Opposite Poles..Part 54

Part 54

Khushi came out of Lavanya’s office looking very serious.  She walked towards the rest room.  She knew he was gazing at her.  She walked past Rekha’s cabin tapping on the glass wall.  Within a few seconds, Rekha too entered the rest room.
“Rekha madam! It’s a great news! These two, the monster and … that Lavanya madam both are going for some conference for three days…! “ she said grinning.  Rekha was amazed.
“So?” she asked looking at Khushi’s twinckling eyes.

“So? So, the celebration…! Regi Sir’s daughter’s celebration!” she almost screamed.  Rekha gaped at her. 
“Rekha madam.. we have to plan for the party.  We will make it a grand one! My extended office timing ends tomorrow… I will also be free after six..!” she started planning out.  And then suddenly said..
“Keep it a secret, Madam… That Monster has long ears..! He will sniff out our plan like a blood hound and will ruin everything..!” she muttered furiously.  Rekha nodded smiling from ear to ear.

“And keep it from Regi Sir also! We will give him a surprise..!”she said brightly.  She was all set to plan a big party for her Regi Sir and so was Rekha..!
“Ok! I got to go!” she hurriedly came out with a serious face and as expected he looked at his watch.
“Rakshas.. he looks like a big ben clock tower of Buckingham…!” she muttered twisting her nose. 
She saw a few more files on her table and looked around.  Ranjan approached.

“Ms Gupta! These need to be cross checked.  The older clients files..!” he said taking a seat next to her.  They both busied themselves in the work.  Khushi had no time to look up at his cabin.  

“Khushi..!” came a call after ten minutes.  Ranjan looked up startled.  “Why can’t he use the intercom? Why does he have to yell like this?” he was surprised.  Khushi got up..
“CHALO BULAWA AAYA HAIN, RAKSHAS NE BULAYA HAI..!” she got up muttering.  Ranjan had a smile on his face.  He sat there waiting for her.  She went up and stood before ASR.

He forgot why he had called her!  She looked up at him.  “Yes, Sir?” she asked.  He gaped at her.  She still wore a question mark on her face.  He had to find something.  “Call Lavanya!” he ordered.  She gaped in surprise.
“I said, call her damn it!” he yelled being caught on wrong foot.  She winced and picked up the intercom.
“No, go and ask her to come with the file.  And you too come with her!” she looked surprised and went down.  Ranjan raised his eyebrows, she shrugged smiling at him, oblivious of the effect of her actions on the person above.  

She came up with Lavanya.  ASR had regained his ground by that time. 
“Lavanya, take her to the design room and keep the designs arranged per the requirements mentioned in this file! Mr. Mehta is visiting in the evening for the samples!” he ordered Lavanya. 
“Chalo, Chamakili..!” Lavanya wore a frown on her face.
“And ask Mr. Ranjan to carry on with his work, …!” he yelled from behind.  Ranjan heard it and got up collecting the files.  Khushi muttered angrily.  “Octopus!” another name especially for him…!

Aakash entered.  “bhai..!” ASR looked at him.  “Bhai, Mr. Mehta is coming in the evening..!” he gave the stale news.  ASR nodded.  “I know! Lavanya is handling it!” he said smirking at the empty cubical.  

“Bhai.. Regi..!” Aakash was cut off.  “I know!” ASR had a smile on his face.  “Baby daughter..!” Aakash said dreamily.  Arnav nodded.  

“Bhai, umm… did she tell you the reason?” he asked glancing at the empty cubical.  He had unknowingly rubbed salt onto the wound.  “I don’t care!” said ASR enraged.  Aakash understood.  “Ok, bhai! I am going home!” said Aakash going out.

“Khushi kumara Gupta…!” ASR clenched his fists.  

*********   *********   **********

Khushi busied herself in preparing a secret plan for Regi’s party and simultaneously worked happily on ASR and Lavanya’s proposed tour.  She was asked to complete her task of tabulating the vendor-contractor details.   Her duty hours to be changed to normal.  Life seemed to be moving on smoothly.  Sham had some urgent work in Chandighar and had vanished to Babuji’s relief.  

“Rekha Madam, I still feel, that octopus is going to spit the ink on our plans…!” she blurted her inner fears.  Rekha smiled.  “Don’t worry, Khushi! His tour is finalized.  He is invited to deliver a key note address and cannot cancel it! And Lavanya is going to be Master of Ceremony in one of the sessions! ” Rekha assured her.  She still was not sure.  

“He is omnipresent..! he will deliver the keynote address there and come here like a ghost to ruin our party!” she muttered.  Khushi was little apprehensive. 
“Rekha madam, he will appoint someone to spoil the show..! I tell you!” she blurted then her eyes popped out, she cluched her hand on her mouth in fright.  Rekha gaped at her…

“What?” she asked looking at Khushi’s ghostly face..

“What if he appoints me to spoil the party? WOH RAKSHAS HAMAIN DHARM SANKAT ME JARUR DALEGA…!” she exclaimed.  Rekha sniggered.  

“Khushi, stop worrying about your octopus now! We will have a party.  Anyway, we are not having it in the office..!” she said little loudly.
“Shhhhuu!!” Khushi pressed the finger on her lips.  “Long ears…!” she said pointing at his cabin.  He was not there.  “Yeah! Sorry!” Rekha joined the game.  
“So its tomorrow…!” Khushi told everyone.  They all nodded.  She looked satisfied with the arrangements.  

“KHUSHI…!” he had appeared from nowhere.  Khushi shuddered and got up.  Lavanya climbed the steps so did Khushi.  Lavanya had a check list with her.  She was planning for the tour. 
“ASR! Aman didn’t give me the air tickets..!” she said.  He ignored her.  He was staring at Khushi.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta..!” he started off softly, warning bells ringing in her head, she waited with bated breath. “Tomorrow, early morning we are leaving…!” he paused.  Lavanya smirked.  

“Chamakili, don’t be under the impression that you will have no work.  You will be given enough work for four days…!” she said disdainfully.  Khushi nodded looking down hiding her happiness.  She was never worried about more work.  

“So, here is a task list, Khushi Kumari Gupta! You are accompanying us as Lavanya’s assistant!” he dropped the bombshell on both, Khushi and Lavanya!

“No!” they both screamed.  Khushi fainted for a brief period of time and regained her consciousness.  She looked at Lavanya hopefully.  Lavanya looked aghast.

“No, ASR! I don’t need her!” she said looking at Khushi with disgust.  Khushi nodded in acceptance.  “Yeah! I have completed everything possible for your tour!” she seconded Lavanya. 
“Let me decide!” he was authoritative enough to shut their mouths.  Khushi gaped with open mouth.  Lavanya looked furious..!

“ASR! No!” she protested.  He raised his hand to stop her.  Both Khushi and Lavanya kept gaping at each other shocked to the core. 
“So, Khushi Kumari Gupta, pack your bags.  Lavanya needs your assistance there..!” he smirked wickedly.  Khushi forgot to respond.  Lavanya came back to her senses soon.  She knew she had to accept ASR’s decision.

“But ASR, how are we going to manage the logistics? Our travel tickets are already booked. The hotel and stay arrangements are made.  We cannot accommodate another person…!” her eyes flashed with realization.  She turned to ASR and said.

“ Ok. ASR! I will ask Aman to book her bus ticket and arrange for her stay…! She needs to be booked elsewhere..!” she started planning.
“No need! I have made the arrangements!” he said stopping Lavanya raising his hand.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta…! Be ready tomorrow morning! We will come and pick you up!” he smirked.  Khushi was dead.  She was turned into a stone statue. 
“What? ASR?” Lavanya was shocked too.

“Yes, Lavanya! We are going by road and she is coming with us!” Lavanya too turned into a

stone statue.  ASR glided down his cabin like a wicked magician turning the girls into stone…!!