Just You | √

Chapter Two : Caller Tunes And Mom's Love

It was a Sunday evening. Summer season was fast approaching but Camaraderie, the topmost clothing company hadn't launched it's new Summer Collection, yet. Aditya wanted to ensure that the new models were perfect; flawless cloth material, ideal pastel colours and impeccable designs. His objective was to launch the new collection by the month end. Added to this, he had to also prepare for the upcoming Fashion Week, which was just months away.

Aditya's mobile ringed and it was a call from Ritika Prakash, the head designer of Camaraderie and also Aditya's close friend. "Speak." Aditya answered, checking the designs submitted. "Aditya, you boar-" He cut her off. "It's Aditya Sir." He could imagine her rolling her eyes. It didn't matter who the person was-a friend or a foe, as long as he/she worked under Aditya, they had to address him as Sir. "Jeez, Aditya Sir, can you please have some mercy on this single-ready-to-mingle friend of yours and not ask her to work even on Sunday because she has to a attend many parties to find the ideal boyfriend?" Ritika said, clearly mocking him but he cared less. "Miss. Prakash, I want the final designs of womanwear emailed to me by evening or you'll be fired. Understand?" Aditya said, without paying heed to what Ritika said a while ago and hung up on her. He knew that whatever he said was nothing but a mere lie and an empty threat as he couldn't afford to loose a great designer like Ritika and moreover, his Mom would murder him if had caused even a small harm to Ritika.

After a few minutes, he dialled Ritika's number again to confirm about the pastel colours she had used so that the hues of the menwear that Aditya was finalising were in sync with those of womanwear, making them the perfect couple outfits. Suddenly, the lyrics of Barbie Girl by Aqua blasted in his ears; I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world. He looked at the phone screen weirdly before hanging up. What a weird caller tune? He thought as his mind wondered back to the girl from morning who wore a pair of Barbie sunglasses. After a hectic week, he decided to take a break and visit a park but he had come across something very unusual and unexpected which was going to have a long time effect on him.

When he first laid his eyes on the girl, he couldn't help but give her those weird looks. Obviously, which youngster wears Barbie sunglasses? When the girl picked up the rose and confessed her feelings towards him, his ego was boosted up like this wasn't the first that a girl has a crush on him, after all, he's the most eligible bachelor and also the youngest businessman. But oh boy, when the girl with Barbie sunglasses had actually twisted the arm of his bodyguard, he couldn't deny the fact that she was something. Her confidence and straightforwardness was something he admired her for and he definitely wished to meet the girl again but in better circumstances.
He immediately shook his head and walked out to meet his mother, as he wasn't able to spend much time with her due to his work.

In spite of being a billionaire, he was a lover a simplicity and so his house wasn't a big mansion or huge palace, but just a cozy place which gave him homely vibes. Situated in Timberlake Colony, a place where most of the elite people resided in, his house consisted of a huge kitchen with all sorts of equipment, wide living space, total seven rooms. A small garden with flowers of different colours was a cherry on the top. As he was out, he watched as his mother read a book from the transparent French windows which separated the living room from the garden.

"Mom." He greeted her as he stood beside her. "Finally, my son has time for this old lady, eh?" She poked his arm jokingly to which he gave a small smile. "How's work, boy? You look stressed." She questioned him, running her hands soothingly as he sat down near her. "It's all good, Mom." He said, hiding his tiredness from her all he placed his head on her lap. "Adi, I'm your Mom. I know it all. Why are you hiding it from me?" She said softly as if she was addressing a small boy. Well, even if we grow up to have wrinkles on our faces, we're still lil' children to our mothers. "Sorry, Mom." He muttered kissing her hands.

His mother, Anjali Reddy was his everything. After his father left them, it was her who took him into her saviour arms and protected him from the cruelties. She bought him up alone after going through many hardships and he couldn't help but admire the lady infront of him. She was his angel, his reason for being alive. He was ready to give up all of that he had for his mother in a mere second because if he was standing here today, then the credit goes to Anjali's immense support and encouragement.

As they continued talking about random things, his phone rang. He checked the number to be Adhya's, as his mother gave him teasing looks. "Hello." He picked up the call, ignoring his mother. "Aditya, it's a Sunday, man! Let's go to a party. I really want you to meet some of my model friends." Adhya said in an excited tone. "Adhya, please, I can't come. I've work to do. I'm sorry." He said in a bored tone and he could imagine her pouting. "Baby, please! You always have some work when it comes to me. Just tag along, man. Don't act hard to get, now." She whined and after much more pestering he had to finally give in.

When Aditya's father abandoned them, it was Anand Reddy, a local trader who had helped him and his mother. He was engaged to Adhya, Anand's daughter two months back and from then on, his life had changed. It wasn't like Adhya was a bad person or he didn't like her; it's just that Adhya never gave him any importance. It was all about her and the worst part was, he had to give up on his priorities and likes for her. His intention was to payback Anand but he wasn't too sure if he really wanted this. He sighed and bid bye to his mother before starting off to meet Adhya.

Name, Aditya Reddy. Occupation, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Camaraderie, topmost clothing brand which offers sportswear and accessories for men, women and kids. Qualifications, completed his Master of Business Administration. Relationship status, engaged to Adhya Reddy, youngest and the most successful model and also the crush of many girls as he had been declared as the youngest billionaire and most eligible bachelor. Hobbies, well, work, work, and work. Family, years ago, his father, Gautam Reddy had abandoned him and his mother, Anjali Reddy for another woman. Currently living with his mother and his guardian angel and also father of Adhya, Anand Reddy. Friends, doesn't really make any friends after loosing his best friend, Abhimanyu Reddy in a building crash.