Manmarziyan – Seasons Of Love – Chapter – 5

Hello Everyone….Its Jessie here….How are you all doing…?? I had been apologizing a lot now a days..wish I should overcome this…But gadget issues and health too…I myself felt
offended unable to post or type…Enough of my sad story..Fingers cross..Sweet mistake is half done…! and Thanks a lot for your love and support..I dint reply to ur comments but trust me.,those are my energy tonics…!!

Rosie..Here I am..Finally…!! Thanks dear…you had been always there when I need someone…Teddy hugs….Now dont scare me with punches..
———————–

Chapter 5

Every object in that cabin annoyed him with its presence…..her words that rang afresh tested the last ounce of patience left inside him….

Damn the girl.!!…shameless..!! The nerve of her to recite a love verse to Neil.,whom she recently got to meet…Why does that need to bother him?…
Maira…!! His lovely sister Maira../Neil is her life…she may label it as crush…but he knew her love for Neil…He had even planned to take it forward after few months along with his parents…!!

Neil had never been in a relationship..Even in London.,they stayed aloof when things happened around them…who else knew better,other than him…The wise choice for any girl…!!.

“Bhai…Adi’s designs are too good in this shade…the intricate ones will get a embossed look…”,Sam came inside her cabin with a print out…

His view was fixed on Sam’s innocent smile….

“Sam…Sam…I have a news for you…”,she came holding her mobile little high in air..her smile vanished,and eyes widened catching his figure there…

God..why the hell ! the demon is here…

“Adhi…where is the another set of design..I mean…you were about a add a suggestion isn’t,”,she blinked listening Sam…

His gaze shifted between the girls constantly watching their closeness..

—

He stood straight, with his right shoved inside his pocket.,left holding door’s handle,watching her fragile form to gaze outside the window…She was back here.,again….!

“I don’t think we pay for sight seeing”,he smirked as he stepped inside that room….

Why cant he just yell at her.,like he does to every other employee…

“Sir…”,she stuttered turning around…..

His eyes scanned her A-line kurta with white jeggings…her sky blue kurta was plain…throwing an irritated look to her face,his attention shifted to the table…those papers….

“Don’t you have a place for yourself..”,he spat in disgust.,he alone knew what he had in mind saying those…

“Sam…sorry..!! Maira ma’am asked me to..”,she said collecting her sketches…

Maira..!! Is this girl really grown up…what was the need to give a free access to a mere employee…His lips twitched in annoyance…”Bhai…”,he turned around listening Sam…

Sam watched Radhika hurrying herself to get rid of that room…

“You should know how to treat people…Employees have their own tactics to be in your good books..”,his words confused Sam…”That was about that girl…”,he gritted his teeth..

Her feet refused to move listening those same words..’that girl’ !!….She strode fast away from the room…

‘how dare he’…her heart raced like that of her rage…

“Maira..Get her out of this job!”,he said as he pulled a folder from the table…

“Now…why!”,Sam asked baffled…

“Because…!!”,his voice shot up with anger.,but at the sight of Sam’s widened eyes he held himself from continuing it in same pace… “Maira…”,he called her softly…”She is just pretending to be a good friend…I gave you a word.,and that’s the reason am still asking you..else I would have thrown her out..”,his index finger swiveled towards the door way…

..Sam almost froze watching his anger….”What happened bhai…Please…”,her plead stressed each syllables of her note..

“Maira…!! She behaves petulant….she…she..isnt straight…I won’t be surprised if she cheats behind your back…I find her harp..”

“Bhai….please”,Sam said sullen.. “Your anger scares me..But why?..what she did…”,her words came in whisper…”Though she is not of my batch.,she is a good friend of mine…”

“Damn !! Am I a fool to…”,his words trailed off when Lucky crossed their room… “Maira…!”,he called her controlling his anxiety…

“No..Bhai….Your irrational hatred will not favor your…”

“Maira!!!…”.,his sharp tone listening her,shook her insides…She jerked a little..a thin watery film gradually covered her orbs.,that only led him to admonish himself.,yet he wasn’t ready to give up his stand….

“Is this how you treat every other employee?!!”,he tactfully asked only to get the reason…

“She is my best friend…”,Sam stressed her words like a adamant kid…

“Why…you had no one else from your batch to befriend with?,”he mocked as he tried himself to get rid of the tensed atmosphere unfolding….”You got this one…!!”,he shook his head,before pointing the way Radhika left, as he walked towards the door…

Sam would have snapped him,if he was inside the room..but No.!!

His grim walk took a halt hearing a shrilling noise,followed by audible gasps…Few gulped at the sight his approach towards them…his face unveiled his shock,when he saw a feet tall, bottle green shiny artistic glass vase to lay in pieces on floor….!!

Was it a complimentary one?! No!! His choice!!! His eyes narrowed noticing a pair of sandals cladded legs,to step back a inch…Yes..its her!!

She swallowed a lump down her throat,anticipating his gaze on her… Why on earth,she came to Delhi….No…why here…why before him???..

“Amm…sorr…”,she instinctively apologized at his stare on her…

“Sorry sir!!”,their eyes snapped to see Lucky apologizing…”Sir…!! Am sorry sir…!! I dint..”,Lucky’s words failed to help the situation..

Everyone else except her gave him a pitiful look….Her face,pleading him a ‘why-do-you’ look was enough to raise his hackles…One or other way,she was there before him.,behind every incident..

“Lakshman…Go back to your work”,he clipped,throwing a sharp gaze around…Few sighed relieved audibly which made Sam to animate a muted guffaw…

“Bha…”,Sam shut her mouth,noticing his visibly confused yet annoyed face expression…

—–

The even paced tapping sound of his left foot,was the only source to alert someone that he was inside his cabin …It had been more than a hour,he neither attended a call,nor signed a file….His thoughts were hovering around her…Only her..! Its not only Maira.,even every employee of Trendz has developed a soft corner for her…He very well guessed she was the one to knock the vase down..but someone took the blame.,though the fellow was aware he may be fired..Yes.Fired! His momentary anger always had ended up like that..

A guy was ready to lose his job for her..!

What is so important about her? Else why does he too wants her to continue her job here…? Her bond with everyone seemed unusual for him..! How could a person get along with everyone in a short span of time..? The more he thought.,his mind came up with new accusations against her…Why wasn’t he angry when he actually felt to dismiss her the moment he saw her to use his Personal computer in Trendz…Instead, he got engulfed in surprise with her work…!! Damn.!! Those orbs..!

How to Forget Neil..He too met her recently.,yet they had grown up so close that she recited a love verse..??

His mobile flashed Neil’s name right then…

“Hey Arjun..wassup?”,Neil cheered…

His friend’s voice failed to uplift his mood.,but had an adverse effect…

“Did I disturb you?”,Neil asked after his grim reply…

“Kinda”..

His monosyllable response affected Neil’s enthusiasm that he immediately raised his concern shooting various questions regarding business..! After all.,these two had their life and love only on their business.. Nothing could perk up them like that of their rival’s loser reactions…

“Neil..what is love?”,he asked out of the blue…

Nose laughing, Neil replied,”Arjun…I think.,you lost your brain in the process of finding a solution for your problem”

“Oh..!! But.,why do I feel…”

“Arjun!!…c’mon..what do you wanna hear…”,Neil turned playful….

After few minutes of verbal game.,Neil came up with his answer.,”Its actually a great feeling as depicted in literature..Poems…love verses…I mean.,guess someone to love you with no expectations,who is no way blood related to you..How is that possible,Man?…Humbug..!! But….”

“But?”,

“I feel.,True love do exist..Not like the ones we witnessed…”

“You love someone?”,he asked straight away.,his spine straightened…He deliberately wanted to hear a ‘No’..Minutes passed in silence.,He knew.,he is more than a best friend and Neil would never lie to him….

“Congrats..for finding your love”,he made a same side goal only to provoke Neil…

Neil guffawed…”Dude…Are you in love with me?….God!!..(he laughs) You sound disappointed…why so? I still love you Arjun…”,Neil chortled “I won’t cheat you”,he almost rolled down his chair.,with a roaring laughter…

Arjun let a humorless smile,which later earned its liveliness hearing Neil…

“Am gonna kill you for this rubbish talk..”,he faked to be angry….

“What was my fault.,?Your voice..”,Neil chuckled,muffling his fresh fits of laughter.,annoying Arjun….

“We were discussing something serious?”,Arjun said with his eyes on his laptop screen…A mail from Sam popped up.,which had her choice for Men’s clothing line…

Wiping those tiny drops gifted by his mirth, from the corner of his right eye,Neil heaved..”Why to speak about Love…Anyways….Its not something for a person like ME.,was my belief.,my opinion…hmm..but…I think.,we should give a fair chance for it in our life…”

Arjun rubbed his forehead..”You seem to be confused.”

“Yes..Someone confused me.”,Neil blurted…”I was unable to concentrate on work,from morning…Guess what…Am smiling…”

“Like a stupid?”,Arjun chuckled…

Neil spoke random topics,everything related to business,which clearly emphasized Neil’s distraction..

Neil had been distracted…..

“Love is pain,Arjun…I just gave few minutes to its way.,and am left with unanswerable questions..confusing myself..”,Neil said annoyed on himself…

“You should avoid the person.. the one who confused you..”,Arjun smiled raising his brows.,satisfied with his words.

“Big sentence..!!”,Neil snapped…

“Get lost.”,he disconnected the call….His lips twitched irritated reading the last call info…The 35 mins call turned a waste only because of the useless topic ‘Love’..and because of her..Radhika….

His right took control of that optical mouse.,his eyes scrutinized the images on the display before him.,to the extreme right corner…That was a sketched one,his eyes twinkled noticing Vector Alphabets A and R….AR!!

Wait..that wasn’t AR its..RA..his eyes refused to blink a moment…

——

2 days later….

“Yes..Yes…seems someone had love potion…”

His feet glued to the spot listening her voice…f**k.. Is it necessary for her to speak about that damn thing everyday.,every time…If not for his sister,he wouldn’t have stepped inside Trendz…He never preferred to interfere in her works,just because he wants her to explore everything on her own…Just like the way she had wished…

He stepped aside receiving a call from his dad….

Little did he know.,It was Sam and Radhika discussing inside Sam’s cabin…

“Adhi…You will turn me crazy one day..”,Sam pretended to be miffed…

“Uffo…Little Sammy !! I got you blushing..”,she quickly got on her feet, and Sam looked her shocked,before chasing her….

His face scrunched up in annoyance,hearing their giggles as he pushed the door open…He saw her to be in Sam’s hold…”Please..don’t tickle me didi..”,she giggled yet mimicked like a kid…

“didi?? Still…”

“Yep..you are..always..Will you do something if I ask?”,she sagged her shoulders after sighing heavily…

“Anything…Anything for my cutie pie…!!”,Sam cooed her,to which she giggled….

“Yes..Am your cutie pie.! But now a days..you call me Adhi..like others….and…”,she continued her blabber..

His stiffened jaw regained its posture hearing the word ‘Cutie pie’….Was this girl Cutie pie?!,whom his sister would chirp about,to their mom?…The reason for her care for Radhika dawned upon him,yet..his eyes had a grave look on her….A quick flash of an incident,made him furious…The same girl.,in his place…How dare she had stepped in..?!

His gaze was fixed on both the girls,who were busy conversing something….His fingers curled inside,nails pressing his palm noticing her demand to Sam.,to which Sam obliged bowing her head in a dramatic way…

He isn’t a hater of friendship…but..he couldn’t figure out.,why every time he got a thought that his sister will be left in tears because of this girl….His instincts had never been wrong..His calculations never failed!….He is best in judging people..!..

Tilting his head to right,he observed them keenly…Them…Her…!! Her smile.,her brown orbs.,that sparkled listening something….her shoulders shrugging…He smirked when he realized what he had been doing…Not bad!..he mumbled under his breath…

“Morning!”,he greeted surprising them…

She almost jumped out of her skin.,listening him,which earned a lopsided smirk that irritated her the second she noticed it….

“Bhai..”

“Sketches were impressive.”,his stylish accent made her to look him…

“Adhi made it…”,Sam smiled wide…

His brows raised in appreciation and her face expressed shock in response….The vector designs representing her name,crossed his mind…”Skillful”,his undertone came seductive..

Sam rolled her eyes before flapping it.,as her jaw already hung a little low..

“I want to see the hard copies”,he took his steps towards her and she retreated looking Sam..

“We have in our cabin..I will show you..”,Sam held his wrist and tried to move away..He snapped a look to her from her hold…

“Ask her to get it….Maira.!!.,You need to visit AR today…Forgot your medicine?”,he pulled out a strip of tablets from his pocket and handed it to her…Intentionally,he diverted the topic towards outlet related works,which grabbed her interest….The works he listed down would demand an entire day,still Sam smiled gleefully as she was let to work on her own..For AR,!! The brand name…Her dreams,efforts had its space in AR, but within bounds…Trendz was her unannounced limits she would stay within…He smiled patting her cheek…

Sam’s forehead creased being unsure…She knew her brother..! If not he had a valid reason,he wouldn’t let her to…What could be that..??

“May I know the..”

“Don’t make me to re-consider..”,he quickly cut in her words.,obviously.,guessing her query…

“Okay..Okay”,Sam rushed.,not before giving a tight hug to Radhika who was till then a mute spectator…

“See you..take care.”,she mumbled feeble…

“Adhi..Call me ..If in case you need my help”,Sam said aloud pulling the door open…Arjun narrowed his eyes at her,chuckling which was enough to give a head spin..He left the cabin immediately.,following Sam…She sagged sighing aloud on that couch…

Her fast track stylish butterfly model watch read.,11 AM..It was just 15 mins he had been in that cabin and she felt exhausted like that of fighting a battle…Annoyed with the un neccessary anxiety.,she moved towards canteen…

why does his presence have to bother her…?.. Anki.,was correct…Arjun is not straight..That is the reason…Her lips thinned,convinced with her reasoning…Why does he step inside Trendz frequently now a days?…

She collided on Lucky,who glared her…”What is your choice today…”,he asked..

She looked him like watching an alien to converse…

“I mean..to break..You know.,there is a showpiece in lobby…AM sir’s favorite..why don’t you try your luck there?”,he mocked…

She glared back..”I had never seen him here, in these 6 months..”,she initiated a talk about their Boss,glancing around…

“He never steps in…We are equally surprised..”,A girl of her age said,constantly changing her expressions….

“This is his company.,and you question his presence?.,”,Lucky made a face…”Upcoming launch is important for Trendz…may be that could be a reason…After our Summer launch,
Trendz gained a new wave of popularity..”,he added….

When she came to a conclusion listening their opinions one after other.,she found them deep immersed in their work…Slapping her forehead.,she walked away…

—-

She had no mind to have lunch.,as she kept glancing her own sketches….Her mind was blank.,unable to figure out anything…Pulling a chair towards window,she sat comfortably with a sheet fixed over a wide pad…Her orbs gleamed looking the bright noon sky.,and birds chirping in that garden…A squirrel hopped towards a big tree and walked back…it continued it for a while.,before it jumped 2 feet straight to its trunk from the ground level…

Her face shot up with a instant smile realizing the effort of that little squirrel… Gripping her pencil.,she sketched her mind…with a smile often gazing outside before coloring it…

“Hmm..so..Paris is your dream destination..”..

She quickly turned to her left only to face him too close.,who had already bent to her height to get a clear view of her sketch…A girl in pink lengthy frock..walking towards Eiffel tower…

“Do you have an interest in Photography”,he asked turning to her side…His breath fanned her lips…His lips quirked up a minute later,grasping the fear in her orbs…

Stepping back a little,he gestured towards the table spread with papers…Regaining herself from his charm.,she hurried to clean the mess…

“Is it AR or …”,he pointed the right end corner of a sheet…

“That..”,she looked him straight,yet visibly gulped down her fear..

Tactics…!! he thought…

His signature lopsided smirk,with his chin high in air.,worked not less than a spell on her…

She averted her gaze,repeatedly trying not to think or fall for his charming look…”Its RA..”

“Your name..but why..”,he replied as if he was anticipating it..

“Because I did it..!”,her voice raised by itself,hearing a silly question from her so called talented Boss..

Fool !..Did he expect his initials there when I had sketched it…

“You have magic in your fingers..I thought it was AR”,he took her right palm in his hold.,his thumb stroked to and fro over her finger beds…”Miss.Radhika…I want you to design Maira’s outfit”,his eyes fixated on hers..

Her wavering thoughts came to a halt listening those…”Her engagement.”,he said further,with his fingers enfolding her palm..

His words had that impact of a bomb blast in a residential area…

“Engagement?”,she asked raising her brows in complete surprise.,her face turned worried thinking about Sam….

Definitely,he would not have informed her.,just few hours back they happily chit chatted about Neil and love…Why Sam got a brother like him? At times,God turns cruel ! No..Senseless!…Sam is a blessing for her family,while he is no less than a curse….

He shook her palm and she realized his hold… “Will you?”,he asked surprising her..

Oh No! Not more than this….Any minute,she felt she will pass out with the surprises he was throwing at her..He isn’t ordering but requesting…Request? No..Never..! Something is there in this devil’s mind…She nodded positively,still trying to pull her hand away….

He left his hold.!

“I thought you would inquire about Groom?”,his lips frowned by itself..

Was he acting? Arjun Mehra frowning like a kid..!! What the dash.!. yet he looked hell adorable..If only she had a DSLR., she would have clicked it…But.,Is he worth to be framed in a DSLR….Ah!.,her 13mp mobile Camera could do the honors.,turning up the exposure a little high would help…The Olive green shirt with pitch black formals.,Nope!..Its a Jean..he had tucked in..and the leather belt….Heavens! the metal buckle of choco shade complimented both the shirt and pant,at his middle..

“Eyes here”,he lifted her chin with his right index,while left ones snapped before her eyes..

Her throat went dry at that..Shame on you Radhika.!! Mentally slapping herself,she looked everywhere but him….His eyes devoured her.,her nervousness.,her every inch..

The mustard yellow silk cotton Salwar with Imperial purple gave her a rich look.,golden threads running downwards with single knot designs…Simple yet elegant.!!…

“Hmm..You were saying about Groom..”,her feeble voice brought him back.,and he saw her to look into his eyes..

“You design for yourself?”,his eyes caught the golden,one inch plain zari border stitched over her dupatta…”Neil..Its Neil..My friend..”,he said inhaling deep..

Her eyes shone with surprise.,cheeks bloomed yet she controlled…

“Do you know him?”,he took a step closer..

She was busy deciding about her reply…

“No”,she clipped,shaking her head vigorously….She immediately wanted to push him away and run to Sam.,share this news..Gosh!….Sam would cry in happiness if she gets to know this..

Not bad..This devil is clever at times..Unknowingly,his decision favored Sam…He doesn’t seem to believe in Love..!

‘What if he is cynical romantic like Neil.! ‘.,she thought,but brushed away those the next second..’this one may not even have the word romance in his dictionary’..her lips twisted at that..

“So..this girl..is in love with Paris.”,he pointed her recent sketch…turning her around,he took the paper before her…

“I just..”

“So..Its you..You wanna go Paris.”,he asked…

She pulled her head a little back,turning to left she saw him surprised…This was the first ever time they are conversing,…What was the need for him to turn polite, all of a sudden….
She may be employed here.,still.,her roots are close with business…Her jaw turned hard trying to assess his motive…

“This is a photographic view..I should say”,he held the sheet high in air,straight to his face…the distant look of Eiffel tower is a good choice when decided to sketch it..”,he smiled…

“The girl is not me…and I don’t wish to”,she said composed…His closeness raised an alarm,but she was relieved that,he was still captivated with her sketch,smiling at it.,he tilted the paper to its left…

She tried to move.,but stamped his foot and sagged back against his front,when the table’s corner hit her right..

“You have a problem with your feet,I guess..You dance often!”,he chuckled…

“Sorry sir”,she felt his front to press her back….

“Maira may try to avoid this engagement.,but you should make her understand…..Could be return favor for your best friend”,he said placing the sheet carefully over the table,before stepping to her left..

So.,this is the reason!..he is speaking with her…He need her help! Ah..Egoistic…What was the need to praise her sketch.? She would have straightaway helped him….Not him..Sam! ..But why did he think she will avoid..

“You deserve a gift for sketching this way”,he said…He keenly noticed her every feature to control from expressing herself..

She was least bothered….Staying a feet away from her would be the best gift she could demand for..? If only he asked.,and she gains the courage to say….

Her whole froze when his fingers grazed over hers and lifted her right hand..

He smiled an inch wide,stressing his neck at ts back a little..

The same smile.,was it his attitude or something else…

Trying to step away,she pulled her hand.,but his brows raised in surprise.,placing a chaste kiss…

“Sir!”

Her lips thinned irritated on herself, when her voice came feeble instead of a daring one…

“Arjun”

She looked him straight.,unblinking…”What?”,she asked confused….

****************************************

So.,how was it.. pls ignore the typos and grammatical errors…Thank you so much my dear Readers….Writing has been my stress buster and you all made me to love it more and am still in a phase of improving myself …Help me with your reviews…

Sulbhi jaan….Sorry for being late! You are one of the main reason I continued this story…would never forget you girl..Love you loads..

Saran…Am doing better..!!! thanks yaar..!! Little queen will be next…!!

And ..and …my silent supporter…am missing you now a days..where are you?? Aaja na…

Ardhika Fan.! If by chance you get to read this.,do share a word…I had been searching you right from first chapter of this…

My dear Friends…Share your reviews…Love you all loads and Take care…stay happy and healthy…Summer is up..!! Uffff….!!