Chapter 1 - The Beginning

3 years ago

Tvfanatic85

@Tvfanatic85

“So as you can see and understand this Bajaj city plan is much more fruitful in comparison to what the Basus are offering to all of you. Rest the ball is in your court.” Prerna said to all the investors as she was pitching the Bajaj City project. It's not like she needed them. She could very well do it without all their support but that would mean giving Basus support and she didn't want that. She had prepared long and hard for this for years and now was her time she knew. That is why she had come to Kolkata from London but damn this Covid 19 situation. This was making things so much more difficult for her. There was uncertainty in everything right now but she had already started her activities. She couldn't back out now, however somewhere her heart was not in this city today. She didn't know why.  Again and again she kept looking at the watch. 12 pm that was the time of his flight.

“Mam!!! Mam!!!!!” Abby Prerna’s Associate woke her out of her thoughts as the investors were again asking her questions. Shaking herself up Perna went ahead with her meeting. 

“How did it go??” Prerna asked as she was coming out of the conference hall.

“It was good Mam” Abby replied and Prerna knew something was wrong.

“Ok, what was the issue?? Spill it” Prerna demanded

“You were distracted. Very!!!! VERY!!!! and it was almost as if you were doing them a favour” Abby replied bluntly

“You know you and Mr Bajaj should meet up for coffee someday,” Prerna said sarcastically.

“Mr Bajaj doesn't like coffee. Tea may be'' Abby said confused. Prerna cursed herself for hiring her. An 18-year-old bespectacled fangirl who was super crazy about some celebrity that she has never met. All-day all she did was make twitter trends, screenshots, scrounge for info on that star and whatnot. But still, she hired her. “Why?? The first time she had come it was just for the job of an office help even if her qualifications were much more. She hadn’t uttered a word just asked if there were any more questions. She literally shouted at some upload on IG in the middle of an interview. Prerna thought she was there to scrounge info or she was mad so she had shown her the door but then Abby had shown her - the inside info about Komolika Basu and herself that Prerna was surprised. She knew Prerna wanted info about Basus which for now no one knew. She had bought such inside info about Komolika and the entire Basu clan and Perna used that information to irk them and the results were so fruitful. When Prerna asked how she knew all this all she had got was stupid one-liner like Mr Bajaj

“the non-harmful stalking abilities of a fangirl,” Abby replied and so she was hired 

“Why this job??” Prerna asked

“Free wifi and lots of spare time” Abby answered this time and so she had hired Abby and she had done well. She would always finish the work assigned to her even if she was a bit late, she had great observation skills almost like Mr Bajaj and she was fiercely loyal.

“I don't care, I know they will side with me. Just take care of everything else and I am going home” Prerna said, taking her bag and moving towards the car. Prerna just wanted to go home and stop him from going anywhere. The house was all dark as she reached. Prerna realised that father and daughter must have had food. She went to their bedroom and was about to change when

“Is this how you intend to stop me from going???” Prerna turned around startled.

“Mr bajaj!!!! You scared me” Prerna said, leaving what she was doing and moved towards her husband who was sitting comfortably on the armchair waiting for her. He went and sat in front of him on her knees so that she was at eye level with him. Keeping her hands below her head she asked: “Is it working???”

“Well I haven't seen the whole show so how can I tell….” Mr Bajaj smirked imitating her and Prerna was aghast.

“Don’t you dare put that weird smirk on your face, Mr Rishab Bajaj, as that will not work with me?” Prerna said with a final hand crossed in front of her “I very well know you are a businessman and that never leaves your mind. You will intimidate me and have your say with me. Then while I sleep exhausted you will slip out of the room comfortably in the night for your flight. This is just your plan to have a narrow escape as you don't like Goodbyes'' Prerna replied.

“You know this mind doesn't work with my family” Bajaj replied caressing her face.

“Only the heart” Prerna whispered, leaning into the warmth of his hands. Mr Bajaj nodded.

“Then stay. Please I don't want you to go. With everything that is going on, I won't survive without you. Plus the situation is very bad in Italy and I am scared….." Prerna requested, concerned holding his hands in her. 

"Mrs Bajaj, you know it is for the media to hype such things. You and I both are in this business and we know how it works. " Mr bajaj explained. 

"They are not hyping about Italy Mr Bajaj. The situation is really bad." Prerna tried and seeing that he was not near convinced she tried to use another trick. Moving her hands around his neck "I am ready to let you have your way with me. No questions asked” Prerna said trying to convince him. 

“I don't think I need negotiations in things that I know I will win.” Mr Bajaj said and frustrated Prerna got up and went about to change. “Fine go do what you want. It's not like you will listen to me. Do what you want!!!!!” 

Mr Bajaj laughed at the small kid that Prerna became sometimes smaller even in comparison to Kukki. Just then Mr Bajaj's phone rang and it was Mr Mehra.

“Yes Mr Mehra” Mr Bajaj said 

“Sir there is some bad news. All flights to Italy have been cancelled.” Mr  Mehra said 

"Is the situation really that bad there??" Mr bajaj asked concerned 

"Yes sir and it seems to be getting worse." Me Mehra explained

"Mehra!! talk to people who are working at our branch and make sure they are taken care of. Anything that we can do. Okay ?" Mr bajaj ordered

"I am already on it sir. " Mehra replied

"What about Mrs Mehra and how is the London situation??" Mr bajaj asked

"For now it seems to be okay but I will be more relieved as they all reach London soon and then India." Mr Mehra said. Mr bajaj knew the man was trying to act strong for him but he agreed nonetheless. 

As he cut the call he went out of the room in need of a drink that might make him feel a little better. He stifled a yawn. He was tired at first from the flight from London and now work. As he was going towards the bar he saw that the light of Kukki’s room was on. He went in to check on his 13 going on 17 teenagers. Kukki was working on some of her drawings on the IPAD. 

"Dad !!! Is it  already time for your flight ??" Kukki asked

"No !!! It was cancelled but why are you still awake??" Mr bajaj replied

"You really think I will let you leave without saying bye to me. It's not every day that you get to see Rishab Bajaj do something that he doesn't like to do like saying Goodbye” and giggled. Mr Bajaj made a face but still went and sat next to her on the bed.

“You are getting better I must say,” Mr Bajaj said looking at her drawings on the IPAD

“I know” Kukki flaunted and Mr Bajaj just shook her head.

"Why is it such a big hoopla to say bye? I mean I go on trips all the time. You have seen me go on them since you were like 5 and I would have been back soon " Mr bajaj said patting her head. 

“Still I would have missed you. You are leaving me all alone in this mad hot city where all I do is sweat even with this AC on. Plus I wanted to see the drama that would have followed when the great Mr Bajaj would have cajoled her wife to see him off with a smile” Kukki said and started laughing. Mr Bajaj showed her his angry face for a second and then next second he was laughing with Kukki. He just didn't know how to stay angry with his daughter.

"It is hot, isn't it. Very hot. I miss London" Mr Bajaj said

"Then what are we doing here??? Don't get me wrong I don't have issues with a vacation with a family but we could have chosen a better destination" Kukki argued

"Ahhh!!! Disney Land" Mr Bajaj asked

"I am not 5 anymore" Kukki replied

"Maybe that Harry Potter theme park, "Mr Bajaj asked

"We live in London. I have been there five times" Kukki replied

"Soon ok wherever you want. Bas Prerna ka kaam khatam ho jaye" Mr Bajaj replied

“aap mumma ke saaamne kuch bol hi nahin pate." Kukki said, making a face.``Aapko dekh ke kaun bolega ki aap The RIshab Bajaj hain the business machine. Agar aapke competitors ko pata chala na…...” Kukki continued with her usual teasing and then they talked about almost everything from Kolkata, to London to her school admissions coming year to the new drawings that she wanted to try. After sometime drooping Kukki fell asleep in Mr Bajaj lap as he kept caressing her head. 

“She is asleep,” Prerna said, who was watching him from afar. Mr Bajaj just smiled and stifled a yawn himself. Prerna checked the AC and covered Kukki with a light comforter. Mr Bajaj tried to get up but Kukki was sleeping on her lap and he didn't have the heart to wake her. Mr Bajaj just shook her head and smiled and positioned himself so that he could sleep or at least lie down without disturbing Kukki. But his three-piece coat was still giving him grief. Prerna went near him and tried to help with him 

“Mrs Bajaj!!! So much bribe for agreeing to your demands.” Mr Bajaj said, wiggling his eyebrows. Prerna went very near him and started taking off his jacket, shocking Mr Bajaj who looked sideways to Kukki to make sure she was sleeping. 

“Try and sit a little bit straight so I can help you change into something light. As it is you are not going anywhere tonight even if you want.” Prerna said. Mr Bajaj nodded realising that Mr Mehra must have told her the flight was cancelled. Very carefully she took off the coat and the inner one. She had started with the shirt when Kukki moved around a bit and they both tiffed as if they had been caught doing something wrong and Prerna started laughing while Mr Bajaj gave his constricted smile. She undid the button and took the shirt out while looking at Mr Bajaj’s eyes. Mr Bajaj curled up his hands in a fist. No wonder he always lost when Kukki and Prerna made a team in any fight. Neither can he move away nor can he have his way with Prerna that he wanted…. so much right now. 

“You are loving this aren't you Mrs Bajaj??'' Mr Bajaj whispered.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Prerna teased. Then she helped him with his shoes and went to get his nightwear. She made him wear the same and as she was about to get up.

“Done???” Mr Bajaj asked. Prerna just shook her head smiling and went and slept next to Kukki on the other side. Mr Bajaj also moved a bit closer and was able to snuggle next to Kukki. Kukki as though feeling Prerna's presence moved to engulf Prerna in her arms. Prerna caressed the little angel and kissed on her forehead. After sometime Prerna showed her hand to Mr Bajaj who engulfed his hand in hers and all three slept like that cuddled up together in Kukki’s bed. 

Next morning Mr Bajaj was the first one to wake up. He saw that Prerna and Kukki were still sleeping so he very carefully woke up and went about with his morning rituals. He was having tea and reading the newspaper when Prerna came out of the room. Prerna always was beautiful but Mr Bajaj loved watching her in the morning with no makeup no inhibitions just herself without any pretences. She went and curled up in the chair next to Mr Bajaj legs up.

“Good morning,” Mr Bajaj said, caressing her cheeks with the backs of her hands. Prerna just smiled. They went about discussing the day when Mr Bajaj broached the subject.

“How is your mother???” Mr Bajaj asked. All sleep left Prerna and she sat up straight in front of Mr Bajaj.

“She is fine. She is still angry with me for not contacting her and being there for her when she needed me the most and most importantly because of our…..” Prerna stopped

“She is not wrong. I had told you then when you were quite on your own feet that you should contact them. You didn't listen to me. Taking care of someone doesn't mean just making sure they have everything, it means being there for them. She needed you.” Mr Bajaj said unfazed about the last line. 

“You know what my condition was. You know what it took me to come to this. I cannot be weak not for me not for my Sneha. I have to do this. Coming back to India would have distracted me made me mellow and I cannot allow that to happen. I cannot have any relations, any bonds that make me mellow that make me weak.” Perna said in a trance as Mr Bajaj looked at her straight. He folded his paper and got up when Prerna realised she had said a bit too much.

“It's not about us or our family. You are my biggest strength. But my mother Kolkata has bad and good memories that make me…. Just give me this one year and I would never ask anything of you.” Prerna said, holding his hands. Mr Bajaj kneeled down in front of her. 

“I never had the ability to fight with you, Prerna. Whether it was your decision to not meet your family or this one year. But that doesn’t mean I agree with you either. But if it makes you happy then so be it.” Mr Bajaj said kissing her forehead 

“Your mother is angry, keep visiting her again and again and she will understand. Plus try and convince her to stay with us. In this COVID situation, she shouldn't be living alone. If we were in London then it's another thing but we are in India and there is no reason for her to......” Mr bajaj stopped and went to freshen up as Prerna again curled up in her chair thinking about meeting her mother later on and trying to convince her to come.