THE ARRANGED LOVE STORY

EPISODE 3

Shahana was anticipating an outburst as soon as the meeting ended. Since the clients had arrived on time, Prachi hadn't said anything to her, but she knew her boss won't let it pass so easily.

"Such a mishap was never expected. I need an explanation!", Prachi didn't delay the enquiry as soon as they were in the car.

"Ma'am, I contacted Nina. She provided the information of the other four models. When I didn't receive Mr. Ranbir's, she realized that she had misplaced the photo and told me about his identity. It happened this morning. I was about to tell you, but I never expected him there." Shahana answered in one go.

Prachi frowned. "How can she just misplace a photo like that?"

" I asked ma'am, but she didn't have an answer. Their company has done a photoshoot recently for Mr. Ranbir, for his office...... So, maybe like that....."

"I don't want to hear any more excuses", Prachi said. "Make sure there is no next time. Thank God, he was kind about it! If it was someone else, it would have been humiliating."

" Even I was scared ma'am. The things I have heard about him, I never thought......"

"What did you hear about him?"

Shahana hid her smile. Her boss was curious. That was a good sign!

"People are terrified of him. Nobody dares to talk to him without his permission. Nina said, he is much like you, smart and meticulous."

There was a slight upward curve on Prachi's lips and Shahana noticed it. Another good sign!

"Seeing him so soft towards you....." Shahana took the risk of adding some more spark. "I wondered what happened to him. But then again, you have always been charming."

"Shahana....." Prachi smiled. "Flattery won't make me excuse your next mistake."

"Sorry Ma'am" Shahana gulped and quitened.

But, she noticed the slight blush that had come on Prachi's face.

*****

Ranbir got lost two times in between the meeting. But, he covered it up without anyone noticing. Well, except Aryan. He didn't knew that his assistant was observing him keenly.

When they got into the car, Ranbir had many doubts inside his head. Prachi Mehra came out of nowhere and created a spark inside him, without him even realizing.

"Aryan.....", he called, staring into nothing. "The lady.....who we met today, do you......know her?"

Aryan smirked. "Uh...", he faked a cough. "I have seen her in magazines. She is a fashion designer, quite popular. Mehra Designs. That's her company."

"Hmm...", Ranbir nodded. "Why did she.... I mean...", he also faked a cough. "How come she mistook me for a model?"

Aryan was waiting for this question.

"Sir....", he called hiding his glee. We did a photoshoot of yours last year. That company also runs agencies for models. As Miss Prachi said, they were looking for male models and the agent might have accidentally sent your photo. Miss Prachi must have found you attractive........"

Aryan stopped when Ranbir suddenly turned his face. He stared at him in apparent shock.

"Sir?", Aryan called.

"Huh...", Ranbir cleared his throat. "Uh...um..."

"Sir, do you want me to enquire about it?", Aryan asked.

"Uh...No...It's ok.... It happens.", Ranbir said.

"About Miss Prachi?", Aryan asked.

"What about her?", Ranbir looked at him.

"Do you want me to enquire about her?"

"Why would I want that?", Ranbir exclaimed.

"I just asked, Sir, sorry."

Aryan was slightly disappointed.

Ranbir started browsing through his phone, shaking his head. There was a silence for sometime, before he spoke again.

"Well....", he coughed. "Maybe, we should enquire about her!"

"Sir?", Aryan turned to him in surprise.

"About Miss Prachi! I mean, we should make sure that her reason was legitimate and that....it was....it was no any kind of...... conspiracy...... or something ."

Aryan was having a hard time to hide his smile. But he kept an impassive face.

"Sure, sir! I understand. Will do it, sir." he said.

Ranbir nodded.

He glanced at his assistant once to make sure that he didn't doubt his intentions. Seeing the calm look on his face, he relaxed and leaned back in his seat.

Little did he know that behind the calm face, Aryan was doing a victory dance in his head.

*****

Shahana was waiting at the café where Aryan had promised to meet her. Prachi wasn't in an unpleasant mood while selecting a new model, which was a relief to her.

She was eager to know about Ranbir Kohli's reaction. She hoped it would be positive too, since he was staring at her boss the entire time.

"Hey!"

She was taken aback by the abrupt greeting. Aryan had already occupied the chair opposite to her, with a big grin on his face.

"Guess what I did?", he wriggled his eyebrows.

"What?", she asked eagerly.

"I gave a file to my boss.", he said. "Which contained all the important information about your boss. You should've seen his face when he took the file. He looked so......... I daresay he was embarrassed."

"Well, that's a good sign!", she grinned. "Even Prachi Ma'am had a positive reaction. She kinda blushed when I said Ranbir sir was so soft with her, given his impression."

"That means our plan is working!", Aryan exclaimed.

"Yeah. Even though I almost got fired, the plan is working." Shahana said.

Aryan looked sheepishly at her. "I'm sorry about that."

"I felt bad for Nina too. She had no idea!", Shahana said.

"She is as clueless as ever. She won't be a problem. That's why I suggested her name.", Aryan smiled.

"Hmm!", Shahana sighed. "Now what?", she asked.

"We'll have to plan another chance meeting!"

"Aryan...", Shahana called. "Our...rather your first plan was too risky. It could have gone seriously wrong, if they hadn't been lost in each other. This time, we should do something in which we don't get into trouble, if things don't work out."

"You are correct.", Aryan nodded.

She was right. They couldn't be reckless. If they were not careful, then both of them would end up losing their jobs.

"So, what do you suggest?"