As Guddan was about to leave the room, Akshat stopped her.

Akshat: Listen, I know tumhe achha nahi laga hoga ye sab sun kar but... I am just being practical. I cannot trust someone whom I just met with the entire company and the other property. Ye mera kuchh nahi hai but meri family ka sab kuchh hai. Mere parents ki saalon ki mehnat hai, use mai aise hi risk me nahi daal sakta. Isiliye maine tumhe company ki current situation ke baare me kuchh nahi bataya.

Guddan: Kisne kaha ki mujhe bura laga hai? Infact mujhe bohot achha laga ye jaan kar ki jitna irresponsible mai aapko samajh rahi thi utne hai nahi aap. Atleast aapko apne parents ki aur unse related aspects ki kadr hai, baaki spoilt brats ki tarah nahi. Aur mujhe is baat se koi farak nahi padta ki aapne mujhe kuchh bataya ya nahi, hamare beech jo rishta hai wo bas kaagzi, aur duniya waalon ke saamne hai, mai dil se is rishte ko maanti hi nahi to isse jude kisi bhi baat se mujhe pareshaani nahi hogi. Mujhe bas yahaan job karna hai aur mai wahi karungi baaki baaton se mera koi matlab nahi.

He was astounded by her words to such an extent that he couldn't even open his mouth to speak something. He had never thought that she bore such thoughts about him. A spoilt brat? He wasn't that in anyways though he wasn't always obedient to his parents. But what he wondered is, how come she came with this conclusion about him. Was this what his parents and she used to do earlier when they met or she has just assumed these characteristics of him within few days after their meeting. His chain of thoughts were finally interrupted by her voice.

Guddan: Mai ek baat aapse clear kar dena chahti hun, though I am not expecting anything from this relationship that doesn't mean I would tolerate even a bit of decrement in the respect I receive. Mai kisi bhi cheez ke saath samjhauta kar sakti hun apni izzat ke saath nahi. Aur rahi baat bharose ki, to wo mujhe aapse muft me nahi chahiye, use kamaana mujhe bohot achhe se aata hai.

She stormed out of the room while he stood there nodding his head agreeing to her words. As soon as realization hit him, he stood still wondering why was he behaving this way when he was never the person who listens to anyone. He wasn't only listening to her without interrupting but even agreeing to her. He really needed to know what spell she has casted on him.

As Guddan was moving towards the living room when she heard her name being called. She didn't turn around recognizing the owner of the voice.

Ranbir: Arey Guddan, ruko to sahi.

He came running and huffing and stood infront of her blocking her way. She ignored him and was moving sideways but he held her hand.

Ranbir: Is someone ignoring me?

He asked looking intently into her eyes.

Guddan: I don't talk to strangers.

Saying this she was moving but couldn't as her hand was still in his grip.

Ranbir: Stranger? Mai stranger thodi na hun? Ham to pehle mil chuke hai na? Aur hamne to friendship bhi ki thi. Remember?

Guddan: Friendship? Oh haan, wahi friendship na jiski conditions aapne nahi maani. Wahi friendship jisne aapne mera nahi balki apne bachpan ke dost ka saath diya. Wahi friendship jisme aapne ye batana zaroori nahi samjha ki aapke ek dost ke wajah se doosre dost ki life barbaad hone wali. Yehi friendship na?

Ranbir: Guddan....

Guddan: Kya Guddan, haan? Aapko to pata hi hoga na pehle se ye sab. Wo to aapko sab batate hai lekin phir bhi aapne mujhe sach batana zaroori nahi samjha, kyun? Obviously, kyunki wo mujhse zyaada maayne rakhte hai aapke liye hai na.

Ranbir: Aisa kuchh nahi hai Guddan. Mujhe sach me nahi pata tha ki wo kis reason ke basis par tumhe shaadi karne ke liye force kar raha tha. Usne mujhe detail me kuchh nahi bataya tha lekin jab mujhe pata chala ki wo force kar raha hai to maine use samjhane ki koshish ki, jab wo nahi samjha tab mai tumhare paas aaya lekin tumne bhi to meri baat nahi maani. Do you really think that I would let anything happen that would spoil either of your lives?

He spoke to her holding hands all the time and not breaking the eye contact. She found truthfulness reflecting from his eyes. She knew that words could lie but not expressions and that was what she was seeing in him, his truthful expressions. On their first meet itself, she realised how much of a open-hearted person he is. She nodded her head understanding him making a sense of relief wash through him and a smile played on his lips.

Guddan: I am sorry, aaj kal kuchh zyaada hi over react karne lagi hun mai.

She apologized remembering that he was now her boss's friend and any of her mistake could cost her a lot.

Ranbir: Arey tum sorry kyun bol rahi ho? Bhool gayi kya, Friendship ka rule hota hai, No Thankyou, No Sorry.

Guddan: Lekin maine jo conditions rakhi thi usme to aisa kuchh bhi nahi tha.

Ranbir: Achha? To ye meri taraf se. Jab friendship donon nibhayenge to conditions bhi donon ke taraf se applicable hona chahiye na.

Guddan: Achha thik hai maan liya. Ab khush?

Ranbir: Bohot zyaada.

He hugged her exclaiming his happiness. She witnessed Akshat coming from the other side and tried to come out from the hug but Ranbir witnessed the same and tightened the hug just to irk Akshat.

Akshat neared them and cleared his throat trying to gain their attention. She tried again but Ranbir didn't let her go. This time Akshat called out his name and then he let her go knowing very well that Akshat will get to know that he is over reacting.

Ranbir: Oh, Hello Brother! Wassup!

He tried to express his cheered expression just to irk him. He could clearly make out from Akshat's expression that he was being jealous witnessing him and Guddan too close to his liking thought it wasn't like what he was thinking.

Ranbir: Tujhe to bohot kaam hoga, tu wo karle. Aur mujhe bhi bohot kaam hai mai bhi karne ja raha hun. Guddan, tum bhi chalo, mujhe tumhe kal ke plans ke baare me batana hai.

Though Guddan was reluctant seeing her boss's pissed off expression, she was dragged by Ranbir as he moved forward holding her shoulders enjoying his best friend's jealous condition.

_____________________________________

Guddan entered the room which Sushmita asked her to stay in. She looked around but didn't like it a bit. The walls were sober coloured with few abstract paintings. The room was well furnished with all the necessities. She found three more doors other than the door she entered. One she assumed, was the washroom, the other closet and the last one was a door leading to the balcony. She looked at the king sized bed which was draped with blue coloured bedsheet. The curtains and even the sofa were of the same colour. 'Someone really likes this colour', she thought. She thought of getting the interior of the room changed by seeking permission from her boss atleast till the time she is going to stay here. She laid on the bed and turned off the lights waiting for slumber to consume her. She heard few noises but she ignored as she just wanted to sleep.

_____________________________________

Akshat came out of the washroom and was amused to find the lights of his room switched off. He directly went to his bed and laid down ignoring who did the act as he was feeling really tired though he didn't visit the office and had no work to do. He wasn't just physically tired but mentally and emotionally as well. He was recalling the events of the past days as it was his daily routine to do that. He would never fell asleep until he recalls everything and just overthink about some of the events which has ever or never occured in his life. His thoughts were broken when he felt a hand on his, trying to pull him.

_____________________________________

As she has a habit of hugging while sleeping as she always used to hug Neeru for a good sleep, she forwarded her hand while her eyes were still closed to grab the pillow to hug it but much to her dismay she couldn't grab it. She tried again and it was very heavy which troubled her but as she felt that it wasn't a pillow but a muscular hand, she shrieked in horror followed by an other scream which was of someone else's freaking her out.

Just then the lights were turned on, making her again shriek witnessing the person in front of her. She found it to be Akshat who was half lying on the bed just like her covering his lower half with the duvet while his upper half was naked deprived of any clothing. She again shrieked witnessing his naked form and placed her one hand over her eyes.

Sensing her discomfort, he stood up to move towards the closet to grab one of his T-shirts but huffed when he found restriction in his movement due to her hand which was still clutching his arm. He jerked her hand away and came back after wearing a black T-shirt which didn't help in hiding his well built body.

Akshat: Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho? 

Guddan: Aap yahaan kya kar rahe hai?

They both asked at once, their voices laced with annoyance.

Guddan: Mujhe kya karna hai? Mujhe is room me rehne ke liye kaha gaya to mai aa gayi yahaan. Aur aap? Maine aapko subah clearly explain kar diya tha na ki hamare beech pati-patni jaisa koi rishta nahi hai to phir aap mere kamre me kyun aa gaye? Abhi ke abhi aap nikaliye yahaan se.

She pointed towards the door without even listening to him.

He was striding towards her to give some piece of mind but he tripped over the foot of the bed which made him fall over her half lying form which he steadied by placing his arms on her either side on the bed preventing her from crashing down with his body weight.

Guddan moved back suddenly as if she was pulled forcefully when he fell upon her making him move one of his hands to the back of her head so that she couldn't get hurt with the headboard. They both share a deep eyelock which was interrupted when they heard someone clearing their throat. He immediately moved back not understanding why was he was so lost in her eyes.

Ranbir: Mujhe laga tha kal reception ke baad tum logon ki wedding night ke liye bed decorate karwa dunga lekin tum donon to bohot fast nikle. Carry on guys, I won't disturb lekin please door achhe se lock kar lena.

Akshat: Yahaan kyun aaya hai tu?

Guddan looked at him wide eyed when he didn't clarify his misunderstanding but was asking something which would increase it more.

Ranbir: Mujhe cheekhne ki aawazein sunayi di to mai aa gaya ye soch kar ki yahaan koi problem hogi, mujhe kya pata tha yahaan to scene kuchh aur hi hai. Don't worry, mai ja raha hun.

Ranbir left from there chuckling while Guddan's mouth was left open.

Guddan: Aap jaaiye yahaan se. Sab aapki wajah se ho raha hai, pata nahi sab kya kya samajh rahe hai.

Akshat: Mai kyun jaaun, tum.....

She stood up on the bed with rage making him control his anger on her actions.

Guddan: Kaise se hai na aap? Matlab ek baar me aapko baat samajh me nahi aa rahi hai kya? Maine kaha mere kamre se nikaliye abhi.

Seeing that there's no way he could shut her mouth, he picked her in his arms and moved out of his room taking her off guard.

Guddan: Kya kar rahe hai aap? Neeche utariye hame.

She wriggled in his arms which she immediately stopped receiving a glare from him. He reached the guest room just next to Sushmita's room and dropped her on the bed with a thud making her rub her waist as it was paining her.

Guddan: Ye kya tareeka hai?

Akshat: Chup! Ek dam chup! Ek shabd bhi bola na to bilkul bhi achha nahi hoga.

Guddan: Kyun nahi bolun mai? Aur aap mujhe mere kamre se yahaan kyun lekar aaye?

Akshat: Jis kamre me tum thi, wo mera kamra hai.

Guddan: Haan to wo Dadi ne mujhe us kamre me jaane ke liye kaha to mai chali gayi. Aur aapne hi kaha tha na ki Dadi ki har baat maanni hai to mai unki baat maan kar chali gayi. Aur agar wo aap ka kamra hai to aap mujhe bata sakte the na. Aisi harkat kyun ki?

Akshat: Agar bolne ka mouka deti tab na kuchh bolta mai. Itna bolti ho tum ki aage wale insaan ko bolne ka mouka hi nahi deti. Ab agle 10 minutes ke liye apna muh band rakho aur meri baat suno. Is baar galti se tum us kamre me chali gayi lekin aaj ke baad mere permission ke bina mere kamre me ek bhi kadam mat rakhna, samjhi tum. Aur Dadi ki koi bhi baat tab hi maanna jab mai kahun.

Guddan: To ye Dadi ki baat maanna kaisa hua, is me bhi to aapki hi baat maanni padegi na.

Akshat: Haan, to tumhe meri hi baat maanni hai. Aur ab mera dimaag kharaab mat karo tum. Ab se ye tumhara kamra hai, Dadi ka kamra is kamre ke left me hai, dhyaan rakhna unka.

Guddan: Akdu, Khadoos!!!

She huffed angrily at him and laid on the bed forcing sleep to consume her.

_____________________________________

Guddan was in the kitchen preparing a sweet dish as per Sushmita's instructions given lathe previous day. She was arranging the ingredients as there was no one else in the kitchen in this hour of morning. She turned around when she felt a presence behind her and was shocked to find Akshat so close to her.

Akshat returned from his Gym and was moving towards his room but halted in his way when he passed by the kitchen and listened some hustling sound. He was astounded as no one wakes up this early in the morning. He entered inside only to find Guddan going through the cabinets probably searching for something. Thinking, that he might could help her he moved towards her and before he could call out she immediately turned around making him froze on his spot. He looked at her without blinking drowning into her beauty. She looked afresh after having shower. Her face glowing even without makeup and her wet hair contrasting her beauty.

Guddan was shocked to find him in the kitchen that too early in the morning. She didn't assume him of a morning person. She assumed him to be someone who wanted himself to be treated like a prince and would want services on his footstep but her assumptions proved to be wrong when he found him awake and that too in the kitchen. Subsiding her thoughts away,  she focused on the charm infront of her. He was wearing his gym vest and tights, his muscular biceps on display to make any person swoon over it, a towel hanging around his neck and his hair all messed up.

When both of them realised that they were staring shamelessly at each other, they looked away at once and moved away from each other.

Akshat: Tum yahaan itni subah kya kar rahi ho?

She frowned at his question but nevertheless replied to him.

Guddan: Kitchen me kabaddi to nahi khelte hai, cooking hi karte hai na, wahi kar rahi thi mai bhi.

He rolled his eyes on her answer and focussed on what she was resuming.

Akshat: Tumhe ye sab karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, ye sab karne ke liye staff hai. Tum bas office ka kaam karogi.

Guddan: Mai jaanti hun, mai to bas Dadi ke kehne par rasam poori kar rahi thi, pehli rasoi ki rasam. Kuchh meetha banane ke liye kaha hai Dadi ne.

Akshat: Oh, thik hai to. Tumhe jo banana hai bana lo lekin kheer mat banana.

Guddan: Kyun?

Akshat was a great fan of sweets. He liked all the various sweets, especially made by his mother. And when he tried out the kheer made by her, he really liked it. This time he wanted to try something new, so he was asking her to prepare something else so that he can have it. But he was so reluctant to let her know this, so he decided to give some other reason for it.

Akshat: Kyunki wi kheer achhi nahi thi. Dadi ko pasand nahi aayegi isiliye kuchh aur achha bana do, agar aata hai to.

Guddan: Kya kaha aapne? Kheer achhi nahi thi?

She asked narrowimg her eyes at him and her hands on her hips advancing each step towards him. He nodded at her at which she smirked at him.

Guddan: Wahi kheer na, jo extra bach jaane par aapne Maayi se keh kar pack kara liya tha? Aur maine dekha tha aap kaise kheer ko maze se kha rahe the. Aaye bada, "kheer achha nahi tha".

She mimicked him while his eyes widened knowing that she was already aware of everything but he wasn't ready to accept it.

Akshat: Haan.... wo to maine isiliye kiya tha kyunki mai nahi chahta tha ki kisi aur ko wo kheer taste karna pade.

Guddan resumed her work ignoring him because he didn't succeed in his attempt of lying.

Akshat: Achha suno, mere liye coffee bana dena.

Guddan: Mai kyun banaun? Aap ke ghar me staff hai wo sab karne ke liye.

Akshat: Ye tumhare job ka hissa hai. Mere liye coffee banana, ok.

Guddan: To mujhe uski payment milni chahiye.

She turned towards him looking into his eyes.

Akshat: Ok, fine.

She started making coffee for him while he stood there looking at her.

Guddan: Aap ja sakte hai, mai coffee le kar aa jaungi.

She spoke interrupting his work i.e. staring her.

Akshat: No, mai khud le kar jaaunga.

She quickly prepared it and passed the hot steaming mug of coffee to him which he gladly took with a smile and left the kitchen sipping on to it.

_____________________________________

When Ranbir found Akshat was busy reading the newspaper and his coffee mug was placed on the table infront of him, he quietly tiptoed towards it and picked the coffee mug and ran from there giggling, gaining Akshat's attention. He was shocked to find his coffee missing from the table but instead in Ranbir's hand. He chased behind him to get his coffee.

Ranbir was shocked to know that Akshat started having coffee which was so unlikely of him. He knew it was because of Guddan but he wanted to know what magic has she done that made Akshat like this. So, the best way he could think was to have the coffee and to know what it actually meant to him which he did by taking his own coffee.

Akshat: Ranbir, abhi ruk jaa aur meri coffee waapas kar mujhe.

He said going behind the sofa where Ranbir was but he was quick enough to jump on the sofa and reach the other side.

Ranbir: That's not gonna happen, Bro!

Akshat: Why are you doing this haan? Agar coffee chahiye to jaa kar bana le na, warna kisi ko keh de, meri coffee ke peeche kyun pad gaya hai?

Ranbir: Mai ye isiliye kar raha hun kyunki mai jaanna chahta hun ki isme aisa kya jaadu mila kar pila rahi hai meri pyaari Bhabhi ki itni jaldi tujh me itna change aa gaya hai.

He said going towards the dining room.

Akshat: Aisa kuchh nahi hua hai. Mujhe bas coffee peene ka dil kar raha tha to maine usse banwa liya.

He moved to where Ranbir was but he moved to exactly the opposite side.

Ranbir: Mujhse to jhoot mat bol. Aur waise bhi mai tujhse baat karke time waste kyun kar raha hun, mujhe to apna kaam karna chahiye na .

He sipped the coffee closing his eyes relishing it's taste in each drop.

Akshat: Ranbir!!!

Ranbir: Arey yaar isme to sach me jaadu hai. Kahaan hai meri Bhabhi, unke haath to kiss kar lun.

Akshat: Dare you do that!

Ranbir: Someone's being jealous, haan?

Guddan who heard the commotion, came out from the kitchen only to witness both the friends chasing each other like monkeys in a jungle. When Ranbir saw her he moved towards her and held her hands making Akshat to reach them taking long strides before Ranbir could do something he was saying earlier.

He removed her hands from his grip passing an angry glare to him.

Akshat: Jaa kar mere liye doosri coffee banao.

He ordered, making her pout in annoyance. He looked away resisting himself from gazing shamelessly at her who was looking cute with that expression. Abiding to his orders, she moved back to the kitchen to do her job as he stated earlier.

_____________________________________

Guddan was bring bored sitting in her room after the breakfast. Everyone liked the "gajar ka halwa" (carrot halwa) she prepared but seemed like Akshat loved it as he wasn't getting enough of having it again and again. She was now in her room thinking of ways to kill her boredom. Sushmita was busy inviting the guests for today's reception party personally on calls since yesterday whereas Ranbir was busy with arranging everything for the party as he took the responsibility for it. Ranbir's parents, Vikram and Aditi were out for some work and the last person who was left was the one she didn't want to be with. Suddenly she remembered the reason of being in this house and thought of visiting the office.

Getting ready quickly, she asked the driver to drop her to the company's office. At first he was hesitant as Akshat hasn't ordered him to do so but as he knew that she was his wife, he had no option other than to abide to her orders.

Guddan entered the office and was in awe looking at the place. It was just as magnificent as their mansion. Though she knew them since childhood she never visited them, neither in their office nor in their house. She was going to enter the main office but was stopped by the receptionist.

Receptionist: Oh hello, kahaan ja rahi ho?

Guddan: Wo mai andar....

Receptionist: Wo to mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Kyun jaa rahi ho? Kisi se milna hai?

Guddan: Nahi, wo to bas aise hi.....

Receptionist: Ye koi park dikh raha hai tumhe, jo bas aise hi walk karne ke liye aa gayi.

Guddan: Wo Sir,....

Receptionist: Achha to tum Akshat sir se milne aayi ho? Appointment liya hai unse? Wo to hoga nahi tumhare paas aur agar galti se hai bhi na to tum unse nahi mil sakti kyunki wo abhi yahaan hai hi nahi. Isiliye chali jao, pata nahi kahaan kahaan se aa jate hai sab.

When Guddan was about to clear her misunderstanding, she again interrupted.

Receptionist: Ek baar me samajh nahi aa raha hai kya tumhe? Sir se nahi mil sakti tum. Niklo yahaan se.

She held her hand and pushed her away from the door where she was standing to enter the main office. Her foot tripped over the flower pot present there and was about to fall on the ground but was held by a pair of strong arms. She opened her eyes which closed on its reflex when she was falling only to witness her saviour.

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