Novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

He was standing near the lobby waiting for her. Though he appeared calm, he was boiling with anger from inside. How could that little chit dare to lie to him? What made her so desperate to take such a drastic step? Since last five months she had never taken any extra leave, she had always been sincere and efficient in her work. Now what could be the reason for being so desperate to lie! When he saw her near the pool earlier he could not believe his eyes for a moment. He was shocked to see her in a completely different attire. Now that he had time to clear his mind, he cannot help but noticed her beauty. Ofcourse she was beautiful, he knew that the day she had joined his office. But now it felt different to him and he could not reason with it.

He spiraled back into his past where it all begin……He grew up in a joint family of royals which hailed from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. He had a family filled with every other honourable profession; his grandparents were both doctors and had continued to serve the royalty for generations. His father and uncles though opted to stand out and become Engineer’s and MBA’s the first their family ever produced. Their eldest sister had choosed to be a doctor but a veterinarian much to her grandparent’s resentment, but they eventually reconciled and accepted her. The youngest of the generation was Aditya’s father who became Engineer had worked at Kirloskar’s before starting up his own start-up of manufacture and export at young age of 30. Everything had been smooth but for the untimely accident of their grandparents which broke havoc in there jubilant lives. There started the struggles for the Estate and 4 brothers and a sister couldn’t bear anyone getting the other thing and soon things were turning malicious.

Things went in so sour between the blood brothers that his dad had no other option but to move on with his family and they soon moved to Mumbai, taking his business along with him. It took nearly 3 years for the business to recover and the loan had snowballed. Aditya was 10 when his mother passed away with cancer. His father had been very sunny and gleeful all for the sake of Aditya and his younger brother ever since he became a widower. He managed his business and brought up his children at the cost of his own joy. He had to play a part of both the parents for the two and he did it so passionately that he neglected his own happiness. Being widowed at late 30’s and not remarring is as uncommon in India as Parsi getting married before 30. He put both his children through school in I.E.S. or then called as king George School, Dadar. They lived in a Bungalow in Girgaun then a very prosperous locality post-Independence. His father was an atheist but insisted on Aditya and his brother Suraj to follow their own heart. He would take them to all Ganpati Festivals especially Girgaun-cha-raja. During Visarjan they would end up sitting on the terrace and paying respect to every other Idol that would pass there house. Weekend would be dedicated to family time at-times girgaun chowpatty or Juhu or a drive to marine drive for getting desserts from Bachelors or eating out at Bademiyas. His dad made it a point to not getting his work at home so the brothers won’t know his agony.

Aditya was admitted to B. Com. and he graduated at tender age of 22. He soon took up to become MBA from Sydenham College and outclassed everyone . His brother Suraj a year younger to him had done his 12^th and had given up on studies. He choosed to loaf around for a year with friends as before and soon his dad had to straighten him out and secure him through engineering degree at Belgaun, a place out of Maharshtra far from his friends. May be that’s what was required because soon his interest started coming back and his grades improved. He topped since his second year till completion.

Aditya was 24 and in UK attending company placement at ICICI when he got a phonecall saying his father had met with an accident. He had fallen of their bunglows balcony and no one knew why and what he was doing up there. Back in 1991 there was major economic crisis that hit India and Aditya’s dad had his investments crashed around him. A moderate occasional drinker had taken to heavy drinking and had tried to end his life. Aditya’s world started to collapse around itself, he cancelled the interview took the earliest flight back to Bombay. His father had been confirmed paraplegic and was lying unconscious back in K.E.M. Hospital when he reached. His brother was there sitting next to him and sobbing his heart out. The doctor said there's internal injury to the brain. They have relieved the hematoma but the treatment was delayed and prognosis was guarded till his father had full consciousness. It took  5 days for him to open his eyes. He had lost his speech and his memory to the extent he didn’t recognize his sons.

Eversince then it was Aditya who jumped into his dads business and revived it. He forsake his own life, abandoned all his desires and dreams he ever had and endeavored through last 6 years years. Those 8 years he had his bedridden-dad to take care off and weren’t smooth either. Bombay Riots in 1993 had claimed their beloved bungalow to fascism of regional party. They survived and now lived in 2BHK flat in Colaba ever since. Now at 33 he was finally gaining success and momentum back in his business. All these years just passed without him indulging in friends, it would be business meeting, corporate presentations, targets, achievements for him. He thought to himself of going back to his ambitions to live in UK and USA; going solo bike expedition across India; starting back Photography his precious hobby; Visiting Srilanka, Andamans, Lakshwadeep, Mauritius, South pole; doing adventure sports, but it all ended up on a shelve of to-do-things. He had fallen in love once back in college days she ran out on him with his best friend, he had been betrayed now too often by his faith and god that he felt so let down that he had promised himself he won’t let anyone into his life ever again not even god. He thought he understood his father why he choose to be an aethist, after all he had seen in his lifetime. He thought he would be happier alone for now and he continued to think d same till date. He  hardly had time to spare for anyone as he prioritized his work and it did win him all the prosperity and the awards he would get as young entrepreneur from various organization. He featured in Forbes, Business today atleast once a year mostly for his contributions to philanthropy which he often requested for alias names for reasons unknown to even him. He preferred giving away donations was easier than giving anyone his time. He would end up putting 365 days of the year in his work. Even on Sundays he would sit at his office and go through each exchange details to cross examine them thoroughly. He found a way of getting things done from his employees and often in disagreement or incompletion they would be politely asked to leave the office. He had grown cold to his employees for he wanted them target oriented like him. Delay was met with iciness at first, dressing-down the second time and ended up with a pink slip at the third. Same had happened to his last secretary within a month she joined and to 20 other before her. They all lasted maximum of 3 months. He needed someone to type his letters, attend his calls, arrange his meeting, serve him basically 9-6 otherwise he would have done past without a secretary. In the office he would give away huge bonus at Diwali to everyone, and everyone would receive their payslips on time; above that they hardly ever had indulged in office trips or any functions. There was no Laxmi-Puja neither Dasera celebrations nor Christmas trees ever seen in corridors for the past 8 years now.  

His father occupied his remainder of time whatever he could dedicate to. He would Shave, Bathe, comb and dress his father everyday early morning. Over the past 8 years his father had gained his motor functions but remembered hardly anything. He would stare blankly at his son, take whatever was offered to him by his hired attendant and not speak a word. Aditya tried teaching him writing to communicate with him but in vain. His father a jolly person was lost and no one knew how and why they ended up onto this stage. Undefeated Aditya would try and communicate with his dad for he was the only person he could talk it out too. He received no advice nor did he need one, his heart knew what was necessary, he just wanted someone hear him out, run finger along his hair tell him it’s gonna be all right soon or hug him.

His Brother on the other hand had moved on, he got married and worked his way up in Reliance, had roamed half the world on his companies money, had social life on weekends, was blessed with a babygirl all that Aditya could only aspire for. His brothers choose to believe his father had tried to end his life and leave the two brothers on their own and he had no obligation to serve him all through his bedridden life. Even Adi would never ask for any such help over the years and they grew distant with each being involved in their own life. It had been 2 years since they saw each other now and last they remember meeting was for Suraj’s wedding. Suraj had a love marriage with a middle class girl and he choose to be on his own soon after his dad’s incident. He worked around a lot of places before he choose to settle and then lived in outskirts of Mumbai in Belapur. He indulged in being a family man and off recent had developed vices no one knew. He would go drinking and tank out with his friends, and would end up sobering up all Sundays at their bachelor pad. His marriage was running into a rough patch with his new found love for alcohol. His wife found out and had asked Aditya for little help straightening him out, although Aditya never promised anything to her and how could he make a blank promise.  

As he was thinking all this pacing the floor, he saw Sara walking towards him near the lobby. Something about her whole appearance startled him. Her gracious, yet dignified walk surprised him but pleasantly. Though her eyes were moving around him nervously, he could sense that she was scared and she should be because of what she had done, he thought. She was wearing a bright yellow dress knee length and a elegant pair of sandals with a yellow bow on it. Alongwith her she was carrying envy. She was envied by the fact that her boss had to show up right at the place where she choose to relax herself and he had to spoil it for her. He could have let go for it was her first time, but here he was yelling at her and demanding to serve him out of all. What kind of person can be so ignorant? She knew from her looks the other day even he felt she needed a break and time to unwind, what could drive a person to do so misjudgemental.

As soon as they meet Aditya asked her to start up his laptop and type in a few mails as dictated and these were urgent. He could have done it himself he knew so why was the sense of domination that took over him all of a sudden. Those mails could have waited over the weekend too, and maybe it was just the lust for control over people got the better of him. The mails were standard on delivery and payment issues and had a standard format so it hardly took them an hour to get done with it. He had ordered a coffee for both of them by the time they finished. Sara hadn’t collected herself completely from what happened and was hoping it to end soon. She was thinking of going back home and crying her heart out. For all she knew she could be fired this monday. Soon it was lunch time, Aditya asked if she wanted to have lunch with him out of nowhere? She declined politely; she said Kamya’s would be waiting for her wherein she actually didn’t want to spend any more time with her devil of a boss. Aditya got up all of a sudden went to reception and seemed to dial some no and speak over the phone. He was back in a minute and told Sara, Kamya would be joining them soon. He had called her up and had asked her to come down for lunch. When Kamya walked in she was in a tank top and a skirt and pair of flipflops making noise all over the floor. Kamya knew how to be carefree even if her best friend’s boss was the one inviting her. If possible she would have given it to him for being this rude and self-obsessed, but she knew her friend’s job was in jeopardy so she choose to irate him as little as she could. They had a very silent lunch with Kamya giving cold stares to Aditya discretly and fiddling with her fork on her empty plate to annoy him. The trick worked and soon they landed up in their respective rooms for the afternoon. Aditya had insisted on paying the bills but Kamya had to stick it to him by sharing the amount.

Back in the room Kamya had already made plans to drive down to Lonavala a short drive from there resort and spend their evening watching sunset from the Tiger point. Sara was sobbing like a child and kamya knew keeping her accessible to her boss would make it even worse. Kamya knew a lot of places from her earlier outings with all her college friends and could have been a great travel guide to her folks. Kamya drove all the way while Sara slept on the passenger seat. They had Maggi and drank hot cuppa tea at the point. Brought 2 quarters of old monk for the night from a liquor store in Lonavala. Kamya had to shop for her favorite chocolate fudge and Lonavala Chikki and tried to get Sara involved too. They had little time to go to Bushi dam as it was nearing dark so they choosed to drive back. On her way back Sara drove and was feeling a little better putting behind all the misfortune of the morning.

They had reach their resort at around 8 and decided to grab a lit lunch before they downed there alcohol. Aditya was sitting there on a table all alone fiddling with his laptop and phone by his ear. His food was getting cold and had to be slid behind to accommodate his laptop. Both the girls felt sad for him for a moment, they had never seen someone so lonely  and surrounded by couples or family having a roar over their table, cracking jokes, sharing food. Across his table sat a group of 5 friends doing cheers occasionally clinching there beer mugs. He saw them across the hall and signaled Sara to come to his table with his fingers, and all their feeling went down the drain, replaced with what the hell. At 8 it wasn’t office hours either to be at his command, but Sara had to walk mutely over to his table. She pulled a chair and asked Kamya also to join. Aditya explained he was in a conference call with his clients in US and was finding it very difficult to note down their requirements. He basically needed help and could have asked it politely but then him being whatever he was he had to command it out of his secretary. Sara obliged and what other option she had after the morning threat that she had received. It was over in a while and they had finally put the phone down and closed the laptop of his. For the first time in last 5 months Aditya uttered ‘Thanks’ to Sara and seemed to have forgotten about the early morning incident. One look over his food and he gave up on it, signaled a waiter to take it away. Kamya had never seen a person so impolite who would get things done at the swish of his hand, she felt sorry for Sara.

Just when everything it seemed to end with the girls getting up to go to their room, Aditya announced dinner’s on him. He had already called for the waiter who stood mutely by their table. Kamya was beginning to argue saying they had their plans for dinner when he simply waved her to stop it. He ordered a full butter chicken and roti’s for the table and waved at kamya for anything else she wanted. She was too blown away to respond while Sara said nothing else to the waiter. Kamya couldn’t take it lying down as Sara was, so she decided to irritate Aditya with questions he had never been asked before. And she had to start with questions on his family his mom, dad whether any siblings he had, about his passions, future plans.

“So where do u live?”

“Colaba…”

“Tell us about ur parents”

“There is nothing left to tell…mom passed away when I was 10, dads been bedridden since I was 24”

Kamya for the first time felt sorry for him but she had only revenge on her mind.

“what u do on weekends. Is it only office or have a private life besides it??”

“Not much of private life…. Days are the same for me…be it weekday or weekend… I have neither family to eat away my time nor any friends”

“So why no friends …. why such a loner all this while. Sara tells me u never attend dinner or any meeting other than office work”

“Never felt the need to…. I don’t want to keep unnecessary distractions”

“What about siblings, cousins?”

“I have a younger brother otherwise no family”

“So what about him. U meet him”

“Havent of late”

“Whar are ur passions…when u get married….what u wanna do in life”

“Get married sometime when it feels right. Earn enough to retire in another 15 years and then roam around the world”

“Why not now?”

“No one capable to replace me!! ”

“So u will need 15 years to find someone?”

“Hopefully. World can’t be so hopeless” he didn’t say it for Sara as a taunt but it was understood otherwise by both the girls.

“What are u doing here at this resort…. Any meeting ”

“Yes…. But its tomorrow… was gonna leave for office when I saw my secretary here and the work could just be completed here so stayed back…..” This was meant for Sara…. Kamya saw her shifting uncomfortably in her seat and knew she had to take a time out. More questions would have just burdened her friend’s despair.

Aditya was trying his best to be polite all the time keeping his replies to bare minimum as he munched on his food, he couldn’t show he was uncomfortable especially to a no one like Kamya but in the back of his mind he never wanted to tell anything to either of the girls.Sara kept mum all this while secretly listening to all their talk and she was finally having some office gossip to share on him. Aditya for once felt nervous on topics of love and marriage to them both and before Kamya could get more on his nerves he had waived to the waiter for a check. 

Soon the girls were giggling back in their rooms with their alcohol bottles in their hands. They discussed about Aditya, his control issues, his past, how nervous he got and how Kamya had successfully got a better of him for the whole day. They shared a toast to getting back to him for spoiling the morning for them. Sara was gleeful for she had a friend who she saw fighting for her tooth and nail with her dominating boss something she could never do herself to any stranger. They finished their alcohol blinded with their Aditya bashing talks and soon slumbered off to good night sleep.    

Chapter 3

It was an early morning call that woke up Kamya. She answered it and to her disbelief it was Sara’s boss calling up at 7 in the morning. He wanted them to join him for breakfast by 8 and he quoted “In decent clothes”. What would he want that for she wondered. She woke up Sara who for a change had a very peaceful sleep and didn’t look all gloomy. They were both invited so they got ready with Kamya choosing a Purple salwar kamiz and jeans whereas Sara borrowed Kamya’s yellow kurta and leggings to go along with her sandals. They had reached the cafeteria 10 mins earlier and Aditya sitting with another gentleman casually dressed in 3/4th  and a T-shirt. As they reached Aditya got up to introduce them and so did the other guy. Look on Sara’s face changed in a flash like she had received a lighting jolt, Kamya had the same look on hers.

There he standing at a handshake distance with his piercing green eyes…….

Novel Chapter 1

                Chapter 1

‘You’re such a fool! You know that’, she as she sat at the edge of the bed. ‘I know’, he said with not much enthusiasm while his eyes were fixed on her. ‘I just don’t want to talk to you, you always do this to me’, her face flushed with some mixed expression which she couldn’t say whether it was anger or something else. As she was saying this he had come closer to her from behind and was gently stroking her hair. And as she moved to say something further, he silenced her with his lips and her words just drifted away from her mind. The soft sensations that he was doing to her with his fingers were more than enough to melt herself in his arms. And as he was gently moving his hand over her back, kissing every nerve of her spine, she could do nothing but limp with need in response. She slowly turned her neck so that she could face him and kissed him at his collarbone, even biting it with fierce response because somewhere at the back of her mind she was angry with him but couldn’t remember why. She put her fingers in his dark curly hair and looked into those fierce green eyes and the moment her eyes fixed on them, she screamed at the top of her voice but somehow the sound just died away in her throat leaving behind just a groan.

                Sara woke up with a start, her body was trembling all over with tiny droplets of perspiration on her forehead. Her mind and heart suddenly felt numb. After a few minutes, when her body started responding normally, she thought, ’Oh my god, what the hell have I been dreaming!’. She was trying hard to recollect the dream but could not get a clear picture, just those massive piercing green eyes made her tremble again.

                This was the third time since the last few weeks that she had such weird dreams. She couldn’t understand what it was all about. Her head was damp with sweat but beside her at the adjoining bed, her friend Kamya was sleeping peacefully curled up in her blanket. Sara felt a little envious towards her because she was unable to get such a good night’s sleep like Kamya but then she got irritated with herself to have such a stupid thought about her own best friend. Sara could no longer get back to sleep so she got up and splashed cold water on her face and kept a cup of coffee for boiling. She felt a little better now, she glanced at the watch, it was  4’oclock in the morning, a few hours left for sunrise, so she decided to read something. She switched on the lamp near her bed, grabbed a novel and started reading. But she could not concentrate more than a minute, her thoughts started disturbing her. She started asking questions to herself, why only I get such stupid dreams, which have no connection with my real life? Who is that person with those piercing green eyes? She couldn’t remember a thing, just a blur picture and those eyes! Its been so long that she had any peaceful sleep. She had been working hard entire day but her body was unable to rest peacefully at night. The day before yesterday, she had taken a sleeping pill which had only helped her for one night. What about the other sleepless nights? Besides she had a fear of getting addicted to sleeping pills.

                Just then, Kamya got up and yelled, ‘What have you kept on gas, the room is smelling all over, hey, are you listening dumbo?’. Sara was startled for a while but in few seconds she reacted and went running into the kitchen to turn of the gas. The coffee was totally burned and the vessel had turned black, so she just kept it in the sink for washing. ‘What is wrong with you? Is this the time to make coffee? You spoiled my sleep!’, Kamya came in the kitchen and yelled again. But one look at Sara’s face, cooled her down, she reached her and then noticed that something was wrong. ‘Again that stupid dream?’, Kamya asked, Sara nodded and stared crying. Kamya hugged and patted her, she said, ‘It’s ok dear. There is nothing to worry, it’s just a dream. You are sick of working hard the entire day. What you need is a break! I am sure, you will be alright, if you just rest and relax,ok?’. Sara just needed this comfort, she felt better. ‘Thanks dear’ Sara said.

                ‘Listen gal, I have a plan. Tomorrow is friday and saturday is some bank holiday then its sunday. We have three whole days. You take a leave for tomorrow and I will do the same. Tell your boss, you need a leave because your not feeling well, you need rest. We will go for an outing somewhere away from this routine and boring city.’ When Kamya talks she is so enthusiastic that no one can interrupt her. She was going on and on, ‘We will enjoy, have a great time, just you and me. You will get rid of everything, your work, your boss, your stupid dreams. You got that? We will have lots of gtalks, eat different foods and just go crazy! What do you say?’ And this was when Sara actually got a chance to say something. She was lucky to have it. She said,’ Dear, I don’t think this will work, you know my boss, he is a jackass, he won’t give me a leave, it is month’s end and you know he will have all sorts of excuses of not allowing me a leave.’ But Kamya was stubborn, she said,’ Oh please, don’t start your sulking again. I give a damn to your boss, go kick his ass! If you want I will call him and tell him that your not feeling well tomorrow. If he doesn’t listen, fuck him, just chuck it, we are going any which ways. We can deal with it when we are back. Later, not now. We are going and thats final’. The tone of Kamya’s voice was ringing with authority and Sara could not ignore it, so she relented by just a nod because deep within her she also wanted to go out and chill. Kamya said, ‘ Ok. Now we will sit together and plan everything. It’s just 5 o’clock, we still have one hour to discuss and then we can get back to our daily routine. First do one thing, write a letter to your boss asking for tomorrow’s leave and today at work behave as if your actually unwell. Just do as I say, ok?’. Again Sara just nodded, she didn’t have the guts to lower her spirits now when its all fixed. So for the next one hour they were busy planning about where they will go, which place to stay, how much money they require and so on.

                Finally when everything was decide, Kamya got curled up on her bed. She was too happy to notice that Sara was a little worried. Even if she did realise, she didn’t care knowing the usual sulking of Sara , she knew that Sara will be back to her normal self once they are out for their trip. Then they got up and started getting ready for their respective work. Kamya was busy choosing which dress to wear thinking that she is going to pretend being sick at office, so she is supposed to wear something dull and sober, so she selected a white shirt and grey formal skirt to go with it. Then she went to select a dress for Sara too. Sara was just staring at her friend’s enthusiasm and thinking that why she cannot be as carefree as her friend. But that question remained unanswered as Kamya selected a light blue dress for her.

                Sara reached office early today since she had woken up early. But she was feeling very low due to her lack of sleep and the dream kept nudging her thoughts. She dropped her purse on her desk and sat on the chair without noticing anyone around. Someone gently tapped her from behind and Sara came back to reality. It was Ria, her colleague, she asked , ‘Hey whats up? Not looking well? Anything wrong?’ Sara replied, ‘Oh nothing, just feeling a little low.’ Then she remembered according to their plan she had to fake illness in order get leave. So she added, ‘Actually I have a mild headache’. Ria sounded worried,’Oh! If your not feeling well then go the boss ask for half day or leave for tomorrow’. ‘Ya, your right. I think I will do that, but is the boss in yet?’ Sara asked. ‘I guess, yes. I saw his car entering the building just when I came. May be he is in, go and check out. Ok, now I should be back to my work, see you later at break, take care, bye’,Ria replied and turned away without waiting for an answer.

Sara sat there inking whether she should go and ask or not but then Kamya’s words were ringing in her head that she should go. As it is she is feeling low, even Ria thought so looking at her that she was unwell, that means may be boss can be convinced too. As she was thinking all this, the buzzer at her desk started ringing which indicated that she is called in her boss’s cabin immediately. So she grabbed her writing pad and pen and dashed towards his cabin. She almost bumped at his door but she caught hold of her posture and asked curtly, ‘May I come in?’ Her boss slightly lifted her head from a file and nodded her to enter without even holding a glance at her. Swiftly she carried herself upto the desk and stood mutely. Her boss had a very distinct personality. He was around 30+ but looked below 28 with his handsome features, freshly shaven face, dark bushy eyebrows and slightly curly but neatly combed hair, tightly pursed broad lips, gentle brown eyes, tall, broadchested wearing a black formal tuxedo made him look a hugely professional individual. His name was also quite suitable for his image, Mr. Adityaraj Rathod. Sara was his personal secretary since last five months but she was not able to know much about him on his background. None of the people at the office too knew anything. Their relationship was strictly professional and not a word of courtesy or any friendly gesture. At first Sara used to feel odd about his behaviour but now she was quite used to it. All these months even she had maintained a very professional and formal attitude towards him. Other people at the office used to ask her about anything she knew related to her boss and she always used to reply with a big ‘no’ because frankly she didn’t have anything to gossip about so the staff always remained disappointed. Personally she didn’t feel anything towards her boss, neither hatred nor affection. She felt weird for him living a life which is so monotonous filled with office work, computers and files. Whatever invitations her boss used to get for different parties or occasions, he used to tell her to refuse them on his part. That means he doesn’t socialize too. ‘What a boring boss Sara was having!’, Kamya had commented once . On a deeper note, Sara thought, God did not gave him heart at all!

                As she was standing near his desk he suddenly looked up giving her a momentarily confused expression but said curlty, ‘Sit down,please’. Sara obeyed instantly. He continued,’ I want to give you a notation to be forwarded to Walter & Co., write it down’. Sara was writing in shorthand as he was dictating to her concentrating somewhere at the ceiling. After completing his dictation, he said,’ Now you may leave and continue with those files I gave you yesterday, I want them today itself. Forward this letter to that company at early notice. I will give you a buzz if I need you.’ And again he got engrossed in his file which indicated that Sara was dismissed for the time being. Sara stood up and was about to leave when she remembered that she had to ask for a leave as per Kamya’s plan. Is this the right time? ,she thought. No time to think, just act. She again turned on impulse to face her boss. Clearing her throat, she said, ‘Sir, I wanted to ask your permission for......’ ‘Yes continue’ , he said without looking up from his file. Sara started again, ‘Sir, I wanted a leave for tomorrow to go for a routine checkup since I am not getting proper sleep for past few weeks. I have an appointment for tomorrow. I think it will take a whole day at the hospital.’

                ‘How can you fix an appointment without even asking me and now after deciding you have the audacity to ask for leave just as a formality. Why did you even bother to ask, you could have just gone on a leave directly. You very well know that it is month end, there is so much work load. I cannot afford to manage my work without you  tomorrow. So you can cancel your appointment and fix it some other day only after my consent. You may leave now’, her boss said with such rapidity that it took sometime for Sara to grasp. She had never come across such a coldhearted person before! ‘I am sorry sir, this would never happen again’, she said that much and left the cabin as soon as possible. Her eyes were suddenly moist. No one had spoken to her like this before. Now she hated him from the bottom of her heart. Fighting back her tears she started typing the letter that he had just dictated.

                After some ten minutes, she knocked his cabin. He asked her to come in. She was totally embarrassed to face him again but she had to because the letter she had typed required his signature. She placed the letter on his desk such that he can read it and sign without uttering a word. He glanced at her, for a moment noticed her moist eyes but ignored it and started checking the letter then after few moments he signed it. As she was leaving for the door, he stopped her and said, ‘Since you have worked very sincerely till now, I am allowing you to go for a leave tomorrow but this is the last time I am relenting. I apologize for what I said earlier. It was a bit too much for you. You may leave now.’ Sara was shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear those words. She took a moment to understand the effect of his monotonous voice. ‘Thank you very much sir’, she replied and left the cabin quickly as she didn’t want him to know how much happy she was to get the leave. After coming out of the cabin, Sara couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Why did her boss change his mind suddenly? And why did he have to apologize to her? After all she was just a mere secretary, knowing his behaviour she thought. She quickly thanked god for changing his mind. She was so excited and wanted to tell someone and so she dialled Kamya’s number. Even she got super excited to hear the news. But she warned Sara from not showing her joy in the office. She should continue to pretend that she is sick otherwise her boss might change his mind again.

                Kamya was right after all this should pretend fatigue but Sara found it very difficult to carry a sullen face. She was not so good at acting like Kamya who can start her drama anytime, anywhere. Kamya was very comfortable showing her acting prowess but Sara always used to tremble and get nervous. Sara managed to pretend till the office hours got over, she quickly got into the bus and reached home. Both friends had rented that flat on partnership. Since last few months Sara and Kamya lived more like a family rather than friends or roommates. Both hailed from small towns in search of employment to Mumbai and as soon as they got jobs, they decided to settle here until something more challenging comes their way.

                When Sara reached home, Kamya had already settled in and started with her packing. That was one thing Kamya enjoyed the most, trying to mess up all stuff in her closet and then as usual Sara had to manage it all over again. As Sara was entering, Kamya pounced on her like a dog, started hugging her so tightly that she couldn’t breathe. ‘Oh my god, we have done it! Sara, finally we are going out of this boring life. Now let the world piss off! We will enjoy this weekend to the fullest, damn with your boss...I am so excited.’ Kamya was almost screaming in her ears. Finally the long hug was released and Sara felt better. Even Sara started laughing at her friend’s impulsiveness. Both girls started dancing without any music. After few minutes , laughing and exhausted they crashed on the couch. Then Kamya took out a notebook in which she had scribbled her ‘to do’ list. She started reading it out to Sara. They were going to Palm Court Beach Resort located on the outskirts of the city. Kamya’s friend has arranged everything from travelling to accommodation. They were supposed to leave home early morning at 5.

                It was difficult to sleep that night for both of them. Kamya was continuously chatting in an excited voice and giving a list of instructions in Sara’s ears and as usual Sara was just pretending to listen. Her thoughts were filled with ambivalence, she didn’t even have proper dinner that night. Next morning, Kamya got up first with her spirits high and got ready. She was wearing a bubbly tank top and shorts which suited her personality. Sara slumbered through her night but she was glad that she didn’t get that disturbing dream again. May be she was too excited to go in deep sleep or may be Kamya was right, she got those dreams because of too much stress. So now she was truly looking forward to this trip. She selected a bottle green top with her favourite denims to wear. Kamya had once told her that she looked too sexy in that outfit. She had called it a deadly combination.

                Obviously both girls were out for the kill. Kamya had got her friend’s car for the trip so that roam all around. Sara was happy about it, sometimes she had to give credit to Kamya’s good friends and contacts who could lend her a car! Sara was driving the car as Kamya doesn’t trust her driving skills plus she was too much excited to drive. All along the journey, Kamya kept on talking animatedly about what they are going to do once they reached. Sara was concentrating to keep her eyes on the road as well as listening to her friend. She was not that good at multi-tasking. They reached their resort in three hours time which was a bit early. They checked in their hotel room and decided to rest for a while after a long drive. Sara walked across the room and opened the window. It was having a beautiful view of the poolside and lots of greenery which Sara liked the most.

                After an hour or so, Sara woke up from her short nap because Kamya was dancing all around the room calling her name. Kamya had ordered breakfast which was laid on the table. One look at it made Sara realise that she was ravenously hungry. She climbed out of the bed and went to sit beside her friend who had already started eating. While munching the meal Kamya said,’After we finish this food, we are going to the poolside for swimming’. Sara looked at her quizzically and said, ‘But I have not got my swimming suit so I cannot swim’ . Kamya replied,’ I knew you would say that bimbo, so I got your swim suit along. Its in my bag, go and grab it fast, we are leaving soon.’ After reaching the pool, Kamya opened her bathrobe to show off her bikini which called a swim suit! But the amount of skin it exposed, Sara was sure anyone would know its a bikini. As soon as Kamya showed it off, atleast twenty pair of eyes automatically drifted towards her and stuck to her like a magnet. But Kamya was so used to create that effect on people around her that she mind the attention but on the contrary she enjoyed it. Sara was now publicly conscious about removing her robe. She knew that she was beautiful but she didn’t like public attention. When Kamya called her name from the water, she gathered herself and quickly removed the robe and jumped in the pool. Sara heaved a sigh of relief once she got under the water. The water was cold and both girls enjoyed swimming under the shade as well as sunlight coming through it. After half an hour, Sara felt thirsty so she got out and wore her robe to get herself a drink. Enjoying the drink Sara relaxed on the reclining chair near the poolside, from where she had the view of most of the dining area of the hotel beyond the transparent glass. Just as she was checking out the dining area, her eyes drifted towards a familiar pair of brown eyes and at the sametime those eyes were staring back at her. It was then she realised that she was directly staring at her boss’s face and he had also recognised her. She was so shocked to look away, her heartbeat accelerated, but she pulled herself out of the shock and yelled at Kamya, ‘Come out, quick!’. It took sometime for Kamya to gather that something was seriously wrong. She came out and wore her robe and was about to ask Sara, before that Sara got hold of her hand and dragged her out of there, directly ran to her room and closed it quickly behind her.

                Before Kamya could ask , Sara said, ‘My boss is here, he saw me and I am screwed!’ The only word Kamya managed to utter was, ‘Fuck!’ Both girls began racking their brain, thinking some way out of this situation. After few moments Kamya said,’ Let us just pack up all things and go back and pretend that we were not here at all. You go to your office and appear sick and if your boss asks, tell him that he must be mistaken’. Sara said, ‘ Idiot this can’t be done because my boss clearly knows that its me and remember we ran from the poolside liked scared chickens while he was still watching. What do you think, he is so dumb?’ Kamya nodded with disappointment. Just then they heard a short knock on the door, both of them became suddenly alert and looked at each other. After the second knock, Kamya gathered her courage and opened the door and to her utter disdain, it was Sara’s boss standing at the threshold. Even Sara noticed him from behind her friend. Both of them looked at him in bewilderment. Sara started to say something ,’I am..... But he silenced her with a wave of his hand, he turned to Kamya and said, ‘I want to have a private word with my secretary so could you please leave us alone for sometime’. His tone was more than polite, not trace of anger in his voice which surprised both the girls. Kamya quickly mumbled, ‘Yeah sure’ and left the room. Now Sara felt his eyes on her and nervousness gripped her. He walked across the room closing the door behind him. His manner was swift and he focused his eyes on her and said, ‘I would like to talk to you about this. As you have realised that you have been caught lying to your boss. Do you have any idea how serious this is?’ She started to say something but he silenced her again. He said,’I am not finished with you yet. How dare you lie to me? I had thought that your are a very trustworthy employee but now you betrayed me and I am going to punish you for this. Now you must be thinking how do I happen to be here? By coincidence or to your utter bad luck, my clients decided to have a meeting over here. But only one of them showed up so I have to wait here till tomorrow which is worse for you because your going to be with me all the time from now on whether you like it or not. Since your my secretary its your duty to serve me and look after me. If I find you worth it till that time,I will think of forgiving you or else you would be fired. And i will see to it that you don’t get any other job. You get it? And I am giving you ten minutes to get out of these clothes and wear something decent and meet me down in the lobby. See to it that you won’t be taking too much of time’. Sara was so shocked to hear his cool stern voice that she felt numb and before she could react he was on his way out of the room.

                After the door banged on her face her mind started racing, she thought, ‘Such dominance! He didn’t even let me explain. I am completely fucked up! I have no option other than obeying to that moron. I can’t afford to lose my job right now’. She quickly got undressed and selected a bright casuals since she didn’t carry her formals here. How the hell she was supposed to know things would mess up like this? Just then Kamya entered giving her a questioning look. While getting ready Sara quickly explained her what happened and she had to go now. Kamya put her face down and said,’Its all because of me that ypu have to suffer. I am so sorry about everything really.’ Sara replied, ‘Its not your fault dear, I am only responsible for all this. It is just my bad luck that I am caught. May be because I don’t deserve this happiness thats why god punished me’. Kamya comforted her, ‘ Its alright. Just have faith. Now you better hurry or else he will get a reason to scold you.’ Sara checked herself and walked out of the room.    

Chapter 2

He was standing near the lobby waiting for her. Though he appeared calm, he was boiling with anger from inside. How could that little chit dare to lie to him? What made her so desperate to take such a drastic step? Since last five months she had never taken any extra leave, she had always been sincere and efficient in her work. Now what could be the reason for being so desperate to lie! When he saw her near the pool earlier he could not believe his eyes for a moment. He was shocked to see her in a completely different attire. Now that he had time to clear his mind, he cannot help but noticed her beauty. Ofcourse she was beautiful, he knew that the day she had joined his office. But now it felt different to him and he could not reason with it.

As he was thinking all this pacing the floor, he saw Sara walking towards him near the lobby. Something about her whole appearance startled him. Her gracious, yet dignified walk surprised him but pleasantly. Though her eyes were moving around him nervously, he could sense that she was scared and she should be because of what she had done, he thought. She was wearing a bright yellow dress knee length and a elegant pair of sandals with a yellow bow on it. Alongwith her she was carrying......