21 A.B.A

Name：She Was Not As UGLY As You Thought Author：AnjaliPrasannaNair
+ - Turn off Reset
'To stop you from doing such things, I think I should meet you tomorrow.'

_____________________________________________

FASHION AND THE CITY

10 AM

The next day, everyone was working as usual. Aliya was in her cabin. Rishi was in his cabin. Although the day had started normally, but the atmosphere was something different. Everyone, especially the 'males' were working energetically. Aliya was also excited. Because an exceptionally gorgeous guest was about to arrive. And she was none other than Bhavna Kapoor. Aliya was excited to see her another 'bff' Bhavna. Of course they chat and call each other on a regular basis but it had been ages since they had met each other. And her beauty was widely known. Her face was termed as 'divine'. And she was the 'national crush' for all. Aliya was up in the airs. First it was Anushka who made her previous two days go awesome and now it is Bhavna.

Suddenly there was a terrific hullabaloo in the company. When Aliya went out of her cabin to investigate she was overwhelmed to see Bhavna who was standing a little far from her cabin. She was surrounded by Aliya's colleagues who were busy giving Bhavna bouquets and gifts. Seeing this commotion, Rishi entered the scene and seeing him everybody automatically became 'normal human beings'. Aliya was still standing outside her cabin. When Rishi and Bhavna were heading towards meeting hall, Bhavna noticed Aliya and she passed on a smile to her. Aliya giggled thinking that her superstar friend had noticed her and smiled at her.

_____________________________________________

After some hours, Bhavna entered Aliya's cabin. They both hugged each other in the way celebrities do, a 'poised' hug. That was way different than what Anushka and Aliya do. Aliya asked

"How come you are here?"

"Do you remember I had told you that I bagged a big project? Well it is your company."

"Oh! Again a surprise! So you also thought that you will surprise me by directly coming here and revealing....

"Yeah, exactly! But wait... Who else thought this idea before me?"

"Anushka!"

"REALLY!! Did she visit you?"

"Yes, she was here for two days. She left today morning."

"So what was the surprise? Is she going to marry a hunk?"

"Naah! How can you even think that she'll ever marry someone!"

"That's true!"

"She is the new in charge of our area. And that was her surprise!"

"Oho! I'll congratulate her later. But you're getting a lot of surprises nowadays, uh?"

"I know what you're saying. All is well."

"Then let it be. So you know na that I'll be on a campaign with your company?"

"Yes I know."

"So when the magazine will have its launch function, our A.B.A trio will reunite, okay?"

"As you say, master!"

"So I'll take your leave. See you soon."

"Take care."

_____________________________________________

FASHION AND THE CITY

AFTER WORKING HOURS

Rishi was still in his cabin. He was tired working for so long. Because of some sleepless nights, there were dark circles around his eyes. He remembered what happened yesterday night. Aliya had given a warning to him. So he didn't even looked at her today. In afternoon also, he deliberately collided his meetings with lunchbreak to avoid any kind of interaction with Aliya. But his own actions were pricking his heart. He ignored Aliya because he didn't wanted Aliya to cry again. He was in a dilemma of whether to try again or to let everything go on as it is. He wanted to yell, shout, cry without letting anyone except Aliya to hear his voice.

Suddenly someone banged open the door of his cabin. When Rishi raised his head to see who was so brave enough to do this, he was shocked to see Anushka on the other side. Anushka sat in the chair in front of him without even asking him. Rishi masked his scared face with an expression of disgust and raised his right eyebrow. Anushka understood what he was going to ask so before he could enquire she said

"I'm here to talk to you about an important matter."

"What is it?"

"It's about Aliya."

"What happened to her?"

"Nothing. But I know what happened yesterday."

"So?"

"Aren't you aware about what I will do if you hurt her again?"

"I had no intentions to hurt her."

"Then what was your intention?"

"It was clear. I just wanted to apologise to her."

"For what purpose?"

"For what I did 10 years back."

"10 years back! Were you so busy that you suddenly remembered to say sorry to her after 10 years?"

"It is not the case."

"So tell me, where were you in these years?"

"A lot had happened in these past years. After that I didn't had the courage to speak to Aliya. God himself gave this opportunity to me. I had always prayed to give me a chance to say sorry. And so I confessed."

"And did you really think that she'll forgive you?"

"I wasn't sure. But I had a little expectations."

"Rishi, just stop this nonsense now. Don't try to get close to her. Maintain a distance. You're her boss and neither of you should go further."

By this time Rishi had gained enough courage to boldly answer Anushka

"Who are you tell me? It's my personal life. I've my own choices. No one has the right to instruct me."

"Well if that's the case then sensibly make your 'own choice' of whether to stay away from Aliya or face the consequences."

"What if I don't agree with you?"

Anushka being a short tempered lady couldn't control her patience for so long and bursted

"YOU HAVE TO AGREE. YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO TALK TO HER, TO SEE HER, TO TOUCH HER NOT EVEN TO SEE HER IN YOUR DREAMS."

"I WILL SEE HER, TOUCH HER, TALK TO HER."

"WHY? WHAT ARE YOU TO HER? SHE ISN'T EVEN BOTHERED ABOUT YOUR EXISTENCE. WHY ARE YOU BOTHERED ABOUT HER? DO YOU LOVE HER?"