A Hundred Flukes

Another Day In Paradise

Chapter 15

Tiny droplets of rain glazed the window, giving a hazy vision of the palm tree beyond it. Khushi sat in a couch sniffling, gazing at the rain outside, tiny droplets of her own tears touched her cheek as she thought about her sister. "Why, why, just why did I sign that contract with that man. If I hadn't, I'd be with jiji now, on jiji's 24th, and..." she thought aloud, wiping her eyes with the saree. "I am in this bad place with so many bad people, all are bad I will not talk to anyone here." but would that make any difference? This was not her home, these people were not the one's who'd ever care about her, give her a damn, as they put it. Her mind drifted to ASR, did he ever miss an opportunity to insult her, did he ever miss, making an offense to her morality? What sort of a man expects a girl like her to wear those immodest garbs he had thrown on her?

She kept on looking out, not noticing somebody's presence near her, not until she noticed a glass of water held for her. She looked up to find the amiable face of Akash Singh Raizada, but refused to acknowledge him as she turned her head again towards the window, without a word. Akash kept the glass on the table in front of her and sat in the couch beside her. "What was my fault," he began looking up at the ceiling, "Why does this always happen only with me? My damn luck always dumps me, my forever elusive luck!" he said and then slightly smiled looking at her still about-turned head. "If you are Akash, you feel like that every hour, every single day."

Khushi turned to face him, resentment clear in her doe eyes, "If you are Khushi, you feel like that every single minute of every single hour, every single day." she said in one breath and turned her head away again, sulking like a ten year old.

"And that's because we make mistakes, and we make mistakes because we work. Believe me, those who never make mistakes are the ones who never do anything."

Khushi turned 180 degrees to face him, "I know I made a mistake, but I didn't do it on purpose. I even apologized, still I got scolded and punished by him." she said looking straight into his eyes.

"ASR doesn't spare me as well." Akash said smiling.

"You too are from this office then why are you being nice to me? Scold me, make fun of me, call me Glitters, tell me that I can't do anything."

"And would that change what you are?" said Akash soothingly, "What I say or think about you doesn't make any difference, you'd still remain what you are, you are someone who not only accepted her mistake but also tried to make up for it and you did it successfully. You are someone who had the guts to stand up to ASR, not because you were disobedient but because you were right. Jeff is one of India's best photographers, even ASR finds it difficult to convince him at times but he was convinced with what you said, you understand what that means?"

Khushi looked at him, trying to smile. "By the way, you surprised me Khushi, you really know how to carry yourself. You were absolutely stunning there." he said giving her a compliment.

Khushi smiled weakly, "Thanks."

"Water?" he asked pointing at the glass he had kept for her on the table.

"No I'd have jalebi..."

"What?" he asked confused.

"Nothing." she replied as her phone rang.

"Carry on." said Akash getting up and giving her another of his infectious smile.

"Hello jiji?" said Khushi picking up her phone.

"What jiji, jiji " howled Madhumati from the other side, "what did you say, I'll come home early, we'll give jiji a surprise party, I'll do all the preparations. Now where are you still stuck? Come home straight or I'll bury you in the cake." she said and banged down the receiver.