Shades of Life

Getting Comfortable

It was Wednesday already, these week days’ fly by so quickly. It’s already been nearly 3 weeks since I got here and so much has happened. I wore the peach suite that I brought the other day with Richa. The dupatta of this dress is so soft and amazing. It looks so good that I fell in love with myself. I wore my favorite metal earrings that matched the platinum necklace with a single diamond dollar. I looked posh and gorgeous. Who needs a guy to compliment us? We have ourselves since our taste is way better than theirs.

I took my car and reached the venue before the event started. The store, when I say store I mean the whole damn building is on the road side, easily visible by the naked eyes. I parked the car in the parking section, only the guests and the employees were allowed to park their cars in the structure.

I group called, Keith and Aarav picked up. They said that they are already inside and the inauguration was about to start. I rushed and made way inside before the ceremony began. There were so many people looking exuberant in their clothes and make up. I felt like I was in some movie premiere. I searched for Keith and Aarav, I saw there standing near the water fountain with Richa and Ashish. Vani was nowhere to be found.

“Hey guys” I said joining in.

“Holy s**t, you look amazing Aksh” Keith said looking up and down. I know he meant it in a good way and he was checking out the dress, not me.

“Thank you” I said with a smirk.

“That dress looks way good on you, I should have brought something like that. I’m not blending well here” Richa said pouting and I laughed. I had told her, her choice was too professional for functions like this.

“Yeah, even we are not wearing suits” Aarav said winking at her, he was wearing white button-up shirt and cream pants. My favorite combination.

Richa stuck her tongue out at him. I chuckled seeing their childishness. We heard a loud chatter and turned towards the entrance to see Varun with his father Vir Mehta standing there talking to the press. Varun looked so hot in his royal blue Armani suit, which I’m guess or some other expensive brands suit. He hairs gelled up and his 5 o’clock stubble made him look extra good today.

“Oh my god, that’s Vir Mehta” I whisper yelled fan-girling.

“Yeah, my uncle(Bade-papa)” Aarav said shaking his head.

“I know, he is my idol” I said looking at him with all the adoration and respect in the world. Even though I have been a bit close to Varun since Sunday, I still am not that close to ask him about his family unless he brings them up. He had a complicated past, so I’m scared to talk about it to him.

“If you want, I can introduce you to him” Aarav said shrugging.

“You would!?!?” I asked looking at him with hearts in my eyes.

He looked at me weirdly and nodded. He has no idea, how much big I am of his uncle.

Once the time came, Varun let his father cut the tape and we all clapped and there was absolute chaos. Everyone was talking and there was a huge crowd. Aarav left us after the inauguration and stood next to his father and Varun. All four of them, Aarav, Varun and both their fathers looked really good posing for the press. Once the tape was cut, Vir Mehta gave a small speech yet it was very powerful then Varun followed and gave a brief outlook of his thoughts about this venture.

After that, everyone spread out across the floors. The 3rd and 4Th floor of this building was allotted for jewelry section while others were clothing and other ventures. We all took a round of both the floors, we currently are in 4th floor looking at some jewelry that Keith was too bland for his interest.

“Dude, just say that you can’t afford it. It was your 4 months’ salary put together and you earn is 12-13 figures” Richa said scoffing at his words.

“Oh please, as I said too bland” He said rolling his eyes. He was totally bluffing. That piece was really beautiful but not my type. I like simple small dollar necklace with thin strings. And all the jewelry in 4Th floor is very expensive though, the kind you buy for weddings but in 3rd floor, anyone can afford that. They are at reasonable price for a commoner to buy.

“Hey guys” Aarav joined us again.

“Did you guys see Vani?” He asked us and we all shook our head.

Is she not coming?

“Oh there she is” Ashish said pointing towards his left, we all turned to see Vani wearing a beautiful blue saree and beside was a man in his thirties looking look, he was not tall though like Varun and Sarah’s brother but good looking nonetheless.

“Is it her husband?” I asked them out of curiosity.

“Yes, he came to our Christmas party last year” Keith said nodding at him. Vani saw us and ushered her husband towards us.

Is she going to introduce us or just make him stand by us without saying anything, making us incredibly uncomfortable?

By the amount of time I have seen her, I am leaning on the latter. She can be very grumpy or nonchalant depending upon her mood but who knows she might surprise me today.

“’Hey, you guys remember Vivek” She said pointing towards her husband.

Oh look, she did surprise me.

We all greeted him and he was super friendly asking us about the work and everything, a complete opposite to her.

Wow, opposites do attract.

I mean even though they had arranged marriage, Vani did tell us at the bar that she loved him or was she talking her ex?

Nah, she did say she never dated.

I sighed.

Why am I getting so riled? I hardly care.

We all were talking when someone came and stood behind me.

“Hello everyone, are you guys having a good time?” a voice resonated behind me making me jump. I quickly turned around to see Varun standing there looking at me, well just looking there was no smile or anything. Way to treat your guest.

“Hey Varun, this place is so great” Keith said rotating his index finger.

“Yes, it looks very posh and gorgeous” Richa chimed in.

Everyone else praised the place, which was worthy of it too.

“Thanks guys, glad you guys liked it. There is a buffet arranged in the 5th floor, make sure you guy eat” He said like a perfect host with twitch of smile.

I just stood there staring, he was so close to me and I was frozen.

Everyone agreed with him.

“Hello people” came a husky dark voice giving me goosebumps. Oh my god, is that who I think is?

I turned to my left to see Vir Mehta standing beside Varun just a little behind, not hogging my personal space like his son is doing right now.

I was star-stuck.

“How are you all doing?” He asked everyone with a kind smile on his face.

Everyone greeted him with a huge smile and chatted with him casually like it’s no big deal. Are these people for real?

He chatted with everyone happily asking them about their work and this shop while I stood there wide eyed.

“Are you okay?” Varun whispered to me.

I gulped painfully.

“Yes, but that is Vir Mehta” I whispered yelled at him wide eyed.

He looked at me confused.

“Yes he is, didn’t you know him?” He asked with his brows furrowed.

“Of course I do, who doesn’t. The guy is my idol. s**t! He is your father. I mean I respect him a lot and I’m a huge fan of his. He is so inspiring and a great role model. I have seen his every interview at least twice, they are my inspiration videos that helped me read-“ I blabbed as I was tensed knowing that I was in stretching distance from THE Vir Mehta.

“Woah, cool down” He said looking at me in amusement.

“Now, who is this?” Vir Mehta suddenly spoke towards us with his eyes dancing between Varun and me.

I stood there staring at him wide eyed.

“Dad, this is Akshara Vashisht. A new member of our company and this team” He introduced me to him.

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you dear. Welcome to the company” He said stretching his hand forward to shake my hand. I looked him checking if he was read. I felt a hand on my back bringing me back to this world. I held his hand and shook it.

“Pleasure is all mine sir” I said with a hoarse voice. I wanted to say so much but nothing came out.

God, I’m so lame.

I heard Varun snicker, both his father and I looked at him. He covered his laugh with a cough and looked around.

Weird.

Aarav’s father came and took Vir sir away, he bid bye to us and went with him. Soon, Varun too joined him.

“What was that?” Aarav asked dragging me aside.

“I know right, that was so embarrassing” I said palming my head.

“What just happened! That was” I whisper yelled at him.

He looked confused.

“I’m talking about you and Varun” He asked looking at me raising his eyebrows.

“What about Varun and I?” I asked tilting my head in confusion.

“Didn’t you see the way he was smiling and when he chuckled? He held your back and he was at your home that night” He said one point after another.

I just stood there confused.