Flames - Ep 9

EPISODE NINE

“Ah!” Anjali sighed contentedly as the warm liquid seeped down her throat. The throbbing ache in her head reduced considerably. Finishing her black coffee, she was just about to leave for her cabin when she heard an unbearably loud squeaky voice on the table next to hers.

Anjali’s headache came back at once.

With a cuss word on the tip of her tongue, Anjali was ready to lash out at the ‘apple of MBC’s eyes’, when the name Kashmir caught her attention.

“Arrey yaar! NK, I am serious! Don’t you think it’s a bit weird that this party has suddenly organized a peace rally in Kashmir? I bet you if I could go there, I’ll have uncovered the entire backstory of the rally,” Khushi said, her eyes shining in excitement like a child’s.

“Khush, kuch bhi! I know you’ve been pretty famous this week for your stories, but honestly this is a bit stretched. This time you don’t even have evidence. Just because you feel something’s wrong… kheir chor. And I must say that you have pretty ambitious dreams! It’s been barely over a month since you joined and you’re already dreaming of being nothing less than a senior reporter, eh?” NK said, with a look of fond disbelief at his friend.

“Arrey! What’s wrong with dreaming?!” Khushi raised her hands and stormed away.

Anjali raised her eyebrows and walked thoughtfully to her cabin. Though she had an undisguised hatred for Khushi for being nothing less than a babydoll, she had to accept that Khushi had made sense.

But was that enough for a promotion?

Easing herself into her chair, she turned the pages of Khushi’s file with an air of contemplation. Repositioning her spectacles, she began reading aloud in a desperate attempt to take an unbiased decision.

“The GTV exposé and a connection with the Mehrotra scam. Then Kapoor’s case and that infamous interview. Lastly, terrorist attack and her survivor’s tale. Pretty impressive for major leads!” Anjali hummed to herself, as she turned through Krish’s eloquently written notes of appreciation.

“Hmm assisting Mehak with the background research for the fiscal budget coverage, conducting the pre-election opinion polls, assisting Aman with Narayan Murthy’s interview and Trisha with the coverage of the rave party at Olive’s… well not bad at all!” Anjali mused. She quickly leafed through accounts of other stories covered by her, and a brief note from Krish on her ability to collect news from the most unexpected corners, and her sensitive handling of certain political events in the past month.

“No matter how much I hate that miss goody two-shoes, I have to admit that she’s good. But… what if this is nothing but a stroke of luck? She could have just chanced upon these cases and made it big…what’s this?” Anjali frowned, as she noticed a brown government-sealed envelope on her table.

Tearing the side of the envelope carefully, she took a quick glance at the contents.

“Dang it…” Anjali cussed, half smilingly.

“Dang it!”

---

Khushi shook in her sleeveless shirt as she sat on top of a hill in Kashmir. She cursed her luck as snow began to fall.

The scenario was perfect for romance, except that it required a nearly poikilothermic heroine! Kashmir was a beauty, no doubt… if only there were flowers showering down on her from the heavens instead of snow!

“Oh my God!” Khushi gasped, as there was a shower of flowers on her head. She turned around, to behold Krish smirking at her.

“How do you want me to be?” he asked.

Khushi frowned “Matlab?” (What do you mean?)

Krish donned a black jacket and a hat with a feather. “The Romantic Raj...” he said, as Khushi’s eyes widened on finding herself right in middle of a mustard field, enveloped in his arms.

“Or…” Khushi whispered, as the stage set on fire and Krish grabbed her arm and twisted it to plaster her back to his frame. “Or The Angsty Haider?” his lips grazed her ears brazenly.

Khushi’s heart beat faster in trepidation and anticipation all at once. “Or…” she whispered.

“Khushi?”

“A… NK!” Khushi almost screamed in shock and fear. She coloured, when a few heads turned in her direction. NK stepped back with an embarrassed smile.

“Yaar… what’s wrong? If you had screamed even a little louder, then everyone would have thought I was murdering you!”

Khushi shook her head, still a little dazed. NK, amused by her confused actions,  nudged her “You do remember that your deadline ends within two hours? Sometimes I wonder if reporting had daydreaming involved as well.” He winked at her, and received a prompt whack on his shoulder.

“Really? Me and daydreaming? That too of Raizada Sir?! You seem to be daydreaming instead.” Khushi blabbered and started hurriedly setting up her desk, when she found NK shaking with laughter.

“Khushi, do you know the best part about this?” he said, unable to control his laughter.

“What?” she snapped back, making NK laugh harder.

“I didn’t even speak of Arnav sir.” he said, hugely amused, while Khushi’s eyes widened in shock and she coughed in embarrassment. “No issues child, this is the first step of loouuu…”

“Shut up, NK! Let me get some work done!” she said, unable to think of an appropriate retort.

“And NK, let me continue to dream till my wedding and…” NK mimicked Khushi, who hit him on the head with a file “Ow!”

“Serves you right! Anyway, all I was saying was loan me a little extra amount, yaar. I think it will be a very good idea if we try to dig into the party's internal corruption and try to reach the bottom of this so called peace rally…”

“Who’s your source?”

Khushi and NK turned to find Akash smiling at them. “Sir?” Khushi asked.

“Who’s your source regarding this information?” Akash repeated, with a smile.

Khushi looked flustered. “Sir, this is just my inst…” she started, but was checked by NK.

“See Khush. This isn’t your GTV expose where you stick a chip under the table, record the conversation and then retrieve your chip. You will only make yourself look like an idiot if you tell others of this wild guess of yours,” NK warned her and walked away.

Khushi sighed and shrugged her shoulders “Fine!” she raised her hands in exasperation.

“Erm Khushi, will you come with me for a moment?” Akash beckoned Khushi, who looked slightly taken aback and then shook her head, as if ignoring something, and walked along.

“What were you thinking?” Akash asked, while a flustered Khushi shook her head. “Don’t be shy, what was it?” Akash nudged her for a response, while Khushi fidgeted with her fingers to get over her awkwardness.

“I was just thinking why you were calling me. Either there’s something that only I can do or you’ve decided to tell me some secret which shall be profitable for both of us!” Khushi said, shrugging her shoulders while Akash laughed.

“You really don’t filter what comes out of your mouth, do you?”

“All the more reason why I detest doing what I am about to do!” Anjali joined them and stared pointedly at a clueless Khushi.

“What’s happening?” Khushi alternated her gaze between Akash and Anjali.

“Let me do the honors!” the hair on Khushi’s neck rose, as Arnav swept past her, and presented her with his ever charming smile. Her breath hitched slightly as his arm brushed against hers.

Surely that was a mistake.

A little fizz bubbled in her stomach as she saw the heads of channel looking at her a few times.

Clearing his throat, Arnav lead the trio to his cabin.

“So?” Khushi asked, looking away from Krish, as a sudden fond expression set in his eyes. “We have a letter for you,” Anjali sighed, staring at her nails.“What’s this?” Khushi asked as she picked up the letter.

“We heard from Arnav that you had helped out the NSG with some information regarding a probable attack on Malad the night of the attacks,” Akash informed her, passing her a kind smile as he sensed a shiver run down Khushi’s spine at the mention of the attack.

“Yes…” she replied, faintly.

“And your information was right. Instead of thinking about yourself and your own harrowing experience, you extended your help to them even in such a state and… you almost saved two hundred people from being killed.” Arnav said, while Khushi’s mouth widened in shock. “There… read it aloud.”

As Khushi read through the letter from the Defence Ministry, her voice choked in happiness and pride.

“In fact, your tip about Malad helped the military not only capture three terrorists alive, but also prevented four more attacks in the city,” Arnav said, his face as expressionless as before.

“What?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes. That was some good stuff.” Akash said, patting her shoulder lightly.

“But it wasn’t me alone. Even sir had,”

“Not required Miss Gupta,” Arnav cut her swiftly. “But,” Khushi looked up as a barely there smile played on his lips “Thank you.” Her eyes twinkled as she nodded repeatedly when he stepped forward to pass another letter.

Khushi’s heart skipped a beat as Arnav’s fingers unintentionally caressed hers for a split second when he passed her the envelope. They both stilled, as a jolt of electricity shot up their spines.

“It’s a conditional promotion. After Trisha’s departure you’re first on the list to fill in as a Senior Reporter!” Anjali said, with a rasping note in her voice. Khushi ignored Anjali’s obvious displeasure and gaped at the letter.

“I mean, honestly, if I hadn’t seen the appreciation letter from the Ministry, I wouldn’t have considered you for the position. If only this Defence Minister didn’t write this note.” Anjali sighed and rolled her eyes.

But before anyone else could say anything, a hyper excited Khushi jumped amidst them and thanked her Devi Maiyya a million times till she realised that three eyes were locked on her. Colouring rapidly in embarrassment, she apologised and looked back at a little, her previous joy eaten as the scenario settled in her head.

Khushi Kumari Gupta got promoted.

In one month.

What?

“This was fast…” Khushi frowned and scratched her head.

“A minute ago you were ready to bring down the roof.” Akash said, his lips thinning in displeasure, as Khushi looked confused.

“No, I mean… of course I was,” Khushi stopped to find the trio looking at suspiciously while she cleared her throat and continued “I mean I still am thrilled... But I don’t feel like I deserve it, not yet. I mean let me work harder for this,” Khushi voiced her thoughts aloud.

Arnav’s lips curved at her words. Knowing Khushi’s uninhibited and unreserved nature, he had expected her to forget all rationality and run away in childish yells, but this was truly unexpected.

Just as he opened his mouth to reply, Anjali’s bark cut him short.

“Baby doll, didn’t you hear the conditional part? We’re trying you out for this post for the next two months. If you continue to deliver with this consistency and prove yourself worth it, you can consider the position yours. If you don’t, you’ll be rightfully back to your old post,” Anjali stated unequivocally.

“But then… why are you telling me about this? I mean, you all could have kept this under wraps, and told me of your decision directly after two months or so...” Khushi asked, while Anjali smiled faintly.

This girl’s naiveté would be her end one day.

“So that we can see what’s the best you can deliver. We want you to work as hard as possible, so that there’s no room for second thoughts,” Akash said, carefully adjusting his suit, with his eyebrows firmly set.

“Yeah, the very best that you can deliver,” Arnav drawled, as Khushi turned sharply, and made eye contact with him. A sadistic pleasure filled him as Khushi immediately flustered, her hand clumsily dropping her phone. It was nice, no in fact amazing to see the ever focused reporter lose her composure in just a few words.

So much for showing her guts. She was just as affected as any other.

“Surprise me, amaze me, leave me speechless and breathless…” Arnav said, with a smirk. After a deliberate pause he added. “With the stories you deliver.”

Khushi’s heart beat traitorously against her ribs as she looked back at the charming yet aloof editor in chief. For a second she paused to understand him, at least make a feeble attempt at doing so. In a world so fast and oblivious of the other, her eyes didn’t miss him.

And no, keeping his handsome face and wit aside, there was a certain something she felt. As if eight years of hero worshipping wasn’t enough.

As he noted her calculating eyes and her pressed lips, he knew she deserved respect and admiration, both of which he gave her.

Well, he tried.

With an effort, Arnav reigned in his multitudinous thoughts over the much younger woman and slipped out his cell to brush through a few notifications.

“Thank you,” Khushi said, at last. “But… may I ask a final question?”

“Sure!” replied Akash.

“What is the story you want me to cover?” she asked, with an innocuous expression. Akash chuckled at her question. Khushi was sharper than she knew.

But not knowing one’s own capacity was a dangerous thing.

With tremendous effort and multiple attempts, Akash had finally managed to convince Arnav to allow Khushi to work on this story. It was always a monstrous task to induce Arnav to change his mind.

“The same one you were arguing about with NK,” Anjali said, clicking her fingers impatiently.  Seriously, can’t this girl just say thank you and get out of the room? How fu***ng easy is it for her to ask all analytical questions and ask about her position, and feel the need to justify her promotion?

Such women didn’t exist!

“Kashmir!” Khushi looked at three of them in childlike astonishment. Akash nodded.

“Yep, Kashmir. The peace rally that’s going on, you’ll cover that. Flip to the second page, and you’ll have your work defined for you. Okay guys, I’m running late for a meeting. Congratulations again, Khushi!” Akash walked out, while Anjali shifted slightly in her chair.

“Khushi, I think we are done. Leave and get on with your research.” Anjali said, uttering an oath under her breath, as Khushi continued to smile to herself. “Hello? Babydoll?! Do you need a written document stating that you can leave?”

Khushi jumped out of her thoughts and then shook hands with her. “Thank you for the position,” she said.  Anjali gave her a brief nod.

Arnav stood up, carrying his jacket and briefcase, to face Anjali’s questioning stare. “Where are you heading?” she asked him.

“I am taking a half day today. Really looking forward to seeing how you’re going to handle Manav’s 7pm show. He has that interview today with the health minister, right?” Arnav said, not so subtly hinting at his need to be alone for the day.

Anjali nodded with a tight-lipped smile. “Sure.”

As Khushi turned to walk out of the cabin, Arnav stopped her. “Khushi, you have a flight tomorrow… so you can leave the office now. But before you leave drop by Lavanya or someone who can assist you further about research.”

“Sir!” Khushi looked up in amazement while Arnav quirked an eyebrow “What?”

“No… nothing. I mean,”

Before she could complete Arnav picked up his cell “Yeah. Are you sure? Good that’s,” Arnav looked up as Khushi simply stood and watched him.

“Yes, Miss.Gupta?” Khushi excused herself and walked away, realising that she was intruding. Walking away quickly, she fought the silly little urge to turn back.

Don’t turn… don’t turn… don’t turn Khushi Kumari Gupta.

And she did the exact opposite. Stopping abruptly, she turned slightly to see no one on the corridor. “Oh…” She thought to herself when she caught his amused reflection on a glass pane.

He was watching her from his cabin, his cell pressed against his ear.

Thoroughly embarrassed at getting caught, she thanked the Lord for the incoming call and sprint away.

“Paagal (Mad).” Arnav chuckled and pulled the venetian blinds.

~*~

After being congratulated by her group of friends, and bidding them goodbye, Khushi left for her house.

She found herself continuously biting her lower lip in anxiety.

On one hand she was thrilled beyond measure with the opportunity to cover the rally, while on the other, the pace at which things were moving left her a trifle afraid and gasping for breath.

But hey! That wasn’t Khushi Kumari Gupta.

What’s life without its unpredictable twists and turns?

Junior Reporter Khushi Kumari Gupta was now a Senior Reporter and had received her first opportunity to cover such a sensitive political story outside the state.

Covering a politically loaded peace rally in Kashmir was not a piece of cake. It was an ultimate opportunity for any field reporter to prove herself.

Khushi was not intimidated by the thought of failing in her assignment; it was the speed of things that was daunting. But then, she probably had to get used to such unnerving pace if she wanted to do on-field reporting in Kashmir.

Slipping her glasses back to the top of the bridge of her nose, she clicked away a yawn as she read through the reports. A small smile settled on her face as someone ruffled her head affectionately. “Tell me amma.” Khushi droned as Payal set aside the cup of milk and massaged her daughter’s head.

“It’s 3am titaliya, you don’t seem to be sleepy at all.” Payal mocked as Khushi began to yawn once again. “Uffo amma, tomorrow I’m going to Kashmir and over there I’ve to do much more than show my pretty face.”

“Devi Maiyya’s grace that for once my daughter accepts that she’s beautiful.” Payal sat next to Khushi, assorting her papers while Khushi played with the thread of a pillow. “I’m not that beautiful amma. Have you seen yourself? Haye, the beautiful brown eyes and that dusky skin. I look closer to a vampire. Your family couldn’t give me anything good in my genes, right? It’s all your fault!” Khushi pouted while Payal broke into a laughter, slapping Khushi’s head.

“You devil! Now go to sleep bef,”

“Amma!” Khushi whined, slurping a bit of the chocolate milk “Please it’s very important. I promise I’ll sleep in a few more ho,”

“Hours?!” Payal stood up, placing her hands on her hips, annoyed.

“Please amma. Don’t you want your titaliya to be the best reporter? And you know right it isn’t,” “That’s enough, don’t emotionally blackmail me further! You’re just like your father. In looks and in behaviour!” Khushi wrapped her arms around her mother lovingly and rest her head on her mother’s shoulder.

Payal shook her head, she could never be upset with her sweetheart. “Fine, work as long as you want but I’ll stay with you here. Let me get a cup of tea for myself.”

“Arrey Amma!” Khushi shouted in protest while Payal raised her hand “I wasn’t asking for your opinion, I was telling you.” Payal patted her cheeks while Khushi fondly looked at her mother leaving her room.

She could have easily told that her mother was both, proud and a bit frightened at her daughter leaving for Kashmir but being the wonderful lady that she was, Payal solely expressed her faith and pride in her daughter instead of fear.

Deciding to call OP for some last minute details, knowing that foolish but dedicated guy would be awake as well, Khushi chalked out a few questions for their discussion.

“Haan OPji? Listen I was going through some last minute details so…” Khushi continued to skim through her reports when after a few minutes someone coughed at the other end.

“What OPji?” Khushi asked.

“It’s not OP, it’s Arnav Singh Raizada at this end.”

“Hey Devi Maiyya!”

“What the fu**?”

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Episode Ten
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