Girl Friday

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

Arav

Something is wrong with me. Why did I do this? Attending Ashish’s art gallery opening should have been the last thing in my list, but now I am on my way to Goa with my eccentric assistant. I was not jealous when mom and Yash were discussing Anjali’s boyfriend unlike what Yash claims. Anjali cannot be having a boyfriend. She spends almost all her time with me except the weekends. That is what got me thinking. Is she really meeting a boyfriend in weekends? I just got curious. Knowing how reckless Anjali can be, this boyfriend might just be a good for nothing lad. My natural instinct to protect an innocent got better of me and I immediately mad a plan to go to Goa with her this weekend. Agenda is clear. Talk to her about her boyfriend, collect information about him, find out if he is not taking advantage of her and then help her make good decision. Yes, this can be done in Mumbai itself, but well sometimes impulse gets the better of you. Nevertheless, Goa will be quiet relaxing and no one should ever regret planning a trip to Goa.

“Where are we staying?” I asked as we neared Goa

“You are staying in Hotel La Palace.” She said picking out her phone to check something. “I have mailed you details of your reservation. Will meet you later in the evening with agenda. You can rest till then.”

“What do you mean by I am staying? Where are you staying?”

“Me? I will be staying with Rishu.” She answered casually

Rishu? Who Rishu? I was tempted to ask her, but being a gentleman and less privy of someone else’s life, I bit my tongue to prevent from asking any question. Silently, I drove to the said hotel, though my mind was filled with various speculations.

As I climbed down the car and turned to hand over the keys to the valet, I was startled by loud shriek of Anjali. I turned back at once to see my personal assistant being lifted off the ground by a very young and hippie looking boy.

“Leave me... Leave me...” ranted Anjali hitting his arm frantically. Ignoring her protests, the boy bent his head down and kissed her cheeks before placing her down.

“80 Kgs you will be, I am sure.” He said earning a whack from Anjali.

I looked at the both of them with mixed emotion in my heart. Who is he? Is he Rishu? Who is he to Anjali? Is he her secret boyfriend? When I told her she cannot meet him this weekend, did she ask him to come here so that they can spend time together? Damn! Why is she looking at him with all smiles? I am the only one at whom she never smiles.

“Arav Malhotra, the artist.” Said the hippie as he walked passing the car and came to stand in front of me. “Good to meet you.” He said extending his hand for a handshake.

I shook his hand, however, didn’t bother to reply anything. Anjali came to stand near him and smiled at both of us.

“Boss, this is Rishab.” She introduced and I just nodded formally.

“I am really glad you made this plan, boss.” He said grinning at me. “Else Sharma-ji* never comes to Goa to meet me, only I have to travel all the way to Mumbai.”

“Hello!!! You have to thrive to gain some privilege time with me.” Anjali said smiling brightly.

The scene could have passed on as cute, but it just annoyed me for some unknown reason.

“Anjali, at 7 in the evening?” I asked ignoring their useless talk.

“Sure.” She said

“And then dinner with me at 8 in the evening, guys?” asked Rishab altering his gaze between me and Anjali.

I was about to deny until Anjali said a yes. Accessing Anjali’s boyfriend is my secret agenda, so why not just attend the dinner with them?

“Okay.” I agreed

I kept looking at my watch. Still thirty minutes to seven. Why am I being useless? I am in Goa and instead of going out to chill I am lying on the bed looking at my phone every two minutes to check the time. Something is extremely wrong with me.

Knock. Knock.”Boss.” Knock. Knock. “Boss.” Knock. Knock.”Boss.”

“Come in, Sheldon.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Hello, boss.” She greeted cheerfully.

“What is the agenda?” I asked

“You are in Goa and still thinking about work.” She pouted

“We are in Goa for work only, Anjali. I think you are forgetting it.” I said

She rolled her eyes as she forwarded a file to me.

“I have planned your trip perfectly, boss.”

“Fix meeting with MaSk designers on Monday.” I asked

“Sure, boss, but don’t sign anything until I verify. I will be back on Tuesday.”

“What do you mean?” I asked narrowing my eyes

“I am staying here on Monday as well, boss. Rishu has invited me to see him perform on Monday at 3X0 club. “

“What perform? I didn’t grant you leave.” I said

“Come on, don’t be a spoil sport. Rishu is a DJ here. He wants me to see him perform. Even I want to stay here one more day, please.” She said making puppy face

Don’t fall for it, I warned myself. But, puppy eyes, pouting lips and I agreed immediately.

“Thank.” She said smiling brightly.

“By the way, even I will be leaving on Monday only. So, don’t fix any meeting. I got to meet an old friend.”

“Great!” she said clapping her hands together.

Guess Dinner was after all not a good idea. Because, Anjali and Rishab was too busy talking to each other ignoring me. I might as well have stayed back in my room.

“Boss, I can’t believe you are tolerating her five days a week.” Said Rishab looking at me appalled.

“Or maybe I am tolerating him.” Said Anjali narrowing her eyes at him.

“Oh Please! I know better, okay. You tell me boss, who is tolerating who?” he asked

I shrugged. “Since childhood, I have been a tolerant person, you know.”

“See, he is the one tolerating you.”

“Boss.” She complained looking at me.

“Yeah, but she is efficient worker.” I added for some odd reason I wanted to please her.

“I am the best assistant he has ever had.” She said

“She is the only assistant I have ever had.” I said sipping my drink.

Rishab laughed looking at her and added, “Stop being so much of yourself, Sharmaji.”

“Of course, you will both gang up against me. One jealous of my increasing talent in art and another jealous of me ever since he was born. Why, Sharmaji?” she asked looking at Rishab who waved at her dismissively. “Anyway gossip about me whatever you want. I am going to use the restroom.” She said as she walked out.

“Why is she calling you Sharmaji?” I asked curious

“Duh! I am a Sharma, Rishab Sharma.” He said

“You both share same surname?” I asked surprised

“Boss, not just surname we share blood, parents and good genes. Though, all the good genes are more in me than her.”

What is he talking about? Isn’t he her secret boyfriend?

“Boss.” Called Rishab seeing my confused expression. “You know that Anjali is my elder sister, right?”

Damn! I am such a fool.

BONUS

Whatsapp conversation between Arav and Yash

-What is this Yash?

-My beautiful photography of you and Anjali with baby Asha. Don’t you three look adorable?

-Why have you sent this to me?

-Duh! Because you are in the picture

-I have better picture of me with Asha, okay? I don’t want this picture.

-Fine! Then just delete it.

-Why send me this picture to make me delete it?

-Bro, I challenge you to delete it. I will check your gallery once you return and if the picture is still there then I am no way going to stop teasing you and Anjali.

-Whatever

Whatsapp conversation between Anjali and Yash

-Aww! Very beautiful picture of me with the baby

-And Arav

- Yash, please. Already you and Mamta mam embarrassed me enough

-Don’t worry sweetheart we are reason for your Goa trip now. Aren’t you happy about this sort of paid vacation?

-Ah! That is true. Yashu I am excited about Goa.

-I know. I wish I can come with you

-Why don’t you?

-Busy, yaar, Anji. Will definitely plan something soon. Enjoy without me now.

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*ji – Addressing someone with respect