Chapter 42: Junior
She had a short stature, her black hair was pulled into a bun…and was staring at Aanya, who had just closed the door.
“What, interested?” Cabir whispered in Aakash’s ear.
“What nonsense are you uttering now?!” He groaned. “I just think we’ve met before.”
“Yeah, never heard that pickup line. Why don’t you call her out in front of Aanya?” Cabir goaded him.
Just as Aakash elbowed him in the ribs, his and the young woman’s eyes met. She gave him a short bow before turning back to Aanya, catching her attention.
As the duo’s eyes met, the young woman squealed, “Aanya didi!”
Jui lifted her head in surprise from where she was gathering her documents, while Aarav looked curiously at the young lady.
“Now, that’s unprofessional.” Cabir murmured.
“Could you just shut up for a while? It’d be nice.” Aakash just shook his head helplessly.
“Didi?” Aanya’s lip curled slightly upwards, “So, we have met? I had a feeling I knew you.”
“Ah…of course you don’t recognise me. it’s been so many years.” The young lady smiled wryly, face flushing in embarrassment, “I’m Mihika.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell.” Cabir shrugged as he whispered.
“That’s because you weren’t a part of the orchestra team during our Annual Day functions,” Aakash spoke matter-of-factly. “I recognise her now. She was a junior. She was around…umm, I think, two years younger than us? I’m not exactly sure. What I do remember well is that she was one of the three best violinists alongside Aanya.”
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He patted Cabir on the shoulder before addressing Mihika, “It has really been a very long time, Mihika.”
“Aakash...bhaiyya.” Mihika added the honorific after a short pause.
“Pfft!” Cabir couldn’t control himself anymore, “Hahahaha! Aanya gets called ‘didi’ without a hitch but you…sad life, Aakash.”
Mihika went scarlet in the face when she saw the laughing tall man as he slapped his helpless friend in the back.
“It…it’s not like that!” She rushed to clarify,” Aakash bhaiyya always told us not to be that respectful; the ones who were younger by a few years. That’s why I said it! It’s not because-”
Aakash waved her off, “I understand, don’t mind it. Cabir just loves exaggerating and forcefully misunderstanding things.”
“Hey, that’s slander!” He adopted a mock horrified expression, “I will-”
“Leave the room and come back when I am called.” Aanya finished for him. As he looked over, she glared at him frostily, “We have work to do. You can mess around with Aakash in another room.”
Giving her a mock salute, waving at Mihika and nodding at Jui, Cabir marched out with Aarav in tow.
Aakash smiled apologetically, “My apologies for the commotion, Ms. Jui.”
“Yes, I’m sorry for delaying the work. Must be weird, being surrounded by people who are all old acquaintances.” Aanya sighed.
“No, no! Nothing of the sort!” Jui waved her hands hurriedly, “I am the one imposing when it’s your off day! It’s nothing! Though…” She turned to Mihika, “Now I get why you requested to accompany me.”
Turning to Aanya, she spoke, “Let me formally introduce you. Mihika is one of our PR Dept. Managers. Two of them were going to accompany me on the trip here for the cooperation and Mihika volunteered. She’s hardly ever volunteered for trips. So, I was surprised.”
“Oh?” Aanya raised an eyebrow at which the girl glanced down in embarrassment. “Well, let’s get along well together, then! Though, that shouldn’t be very difficult!”
“Ye-yes! Let’s do our best!” Mihika nodded vigorously as she made her way to the sofa to sit next to Jui. Aanya too made her way over, sitting opposite them.
“So, what was so urgent that you wanted to meet me out of the blue, Jui?” Aanya asked as she switched on her laptop.
“It’s regarding a clause in this document. Mihika?”
“Here…”
Aakash slipped out of the room, drawing the curtains between the living room and the dining room as the three women began their discussion.