.
'Naira looked at Preeti she was furious..

"yah ma'am but Kartik sir said..

"oh so now who is your boss me or Kartik?" Naira went quiet she didn't know what to say..

"he has only met you one or twice.."

"you said both of you are my bosses." Preeti came closer to her.

"tell me something Naira who gives you orders and has been here with you constantly.. me or him?. She circulated her making her feel nervous.

"you ma'am.."

"exactly so next time listen to me if I say 7am I mean it! next time such a mistake will not be tolerated is that understood?

"yes ma'am" Naira kept a serious face.

"good now that we have an understanding I will leave.. Siya is with Ramu in the kitchen..

"but she didn't make the mistake.." Naira turned and Saw Kartik in a white shirt and black blazer coming out of his office. Preeti rolled her eyes.

"forget it.. your video conference has finished darling?" Preeti said changing the topic.. He came and stood in front of Naira.

" I told her to come at 10am., it's not her mistake she didn't do anything wrong"

"ok its over this topic is done,Siya is in the kitchen.." she looked at Naira like she should leave.. and Naira left to go to the kitchen.

"Kartik what the hell don't undermine me in front of work members like that!"

"for god sake Preeti can't you just!"

"I'm leaving bye!"

She didn't listen further.. and left.. Kartik sighed massaging his temple.. when he looked again Naira was in hall with Siya.. she saw Kartik he looked stressed.. She walked up to him..

"Sir? I just wanted to say thanks for last night..Gauri filled me in.". Kartik chuckled..

"Gauri she's a funny girl.. and your welcome..." he smiled at her sweetly that made her go weak at the knees.

"excuse me I have go do another video conference.. if you need anything I will be in my office, he caressed Siya's cheek and walked in his office direction.. then all of a sudden turned..

"and Naira In case you haven't notice I'm not that much older than you.. you don't have to call me sir just Kartik is fine.. he smiled and left her with that thought and went into his office.

"just Kartik..? he noticed we are of similar age?.. she didn't know why but she found herself smiling, she cuddled Siya and kissed her cheek. 2 hours later Naira wanted to go and ask Kartik something while Siya was having a sleep.. she reached midway to her office, with a half smile hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

"Naira looking for something dear?" she came out of her day dreaming and looked up at Sangam.

"Yeah aunty just wanted to ask Kartik sir something.. is he?" she pointed to his office.

"Kartik, oh he left 1 hour back..

"left oh.."

"yeah he had to go to a last minute meeting in Beijing some business meeting, he should be back in some days.. she gave Naira a friendly smile and went into the kitchen. Naira shook her head..

"Kartik you do guest appearance and then make me go crazy.. she walked back to the sofa where Siya was asleep..she wanted to get to know Kartik better but when he did these sudden disappearing acts it was difficult..' he's always away on business' she sighed and made her mind forget about him..

The day went quickly and in the evening she went over to her papa's and gave him her first cheque, he was very happy and it felt really good to contribute towards the family, it was self fulfilling he didn't want to take the money but Naira told him its for her brothers too and that made him reluctantly take it.

"but beta just this first cheque.. otherwise the rest of your wages I want you to keep.. this is your hard earned cash.

"Nai papa please this is my family too.. I want to help as much as I can.. her father held the cheque close.. only to have it snatched away..

"wah wah.. now we can get that flat screen tv with this cheque.." she squealed excitedly looking at the piece of paper like a hungry dog.

"Kaushaliya this money is not for luxuries its for our sons future! Saurabh scolded his wife. She fired back equally.

"yeah,yeah saying like I don't care for my sons future?! He just rolled his eyes..

"Naira beta.. don't worry I will make sure it goes to their education fund" Naira smiled, thank god that witch won't get her hands on it.

Haan haan, keep praising your daughter like she is some sort of queen, all she is doing is a simple job.. nothing special.."

Naira step mum always knew how to get to her, she felt upset about it.. Kaushailya never let an opportunity passed without having some dig at the poor girl. Shortly Naira left from there.. the atmosphere wasn't at all welcoming, how horrible feeling like you don't belong in your own home. She went back to Gauri's luckily there she was appreciated by both Gauri's parent's they made sure she ate well and Gauri's mum always made her feel welcome and made her favourite food from time to time, she really enjoyed it there, but still it didn't feel like home, she always felt she was at someone else's home.

It was night time and she sat in her bed reading a book and just catching up on her thoughts.

"ok now we are free and alone.."

"hmm" she replied with her head still in the book.

"oi Naira you didn't say or even ask.. Naira put the book away and took her reading glasses off.

"you've lost me asked what?"

"you know what you said in the morning you wanted to know every detail of when Kartik came and dropped you off here.. and did you see him today?" she asked eagerly

"yeah saw him today, but then.. actually Gauri I'm feeling tired can we talk about this some other time.. good night.

"ok yah. Sure.. what's up with her.. Gauri was puzzled by her reaction.

"are you ok.?"

"yeah just tired yaar" Naira slept to her side, she wasn't really tired but she was having one of those days.. one part Kartik was on her mind and the other was this job and Preeti she was beginning to dislike her.. and also she felt like she needed her own space 'once I have enough money I will rent myself a place and hopefully a good car, not flash but atleast good condition' with that thought she fell asleep .

Last few days had been same, she enjoyed her time with Siya but sometimes things just felt mundane Friday came and Kartik came back that very afternoon he was stuck in his office all day and she didn't even get a chance to say anything, on top of that Siya was being more demanding than usual.. another good thing about Friday meant pay day.. Today Preeti didn't give her the cheque..

"Naira beta, Ma'am is busy she told me to pass this one.." it was a cheque co-signed by Kartik.

"thank you" she smiled she was about to leave..with the thought going through her head 'today I will be paid double for the amount I did last week. I will finally be able to buy ... but that thought left her once she glanced at her cheque it was the same amount as last week not any higher.. how will she tackle this issue with Preeti.

Naira really didn't want to ask Preeti about the cheque..
come on just ask, its your right you should've been paid a higher amount its only fair. Come on you have to ask her why she did this..

her mind scolded her, she really didn't want to, just then Preeti made an appearance, its like she already knew Naira's reaction when she was holding the cheque in her hand looking at it.

"bye see you on Monday" Naira looked up from her cheque.

"actually ma'am?"

"hmm is there some problem?" Preeti asked pretending like she didn't have the faintest.

"yeah I think so.."

"I did overtime last week.. you didn't add it here"

"you took the day off the next morning.. and I paid you the amount for which you worked for.."

"but i.."

"how dare you speak back to me.. with what status you are talking!" Naira was shocked she didn't know what to she say, Preeti spoke about her status, Naira couldn't answer back she didn't know what to say and Preeti was right, the wealth and lavish life she's living, is only something Naira could only ever dream of.

"what's going on here?" Kartik came there hearing the disagreement.

"I'm trying to have a video conference in there and I can hear you both all the way to the office!." he said

"listen Kartik she's saying we are paying her unfairly.." Kartik came and stood next to Preeti .. He ran his fingers through his hair, slightly annoyed then his eyes shifted to Naira, she saw his confused expression..

"no I didn't mean that.. sir.." Naira looked up at him hoping he would get what she meant.

"ma'am I was just.." Naira wanted to make it clear she was not after more money..

"Enough Naira!" Naira was shocked she never heard Kartik raise his voice like that and especially at her.

"whatever Preeti has given I'm sure its right, you should not question your boss.. now keep the noise down I can't work like this.." he stormed off into his office again but left the door slightly open. Preeti smirked..

"Well Naira you heard Kartik, now I will see you on Monday 7am sharp no later.. she walked of with a satisfied smile on her face.. Naira didn't have a leg to stand on.. she thought atleast maybe Kartik would vouch for her seeing as he is the one who told her to come late, she began to walk to get her bag.. she was feeling so low and humiliated.. and what hurt more was Kartik's behaviour.. she could feel her eyes fill up she choked the tears back at least she planned to to up to till she gets to the car, .but tears were brimming to roll down.. she just wanted to quit her job now if she had a choice its exactly what she would do, but it wasn't an option she needed the money, she walked slowly dwelling in her thoughts.. the hall was empty Preeti had gone upstairs, servants were leaving too, the light shut off in the hall.. and it went a little dark, she kept walking..to get to the front door she had to pass Kartik's office.. she walked slowly just going through the recent events that just passed.. she didn't want to face him she just wanted to get out of this haveli as soon as possible.. she was nearing his office, she just pushed her hair to the front hoping she would quickly pass the room.. she didn't even look at the slightly opened door of the office she just kept looking down at the ground. But he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into his office.. she looked at him in shock as he shut the door behind him now his palm had slipped from holding her arm to her wrist. She looked at him confused.. then at his hand holding her wrist firmly, he looked at his hold on her wrist..

"Sorry I didn't mean to grab you like that" he quickly let go.. Naira looked down she didn't know what to think. she quickly snapped out of that when she saw what he wanted.

"give me the cheque.." she stood there confused.. he sighed and took it from her hand.. now her senses came back..

'ok first Preeti doesn't raise the amount and now Kartik sir refuses to give me any money at all? what is going on..

Kartik ripped up the cheque, her jaw dropped at his actions.. He went to his desk and quickly pulled a cheque book out of the drawer and scribbled down an amount and signed it, she just stood in the same place across him near office door still confused.. He ripped the cheque paper out and walked back to her, "Here.." he took her right hand in his and placed the cheque in her palm and closed it.

"this is what you and your hard work really deserves ." Naira opened her palm and looked at the amount, her eyes widened with astonishment

"oh my gosh. This is way too much sir.. this is like.., I ..i can't except this. "yes you can Naira"

Listen to me" he gripped her shoulders firmly, she looked up at him.

"you are doing such a good job with Siya.. this the right amount you deserve ok?"

Precap: Kartik wants to know Naira more..

Tbc

How is it going?
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