Girl Friday

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

Anjali

“Are you okay?” asked Arav as we both were driving to the art gallery. I nodded affirmatively, but he was not convinced. He kept looking at me every two minutes as if to read my mind.

Of course, I was not okay. How would I be after receiving a call from Varun Malhotra as the first thing in the morning? Even today he didn’t give me a chance to tell him that I have no interest in his job proposal. What is with this man not ready to listen to my point of view? He really upset me.

“You remember my job for you, don’t you?” were the first words of Varun Malhotra after I greeted him over phone. “Maya is in Goa. It your responsibility to make sure she and Arav spend time with each other. Am I clear? “He didn’t let me talk even a single word before the line went dead.

“Anjali, you are seriously worrying me now. Why are you so quiet? “asked Arav

“Nothing, boss. It is just sleep hangover.” I said absentmindedly playing with my hair strand.

“Sleep Hangover? What does that mean?” he asked

“I was having a cosy sleep with beautiful dream and all, but I had to wake up early to attend this event. I missed my awesome sleep. It is just that sleep hangover.” I said

I saw Arav roll his eyes labelling my plight as another one of my crazy schemes. Now what am I supposed to tell him anyway? That his father wants me to set him up with a girl who he barely knows?

We were greeted by Ashish Chopra, the owner of the gallery, at the entrance.

“Oh! Arav who is this pretty lady with you?” he asked looking at me.

“My assistant.” Replied Arav

“Such a pretty assistant. No wonder you have been coming up with beautiful paintings. With such a beautiful muse by side all the time, you are bound to be inspired.” He said grinning at Arav. Arav only moved past brushing off Ashish’s extended hand at me and walked inside holding my elbow. Rude!

“Don’t wander off anywhere.” Arav warned me making me roll my eyes. “Stay by my side.”

Staying by Arav Malhotra’s side was not easy, because it is very boring. One after another, people greet him, talk to him about art and other boring stuff and all I had to do was stand there looking like everything interests me.

“Stop yawning.” Arav reprimanded as we moved from one art to another.

“I can’t help it, boss. This place is so boring filled with lots of boring people. What am I supposed to do?” I complained, as I looked around the room.

When my eyes settled back at Arav, he was looking at me with raised eyebrows.

“What?” I asked

“If all this bores you so much, then why are you working with me?” he asked

“Don’t even ask me, boss. When the interview letter was sent from Malhotra Group of Industries, I thought it was for working with Rohan. I didn’t know...”

“That you will be stuck with his boring brother.” He completed my sentence.

“No, you are not boring.” I said immediately offended

“Then?”

“Only this job is boring.”

He shook his head smiling as he walked to another painting.

“Arav Malhotra! What a surprise!” I heard someone exclaim and turned to find a very tall girl with straight black hair with streaks of burgundy in a high fashioned indo-western gown. Very beautiful!

Arav moved a step forward with a smile mumbling, “Maya Kapoor.”

My eyes widened in surprise as I learned who it was. She is Maya Kapoor. The same girl whom Arav’s father wants me to set him up with. Does Arav already know her?

“I didn’t expect you here considering how undercover you have been since you came back from London.” Said Maya as she moved forward for a formal hug and Arav obliged.

“If by that you mean I avoid parties, then you know me, don’t you? I hate gatherings.”

“I know, of course. Anyways that also adds a sexy quotient to the elusive artist.” She said giggling.

“Whatever you say.” He agreed with a smile

“So, have you found a new muse or you still painting taking me as your inspiration?” she asked

What! Maya Kapoor is Arav’s inspiration? When did that happen? I have never seen any of his work that resembled her. Or was I not paying enough attention?

“Please, Maya. That was years ago and that was only one painting. I also gave it to you for free, if you remember.”

“I know. But, such a beautiful painting it was. It is hung in my bedroom.” She said with a snort c*m giggle.

“Thank you, madam. I am humbled.” Replied Arav with a smile so wide that I think he will end up tearing his face

Does he even realize she is flirting? And he is only encouraging her with that smile and bright eyes. Now, should I even do the job of protecting Arav from women?

“Now that you are here, we should catch up for coffee.” She said

“Sure, I will just meet media and give them a byte. I am free to go then.” He said ignoring me completely and walked to press meet hall.

What just happened to ‘Stay With me’? Did he even forget I am here?

“Anjali, right?” asked Maya turning to look at me.

I nodded.

“Varun uncle told me about you.” She said with a smile. “He doesn’t understand Arav and I don’t need any matchmaker. After all we have history.”

A what? Arav and Maya? Really!! Is she one of his ex? She should be, after all, he dedicated a whole painting for her and gave it for free and that man doesn’t even let me borrow his paints or brushes for free. But how come it was not in his Wikipedia?

“Now that we have met there will be no problem in rekindling whatever we had.” Said Maya.

“Rekindling!!” I realized that I said it out aloud as I saw Maya look at me strangely.

“Excuse me!”

“You and boss?” I asked

“Yeah! Why?”

“But, he...”

“He what?” she asked

I was tempted to say that he was seeing someone else. The thought surprised me. Why do I even have the thought of tarnishing his relationship? Whatever Varun sir was trying to do was wrong. He cannot manipulate his son’s love life. But, if Arav is really interested in Maya and if they have a history like Maya claims. Then, he should really go for the relationship. Why is that thought making me feel very uneasy? I should be happy if whatever job Varun sir gave me is happening on its own without any effort of mine. I will get a good job offer in Malhotra Industries as he promised and Arav will also get love. I should be happy, right? Why am I not?

As I stood in the parking lot between my boss and Maya, I kept fidgeting my bag unnecessarily.

“Let’s go, Anjali. I will drop you before I go with Maya.” Offered Arav

Consolation prize for me before he goes on a date?

“No, thanks, boss. I will ask Rishu to pick me up.” I said

“Are you sure?’ he asked

“Yup.”

“Cool, then. See you later.”

That is it! He just will walk away just like that without asking me again and again and insisting to drop me. Arav, the perfect gentleman, forgot everything after seeing her? How mean!

As I walked inside the hotel where my boss was staying, I spotted him in the lounge saving me time to walk to his room. Walking closer to him, I realized he was not alone.

“Hey, Anjali.” He greeted me as he sat opposite Maya and they both seemed to be in the midst of a discussion.

“Boss.” I nodded as I stood beside him.

“Anjali, you have to tell him partnership with me is a good idea.” Said Maya pointing at her laptop. “No matter how hard I try my business skills on him all he says is that ‘Should confirm with Anjali’”

I looked at my boss who looked at me with a smile.

“Will mail you everything, Anjali. Check it and explain it your business blind boss.” She said

Really! They were only discussing business partnership and not life partnership? It doesn’t seem like after seeing their flushed faces.

As if answering my doubts boss said, “Anjali, Maya and I would be leaving tonight to catch up with an old friend who is going to Australia tomorrow. Is it okay?”

Really! From abandoning me at gallery he is now abandoning me at Goa all alone?

“Of course, boss. It is not as if I cannot find my way back to Mumbai.” I said rather in a rude tone

“Anjali!” his voice held a bit of hurt. “Why would you say that?” he asked

I shrugged ignoring meeting his eyes.

“I already talked to Rishab, he will be coming to Mumbai with you tomorrow. Else, I wouldn’t be leaving you alone.” He reasoned

I was tempted to roll my eyes. He was leaving me alone here for his Maya. That is the truth. No amount of reasoning can justify it.

“Bye, boss.” I said not bothering to wait for anymore talking.

BONUS

“Why are you sounding low, Sharmaji? Is it because your boss abandoned you for his girlfriend?”

“Shut up, Sharmaji. I am not low and she is not his girlfriend.”

“Tell that to yourself. Anyways, if she is not his girlfriend, then who is?”

“He doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

“Aren’t you happy about it, Sharmaji?”

“Shut up and pick me up from the location I have w******p you.”