Opposite Poles..Part 94

Part 94

Hello Regi Sir?” Khushi shouted in the phone. 

“Khushi stop shouting.  I can hear you alright!” Regi brought down her excitement.

“Regi sir…!” Khushi wanted to say so many things at the same time and chocked not knowing from where to start.  But Regi made it easy.

“I am alright.  All at home are fine..!” he said to make her feel better.  She smiled.

“Regi Sir,   actually Woh… ASR sir …!” she started off.

“Oh yeah! Your ASR sir! He asked me to call you!” Regi gave her another shock.

“He asked you?” she was puzzled.  “When? why?” she asked.  “When you were trying to snatch the phone from his hand..! What happened? Why are you not talking to him?” he was bang on.

“Why should I? he is not ready to tell me anything..!” she said sulkily.  “Now you tell me! And then I will take care of the rest!” she said gritting her teeth. 

“Ho! Stop Khushi, I cannot tell you! He wouldn’t like it!” said Regi gravely.  “Yeah! I know, you wouldn’t tell… you are through and through his man!” she said angrily.

“Hmm, can’t help!” he showed his helplessness.  Khushi was speechless.  She had seen Regi in anguish when ASR told him to leave! She was more curious.  She was ready to do anything to get the truth.

“Keep it up, Khushi… the ice berg will melt some day, hopefully!” he said laughing.

“Regi sir? One clue? Just one clue!!” she urged.  “Please?” she dissolved all the sweetness of her jilebee in that please; hoping, Regi would melt, though not the ice berg!   

“Khushi, stop it! Don’t stretch it to break it!” Regi advised her to her irritation. 

“Ok, Fine! I will find out!” she said disconnecting the phone.

She came out to see ASR gazing at her from above with smirk.  She frowned.  His smirk grew into a smile.  She turned abruptly and headed towards Accounts department.  ASR looked puzzled.  She came out after a while and to his astonishment was smiling broadly..! He clenched his fists seeing Ranjan coming out following her.  He walked past her and climbed to his cabin.  ASR went back to his chair. 

Ranjan came in and kept the files on his table.   “Complete compiled report of internal Audit!” He said.  ASR nodded and Ranjan turned to leave.  ASR’s eyes followed him till he disappeared in his department.  He looked down at Khushi and she was glaring at him.  He turned his face. 

**********   **********  ********

Khushi came home smiling broadly in happiness.  She was, as expected late.  Sham was waiting for her. 

“Ai Sanaka Devi! What did you promise?” Buwaji started off loudly.  Khushi raised her hand and smiled at Sham.

“Sorry, Sham ji! But there was some urgent work in the office and there was an inquiry hearing..!” she said sweetly.  Sham gaped at her.

“Inquiry?” he was alert.  “Inquiry is still going on?” he asked clenching his fists.  His face changed.. Khushi gaped at his changing expression.  Fear appeared in her eyes.  She gathered herself and said,

“Was, Shamji.  It ended! I will be cleared of all the charges soon!” she grinned at everyone.  Sham’s face lit up. He got up and held out his hand.  She shook her hand and he kept his other hand on her saying..

“Oh! I am so happy!”   A growl suddenly became bark and she jerked her hand out of his jumping in fright.

“What?” he looked at her.  “I heard barking!” she looked around in the room.  Payal looked at Khushi in shock and turned her face smiling, muttering “Kutteji!” Khushi grinned.

“You know, Sham ji, I am very happy today!” she sat on the chair merrily shaking her leg.  Buwaji was happy too, to see Khushi talking so nicely to her Sham Babua!

“This calls for sweets! I will go get it!” he got up.  “No need Sham ji! Amma had prepared Malai Barfi!” Payal brought in the plate and Sham happily took one.  Khushi stuffed one in her mouth munching contentedly. 

“At last, you got out of that entanglement..! This is good! Now you don’t have to go to that office again!” Sham said smiling sweetly at Khushi trying to hold her hand again.  She looked aghast! She had never thought of this.  The thought stabbed her.  She gaped aghast and then coming back to her senses said.  “Haan! Yeah! I don’t have to go there, once I get the clean chit!” she forced a smile on her face.  The malai barfi suddenly brought a bitter taste in her mouth.  She looked at Payal and she too looked shocked. 

She was on the verge of losing the job.  She had to make some alternate arrangement.  She got up in a trance.  “Khushi ji!” Sham tried to follow her. 

“I am tired, Buwaji! I want to sleep!” she went into her room closing the door behind.

*********   **********   ******

“Chamakili… what are you doing there? Come here!” Lavanya yelled from her room.  Khushi ran to her room to see Lavanya in a new look.  She gaped at her.

“You look beautiful! And different!” Khushi said in astonishment. 

“Yeah! Spent three days on this!” she said proudly.  Khushi smiled and then winking at her said,

“Oh! That’s why you asked me not to come!”  she giggled.

“I thought you don’t want me to teach you further!” she said and Lavanya held her hand.

“No, Khushi..! I will need you for a long time, you know!” Khushi smiled.  She gazed her from head to toe.  She had permed her hair curly, had made it little shorter! She looked more slim and her body more firm.  She was wearing a fitting white noodle strapped top and pink shants! She looked like a super model. 

“You know, I am doing a modeling assignment next week!” Lavanya declared and Khushi gaped at her.  She looked at Lavanya’s bright face and smile appeared on her face too.  She was happy that Lavanya was happy.

“Congrautlations..!” she shook her hand and said.. “Kuch  seekhnay  kaa  mood  hain  ki  nahi? Are you in a mood to learn today?”  Lavanya nodded.  “Teach me something simple today…!” she ordered and Khushi nodded. 

“Ok! We will discuss about traditional bridal ornaments?” Khushi asked and Lavanya nodded.  Their session started.

“Hey we have those in the office.  We had done a bridal shoot once!” Lavanya informed.  Khushi’s eyes lit up.  “Then you should try them once…!” she said brightly.

“Lavanya..!” came a rude voice and Khushi froze.  He had come back. 

“Yes, ASR!” Lavanya had got up struggling.  “Get ready, we are going!” he ordered and turned.

He gave a stern look at Khushi and pointed his finger at the empty space between her eyebrows.  She didn’t understand and looked at him like a fool with gaping open mouth! 

“Bindi lagao!” He snarled.  She had forgotten to wear a bindi in a haste to reach in time. 

Khushi started rummaging in her bag for a bindi..!

“Did you see?  He didn’t even bother to look at my new look!” Lavanya said sulkily.  Khushi felt embarrassed.  She looked away and then coming to Lavanya, holding her hand said,

“He has seen it, Lavanya ji! And that’s why he is taking you out with him..! Umm … to have a better look…!” she winked and Lavanya’s face lit up.

“Do you really think so?” she asked excitedly and Khushi nodded.  She helped her get ready and was herself ready to go to the office. 

“Where are you going?” he barked a question and she opened her mouth, to shut it immediately.  He looked at her.  She shook her head and turned back. 

“Don’t have any intention to go to the office?” he asked her and she turned again nodding.

“Chamakili… bolo!” Lavanya nudged her.

“Maun Vrat Hai Kya! Hello hi bye bye! Phew.. phati sadi ka Maun Naseeb!”  Mami poked in scornfully.  Smirk appeared in his eyes and a frown in her!

“Khushi Bitiya..!” Nani came to her rescue.  “Chote.. she will come late today! I need some help!” Nani said and he raised his eyebrow!

“She comes here to teach Lavanya, she is not your servant Nani!” He paid back with interest and she winced.  Nani raised her eyebrows at Khushi and Khushi dashed into Nani’s room. 

“What was that?” Nani asked her.  She fumbled.  “Chodiya na Naniji… Bataiyenaa  Kya Karana  Hain? Just forget it nani, tell me what to do!” she changed the subject with her cheeks growing red.

*******   ***********   ********

She came home with no success.  She had gone to the accounts department to see Regi’s file and his relieving letter.  The payroll in charge had agreed to show him the file out of the records! But when she asked for it, he said that ASR had already taken it!  She frowned.  He was a step ahead of her.  He knew all her moves…!

 ASR was out of office most of the time with Lavanya.  Khushi tried asking several of Regi’s friends.  They had no clue and were also equally shocked that ASR asked him to quit.  Her silence had no effect on him.  But she was determined.  She was thinking hard.  “I should do something else apart from this power of silence.  My power falls short of his power of rudeness.  So I have to have something else…!”  She kept thinking.

“Khushi… what is this?” Payal was shocked to see Khushi.

“Haan  Jiji..! I am not going to Raizada House today!” she said trying to hide her grin!

“Will you be able to manage? I am doubtful, Khushi!” Payal knew for sure that Khushi was all set for another blunder…!  Khushi grinned.  “Yes Jiji! Don’t worry! And I will be late.  Its Ranjan Sir’s farewell party in the department!” she said picking up her bag. 

“Khushi, careful! But… wait… wait!” Payal ran inside and came out with a bag. 

“Keep this! I am sure, you won’t be able to manage with this for long! So… a spare one!” Payal grinned.

“Kya, Jiji!” Khushi took the bag sulkily and went away. 

“Don’t take the bus! Go by Auto!” Payal shouted from behind.