Part: 20

Another ten days went without any much change. Deepti was trying her best to interfere in Shabd and Mahi lives but couldn't succeed in bringing any differences between Shabd and Mahi. Raj noticed Deepti's interferences and warned her to stay away from them. But Shabd and Mahi got little distance between their intimacies for some other reasons. Mahi was feeling uneasy nowadays and avoiding office occasionally. She became lazy and getting up late. By the time she wakes up Shabd was leaving for office. By the time he comes home she was falling asleep. Shabd became little irritated but he didn't notice that would be coz of the distance between them.

One day Mahi came to office around lunch time. Mahi was waiting for Shabd in the cabin. Deepti came to her and conveyed her that Suhani and Shabd left for lunch out. "Common, let's chat in our canteen. Shabd will take time to come back. Nowadays both of them are taking long lunches." Mahi couldn't understand her comment but followed her silently. She was disappointed as she couldn't meet Shabd. She was missing him coz of her lazy habits. Mahi defended Shabd "I should have called before I come here. We were not talking at home. I became too lazy to wait for him. I'm getting late and sleeping early before he comes home."

Deepti sighed sarcastically "Wo baat alag hai, Mahi! You may become lazy. You just finished your studies and you must be tired of those hectic schedules. But he should understand you. But he was not having enough time to spend with you too. As if he was having all the time for Suhani only. I feel her more like the owner than you, I swear."

Mahi felt offended as she was already disappointed for not meeting him at work. They reached canteen. Deepti ordered something after enquiring Mahi. Mahi tried to avoid meals but Deepti forced him to have something "Shabd Sir bahar kha ker ayengey aur ussey pata bhi nahin chalega ki tum uske liye intezaar kar rahi hai."

Both brought their food at their table and started having it. Raj came in time and joined them. "Hi, Mahi! What's up kahin nazar bhi nahin aa rahi hai?" Deepti didn't like his inquiring her so affectionately. "How does everyone interested in Mahi?" she felt jealous. Mahi smiled "I became little lazy, that's all, Raj! How are you doing nowadays? Any new designs?" Raj about to update something and Deepti interfered "Tum aisi hi lazy hotey jaao aur wahan Suhani tumhari Shabd par aur iss company per raaz karegi."

Raj warned Deepti "Tum kyon jealous horai hai? Suhai to Shabd Sir ki bachpan ki dost hai aur who chief exective of designs bhi to hai."

Deepti moved her mouth sideways "who toh ai, magar mujhey lagta hai ki who kuch jada hi cief banrahi hai. Deekho, Mahi! I'm warning you. Later don't blame me. You have to take initiative and become equal partner in tis company. Nahin toh wo Suhani….mein toh keh deti hoon" Mahi became silent and started thinking about Suhani and Shabd.

Raj started explaining about his work to divert Mahi's mind. Both Mahi and Raj discussed about work till they finished their lunch.

Deepti silently finished her lunch and left to her cabin. Mahi walked into Shabd's cabin and noticed they were not back yet from lunch. She spent an hour by looking after some other work and left for home.

Mahi tried hard to stay awake till Shabd came home. "How are you, Mahi? You look so tired nowadays. Is everything alright? I was missing you a lot" he took her in his arms. Mahi melted at his warm hug and rested her head on his chest. She relaxed in his embrace and told about her waiting for him in the office.

Shabd felt sorry for her "I was with the clients. After lunch I and Suhani went there and had dinner with them too. Have you finished yours?"

Mahi felt disappointed but smiled "No, not yet. I was waiting for you."

Shabd also smiled "I'll give you company. Chalo, tum khaalo aur mein tumhey dekhoonga."

Mahi finished her dinner while Shabd serving her affectionately. DM stopped at the door after seeing Shabd serving food. She had also noticed the distance between them for last few days.

Shabd explained latest company status. Mahi showed her interest in taking the responsibility of Suhani. "Mujhey bhi tumhari barabari samjho. I want to take up decisions now. After all I'm your wife and equal partner in the company." Shabd laughed at her suggestion "I'll be very happy if you could handle it. But I feel you should be under guidance for some more time till you prove yourself. It was only two months you joined the company. Suhani sey kuch seekho, then I'll give the full responsibility of executing the designs. And, I agree, you are the equal partner of the company."

Mahi kept silent by scribbling her fingers on his bare chest. Shabd noticed change in Mahi's thinking. "Is she really wanted to join me in taking decisions or trying to eliminate Suhani? Hope, she doesn't mistake Suhani and my friendship."

Mahi fell asleep in no time as she was getting tired easily nowadays. She just tried to be awake to see Shabd tonight. Shabd sighed under breath and cuddled Mahi as securing her.

Next morning Mahi insisted in going with Shabd for a meeting in Pune with client. "Agar tum mujhey mouka nahin dogey toh mein kaisey seekhoonga? Aur mein humesha Suhani sey hi seekhney ki jaroorat toh nahin hai na. I can learn from you too." Shabd had no valid point to refuse her.

Suhani praised Mahi's involvement after their return. "Wah, Shabd! Mahi is a quick learner. I think I need to look for another job soon." She laughed for her own joke. Shabd smiled "Nahin, Suhani! You don't have to go to other places for jobs. As long as I'm here you have no need to go out of this company."

Mahi didn't like his assurance and recollected Deepti's warnings. "Kahin iski baat such toh nahin nikelengi na? Suhani really took a great influence on Shabd. I need to do something before Shabd slips away from my hand. Meri jindagi ki yeh kahan ki pareeksha bangayi hai!!"

Mahi tried all the time to interfere in Shabd and Suhani meetings by always accompanying Shabd to the conferences. Shabd felt happy for Mahi's interest as unaware of her fears. Deepti constantly was giving her share of support to Mahi.

One day Shabd got ready early in the morning and conveying DM about his travel to Bangalore for three days. Mahi heard and insisted to go with him. "You don't need to be there for this trip. You handle things here for these three days. Next time I'll make sure you accompany me." Shabd tried to convince her.

Mahi didn't like him convincing her and Deepti's warnings were building a strong fear about Suhani and Shabd's relationship. Mahi still was arguing "why do you want to avoid me? I know how to deal with these meetings. I know what was going in our productions."

Shabd surprised for her insistency "Mahi! Kya hogaya hai tujhey? I never saw you arguing with me like this. Suhani has best proposal and I need her to be with me. If you really insist so much you can accompany me but you will be like a dummy there and I don't want you to waste your time. I need you to handle some important things which should be finished within these three days."

Mahi became furious "When I was asking so much you still trying to avoid me? What is there so attraction with Suhani? Is she so intelligent that I don't stand anywhere near her? What's there I cannot handle with this trip? Why do you give so much importance to her?"

Shabd surprised and confusingly looked at Mahi. "Mahi! Yeh kya kehrahi hai, I don't understand anything. Are you trying to compare yourself with Suhani? Suhani is my employee and you are my wife. Why are you behaving so differently? Kya hogaya hai tujhey?" Shabd was still trying to speak softly with her as his mind totally confused at her new behavior.

"I don't know anything, Shabd! I just want to accompany you everywhere. I don't like that Suhani taking all important roles in your life. If you really feel I'm your wife and I hold more value in your life, take me with you."

Shabd shook his head sideways unbelievingly "What's wrong with you?"

Mahi became more stubborn at his confused expression "I want to come with you, and it's final. I don't want Suhani to work with you. I know meri gair hazari mein wo tumhara kareeb aana chahti hai. I don't allow her to rule you and your company. I can't bear her."

Shabd felt like his head spinning with confusion. "Yeh Mahi hai ya koyi aur? I can't believe this. You are suspecting our relationship? This is disgusting, Mahi!" He got upset and walked out of the room.

Mahi stood with tears in her eyes for Shabd misunderstanding her.