3 chapter 4

          I left Mr. Karthik's office to ours. All the way to my office, I am thinking about him. Still, It was like a dream to me to believe that being a rich person, he was so simple and bottom to earth.

I came out from the train of thought with the ringing of my mobile. My lips curved to smile with the display of name, my friend, Shreya.

Shreya: Hi drama queen, how are you?

Priya: hmmm, cupcake. Fine and what about you? What so special you called at this time.

Shreya: Yes dear, it's special. I got campus placement in Maple software, Hyderabad. I am going to come to Hyderabad within one week.

Priya: Really! That's great. So we can stay together in the hostel, right?

Shreya: Yes darling. Within five days I am coming to Hyderabad.

Shreya: okay then bye, I have to inform Vamshi also.

Priya: Okay then, meet you soon.

My happiness has no boundaries to express as my bestie will be going to stay along with me. We both can have lots of fun.

                     *************

***After five days

        I took leave for one day as Shreya came to Hyderabad. We spent our time together happily after a long time. We went shopping for Shreya as she needs something important.

We didn't check the time, it was night 10 pm. The next bus will be after half an hour. I don't know what to do and some guys were gawking at us and started commenting in abusive language. From their body language, I would sense they are drunken.

We both were praying for bus arrival as early as possible but there was no sign of any bus. Those guys were coming near to us and trying to touch us. So we quickly ran holding each other hands with fear. Suddenly we saw lights of a vehicle approaching us. I thought the car will hit us but it is halted in front of us. As we were running for a long time, our breathing was heavy.

Two persons came out of the car. I was beyond the shock to see Arvind Anna and Mr. Karthik.

Arvind Anna came hurriedly came towards me and asked me what happened?

"They were teasing us and tried to….." I told Anna and cried.

" Don't worry, go and sit in the car" Anna replied.

While Arvind Anna was opening the car door, I heard screaming of those guys. I turned my head and looked at that direction then I understood why they were screaming in pain.?

Mr. Karthik was punching them so badly. One of the guys was bleeding and even Arvind Anna joined him in the fight.

" Come quickly and arrest these bastards. I will send the location" Mr. Karthik said on the phone.

I was more scared of Mr.karthik than those guys. He was fuming in anger whereas blood was oozing out of their nose.

" Don't you know it's not good to roam alone at this time" Mr. Karthik shouted on me.

I started crying with his yelling and my body was shivering with that incident.

" Stop crying you stupid. What if we were not in time?" he yelled at me.

Aravind anna gave me a water bottle to drink. I drank some water and gave it to my friend.

" sir…it was my mistake. She was telling me to complete my shopping quickly but I neglect her words. We missed the bus" Shreya answered.

" ohhhh then….you are an irresponsible person here. I know you…..you are such ..." Arvind Anna glared seriously at Shreya.

I was in shock because he never used to speak with anyone harshly. but I doubted whether Arvind Anna knows about Shreya before?

" Okay, we will drop you at your hostel. Come with us...now" Mr. Karthik said looking at me.

In the whole drive, we didn't talk with each other. I was looking at Mr. Karthik's serious face in the mirror.

I could see Shreya's facial expressions were changed looking at Arvind Anna but I don't know why.

Finally, we reached the hostel, I thanked both of them for help. Then we went to our room and we changed into comfortable dresses. I want to ask Shreya whether she knows Arvind Anna but she slept before I could ask her any question.

The next day, she wakes early before than me. It was her first day of work, so I don't want to disturb my queries.

I told her how to reach her workplace and asked to call if there is any problem.

Her face was weary. She had no enthusiasm as she is joining in a new job.

Something is fishy, I thought.

Saying bye to me, Shreya started to office.

As usual, I went to the office. I didn't find Arvind Anna in the office. I know he had his own office, occasionally he used to visit here. But today I want to meet him as I want to ask whether he knows Shreya before.

I could not concentrate even in my work. I did my work without any interest. I don't know when my working hours are completed. Still, I was waiting for Arvind Anna but there no traces of him. So I decided to call Arvind Anna.

" Hi, Anna, where are you?" I asked him.

" In my office he replied.

" Can I meet you now?" I asked as his office is near to mine.

" Anything important?" he questioned.

" Nothing, just want to meet you" I replied.

" Okay come, meanwhile I complete my work," he said.

                 ***********

I reached his office and took permission from reception to go to his cabin.

"Any problem?" he asked me.

" No problem," I said.

" Two coffee" he ordered on the intercom.

" Do you know Shreya?" I asked him.

" You both are behaving weirdly..." I added.

He looked at me annoyingly.