Part13 

Khushi rushed to the closed door and banged on it. She didn't get any response as Chopra left the place. She tried hard to get the door opened but no use. Finally, she understood that she got trapped. She knew someone closed the door from outside. But she had no idea whether the person knows about her presence or not.

She didn't know what to do as she had no mobile. She was a brave girl but the first time in her life she scared to death as she thought that she is standing in front of death. Her mind stopped working. She thought what Arnav talked on the phone about the building condition, in the last evening. She looked here and there and found an iron table at the corner. The workers should have used it for construction work. She went to it and sat under the table.

AR

Aman went to Khushi's cabin as she comes earlier. He wondered not seeing her in her cubicle.

"Maybe she should have stuck in the traffic" saying it to himself, he went to Arnav's cabin. He searched for Arnav's massage as he didn't send any message through the phone. As he didn't find anything in his cabin, he started working on the project for which he and Khushi bought materials from Kareem.

NK also came a little late finishing Arnav's parent's SHRAD. He handed over the tiffin box to Aman. He brought the dishes which were prepared for SHRAD.

"How was ASR?"

"As usual... he left RM after the pooja got over"

"Don't know how long he will be suffering like this." Aman sighed.

"I hope, very soon he will get solace in his life"

"Hopefully"

"Did Khushi come?"

"No... not yet"

"Whaaaat! But why? I thought she will be working" NK also wondered about her absence.

"Let her be relaxed... today ASR won't come to the office though"

"Yeah... you are right"

They started working on their respective work. But their concentration was on the entrance, expecting their new teammate. As time passed, they disappointed. She might be taken leave today. They supposed.

That's when Aman received a call from Neha.

"Yeah tell me"

"I have to take my mother to the hospital. I kept a leave letter on your table. I wanted to give it to you but the appointment is at 10:30 am. So, I came, keeping it there. Please don't mistake me" she said politely.

"That's ok. Take care"

"Thank you Aman sir"

She disconnected the call, smirking. Her only barrier to reach ASR got cleared. Tomorrow onwards, she can enter ASR's cabin whenever she wants. Even though ASR shouts at her she won't care.

Evening

Arnav was riding the car aimlessly. He usually looks stressed on this day but today, he is unusually overstressed because of the building issue. He was so excited to see his Di happy, gifting the building which is in their father's place. He and Anjali always feel the connection with their parent's assets... be it a house or be it a simple finger-ring. Anjali believed that their parent's still guarding them. And she made Arnav also believe that. Even Arnav felt it many times. But today, he was disappointed with his parents. They let his dream get shattered. He believed that they are with him. How could they disappoint him if they are with him? He stopped the car and leaned on the seat.

He felt his mother calling him.

"Chotttteeeee"

He opened his eyes, jerking. He clutched the steering wheel. Why does it feel like something is not right? The building issue came into his mind. What about the building issue? Has the building been collapsed? Did Aman talk to Chopra about it? He switched on his mobile.

In the meanwhile in AR

NK attended the call as it was from Shashi.

"Good evening uncle"

"Good evening Nanne, can I talk to Khushi?"

"Khushi....?" he frowned.

"She is not attending my call. Her friend came from Lucknow. She is waiting to meet Khushi. If Khushi is busy, I will ask her friend to come to meet Khushi tomorrow."

NK didn't know what to answer as he had no idea what is the real issue is. He looked at the watch; it is 6:00 pm. Neither Khushi came to the office nor is she at the house, then where is she?

"Uncle... your voice is breaking. I can't hear you. I will call you later"

Disconnecting the call, he rushed to Aman's cabin.

At the same time, Aman came to Khushi's cabin to take a file. He got stuck, seeing her phone under the file. Taking her phone, he checked. It was in silent mode and there were seven missed calls. He frowned not understanding anything.

That's when Arnav called him.

"ASR...."

"What about the building issue? Did you talk to Chopra?"

Aman again frowned.

"Building issue? But you said nothing about it..."

"What the... didn't you see the paper in my cabin?"

"What paper?"

"I asked you to sort the issue, writing on it"

"But I didn't find anything in your cabin"

"Where is Ms. Gupta? She should have seen it in my cabin"

"She didn't come to the office today"

"Whaaaat? But why?"

Aman saw NK rushed towards him.

"Aman.... Khushi's Dad called me. He asked me that when Khushi will leave the office"

"Whaaat?" Aman shocked.

"Yes, she came to the office today but she didn't reach the office"

"No NK, she should have reached the office. See, I find her phone in her cubicle. I thought she had forgotten it yesterday"

"What do you mean, Aman?" NK panicked.

"Let's check the biometric attendance device"

They rushed to the system and checked. They looked at each other as she had been registered, her arrival.

"Yes... she came to the office today." Aman said gulping.

"Then where did she go?" NK questioned.

Arnav who was hearing everything from the other side got panicked. Did she assume that the task on the paper is for her?

"Amannnnn" he shouted.

Aman was clutching the phone in his hand, nervously, thinking about Khushi. So, he almost had forgotten Arnav's call. Disconnecting the call, Arnav again called him. Aman came to his sense and attended it.

"Aman, is there any chance for Gupta to go to the building?"

Aman was horrified.

"Maybe.... ASR... I didn't find the paper in your cabin. Khushi might have thought that it is for her"

Arnav disconnected the call and took "U" turn towards the building, thinking nothing.

"What happened Aman?" NK asked nervously.

"ASR is going, searching for her" Aman replied.

"We will also go"

"Not now. Let's wait for ASR's call"

NK sat on the chair, holding his head.

......

Arnav was riding the car at full speed... he was nervous...tensed... worried... what not?

He was nervous because she is missing...

He was tensed because she might be in danger...

He was worried because she might have misunderstood him...

The man who never cared about other's points of view worried about Ms. Gupta's perception today... the girl who made him smile after his mother...after his sister. He doesn't want her to think of him wrong. In fact, he was not wrong at all.

Khushi was almost exhausted. She lost her energy and losing her sense as she didn't eat anything... she has not even had water. Her sugar level is getting low. Why this is happening with her? Why Mr. Raizada wanted her to sort the issue when he has many experienced persons in his office? Why is he making her life hell? She wanted to work for Akash but ended up getting a job of ASR's PA. She is ready to face any challenges if it is direct. Not in this way. Knowing her capability, does he hitting her indirectly? Her eyes were continuously flowing, thinking about her fate.

Her eyes were closing slowly. She leaned on the leg of the iron table. Suddenly, she jerked hearing,

"Khushiiiiiiii"

She opened her eyes unbelievably, hearing her name from an unexpected man... her BOSS.

To be continued...

Next update on Inkitt

FAN...

Khushi thought she is dreaming. But she sensed someone is opening the door. She tried to keep her eyes open. Getting inside the building, Arnav searched here and there.

"Khushiiiiiiiiii....." he shouted her name again, leaving "Ms. Gupta" behind.