Chapter 3 Love is in the air

   The next morning as soon as he enters his office he asks Sujata to come to his office.

"May I come in sir." Sujata stood near the door.

"Please come in." Raj stared at her. She was looking gorgeous in a simple Kurti and leggings.

"Good morning sir, your coffee . and you asked for me." Sujata kept the coffee mug on the table oblivious of his gaze on her.

" Good morning and thanks for the coffee. I think the place you live in is not safe and fit for living.  If you don't mind, you can shift into the staff quarters which are provided by the company for those workers who don't have any place to live, especially females." He explained the company's policy. One reason was to keep her near himself.

"Thank you sir I would be happy to accommodate in, as it will be easier for me." She was happy as now she will not have to find a mode of transport.

"That's all you can go now." Raj waved her to go.

            Raj pov

    She is looking so pretty in her light pink dress. Her skin is extremely soft and her lips look inviting. If she would have stayed for another minute I would have kissed her, I think I have started loving her.  

   The sudden ringing of the phone brought him back from his trance.

"Hello ma, how are you and Simmi?" Raj asked his mother.

"We are fine, how are you? When are you coming? It has been a long time?" Rajini asked him with yearning.

"I will come soon and this time I want you both to come with me." Raj was adamant about bringing his mother and sister.

" Please Raj, I don't want to leave this place. It has so many memories of your father." Rajini didn't want to leave her house as it had lots of memories of his father.

"We will talk when I come." Raj reluctantly dropped the topic.  

" As you wish. Bye, take care." Rajini sighed.

"Bye, mom. " Raj hung the phone.

   These days Raj was too busy with the annual function of the company. Moreover, he was quite impressed with the capabilities of Sujata, her way of explaining things, her perspective, proposition, everything impressed her a lot. He was feeling attracted to her.

     Day after tomorrow is the function when he was thinking of letting his feelings be known to Sujata. He thought of cross-checking her feelings towards him before taking any decision.

  Sujata entered the cabin 

" May I come in, sir." Sujata stood at the door and asked for his permission.

"Yes, Sujata." He was unable to avert his eyes from her.

"Sir, do you want something? You asked me?" He gestured for her to take a seat.

" Are you seeing someone.?" She nodded, " How do you find me as a person.?"

   "I didn't get what you were asking." Sujata looked bewildered.

   " You look to me as your boss but as a person, Raj, how do you feel about it?" He started his fact.

   "You are a nice person, caring, understanding and loving... The  girl who will marry you would be lucky." There was a tint of red on her face while speaking the last part. 

   "Since I have so many qualities, about which I don't know. " He chuckled." Will you be my date for the function.?" He got from his seat and forwarded his hand to her.

" She stuttered," b.....b..but sir I'm your secretary and it won't look nice. People will think I'm taking advantage. Moreover, it is a high-end party and accompanying your means to be in the limelight. Please, no sir."

"I don't care about what people say.  I do whatever I feel like. Don't bother about your dress. They would be taken care of. You just need to doll up and be my date." Raj forwarded his hand which she took with meditation. His hand was on her waist, he looked at her with an intense gaze. Blood rushed to her cheeks making them red. His proximity was sending shivers down her body.

                  Sujata pov

Raj has invited me as his girlfriend which is not right. Everyone will think that I am taking advantage. He is even sending me a dress for the party which I don't think is right but he is not listening to me. What should I do god please help me?

                  Raj pov 

      She accepted my proposal and even thinks highly of me. On the day of the function, I will propose to her in front of everyone and then marry her. I will send her the blue saree that I had seen in the shop another day. It will look beautiful on her and will give her the pearl set that would go with the saree. 

    It was the day of the function. Everyone at the office was given a  holiday as they would be busy with functions. Her doorbell was ringing continuously. She opened the door and was amazed.

"I came to pick you up but before that, I want to talk to you." Raj was continuously blabbering.

"Where are my manners? Raj, please come in." She hit her forehead with her hands. She led her to the couch and sat opposite of him. 

   After Sujata seats, Raj continues," You are looking gorgeous. I think I'm in love with you. " He stroked his hand in his hair, which she noticed he does when he is nervous.

Sujata was surprised and shocked on hearing this hence was unable to utter anything after a few minutes when she came out from her trance Sujata spoke, "how can I marry you, you are my boss our status in society is quite different moreover your family won't accept me. People would talk about us please, sir we can't be together even if I want to it is impossible." Sujata kept on blabbering.

"I have talked to my mother and she is more than happy to know it and I don't care about people they will talk today, and will forget tomorrow you need not reply right now you can think it over. Let us get going, we are getting late and I don't want to be late for my function." Raj got up from his seat and strode towards the door. 

                 Flashback

      In a room of a mansion, a phone was ringing. A woman came and picked up the phone.

   " Hello, who is speaking?" The lady picked up the ringing mobile.

  "Hello ma, it's me, Raj"  

   "I picked it up without realising who the caller ID is." Rajini chuckled at her clumsiness.

  " My dear mother India, please don't feel bad. I had called to talk about something serious." Raj didn't want her mother to feel embarrassed. 

  "I'm in love. She is a nice girl, but she is my secretary and is an orphan. " Raj concluded with a sigh. 

    " Wow, my son is finally fulfilling my wish. I'm so happy today. It doesn't matter if she is an orphan, I'm there for her. If you both are fine, I have no problem." Rajini chuckled and they chatted for some more time and then hung up as the time for the gala was nearing.

              Flashback Ends