Chapter 18

7 months ago

MaDiee

@MaDiee

Hellos people!

Thank you for waiting patiently... The next update is served!

Coincidentally Yours!!

Part 18 - Hide and seek!

Pratap was working day and night to make the best of the project, he was heading. The field right now, was the biggest challenge for Pratap, as one, he was new in the game and two, there were already competition, easily donning the market. He had to be the best of the best to prove his worth and break the monopoly out there.

Pratap was little lost, about his whereabouts nowadays. As nowadays, days passed working and working only. Days analysing the field where he can earn most of the brownie points, where to enter, where to market them, perfect strategies, teams to execute their plans on point… And days without tinkling bangles, without the talk of chaai, void of disturbing hair strands, disturbed him more.

He was more irritated today. All his and his team’s efforts were put to action today. After all the exercises and presentations, tender of one of the biggest project was ready. Their project proposal was sent. One day. And he will prove it. If their tender got approved, they will get most of the half of India. All the hard work put, must get the result. Though he was quite confident, he was nervous as well. And nothing worked in his way to soothe him as well. 

Today, he had to leave office alone, go home alone, again. He could not make to see Ranaji or Ajabde, the entire day. And again they would be coming directly from their factory visit. Dry and silent ride was the least he wanted at the moment.

*

In the evening, Chakri asked him to drop him at the mall on the way of his home and then as expected and more to his dismay, dragged him to the mall to help him choose some ladies gift items for his cousin’s wedding.

“Mr Chakrapani Mishra, how would I know what can be gifted to a girl?” he asked awkwardly making face

“You should have brought Bhagya or Ajab instead” he shrugged leaving Chakri in the showroom all by himself, after rejecting almost every items in the girls section of gifts and accessories.

"Bhagya left early, for her grandma arrived today and I can't find Ajabde. Guess they are busy... " Chakri hung his head.

"Am I not?" Pratap asked in disbelief.

"You've done your part Baujiraj. Last few days were exhausting and I thought, it will change your mood, for good" Chakri reasoned in barely audible tone.

"You know I hate shopping. That too, alone, with you... what were you thinking?" Pratap shook his head, walking out. Chakri was trying hard to calm Pratap, when they crossed Food court but suddenly Pratap stopped, as his eyes fell on the man he saw often from his cabin window, at the tea shop in front of their office.

But he was shocked is an understatement, when he saw someone approaching him. She apologized politely and took a seat on his table. Though her back was facing him but Pratap Singh can recognize his Ajab even from her back, can't he?

What was she doing there? Who’s that man? Do they know each other? How come he can't recognise him from office staff? But he has seen him, right? What does he have to do with her? But she was with his Dajiraj, wasn’t she?  Why would a staunch tea lover like her, will have a coffee with a stranger? Was he a stranger? What is it that he is missing here? What all was going on? Wait, what? His Ajab?? Ughh!!

Now his head felt like spinning. Hurriedly Pratap left from there, entering a store nearby just to avoid the weird thoughts trying to engulf his mind. He walked just two steps and got bumped into someone, exiting that bookstore.

"Bhagya?” “Pratap?” they exclaimed in unison while he supported her from falling.

“Baujiraj” Chakri panted, running after Pratap to stop him. His unique call made both the girls look at him. Ajabde look up and follow his direction to see Pratap and Bhagya together in such a close proximity. Her eyes went wide and maybe little moist, before she sipped her coffee, quickly managing to hide her reaction.

“Waah! What a coincidence! I was seeking one and found two!” Chakri reached them as Pratap straightened her back.

Pratap glanced at Ajabde from the corner. She looked oblivious about their presence there.

"I was here to return the book" Bhagya 

"I'm sorry" He was quick to step a step back. "I guess, you can takeover my place, he needs you here more"

“Why such incidences happen with Baujiraj only and not me?”

Chakri sighed as Pratap made a flat face, handing over Bhagya's hand to Chakri. He just excused himself and left the mall, leaving Chakri and Bhagya exchanging glances to help each other.

(To be continued...)

***

Hope you liked the read...

Stay tuned!

MaDiee ☺️