The next two days passed in a blur. The man was truly a workaholic, Aarna admitted. He could work nonstop for several days and still not get tired. She barely had time to breathe as she noted down minutes of the meetings, made phone calls, adjusted appointments, fixed new meetings, remembered schedules, typed letters, made time tables, reminded Abhimanyu of his other meetings, made sure he had his meals on time and did a lot of work. By the time she reached her room, she barely had the energy to change her clothes. But next morning, she had to be there on time and continue with the work.
The busy schedule didn't allow her to have a personal conversation with Abhi. He was always busy and so was she. He was always there within reach, yet, he was never there. He made sure she got coffee and ate well but he did it because it was his duty as a boss. She was sure he used to take care of his previous PA in the same way. He was such a kind of man after all. But there was never any warmth, any affection, not even a glimpse from care from his side. It was as if she was a robot who needed her battery charged from time to time and he was making sure that it remained charged.
It hurt her more and more but of course, she couldn't say anything. He was polite but cool. They were together but distant and it was making her insane. The only good thing nowadays was the demanding work she had. It made her too busy and tired to dwell upon her heart. It was a relief when Abhimanyu announced that now they were free till New Year. The entire staff clapped and after wishing each other for New Year they left.
Aarna sighed. Now she had holidays but she had no idea how to spend them. Two days were left in Christmas and she was thinking how to pass the time. Had she been in New York, she would have gone to the place of Milan and Suhana but now she was in Jaipur and did not know anyone here. As far as she knew, she wouldn't be seeing Abhi at least till New Year. That was even more painful.
She decided to go for sight-seeing. Now that she had a steady employment and enough money from her last job she could be comfortable for a few months. She could afford to indulge herself for some time. She wished her father was here. It would have been so much fun to explore Jaipur with him.
She heard a knock on her door. Wondering who could it be and hoping it was Abhi, she went and opened it.
"Hi" Anjali said with a warm smile.
"Hi. Come in" Aarna said with an equally warm smile.
"So how is it, working for my workaholic brother?" Anjali asked as she sat on the bed.
"Honestly, unexpected. I'm used to working a lot, but it was nothing compared to this" Aarna replied with a laugh.
"I know. I've assisted him before" Anjali laughed.
"You have?" Aarna was surprised.
"Yeah. I assisted him when he opened a store in London. My god! I didn't get the chance to sit on my butt for three days. I couldn't understand why he worked so much. Then I realized it was so that he could finish the job before time and then give a few days off to the staff."
"So that's why he did so much of work" Aarna realized as understanding dawned on her. "Now there's no tension till New Year."
"Exactly. Crazy but smart, isn't it?"
"True" Aarna agreed.
"Now he's free and ready to spend some time with us which reminds me, we are planning to see the entire Jaipur tomorrow. Abhi has booked an amazing family bus. And, you are joining us" she finished firmly.
"Me? But it's a family trip. How can I-?"
"Don't you remember what mom had said? You are a part of family now. And I'm not asking you, I'm telling you" Anjali used the authority of friendship.
"Anjali-"
"Excuse me." Anjali held up a hand. "Are we friends now?" Without waiting for an answer, she nodded. "Good. Aarna, you are coming with us. I'm not having it any other way."
Aarna looked at her carefully. "You're very bossy. How come I didn't realize that?"
Anjali chuckled. "Runs in the family. So, are you coming?"
Aarna smiled. "Do I have a choice?"
Anjali grinned. "No"
Anjali stepped in the dining hall where her whole family except Abhimanyu were enjoying their tea. Mrs. Raichand looked at her and came to know from her face what the news was. But then, she had known it beforehand. Her daughter was smart.
She smiled and raised her cup to Anjali. "Good job" she said.
"She agreed?" Aakash, Rachana's husband asked, impressed.
"Were you expecting anything else?" Anjali grinned.
"No. You are a champ" Aakash raised his cup of tea to her.
'It's high time our big brother settles down" Anjali said as she sat beside her husband and laid her head on his shoulder.
"I like Aarna. She would be good for Abhi" Samir said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"And Abhi would be good for her. That girl needs love" Rachita said with a smile as she kept a watchful eye on all the children playing nearby.
"And Abhi has it for her. He knows this" Kunal, Rachita's husband spoke as he raised his wife's hand to his lips.
"His head just needs to catch up with his heart" Ankush, Ankita's husband chuckled.
"There's some sort of tension between them" Ankita said with a sigh. She had accepted that Aarna and her brother Abhimanyu looked perfect the moment she had seen them together.
"True. But it will go away" Mr. Raichand said confidently.
"How?" Ankita asked with a smile. Despite having the perfect man in her life, her dad was still her hero.
"By giving him the right push" Mr. Raichand grinned.
"What do you think mom?" Rachana chuckled.
"It gets lonely when all your daughters get married and leave you. It would be good to have a daughter at home" Mrs. Raichand said thoughtfully.
"It's going to be an interesting couple of days" Rachana smirked.
All the four sisters looked at each other and grinned. It was going to be fun to watch their brother on the hot seat!
