Hidden Memories by Devsona – ISHQBAAZ FF – Chapter 1 [Part II]

Previously in Hidden Memories: The FF in the start gave us a memory sneak-peak of Anika & Shivaay’s childhood. They were best-friends then, but now—they aren’t. An unknown tragedy which took place on their college reunion night have separated them completely…the Part 1 in the end gives us the knowledge of Anika’s new job in a company named—‘Cloud 9.’ The job came like a breath of fresh air in Anika’s life.

—To read the full episode, visit- Intro

Hidden memories: Chapter 1- The Start of “The End” [Part II]

That day, Shivaay came to the office earlier than usual. He tried his best to keep his mind engrossed in his work, but the ache in his heart remained there.

“Ughh!” He exclaimed at-last, losing his casual temper. “Where is that idiot? Why isn’t he here yet?” Anger flared from him as he interrogated to his secretary through the office telephone.

His face grew redder with each second, as he listened to his secretary. “Okay. Just—I want him inside my office the minute he enters the building. Is that clear? Good.”

Oh God, he thought. I knew this was gonna backfire, then also Rudy sent him there…and If this ruins, then so is Rudy.

“You—where were you? I told you this was a bad idea, then also you listened to your over-intelligent brain and went…like, just…couldn’t you even ask me for one last time?” Shivaay frowned as the man in front of him only, shrugged his shoulders in answer.

“Omkara! I’m talking to you. Is there ANYONE left in this whole planet now, who can really—listen to me?”

Omkara took a seat across the desk and placed his feet on the chair in front of him. “Shivaay, you need to calm down bro. Rudra suggested the plan, but with massive loopholes in it. So, I took the charge and now I’ve filled them.”

Shivaay narrowed his blue eyes at him. “What did you do? And why isn’t your phone working? I had to inform my secretary to locate where you were.”

“The phone? I don’t know…the battery must’ve died.” Omkara replied as he tied the upper half of his hair in a man bun.

“That wasn’t the only question I asked Om. Damn, I think I’m going crazy…both of you surely, are going to be the death of me.” Shivaay muttered, taking his seat behind the desk.

“I will answer each and every question you ask the minute you cool that burning head of yours.” Omkara replied as he leaned above the desk to offer Shivaay, a glass of water.

Shivaay took the offered glass from his brother to drink it, draining all of its contain in a single gulp. “Ok. I’m good now…all cool down. Now, explain.”

Omkara eyed his older brother with a curious glance before starting with an explanation. “Yes, Rudra suggested for me to go…which I didn’t an—“

“You didn’t. Thank go—“

“Shivaay? You need to listen to the whole thing before interrupting me in the future, or I’m out of this room the minute you do it again.”

Shivaay rolled his eyes as he teased, “Okay Omkara. God, you truly sound like an older brother to me right now.”

“Hmm…back to the explain thing, I didn’t go because I knew this was gonna come out in the future eventually, and if that happens then our plan could backfire. But…I didn’t even sabotage it, just sent someone else and not—me.”

Shivaay asked “Whom did you send? Is that done though?” He raked a hand through his hair in a nervous gesture.

“Haven’t got anything till now. I’d told him to inform us here after the job is done.” The office telephone suddenly chimed, startling them both and Omkara attained the caller.

When Shivaay lifted his brow in question, Omkara replied “He’s here. Seems like all is well.”

“Hope so.”

The man entered the room and stood in front of the brothers, waiting for an interrogation.

“Is the job done?” questioned Shivaay, eagerly.

“Sir, I did the job. I gave her that letter personally and even wished her.”

Omkara asked, “Did she get any suspicious?”

“No Sir, She doesn’t even have a minor hint about this.” The man said, replying to the question.

“Good. Now you can go.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At Oberoi Mansion:

All the brothers were gathered in Shivaay’s bedroom to discuss about their plan.

“OBRO’s. I’m so happy that finally my plan came out to be a success…“ Rudra was the first one to jump for a conversation.

“Yeah, right.” Came a sarcastic input from Omkara.

“Oh yes, Om bro. That was MY idea, don’t you dare take the whole credit of me.”

“I know that Ru, but I must have some credit here as I made some few important changes in your plan. Say Shivaay, do you agree?” Omkara asked Shivaay, and waited for his answer.

Shivaay was still thinking about their plan. It wasn’t any different than what they’ve done in past, but still—the particular situation is making him took a step back. Only for him to grow more intense.

Rudra nudge Shivaay’s shoulder with his hand to break him out from his deep trance. “Bro, are you all right? We’re waiting for your opinion on the question that Omkara just asked.”

“Huh Ru? Omkara…what did you ask?” His question came out in parts as he steadied his nerves.

Omkara noticed his brother’s nervousness and tried to divert the conversation. “Forget about Shivaay for now Rudy, tell me how come you be able to get all the information about her this fast? ”

“Oh that, It really wasn’t a big deal. Just had to get the info. list from the person in charge of the apartments. The list contained all her information, and that’s how I got know about her birthday too.”

The birthday part apparently threw Shivaay off guard, as he asked “What’s her name?”

Rudra denied the question with a shrug. “That—I don’t know. The man who gave me the info, had an image as if I knew her already and that guy wrote down all her info, but the name”

“Shit. Then, how in the hell did you wrote her an acceptance letter without a name?” Omkara moved his attention to Rudra.

“The acceptance letter…Soumya wrote it, you know that she has her way with words. No one could believe us after reading the letter, if told that it doesn’t contain any name. Trust me guys, she’ll surely come to the office tomorrow. I swear.”

“I really want to trust you Ru…and I’ll pray for her to think exactly how you’ve imagined.

Because…just a mere intelligence, and our plan goes ‘BOOM!’. Oh god, this night seems long enough for me to die.”

The brothers after some time, bid each other good byes and good nights as they made their way to their respected bedrooms.

As Rudra and Omkara left, Shivaay laid on the bed, plopping his head upon a pillow. The fact that they don’t know her name had relieved him as well as nerved him as he thought about the next morning.

“Thousands of people are born on the same day. Don’t overthink much about it. This isn’t some Cliché story and you aren’t its lead character. So just relax—the girl is not going to be her…relax.” Shivaay’s face glowed with frustration, and his chiselled jaw clinched fiercely.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Anika had decided to get up early in the morning. But she wasn’t able to follow that because, to get up early you’ll have to sleep at night.

The inner soul in her was too excited, that it had vanished any traces of sleep she had—a night before.

A great way to start your new job, Anika thought. What If she slept in the office on her first day at work? She cringed as she imagined the worst case-scenarios.

“Cloud 9” She murmured the name of the building she was standing, in front of. After briefly analyzing each and every part of her new work place, she moved her legs towards the entrance.

As Anika head towards the front desk she eyed a redhead who was talking to someone on a telephone. The redhead saw her approach and she quickly ended the call.

“Good Morning Miss. How may I help you?”

“I got an acceptance letter a day before, indicating an approval of the CEO of ‘Cloud 9’ on my job proposal for a post here…Can you please inform them about my presence?” Anika wondered who the CEO was—an old man with whites, or a matured man with dashing looks in his thirties.

The redhead stole a quick glance at her computer screen before replying “Surely Ms Anika. I knew about your job application and also I was the one who cross-checked the acceptance letter parcel before it was sent to you…you wouldn’t believe that the parcel was lacking the most important info. about you on it—Your name. BTW I’m Sia, secretary of Mr Sh—“

The telephone ring cut Sia from her rambling and swiftly, she answered it. A brief pause and a couple of hmm’s and okay’s after, she put the receiver down.

“You are good to go in now. Good Luck Anika, for your first day in here.” Sia offered Anika one of her infamous warm smiles as went back to work.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shivaay was sitting on a chair at his desk, facing the window behind it. The mere idea of her to be the girl he dreads with his whole heart, every time gets him.

When he got the message that someone had entered this building, had he taken quite a time before informing his secretary to send her in. And now, he was trying to calm the trembling hands of his while—glancing outside the window.

His breathing went into a multiple of hundreds as he heard a soft knock on his cabin door. “Come in.” was his hoarse reply.

Whoever it was, entered his cabin with steady and calculative steps. He still didn’t face her, wishing for her to ask for it.

The girl cleared her throat before speaking “Hello Sir. I’m the one who you appoint—“

It’s her. Its frickin’ her. Shivaay thought as his senses went numb.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The CEO aka her new Boss was sitting at his desk—chair facing the window and the backside of the chair, facing her. It’s been max three minutes since she’d entered but the man hadn’t said even a single word to acknowledge her presence. In the last, she took the matter in her hands as she introduced herself. ““Hello Sir. I’m the one who you appoint—“

His uninvited hiss caught her off guard and she stopped talking.

Much to her relief, she saw the chair turn and she waited to greet her new boss. He was wearing a blue—navy blue suit paired with matching cuff-links…black tie and—she stopped dead in her stare.

The person who she was supposed to meet…the CEO…the boss was no-one else, but Shivaay.

“Shivaay” his name left her lips without asking for a permission.

“Uh-uh. Not Shivaay—Sir. Cause it looks like payback is a b*t*h.”

—To be continued in Chapter 2: The End of “The Friendship”

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Precap: “I’m not going to work for you Shivaay. I’m not accepting this, at all.”

“It’s Sir…and you can’t not accept this Anika. Not in your hands.”

“I can resign? Yes, I’m gonna resign right now.

“Opps! But won’t it break your contract with Cloud 9? Are you up for it?”

“What contract?”

“This contract.”
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A/N: Hello friends, do not forget to like and comment your views of the episode. Your likes and comments are the ones that keeps me going. And silent readers…do comment if you like it—makes me happy.
Stay safe. Take care. Keep reading—Love, Devsona.

Fact-bout-me: Currently listening to Swag Se Swagat while writing this. The beat of the song hits my nerve every damn time. It’s Amazing.