Chapter 1 : The Unpleasant Meeting

A/N : Strong languages has been used and will be used in future too. Character Portrays need this. Neither Ram nor Priya is shy in this story.


The Unpleasant Meeting

“So what’s the big deal?” Neha sat on the couch that she and Priya just bought from the store.

“I am from a different industry and this is another arena. I don’t know if I can handle this or not!” Priya sighed after gulping water to quench her thirst.

“Priya..”Neha came to her, “You are always a star and that you know very well. What is in industry? You don’t deal with the products you deal with the people, here also you have to do the same. This offer is big. You will take a huge leap from everyone of your time. I think you should go for it. I know your company has offered you a last chance to withdraw your papers but don’t do it.” Neha said taking out the fruits from the bag.

“I think you are right.” Priya walked to the calendar hanging from the wall. “If there will be no risk factor in life, it becomes so dull.” She marked 1^st of April with a Red Marker that lied on the table. “I will join them.”

With a big smile Neha hugged her tight, “this calls for a party baby.”

~~

Some Club, New Delhi.

“This place never fails to amaze me Priya, meri jaan Party is On… Wow I am a poet and I never knew it.” Neha continued to be in her drama queen form as always. “How cute boys are around see.”

“So, you came here to see boys, not to celebrate.” Priya said annoyingly holding her hand tight.

“Ouch!” She giggled, “We are here to celebrate but the missing link…” Neha continued her scanning around, “The missing link of your life has to be found.”

“Excuse me.” The voice came from their behind, both the ladies turned. Tall dark handsome the man of almost every girl’s dream stood there. In a red t shirt and jeans, with his hair back brushed the man waited for the ladies to excuse him. Neha’s constant stare made him feel awkward, “Sorry.” Priya pulled Neha out of his way. Shoving a smile he walked towards the bar. Still amused by the presence, she said, “Come lets have some drinks.”

“No way Neha.. you are embarrassing me.”Priya pulled her to the opposite furthest corner. “Sit.” She almost threw her on to the couch. “Now behave. You are not at all a peg down and behaving like a retard. I am going to order and please don’t roam behind that dream guy you just met.” Sighing in disbelief of being Neha’s friend she walked to the bar joint.

That oh so handsome man was still there talking with his friends, may be, which Priya over heard.

“Excuse me.” She voiced. “Did you just called my friend a slut!”

“Sorry!”

“You must be Mister.” Priya rebuked, “you know what is the problem with guys like you, having a good face, charm and roaming around with good bank balance you think ever girl will fall for you. Just cut the crap out of your mind. Ridiculous people around.” Furiously she walked away.

The man kept starring at the lady, who left without giving him a chance to explain. “Abbe Yaar!! Were we talking about them?” He laughed in disbelief. “Actually London was better. I will run away as quick as I can from here.”  The man said to his friend.

“Where is the drink?” Neha asked Priya , who was not in a mood to party anymore.

“Just shut up. The night is ruined. Go and stare more at anonymous people.” Priya scolded, “ We are bloody leeches.” Stomping her feet she expressed he anger, “We will celebrate somewhere else. Chal yahan se. My mood has screwed up enough to continue here.” Seizing Neha she rushed out of the Café.

Priya Sharma.

After completing her 3^rd successful year as HR Manager in the Nestle she got a golden opportunity to join India’s one of the biggest IT Giants. At first she was unsure about the positivity of joining the IT company. But the handsome package that was offered to her, was irresistible and reaching that package would take another 4 to 5 years with the FMCG company. Basically accepting the offer meant pushing herself ahead of her batch by 5 years atleast. Though unsure of the outcome she dared to break the shell and decided to join the IT Giants on the date that they mentioned on her Offer Letter, only after discussing about the Notice period she has to serve to her present employer.

Her only friend from her Post Graduate days Neha Singh, also works at New Delhi, though not in the same organization, but she and Neha shared the same apartment, A 2 BHK. Thanks to Neha’s father who managed to convince the society about them. Neha’s outgoing in nature many a times has welcomed unwanted treatment from the society people but Priya tried to manage out the most of situation, which she pulled off successfully most of the time.

~~

“Let me see if any cab is around.” Priya called an agency and successfully booked the cab,after dinner they had in another restaurant . “Trusting this people in the wee hours you see Neha..” To her disbelief Neha slept on the bench, “NEHAAA” she jerked her out of the sleep, “I have booked a cab and please for God’ Sake open your eyes. I don’t want the driver to see you like this or the society people. Someday they will surely throw us out.” She helped neha to sprinkle water on her face.

“Madam.” The cab driver called out who just stopped the tata indica with a screeching sound. “Ms. Priya Sharma?” he asked.

“Yes. Wait..” Priya looked back to Neha, “Come’on get up.” Helping her to stand she walked with trembling Neha to the car’s door. Almost avoiding a great fall, Priya threw Neha inside and then adjusted herself in the little space left.

“High on weeds!” the Driver smirked.

“Please Bhaiya mind your business.” Priya sounded rude, when she tried to sound polite. “Which route you will be taking?” Priya got little tensed when the Driver kept his mouth shut. “Should I call Mangesh your owner.”

“The shortest distance, No need to call Mangesh Sahib.” The driver grinded each word under his teeth. For being a hot summer night the society where she lived, half of the families are awake, and thanks for being weekend, with no schools and offices next day most of the aunties were still strolling around in small groups inside the society compound.

“Shit!” Priya said looking at Neha, who was still sleeping in the exact position when Priya pushed her inside. Clearing the fare , Priya struggled to get Neha out of the cab. She could hear the whispers of the aunties, who were planning to complain about them to the secretary of the society. She faked a smile to them and walked to the elevator with almost sleeping Neha. Thanks to her luck, the elevator was on the ground floor, hurrying she hit the desired floor.

Tucking Neha on her bed, Priya sat on her bed. Like always she took her laptop and stalked on her brother’s profile. There is no way around to get in touch with him. Even she discarded herself from every medium that came to the market those days. Neha, a sweetheart always lends her profile to Priya for all this purpose, having faith on her that she will not invade her unwanted personal space.

Searching through almost 600 friends that Neha had in her social media account she found the name Kartik Sharma, just few months back he has graduated from one the premium institute of the country. She smiled looking at his profile picture with Gate way of India behind him. His current location is mentioned as “Mumbai” and his job role as Associate in India’s one of the most successful IT Firm. She scroll down to the family section, she can see the name of her elder brother her sister in law, but she refrained herself from invading their profiles as always.

Clasping the Laptop flap she still remembers the day.

“Papa. I am not ready for marriage yet.” Priya refuted.

“Then when will it be time Priya?” Rohit, her elder brother shouted almost.

“He is an engineer Priya, and off course my family knows his family pretty well, you will not get better than him anyways, with all this you have.” Reema said expressing her disbelief about Priya being rejecting the boy chose by her.

“Really boudi (sister in law)! You manage to surprise me every time. Well if I am not wrong then you are worried about your reputation than my happiness that depends on this relationship equation. Isn’t it?” Priya was disrespectful this time.

“PRIYA.” Her father raised his voice, “You should be aware with whom you are speaking to. She is elder than you in age, relation and position. With this mere degree that we allowed you to pursue will never take you near her.”

“Papa.” She was amazed to hear her father, who belittled her in every manner, “Is that you who cheered for me when I was accolade for winning the junior Olympiad? Why didn’t you stop me then, if my career stung you all so much.”

“When any of did said that your career stung us, but we Sharmas has a discipline. It is for that discipline we all are here. Did you forget who’s daughter you are?” Rohit walked to her and looking straight to her continued, “Our father has a reputation to protect Priya. If you have forgotten let me remind you he was the ED of Uttar Pradesh Electricity board. [A/N- again not mentioning the real name as asked by the real life Priya]. He has a status God damn.”

“So what if he has to crush her daughter’s future for that.” Now the only daughter of the family looked up with her moist eyes, “Remember Dada every year on bhai phota (bhai dooj) what you used to say me” She looked for a reply, “Priya you go ahead with your dreams I will be always there to be the armor to it and I used to find myself the safest sister who has a brother like you.”

“Still I am the same dodo, please try to understand if you don’t marry now, you will get no proper groom for you.” Her brother caressed her head.

“At an age of 23. Wow. I have just started my career dada.”

“Just keep this career out of your mind for few moments. Akhil has a good career and he can give you every happiness. Discussion is over, baba ..” He turned to their father, “ I am going to call Akhil’s father and will confirm this relation from our end.”

“And also request them, if they are okay with engagement and ashirbad (Bengali ritual related to marriage) before Priya leaves.” Added Sudheer Sharma, Priya’s father.

“Papa.” Priya intervened, “What if I deny?”

“Still..” Rohit clasped his head with his two hands, he was going to reply but Sudheer stopped him.

“Then from this moment onwards, I disown you.” Sudheer’s reply stunned every other person in the family.

“What are you saying?” Shipra the mother, spectator spoke for the first time, “She is our only daughter.”

“Shipra, if she is really my daughter, then ask her to agree with…” Sudheer could barely finish when Priya’s words stung them sharp.

“Then disown me.” Priya looked up with her tears trickling along her cheeks, “Disown me. If being daughter of this family is the obligation for my career advancement then I also don’t want this family. The family which is full of hypocrites. When it comes to son, give him every resource to excel. When it comes to Daughter in law, she is the daughter in law of Sharmas, work ethics must be a part of her.” Priya looked to Reema, then to the picture of her younger brother Kartik hanging from the wall, she smiled, “Tell Kartik that I disowned you all, not you. I don’t want my brother to hate you all. If he hates me, curse me I will be okay with it. If he curses you I will be cursed in the most worst possible way.” She swiped the tears with bare hand, “I will leave tomorrow morning.”

“No.” Sudheer said looking aimlessly, “Leave now, what ever you have take it and leave.”

“I have two shelves of books baba, I need to transport them atleast give me a night.” She said.

“No.”

“okay. I am leaving. But packers and movers will come tomorrow at least allow them to pack those and take them away. I don’t want you guys to have any memory of mine.” Priya walked inside, she could hear her mother pleading to her father. She quickly collected the important things that she wanted to be with her and pulled off the stroller out to the living room.

“Priya.. dara(wait). Don’t be a fool, have anyone survived without a family? Maa, listen to your father.” Shipra pleaded.

“Maa, I am his daughter only. I will do that I love to do and no one can stop me from it. And leaving alone without family, aren’t the orphans living one?” She walked fiercely to out of the door.

Behind her she never even tried to know what happened inside the family, what was Kartik informed about her, but yes she does keeps a track of her parents health from one of her friends that she have in the society, she was the one who gave her updates about her younger most loved brother Kartik.

Priya came out of her thoughts, looking at the time, she called it a day. Putting the laptop back at its place she slipped inside the duvet and tried to sleep.

~~

Ram Kapoor.

“Was that woman a retard? What do you think?” Ram asked Vikram his soul friend at Delhi.

“Leave it Ram, ek do mil jatein hain aisa (you will find one or two like them easily). Tell me about your Delhi Office?” Vikram said sipping to the drink.

“Good. Ambience is good. People are also good. Dealing with the Operations is not an easy work.” Ram called for the bill, “But London was great. I am here for maximum 2 years then I will be taking off again.”

“Shaadi karle (Marry) before you leave.” Vikram patted his shoulder, “Aunty is always in tension about it. Mom was telling me the same about her worry.”

“I will, If I get someone who can walk along with. You know how I am.” Ram replied with a smile, “I love to roam around, do adventure, crazy stuffs and girl friend can support you for a bungee jumping from an insane height but wife never. A girl friend will even join you in river rafting in the Whirlpool Rapids but a wife will lock you in the closet even if you think about it.” He laughed, putting his credit card inside the bill check holder, “A girl friend will allow you to experiment the different chapters of Kamasutra, but with wife…” The boys laughed in unison, “Only the missionary position—vanilla sex.” they almost shouted together. The eye balls of few girls around got bigger directed towards them. Ram took his card and laughed hard while walking to the exit.

“But yes.” Ram said to Vikram, who was driving through the vacant roads of Delhi, “If I get to know someone sweet, lovable, whom I can understand, who can understand, yes I will marry. I don’t see marriage as a duty or responsibility, it’s a companionship, a togetherness. If in this two years I get someone like the girl of my dreams then..” Ram stopped.

“Then what?” Vikram mocked him.

“Ram Kapoor, who always ran away from girls will go right on his knees proposing her to be mine.” Ram blushed.

“Let me tell you something Ram” Vikram said, “Really lucky is that girl who is waiting for you.”

“May be I will be lucky to have her in my life. That’s why I am still single even after so many hot shot business men’s daughter Lawyer’s daughter’s proposal came for me.”

“Be thankful to your parents who never forced you for anything. What ever you did were your decision.” Vikram reminded him, “And whether you will be lucky or her I don’t know but surely she will be lucky to have in laws like them. How can be one so cool.”

“Yeah! Yeah! Like my mom will say chal beta aaj club mein thoda jua khel aatein hain, paise jada ho gaya hain. (Lets go for a gamble to drain out the excess money)”  Ram sounded sarcastic.

“Come on. Why you hate aunty’s kitty parties yaar.”

“Please even thought of my wife arranging kitty parties gives me feeling to puke.” Ram made weird face, while his phone rang loudly in his pocket.

“Maa.” He received the call, slowly his smile vanished, he looked oddly to Vikram, “Maa.. Maa.. theek hoon mein. (I am okay) I was in pub that’s why it went unanswered.” With a pause he replied, “Yes Mom, done with food and No drinks.” He crossed his fingers while lying. “Yaa Mom. Its late please sleep.” Ram disconnected the call and sighed, “It is bad I lied to mom.”

At Lucknow Uttar Pradesh,

“So he is fine right?” Amarnath Kapoor, Ram’s father asked.

“Yes.” Replied Krishna Kapoor Ram’s mother.

“Only you and your odd thoughts.” The man turned to the other side.

“You look so chilled out, Don’t you think it is high time he gets married. We have so many options for him.” The wife jerked her husband.

“What do you want Krishna?” Amarnath Kapoor sat up on the bed, “Have we ever forced him into anything, let him agree with us. Last time when we were in London, he asked for time right and that is also not a time that we can’t afford, 2 years is not a big issue Krishna. There might be someone in his life, maybe not. May be he wanted to live the life in his own ways. After marriage very few lucky person can continue to be in their kind of life they wish to live or living. Marriage calls for some sort of adjustments for sure.”

Krishna Kapoor sighed deep.

“Give him that time. I will talk with him when it is the time.”

By her husband’s words she felt little free.

~~

1^st April.

“I am leaving Neha.” Priya shouted from the door.

“Best of luck for the first day.” Neha came and gave her a hug. “Meet you in the evening.”

Priya smiled and walked to the taxi stop hurryingly after getting out from the society building. She looked perfect in her corporate attire. Do I look nervous she asked herself. Priya collect yourself you are not a freshers who is going for the first job. You have three years experience in hand, don’t you remember that? She scolded herself. Fortunately she stopped a cab right in one go. The agency from where she hires cab, drivers are in some kind of dharna (protest) against the owner, that’s why she has to take so much pain.

Prompting the address she took out the pocket mirror from her hand bag and checked with the final touch to look perfect on her big day. Clearing the fare she was allowed to enter the premises once the security confirmed from the list given to him for the New joining Candidates on that day. Completing the formalities and acquiring direction from the guard she walked to the reception of the 7 storied building.

“Yes Ma’am. How may I help you?” One of the two ladies asked politely.

“I have joining today.” Priya pulled out the offer letter and handed to the lady.

“Oh!” She smiled back, “Ma’am so you are the New Hr head of ours. Welcome Ma’am. Priyanka Ma’am has already given us a note for you. She is still not here but I will show you the way to her cabin.” The lady on the reception walked out, “This way Ma’am.” Just when Priya stepped to the new future of hers, she stood shell shocked to see the man, with whom she exchanged bad words last weekend. He looked most different this day. Dapper in his black suit with red tie adoring him.

“Morning Pallavi. Morning Arora..” He giggled while wishing the second lady, standing with Priya.

“Morning Sir.” The lady with priya greeted.

“Fuck” By slip of tongue she said.

“Sorry Ma’am” Ram said with a smirk.

“Oh! Sorry Sir. This is our New Hr Head, about whom we received a mail yesterday.” Ria, whom Ram greeted a Arora said.

“Good Morning Ram.” A charming lady with the most perfect attribute walked in, “Oh Hi Priya. Good Morning. Before time. I Like it.” She winked.

Priya smiled in the awkwardness, she might be developing more apt rapport with the employees in coming days but the man in red tie and black suit will never going to leave her for the way she behaved with him last weekend. She cursed herself for being so over reacting few times.

“So welcome on board Ms.. Right?” Ram looked for an answer. Priya gestured Yes with a smile. “And Ms. Priya …” he again looked up, “Sharma.. Priya Sharma.” Priya said.

“Welcome. Ms. Priya Sharma.” Ram smiled while he shook his hand with her.

“Okay Ram formal introduction in the morning meeting and before that I have lots to make her understand. The quick she gets hold of it the quicker I will be out to Singapore.” Priyanka, Priya’s immediate boss spoke, “Ria, I will guide her from here, you please get back to your work.”

 “Come Priya.” Priyanka said walking towards the Lift lobby. Ram also followed them. While they were three inside the elevator, Priyanka chose the 5^th Floor while Ram 6^th Floor. Priya stood in silence till the elevator halted on the destination floor. Now she followed the lady leading.

Till lunch Priya remained occupied in understanding the process of work, introduction, the new thing that she will be encountering as a head is the morning meetings other than that every other thing seemed to be easy for her. She studied some case files in between too, which was little impressive on her part too. Being on her first day she left impact on many important person of the organization.

“Priya. Have your Lunch with you or would you like to join us?” Priyanka got her out of her concentrations.

“Will like to have with you Ma’am.” Priya stood up.

“First I am only your boss on papers till you get the handover for me and Priyanka is the name, well funny is people is used to call me Priya many a times, so they will not have any problem.” Priyanka smiled pressing the call button of the elevator. “So no Ma’am for now.”

“Okay.” Priya smiled.

“Hey hi.” Ram who was also in the elevator greeted looking up from his mobile, again he looked down. “Shit yaar Priya.” Ram looked up to find both the ladies staring at him, “Oh! Sorry Priyanka.”

“Actually I am sorry. I am getting little confused.” Priya smiled out of her confusion.

“Priyanka.. please check your system it’s not approving my Travelling Expenses by counting me in the B Category.” Ram complained.

“Good for you. Kuch toh paisa chod de (Spare some money).” Priyanka teased her. “Please take her to cafeteria I will check with the HRMS manager, Knock me your ID.”

Priyanka left the elevator on the 3^rd floor, while Ram and Priya’s floor is designated on 2^nd. “Sir.” Priya initiated, “I am sorry for that day.”

“What!” Ram sounded surprised and he corrected himself immediately, “Oh that day, come on I don’t remember such small events but I was not talking about you guys. It’s something else, but you don’t need to apology that incident has already gone out of my mind.” Ram paused, “Come.” He with his gentleman’s gesture guided the lady to the Cafeteria.

“This is the best place to rejuvenate when boss spits at you. For us it will be mostly through VCs and for your subordinates it will be you.” Ram whispered into her ears. Priya smiled back.

While they settled with their food, Priyanka walked back. “Done with your problem, just a bug fix may be and punch it again it will be initiated. Ordered mine?”

“haan kar diya (Yes Done) punched your ID.” Ram said little louder as the woman walked to the counter with the coupon that he gave her.

When the three settled for their lunch Priyanka introduced Ram in a proper manner, “Priya I know you two have a few good words amongst but let me introduce this man to you.” Formally she gestured to him, “The hot shot guy from London, who has already became charmer for most of the female employees of ours from Associates to bosses.” Ram cuts in “Including you??” he tried not to laugh.

“toh pata leta?? ( so if yes did have a chance?)” she said light heartedly. “Well he is that man who has every potential to lead this company within 2 or 3 years, even less who knows, so beware of him, he is the only one of whom you should be careful off.” Now she leaned to Priya, “Basically he is our future boss.” Winked Priyanka. “And most importantly, I think Ram, she will take only a week to free me to fly to Singapore.”

“You are very excited to be there?” Asked Ram.

“Yes. I am pretty excited to explore new country. But guys don’t forget me.” Priyanka smiled to the other two sitting just opposite to eachother. Without any further talks they finished their lunch and rushed back to respective floors for rest of the day.

But before Priya could leave the elevator, Ram spoke softly, “The unpleasant meeting at last turning into a pleasant beautiful one. Welcome on board once again.” Priya could only see his smiling face vanishing behind the clasping elevator door.  

Until We Meet …..