There was a huge dump of clothes scattered everywhere in the room. The bed, floor, chair, open door of the cupboard... even Naina was seated with a few shirts thrown casually over her head and shoulders.

She sighed as Natasha still rummaged through her things, 'Tera ye hunting session kab tak ho payega Nutty... subah office ke liye nikalna hai.'

Frantically checking one outfit after the other, Natasha uttered in frustration, 'Pata hai pata hai. Din bhar jhak maar rahi thi kya? Agar main abhi flight se wapas nahi aati toh tu kya pehenne wali thi? Koi fikr hi nahi hai. Kal first day hai naye office ka aur madam saara din soti rahi.'

Naina tiredly pulled aside a shirt that was half blocking her view, 'Khud ko recharge kar rahi thi yaar. Kapdon se zyada mere dimag ki importance hai.'

Natasha stopped her search and turned around, hands on waist, 'Dimag to tere saath jayega hi na. Ya use ghar pe bhool jayegi? Lekin first impression ke liye ek first class outfit hona sabse important hai. Ye Khattar ki khatara company nahi hai. Professional dikhna padega sweetheart. Ab dekh, hum log flight pe itne extra kyon dress up hote hain... kisi ki uniform mein scarf hota hai, kisi ki bowtie, kisi ka ultra stylish blouse aur hamari tedhi cap. Kyon? Hum normal kapdon mein bhi toh same kaam kar sakte hain na, par nahi karte. Kyonki this is all required... image banane ke liye. Smart aur stylish air hostess ko dekh ke logon ko lagta hai kuch standard hai airlines ka. Helps in marketing. Aur tu khud marketing ki bandi hoke iski value nahi samajh rahi. Tere saath saath yeh meri naak ka bhi sawal hai.'

'Ab teri naak kahan se aa gayi beech mein?' Naina rolled her eyes.

'Of course ayegi. Kal ko jab tera office romance ekdum top level pe pohonch jayega toh rishte ki baat karne mere paas hi ayenge na. Main nahi chahti koi kahe ki aapki ladki ko humne smart banaya... aapne to ek jhalli ko bheja tha office mein.' Natasha declared dramatically.

Naina slapped her forehead, 'Shaadi.com mein nahi jaa rahi main. Ladki ki self appointed mataji, is ladki ke rishte ke liye aapki naak danger zone mein nahi ayegi, nishchint rahiye.'

'Arey meri jaan, shaadi na sahi incomplete love story hi sahi. I mean, ek do baar dil tootna bhi toh protocol hota hai, real deal se pehle.' Natasha chuckled and continued the scrutiny of clothes.

Naina was frustrated, 'Yaar tere one track mind se dukhi ho gayi hun. Sab log teri tarah aankhon mein dil latka ke ghar se nahi nikalte. Normal log office jaate hain aur kaam karke wapas aa jaate hain. Har gali, har sadak, har building mein dil pe vacancy ka board laga ke nahi khade rehte.'

'You never know.' Natasha shrugged dreamily, 'Kya pata mere dreamboy pilot ki tarah tera dreamboy bhi agle mod pe tera intezar kar raha ho. You have to be prepared.'

Pushing away the clothes, Naina got up and started clearing the floor, 'Pehli baat, mera koi dreamboy nahi hai. Dusri baat, kapdon se insaan ko judge karne wale logon ko main third class samajhti hun. And lastly, room ko Sarojini Nagar bana hua nahi dekh sakti. Chal sab kuch saaf karne mein help kar.'

Natasha scrunched her nose, 'Ek dialogue mein itni negativity. Har baat pe sad jaaya kar. Nahi karni mujhe koi help welp. Ab tu apne purane kurte pehen ya swim suit, mujhe fark nahi padta. Aur yeh sab...' She waved a hand at the mess in the room, '...tere liye kiya tha isliye tu hi samet. Main jaa rahi hun coffee banane.'

Naina followed her to the kitchen and stood in the doorway while Natasha moved around getting a pan, pouring milk and putting it on the stove, all with a frown.

Naina asked with a straight face, 'Ek baat bata, flight pe bhi aise hi muh sada ke coffee banati hai kya?'

Giving a fake smile, Natasha said with annoyance, 'Ji nahi. Yeh special treat sirf tere liye hai.'

Quickly going near her, Naina uttered in excited voice, 'Try karna. Badi s*xy lag rahi hai. Koi na koi pilot is adaa pe pakka fisal jayega.'

Natasha glared at Naina in silence for a few seconds. Then, both burst out laughing and hugged each other. After having coffee, they together cleared the room. Finally, it was decided that Naina would wear a safe combination of black pants with a black and white top. Relieved, Natasha slipped into deep sleep after a long day.

Next morning, when Naina reported at main desk in the office, she was directed to a cabin on sixth floor. Having a cabin to herself was a luxury which Naina had not experienced till now. She was thrilled.

The assistant told her, 'Kuch extra chahiye toh isi floor ke desk pe request daal dena, arrange ho jayega. Aadhe ghante mein team ki meeting hai, conference haal mein.' She pointed at the opposite end, 'Tumhara apni team ke sab logon se introduction ho jayega aur aage ka kaam unse hi pata chal jayega.'

Naina let out a long, relieved breath. It was a small room, but bright and welcoming. Besides a desk and working chair, there was a single chair for any visitor. There was a beautiful potted palm in one corner, giving the room a lively vibe while other corner had drawers cabinet which she found to be filled with several stationary items, some files, stack of printing papers and miscelleneous other things needed in office. For every small requirement, she wouldn't have to go to the store and sign for what she was taking.

This felt like office. This was the environment where one could actually work and deliver. It was such a refreshing change from the hell hole she had been in for four months. Shaking her head free of these thoughts, she checked the time. Quickly taking her laptop from the bag she walked towards the conference hall.

Naina was introduced to around fifteen team members by the woman who was in her interview panel. Her name was Minal.

'So Naina, tumhara maximum interaction in logon ke saath hoga. Depending on the product, ek choti team banti hai. Inke alava do teen log aur bhi hai jo...'

The door pushed open and Munna rushed in, 'Sorry bhai logon, aaj fir se late ho gaya.' He huffed and placed his bag on the side before pulling a chair beside Minal and looked at her, 'I know I know late nahi hona chahiye tha par metro mein kuch snag a gaya aur aadhe ghante beech mein atak gayi. Sachhi.' He pinched his neck.

Minal smiled, 'Honestly Munna, yeh metro ka bahana bohot use kar liya. Kuch naya socho.'

'Bahana nahi hai. Dekhna news bhi aa jayegi thodi der mein. Ab metro mein roz kuch ho jaata hai toh meri kya galti hai.'

Minal sighed, 'Hum tumhe itni achhi salary dete hain. Ek car toh afford kar hi sakte ho.'

Munna narrowed his eyes and asked with a straight face, 'Fir traffic jam ka bahana lagaunga toh chalega?'

Others laughed and Munna shrugged, 'Well, traffic jam ka issue bhi real hai.'

Minal shook her head, 'Tumse jeetna impossible hai. Anyway, meet our new team member, Naina Agarwal.'

Munna's eyes darted to the direction she pointed and his face lit up, 'Arey Naina. How are you? Main toh bhool hi gaya tha ki tum aaj join karne wali ho.'

'Hello Manoj sir.' Naina greeted him politely.

While others stifled a laugh, Minal chuckled, 'Aur hum bhool gaye the ki tumhara naam Manoj hai.'

Munna too laughed lightly, 'Tum aaj hi aayi ho isliye kuch baatein pata nahi hain. Yahan hum ek dusre ko naam se bulate hain. Sab log. No senior junior, no age factor. Team ke liye kaam karna easy hota hai agar comfort level ho sabke saath. Aur mera naam... actually naam toh Manoj hai par hamesha se sab Munna kehte hain toh mujhe bhi uski aadat pad gayi hai. Tum bhi Munna bolo. Manoj ke naam se shayad main respond hi na karun. Sunne ko nahi milta na, toh lagega kisi aur ko bula rahi ho.'

With a smile, Naina nodded. As they proceeded with the meeting, she liked the easy camaraderie between all of them, regardless of their position. She got to know later that she would be working directly with Munna, and taking up projects which were under him. After the meeting Munna asked her to accompany him to his cabin.

Once seated, he enquired, 'Sab okay hai na? Koi issue toh nahi hai? Agar kuch bhi problem ho toh mujhe batana. Waise Minal se bhi keh sakti ho. Woh lagti sakht hai par bohot understanding hai. Hamari team ke liye jab bhi kisi female ka interview hota hai woh HR team ke saath baithti hai. Usse darna mat.'

He flicked his brows, as if remembering something, 'Waise jitna maine dekha, tum darne walon mein se nahi ho. Meri aur Sameer ki achhi class le li thi us din.'

Naina pursed her lips, 'Sorry Manoj... I mean Munna. Us din main apne boss ki wajah se irritated thi. Mujhe laga aap log bhi... eve teasing roz hi face karni padti hai isliye... sorry, aapko galat samajh liya.'

He laughed, 'Arey never mind. Ladkiyon ko bold hona bhi chahiye. Main samajhta hun. Main toh hope kar raha tha ki tum connect karo.'

With a confident smile, Naina nodded, 'Meri friend ne insist kiya. And now, I'm thankful ki uske kehne pe maine aapko approach kiya. Thank you so much for this job.'

Munna raised his palms, 'Arey bhai job ka thank you deserve nahi karta. Woh toh tumhe apne dum pe mili hai. Maine toh bas recommend kiya tha.' He then sat up straight before Naina could say more, 'Achha chalo, ab sorry, thank you, hello, hi ki formality poori ho gayi toh kaam ki baat karte hain.'

He opened his laptop and started to explain the current projects to Naina. After about half an hour, when he was done, he transferred all the related files to her and asked her to prepare a report.

Just as he finished, his phone started to ring.

Seeing the id, he picked up quickly, 'Haan Sameer... achha... kabse... koi nahi mil lete hain...'

He suddenly realised Naina was standing, waiting for his instruction so he asked Sameer to hold on for a moment and told her, 'Theek hai Naina tum yeh sabhi details check kar lo fir report banana start karo.'

She nodded and left.

Sameer grunted, 'Fir se Naina. Aa gayi woh behenji tere office mein? Apna dupatta lapet ke. Such a bore she is.'

Munna scoffed, 'Tu fir shuru ho gaya.'

'Galat keh raha hun kya? Dupatta aise liya hua tha jaise Mahabharat ki Draupadi ho.' Sameer recalled, 'Kya ajeeb style hai. Tere office mein toh sabse alag dikh rahi hogi.'

Munna tried to remember her outfit of today but couldn't, 'Style toh dhyan nahi diya par alag bilkul nahi lag rahi thi.'

Sameer was about to say more but Munna cut him angrily, 'Tujhe itni hi chul mach rahi hai toh aake dekh le. Mere paas aur koi kaam nahi hai kya jo tere saath baith ke Naina pe thesis likhun.'

At the other end, Sameer flared his nostrils, 'Yeh ladki panauti hai. Jab bhi aati hai hum dono mein ladai karwa deti hai.' He then tried to pacify his friend by speaking gently, 'Achha chod us Naina ki baat. Bata kab aa sakta hai.'

Munna glanced at the schedule for the day and grumbled, 'Aaj bohot kaam hai Sameer. Pata nahi kab free ho paunga.' He suddenly brightened, 'Aaj Pandit bhi CP ayega kisi kaam se. Tu uske saath yahin aaja. Yahin baith ke decide kar lenge. Mera kaam bhi saath saath chalta rahega.'

Sameer agreed to come over with Pandit in the evening.

The day was perfect for Naina. She loved working on the projects as it gave her a lot of freedom to unleash her creativity and incorporate new ideas. Munna was surprised when she presented the report post lunch. He hadn't expected her to be so fast. After giving her more work, he smiled to himself, glad that his reading of her calibre turned out to be true.

It was around seven when Naina finished her work. She decided to show it to Munna once before he left, and make any changes if required. Picking up the file of printouts she rushed out, hoping he was still in office.

Sorting the papers, as she walked in the corridor without looking, she collided with someone who stepped out of the elevator. The file flew from her hands, sending the papers flying.

'I'm sorry.' Naina quickly uttered and kneeled down to collect the papers, without looking up.

'I'm sorry too.' The person said regretfully and picked up some of the papers lying close to him.

Naina straightened and he extended his hand towards her to give what he held. With a smile she took them, then looked up. And her smile froze.

Sameer narrowed his eyes, trying to place the familiar face.

Seeing his confusion, Naina quickly mumbled another apology and walked towards Munna's cabin, whispering to herself, 'Lagta hai yeh bhi isi office mein kaam karta hai. Aur panga nahi lena chahiye. Nayi nayi job hai kahin lafda na ho jaaye. Yeh waise hi bada akdu aur badtameez hai.'

Sameer waited for Pandit who had forgotten his phone in the car just as they were entering the elevator, and had gone back to get it. Meanwhile he tried to recollect where he had seen the girl he just collided with. There was a strong sense of deja vu. But the hazy picture in his mind did not become clear.

'Kahan khoya hai Sameer?' Pandit nudged him when he didn't answer him.

"Huh.' Sameer looked at him, 'Tu kab aaya?'

Pandit wriggled his brows, 'Tabhi jab tu kisi ke haseen khyalon mein khoya hua tha. Bata bata, kon hai woh ladki.'

Sameer shrugged absent mindedly, 'Main bhi wahi soch raha hun, woh hai kaun? Bohot dekhi hui thi par yaad hi nahi aa raha kahan dekha hai? Awaaz bhi suni hui lag rahi thi.'

Pandit clapped and exclaimed loudly, 'Mil gayi. Iska matlab teri ghanti bajane wali mil gayi.'

Sameer came to his senses and swatted his head, 'Abey ghanti wali nahi thi. Confusion deke chali gayi. Khair chod. Ho sakta hai yahin dekha ho pehle kabhi. Munna ke office toh har teesre din aate hain hum log.'

They moved towards Munna's cabin and opened the door without bothering to knock. Sameer stopped in surprise as he saw the same girl standing next to Munna, pointing at the papers that were spread in front of them while she explained something. Pandit gave her an appreciative glance, unaware of his friend's reaction.

Munna looked up, 'Aa gaye tum log. Bas do minute dedo. Tab tak baitho.' He waved at the seats kept in the room.

After settling on the comfortable sofa chairs in the sitting area, Pandit murmured, 'Munna ke maze hain. Itni mast ladkiyon kaam karti hain iske office mein. Mere papa ko hi steel pipe ki factory daalni thi. Saara din mushtande jaise bandon se ghira rehta hun.'

Just then, Munna closed the file and addressed the girl, 'Perfect Naina. Pehle din ke liye tumne bohot kuch cover kar liya. Baaki ka kal karenge.'

Sameer's jaw fell open. Naina... of course this was Naina... the girl they met with, or rather argued with, in CP just last week. But what happened to her... she looked so different. Unlike the other day, she was dressed in smart westerns. Heels, with high waisted pants gave her a taller appearance. Without the drape of dupatta, she had a slim and shapely figure. Her hair were long and wavy. Partly held in a clutch behind her head, rest of them fell on her back in soft layers. Even her face looked brighter, with a hint of colour on the lips.

As Naina was about to leave, Munna noticed Pandit's silent gestures to introduce her to them.

'Uh... Naina.' He called out and she turned.

He waved at his friends, 'Mere friends se milwana tha. Yeh Pandit hai. Aur Sameer ko toh tum jaanti hi ho. Us din mere saath tha. Yeh dono mere bachpan ke yaar hain. Aksar yahan aate rehte hain.'

Naina nodded at Sameer curtly and gave a pleasant smile to Pandit.

Pandit stood up and came forward to offer a hand, grinning, 'Hi Naina. Toh tum ho chaabi...' Getting a ferocious look from Munna he quickly covered up his blunder, '...matlab Munna ke office ki chaabi ab tumhare paas bhi hogi kyonki tum saath mein kaam karoge. Haina Munna?'

Naina shook his hand, unable to understand his babble, 'Hi Pandit. Maine aaj hi join kiya hai. Abhi mujhe details aur procedures nahi pata.'

'Koi nahi koi nahi. Jab waqt badlega mahaul bhi badlega. Main bhi badlunga Sameer bhi badlega.' Pandit went on in a poetic manner.

Munna gave him a frustrated look before clarifying to Naina, 'Iski baat pe zyada dhyan mat do. Kuch bhi bolta hai.'

Naina nodded and looked at Pandit, 'Nice meeting you. Ab main jaun?'

He dipped his head, 'Jee. Fir milenge.'

Naina pointed at his hand, which was still clasped around hers. Pandit slowly shifted his gaze down, then quickly released her hand, giving a sheepish smile, 'Sorry, kuch soch raha tha isliye bhool gaya.'

Outside Naina let out the chuckle she was holding, 'Munna ke saare dost kitne weird hain. Bichara kaise rehta hai in namuno ke saath. Ek wo Sameer hai, jo aaj toh chup tha par us din madhumakkhi ki tarah dank maar raha tha. Aur ek yeh Pandit, jo shehed ki tarah chipak hi gaya. Anyway, mujhe kya. Munna ke dost hain, bachpan se jhel raha hai toh aadat pad gayi hogi.'

Taking her stuff, she left for home after an enjoyable and productive day.

In Munna's cabin, he reprimanded Pandit, 'Kya bakwas kar raha tha tu uske saamne. Maine bataya tha na uska purana boss kaisa tha. Usse picha chuda ke yahan aayi hai aur yahan tu...' He held Pandits's hand tightly and mimicked him, 'Sab kuch badlega Naina, main tum aur... aur whatever.'

Pandit scratched his head, 'Sorry yaar. Itne dino se tum dono ka Naina puran sunke maine kuch alag hi tasveer banayi thi uski apne dimaag mein. Lekin jab pata chala yeh hot si ladki Naina hai toh zara baukhla gaya. Waise agar tum logon ko aitraaz na ho toh isko main apni chaabi de sakta hun... mujhe toh badi sahi lagi.'

Munna smacked his head, 'Tujhe toh har dusri ladki sahi lagti hai. Kisi ko tu bhi toh sahi lagna chahiye.'

Realising that Sameer was not involved in their conversation at all, they together turned towards him.

Placing his hand on waist, Pandit scoffed, 'Oye. Ab mujhe pata chala teri ghanti kyon silent mode pe rehti hai. Teri aankhen test kara. Yeh tujhe behenji nazar aati hai? Ek hafte se behenji behenji bolke mera radar bhi kharab kar diya.'

Munna smiled, 'Itna chup kyon hai Sameer? Kya hua? Abhi tak toh Naina ka naam sunte hi bikhar jaata tha par aaj uske aage awaaz bhi nahi nikli.'

Sameer let out a long breath, scratching his chin, 'Soch raha hun yeh Parvati Poo kaise ban gayi.' (K3G reference)

"Hein?' Both Munna and Pandit looked at him with wide eyes.

Sameer nodded thoughtfully, 'Mera shaq sahi tha. Yeh ladki fraud hai. Us din kuch aur thi, aaj bilkul alag. Pakka yeh alag alag bhesh bana ke tujh jaise sedhe sade logon ko choona lagati hogi. Munna, tu bachke rehna. Yeh kuch na kuch ghapla karne aayi hai yahan.'

Munna and Pandit slumped on the seats, looking at their forever doubting friend.

'Iski ghanti kabhi nahi bajegi.' They both mumbled together.

Next update on Friday