Girl Friday

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9

Anjali

I am nervous. I know there is no reason for me to be nervous, but I am. I am still not able to get the image of Riya shouting hysterically holding her stomach out of my mind. She is going to give birth to a baby now and I am excited. I have not seen a new born baby before and I hope I get to carry the baby. Knowing Rohan, I doubt if he will let even Riya hold the baby more than necessary. He will be a possessive father.

“Anjali, you can go home. You don’t have to wait here.” My boss said.

That man can never see me happy. Here I am all excited to see a new born and he is asking me to go out.

“Boss, I will stay no problem.”

“Family is here, Anjali. You don’t have to stress yourself.”

“I want to hold the baby too.” I complained with a pout. He shook his head at me with a smile and motioned to where his mother was sitting. “Go, sit with mom.” He said

I was about to refuse when his mother caught my eyes and gestured me to come to her. I with a nervous smile went there. The whole Malhotra clan was here to welcome the new member and I felt as if I am at their mansion and not in hospital.

“Thank god you were with Riya at the time her pain started. We are grateful to you for bringing her here on correct time.” said my boss’s sweet mother Mamta Malhotra

Riya came to Arav’s studio late morning with Rohan to look at exclusive painting that to-be-uncle Arav was making to gift his niece/nephew’s for his nursery. Arav and Rohan had gone out to meet an old friend in the nearby area leaving Riya under yours truly’s utmost care. That is when the pain started out of nowhere. I being the super hero on time to rescue immediately bought her to hospital in Arav’s car that he thankfully left behind. When the whole family thanked me for timely help Mr.Grumpy Artist only demanded his car keys back with a scowl. Can he never appreciate me?

“It is okay, mam.” I said with an uneasy smile.

Mamta Malhotra is a really sweet person. To think that one can be like this after living with Varun and Arav under same roof is unbelievable. She always smiles at me. She sends extra food and sweet for me whenever she sends lunch to Arav. She gifted me a beautiful gown on my last birthday even though it was only a month after I started working with her son. She calls me when her son doesn’t pick his phone and openly gossips about her son to me and let me crib about him.

“Is he treating you well, now?”she asked looking at her son then back at me.

“I don’t let him treat me any less than I deserve. “ I said with a victorious smile making her chuckle.

“Is he still giving you hard time about your painting?” she asked

“Absolutely, I am trying to make this awesome painting to gift you on your birthday and he keeps disturbing me.”

Mamta Malhotra laughed throwing her head back, the way her cheeks lifted reminded me of her certain son who looks very similar to her while laughing.

“You look like Arav when you laugh.” I said

“No...” she said with a glint in her eyes. “Arav looks like me when he laughs.”

I shrugged with a smile. “But you have not passed on you sweetness to him.” I said with a fake pout.

“Yeah?” she asked amused

“Because, she has passed on all of that to me.” We didn’t have to turn to know that it was Yash. He pulled a chair and sat between me and his mother.

“If we are gossiping about my brother, then I might as well join the club.” He said

“Where were you till now?” asked Mamta mam to Yash

“Mom, I attended important meeting with papa as Rohan bhaiya was busy here. Do you have any idea how responsible I have become?”

Mamta mam playfully patted his cheek. “I am really proud of you, in fact, I am proud of both my sons. Now all I want is to see you both settled in life with wife and kids. I want to see you both have family of your own.” She said with warmth that is only possible by a mom.

Arav’s marriage immediately brought back the task Varun Malhotra trusted in my hand. Though he didn’t wait to know my answer, I want to let him know that I am not interested to play a matchmaker. When will I get to talk to him? As if summoned by my thoughts, I saw Varun Malhotra walk inside the waiting room with a permanent scowl fixed on his face. Have I ever seen him smile? He passed a fleeting glance to everyone, nodded at his wife and then settled in a far corner with his phone pasted to his ear.

How can he even think I will be able to help Arav agree to marriage when I am not even able to make him agree to set up a working space for me near his? Should I just tell Mamta mam everything or does even Mamta mam know what her husband is up to?

“Anji, where are you lost?” asked Yash snapping near my face.

“Nothing.” I replied with a shrug.

“Anji, you could have at least told that you are lost in my good looks for my sake.” He said complaining.

Is he trying to flirt with me in front of his mother?

“Yash.” His mother reprimanded.

“Mom, now don’t be like Arav, okay? He only scolds me every time I even talk to Anji.”

My eyes widened at the implication. What is he talking in front of his mother? Teasing harmlessly is fun until parents are involved. What if his mom gets wrong idea? She is good to me now. But, what if she thinks I have feelings for her son and turns Daily Soap Vamp types?

“Of course, Arav will get angry if you flirt with her. Hasn’t he been the possessive one from childhood?”

Okay, this is getting really awkward. Is ‘Pulling Anjali’s leg and embarrassing her’ their family game? How can Mamta mam casually make fun of her son with a girl who is actually just his personal assistant?

“What are you talking about?” I said in a low tone feigning innocence.

Both Yash and Mamta mam laughed at me as if I was clown in the circus and Mamta mam went a step ahead and caressed my head in a way you do when you say ‘cute puppy’. Sure, am I not just entertainment piece for all Malhotras?

“What is happening here?” asked Arav as he took the seat beside his mother.

Now, he is here to spoil the fun. I should have just got back to work, instead of waiting for baby here with the Malhotras.

“We were just discussing about Anjali’s boyfriend. “ said Mamta mam in a casual tone

“Boyfriend? Anjali doesn’t have boyfriend mom.” Said Arav

“How do you know?” she asked rising her eyebrows.

“She is my assistant I know.” He said in a matter of fact voice.

“No way you know everything about her personal life.” His mom challenged

“Haan, Arav. In fact I have seen her with her boyfriend. Such a sweet lad, but little possessive, isn’t he?” Yash said looking at me

What is plotting in the mind of this mother son duo?

“Boyfriend?” asked Arav looking at me directly with questioning eyes. I was about to clear the misunderstanding when Mamta mam held my hand and smiled at me.

“Anjali was telling how he is a very romantic person and took her out for dinner.” She said

“And he also spends weekends with Anjali. How sweet!” Added Yash

Arav’s eyes were fixed on me as if he was scrutinizing me and I suddenly have the urge to explain myself to him. But, why am I desperate to explain to him about my nonexistent love life? I know Yash and Mamta mam are just pulling my leg, they know it is all faux why it is so necessary for Arav to know? It is not going to affect him in any way. He is just a boss. I owe him no explanation.

“Why have you never told me about this boyfriend before, Anjali?” he asked

“I am not entitled to disclose every aspect of my life to you, boss.”

“Great! Why should you reveal everything to me? As far as you are good at your work, I shouldn’t mind what is happening in your life.” He said shrugging

“Yeah! I wouldn’t let my work suffer. That is why we go out only on weekends.” I said

“Good for you. But, I am afraid you will not be able to meet him this weekend.” He said with a sharp glare

“Why?”

“Because we will be going to Goa to attend an art gallery’s opening.” He said

“But, you said you are not interested to go.”

“Now, I changed my mind. Make arrangements, now.”

“But, boss...”

“I said now, Anjali. Go.” He ordered

Ignoring the presence of his mother and brother I mumbled ‘Jerk’ under my breath and left from there.

I took out my phone and typed a quick message

Baby, coming to Goa. Want to meet you.

BONUS

“I am scared.” said Anjali looking at the tiniest creation she has ever seen in her whole life. She was right back in time after making arrangements for Goa visit to see newborn baby girl of Rohan and Riya.

Rohan was aware of Anjali’s excitement to see the baby and her fascination at the new born. He was also immensely thankful to her for timely help in admitting Riya to hospital. Because of all this reason, Rohan was generous enough to let a non-Malhotra hold his precious little doll.

“Anjali, she is just a baby. Hold her.” Encouraged Rohan

“No No. What if she falls between the gap of my hands.” Said Anjali panicking making everyone around her chuckle at her innocence.

“Nothing like that will happen.” Said Mamta

“Drama mat kar. Hold her.” Chided Arav in his style

“But...” Rohan lifted the baby close to Anjali and placed her on Anjali’s hand. Anjali felt as if the weight of the whole world was in her arms as she held the little baby. She kept mumbling that she is scared. Her hold faltered a little making her nervous and that exact moment two strong hands engulfed her from back holding the baby over her shaking hand.

“Relax.” Arav whispered huskily in her ear.

Anjali leaned a back little letting her weight fall on her boss as she looked down at the baby and smiled happily.

“She is very pretty.” Commented Anjali. “Eyes are just like her father.”

Arav casually bent forward a little and admired the little angel. His chin reached Anjali’s ear lobe and their skins accidentally caressed each other. However, both were too lost on the little angel to notice how well their body fit like a puzzle.

“Beautiful.” Commented Arav grinning and smiled at Anjali who lifted her head to meet him.

Everyone noticed how close the boss and assistant stood while admiring the baby. Though no one thought anything disrespectful about the proximity considering how naive Anjali is and what a gentleman Arav is, Yash wasted no time in clicking the perfect picture in his phone as he was all game to make some jokes on his brother’s expense.

“What is the name of the baby?” asked Daadi.

“She has brought in so much hope in the family. So, she is Aasha (hope) of the whole family.” Said Riya with a small smile.