Recap: A Surprise for Malu - The cartoon party.

"Dadu, why are you not answering? How many times should I ask you whether did you have your medicines?" Meenakshi shouted from her room for the third time.

"How many times will I tell you Meenu? Yes, I had."

Meenakshi rushed towards the hall and started observing her Dadu who is now reading the newspaper like nothing happened.

"Did you answer before? I didn't hear."she said in a low tone.
Dadu stoop up walking towards Meenu and held her shoulder.

"It's because you are not in this world. Your mind is roaming around people who can't come back anymore. It's time you should forget the past and move on beti."

"I can forget everything that happened in my life. But not this day."she walked back to her room taking her bag and packed the lunch box inside it. She didnt meet Dadu's eyes.

"Can't see you like this on every year this day."Dadu muttered while leaning back towards the wall.

"This day marks the beginning of all tragedies in my life. How can I forget? May be I can forget my parents' death anniversary. But can I forget my mommy and daddy?"she asked while thinking about her olden days. Unknowingly her tear drop occupied her eye corner. She let it flow.

"Meenu, it's ok. I know how much it hurts you. Sometimes if we can forget the worst part of our life, it's a blessing. But no one can easily forget their most loving parents."

She smiled faintly.
"Don't worry Dadu. I am just sad. That's all. It's just for a day and tomorrow I can again become the same Meenu."

Dadu nodded his head agreeing with her.

"It's already late. Shall I leave?"she asked after giving a side hug to Dadu.

"Are you sure that you want to go to office in this bad mood?"he asked.

"Yes Dadu. I can't stay here like this. Atleast there I can indulge into my works relaxing myself."she replied while slowly walking outside.

"In that case you better go."
"Good bye Dadu. Have your meals at correct time"
She walked past him without turning back.
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It was really a bad day for Meenakshi. Not only because it's her parents' death anniversary, but she was very late to office because of the traffic jam. She had to literally beg to the manager to get the attendance book. Usually she used to argue with him until he says sorry allowing her to sign. But today she have no strength for anything. She walked inside her cabin only to see a bunch of works already waiting for her to complete. She sighed while taking a seat on the chair.

Time was passing fast and she didn't even check for once whether Ram came or not. She was so busy with her works when Abhiram rushed into her cabin.

"Hey when did you come? Didn't feel to show your face to me even for once? That's so cruel."
He took a seat beside her on another chair. She simply smiled at him while going back to her works.

"Seems like Meenakshi madam is so busy today."he raised her eye brows at her.
"Sorry Ram. I didn't get time to come to your cabin."she said.
"Do you want my help?"he asked while rolling on the chair.
"No I can do it myself. You go to your cabin. I will come when I becomes free" she said.

"But I am completely free today. So I think I can help you for a day."he said joyfully.

"What's this Ram? What would your staffs think about us?"she asked seriously.

"When did Meenakshi become conscious about what others think about her?"he asked funnily and she kept quiet for a while. She didnt want to raise her voice against him because of her bad mood. It was the last thing she wish to happen.

She started continuing her work without giving attention to his statement. It made him confused.

"Why I am feeling like you are trying to avoid me?"he asked and she looked at him with her eyes widened.

"If you feel so, it's not my problem when I don't have that intention. But yes, now I am not in a mood to talk with you and even wants to avoid you."she said in her most calm tone.

"Meenu, are you ok?"he asked standing up and touched her forehead.
She nodded her head.
"You are feeling so strange today."
She faked a smile.

"What happened? Did anyone come to fight with you? That boys...??"he was anxious.
"No Ram. I am just ok. Now please leave."

"Ok then I am going. Let's meet when you are in a good mood."
He walked out little offended. She didnt mind it since she was sure that she can make him understand later.

She continued working. But after that, he used to come to her cabin at regular intervals to check her and ensure that she is well. He framed various reasons for it. She could only smile for his antics.

When he came for the 7th time on the excuse of finding a file that he might have forgotten in her cabin, she held his hand and stopped him.
"Ram I am ok. You don't worry. And I am sorry if I hurted you unknowingly."she said.
He smiled.

"May I know why are you sad today?"he asked hopefully.
"That.... I...I will tell later."she assured and he nodded his head.
He again went out to give her some space that she needs now.

It's been 11:30 am when he again came with a glass of tea in his hands.
She was amazed.
"When did our MD appoint a new peon here?"she asked giggling.
"What a joke? But not in a mood to laugh."he faked laughing.

He gave the tea to her.
"For you, to lighten your mood."

"Tea at the time of lunch. Nice"she whispered while taking a sip from it.
"Thanks Ram. You are so sweet. Really I am feeling better now. It's my luck to have such a friend to lighten my bad moods."she said.

"In that case I can take better care of you and make you always feel good if you give me a promotion to your husband post."he said and her smile vanished.
Probably the wrong time to discuss such a topic.
"Can we discuss it some other time?"she asked.
"Didn't I tell you that you are avoiding me? More precisely whenever this topic comes. Now see."he said.

"Ram it's not like that."she argued.
"You are always comfortable with my friendship and care. But you don't want my love. And that's the truth. I don't know why. Am I not good to love?"he said and she stood up.

"When did I tell that?"she was angry.
"Then why are you arguing with me now? Whatever I said is exactly true. I think earlier you used to love me. But now you don't want to see me in that position. "he stood up facing her.

"Ram, dont you want anything from me except this love? Dont you value my friendship, don't you consider me as a good colleague? All you want is just an I love you from me."she shouted loudly this time.

It was too late to realize what she said in anger. They both turned to see their entire staffs surrounding them in shock. Abhiram was embarrassed and she closed her eyes realizing what just happened. He became pale and looked at her angrily.

"Ram, I am sorry. Really sorry. I didn't mean that."she said holding his hand. But he jerked her hands away and stormed out of the office angrily. She followed him but he didn't stop for her and drove the car fast away.

"What have I done?"she stood there like a statue cursing herself for the stupidity.
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Precap: Abhiram is sad - his mother's idea.

A short chapter considering the serious mood of this part.

Those who are interested please take a look on my new story; "Ms.Quiet v/s A Noisy World"
Prologue is now available in my profile.