[Sriya2]

Hello Friends, after a few months of writing, I am starting this new story. This story links to my previous story (Supriya: Ek Jawan Biwi ki Kahani) and start a few years (7-10 years) before that story begins and focuses on a different character. A couple of other characters from the original story will show up in this story.

Even though this story will have themes of adultery and cheating, I intend to write this fully as a non-erotic story, i.e. not have graphic detailed sex scenes in it. So please do not ask me to include sex scenes or for gif's and pictures. 

I have enjoyed writing it this way to tell a good story. I am still writing the story, and there is a drawback in writing it episodically that if you want to change something later then its difficult, but will see how to do that.

The story is set in mid 2000’s (2006), and is my ode to simpler times.

Understand this story may not appeal to the core readers of this site, but since I wrote the original story first here, I will also publish this here. Hope atleast some people like it.

[Sriya2]

Chapter 1: Yeh Kaun Aaya

Yeh Kaun Aaya, Roshan Ho Gayi
Mehfil Kis Ke Naam Se

Sahil dheere se gungunata hua excitement mein apne pair desk ke neeche halki rhythm mein tap kar raha tha. Nazar ek baar fir aaj ki teen baje wali meeting ke title par gayi – Marketing Leadership Update & Welcoming New Joiner. Abhi toh subah ke sirf aath hi baje they, aur woh kuch jyada hi jaldi office aa gaya tha. Itna jaldi ki apna lunch bhi ghar par bhool aaya tha, par aaj shayad use bhook nahi lagne wali thi.

Aaj ka din uske liye bada hone wala tha. Pichle pandrah mahino se jis responsibility ko usne unofficially sambhaala hua tha, woh aakhir aaj use officially milne wali thi. Aur milti bhi kyu na, ye uski din raat ki mehnat aur flawless team & customer management ka nateeza tha.

Woh is sab ke baare mein sochta hua apne laptop mein khoya hi hua tha ki uske cabin ka door halke se khula.

Rohan, uski team ka ek Account manager, ek badi si smile ke saath uski taraf bada. "Sir... bahut bahut Congratulations!!!!"

Sahil thoda uncomfortable hote hue bola, "Thank you… par abhi nahi. Announcement ke baad shaam ko officially dena…"

Rohan ko halki si hasi aa gayi, "Sir announcement toh bas ek formality hai… sabko pata hai."

Sahil ki smile ke saath ek embarrassed look bhi tha, woh apni tareef se behad uncomfortable ho jaata tha. Sahil ne bahar nazar daudayi toh office mein dheere dheere log aane lage they. Bahar se kuch log use dekh kar smile kar rahe they, kuch thumbs up de rahe they. Sahil ne haste hue apna sar hilaya aur haath utha kar unhe rukne ka ishaara kiya. Bas ek baar ye announcement ho jaye, phir sab normal lagega, usne socha.

Tabhi Sahil ki nazar reception ki taraf gayi. Ek ladki abhi abhi wahan aakar khadi hui thi - confident, stylish aur behad composed. Door se bhi uski presence alag hi mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Use dekh kar Rohan ka muh khula ka khula reh gaya. "Wow… ye hai kya... new joiner...?"

Sahil ne use halki si kohni maari. "Muh band kar le… new joiner hai toh kya hua, hai toh teri senior hi na…"

"Haan… matlab… main toh aapke liye…"

Sahil ne use ghoor kar dekha, "Faltu baatein kam kiya kar. Chal nikal ab… baad mein baat karta hoon…"

Sahil immediately cabin se bahar nikal aaya aur reception ki taraf badh chala. Yeh new joiner, Saloni Gupta, uski team ka ek core hissa banne wali thi. Interview ke dauraan usne sab par kafi strong impression chhoda tha. Uski confident, khanakti aawaz, crisp intelligent answers aur presentation style... sab kuch behad impressive tha.

Uski taraf jaate hue Sahil apni shirt theek karne laga.

Door se hi Sahil ki nazar sabse pehle Saloni ke chehre par gayi. Uski aankhon mein ek alag hi chamak thi, aur confidence aisa jaise woh exactly jaanti ho ki yahan kyu aayi hai aur kya karna hai. Height, mushkil se 5'4 hogi, par jis posture mein woh khadi thi, uski presence kafi jyada striking lag rahi thi.

Resham jaise baal uske kandho se aage ki taraf gir rahe they. Usne ek coat pehna hua tha, aur uske andar ek light color ki silky tucked-in shirt jo uski figure ko subtly hug kar rahi thi, na jyada tight aur na hi jyada loose. Saath mein fitted pants uski patli taango ki ek smooth si outline banate hue. Definitely kisi mehnge brand ke kapde pehne hue they. Poora look itna polished tha ki Sahil ko apna informal shirt-jeans wala office attire thoda casual lagne laga.

"Saloni… welcome… how are you?” Sahil ne paas pahuch kar muskurate hue kaha.

Saloni bhi use dekh kar muskurayi. "Hey Sahil… Good! Nice to see you again… Lo main finally aa hi gayi!”

Sahil halke se hasa, “Mumbai se Pune ka shift kaisa raha? Hotel theek tha?”

“Haan! Sab bilkul smooth raha. Thank you so much for the hotel recommendations, and all the forms and details jo last week send kare… weekend par hi maine kafi saare kaam nipta diye. I really wanted to hit the ground running."

"Aree... sorry... weekend par thoda relax kar leti. Anyway... Aao … introductions karwa deta hoon.…"

Saloni reception se aage kadam badhate hue ek pal ke liye thehri aur ek gehri saans li. Uski aankhon mein ek genuine si excitement aur surprise dikh rahi thi.

“Wow...” Saloni ne halki si muskurahat liye charon taraf dekha, “Yeh smell... kafi intense hai. Aisa lag raha hai jaise seedha kisi cafe mein khadi hoon... nahi usse bhi strong... aisa jaise abhi taazi coffee beans roast hui hon.”

Saloni ke chehre par ek masoom si hairani dekh kar Sahil ko halki si hasi aa gayi, “Coffee company join kari hai toh coffee ki hi khushboo aayegi na... par kuch dino ki hi baat hai... mujhe toh ab mehsoos bhi nahi hoti.”

“Hmmm... interesting,” Saloni ne apni muskurahat dabate hue kaha, jaise use Sahil ki baat par yakeen na ho raha ho.  

Sahil ne introductions simple rakhte hue use marketing team, finance aur IT ke kuch logon se milwata gaya, “She is Saloni, just joined the marketing team.”

Bina kisi jhijhak ke Saloni sabki taraf apna haath badhati rahi, aur har kisi ka naam ek baar dohrati gayi, jaise use apne mind mein store karne ki koshish kar rahi ho.

Jab sab se mil liye, Saloni halki si hansi ke saath boli, "Wow… bahut saare naam hain yaad rakhne ke liye…"

"Haan… dheere dheere sab yaad ho jayenge…"

"Tum toh yahan shuru se ho na… so tumhe ek saath saare naam yaad nahi karne pade honge…"

Sahil ko pehle hi din uska itni be-baaki se ‘tum’ karke bulana thoda sa akhra. Uski parvarish Lucknow ki thi, aur yahan office mein juniors ke saath saath, kayi seniors bhi use 'Sir' bulate they. Par yeh... pehli hi mulaqat mein 'tum' par aa gayi thi. Par usne turant socha, Mumbai mein shayad log aise hi baat karte honge...

"Shuru se toh nahi, par haan... 6-7 saal ho gaye hai… us time office mein itne log nahi they."

"Hmmm… cool… so what next? Mr. Dixit ka office kahan hai… Ek baar unse bhi mil leti hoon…"

"Mr. Dixit? Oh Boss! Sab unhe Boss hi bulate hai, Mr. Dixit koi nahi kehta unhe. Woh kafi busy rehte hain, kafi kuch hai unke under. Din mein meeting hai na, tab mil lena unse. Tab tak settle ho jayo… maine IT team ko bol diya tha... woh laptop issue kar denge. Main thodi der mein aata hoon.”

"Haan sure… no problem. Mera... cabin kahan hai?"

Sahil ko nahi laga tha woh first day cabin ke baare mein puchegi. "Haan sorry… your hiring was so quick na… thoda construction work pending hai. Main boss se baat karta hoon."

Saloni ke chehre par ek halki si shikan aayi aur fir turant hi uski smile wapis aa gayi. "Koi nahi, I can speak to him directly about it. Abhi yahin kahin seat dhoond leti hoon… is bahane team se bhi thodi chit chat ho jayegi…"

"Haan… great idea…"

Sahil wapas apne cabin mein aa gaya. Kuch der baad usne bahar ki aur dekha, Saloni bilkul friendly ho kar IT wale bande se has kar baat kar rahi thi. Sahil ko relief mila, uska darr - Mumbai se Pune aa rahi hai toh big city attitude lekar aayegi, ab shayad galat saabit ho raha tha.

Agle do ghante Sahil calls aur meetings mein busy ho gaya. Beech-beech mein jab bhi uska dhyaan glass panel ke paar jata, Saloni kisi na kisi se muskura kar baat karti dikhti. Subah ki nervous energy ke saath saath ye wali tension bhi dheere-dheere settle ho rahi thi.

Meetings khatam karte hi Sahil ne ek do files Saloni ko email kari aur uske desk par pahuch gaya. Sahil uske theek peeche khada tha aur screen par woh company ki marketing presentation pad rahi thi.

Sahil unsure tha, ki aap bole ya tum, par uski Lucknow ki parvarish aakhir jeet gayi. "Aap presentations tak bhi pahunch gayi."

Saloni ne apni chair ghumayi aur use muskura ke dekha. “Haan… maine kaha tha na… admin kaam toh weekend mein hi kar liya tha… ab straight to work…”

"Great! Kafi quick ho aap!"

"Good you came… maine ye list banayi for some data… like Key customers, marketing spend by channel, sales by region, aur ek do aur items. Ye sab agar shaam tak arrange ho jaye toh main aaj raat hotel mein aaram se dekh lungi... kal subah Piyush sir ke saath meri meeting scheduled hai, unse milne se pehle I wanted to have a clearer picture."

Sahil ke kaan ekdam se khade ho gaye. Piyush sir! Piyush Mehra! Company ke CEO! Yeh unse meeting karne wali thi?

Sahil ko is company mein kaam karte hue saat saal hone ko aaye they, aur pichle pandrah mahino se woh marketing operations sambhal raha tha. Uske bawajood, Piyush sir se kabhi uski one on one meeting nahi hui thi. Piyush Sir waise bhi roz aate bhi nahi they, Sahil ne suna tha ki woh aur bhi businesses manage karte they. Mahine mein bas do-teen meetings hoti thi jahan Sahil ko unhe updates dene ka mauka milta, par usme bhi kaafi saara credit aur time toh uske boss Mr. Dixit hi le jaate they.

“Piyush Sir ke saath meeting?” Sahil ne apni aawaz ko normal rakhne ki koshish kari. “Aapki baat hui thi unse?”

“Haan... unhone hi toh final round liya tha Mumbai mein!” Saloni ne kafi casually kaha jaise yeh koi khaas badi baat na ho, “I think it will be good to meet to sync up on the brand strategy, I will also let you know.”

Sahil ke liye bilkul unexpected tha. Use ek-do second lage apne mind ko adjust karne mein. "Uhhmmmmm… haan sure… par pehle ek aur kaam hai... maine abhi aapko ek naye distribution partner ki file bheji hai… can you please have a look and prepare the draft proposal… Banaya hai na pehle?"

Saloni ko ye sawaal thoda funny laga. Saloni almost haste hue boli, "Haannnn… obviously… Bohot baar…" Usne Sahil ki aur dekha woh sach mein seriously pooch raha tha. "Sure… main abhi draft proposal bana deti hoon… don't worry…"
"Okkk… thoda time lag sakta hai... koi jaldi nahi hai..."

Jaate jaate bhi Saloni ne fir se use muskura ke toka. "Sahil… please don’t forget! Woh files please… shaam tak bhijwa dena."

Sahil ne ek smile ke saath use jawab diya. "Sure… I will ask Neha to send…"

Mudte hi uske chehre ki smile gayab ho chuki thi. First day pe itna casual tone? Boss ko aise kaun order deta hai? Sahil ne ek gehri saans li... Mumbai... yehi reason hoga...

2.30 baj gaye they, Lunch time khatam ho chuka tha. Sahil ne aaj kuch khaya bhi nahi tha, woh apne kaam mein busy hokar kuch pal ke liye Saloni ko bhool chuka tha. Tabhi ek email pop up hua – From: Saloni Gupta. Sahil ne bahar ki aur dekha toh Saloni Neha ke saath haste hue baat kar rahi thi. Sahil ko thoda irritation hua – Kaam toh kiya nahi hoga isne...

Sahil ne muh banate hue Saloni ka email khola, usne draft proposal bhej diya tha. Itni jaldi?!! Sahil ne jaldi se proposal par nazar daudayi, ek-do numbers ko double check kiya. Sab theek hi lag raha tha, kafi clean formatting aur presentation... ek kaam jo uski team sahi se nahi karti thi.

Ok… shayad main galat soch raha tha. I mean… kaam strong ho toh, baaki thoda bohot toh sabke saath adjustment karna hi padta hai.

Thodi der baad marketing team office ke sabse bade meeting room ki taraf jaane lagi. Abhi thoda time tha 3 bajne mein, par shayad andar snacks bhi lage they. Saloni bhi sabke saath andar chali gayi.

Par Sahil abhi wait kar raha tha, taaliyon, seetiyon aur congratulations se bachne ke liye. Ek baar announcement ho jaye toh use pata tha ki sab aaj hi party bhi maangne lagenge. Par usne socha ki woh koshish karega ki aaj bas jaldi ghar nikal jaye. Title jo chahe ho, uski asli life toh ghar par hi uska intezaar kar rahi hogi.

Tabhi Boss uske cabin ke darwaze par aaye. "Sahil... Chalen?"

Sahil jaldi se unke peeche peeche chalte hue meeting room mein enter hua. Jaise expected, taaliyon aur seetiyon ka shor. Woh table ke front right corner mein baith gaya. Uske theek saamne Saloni thi, woh uski taraf politely smile kar rahi thi.

Boss table ke saamne khade ho gaye. "Lagta hai sab kafi excited hai… kya hua, early bonus milne wala hai kya?"

Boss ke joke se room mein halki si hasi hui aur shor thoda kam ho gaya.

"So… aap sab soch rahe honge ki aaj ye meeting kyun bulayi gayi hai…"

Peeche se kisi ki tez aawaz aayi, "Hame pehle se pata hai!"

"Great.. meeting over then… haha…"

Kamra sabki hasi se goonj gaya. Boss ne sabko shaant hone ka ishaara kiya aur phir apni speech shuru kari. "So, look... pichle 15 mahine kaafi challenging rahe hain. Jab hamare purane operations head achanak se quit kar gaye, tab Sahil ne front foot par aakar operations ko sambhaala. He ensured ki hamare distribution efforts zara bhi disrupt na ho, and he did a solid job of holding the fort."

Boss ne ek formal smile ke saath continue kiya. "Hum sab jaante hain Sahil ne kitni mehnat ki hai. Uski execution ki wajah se team par pressure kam raha."

Room mein taaliyon aur table par thapthapahat ki goonj hui. Sahil ne uncomfortably smile karte hue halke se sar jhukaya. Usne dekha Saloni bhi politely clap kar rahi thi, par uski nazrein Boss par hi tiki thi, jaise woh agle sentence ka intezaar kar rahi ho.

Boss ne fir se logo ko shaant hone ka ishaara kiya. "But as a company, we also have to look at the future. Sahil has been managing two roles single-handedly, par hum nahi chahte ki long term mein uska kaam ya uski personal life suffer kare. Aap sab agree karte hain?"

Sabki aawaz saath mein aayi. "Yesssss…."

"And that’s why.... I am happy to announce that Ms Saloni Gupta has joined us today from Mumbai. Jaisa ki aap jaante hai ki Piyush Sir ka vision hai ki hamara coffee brand ghar ghar mein famous ho. Saloni ne apne pichhle role mein national level par ek FMCG brand launch kiya hai… phenomenal experience. Just the kind of talent we needed."

Room fir taaliyon se bhar gaya, usme Sahil ki bhi taaliyaan thi. Use laga ki Boss ne Saloni ki kuch jyada hi tareef kar di thi, uske apne efforts ke mukable toh kahin jyada, par chalo koi nahi, shayad ladki hone ka kuch toh advantage milta hi hai.

Boss ek second ke liye ruke, jaise woh apne agle shabdon ko carefully choose kar rahe hon.

"Please Stand up… Sahil… Saloni… lets clap for them…"

Dono boss ke side mein khade ho gaye. Announcement bas hone hi wala tha.

"I present to you the leadership of the marketing operations team...”

Saloni ne poore confidence se ek kadam aage badaya. Sahil ne apni aankh ke kone se ye notice kiya, par uska poora focus filhaal Boss ke shabdon par tha.

"Sahil and Saloni…. Co-Heads of Marketing Operations… leading this team together and reporting into me..."

Room ek second ke liye bilkul chup ho gaya, jaise sabki saans ruk gayi ho. Sabki nazrein Sahil ke chehre par thi, par Sahil ki nazar sirf Saloni par. Saloni ne turant apna aage badaya hua kadam peeche kheech liya. Uske chehre par zara bhi hairaani nahi dikh rahi thi, bas ek halki si professional smile. Use dekh kar Sahil samajh hi nahi paa raha tha ki use ye sab pehle se pata tha ya nahi.

Taaliyan fir se bajne lagi, par is baar thodi halki, sirf haathon se, table par nahi.

Sahil ka dil zor se dhadak raha tha. Uske dimaag mein bas teen shabd goonj rahe they…

What.
The.
Fuck.

[Sriya2]

Chapter 2: Kya Hua Tera Vaada

Sahil ek gehri saans bharte hue apne cabin mein daakhil hua. Chehre par paseene ki ek halki si parat chadh gayi thi. Woh turant apni kursi par baitha aur bina padhe hi laptop par mails scroll karne laga. Use pata bhi nahi tha woh kya dekh raha hai. Bas ek cheez pakki thi, woh cabin ke kaanch ke paar nahi dekhna chahta tha.

Log has rahe honge. Shit!

Dimaag mein ek sawaal baar baar kachot raha tha - use yeh sab pehle kyun nahi dikha? Boss ko ache se pata tha woh kitna stretched tha, 50 crore ke maal ka distribution woh apne kandhon par liye kisi tarah kheench raha tha. Unhone kaha tha ki uske workload ko halka karne ke liye yeh senior hire karna zaroori tha. Sahil khud bhi toh interview panel ka hissa tha. Par ab socho toh... shayad woh khud apna replacement hire kar raha tha. Kitna bewakoof tha woh!

Tabhi door par halki si knock hui aur bina jawab ka intezaar kiye hi teen log andar aa gaye – Rohan, Neha aur Yogesh. Unke chehron ki bechaini ne Sahil ki chhatpatahat ko aur badha diya.

Sabse pehle Yogesh ki aawaz nikli. "Sir… ye kya announcement thi…"

Rohan bhi fauran naraazgi jatate hue bola, "Bilkul unexpected... sab kafi shocked hain…"

Woh dono bol hi rahe they ki tabhi Neha apne mann ka sawal pooche bina nahi reh paayi. "Sir… agar aap dono co-head honge toh team ki reporting kaise work karegi… hum to Saloni ma'am ko jaante bhi nahi... hum sab to aapko hi report karna chahenge na…"

Neha ki is baat par Rohan ne us par ek teekha kataksh kiya. "Kyun? Subah toh badi has ke baat kar rahi thi usse."

Palat-vaar karne mein Neha ne bhi der nahi lagayi. "Oh hello! Main toh sabse tameez se hi baat karti hoon… par tu toh full check out maar raha tha unhe."

Unki awaazein ek doosre par chadhne lagi. Sahil ke sar mein dard sa hone laga tha.

Hawa mein haath uthate hue Sahil ne sabko rok diya. "Guys… please… not now… kal baat karte hai… I am sure sab sort out ho jayega…"

Yogesh ne hichakte hue kaha, "Par Sir… team toh already split feel kar rahi hai... aise mein sab sort out kaise hoga..."

Sahil ne khud ko sambhalte hue aawaz mein professionalism laane ki koshish kari, "Nahi... aisa kuch nahi hai. We are all together… Saloni aur main… hum log mil kar lead karenge… it's one single team."

Yogesh aur Neha ke jaane ke baad Rohan wahin ruka raha. Uske chehre se saaf zahir tha ki woh Sahil ki baat se agree nahi tha. "Sir… aap bhi jaante ho... itni aasani se kuch theek nahi hoga. Aap maano ya na maano..."

Sahil laparwahi se apne kandhe uchkate hue apne chehre par ek feeki si smile laaya. "Mere haath mein kya hai? Dekhte hain… kya hota hai…"
Rohan floor ke doosri taraf ek meeting room ki taraf dekh raha tha, jahan abhi abhi Boss aur Saloni andar gaye they. Rohan ki aawaz aur bhi dheemi ho gayi thi.

"Dekh lena Sir... politics hone wali hai..."

Sahil bilkul chup raha. Uski nazar bhi us meeting room par atki hui thi.

Par use kya pata tha ki us meeting room ke andar, mahaul bilkul alag tha.

Mr. Dixit Saloni ko samjha rahe they. "Look Saloni… hamne tumhare potential ko dekh kar hi tumhe hire kiya hai. But try to also see this from Sahil's perspective. Woh pichle ek dedh saal se ye role sambhal raha hai. Uske liye bhi ye decision kaafi disappointing hoga."

Haath mein liye ek sleek se pen par Saloni ki pakad aur bhi sakht ho gayi. "But Sir... I didn't join as co-head. Interview mein aisa kuch mention nahi tha… this feels like bait and switch…"

Boss thoda stiff ho gaye. "That's strong language..."

Boss aaram se bole, par unke lehze mein ek calculated sakhti thi. "That assumption was the problem. Management ne hamesha leadership role bola tha, Marketing Operations Head nahi."

Saloni ne seedha Dixit ki aankhon mein dekha, uski awaaz mein zara bhi jhijhak nahi thi, jaise woh apne haq ke liye ladna jaanti ho. “Par Sir, final round mein Piyush Sir ne explicitly mujhse brand transformation aur operations head ki baat ki thi. Kal subah meri unse one-on-one meeting scheduled hai... should I clarify with him?”

Saloni ke muh se Piyush ka naam sunte hi Dixit ke chehre par ek pal ke liye shikan ubhar aayi, jise unhone turant ek professional muskaan ke peeche chhupa diya.

“Piyush Sir operates at 30,000 feet Saloni,” Dixit ne apna lehza thoda sa narm kiya, “Unka vision hai is company ko ek national brand banane ka. Par ground execution, reporting structure aur yeh saare operational matters decide karna mera kaam hai. Main Piyush Sir ko explain kar chuka hoon, and he is completely aligned with me.”

Saloni ke chehre par ek pal ke liye sannata chha gaya. Offer letter mein kahin uski post ka jiqr nahi tha, bas use ek opportunity dikhayi gayi thi – Kuch bada karne ki, kuch meaningful karne ki. Shayad usne kahin kuch misunderstand kiya tha, aur ab uski yeh misunderstanding kafi bhaari padne wali thi.

Boss Saloni ko pareshaan dekh kar table par thoda sa aage ki taraf jhuke, "Look Saloni... the practical reality is, team aur business partners, dono Sahil par kafi trust karte hain. Agar hum tumhe seedhe Head bana dete, toh kafi resistance hota. Sab kuch suffer karta."

Saloni ne ekdam se apni thoughts par lagam lagayi aur unki baat ko dhyaan se sunne lagi.

"All I will say is... learn from him... Processes, people, customers. Six months… one year. You're smart... tum figure out kar logi..."

Saloni halke se nod karte hue boss ko dekh rahi thi, shayad use samajh aane laga tha woh kya keh rahe they.

Unki dabi aawaz mein kuch aur bhi nikla. "Last thing I will say is… you're being paid more than double of what he is making… it shows our vote of confidence in you. Please keep this last part to yourself... strictly confidential."

Saloni ne ek halki si smile dene ki koshish kari. "Sure Sir... I understand."

"Thoda thande dimaag se sochna... and we can chat again tomorrow... chaho toh main bhi join kar lunga Piyush Sir wali meeting."
“Sure... I will let you know tomorrow.”

Boss meeting room se bahar nikle aur seedha Sahil ke cabin ki taraf badh chale. Door se hi Boss ko aate dekh kar Sahil ne turant apna muh laptop mein ghusa liya. Woh tayyar nahi tha kisi bhi discussion ke liye. Par Boss seedhe andar aa gaye.

Boss Sahil ke saamne baithte hue bole. "Sahil ji…"

Sahil ne laptop ki screen se nazrein hatayi. "Ji Sir…?"

Boss ne uske desk se ek paperweight uthate hue kaha, "Kaise ho aap?"
"Badiya Sir…"

Sahil jaisa bhi feel kar raha ho, use badiya ke elawa kuch bolna aata hi nahi tha.

Boss bhi shayad ache se jaante they ki ye sach nahi tha. "Dekho, I am sure... thoda surprise hua hoga... I know you think you were managing it all, but it was not sustainable. Tumhare paas is business ko grow karne ka experience bhi nahi hai."

Sahil ko ye baat achi nahi lagi aur uska muh latak gaya. Pichle 15 mahino se jab woh ye sab akele manage kar raha tha tab toh kisi ne uska experience nahi pucha tha. Tab toh growth fast nahi lag rahi thi?

Boss ne uska chehra padhte hue kaha. "Believe me... it was not just my decision... but it was done with the best of intentions. Tumhara workload unmanageable ho gaya tha…. tumhari personal life... Kajal toh mujhe gaaliyan hi deti hogi..."

Kajal ka naam sunte hi Sahil ke kaan laal ho gaye. "Nahi Sir... aisa kuch nahi. Kajal toh hamesha supportive hi rehti hai."

Boss shayad isi reaction ka intezaar kar rahe they. "Exactly! We are supportive of you as well. Nothing will change immediately… woh abhi new hai. She'll lean on you. Authority tumhare paas hi rahegi."

Bolne ko toh bohot kuch tha, par dimaag chalna band sa ho gaya tha. Sahil kuch nahi keh paaya.

Boss paperweight ko table par sahi jagah par wapis rakhte hue bole, "So all good then?"

Haan mein sar hilane ke alawa raasta bhi kya tha.

Boss bahar nikalne ke liye khade hi hue they ki Sahil instinctively operational mode mein aa gaya. "Sir... Team was asking... kaam kaise split karenge?"

Boss turant muskurate hue bole jaise pehle se hi sab soch rakha ho. "Regionally split kar lo… East-West tum… aur North-South woh…"

Sahil ko ye split fair nahi laga. Usne hichkichate hue, dabi awaaz mein kaha. "Par growth toh North-South mein hai... East toh waise hi poora dead pada hai..."

Boss ne badi safai se baat ghumai. "West mein hamare core accounts hain… unko bhi toh manage karna hai na. Wahan tumhare experience ki zaroorat padegi, main kisi naye par risk nahi le sakta. Can I count on you for that?"

"Hmmm… Yes Sir..."

Boss "Great" kehte hue cabin se bahar nikal gaye, shayad unhe Sahil se jo chahiye tha woh mil gaya tha.

Unke jaane ke baad, Sahil wahin baitha raha. Boss ke liye shayad ye bas ek structural change tha par uske liye toh pichle pandrah mahino ki mehnat ko achanak se “unmanageable” keh kar usse cheen liya gaya tha. Sahi se apni baat bhi unhe samjha nahi paaya tha, ya shayad woh use samjhane ka mauka bhi nahi dena chahte they.

Kuch der baad usne fir se apne aap ko kaam mein ghusa liya, jaise kuch hua hi na ho. Jab nazar ghadi par padi, toh use ehsaas hua ki kaafi der ho chuki thi. Bahar abhi bhi kuch log baithe hue they, jinmein Saloni bhi thi. Sahil ne uski taraf dekhe bina bahar nikal jaana behtar samjha. Use darr tha kahin use Saloni ki nazron mein jeet ki chamak na dikh jaye... ya fir uske liye koi hamdardi.

Tez kadmon se nikal kar woh seedhe apni car mein ja baitha aur ghar ki taraf chal pada. Raaste bhar woh frustrated feel karta hua badbada sa raha tha, kuch halki gaaliyan uske muh se nikal rahi thi, jo woh sirf akele mein hi nikaala karta tha – Fuckkk…. behenchod... saala kutta!

Apne ghar ki building tak pahunch kar jaise-taise woh second floor tak chadha. Jo din excitement se bhara hona chahiye tha, woh uske liye poori tarah se bikhar chuka tha.

Ghar ke andar ghusa toh uski wife Kajal shayad kisi se phone par baat kar rahi thi. Sahil ko dekhte hi usne turant phone kaat diya aur khushi se Sahil ko gale laga liya. "Congraaaaatsssss Mister!"

Kajal ki baahon mein wahi pehchaani si khushboo thi, kisi mehnge perfume ki nahi, bas ek aisi khushboo jise Sahil achi tarah jaan kar bhi lafzon mein bayan nahi kar sakta tha. Uska jism Sahil ke seene se bilkul naturally fit ho gaya, jaise saalon se isi shape mein dhal gaya ho. Ye koi magazine-cover wali perfect body nahi thi, par usme ek aisi narmahat thi jahan woh ghanto theher sakta tha.

Uska kurta soft cotton ka tha, jis par halki si silvaten thi, use college ke dino ki yaad dilata hua. Baal aadhe khule aur aadhe ek clip ke sahare upar tike hue they, jaise din bhar ke kaamon ke beech bas kisi tarah sambhaal liye gaye ho. Na koi dikhaavati make-up, na koi banavat, sirf woh, hamesha ki tarah ekdam natural.

Sar kandhe par hi tika raha, jaise use uthane ki bhi himmat na ho. Aaj use sirf yehi chahiye tha.

"Kuch khaaya toh hoga nahi poore din... hai na? Subah jaldi mein lunch bhool gaye they..."

Sahil ka koi jawab nahi aaya, bilkul chup. Kajal kuch hi palon mein samajh gayi ki kuch toh gadbad thi aur usne Sahil ki aur dekha. "Hey… kya hua? Itne thake hue kyu lag rahe ho? Aaj toh mujhe laga tha poore energized wapis aayoge..."

Sahil ne ek gehri saans bhari aur use sab kuch bata diya, last mein boss se jo baat hui use chhod kar.

Kajal gusse mein kamre mein chalte hue bol rahi thi, "Ye kya nonsense hui… call lagao zara apne boss ko… main baat karti hoon usse…"

Boss sahi keh rahe they, Kajal toh sach mein unhe sunane ko tayyar thi. Uske chehre par halki si smile aayi. "Aur tum phone karogi toh boss sochenge main apni wife ko aage kar ke lad raha hoon..."

"Nahi par… how can he do this to you… aur upar se… sab kuch chhupa ke rakha, koi communication nahi…. tumne kuch kaha nahi?"
Sahil ne dheere se kaha, "Hui thi baat…"

Kajal boss ki nakal karte hue boli. "Let me guess…. Usne bola hoga… good for your personal life… and abhi toh woh ladki nayi hai… you should help her… aur tumne... tumne haan kar diya hoga.."

Sahil ne halke se Kajal ke kandho par haath rakh diye use shaant karne ke liye. "Haan… short mein hi toh yehi hua tha…par tumhe kaise pata?"
Kajal ne use gusse mein ghoora. "Hum kitne saalon se saath hai…"

Sahil apni ungliyon par ginne laga. "Ummmmmm… sab mila ke... ya shaadi ke baad se…"

Kajal aur frustrated ho gayi. "Oh god!! Rhetorical question tha…"

Sahil uska mood light karne ke liye has ke bola. "Ab ye kya hota hai… itni angrezi nahi aati yaar… har koi tumhari tarah angrezi ka professor nahi hota na…"

"Aree mere Assistant professor ke pati... rhetorical matlab ek aisa sawaal jiska jawaab dene ki zaroorat nahi hoti, kyunki jawaab sabko pehle se pata hota hai. Jaise jab main puchti hoon - Kya tum mujhse pyaar karte ho?... it's rhetorical! I already know the answer."

Sahil ne shararat bhari aawaz mein kaha. "Hain!! Aisa sawal hi kyu poocho jiska jawab na dena ho?"

Kajal ne haste hue uski peeth par haath maara. "Shut up! Tum bhi na…."

Sahil ne Kajal ko kamar se pakadte hue uska chehra apne theek saamne kar liya. "Lo main tumhare rhetorical question ka jawab deta hoon... main na… tumse… bohot pyaar karta hoon…"

Kajal ne muskurate hue apni baahen uske gale mein daal li. “Aur main… bilkul nahi karti…”

"Liar… iska matlab hai… ek insaan jo jhooth bolta hai… jaise abhi tum bol rahi ho..."

Kajal khilkhila kar has padi. Sahil ne dheere se apne honth uske honthon par rakh diye aur use choomne laga – ek dheema aur lamba kiss, jisme din bhar ki thakaan jaise dheere dheere pighal rahi thi. Itni stressful life ke bawajood Sahil ke paas Kajal naam ki stressbuster thi. Usne mann hi mann socha – Kya ho gaya agar ek post nahi mili toh… mere paas ye toh hai...

Poori shaam aur raat isi baare mein baar baar discussion chhidta raha, jyadatar Kajal hi Sahil ko alag alag advice de rahi thi. "You know… maine hazar baar kaha hai… you need to be more assertive... par tum sunte hi nahi ho..."

Sahil ne fir se majak kiya. "Ab aaj hi saari angrezi sikha dogi kya?"

"You know what I mean na… you need to be confident to ask for what you deserve..."

"Areee…. woh toh hamesha rehta hoon… tabhi toh tum mujhe mili."

Un dono ka pyaar bhara hasi majak khatam nahi ho raha tha, par raat tak sote sote Sahil ke mann mein kuch ghar karne laga tha. Shayad Kajal sahi keh rahi thi, use is baar apne haq ke liye ladna hi chahiye. Par Dixit se ladne ka matlab tha career suicide.
Uska haq Dixit ne nahi, us nayi ladki ne chheena tha.

Raat ke andhere mein chhat ko ghoorte hue Sahil ke honthon par ek halki si muskaan aayi.

Agar Saloni ko lagta hai ki woh Mumbai se aakar itni aasani se us par hukumat karegi, toh kal se use pata chalne wala hai ki ek nayi jagah pair jamana kitna mushkil hota hai. Kal se dekhte hain ki woh kaise co-lead karti hai – bina team ke, bina information ke, aur bina uske support ke.