Two hours passed by since her new boss assigned her first task as his PA. In these two hours, she did nothing but remain quiet and bored on her desk.

"What kind of work am I doing here? Just sit on my desk and do nothing! Will I be paid for doing nothing at the end of this month?" she wondered, sighing as she placed her both elbows on top of the desk and rested her chin in between her both palms, visibly bored.

It's only a few minutes later that she heard the sound of her boss's cabin door open, and she became alerted, sitting straight and swiftly keeping her hands under the desk. She instantly masked a composed look on her face and looked in his direction, anticipating a task coming on her way, only to get completely ignored by her boss who didn't even acknowledge her presence there and walked towards the elevators side.

Her shoulders dropped in defeat as she rolled her eyes, giving up even the tiny little hope that she would her move her tiny delicate fingers to do some work here in AR today. It's seems her boss is hell-bent on being easy with her on her first day. Is it?

He came back in minutes, and this time, she
decided she would pretend to scribble something on a blank paper instead of looking at his direction as it would leave a bad impression that she was following his every movement.

However, it seems her idea wasn't that good as she felt his feet halt at the entrance of the door, and she immediately dropped the pen on her desk and lifted her eyes to see why he stopped at the door of the cabin suddenly, only to get her heart skip a beat in fear as she realised he had his intimidating eyes fixed on her all this while.

She gulped, getting up from her seat awkwardly and lowering her eyes in shame.

He didn't say anything and walked inside his cabin. When he left, Khushi sighed in relief, rubbing her chest with her palm to calm her rapid heartbeats. "He didn't even scold me, and I got scared with just one look of his.. Hey DM, please save me from this monster.. Aman was right. He's indeed a Papa ka Rakshas!"

She sat on her chair with a thud, picking up her bottle of water to take a few sips, "What did I do wrong? He's not giving me any work to do, so I can only play with these pen and papers to pass time only. He was glaring at me as if he only wanted me to sit here like a statue and wait for his orders."

*****************************************

Their working hours ended, and it was time for Aman and Khushi to head back home. But today, they were going to Khushi's house first to celebrate her first day at work.

Aman finally managed to find a rickshaw available during the peak-hours rush in Mumbai to drop them at Khushi's house. He walked back to take Khushi, who was waiting for him, seated at a bus stop bench.

Holding her hand firmly in his, they rushed to the rickshaw, waiting for them.

"What happened? Are you okay, Khushi?" Aman asked once they got in the rickshaw and made themselves comfortable in the seat. He gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand as he looked into her eyes, looking for answers. 

Khushi closed her eyes momentarily as if calming herself under the soothing effect of his touch. When she opened her eyes, she frowned slightly as she started to narrate to him her first day of experience at her work.

"You were right.. he's a Papa ka Rakshas!" she ended pouting.

"See, this is why I told you that you don't need to work. Me and Shyam bhai are there to handle our wedding expenses. But you didn't listen to me and went ahead with your friend Anjali's idea," Aman frowned slightly as he looked away, shaking his head at her immature decision of applying for this job.

"Aman, you know I need this job because I want to be able to financially help Shyam bhaiya and relieve this pressure he's feeling with my wedding and the coming expenses on our way when his business is not doing well currently. We already discussed this!" Khushi spoke in a serious tone.

"Fine then.. Then work for the man who threw hot coffee in my face!" came his pissed off, sarcastic reply to end the argument between them.

Khushi's mouth opened slightly in disbelief,
before she indignantly spoke, "Look who's talking.. the one who accepted an increase in salary offer from that man's father instead of taking an action against the man who threw hot coffee in his face!!"

Aman finally turned his face to give her a serious look, "So what would have I done? We have only a few months left for our wedding, and I can't afford to lose this job and get in a legal battle with that Rakshas over this stupid incident. If his father is offering me a raise in my salary, then what wrong did I do in accepting it? Khushi, I did this for our good.. I accepted this humiliation and swallowed my pride because I want a better future for us."

Khushi mellowed down a bit, hearing his explanation as she spoke softly, trying to make him understand her side of the story, "And I'm doing the same for my brother Aman. If I leave this job, then it will be difficult for me to find another, and you know my time is counting."

Aman sighed, nodding his head as if finally giving in to her reasonings.

Khushi held her ears cutely, whispering sorry to him. Although he smiled a little, he still looked away, pretending to be upset with her.

Khushi glanced at the rickshaw driver to check if he had his eyes on them or the road before she leaned closer to Aman and quickly pecked his cheek shyly, "Ab theek hai? (Is it okay now?)" she asked.

Aman couldn't help but show her his full-fledged dimpled smile, "Hmm.. not really. It's still paining here.." he pointed his  other cheek, "and here, " then on his forehead with his index finger, "and -"

"Aman," Khushi looked at him seriously, "Is your face still burning?"

"NO! I'm just teasing you, Khushi.. har baat ko itna seriously nahi lete hai (it's not necessary to take everything seriously)," he said, pinching her nose.

Khushi still looked at him suspiciously, "I don't trust you.. you're lying to me so I don't get worried."

"Leave me, just forget this incident.. it was nothing, okay. You just promise me that if that good-for-nothing man, ASR ever misbehaves or treats you unfairly, then you're not going to think twice before handing over your resignation letter to him, okay?" he said with a concerned tone.

"Stop calling him good-for-nothing, Aman! That man is working non-stop on his first day of work, and as we head home, he's still there working in AR,"

"Khushi, you're unbelievable.. you're defending that spoiled brat in front of me," he widened his eyes in disbelief.

"I'm not defending him, Aman. I know what he did with you was completely wrong, and he looks like a Rakshas who scares people around him.. but calling him a good-for-nothing won't make you right either."

"You know Khushi, you're so innocent! It's his first day, so it's quite obvious he will try to create an impression that he's intimidating and that he works so hard in front of his employees. I'm sure inside his cabin, he was intoxicating himself with drugs or something.. and you think he was working," Aman chuckled, shaking his head at her, "And this is just the start.. be ready to see models walk in and out of his cabin every now and then. Then you'll understand the lifestyle of these rich, spoiled brats."

Khushi gulped. She was already scared to step into this corporate world. She won't lie. And Aman letting her know the dark side of this world is making it worse for her. Was Aman right? Will she be able to work in a world completely different from her 'choti si duniya', which consists of a simple, happy with small dreams family?

"Achcha, don't be scared.. main hoon na!" Aman said to calm her as soon as he saw the change of expressions on her face.

Khushi immediately side-hugged him, hiding her face on the crook of his neck, shutting her eyes tightly. She only feels protected around her Shyam bhai and Aman in this world.

*****************************************

Gupta House - Flat number 3

As soon as Shyam opened the door, he was pulled into a tight hug by his sister, and the protective brotherly mode of his was instantly activated as he placed his hand over her head gently and worriedly asked, "Kya hua Titaliya? Tum theek ho?

Khushi broke the hug to face him. She nodded her head with a faint smile, "I'm fine, bhaiya."

"Don't lie to me. Why did you suddenly hug me like this? Kuch hua hai kya?" Shyam asked panicking, he looked at Aman standing behind them, "Aman tum hi batao.. kya hua AR mein?"

Before Aman could reply, Khushi interrupted him and spoke, "It's nothing bhaiya.. It's just that I missed you and our choti si duniya. You were right when you said the corporate world is not going to treat me the same way you do, like a princess."

Shyam looked at her as if trying to read her face before he asked her seriously, "Khushi sach sach batao kya hua hai.. if anyone said or did anything to you, then I won't spare that person, and you don't need to work in that place anymore."

"I'm saying the truth only, my dear brother.. nothing happened," Khushi cupped his face with her palms, "In fact, you won't believe I didn't even work today.. just sat there bored all day," she pouted.

"What?" Shyam frowned.

"Haan.. you said na my boss won't treat me like a princess, but here he's treating me like a Queen already," Khushi giggled.

Aman rolled his eyes but kept quiet. They promised not to reveal anything that happened in AR to Shyam bhai as it would get him tensed unnecessarily.

"Really?" Shyam asked suspiciously.

"Haan ji!" Khushi smiled widely, "And do you remember your promise? My jalebis?"

Shyam moved aside to let them in with a smile on his face, "Yes, yes.. I bought your jalebis ma'am. Come inside first!!"

"Thank you, sir!! You're the best," Khushi made a salute gesture, giggling chirpily as she made her way inside her house and directly landed in the kitchen, searching for her jalebis.

Shyam and Aman followed her, smiling at her antics.

"Didn't you invite Anjali for our small party?" Shyam asked Khushi, who was busy stealing one jalebi from the box.

Khushi pouted, "Di nahi aayegi (Di will not come).. MY BOSS AKA ASR is actually DI'S BROTHER. Today is the first day of work for both of us. So I guess their family must have planned a celebration party for him as well."

Shyam's face fell, yet he nodded his head understandingly.

"Chalo.. serve us dinner Khushi. I'm damn hungry," Aman said as he rushed to wash his hands.

"Okay," Khushi replied. Shyam moved to help his little sister set the dinner table.

*****************************************

AR Mansion

It was around 11:30 p.m., when Arnav finally reached home. He stood in the living room, watching his sister doing something on her laptop. However, his attention turned to Mohan Kaka, who came running up to him and took his office bag and coat from his hand hurriedly.

"Are there no other servants in this mansion besides you, Kaka?" he asked in a no-nonsense cold tone.

"Hai na, beta (there are, son), but you came back home after so many years.. let me take care of you now," the old man smiled with teary eyes.

Arnav didn't say anything after that. He straight away went upstairs to his room to freshen up and then came back downstairs to have his dinner. 

Anjali joined him in the dining room. She sat on the chair opposite to his and earned a subtle, annoyed look from him. Maybe he didn't like her presence around him anymore. She thought and let go of that thought as she decided to initiate a conversation with him.

"How was your first day?" she asked in a low tone.

"I'm not in school to be asked such stupid questions," came his rude and cold reply.

Anjali sighed. It seems like no one in this family likes her anymore.

"Arnav beta, the first day of anything we do in our life is always special. The first day you learn how to walk or eat with your hands, first day of school, first day of college and work, first day you drive a cycle or a car, first day of your married life and so on. It's always the first day that makes us feel nervous and excited to step into a new journey and fill our lives with new experiences. Haina (right)?" Mohan Kaka said as he happily served food on Arnav's plate for him.

Arnav didn't reply as expected. It was Anjali who nodded her head vigorously, agreeing with Mohan Kaka, "You're absolutely right, Kaka!"

Mohan Kaka smiled, his attention shifted to Arnav again, "Khao beta.. khao. Today, I asked the cook to prepare your favourite  aloo ghobi."

Arnav silently started eating his food, while Anjali tried to speak with him again.

"If you don't want to talk about yourself, then tell me what you think of your new PA?" Anjali asked curiously. After all, it's about her friend.

"Why are you so interested to know about my PA?" he asked in a counter-attack tone.

Anjali felt as if she was chatting with her enemy, not her own brother now!

"She's my friend," she sighed.

The moment she revealed the relation she shares with Khushi, she could see a change in her brother's demeanour, as he shifted his attention from his plate to her with an intimidating gaze, "My PA is your friend?" his tone husky and cold making her contemplate if she did the right thing by telling him about Khushi being her friend.

Anjali nodded hesitantly.

"How did she got this position?" he asked sternly.

Anjali could see him gritting his teeth as if trying to control himself from bursting out in anger at her.

"Voh.. CV.. I.."

"Cut the crap Di!" Anjali could visualise the impatience and rising anger through his cold blooded eyes and she knew it was better to speak the truth before Khushi face the worst consequences of her acts.

Mohan Kaka was a silent spectator in this conversation between the siblings. He could have left long ago, but knowing how short tempered his Arnav beta had become over the years, he decided to stay there in case his intervention was needed.

"I was the one who recommended her name to the HR Department," Anjali replied, her head dropped in fear to maintain the eye contact with Arnav.

"And what are exactly her qualifications?" he asked.

"She's 12th pass.."

"Oh high school graduate. Any experience in this field?"

Anjali nodded sideways, "No, she doesn't have any experience but she's a fast learner.."

"Di the first thing you're going to do tomorrow is handover the termination letter to your friend aka my ex-PA! Am I clear?" he didn't wait for her explanation and announced his decision in a firm, no-nonsense tone.

"Please don't this.. Arnav she needs this job badly.. she's getting married soon and she needs to help her elder brother financially to take care of the wedding and household expenses," Anjali looked at him helplessly and pleading him thorough her eyes to understand Khushi's situation.

Arnav glared at her, "Do I look like I care? And you better disappear from my face and let me have my dinner peacefully before I take drastic measures to deal with you and  your friend."

Anjali looked at him teary-eyed, before she dejectedly left the dining hall.

"Arnav beta that girl.. Anjali bitiya's friend.. she's getting married.. you helped me when I wanted to organize my daughter's wedding.. if possible, you can help that girl too.." Mohan Kaka intervened hesitantly, fidgeting his hands nervously and keep his gaze fixed on the floor.

"So you're implying that my new duty is to finance random people's weddings now Kaka?" Arnav asked sarcastically. He was seriously losing his appetite now with the constant nagging from Anjali and now Mohan Kaka.

"Aisi baat nahi hai beta.. if you help someone in your life, then that person will keep you in their prayers and you'll get the blessings from the Almighty in form of anything you wished for that will be granted to you."

"Acchhi baatein karna toh koi aap se sekhe Kaka (One should learn how to speak good from you). But if you think practically, then hiring someone who is 12th pass and has no experience as PA to backup her CV is equal to hiring someone who will create more problems for me instead of helping me solve them!" Arnav said as he continued to eat his food.

Mohan Kaka stood there trying to understand his Arnav beta's words, "But beta.. there are many people in this world who are just waiting for that one opportunity to prove themselves. Maybe this girl is one of them."

"Your delusion is giving me migraine now Kaka," Arnav shook his head in disbelief.

Mohan Kaka looked at him innocently, not understanding what he meant.

Arnav sighed, "Okay, I'll become Santa and finance that girl's wedding. Happy now?"

Mohan Kaka smiled brightly, "That means-"

Arnav rolled his eyes, "Yeah, that's exactly what it means. I'm not going to fire her from the job."

When Arnav finished his food, he got up to leave but stopped on his way as he turned to Mohan Kaka who was collecting his plate from the table, "And Kaka.. I don't eat aloo gobhi anymore. Inform the cook to make british food for me tomorrow."

"Ji beta," Mohan Kaka nodded sadly. He stared at Arnav's retreating figure, "Bohot badal gaya mera ladka (my boy changed a lot).

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Here's the new updated. Hope you'll enjoyed reading this chapter. 

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