"SSO Kalyani ma'am has demanded 10 corers". Mishra informed over the phone.
"Why?".
"Don't know".
"Haven't you asked why she wants this much money"? Irritatingly he asked.
"I am just a manager and don't have any right to question a family member".
"What rubbish are you talking".
"That's what I was told when asked the reason".
"God this people".
"What should I do sir". Being tired Mishra asked as dadi was irritating him since afternoon.
"When she calls next time answer her to talk to me".
"Thank you so much sir. Otherwise I thought that she will not let me rest at night".
To which Shivaay gave a throaty laugh.
"SSO are you laughing at my helplessness". Mishra whims like a kid.
"Mishra come on yaar why only I should bear all headaches being my friend you also need to contribute a bit". He teased his friend cum manager.
"I forget if there is peek to be your friend then it also has demerits". Dramatically he replied.
"Done with your acting".
"Baby please don't compare my problems to acting I am hurt".
"Baby!!! Ewww.... Don't call me that it sounds creepy". Making faces Shivaay spoke in disgust.
"You love that when Anika calls you that". Mishra was in full mood to pull his boss's leg. Why would he leave just a good chance to irritate his employer cum friend which came once in Blue Moon
"My princess can address me with whatever name she wants but no one else". Arrogantly he declared.
"Got it. Anyway what Ani is doing nowadays it's been while I meet her. Or it is you who is keeping her away from me".
"I have to as you always take her for sugary treats and to junk food roadside stalls".
"She deserves it for living with you"
"What do you mean by a person like me?" Offended he asked.
"Come on yaar we all know how you are behind her to eat after every two hours that's to so-called healthy food".
'It's for her good health'.
"Yeah...yeah..".
"Leave all this did you arrange for an interview".
"it's the day after tomorrow".
"Who is conducting it".
"I am personally going to take interviews as we can't take the risks". Replied Mishra in a serious tone gone all the playfulness visible a minute ago.
"Keep me in the loop".
For the next few minutes, they discussed their upcoming project before dropping the call.
~~~~
Anika was capturing the beautiful sunset on canvas while her nurse sat on far Conner chatting with her boyfriend.
Jingling noise of bangles were heard from the entrance of the terrace with footsteps. Anika tried to see the source of distribution in the clam evening to find her mother in law cladded in a light yellow suit wearing a dozen of bangles along with a few gold ones in between with a heavy neck pice adoring her neck.
"Good evening Mumma". Anika greeted with an ear to ear smile.
"Evening beta". Pinky said cupping her daughter in law's face lovingly.
"What are you doing here in cool breeze wearing shorts. Beta you will catch cool". Concerned she added further.
"Take a chill Mumma I was in a need of fresh air to get an idea for my next painting and about shorts and cool breezes then do you forget that I came from states".
"Still dear you need to be careful regarding your health".
"Please not you also. I am tried hearing the same lecture from Shiv and party". Whiningly she said.
"Shivaay and party!!". Confusingly pinky asked.
"Don't you know that shiv has an army riled up against me which includes Khanna bhai, darling, Mishra bhaiyu and a force of ten bodyguards with an addition of that lady over there sitting in white nothing looking less than a living ghost'? Cutely she explained her pain.
"Ohh my baby is not liked being followed". Teasingly she asked.
"Who would in a sane mind like to roam with ten males tailing behind you". Stooping legs she complained.
"Did I disturbed you"? Pinky asked as her eyes fell on the raw material.
"Not at all I surely enjoy your company". Anika said with a bright smile.
Both moves to the sitting area set up under the shed at the Conner of the terrace. Taking a seat on the couch Pinky order some snakes through the intercom place on the side table.
"How's your college is going on?" Pinky start the conversation.
"It's totally fine where I am treated as some royalty and my fellow students won't befriend with me as I am related to the owner of the university". Sacramentally she replied.
"How do you know Mr Mehta".
"Who is Mr Mehta? She counted back.
"Your university's owner".
"Owner is your son"
"What? Are you sure beta because as far as I know, it belongs to Mr Mehta. He is one of Shaktiji's clients." Pinky try to clear her daughter-in-law law's misunderstanding.
'Mumma it might be was under Mr Mehta but now it belongs to Shiv. Trust me I have seen legal documents even dean address him such".
"This boy is too much".
"He is just protecting me to get in unwanted troubles not knowing that I want to explore me then again that what I love in the most his not explained care". With a hint of a smile, Anika spoke out her heart.
"It's his insecurity is making him go overboard for you. I can understand it might make you feel caged with his overprotective and over-possessive behaviour in-fact sometimes you may misunderstand his love as an obsession but keep faith in him it is just his 'I don't like when someone touches what's mine attitude' that's the right way to behave I know but his past is not helping him gracing it his anger. He loose control over his mind. He is capable to show stars with naked eyes in broad daylight although he mastered wearing an emotionless mask it always tore off when it comes to people he loves despite he doesn't know how to express his feeling in words his action speaks volumes." Pinky Singh Oberoi tries to explain to a wife what her husband is like.
"I am his better half". A soft smile was playing on her lips.
~~~~
To be continued.......
