"Whoa whoa! Calm down and tell me..."
"Calm down?!" Anahita was furious. "How can you expect me to calm down? My job is to do your work and ensure that everything takes place smoothly but none of my contract's clause says that I would have to do it at the expense of my dignity!"
Ashutosh stood up. "Okay" he said seriously. "Tell me what's wrong? And...is that coffee?" he asked as he looked at the coffee dripping from Anahita's coat. "You spilled coffee on yourself?"
"Not me. It's your ex girlfriend Malini!" Anahita replied after she had calmed down a bit.
As soon as Anahita said Malini's name they heard the commotion outside.
"Let me in!" they heard a woman's shrill voice. "You've no right to stop me like this you moron. I'll sue you for touching me!"
"Darn" Ashutosh swore.
"If you won't let me in then ask Ashutosh to come out and see me right now! How dare you try to block the path of his future wife?"
Anahita looked at him. "Future wife?" she muttered.
"I'll explain later" Ashutosh said and rushed towards the door. It took several minutes but finally the situation was handled. Ashutosh stepped inside his office with Malini almost hanging on to his arm and having tears in her eyes. Anahita looked at him with raised eyebrows. Her anger had cooled down completely and she was feeling slightly guilty for bursting on to Ashutosh like that. Come on, she had always known that he dated bimbos. She should have been more patient.
"It's alright Malini. Sit down" Ashutosh said quietly though it was clear that he was angry with Malini for creating such a ruckus. He made her sit on the couch and looked at Anahita to ask her to order some coffee for her. But then he noticed the huge stain of coffee on Anahita's coat and changed his mind. Grim faced, he ordered the coffee himself.
"I'll take your leave sir" Anahita said after the coffee had been ordered but Ashutosh held her arm and stopped her.
"No Anahita. I want you to wait here" he said and for once Anahita didn't argue. Ashutosh appeared calm but she could see the anger in his eyes and it was surprising. She had been working for him since last two years but never had she seen him getting angry. Never. He had always been a smiling and a charming person even when they had butted heads against each other frequently. This was a first and of course, he looked handsome even with that. But it absolutely didn't matter.
There was an awkward silence as Malini continued to sob and Anahita and Ashutosh stood quietly near the table. Sometimes the way Malini sniffed was a clear invitation for Ashutosh to go to her but he made no move. He didn't even look at her and remained standing straight with his arms folded firmly and staring at the door in front.
Within a few minutes coffee arrived and was served to Malini by the peon. Anahita was surprised when Ashutosh poured a cup himself and offered it to her. She hesitated.
"Drink it" he said gently. Anahita took the glass. Ashutosh looked at Malini and all the softness vanished from his face.
"So Malini" he said in a polite but cold voice. "What brings you here?"
Anahita shivered slightly. She had never heard Ashtosh talking in this tone, not even when he was dealing with the most notorious people.
"I'm sorry for what happened outside Ashutosh" Malini said immediately though she didn't sound sorry at all. Her tone clearly implied that whatever she did she thought was right and she had the right to do so "Can we talk in private?" she said and looked at Anahita with distaste.
