FF:Intehaa Pyaar Ki-Th 3:Ch-10-page114 - July 20th - Page 4

Aap ki train abhi tak jaipur nahi pahunchi kya . Hum toh station pe khade hai😈

Very funny 

Ok post it now...

Chapter 8:

25 days later:

 

It is 8:40 pm, and the junior staff has already left. Only Armaan and Ashutosh are in the office, wrapping up the pending work.  Ashutosh is in his cabin, musing over the unexpected turn his life had taken. Life had not materialized the way he had planned. Ashutosh sighed as he recollected the earlier days. Not that I can blame anyone. I destroyed my own world with my own hands. Mallika, Baba, and even Armaan, I disappointed everyone. Aur abhi toh Baba ko Mallika ke is tarah engagement tod ke chale jaane ki wajah nahi pata. Jab pata chalegi, toh main kaise unse nazron mila paaoonga? Unhone mujhse baar baar poochha ke Mallika is tarah kyun chali gayi. Usne hamara rishta kyun toda? Meri samajh me nahi aata ke main kya jawab doon Baba ko.

Maine kya kya sochke rakha tha apni life ke baare me.. Mallika ke saath ek sukun ki zinagi jeeoonga, hum dono aur Baba hamesha khush rahenge. Aur hamari firm ko aur unchaiyee par leke jaayenge. We were the 3 pillars on which our firm stood ' me, Mallika and Armaan. Ab Mallika is tarah chali gayi hai, pata nahi woh kabhi wapas aayegi bhi ya nahi. I feel the very foundations of our firm shaking. Since Malllika was a part of the firm since its incepton, it's difficult for me and Armaan to manage the aspects, which she managed so well. On top of that, Armaan's behavior with me is getting difficult for me to handle. First few days he was disappointed and angry with me, I could take his anger. But now he looks at me with concern and something else.. pity? I can't take that. Makes me feel like a complete loser, all the more.       

 My well planned life blew away like a house of cards, the moment I saw her the first time at that goddamed Swami's house. What went wrong with me the moment I set my eyes on that girl?  Why did she have to come into my life like this? Why did she have to join my office as my assistant?

Ever since Mallika's departure, Ashutosh has stopped being too friendly with Nidhi and keeps her away from him as much as possible. He even asked Armaan to take Nidhi under him but Armaan blatantly refused saying he had his plate full with handling a majority of Mallika's cases and could not take the additional burden of mentoring Nidhi. So, Ashutosh resorted to sending her specifics and instructions on the drafts via emails. Whenever she comes to his cabin to discuss any finer points or clear any doubts, he tells her to simply email him and he'll reply.

Armaan broke his reverie, as he barged into his cabin, "hi"

"Hi, kya hua? Koi kaam tha?"

Armaan looked at his childhood friend with concern. Ashu, ye kya ho gaya teri life me? I thought you and Mallika were perfectly suited to each other. I have already been condemned to a lonely life, but you? Your life was set. Why did you have to ruin everything like this? I can't see you like this- despondent, withdrawing into a shell. I need to talk to you, but you are avoiding everyone. Even Uncle is worried about you, woh mujhse baar baar poochhte hain ke aisa kya hua tere aur Mallika ke beech. Main kya kahoon unse. Even if I tell him, I don't know how he will take it. And besides, how do I tell him..  

He was brought back to the present when Ashutosh said, "Armaan?"

"Haan who Khandelwal Constructions wale case me.." and they talked about work for the next few minutes. Then Ashutosh asked him in a nervous, unsteady voice, "Armaan.. Mallika.. kaise hai? Usse.. usse teri baat hui kya phone pe? You know.. Uh.. you see, she called me immediately after landing that she arrived safely, after that I haven't spoken to her. She does not pick up my calls and later emails me ke woh kaam me thi yaa ghumne gayi thi.. it is quite clear that she does not want to talk to me. "

Armaan says softly, "She is fine Ashu. Thoda waqt de use. You understand, why she is not talking to you..right?"

"Of course, I understand Armaan. And I am not blaming her. But yaar I'm worried.."

"Trust me Ashu, woh theek hai. Meri baat hoti rehti hai usse. She is strong Ashu. Uncle-Aunty ki sudden death ke baad bhi usne khud ko sambhal liye thana. Isse bhi woh ubhar jayegi. Haalaton se ladne ki taaqat aur himmat dono hai usme. Stop feeling so guilty.."   

"Armaan, Uncle-Aunty ki death ke time hum the uske saath. Abhi toh woh bilkul akeli pad gayi hai.  Maanta hoon, she is strong, lekin maine is tarah use dokha diya.."

"Dekh Ashu, tune use koi dokha nahi diya, ye khayal bhi apne dimaag me mat la. Aur especially, jab khud Mallika tujhe blame nahi karti.."

"Armaan, that's her large-heartedness that she doesn't blame me. Lekin isse mera gunaah kam nahi hota. I ruined everything, her career, her life.."

"Nahin, Ashu, aisa kuch nahi hai. I know, probably she is depressed now, lekin jitna main use jaanta hoon, she will bounce back. Jo beet gayi so beet gayi, you cant keep blaming yourself the whole life. Yes, even I was angry with you initially. (Then, with pain in his voice and a far away look in his eyes) Mujhe pata hai dil tootne ka dard kya hota hai. Maine saha hai ye dard. Lekin phir maine teri haalat bhi dekhi. You are not suffering any less. Shayad galti meri hi thi. I should not have forced you to propose her. Yes more than anyone else, I'm to be blamed."

"Armaan, please.. teri koi galti nahi thi, I would have proposed her myself, maybe after a while"

"Haan, lekin tab tak.."

"Just stop blaming yourself Armaan. Galti saari meri thi" Ashutosh shouted.

"And you also stop blaming yourself. Don't withdraw into your shell. Think about Uncle at least. Tujhe is haal me dekhke unpe kya beetti hogi? And think about yourself. Look buddy, you need to leave the past behind move on. Look, I don't have much idea about what you feel for Nidhi.."

"Tu kya Armaan, main khud nahi samajh paa raha hoon ke ye kaisa paagalpan hai. Main toh khud se nazren nahi mila paa raha hoon Armaan."

Uncertainly, Armaan ventured,"has it ever occurred to you, Ashu, ke jise tu paagalpan samajh raha hai, kahin ye pyaar toh.."

"Don't even go there Armaan!" Ashutosh shouted.

"Look Ashu, tujhe ek mauka dena chahiye. You need to explore your feelings yaar"

Ashutosh clenched his fists in his lap, "Armaan, kuch aur baat karen, please. Arre haan, what do we about that legal conference? Do we attend it or not?"

Armaan thought for a while, "I guess attending it would be beneficial for our firm, especially, if we think about the PR aspect."

He nodded, "Okay, who should attend from our firm? Since there are only two invites for us, I think one of us can handle the work here and one of us should attend with a junior. What do you think?"    

"Okay, I will take charge of the firm and you go. Theek haina?", said Armaan.

"Haan Armaan, guess I will also get a much needed break from routine." And away from Nidhi!

"Haan, tabhi toh main keh raha hoon. So, it is final that you are attending that conference?"

Sighing, Ashutosh nodded, "Can I take rehaan with me?"

"No way, I need him here"

"Then I'll take Koel"

"Koel jayegi toh mujhe Mallika ke cases handle karne me bahut taqleef hogi yaar. She knows everything about the cases na. Look why don't you take Nidhi"

Ashutosh was shocked, "Nidhi? No way. Here I am trying to maintain as much distance with her as much.."

"Look Ashutosh, I think it will be a learning experience for her. Especially, since she is new."

"Haan yaar Armaan, ye toh sahi baat hai. Toh phir ek kaam kar, tu chala jaa uske saath. Leave the firm to me."

"Nahi yaar Ashu, tu toh jaanta hai, these conferences are not my thing."

"Yaar, lekin main Nidhi ke saath.."

"Look, don't let your personal feelings come in the way of your professional decisions and Nidhi's career. Waise bhi, it's not like you have to spend time with her or anything, na. Ulta, wahan toh shayad tujhe jitna tu office me interact karta hai uske saath, utna bhi nahi padega."

Realizing that he had no option, Ashutosh nodded resignedly.

 

Next day morning, around 10.00 am, Nidhi walks into Ashutosh's cabin, "Sir koi Banwarilal aaye hain. Maria (receptionist) is not there, so. He wants to meet you."

Ashutosh frowns in thought for a moment, then said, "Arre haan, Banwarilal. Please bring him in, will you?"

Nidhi brings in an old man, dressed in rural outfit, with a walking stick in hand. On seeing Ashutosh, he immediately bows down and folds his hands, "Nameste Vakil Sahib."

"Namaste Banwarilalji, baithiye. (The man sits at the edge of the chair) Kahiye kaise aana hua?"

He takes out a paper from the inner pocket of his jhabba and gives to Ashutosh, "Kya bataaoon, phir se ye kaagaz aaya hai. Bade Vakil Sahib ne vaada kiya tha mujhse ke mere purkhon ki zameen mujhse koi nahi chheenega. Toh phir ye kaagaz kyun aaya hai?"

 "Notice aaya hai Banwarilalji, adaalat me sunvai hai."

Then turning to Nidhi he informs her, "This is an old case Ms. Verma. A big construction house wants to build a mall, where his ancestral property is located. And for obvious sentimental reasons, he doesn't want to sell it. The other party had presented documents proving that the land does not belong to him anymore. That was some 20 years ago. This case was earlier handled by my father."

Nidhi nodded and then asked, "Sir, what approach did he use?"

"Unfortunately, the only way out was to get a stay order. And subsequently, prolonging the case. Since the documents were against us.. Now, we just have to wait and see if we can cast reasonable doubt on those documents and prolong the case yet again. Unfortunately, our legal system is such that.. " he shrugs.

She nods in understanding, while Ashutosh turn to the man, "Banwarilalji, aap fikr mat kijiye. Baba ne aapse jo vaada kiya tha, use main nibhaoonga. Aapki zameen aapke haath se nahi jaayegi. Aap bas sunvai ke din adaalat aa jaaiyega, baaki mujhpe chhod dijiye."

Thus assured, the man leaves and Ashu briefly discusses the case with Nidhi and then he tells her about her about the conference. And then asks her if she would like to attend it, hoping she will refuse. But, he was disappointed, when she not only agreed immediately, but also was very excited about it.   

"Uh.. Ms. Verma, I don't think so, you see, it's.. it's a very high level conference. You barely know the basics yet. I too have to give a presentation on the ethical issues in real estate laws and.."

"Wow Sir, sounds very interesting. Please sir, I am really eager to accompany you. It is a golden opportunity for me, I would learn so much.. Please please", she pleaded excitedly.

Ashutosh inwardly cursed himself for not being able to say 'No' to her, in spite of the wreck his own life was in. "Okay, Ms. Verma! You can attend."

"Thank you so much Sir." And with that she left his cabin with lot of anticipation in her eyes.

 

Two days later, they have arrived in Jaipur for the conference. Though Ashutosh had successfully avoided sitting with Nidhi, while waiting for the boarding as well as during the flight, he is obliged to share the car from airport to Hotel The Oberoi Rajvilas, as the commute arranged by the hosts.

Since they are sharing the backseat of the airconditioned car, he could not help taking in her scent, which is mildly sensuous with a hint of mischief. He mused to himself, what perfume does she use? Without even realizing it, his lips stretched into a serene smile as Nidhi kept on exclaiming 'wow this is so beautiful', or 'That's an amazing scenary Sir' or 'Sir, woh building toh dekhiye.. haan.. wohi white wali. Haaye kitni khubsurat hai'.

Finally, Ashutosh could not help asking, "You are visiting Jaipur for the first time?"

She nodded enthusiastically, "Yes Sir, never knew it was so beautiful, no wonder it's called the Pink City" and again turned her gaze out of the windows.

He could not help chuckling as he asked, "So, Ms. Verma, do you know why it's called the Pink City?"

"Obviously, because it's so beautiful Sir" she said in a matter-of-factly tone.   

He shook his head with a laugh, "no. There is an interesting historical fact behind this name."

"What historical fact Sir? Bataiye na please" she asks enthusiastically.

He smiles, "In 1876, the entire city, all buildings, etc. were painted in Pink color to welcome the Prince of Wales. Since then, the name Pink City has struck with it."

"Interesting Sir, thank you for telling me." Turning her head out again, she enjoys the scenaries and the beautiful buildings.

"I think, you will enjoy it better, if we open the windows", he suggested. It would also be easier on my nerves. I can't bear to be in this enclosed space with you so close to me.

"Nahi Sir, bahut garmi hai, pollution bhi bahut hoga. And, anyways, I can't do without the ACs in cars."

He shrugged, "Oh well, as you wish. It was just a suggestion."

He regretted the idea after a couple of minutes! After a while, she had opened the window just a bit. Since it was morning, she enjoyed the cold breeze and opened the window fully, and he too automatically followed suit. The wind blew her open long hair in all directions, teasing his senses even more.

Bad idea Ashutosh, he thought as he forced his eyes away to look out of the window. She still exclaimed at each and every noteworthy sight and he simply replied in monosyllables.

Soon, they reached the hotel and checked in to their respective rooms. Since it is only the first day of the conference, the schedule is light. After the welcome speech and breakfast, there are just two lectures by eminent lawyers. There is no program after lunch. And some participants decide to use this opportunity to go sightseeing.

Nidhi comes to Ashutosh, "Sir, can I go for sightseeing?"

"Yeah sure."

"Why don't you also accompany Sir?"

"I have work, you know? The presentation I have to give"

"Oh yes Sir, shall I stay back to help?" she asks half-heartedly.  

"No Ms. Verma, I will manage, you go"

"Thank you Sir", she says and bounces off to the group that is planning the trip.
    

The group returned before dinner and Ashutosh persistently avoided being with Nidhi all through the dinner though his eyes invariably searched for her all the time. During the drinks and starters sessions, as everyone was moving around the hall, one junior lawyer made a pass at Nidhi. Ashutosh immediately went to him, "What seems to be the problem, here?"

The man is drunk, "Noshing shir..jush talking to dis sheshy lady" and gulps another glass and almost falls on Nidhi.

Ashutosh pushes him away, "Ms. Verma, you please come with me." A slightly scared Nidhi follows him, when that man comes in their way again, "O hello..shaale shaab yeh sheshy lady tereko kya lagti hai?"

Ashutosh though angry, tried his best not to create a scene there, thinking about Nidhi. He singnaled to her to go ahead, and said calmly, "she is my junior".

The man snickers, "Junior? hehehe..sshamja..junior cum escort cum..dot dot..hhehehehe.."

Ashutosh's control snaps at that, and he slaps the guy so hard that he falls down. Seeing the commotion, someone calls security and they drag him away.

He is hurling profanities at Ashutosh while being dragged away, "Shaala, bashtard, main tujhe chhodoonga nahi' bazhaar mein teri izzat ki waatna lagaadi.. teri aur teri uss junior ka tamasha naahi banaya na..toh dekhlana..shaala..mein apna naam badal daloonga..moosh bhi mudvaloonga..shaala.."

For the rest of the evening, Ashutosh keeps Nidhi to himself. A bit shaken from the incident, she feels secured in his company. Ashutosh tries to make small talk to put her at ease. Since the next day sessions are going to begin at 8:00 am sharp, everyone retires early. Ashutosh decides to walk her to her room to ensure her safety, before retiring to his own room.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow1nkiOFsaM)

Just when they reach her door, she suddenly exclaims softly, "ouch!" and starts rubbing her left eye.

"Kya hua?" he asks concerned.

"I think something got into my eye", she says rubbing her eye more vigorously now.

He stands there helplessly for sometime, then he says, "Please give me your key card".

She takes out her key card from her trouser pocket and hands it over to him. He opens the door and tenderly guides her into the room with hi arm around her shoulder. Since the bed was nearer, she sat down on the bed. Awkwardly, he bends on his knees besides her and takes her face in his hands. Nidhi though surprised, did not seem to mind much. Nidhi wondered for a moment why his touch didnt feel like a stranger's touch at all.  

Her eye has gone totally red and watering profusely. She can't even open it. Not knowing what else to do, he opens it tenderly with his thumb and forefinger, and blows softly into it. As some relief washes over her, she lets out her breath on his face, making his heart skip a beat. He leaves her and backs off a bit.

But she again starts rubbing her eye. With an inward grunt, he again takes her face as his fingers tremble slightly and opens her eye to blow into it. She relaxes bit by bit and finally after 2-3 minutes, he backs out and says, "Ms. Verma are you better now?"  

She nods silently. He gets up and says, "I think you should rinse your eye with cold water."

She nodded again, and silently went to the restroom. While she splashes the cold water on her face and then rinses her eyes for 1-2 minutes, she wonders why his touch felt so.. familiar? so tender? Why do I feel so safe when he is around. Yes, I feel safe  and.. what else? I don't suspect his intentions even though he sometimes gazes strangely at me' why?   

He is waiting for her, near the door of her room, when she emerges from the restroom. "Are you okay Nidhi.. I mean Ms. Verma?"

"Yes Sir, I'm fine. And that's okay Sir, you can call me Nidhi. Ms. Verma kuch jyada hi formal lagta hai", she smiles.

He smiles back, "Okay Ms. Nidhi."

She chuckles, "Just Nidhi is also fine Sir."

He nods with his lopsided smile, "Chalta hoon, Good night, take care."

"Good night Sir"

Tucked in her bed, she kept wondering. What made me do that? Why did I want Sir to call me just Nidhi?

 

The next morning after breakfast, first presentation was Ashutosh's. Nidhi listened in rapt attention and was mesmerized by his knowledge. During the Q & A session, she asked a few impressive questions, surprising him with her intellect.  

The lecture after Ashutosh's presentation was cancelled at the last moment since the retired judge who was supposed to give the lecture fell ill and could not make it to the venue. Since there was nothing else to do till lunch, all guests strolled around the hotel in different groups of their choice. Nidhi joined a small group of some girls ' junior lawyers. The girls gossiped about celebrities, discussed latest fashion and generally indulged in girlish talks. They wre impressed with Nidhi's sense in fashion and the latest trends. While walking they arrived at a lounge.

Seeing the chess set there, Nidhi exclaimed, "Wow chess set! Chalo, let's play. Please, its my fave game and I haven't played it since I started working."

"Chess? How boring!" exclaimed one girl.

"Mujhe to nahi aati. I tried learning but got drowsy within 5 minutes", explained another.

"Mera mood nahi hai yaar Nidhi," said a third.

Just then Ashutosh came there alone, his own group having dispersed due to phone calls recieved by them. "Hello, I am advocate Ashutosh Mathur." The girls greet him and give their introduction. A girl nudges Nidhi to give hers, but she says, "Arre didn't I tell you? Main inhike saath kaam karti hoon'.

"Oh I see. (Then turning to Ashutosh, she says trying to kind of impress him) Sir you play chess?"

Though surprised, he nods and says with a smug smile, "In fact, very few people have beaten me in chess"

Nidhi almost shouts like an excited kid, "Uh that sounds like a challenge Sir. May be, in fact not may be, but I'm sure, today will be one of the few exceptions when someone beats you." 

"Don't tell me Ms. Nidhi, you play chess?" he asks surprised.

"Play? It's my fave game Sir!"

"Kya baat hai? Ye toh mera bhi favorite game hai."

"Toh phir der kis baat ki Sir? Ho jaaye?"

"Ms. Nidhi, abhi?"

She chuckles and nods, "Unless you think you can't win. Chaliye na Sir, waise bhi abhi lunch tak free hain."

"Itna overconfidence Ms. Nidhi?" he smiles teasingly.

She looks up, "Overconfidence nahi Sir, confidence."

"In that case, I am game for it."

They looked around and noticed that the others have left. They give each other an embarrassed smile. They were so engrossed in their banter that they never even knew when the others left.

They sat down, set their game and started playing. Gradually they got totally engrossed in it. "Check" he said and looked up at her. She frowns and rubs the upper part of a pawn that she took in the previous turn, on the insides of her lips, in concentration. Realizing that he is ogling at her yet again, he forces his eyes away from her, when she says, "That was a bad move Sir!" and places her queen in such a way that her own king was safe and it was in direct line of his king, "Check Your King Sir." She said smugly and settled back on the sofa, looking at him indulgently with her cheek on her palm, and her elbow resting on the armrest. 

In the next move, he said, "Check again Ms. Nidhi."

She said with a smirk, "A bad move again Sir, (moving the piece) Here is Check, in fact CheckMate!"

He simply stared at the chessboard astonished. "Wow Nidhi. I'm impressed. You really do know your game!"

"Thank you Sir!" she smiled broadly.

Just then a group arrived in the lounge. One senior lawyer knew Ashutosh well. Seeing Ashutosh he exclaimed, "Arre Ashutosh, you and your love for chess! Koi aur nahi mila toh apni bechari junior ko hi bakra bana diya tumne."   

"Actually Sidharth, aisa kuch nahi hai.." he stops, not knowing what to say.

Nidhi butts in, to say tongue-in-cheek,"Actually Sir, bakra toh aaj ye ban gaye aaj"

Everyone looks at her surprised at the way she is talking about her boss. She continues, "You see, I'm just crazy about this game. So, I forced him to play".

Sidharth looked at her, "What? You like this boring game."

Ashutosh nods, "Not only likes it but is a pro at it. I lost to her"

"What? You actually lost to her."

"Yeah" says Ashutosh with a sheepish smile.

Sidharth shakes Nidhi's hand, "Well done my girl. You did what I could never do in all these years."

She says, "Thank you Sir"

"So, what are you asking in return. Winner must ask the loser for something na?"

While Nidhi looked on uncertainly, Ashutosh said with mock-anger, "Sidharth don't give her ideas."

One overtly jovial person from the group laughed, "Arre Mr. Ashutosh, aap toh khamakha ghabra rahe hain. Maang maang ke kya maangegi? Kaunsa aapka dil maang legi?"

Dil Maangne ki toh use koi zaroorat hi nahi, woh toh pahle hi chura chuki hai. Hell, I was trying to keep away from her, why am I spending so much time with her? Why did I play chess with her? Avoid her as much as possible Ashutosh. Just AVOID BEING WITH HER.

Seeing that Nidhi is embarrassed, Sidharth scolds that person, "Yaar Kamal, kuch toh soch samajhke bola karo. (Turning to Nidhi) Let me help you here. Do you know your boss's hidden.. actually, not-so-hidden talent?"

She smiles and shakes her head.

"He is a great singer!"

Before anyone can say anything, Ashutosh says, "Sidharth please yaar, is waqt nahi. Excuse me everyone, I need to go to my room and make an urgent call. I will see you at lunch."

"Nahi Ashutosh, you can't run away from here like. Main tumse milu aur tumhara gaana nahi sunu, aisa kaise ho sakta hai?"

"Sidharth, please yaar abhi nahi, ek kaam hai before lunch."

"Come on yaar, ek gaane me kitna time lagta hai? Hardly 3-4 minute. So, please start without wasting any more time and then you can go wherever you want. Doesn't everyone agree?"

While everyone cheered, Ashutosh said, "Please everyone, I really have some work. So, please excuse me" and he walks out of the lounge.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, with Ashutosh maintaining as much distance as possible from Nidhi. The dinner is also almost done. Ashutosh, having finished the dinner, leaves the hall earlier since he is tired. But Nidhi is among the very few people who are still left.

The man who created a scene the previous day sees Ashutosh leaving the hall, and looks at Nidhi with an ugly sneer. He makes a call, "Raasta saaf hai. In dono ko ab pata chalega ke meri insult karne ka anjaam kya hota hai!"  

  

ME FIRST

 

Congrats

 

Short review.

Lovely chapter.. I think the demand for the chapter.. cut the size down.

 

Nice friendship between Armaan and Ashu.

 

Ashu's remorse..

 

Self thoughts the highlight of this story.

 

Nice conference

Lovely self thoughts... Ashutosh is being pained at all that transpired ..the guilt gnawing at him.. 

Armaan the rock and pillar as usual..

Nidhi is infectious .. She is getting deeper under his skin.

Why do I get the feeling.. The banwarilal case is going to play a big role in Ashni relationship???

The conference was just a superb idea.. I felt it was the cherry so far on the cake..

Their ride to the hotel very well written..

The drunken scene , the eye scene nicely done ..  I could visualize Ashu in them.  That is been the highlight of your writing for me.. Me being able to play the scenes in my minds eye.

The game of chess ahaan . And the prize great.

And you have too been bitten by the bug called "the cliff hangers" haan???

I cannot play the song right now.. But as soon as I have access to a PC will write and comment on it.

Shirley you have done a great job my friend.. ⭐️

no apology required Shirley...

review tomorrow morning..