Opposite Poles..Part 96

Part 96

“What’s going on?” ASR asked in rage over the phone to Aman.  He was irritated with the loud music.

“Umm.. Departmental farewell party to Ranjan!” Aman replied. 

“Ok!” he disconnected and went back to his work. 

“Khushi..!” Ranjan was at her desk and she looked up. 

“Haan!.. Yes yes, I am coming..!” she got up struggling.  She had forgotten about the party.

“Hey Khushi! Where were you the whole day? Didn’t come for the lunch also..!” Rekha smiled at Khushi.

“Woh…. Lavanya ji ka kaam thaa!” she said not knowing how to hide her blush.  Rekha looked at her raising her eyebrows.  Khushi looked around.  Only Rekha was from her friend circle apart from Ranjan were there. 

“Ms Gupta!” elderly chief accountant greeted.  Only the depart personnel were present and Khushi was special invitee.  Khushi greeted “Namaste Sir!” smiling at him.  He glanced at Ranjan.  “Come!” he welcomed her.  She sat next to Rekha and looked around.  Small decoration and glittering “Farewell to Ranjan..!” words were stuck up on the wall.  Two chairs were placed below the letters.

“Huf  umm.. Ranjan Pawar.. Please come!” The chief accountant  escorted Ranjan to the chair and started off.  The loud music had stopped.  Silence prevailed.

“Though we are happy for his promotion, we are sad that we are losing a great person in this office.  I was an efficient, able and professional accountant.  He is going on promotion.  We are really happy and proud of him.  Personally, I am very sad to send him off.  I am losing my right hand.  I don’t know what to say about his achievements.  He is promoted in one year and that too on the post of great responsibility, speaks volumes  about his talent and ability. I fall short of words in such functions like send off.  I wish him all the best!” he couldn’t continue as he got emotional. 

Ranjan’s colleagues spoke too, informally about Ranjan’s good nature.  “Ms Gupta! Would you like to say something?” asked the chief accountant.  She shook her head.  Rekha nudged her.

“Go! Say something!” she whispered.  Khushi got up nervously.  She remembered all her speeches given in her school and started off.

“Ymm.. I don’t know what to say, but Ranjan sir is a great person.  He helped me a lot, correcting my errors.  He taught me how to use excel sheet.  I am not even a graduate, but he never showed it to me and helped me learn the tricks of the trade.  Thank you very much, Sir!” she turned to him and smiled.

“And all the best!” she gave him thumbs up! He was gazing at her unblinkingly, feeling very happy to hear words of appreciation from her.  Rekha had notices it.   They all gave him a big parting gift together.  He was overwhelmed.  The music started again and cold drinks and snacks were served.  

“Umm.. Rekha ..!” Ranjan was standing before her nervously fidgeting with his wrist watch.   She looked at him.  “Umm… I mean…!” he looked at her with hope.

“I know what you mean…! Go and ask!” she said smiling.

“What if she says NO!” he asked her with a dry mouth.  She held a glass of water and said..

“It will anyway be No, if you don’t ask her! Be prepared for her NO!” she said firmly.  He looked more nervous..

“What if she feels offended?” he asked. 

“Oh! God! This boy!” Rekha rolled her eyes in frustration.

“Forget it, Ranjan! You won’t be able to ask her!” she said turning her face away. 

“No.. I want to!” he said and turned.  Rekha gazed at his back.  “Humm!” she sighed shaking her head hopelessly.  He came back again.  “What should I ask her?” he asked and Rekha got up from her chair angrily.

“Rehenay  Do.. Tumsay  Nahi  Hoga! Leave it Ranjan.. you won’t be able to ask her!” she said scornfully.  “No!” he said and turned.

“Umm.. Khushi!” he came to her holding a glass of cold drink. 

“Haan?” she turned munching wafers.  “Umm.. thanks for coming..!” he said nervously.  She raised her eyebrows.

“Kaise    Nahi   Aatian,   Sir?  After all we were a team!” she said smiling.  He felt better. 

“umm  I will be going now!  Actually my mother wants me to settle down..!” he added preamble. 

“Yes Sir! You Should!” she said innocently.  He fidgeted with his wrist watch nervously and gathering all his courage…

“Khushi… Will you come to meet my parents?” he blurted.  She looked confused.

“What? Your parents are in Mumbai, right?” she asked looking around wondering.

“Umm.. yes… but… I mean… umm… Ok!” he took a deep breath and

“I like you Khushi…!” he said and her mouth fell open in shock.  She looked at him and he came back to his senses.

“I mean… no hurry! Please don’t misunderstand me, Khushi! I mean.. take your own time… I mean even if it’s a No! I mean… “ he held her hand.   She gaped and withdrew her hand not knowing how to react.  She had never expected this.  They were in Chief Accountant’s cabin and no one was around.  Fear appeared in her eyes and Ranjan took a step back.

“Please don’t feel offended, Khushi… but please give it a thought!” he said wiping off his sweat.  She looked down and came out without looking at Ranjan!  She saw Rekha talking to someone..!

“Rekha madam!” she held her hand tightly and Rekha understood.  “I want to go home!” she said.

“Easy, Khushi! Wait!” Rekha took her aside.  “So, he asked you!” she looked at Khushi’s ghostly face.  She nodded looking down.  Rekha tried to find some traces of blush on her face but Khushi looked shocked and nothing else.  Rekha surveyed the situation. 

“Its ok, Khushi… he just told you what he felt! No one is compelling you!” she said putting her hand on Khushi’s shoulder. 

“I never even in my dreams thought Ranjan sir would say something like this… I mean  .. I don’t.. I mean No!” she said in frustration.  “Rekha madam… I am scared!” she held her hand for support.  Rekha stroked her hand and said..

“It’s ok Khushi! Ranjan is a thorough gentleman.. He will understand your No!” Rekha said wrapping her hand around Khushi’s shoulder.    “But.. I never thought about him like that…!” she said quavering.  She was on the verge of crying..!

“Its ok! He will understand! Don’t worry!” Rekha consoled her.   “I want to go home!” Khushi declared and went out to collect her bag with reddening face.

She sat on the chair clutching her head.  “Chal Khushi, Ghar Chal! “ she got up with a jerk and dashed out of the office.  She came home munching peanuts. 

*********   ********

ASR couldn’t sleep that night.  He was tossing and turning.  Some unknown feeling was haunting him.  He didn’t know what it was.  No one… had had such an influence on him!  He was unreachable.. invincible!  He had never felt like this before.  He was never been so affected by a girl! Not even Lavanya! 

“Khushi..!” he blurted turning in his bed with eyes wide open.  He sat up thinking about their proximity… her slipped plaits flashing before his eyes!  “This is not done! I have to do something..! I can’t be influences.. I can’t lose my mind..!” he pulled his laptop.

For a long time he was working on his system and finally slumbered on the bed face down… clock struck 4 in the morning.

**********    *****

Khushi couldn’t sleep.  For the first time in her life, someone had proposed her like that and she didn’t know how to say no!  She had never imagined this situation.

“Hey Devi Mayya! What is this you are playing with.  Why can’t you make my life simple? I can’t handle all these complications with my empty head..! That’s what he says.. brainless git! Then why are you putting so much burden on my this empty head?  Now you solve it! I don’t know anything! Its your responsibility now, to set everything right! You better do it soon, before I stop talking to you..!” she said animatedly sitting up in her bed.

“By the way.. I have understood the power of silence… it plays magic… hum… !” she said smiling.  “Power of silence, Zindabaad!”  She raised her hand and fell back on the pillow.

“Huhh… she suffocated.  He had held her in a tight hug.. she could hear him breathe, feel his breath on her face!  His hand gripping her, she was pinned to the floor.  She floundered … Awaaa! She screamed.. and opened her eyes in fright.  Payal had banged her hand on Khushi’s neck in sleep.

“Jiji… Agar Main Marr  Jaati  Toh? What if I died?” she jerked Payal’s hand. 

“Aakash ji.. Chodiye  na!” she was blurting in sleep.  “Haan? Aakash ji?  Jiji?..what’s going on?  Hamaaray  Peeth  Pichain  Bahut  Kuch  Ho  Raha  Hain! So these things are happening behind my back!  Haan?” Khushi sat up in the bed when the clock struck four in the morning…!  Smile appeared on her face.

“Toh  yeh  baat hain!  Hmm this is it! Jiji… Ab Aayegaa Mazaaa!  Nahi  Chodenge!!”  Khushi hugged her jiji slumbering back on the bed.  Payal churned in her sleep curling up in Khushi’s embrace!!