but she didn’t look up at me. “You should eat.” I said

I saw her nod.

“Good. Then... you know... see you tomorrow.”

I didn’t know what her reaction was for that, because I walked out of her room hurriedly.

BONUS

Conversation between Rishab and Anjali before Arav visits

“Why are you crying?”

“How can he?”

“Excuse me!!”

“He doesn’t trust me. How can he trust that vamp and not me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Doesn’t he know me at all? I have been with him for so many months now and he thinks I can stoop so low?”

“You are getting me worried, sis”

“And me deceiving him for something as trivial as a job! Seriously!!”

“Tell me what happened. I can help you.”

“Grrrr..... I am extremely frustrated.”

“I am totally going to call maa, now. You are scaring me.”

“Get out, Rishab. Don’t talk to me. And don’t you dare call mamma.”