"No holiday on 7th and 8th of November. Am I clear?" My boss asked looking at everybody and as soon as he got a meek reply in 'Yes' from everyone, he left to his cabin.

I was sad and other staffs too. Afterall, our diwali off was cancelled. Why? Just because our boss hates it.

I knocked the door and entered in his cabin.

"Good noon Sir."

"Good noon Nandini. Please have a seat dear" he passed me a warm smile that always gave me a fatherly feeling. "So how is the progress with Mukti?"

"She is doing more than expected Sir. Afterall her dedication and hardwork comes from her dad. And I am sure she will speak really well in a month's time without stammering" I spoke confidently.

He had a very big proud smile on his face. "How can I ever be thankful to you Nandini for doing this much for me and my daughter. You have not only been a staff of my office but also a great friend to Mukti."

"My pleasure Sir. Thank you. Umm... Sir can I rest this Wednesday, as there's an appointment of you and Mukti, to see her improvements. And your schedule is also made for the week." I asked hopefully with my fingers crossed.

My heartbeat stopped and I was turning slightly cold as he looked at me with suspicion. "And there's a 100% guarantee that reports will be positive" I continued making him overjoyed.

"Sure. After all, I know how tiresome it is to teach someone speak properly when she haven't uttered a word for years."

A big smile etched on my face but I covered it immediately as I stood up and thanked him. I turned to leave but stopped and said, "Thank you so much Sir and Happy Diwali."

"Happy Di... Wait!" He shouted as I was about to open the door and I mentally face palmed myself. I turned to him and he was already giving me death glares. He opened his mouth to speak something but again gulped the words as if he became speechless. "Smart" he said after a minutes pause with full incredulity and amusement. He gestured me to leave and I was giggling slowly at his state.

I am like a daughter to him and he never gets angry on me too. He is a fun guy but also a strict boss. He never discriminates between his staffs but he is a man of words too.

Once again I stopped at the door and went towards him. "Sir, I know 19 years back, Diwali left a trauma on small Multi making her voice lost in some darkest of corner. But we can't always run away from life and, accidents are a major part of life. If it has happiness then, sadness too. We can't hate roses for it has thorns, right? Sir, hydrophobia can't be overcomed unless we decide to go into the water. So same way, I think we should let Mukti face the problem to heal her" I spoke and found him lost in my words. I smiled a bit and left him alone.

As soon as office hours finished, I came to the exit with my belongings and ran in my love's arm. My Manik, my fiance and my boyfriend. And also my whole world. His arms were my peace and I squealed as he picked me up a little. We pulled apart and he questioned me, "So holiday on Diwali?"

I made a sulking face. "He cancelled all the leaves on 7th and 8th. But still I managed to get a leave on this Wednesday and..." I dragged.

"And?" he asked with a bad face because our special program of Diwali was at stake.

"Andddd... Fortunately 7th and Wednesday coincides... " I shouted in amazement to see his reaction but it took him a whole minute to interpret the meaning.

"What??" he was laughing hysterically. "Salute to you yaar. Madam Nandu is so smart" he said saluting me. His laugh is always magical that I forget myself in them.

"I was born smart" I winked. My mobile went off as I received a message from my boss.

'Nandini,

I think I could give a party to my employees and their families on the night of 8th of November. Wanna join? I won't mind meeting Manik too. And 7th would be off for everyone else too.

Thank you beta for everything!
God bless you. '

I am really glad to have a boss like him. But suddenly I realized something and turned to Manik. "How does he know you Manik?" I folded my hands across my chest.

He bit his lips and scratched his hairs and said, "I called you once but he picked up."

"And?" I asked him to continue while he started looking here and there.

Manik showed his 32 teeth before speaking, "I thought him as peon and shouted at him for not taking proper care of you. And maybe... I also asked him to save you from your khadus Sir."

As he completed, I was blank and in dilemma that whether to scold him or to smile at him.

–——————

Do tell me your reaction guys 😋😉

And love to all for showering  your love on the previous part❤❤❤.