Return Of Light In Our Lives.. Chapter 6… An Important Progression..

“Anika ma’am”, she heard someone call her just as she got out of the car. Straightening her dress, she looked up to find out who it was. And when she saw it was her P.A, she sighed out in relief. Hopefully, her P.A had completed all the works perfectly. Today was a really important day. She had a meeting with the well known – Mukesh Mehra, one of the top businessmen in the country regarding his son’s wedding. To add on, this was her first big project. It was really important for her.

Anika walked into the office greeting all the employees as she passed them with her assistant on her toes. By the time they had reached the conference room, her P.A had educated her all about Mr. Mehra, starting from his career to the number of pets he has. She opened the door of the conference room and checked whether all the necessary things were placed already. Thankfully, her employees understanding the importance of the situation had done their job perfectly and made things easy for her. She set down her files and laptop on her desk and prepared herself for the meeting.

Just then, her assistant came and informed about the arrival of the Mehras. If Anika wasn’t nervous already, she now definitely felt as though she was going to pass out because of her nerves. She needed to pursue this deal to the best of her abilities. She wanted to prove herself, not to anyone else but to herself. The accident took not only her memories but also her belief and confidence in herself. This event will help her in so many ways. It’s success will boost her self esteem and also be a way of thanking Arjun and Chanda for everything they have done for her.

Anika’s assistant could see that her boss was lost in thoughts. It was clear from the day it was announced that their company was going to be in charge of the event that her boss was really anxious about handling it. She happened to be one of the very few employees who were very close to her boss and she also happened to be the only one to know about her memory loss. Seeing her boss so apprehensive about the meeting made her sad as she had heard stories from Chanda ma’am about how bold and brave she was before the fateful day. Anika had done so much for her. Her life had changed only because of her boss. So, she took it upon herself to help her boss with everything possible. Walking to her boss, she slowly said, “Ma’am”.

Anika was suddenly brought out from her train of thoughts. She got confused when her assistant took all of her files from her and placed it on the table before her chair.

“You will do well, ma’am. We worked really hard for this. Don’t worry. You will surely get the deal signed”,her assistant said to her.

Anika let out a small laugh. Those words surely helped her calm down a bit. She had someone to rely on.

“Actually, baki sab offices mein na employer hi moral speeches dete hai. Aur yahan peh dekho, mereko hi un sabko zaroorat pad rahi hai. Thanks”, Anika said smiling.

(Actually, the employer only gives moral speeches in other offices. But here, I myself require them. Thanks)

Her assistant replied laughing, “What to do ma’am? Jaise aap hamesha kehte ho, Hum hai hi weird aur unique. Toh hota hai.”

(What to do ma’am? Just like you say always, we are weird and unique. It happens.)

“Bikul. Jaise kehte hai na.. Orange is the new black.. I think hume ek naya phrase ko trend karna chahiye”, Anika said, walking to her seat.

(Excatly. You know, they say.. Orange is the new black.. I think we have to trend a new phrase.)

“Kya?” her assistant questioned as she replaced the flowers in the vase.

(What?)

“Weird is the new common”, Anika replied turning around dramatically.

They both broke into laughter and Anika could finally feel herself relaxing. They both left then left to Anika’s cabin where the clients were waiting.

Anika entered and smiled at Mr and Mrs. Mehra who returned it politely. They both appeared to be very sweet. Their manager handed the files to her.

Taking a deep breath, Anika started with a smile,”Hello! I am Anika. Nice meeting you. If you are ready to start the meeting, we can leave to the conference room”.

***

The meeting had gone really well and Anika was officially assigned with the responsibilities of managing Mr.Mehra’s son’s marriage function. Her employees were celebrating the success, wishing each other and laughing in absolute happiness and pride. Smiling at all of them, she addressed the success and gave instructions about the upcoming event. The meeting was the only work scheduled for that day and so she gave the remaining day off to everyone.

Happy with how the day turned out, Anika left to her home. The past days had been really hectic. She had worn herself out in the preparations for the meeting. But she couldn’t be happier as all of it had paid off. Now, she had to concentrate on making the marriage a great success.

On reaching home, she headed straight towards the couch and fell down lazily on it. Chanda who was on the phone raised an eyebrow at her.

“Tired”, Anika said sighing a little dramatically.

“Woh toh dikh raha hai. Na tumhe na Arjun kho rest ka matlab samaj aata hai. Aapka kaam hai woh bas. Woh apka life todhi hai”, Chanda said taking all of Anika’s things to her room.

(I can see that. Neither you nor Arjun understand the meaning of the word rest. That’s your work. But you both work so hard as if your life depends on it.)

“Yeh tum bol rahi ho?! Aaj hi mujhe pata chala ki tumhe rest naam ka ek shabd exist karta hai yeh pata hai”, Anika called out after Chanda.

(You are saying this?! I got to know just today that you know about the existence of the word rest. [Meaning- you work hard too. Not in a position to criticize us])

Chanda just stuck her tongue out in response and continued her way upstairs. Anika just laughed at Chanda’s antics and looked at the clock. She could maybe continue her work after 15 minutes. Her body and mind needed that break. She closed her eyes only to give some rest for it but fell asleep within two minutes.

Anika woke up to someone calling her name, shaking her hard.

“Kya hai?!” she exclaimed tiredly.

(What happened?)

“Kab se uta rahi hoon. Aye! Kumbkaran ki behen, not Surpanaka though, utt. 9 baja ho gayi”, Chanda hit her shoulders playfully.

(I have been trying to wake you up for so long. Aye! Kumbkaran’s sister, not Surpanaka though.. Wake up!!! It is 9)

“KYA?” Anika woke up with a jolt. “Main toh sirf 15 minutes sona chahthi thi. 4 ghanta ho gaya”, she facepalmed herself.

(WHAT?!)(I just wanted to sleep for 15 minutes. But I slept for 4 hours)

Chanda just shook her head while Arjun laughed at her. That was when Anika noticed that Arjun had returned home. ‘Then it really means it is 9’, she thought to herself.

“Tu apne work outfit mein hi so gayi?” Arjun questioned her shaking his head playfully.

(Did you fall asleep in your work outfit itself?)

Smiling sheepishly at her friends, Anika quickly went to her room and got changed. When she returned, she found the other two in the dining room arranging the dinner. She joined them and then all three had their food, discussing about their day and other things. Just as the three were about to retire to their respective rooms, Arjun called out Anika.

Seeing her confused face, he said “Aaj raat tum humare saath so jao”.

(You sleep with us tonight)

Anika couldn’t understand it. What was the necessity? It was not like she was surely going to have nightmares again.

“Bohot din ho gaya yaar.. Hum teenon ne saath mein time spend hi nahi kiya. I miss you” he continued making a sad face at the end.

(It has been ages since we three spent some time together. I miss you)

Anika thought about it. It was true that it has been a while since they some quality spent time together.

Anika and Chanda looked at each other and shrugged. Arjun gave a loud hoot and left to make arrangements excitedly. While Anika watched him sceptically as he went, Chanda just smiled at them both. Her husband had obviously made the offer so as to not leave Anika alone. She was also sure that her husband would fake sleepiness getting them all to sleep within an hour and Anika would obviously be made to sleep with them. Anika had been working so hard lately. She absolutely needed some peaceful sleep. They won’t be able to comfort her with her nightmares if she didn’t sleep with them and most of the time she didn’t get nightmares or any weird dreams when she slept with either of them.

“I will go and help him”, Anika said chuckling when she heard the sound of things falling down from their room.

“Yeah, he needs it. Arey haan, Anika. You told me to remind something about fasting”, Chanda told her.

“Oh! Thanks, yaar”, Anika said gratefully.

Anika had started fasting for Lord Shiva once a month a while after her accident. Faith in God had been one of the important reasons for her improvement. As a way of asking him to be there for her always and thanking for everything, she had started. It also helped her metabolism. Owing to her health conditions, she couldn’t afford skipping meals regularly. So, she shorted every Monday fasting to just once a month. This month she had missed all other Mondays. She was sure that she would eventually forget about it being busy with her meeting. Hence, she had asked Chanda to remind her after the meeting.

“How many days are there till Monday?” she questioned Chanda.

After looking at the calendar, Chanda turned to her and said,”3 days”.

Anika nodded at her. Then they both left to the bed room.

“Aayiye, Aayiye. Welcome to the slumber party!”Arjun bowed to them and let them in. Everyone got comfortable on the bed which was filled with a dozen of pillows and some teddy bears of Anika and Chanda.

(Come in. Come in. Welcome to the slumber party)

Everything went just like Chanda had guessed. Within an hour, all three were sprawled on Arjun and Chanda’s bed sleeping soundly.

Anika was never left behind by them and will never be.

**********

3 days… For what? ~wink wink

Hope you are able to see the parallels between Anika and Shivaay’s life. I mean how I end and start the next chapter.

And it feels kind of weird that I have covered only a night and a day in these six chapters. Just 24 hours. #_#

Thank you to every one of you out there who read, vote and comment on the story.

Any ship name suggestions for Arjun and Chanda.

Please do vote and comment.

Loads and loads of love,
Hassi ^_^.