New SS: Love.... Pt33B pg143 13/07 - Page 29

A few days later, sharp at 9 a.m, ishita entered the office building.

Early bird, you're actually on time today!' teased rajesh, ishita's colleague, swinging the door open for her.

whatever!' passing him, ishita genially responded. His shoulder bag, jostled her, and some coffeefrom her flask splashed on the man.

Oh! I am so sorry!' ishita winced. The coffee was hot.

Rajesh's eye grew in the same proportions as the stain on his shirt. Crap! In ten minutes, I have my first one on one, with the big man himself. There is no time to go home and change my shirt.'

Ishita pulled him to the side. rajesh, what size shirt do you wear?'

Why?'

I have a spare in my care. A gift for my cousin!'

Fifteen or fifteen and a ahlf.'

Bingo! Mr Rajesh, you have just got yourself a new shirt. Let me get it.'

Placing the flask on the floor, ishita ra out to her car,.

Thank you ishita. I'll pay for it later,' said Rajesh as she handed him the piece.

No problem amigo! Just take it. The cousin is anyway in kangaroo land for a couple of months. Go get them tiger!' a relieved ishita and a thankful Rajesh parted ways.

Murugan, that was my Rs 5673 worth of good deed for the day! Make sure you mark it somewhere.' Ishita whispered, getting in the elevator. How can one ignore God in these days of aggressive self-marketing? He is the one who made humans; he, too, should suffer them"like our eco system.

Rajesh changed in the men's room, gatheres his papers requiredfor the meeting and commenced to the third floor. He stepped out of the elevator as Rochak stepped in.

Hi Rajesh, nice shirt!' rochak complimented.

A gift from ishita,' replied Rajesh, grinning broadly. Even he was aware of rochak's Achilles heels.

Rochak extended his hand, to stall the closing, sensor-run elevator doors. What was the occasion?'

No occasion! Ishita is very h=generous with the prople she ;ikes,' Rajesh said; not missing the opportunity to prick the roach... except his harmless lies fell on another pair of ears.

Signing some documents, poised at simone's desk near the elevator, raman heard the entire exchange. Ladies, if you are done discussing your clothes can we begin the meeting?' Raman turned sharply heading towards the conference room, a flustered Rajesh trailing behind.

An hour or so later, Rjesh emerged, simone, greeted, him with a smile. So how was the meeting with Mr Bhalla?'

Felt like a hot rod was inserted in every open orifice of my body,' replied Rajesh. He and his slouched shoulders headed for the elevator. Saali manhoos shirt!' he grumbled to himself.

What's the next on the agenda?' Raman's voice buzzed on the intercom.

Meeting with the design department and Mr chouwdhury... in about seven minutes.'

I'm running late. I have to do a con call right away; something is going on in philly (Philadelphia) office. Let rochak know will you?'

Shall I cancel the meeting?' simone quipped.

no! just do what you are told!' Raman regretted the words the second they left his lips. Sorry!' in a gruffnvoice, instantly followed.

No offence taken,' simone replied. I know its not me whose got you smouldering like mount Vesuvius,' she muttered to the phone as Raman hung up.

Second Floor

Listen, why don't you go in, I have a leakage!' said shagun, dashing towards the women's room.

Shagun, you loony bin! Come right back... leakage or no leakage!' ishita sprinted after her. She halted embarrassed. The entire office floor had heard her.

Thanks a tonne for broadcasting it.' Shagun, miffed, disappeared in the rest room.

Ishita fidgeted, awkwardly, smiling at whoever glanced her way.

A few secinds later, shagun popped her head out. Five minutes, I promise! And people, please wipe those smirks off1 all your wonderful mothers, wives, sister, etc., too suffer this.'

A resigned Ishita, clutching her notebook, entered the small conference room, next to their department.

Where is everyone?' she voiced, glancing around the empty room. Shrugginh her shiulders, she settled in the corner chair.

The door opened. Ishita gave Rochak, an indifferent glance, as he strolled in. he purposely took the chair close to her, pulling it even closer.

Ishita attemoted to get up but Rochak grabbed her hand. Don't you dare!' she threatened, giving him a shriveling look.

Why does Rajesh deserve a gift and I don't?' give me one chance to please you Ishita!' Rochak said, leering at her.

You pervert! Get your disgusting paws off me!' Revolted, ishita grabbed his hand, trying to tear it off her.

Rochak yanked her forcibly. Losing balance Ihsita tumbled, falling straight in his lap. Her untied hair flopped around their faces.

I have noticed that Raman Bhalla does not like you very much. So if you want to keep this job, you will have to play nice with your immediate boss, and that's ME!' rochak caressed ishita's hair away from her face.

Don't touch me! I'll throw uo!' ishita grabbed Rochak's hand to puch it away. That was the moment Raman and Simone entered the conference room.

For a split second, all froze. Raman's expression darkened, fiercely. Rochak instantly shot from his chair throwing ishita forward. She lurched against the table, trying to steady herself.

Sir it wasn't my fault... ishita----"

raman raised his hand and rochak flinched. Ishita closed her eyes, anticipating the blow to Rochak's face any second.

With the immense control, Raman dropped his hand to his side and yelled, I KNOW! MEETING CANCELLED!' feeling anger, enough to turn into incredible hulk without any gene mutation, raman strode out.

Simone, to avoid death by collision, hastily stepped out of his way. Casting a reproachful look at ishita and rochak , she followed her boss.

Rochak turned to ishita, If you ever open your mouth -

Before he could finish, ishita landed a tight stinging slap across his face.

Next time you come near me, I swear from a cockroach ill reduce you to just a roach!' spewing fire ishita, too, left the conference room.

Raman slammed the door shut. It shook with force. The sight of ishita and that man continued to enraged him beyond words. He actually could see the colour red, with the stihouettes of katas and kukris, floating In it.

The sound of something crashing and splintering came from minutes later, the intercom buzzed and she tripped over her feet to answer it.

Get the farmhouse ready in two or three hours,' raman said, no please no thank you.

The one in Gurgaon?' Simone asked, nervously.

How many other do I have here?' the line went dead.

Ishita on her part grabbed shagun and dragged her into their office, breathless and fumbling, she updated shagun about what just happened in the conference room.

Roach is such a gutter ka keeda! Tell raman about the SOB. God knows what he is thinking?' Shagun repeatedly, insisted.

Ishita disagreed. raman's eyes made me nervous , shags. Facing him, is the last thing I need right now. Im going to stay holed up in this room, and see how the day pans out.'

You are insane! Why are you scared? You did not do anything wrong.' Shagun argued.

I know that... you know that! But Raman? I just want to give him some time to calm down.' Ishita bit heavuky into the cold samosa she had picked from Roy's desk.

I think you should go to the HR and report the incident first. Raman. We'll tackle later,' Shagun suggested.

Okie Dokie! But man, slapping roach felt so good, you cant imagine,' ishita said, washing the stale food with a carbonated soda.

You should have kicked him between his legs while you were at it. Imagine what tat would have felt like!' shagun added with feeling.

A couple of hours later, simone came down to meet ishita. Can I talk to you... alone?'

A reluctant shagun left the room. Ishita met the other women's troubled eyes. Mr Bhalla wants to meet you at his farmhouse. ASAP! He's already there.'

The pit in Ishita's stomach became a well.

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Hey guys sorry i know i had told ill update last night but gold awards and some celebration for DT's 250k kept me occupied.. so here is the update..

sry abha i know u wanted me to give u all a raman POV but i want the story to move forward and hence raman POV will be after few updates more!!!!

thank u guys