Girl Friday

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

Arav

Something that happens once is accident, but if the same thing happens again, it is something to be considered with care, right?. Last time, I almost kissed Anjali in her flat, it was purely a week moment from my part. I just wanted to tease her a bit for calling me a ‘One Night Stand material’ and when I saw her openly checking me out, I just got carried away. How will I reason what happened yesterday? For someone like Anjali, I am sure, kissing a guy, even if it is just a cheek kiss, is a significant step. Why did she do that? Was it just in the spur of the moment or did it mean anything to her at all? However, the most important question is, did that mean anything to me? It is not like a grown mature man to be affected like something as trivial as cheek kiss. Nowadays, cheek kiss is a qualified synonym of a handshake in the social circle I move. Then why did it fell different yesterday with Anjali? I have already concluded that whatever Anjali is feeling for me is nothing more than an immature infatuation. My heart seems not to be satisfied with my analysis for it always keeps raising questions about her and me. This confusion is getting me nowhere. It is only making me runaway from my own thoughts. It is already twelve in the noon, in spite of having deadlines; I am still not in the studio working on my art. I am putting aside my art, definitely not a good sign. What is really stopping me from going back to being my normal self? Is it only my own puzzled sense or a certain appealing woman working for me?  

As I walked inside the studio post lunch, I was welcomed by an impatient assistant walking across the room.

“Anjali...” I called

Her steps halted and she turned to look at me. “Boss...” she said as she made her way towards me with quick steps almost tripping on the stool on the way.

“Careful.” I said worried but ignoring that she stood in front of me with a frown and waved a paper in front of me.

She was tapping her foot anxiously, her fingers were playing drums on each other and she was biting her lower lips unconsciously. Why is she nervous? The paper contained the answer for my question.

“A call letter for interview from Malhotra industries? “ It was more of a question than a statement.

Anjali’s eyes widened and she looked at me with an unreadable expression. “I know.” she mumbled.

Taking a step backward from me, she took a deep sigh and said,” I don’t know how they got my resume. I mean I did send it to my friend to search for job before I got this one, but I didn’t know it will reach Malhotra industries. I didn’t know who would have forward it.”

Was she searching for another job? She did tell me she likes working with me just yesterday, didn’t she? And is she excited about this letter?

“This is funny. I am working for a Malhotra and also getting an interview letter from another Malhotra.” He laughed awkwardly

No, this is not funny to me. What is this supposed to mean? Her wish to work for Malhotra Industries is no secret. She even told to my face that she wanted to work for Rohan. But, I thought she has started to enjoy working with me. God! Who am I kidding!! Enjoy working here? Why will a business grad want to waste time, energy and degree doing paper works of an artist? I am surprised she even accepted to work for me in the first place. If Rohan has hired her personally, then I am sure she would be exceptional academically and received various offers. Wonder why she chose to work here. Probably,  it is just the Malhotra name that tempted her to work at this hardly exciting job. After all, what am I worth if not being a Malhotra! That is what my father thinks, this whole world thinks. No wonder if even Anjali thinks the same.

“You should give it a try.” I said lifting my eyes off the paper. Anjali who was telling something to me stopped abruptly and stared at me in disbelief. I didn’t really pay attention to what she was saying. I bet it was just one of her blabbers about accomplishments of Malhotra Industries.

“Boss, I...”

“It is in the morning only, Anjali. Hope you will come to work in afternoon tomorrow.” I said handing the papers back to her and went towards my canvas to get some work done. Not the chairman of Malhotra industries, at least I have to get little work done using paints and brushes to earn my living.

*_*_*_*

I poured in my third glass of whisky for the night and sat back on the recliner facing the pool. I was just fifteen when I painted picture of pool with plants all around and moonlight falling on the water. Daadi was so impressed that she immediately got people to create the same in the mansion. Whole family loved the idea. They thought that idea of having a pool midst plants and moonlight is very artistic. Everyone appreciated the newly renovated place more than the painting that incepted the idea. Thus is art for most of them. Why admire a piece of paper when you can materialize everything around you. Only few like me still believe in magic of art in all form.

“Deep thoughts?” I heard my brother Rohan ask as he walked towards me from behind and sat opposite me.

“Nay... Just thinking about art.” I said taking a swig from my glass

“Hey... you never drink alone. When did that change?” he asked looking at the glass in my hand.

“Just felt like it, Rohan. Help yourself.” I said pointing at the mini bar behind me.

“No...” said Rohan sternly. “Riya will kill me if I go to room drunk when Asha is there.”

I didn’t know Rohan was capable of love, in fact I didn’t know anybody was capable of so much love. When he said he was going to marry Riya, I , like everyone, thought it was purely for sake of the business considering her father is a politician. One look at them during the late night dinner Yash and I had with them before engagement, I knew my brother was a goner. I wonder if I will ever be bestowed by this kind of love.

“I wanted to talk to you about something, Arav.” Said Rohan looking at me seriously

“I know.” I said gulping down the remains of the glass and placing it on the table. I am sure Riya bhabhi would have filled him on the job offer. I overheard her talking to Anjali over phone.

“You know?” he asked surprised. “You don’t have a problem with Anjali working somewhere else?”

“Why will I have any problem, Rohan? She has all rights to find a better job for her. I am sure working with Malhotra Industries will do her good.”

“I know, Arav. But you are comfortable working with her and she seems to enjoy also.”

“Come on, Rohan. You know better. She cannot forever keep doing a pointless job with me. She is talented. She deserves more.”

“I am sure she is talented, but Arav you and her, I know you don’t like to talk about it still you both...”

“We both are nothing, Rohan. Why do you all think that there can be anything between us? We are not even friends. We are just two people working together.”

“What will you do without her?”

I chuckled at the way my brother asked that question. “Seriously, Rohan! She is just my assistant. My life will not stand still if she leaves me.” I continued.” You will find a new one for me, won’t you?” I asked with a smile.

Rohan didn’t answer. He kept looking at me trying to read my expression. I stood up preventing a yawn. “I am sleepy, Rohan. I think I should go to bed.”

“Good night.” Mumbled Rohan and I left my brother to his thoughts.

BONUS

Conversation between Sara (Rohan’s Assistant and Assistant) and Anjali

“Are you sure, Anjali? You said you don’t want to attend the interview.”

“I have changed my mind now. I want to give it a shot.”

“I am so happy, yaar. I am sure you will get the job and then we will work together. How cool, huh!”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, are you not excited??”

“I am, Sara. Anyways, I will see you tomorrow, okay? Your office at 9?”

“Cool... Let’s start with coffee and I will tell you how to impress Operations Head Nadiya.”

“Okay, bye.”

“See ya”