“you are already in charge of Siya’s savings they would set you for life, you already have 20% stake in Goenka  enterprises! Preeti ignored him because she knew just how much it irritated him.

“I want 70% think about it.. have a good day” she left his office mockingly.

“damn it” Kartik banged his hands on the table in frustration.. his conversation with Preeti usually went like this, but everytime ended with the same conclusion, they were in this rut their relationship was just a sham but to society it was real.’ She wants 70% she’s out of her bloody mind’ Kartik sat down in his chair with his hands on his head, just trying to calm himself down, he just gathered his thoughts.. and then sat back straightening his blazer.  He got up from his seat and took the tray, he took a sip of his tea but it was luke warm.. He opened the door and saw Naira there.

“Tea has gone cold, I will just be a sec wait there” he passed her and went into the hall.  Naira stood waiting for him from a distance she could see him talking to Ramu, and Kartik smiled about something then patted Ramu on the shoulder and he went into the kitchen.  Naira stood at the same spot, she watched him walk back to her.

“hmm come sit” he waved her to go in the room, she went and then he followed.

“Siya is asleep still.. that’s why I’m.

“Hey Naira I’m not Preeti you don’t have to justify yourself to me”

“hmm” she replied once again he encourage her to take a seat. She sat down putting the baby monitor on his desk, there was silence in the room.

“Naira yesterday the way I spoke to you I didn’t mean it sorry i..

“no sir don’t apologise you’re my boss you can speak to me any way.. Kartik smirked  and thought what a difference there is between girls like Naira and then woman like Preeti.. Naira seems so pure hearted and Preeti… he sighed.

“yah I am your boss but still you are a person besides just Siya’s babysitting you are your own person.

Naira was surprise with his words, she painted people who are rich as narrow minded and judgemental but Kartik sir just seems different.

“so Naira tell me how was… Naira got distracted she never looked at anything apart from Siya her eyes scanned his office then she got up.. with a smile she went to his book self on the left side.

“wow all these books are yours?”  Kartik smiled and got up too.. he walked over to her.

“yup I’m a big book lover”

“me too..”  said Naira.

“but I don’t have a nearly as much this I mean I have read a lot but..

“if you want you can borrow them from me anytime”  they shared a smile, she went a bit quiet, she didn’t know why.

“so what’s your favourite author?”  she already had her favourite.

“David Johnson ” they said in unison”

“wow yours too?” she said to Kartik

“yah he is a damn awesome writer I usually read his books when I’m on the plane or at some free time, I love to read..."

Naira was amazed that a business man like  Kartik sir and her both have a love for books, she was always reading but her circle of friends never really took to books except Gauri she liked to read but she wasn’t a book worm like her. Me and Kartik like the same author, that’s too good.

“have you read The war of hearts?”

“that is his latest book?” she asked

“yeah” he replied

“no I haven’t” she said

“oh you must its really well written and really makes you think… Kartik words trailed of his laptop started beeping.

“just one sec.. he tapped her arm for a nano second as you do when your comfortable with someone.. the beeping increased  he rushed over to his desk.

“video conference now.. its meant to be later..” he mumbled to himself.. just then the baby monitor went off and at the same time Ramu came with the tray again. He placed it on the desk, Naira picked up the monitor, and Ramu left them shutting the door behind him.

“Siya’s awake duty calls..” said Naira.

“hmm and I have to take this..” he said he really didn’t want to he actually felt at ease and a relaxing feeling came over him when speaking with her.. but he had to finalise a deal.

“ok but take your tea with you and have up there if you want anything else to eat feel free”

“ok thanks” they exchanged a friendly smile and then he attended his video conference and she took her tea and went to see to, to Siya. 

Again Kartik’s meetings became extremely busy, today Preeti came early but she just went upstairs.. Naira was leaving to go home.. Kartik saw her passed and gestured with a finger to wait.

He was on a phone call..it seemed long distance, after a few seconds he waved her to come in.. she did so. He walked up to the bookshelf and from the very top he pulled a book out.

“yeah but how much are they saying? hmmm..hmm he commented on the phone. Naira stood quietly.. and he handed her the book. “here” She smiled as she saw the title it was David  Johson's latest addition.

“thanks” she whispered. He put a thumbs up and mouthed. “See you tomorrow” she nodded.

“yeah but that’s what I’m saying Mr Tai in the market… his voice trailed off as Naira walked out of his office. She looked at the book ‘ I always wanted to read this book’ she was excited to start it, today had been a good day, she smiled to herself.  Kartik got off the phone, he just found himself at ease, it was so great to talk to someone about a common interest he was a Harvard return with a MBA but the other side of him loved to read books and to share that interest with Naira made him happy it made a change from having arguments with Preeti.

‘Naira’s she’s interesting and its nice to have a common interest' he smiled.

“What you reading?”  Gauri said getting in her bed when she spotted Naira already in hers reading a book.

“a book”

“duh even I can see that, but which one?” Naira showed her the cover.

“oh my gosh how did you get that, Its not even released here”

“I know.. actually someone borrowed it to me” she smiled.

“who?” Gauri was clueless as to who it could be.” Naira sighed.

“It turns out he likes books too”

“Who “Ayush?”  Naira rolled her eyes..

“Seriously Ayush and books? I haven’t heard from him since he left for Africa, this from Kartik sir” she smiled.

“oh you both are book nerds” Gauri laughed.

“shut up.. anyway listen I’ve been thinking?”

“hmm tell me I’m listening.. she said tapping away on her mobile.

“I’m thinking of breaking up with Ayush”

“what?” Gauri got up from her bed and rushed over to Naira.

“yah.. why you so shocked.. its not like we are in a serious relation..” she said resuming her book.

“Yah but..you guy have been together since 3 years”

“correction we have been on off for 3 years.. she turned the page

“and I just think we are comfortable more as friends, getting into a relationship I don’t know how it even happen but..” she spoke about it like it was a phase that she is over now.. Gauri was confused where this was coming from.. Naira didn’t seem too bothered she just read her book.

 “wait..wait is this because of Kartik?” Naira looked up from her book.  

“what.?”. she then removed her glasses and sat up and closed the book.

“of course not, I just feel like you know something is missing between me and Ayush you know like a spark.” She gestured with her hands as she spoke

“so you don’t like him then..?”

“who?”

“you know who…

 “Kartik sir? no.. ahem I’m just thinking in the future, I want to be with someone who gives me excitement, that butterflies in the stomach feeling, that feeling that makes you crazy, that passion, like you and Rahul had.. she said then wished she didn’t mention it oops she felt bad, Gauri and Rahul didn’t have a good break up.

“hmm I do see what you mean” she went quiet.

“sorry I forgot, I just..”

“its fine yaar, we are in the past, yeah I get what your saying in that case you should break up with him.”

“hmm” replied Naira.

“I’m tired I’ll shut the light now if you want  to read then its fine I’ll leave it”

“No I’ve read enough today, besides I have to wake up early anyway. They both said goodnight to each other.

Naira came early the next day, she really found the book interesting and she wished to tell Kartik if only he would leave his office for five minutes, Siya was asleep and Naira saw his door open.

“Kartik sir your right.. this book is fabulous, its amazing, I’m hooked to it, by the way don’t you ever take a break. ” she was speaking loudly. Kartik got up from his chair and held her wrist and escorted her out of the office.

“Don’t ever do that again” he replied and shut the door. Naira was shocked, what happened what did I do.. yesterday he was all nice and wanted to have tea with me and today.. What’s with him.. ughh she sighed.. she really didn’t get Kartik’s behaviour.. did he have to be so rude about it.

“Mr Tai are you there..”

“Kartik you know I am a busy man, I only take appointments via video conference, and I am a strict policy in timing” he said to Kartik

“Sorry I had a little disturbance, its over now we can get back to the quote” he spoke alittle more he was grateful Mr Tai gave him another chance. 6 hours later Kartik came into the kitchen.

“Beta I am leaving now..”

“bye Sargam aunty um..Naira she?..”

 “she left 20 minutes ago.. “

“oh.. ok..”

“any problem?” she asked looking at a tired and stressed out Kartik.

“no.. nothing” he rubbed his temple. “I will see you tomorrow” he said

“bye see you tomorrow” she replied.. Kartik went into the kitchen and poured a glass of water.. he took a sip..’Naira I was so rude to her.. and I’m an idiot’ he scolded himself.

‘but she came in between a really important video conference, I just reacted the way I normally do. 

He took another sip and then put the glass in the sink..

'I will apologise to her tomorrow' then he left the kitchen.. He made his way up the stairs and to his room.

Tbc
Precap: Kartik sees her in a new avatar

Hows it going let me know? via comment and plz keep voting

👇🙂🙆‍♀️🙏🙏