TISHNAGI

CHAPTER 4: NAINA

After the whole day of working and wrapping things up, Maa had called me asking me to come home with Mahir ji. So now here I was walking up to his office's reception.

To my knowledge Malhotra's had a big empire in the business world. I had expected their office to be nice but seeing the interior I was flabbergasted. From the sofa to the lights everything was perfect.

I went up to the receptionist and politely smiled at her. "Hello, could you please tell me where is the office of Mr. Mahir Malhotra?" She looked at me for a minute before giving me a smile, she picked up the telephone and talked with someone before looking up at me again. "Ma'am he is in a meeting. Would you please tell me your name so that we can inform him you have come to meet him?"

I hesitatingly gave her an awkward smile before answering back to her. "Naina."
She continued to look at me, "Ma'am I need your full name."

I scratched the back of my neck and nodded. Sharma or Malhotra?  I wasn't able to distinguish quickly, looking at her my anxiety kept increasing and I blurted out whatever came into my mind.

"Naina Malhotra."

"And Could you please tell me the reason for you to meet him?"

Why was she asking so many questions?!
First, she had increased my anxiety all of a sudden.
Second, she was asking the most difficult questions.

"I-I didn't have any work with him." I said shyly. She eyed me from up and down before saying, "Ma'am but I can't let you meet him before you tell me what's the purpose of your visit."

I didn't have the courage to say the truth. Maybe I was scared of the judgement. Maybe I was-

"Ma'am I would kindly request you to tell me your purpose here or else I am calling the security." A wave of discomfort settled down my body. Why was it so difficult to say?!

"Actually I came here to...actually I am his-his" my voice so low that even I couldn't here my own FREAKING words.

"You're his?" She inquired.

"I am his wife." I finally said it. Seeing her eyes widen for a moment and then squint in question made me uneasy. Maybe she eventually said fuck it in her mind, because she was directing me towards a hall and requested me to sit on the couch and wait for him.

-

An hour and half had past. I could see the sky change it's color to a pretty hue of orange and red through a big window. I sighed for the 90th time.

I had successfully wasted my time by scrolling insta, reading magazines and binge watching 'Family Man' on my phone.

The doors opened and people started to come out, some eyeing me and some busy in their conversation. I stood up too quickly trying to put my stuff in my purse. In hurry, my phone fell from my hands landing on the marble.

"Are you okay?" I loudly exclaimed. Quickly picking it up and checking it while dusting the invisible dust from it, I heard a few chuckles from behind.

I turned back to see Mahir ji with a group of men who shut their mouths upon seeing me. I awkwardly smiled at my stupidity and stared at him who had his eyes bulged out.

He ushered something and they all left while giving me a smile. He came towards me taking long strides, there was a different kind of smile on his face, which I had hardly seen on his face. He stopped,  keeping a good distance between us.

"You actually came." He whispered.

"Huh?"

"No I meant, should we head towards my room. I need to pick up my stuff."