Girl Friday

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8

Anjali

I looked at him through the corner of my eyes. It has been ten minutes since we settled in the car to go to his studio from Malhotra Mansion and we have still not spoken anything that didn’t involve his breakfast or schedule.

All my efforts to make him feel that everything is normal have gone in vain. I, Anjali Sharma not talking for this record time in itself shouts that something is abnormal.

How do you deal with the boss with whom you had a missed kiss opportunity two nights ago? I managed not to meet him whole day yesterday, but I cannot escape him every day now, can I?

Speak. Speak. Speak. I kept telling to myself.

“Anjali, how was the dinner?”

Dinner? Why is he talking about dinner? Will he even ask me about what happened after dinner? The kiss!!

“What dinner? I don’t remember any dinner?” I said making a silly face

Boss chuckled as if he cracked an inside joke in his head.

“Anjali, dinner with Sara yesterday.” He reminded me

“Oh! That!!” I said making a thoughtful face. “Good, boss.” I said

“I didn’t know you were good friends with Sara.” He said casually

“We went to same college. We meet twice in a month to gossip about Malhotras.”

“What?” he asked looking at me with a shocked expression.”Gossip about Malhotras?”

Damn! My mouth! I was so conscious not to spill anything about that ‘Missed Kiss’ that I didn’t realize I am revealing a secret to him.

“Gossip? Did I say gossip?” I laughed buying myself time to think an answer. “Well, boss...”

“Anjali, you gossip about us, Malhotras, really?” he asked raising his eyebrows.

“Not gossip, boss. Discussion. Yes, discussion about Malhotras as in Malhotras Industries. About market shares, stocks, etc.” I heaved a sigh relief as I managed a proper lie.

Oh! God just give me one prospect to make him forget that dinner night. Please, else I will end up blabbering about that missed kiss and that confrontation will not be pleasant for both of us.

When you have been a good person your whole life, god decides be merciful on selected occasions. Like how he has been merciful on me now. As we reached Arav’s studio, his father Varun Malhotra’s car was already parked there. Now, I am sure that missed kiss will become the last thing that my boss will worry about.

I was not eavesdropping, I didn’t have to, because I could clearly hear what my boss was discussing with his father as I sat in my glass cabin pretending to read few papers.

“It is high time you wrap up this hobby of yours and become serious in life Arav.” His father warned.

“I am more serious in life than you have ever been serious about your wife and kids.” Taunted Arav

Arav’s tussle with his father is not unheard of. Senior Malhotra wanted his son Arav to join him in business just like his other two sons. However, since childhood Arav has been inclined towards art. When Arav decided to make a career for himself in art, his father became miffed. Arav dislikes his father for not acknowledging him for what he is and constantly comparing him with his elder brother Rohan. Varun Malhotra dislikes his son for forgetting the family legacy and doodling away his time. Both have been in loggerheads forever and I have never seen Arav address his father with any endearment. If it was up to Arav he will forever act as if he doesn’t have a father.

“This?” said Varun Malhotra pointing around at nothing in particular. “This is your life? Heir of millions playing with brushes and clay for living?”

“You are again and again proving to me that you never understood your son and his choices. I love what I am doing and I am happy with my life. It doesn’t matter to me if I am the chairman of Malhotra industries or if I have millions in my name. “

“How irresponsible are you? What about my whole life’s hard work?”

“Exactly, Mr.Malhotra it is your hard work. I have nothing to do with it. Let me become someone through my hard work.”

“Have you seen, Rohan? He is doing so well in business. He has taken company to new heights. Whole world is praises for him. He is making his father extremely proud.”

I saw Arav’s eyes flash with anger and hurt. I was tempted to prove Mr.Varun Malhotra wrong. Does that man know nothing but business? Arav has showcased his works in Saton Gallery, Italy. No Asian has ever done that. Art enthusiasts idolize him. A magazine has called him restorer of Indian pride after he presented a paper on ‘Living Art in India’ at London University. He is vice chancellor of Indian Art Council. Every painting is sold for millions. What more accomplishment does this man need?

“And on the personal front, Arav!” Varun sir continued to accuse his son. “Rohan is happily married to Riya, who let me remind you, is the daughter of Home Minister Mohit Trivedi. And you? Only ruined my rapport with Harman Chopra after breaking his daughter’s heart. Can you for once not disappoint me, Arav and make yourself useful?”

“Can you stop comparing me with Rohan?” Arav’s voice lost his calm as he looked at his father crossly. “I know that my brother is having a perfect life professionally and personally and I am happy for him. Just for once accept that Rohan has interest in business and I am don’t. It is as simple as that. For your information, he married Riya bhabhi because he loves her not because of her father’s name. I would have married Manisha if I had loved her truly. Don’t you understand this simple logic, Mr.Varun Malhotra?”

“You have answers for everything. Always ready to prove me wrong. Why don’t you use these skills in business? “

“I am not ready to discuss again on a topic that is closed for me years ago. If you have nothing more to tell me, then you know where the exit is.” With that said Arav turned his back to his father and walked towards a painting that he was working on.

Varun Malhotra was angry, actually furious, when he walked out of the studio. He even glared at me before exiting, so I immediately hid my face behind the papers I was holding pretending not to notice him. What did I do, now? I am only trying to help his son make more money. Shouldn’t he be grateful?

Arav Malhotra is officially angry. Though I was the one who prayed for this to happen in order to distract him, I felt really sad seeing him hurt. I cannot understand what he went through all these years not receiving father’s acceptance. My dad loves me to moon and back. He is proud of even the smallest of the things I do. He still has the photo frame I made using ice cream sticks in the living room and proudly shows it to guests. Though it is embarrassing sometimes, I just love his love for me. A young Arav would have never experienced all this. Constant comparison with Rohan would have been terrible. I wonder how Arav still loves Rohan in spite of all the animosity his father tried to create between them.

“Madam, it is done.” I was bought back from my thoughts on Arav and his childhood by the voice of the Vada Paav bhaiyya.

I was hoping that Vada Paav cures Arav’s bad mood. I was returning to studio by foot, when familiar white Mercedes stopped in front of me. The mirror was pulled down and Varun Malhotra gestured me to go near him.

“Good Afternoon, sir.” I greeted him with a smile.

“Poor man’s food for a poor artist, huh?” he asked snickering. “Does he even have money to pay you or are you working for free?”

Seriously! Does he have any idea how much money Arav earns? Does he think no one but businessman makes money?

“Anyway, I have a job for you. Unlike your boss, I will pay more than you deserve.” He said. I was about to refuse without even hearing the so called job, but that man didn’t bother to even wait for my reply as he continued to say, “Raghav Kapoor, owner of Crimson chain of Hotels is interested to give his daughter, Maya’s hand in marriage to Arav. I don’t know how you do it, but I want him to agree to this marriage. Merger with Kapoor’s will be very profitable. I hope you know what you have to do.”

“But, sir I cann...”

He signalled his driver to go move and just like that he drove off without listening to my reply. No wonder Arav detests him. Such a bad attitude this man has. I stomped my foot before continuing to walk. Do I look like a marriage broker? How can I make Arav marry someone who he doesn’t love? He clearly stated to his father that he didn’t marry his ex as they weren’t in love. So, it is obvious that Arav will marry only someone he loves. Now am I a cupid to make someone fall in love?

“Those people fall even in love with someone of their status. You know, I googled Arav’s last girlfriend Manisha she is younger daughter of Harman Chopra.”

This particular line from my conversation with Sara came to me in a flash. Is Arav really a person to fall in love with a person’s status and not heart? In that case Manisha would have been perfect for him. Then why did he break up with her? Is he truly waiting for love in his life and status makes no difference to him?

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