STRONG COFFEE FOR STRONG LADY

Morning when I woke up, I received a call from Raj uncle, he asked me to come directly to Nikhil's office as it would save time for us. So, I got ready soon and now heading towards Nikhil's office.

I reached his office, I stopped for a second for taking in the view of his office. The building was magnificient, I then started walking inside. I asked the receptionist, "Hello, I'm Dhrithi Saxena. I'm Mr. Singh's assistant. According to the schedule we will be working from here today. Can you please show me my workplace and also Mr. Singh's cabin." She replied, "Yes, Miss. Saxena, sir informed us that today you're going to come here. So, I've already arranged cabin for you and Mr. Singh. COme with me, I'll show you your cabin." She started moving and I followed her. She showed me uncle's cabin and then mine.

I sat in my cabin and arranged my things there. I re-checked the schedule for today. Everything was good and then I remembered that it's Nikhil's office. So, I'll have to meet him again today. And then I remembered Veer's words, I've thought about it a lot and then decided that I'll not act stupid today and try to behave normally with him. Then I saw the time, I realized that Raj uncle might be coming. So, I quickly headed to his cabin to check whether everything is ok or not. I checked his cabin, everything was ok and then I thought to go and bring him coffee as he'd be here any moment.

I've bought coffee for uncle, on my way to his cabin, I went to ask the receptionist if he has come or not. I think she understood what I wanted to ask her, she replied, "Just now Mr. Singh has come, Mr. Ahuja also came at the same time. They both went up stairs just now." I smiled at her and mouthed a thankyou and went to uncle's cabin.

I knocked his cabin door and asked me to come in. I said, "Good morning sir" and handed him his coffee. He replied, "Good morning and thanks for the coffe Miss. Saxena" and chuckled.

I smiled at him and asked, "Sir, do you need anything or do you want me to read out your schedule" He replied, "No, I'm fine. Can you read out my schedule?" I nodded my head and said his day's events.

When I finished reading out, he said, "You said there's a meeting with designers at 11. You're also attending the meeting along with our head designer. She'll be here by the meeting time. Till then prepare a presentation for meeting. You're going to present it today."

I was very shocked, when he said that I'm going to give the presentation today. I've not even prepared for it. Looking at my shocked expression he said, "Don't worry, you'll give your best. Now go and prepare for it." I was about to say something but seeing his expression I understood that he wouldn't budge, so I just nodded my head and went to prepare for the presentation. When I went to my cabin, there was a coffee cup along with a note on my table. I took the note in my hands read it out,

"Good Morning Miss. Saxena, nothing could be more refreshing and energizing than a coffee. So, a strong coffee for the Strong lady.

-With regards,

Nikhil Ahuja"

Instantly a smile crept on my face, I took the coffee cup and started drinking it. I finished it quickly and then started preparing the presentation for the meeting. After an hour, I finished preparing the presentation. I still have, half an hour time for the meeting. So, I wanted to show it to Raj uncle I checked his schedule to see whether he's free or not. It showed that he'll be free within five minutes. So, I started moving towards his cabin.

I knocked his cabin door, but earning no response. I tried to peep in, I saw him talking on phone seriously. He gestured me to come later on after 10 minutes. I sighed disappointedly and moved back without looking at my back and I bumped into someone.

I think I know that someone. Before I could fell down, he caught me tight with his strong arms. I looked at him and got lost in his eyes. Then, I came out of his hold and stood properly and said, "Sorry, I didn't see you coming."

He replied, "It's okay. But why were you peeping in like that?"

I said, "Actually, today uncle I mean sir asked me to give presentation today. I prepared the presentation. Wanted to show him before the meeting, so I came here but I guess he's busy now"

He said, "Since you prepared it, it might be good. Don't worry"

I said, "But still, I'm tensed. I don't want to make any mistake."

He smiled and said, "Then if you don't mind, can I have a look at it and say how it is?"

I smiled cheekily and said, "Will you check it?" and he just nodded his head. I held his hand and took him to my cabin. After reaching my cabin, I realized that I held his hand and literally dragged him. I immediately took my hands off him and said, "Sorry, I held your hand and dragged you." he said, "hey, it's okay. Now show me your me your presentation"

I showed him my presentation, He saw everything patiently and at the end he said, "Everything is fine but one thing is missing" I was tensed hearing him, I asked him, "What is it?"

He said, "your smile, Are you going to give presentation with this face? Have you looked at yourself in mirror, you are nervous like hell"

I said, "Uncle gave me a huge responsibility. I'm going to represent our company, I don't want to make mistakes and keep up his trust." He said, "It's okay it happens when you're giving it first time. But everything will be fine. Keep faith in yourself and also on the trust uncle has shown on you."

I smiled at him, then he said, "ok now let's go. it's time for meeting." He turned to go but I stopped him holding his hand and said, "Thankyou" He looked at me and said, "For what?" I said, "for your support and also for the strong coffee in the morning" He smiled and said, "My pleasure"

Then we went towards the meeting room, After two minutes, Raj uncle came. He said, "Sorry sweetheart, you came for something and I was busy. Tell me why did you come?" I smiled and said, "It's nothing, come let's go inside."

Then we went inside, meeting started. Nikhil asked his head designer to start the presentation. I think he wanted me to settle down. Meeting progressed and then it was my turn to give. I was nervous at first but then picked up and gave it my best. I finished my presentation and looked at everyone for their reply. I first looked at Raj uncle, he smiled at me assuring that it was good and then I looked at Nikhil. He gestured me that I was great. Then they discussed it for a while and then the meeting finished.

Now its lunch break, I wanted to thank Nikhil for giving me support in the morning before the meeting. Though he didn't say much, but he gave me silent support by being my side.

I saw Nikhil going to his cabin. I went to his cabin and knocked his cabin door. He asked me to come inside. When I enetered, even before looking at me he said picking his things, "Whatever it is let's talk after the lunch. Now, I'm very hungry." and then he looked at me. He then immediately said, "Oh sorry, Miss. Saxena. I didn't see you, I thought it was my manager. Tell me what is it" I replied, "It's okay, I'll come later on. Nothing important."

I was about to go, but stopped hearing him saying, "If it's okay with you, then we can talk during lunch. Will you come with me for lunch" I didn't want say No to him again. So, I just noded my head. And he was very happy seeing me accepting his proposal for lunch. We started heading out. We went out from the back gate. He opened the door of the passenger seat for me like a gentleman, I smiled at his gesture and sat inside. Then he also sat in the driver seat and started driving. Soon, we zoomed out of the office premises.

Then I heard him saying, "Thankyou so much, for coming out with me for lunch. It means a lot for me." I said, "it's okay, I've realized that I'm behaving like a jerk to you. I'm sorry Nikhil" He immediately stopped the car and said, "What did you say?" I looked at him confusingly and said, "Sorry"

He said, "Not that, after that." I replied, "I said, I'm sorry Nikhil. Did I say something wrong?" He hugged me suddenly and said, "No, you didn't say anything wrong. You called me Nikhil and that made my day."

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