Girl Friday

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

Arav

My studio felt empty without her bubbly voice, clumsy steps and endearing presence. Today is first day in my studio without her after almost a year and it feels strange. However, the emptiness of my studio didn’t pass on to my heart. I felt considerably happy, because of a new realization. A realization that I have been uselessly procrastinating because of my insecurity. A realization that clearly indicates that what my chirpy assistant, oops ex assistant, has for me is something more serious and deep than a simple crush or infatuation or fan girl-ing or other juvenile stuff I called it. My brothers were right after all.

I was unsure of even my own feelings for her but once I apprehended her feelings for me and I accepted it, everything just fell in place. How can anyone mistake her concern, care, jealousy and all those kisses for something else? And she unconsciously always trying to show her rights on me, how cute is that. How can I miss it?

One of the main reasons I wanted her to not continue working for me, apart from her career growth of course, is for us to explore where we can even go with this. I know Anjali is completely unsure about all these things now. But, I don’t care. Her being clueless is what makes things extremely interesting.

I smiled looking at my reflection on the half broken mirror which Anjali hanged on the main area telling me that it looked designer. How can a grown up intelligent woman act like a child at times and yet look absolutely adorable.

As if summoned by my thoughts, I heard my phone ring with Anjali’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hello!” I said a smile automatically appearing on my face.

“Hey!” she said in a very low voice.

“Why are you calling me at...” I checked my watch, “at eleven in the morning on the first day of your new job?” I asked

“To know if you have reached studio on time.” She said

“Really!?” I asked surprised

“No.” She said and I could sense her rolling her eyes. “I am just bored. No one has still told me what I am supposed to do. Moreover, this girl near me is acting so bossy and I already hate her. I am so bored.” She complained

“I guess when you have nothing to do at the job you should spend time productively and learn new things.” I said.

“Why do I feel that you don’t want to talk to me?” she asked in an accusing tone.

I chuckled. “Now, I don’t want Rohan to think I am distracting on your very first day right?”

“How will he know I am talking to you? He will be late today as he has gone to hospital for Asha’s monthly check up.”

“How do you know that?” I asked surprised because even I didn’t know that.

“Of course, I know. I am not clueless like you.” she said

“Clueless? Me? Really?”

“Yeah, Riya bhabhi told me about it when we were chatting yesterday.” She said

“So, now?” I asked

“Nothing.”

“Then?’”

“Oh God! You are such a bore, boss.” She complained

“I am not your boss anymore, Anjali.” I said

“Oh!! Then how am I supposed to call you?” 

“I have a name. You know that right?” I asked

“Yeah, but... I.... I have never called you by name.”

Doesn’t she remember? The time when we were about to kiss and the other time when she hugged, she called me by name. But, I know better than to remind her of those times.

“You can call me Arav, it’s simple.” I said

“Okay.”

“Yes?’”

“What?’”

“Call me by name.”

“That will come naturally when we talk, okay?” She said

“It is okay. Let me hear you call my name.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Come on. It is such an easy and simple name.” I said totally enjoying her flushed voice

“What is wrong with you?”

“What is wrong with you? It is just my name.”

“God, you are mad, Arav.” She said giggling.

“Nice.” I said smiling

“Bye, I‘ve got to go.” I heard her say before the line went blank and I kept the phone aside imagining her face.

*_*_*_*_*

I was going to my room after talking to Rohan about how Anjali is settling in her new work environment. He was a bit suspicious about my over concern about my ex assistant but I managed to swirl the talk in a very casual way and got out of teasing. I am still not ready for my brothers to know that I am considering about whatever that is between me and Anjali. This ‘something’ as much as good chance for failure as it has for success, so the last thing I want is to complicate everything. Let me take my sweet time with Anjali, understand her more, try to give our feelings a chance and if she is ready, maybe, even date a bit before making things official. So, it is for now better that no one but my luminous brain know the truth.

“Arav.” my father’s voice halted my footsteps and waited for him to catch up with me.

“Yes?” I asked looking at him

“Seems like you have promoted your little assistant to work for Malhotra Industries.” He said with a mocking voice.

“Excuse me?”

“Come on, Arav, do you think I don’t know that you have put in a word for her to the HR? That is my company for god’s sake, give me some credits.”

“I don’t know why that should affect you. She is anyway going to work under Rohan.” I said

“Was just curious if she is shifted to better position only because she is good at her works or is she, you know, better at other things as well.”

“Don’t you dare talk about her like that!” I shouted taking a threatening step towards him. “It is none of your business, okay?” I said in a low voice gritting my teeth. Not only I don’t want a fight with my father at the middle of the night, but also I don’t want anyone to know that fight involves Anjali. Last thing I want to do is pull her into a family mess even before I have explored what is possible between us.

“Hey...” said my father taking two steps away from me. “Nothing personal boy.” He said. “I was just wondering if this new change will make you come to office often, at least now.”

“Now, I am not even going to honour that with an answer. Good night.” I said as I walked towards my room with long strides.

Trust my father to ruin my mood within minutes.

BONUS

Whatsapp conversation between Yash and Anjali

-Anji I am so glad we will be working together

-Same here Yashu. Now we can have lots of fun

-But, how come you left my brother, huh?

-It is more like he left me Yashu. He was more than eager to see me working elsewhere.

-Really! Is that end of a love story? Are you telling me I have a chance?

- Drama queen there was never a love story. And my favourite Malhotra always stood a chance until I recently discovered that you got yourself a girl friend

-Hey, not a girl friend. Just went out on one date okay?

-Whatever.

-So?

-Is your brother’s life crumbling down without world’s best assistant?

-Why? No. He is fine.

-Really?

-Why? You want him to miss you?

-No. I was just asking.

-He has been spending more time in his home studio than going to actual studio. Does that make you feel better?

-Is he wailing away time? He has deadlines for exhibition in Delhi.

-Hey, you are not his assistant anymore, remember?

-Yashu got to go. Let me call your brother and see what he is doing

-Aren’t you both cute!

-Shut up Yashu.

-Sure sweetheart. But after you are done with romancing my brother can you come to the conference room. We have got some business discussions, okay?

-Damn! Forgot it. Will be there in 10.