Part 1 The Boss

Arnav was delighted, to see his friends Aman and Anjali at RM. They were husband and wife. Arnav was packing his stuff for a Chennai trip.

"Hi, Anju..." Arnav smiled.

"Hi, Arnav, how are you doing?"

Anjali and Aman sat in front of him on the bed.

"Doing good Anju..." Arnav said while arranging his stuff in his case.

"Are you ready, ASR?" Aman asked.

"Almost"

"Aman said, you are going to Chennai to finalize a deal. That's why I came to meet you" Anjali said.

Arnav's hand stopped.

"Anju, I'm not going to settle down in Chennai. It's just a week trip" he said with a lopsided smile.

"I know... I came to you with an obligation"

Arnav stood straight.

"What do you want? Just ORDER me"

"I want you to give a job to my friend"

Arnav lifted his brows.

"That's all?"

"Yeah, that's all..."

"ok, done"

"Really?" Anjali shouted in joy.

"Yeah... when you ask me, how would I say NO?"

Anjali looked at Aman and spilled a victory smile.

"Don't smile at me Anju... this guy is so partial towards me. If I had recommended to someone, he would have become a wrathful ghost. But for you, he is ready to do anything..."

Arnav smiled and Anjali chuckled.

"He didn't even ask you whether the person is eligible to the post or not..." Aman sighed.

"If Anju recommend for anyone, the person would be eligible only. She won't recommend for ineligible person. I trust her"

"This is too much ASR. Will I recommend for an ineligible person? Don't forget Anju is my choice"

"That's the only matter in which you scored high marks" Arnav countered.

"Oh, really?"

"Then? Your vehicle(LIFE) is running only because Anju is your wife..."

Anjali laughed louder and Aman sighed.

Arnav, Aman and Anjali were college mates. Arnav and Aman were running a business. They were equal partners in the business. Yet, Arnav was always an upper hand and Aman never felt bad about it because he knew Arnav was capable to be one.

Aman and Anjali fell in love with each other when they were in college. At that time, Aman was just an upper middle class guy but Anjali was a rich girl. Anjali's parents didn't accept Aman who was not up to their standard. As usual, they faced the same problems every lover faced, status, cast, etc., etc.,

Anjali eloped with Aman and they got married. Aman faced tough time to get firm in his life. Anjali stood for him without giving up on him even though they faced a very hard time. Till date, Anjali never complained about Aman for anything. It was Arnav who stood for their friends.

Anjali's love for Aman was what made Arnav respect her. He liked her like his own sister. Even his own sister Lavanya didn't get such a place in his heart. He respected Anjali as his mother Ratna because of her TRUE LOVE.

"By the way, who is your friend?" Aman asked Anjali.

"Khushi Gupta... I like her so much. She is in the search of a job. I will be happy if she works in our company"

"No problem, Anju. Khushi Gupta will get a job in our company" Arnav said.

"If you guys think she is not eligible to the post, you can fire her. I won't feel bad" Anjali added but she said it in a low tone.

Arnav and Aman spared a glance. They could understand why Anjali hesitated. It was because the post was Arnav's PA. Being his PA was not a simple thing. It needed a lot of patience as well as talent. They didn't know Khushi Gupta would be the one.

"Thank you for giving us a chance Anju..." Aman said.

"But, I'm sure you won't get a chance to fire her... mark my words" Anjali said.

"I will be glad if she has the potential"

"She would be..."

"Relax guys... If Khushi Gupta is ineligible for the post, we will train her. ok?" Arnav said.

Anjali nodded ok cheerfully.

"This guy is too much" Aman sighed.

"Anything for Anju" Arnav said seriously.

"Where is Rithvik?" Arnav asked.

"He is with Ratna aunty because she is preparing samosa..."

"Oh..." Arnav chuckled.

They saw Ratna coming with a samosa tray and also with a cute boy.

"Hi, big guy..." Arnav smiled.

"Hi uncle"

"How is your school?"

"It's good"

"He is just three years, but you guys pushed him into school" Arnav sighed.

"Education system is like that, ASR" Aman said.

Sitting on the recliner, Rithvik started eating samosa. Ratna chuckled.

"He likes your samosa very much aunty" Anjali said.

"Let him eat. You too take it. I will bring you tea"

Ratna left the place.

After chitchatting with Arnav for a while, Aman and Anjali left the place with Rithvik.

Arnav went to Chennai for a trip.

As Arnav gave a green signal to appoint Khushi Gupta as his PA, Aman appointed her the next day. He wanted her to learn her job before Arnav returned from Chennai.

Aman was so much satisfied with Khushi. Her observation and learning interest attracted him. He was relieved as believed Arnav would also like her. At least, he won't get disappointed with her, Aman supposed.

Anjali Villa

Anjali gave coffee to Aman who just returned back from A2 office.

"How was your day?"

"Awesome..."

"Really?"

"Yeah..."

"How is Khushi. Is she coping up?"

"Fantastically... you won't believe how she managing with A2"

"Is it?"

"Yeah... I'm so relieved now. ASR will get satisfied with her for sure"

"That's why I recommended for Khushi"

"Why not you recommend a good girl for Arnav for his marriage?"

Anjali became serious and nodded no.

"Why Anju?"

"I don't want to poke my nose into his personal space. I respect his feelings. He has a reason not to get married. Don't you feel so?"

"But, how long will he be like this, Anju?"

"It's not in our hands, Aman. Everything has its own way... it will happen when the right time comes"

"Won't you ask him to marry?"

"Why does he respect me? It's because he respects LOVE. That's why he respects me. So is me. I won't interfere into his decision..."

"This is why he respects you" Aman sighed.

"What do you think about Khushi?"

"She is a nice girl but bold... self-esteem... so brave. She talks anything that is RIGHT... I feel she is a female version of ASR but she is not arrogant like him" Aman laughed.

"If she is a female version of Arnav, Arnav will definitely like her"

Aman looked at her stunningly.

"What does that mean?"

"I don't interfere into his personal matter. It doesn't mean I will not try to dissipate his penance..." Anjali said controlling her smile.

"My God... how foxy you are? Do you have such a plan in your mind?"

"Then what? Do you know how Ratna aunty is feeling sad about him...?"

"Yeah... she feels so distressed"

"That's why I sent an eligible PA to him..."

"Wow... you are so so smart..."

"When is he coming?" Anjali asked.

"In two days..."

"Make Khushi ready to welcome him" Anjali winked.

"As you say madam..." Aman said with a joyful smile.

Husband and wife were fully set to make the mighty ASR fall for Khushi. But...

The next day

A2 office

Arnav returned back from Chennai a day prior unannounced. He directly came to A2 from the Airport, as usual as he was away from Delhi for a week.

He walked to his cabin while checking an important Email on his phone. At the same time, Khushi came from the sketch room and jerked not to banged on him. Arnav clutched her hand and looked at her face. For a few seconds, he forgot himself, seeing her baffled hazels. His eyes softened. He gulped down hard and faced tough time to manage himself because he felt something within that he never felt in the last fifteen years.

She straightened herself and said,

"I'm sorry sir..."

Arnav came to the composure and gritted his teeth.

"Are your EYES there in your face only for DECORATION? Won't you use them to SEE?" he asked in ASR style.

That was it. Khushi gritted her teeth.

"Hello, it was you who didn't use your eyes to see who is coming on your way... it was you who was looking at phone. I just apologized out of respect... but, I'm wrong. You won't deserve my respect..."

"What the...kkk... How dare you!"

"Why won't I dare? This is my office... coming to our office, who you are to shout at me?" Khushi asked.

"Your office? What do you mean?" Arnav frowned.

"I'm working here"

"Working? Who the hell appointed you?"

Khushi dropped her jaw.

"Mind your tongue Mr..."

"Really? Then listen... you are FIRED" He said gritting his teeth.

"Whaaat?" Khushi frowned.

"Didn't you hear me? I said, you are fired" he yelled.

"Who are you to fire me?"

Arnav was about to answer, he stopped hearing,

"ASR... Khushi...what happened?"

Aman rushed to them. Both Arnav and Khushi were stuck. They looked at one another like, Are you ASR?, Are you Khushi?

Arnav saw Khushi composing herself. She stood looking at him daringly that irked him more.

Arnav turned towards Aman.

"I fired this girl... that's final" Arnav said and walked to his cabin.

Aman sighed helplessly. He looked at Khushi,

"Please don't mistake him, Khushi"

"Honestly speaking Aman sir, I'm not at fault. Yet, I apologized. But, he started shouting at me. I don't think I can work for him. However, he fired me. I'm leaving... convey my sincere apology to Anjali"

"No, Khushi... please don't go... please..."

"He fired me, Aman sir"

"No... let me talk to him. Please..."

Khushi sighed.

"please don't go...wait in my cabin"

Aman rushed to Arnav's cabin and saw him sitting on the seat closing his eyes. Arnav looked at Aman and said,

"Don't try to manipulate me..."

"No... don't I know you? But I have no guts to tell Anju that we fired Khushi. Please you do that" Aman said removing his phone, making Arnav stuck.

To be continued...