Disguised Intentions

by Manasi Joshi

  “I was just passing by. I thought I’d visit.” He said as he smiled and walked inside her house.

  “Nice place you’ve got here. Pretty and small just like you” He said winking.

  “Ha-ha...”Ishani laughed nervously. She was still confused as to why he was here. And how on earth did he know where she stayed? Why would he want to visit her?

  “Why did you decide to meet me? Anything you wanted me to do or could I be of any help?” she asked.

  He smiled at her. “Well you are a smart girl Ishani and that’s precisely why I need your help. I want you do to some designing work for my party but I have come here to tell this to you personally because I don’t want my father to know what I am doing. Just the mere mention of politics and he begins his ranting.”

  “I get it Kabir” she said

  “I am willing to pay you how much ever you want for this. Do the damned work that’s all.” Said Kabir flopping himself onto a chair.

  Ishani thought for a moment. Surely she wouldn’t be doing anything unethical by helping Kabir, would she? He sounded like a nice person whose views just didn’t match with his fathers’. On the other hand she was Mr Basu’s employee. He was technically her boss. She should be loyal to him, shouldn’t she?

  “Oh stop thinking Ishani. It’s just a matter of a day or two. You aren’t being disloyal to my father by agreeing to do a small piece work without his knowledge.” said Kabir as if reading Ishani’s thoughts.

  “You are a mind reader Kabir. Okay I’ll do your work. Bring it on!” grinned Ishani.

  “That’s the spirit madam!” said Kabir.

  “Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee? ” Ishani asked.

  “Nothing, I have to rush. Thank you Ishani” said Kabir getting up. He gave Ishani a quick hug, squeezed her shoulder and rushed out of her house as suddenly as he had come in leaving a startled Ishani gazing at him in wonder.

  Ishani shook her head. Kabir was a funny guy.

  CHAPTER 7: MORNING HEADLINES.

  “You have to go to A.I.L from today for a week Ishani.” said Nakul as she entered the office. Ishani nodded.

  “Congratulations Ishani, you’ve made it to the front page today” said Reema Pande giggling.

  “Hey congrats Ishani” said Sahil.

  Ishani wondered what was wrong with Natasha and group.

  “Oh here comes the ‘Miss Head Held High’ “sneered Natasha.

  “Cut the crap Natasha. Mind your own business.” said Ishani curtly.

  “This is my business. I work here. It’s sad I have to put up with prissy colleagues like you” said Natasha.

  “Don’t get on my nerves Natasha. I have a lot of work to do other than just listen to all this nonsense.” snapped Ishani.

  “I get on your nerves? How blinded are you. You get on everyone’s nerves over here. It’s so sickening.” Natasha said “Well it seems you are the only one here who does work. We get paid for whiling our time” she added sarcastically.

  Reema laughed.

  Ishani glared at them and then simply walked to her cabin. Trust Natasha to ruin her day even before it started. She wondered why she was on the front page today. She checked the newspaper lying on her desk.

  ‘Multinational company’s talented graphic designer’ read the morning headlines.

  Ishani was pleasantly surprised. Ishani remembered some journalist had come to interview her last month. She had just given a random interview thinking it would be featured in some magazine or inside a newspaper. She didn’t know it would be the headline of a popular newspaper. Okay so this is why Natasha is jealous. She didn’t like seeing me on front page. Ishani laughed inwardly.

  She checked her phone. There were many messages from different people congratulating her on her success. She sent a thank you text message to the journalist who interviewed her.

  Ishani wished her parents were here to see her success.

  Just then her cabin door swung open and Priya and Raghav entered. They both hugged her tight.

  “Congrats Ishani, I am so proud of you. It’s been a long struggle for you to reach here. “Said Raghav beaming at her.

  “I am not surprised. I knew being in my company makes people famous” laughed Priya.

  Ishani joined the laugh. She was happy that her friends were happy. “It’s just an interview guys, I am not a millionaire overnight or something like that.”

  “Well you are our star anyway. I bought you some of your favourite sweets Ishani. “ Raghav said.

  “Thanks Raghav you can be good sometimes then” said Ishani.

  “Well I’ve already half eaten the sweets so I am not that good after all.” said Raghav grinning.

  Ishani punched him playfully.

  The cabin door swung open. Mr Basu entered.

  “Well, seems like I ran into a party, didn’t I?” he said eyeing all the sweets spread on the table.

  “Oh, it’s just a sweet- eating party. Help yourself sir” said Ishani.

  Mr Basu picked on a sweet and munched on it. “Hmm... delicious...” he said.

  Ishani noticed he was wearing a different kind of tie. “Nice tie sir, polka dots!” She complimented.

  “Thanks, my dear, just tried with something different!” said Mr Basu smiling. “I came here to congratulate you Ishani. You have made me and the company proud. Your interview is a bonus to the company and will increase its market value.” He added.

  “Thank you so much sir. You are always such a strong support. Without you I wouldn’t even be standing here” said Ishani smiling at her boss.

  “Good to know. Now get back to work all of you “he said.

  “Yes” the three of them replied in unison.

  “Bye. I’ll see you both later. “Ishani said to Priya and Raghav.

  “Meet me after work Ishani. We three will go for a movie, what say?” asked Priya.

  “Fine by me” replied Raghav.

  “Me too” said Ishani. She left C.T.I and headed to A.I.L.

  On reaching A.I.L Ishani felt the same uneasiness. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to seeing Ayaan.

  “Miss Kirloskar?” said a lady as soon as she entered.

  “Umm, yes?” replied Ishani.

  “Let me show you the way to your cabin. Come. Follow me.” said the lady.

  As Ishani was walking past, she saw people staring at her. She guessed it was probably the effect of the day’s headlines.

  “Here is your cabin Ma’am. Have a nice day” the lady faked a smile and left.

  Ishani entered inside. It was a very well furnished and posh cabin. In fact it the walls were painted in her favourite colour- Green. Ayaan sure had money.

  She logged on the computer and checked her email. There was a mail from A.I.L where all the details of the work expected from her were sent. She set to work.

  She was just finishing off a design when there was a knock on the door.

  “Come in” she said not looking up from her computer.

  “Hey” said a voice.

  She got up from her chair with a start.

  “Hello Mr Arora” she said. Ayaan was standing in front of her. Black suit, blue tie, gelled hair; he looked like a model from a magazine.

  Ishani gaped at him for a moment, dazzled by his persona.

  “How is work going? All good?” he asked. “Did you like this cabin?”

  “It’s going fine thanks. I really like the cabin. “She smiled; genuinely this time.

  “Of course you would, it’s your favourite colour. I got it redone for you” He said quietly.

  Ishani was taken aback. He remembered her favourite colour. She wasn’t expecting such an over the top gesture from him. Seriously what kind of man was he? She wished she could understand him.

  “Oh! That wasn’t necessary Mr Arora. You went quite overboard with this if you have got it redone.” She said, her smile fading.

  “That’s the least I can do to make you comfortable here. “He said “and yes, don�
��t call me Mr Arora. I am Ayaan, get it?”

  “I prefer to call you Mr Arora at least at work. You are my boss and seriously all of this wasn’t necessary at all.” said Ishani.

  “You are still so obstinate. Even after all these years.” He said, looking mildly amused.

  “Not as much as you.” Ishani was quick to reply.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Come in” snapped Ayaan.

  A peon was standing at the door. He was holding a bouquet of orchids with a note.

  “Sir, is Miss Kirloskar is here?” he asked

  “Yes that’s me.” replied Ishani.

  “These are for you ma’am. With a message from Mr Kabir Basu.” said the peon, leaving the bouquet on her table and leaving the room.

  Ishani blushed. She took the bouquet and read the note. It was a handwritten note which read- “Thanks for helping me Ishani. Consider it as a thank you gesture from my side and congratulations for making headlines today.” There was a smile emoticon on it.

  She really loved the orchids. She took them and placed a few in the vase on her desk, oblivious to Ayaan staring impassively at her. Kabir was a sweet person she thought; warm and friendly.

  “Who is this Kabir?” asked Ayaan quietly. Ishani suddenly remembered she had forgotten that Ayaan was still in the room.

  “He’s Mr Basu’s son. Didn’t you know?” she said.

  “Why is he sending you flowers?” asked Ayaan. The colour in this face had drained. His grip around the cell phone he was holding tightened.

  Ishani couldn’t gauge what was going on in his mind. The expression on his face was unreadable.

  “I agreed to do help him in something. This was a thank you gesture from his side.” she said.

  “I see.” He replied coolly. “I had come here to congratulate you for your successful interview. Now that your company has collaborated with mine, you’ll come in the news more often. This is just a start.” He smiled genuinely at her.

  “Thank you Ayaan. Err, I mean Mr Arora.” said Ishani distracted by his smile.

  “I didn’t know you liked orchids. There will be some kept in your vase every morning.” He said softly.

  “No, that’s too much now, not needed, really.” said Ishani. She wasn’t used to so much attention.

  “It isn’t. Besides, someone else can send you flowers but I can’t?” asked Ayaan returning to his cold demeanour.

  Ishani didn’t know what to say. The truth was she wanted to have as minimal a contact with Ayaan as was possible. She didn’t want to get her hopes high about anything. He was now married and settled and had moved on in life. She should be doing the same; or at least trying to. She was trying very hard to control her deep hidden feelings for him. She couldn’t tell him all of this of course.

  “It isn’t like that. Well anyway do what you want. I give up.” She said shrugging her shoulders trying to act indifferent.

  “Good” said Ayaan smugly and left the cabin abruptly.

  CHAPTER 8: WHERE IS PRIYA?

  Ishani sipped her coffee. It was evening. She wondered where Priya was. She was looking forward to meet her. It would relieve her of the stress which Ayaan caused in her mind. Ishani had spoken to Raghav. He said he would be leaving in an hour for the multiplex. She called Priya. Priya didn’t pick up the phone. Probably working overtime thought Ishani.

  At 8 pm Ishani and Raghav were waiting at the multiplex for Priya.

  “Where is this woman? Why is she so late? We are going to miss the show.” growled Raghav.

  “She still isn’t picking up?” asked Ishani.

  “This is my thirteenth call to her. She isn’t picking up.” said an irate Raghav.

  Ishani was irritated herself. It was unlike Priya to do this to them since usually she was the one who was always excited and made plans.

  “Well let’s leave then. Either she’s forgotten that she has to meet us or she’s busy somewhere else or God know’s what. There’s no point waiting for her. We’ve been waiting for her for over an hour.” said Ishani.

  “Yes. Let’s grab some dinner and leave.” said Raghav.

  They ate a quick dinner at a nearby food joint and left.

  “I’m going to tick Priya off when she comes tomorrow morning. Good night Ishani. “said a grumpy Raghav.

  “Yeah. Night.” said Ishani.

  It was 2 am. Ishani woke up feeling thirsty. She had a queasy feeling and she didn’t know why.

  She had a sudden impulse to call Priya but she must be sleeping so Ishani decided against it.

  She reached A.I.L in the morning and began her work. The queasy feeling hadn’t gone away.

  She reached for her cell phone and dialled Priya’s number. The telephone operator’s voice said that it was unreachable.

  Now Ishani was beginning to get worried. This was so unlike Priya. She wasn’t the one to ignore her friends’ calls especially hers and Raghav’s. Ishani decided to call up at Priya’s landline number and speak to her parents

  Just as she was thinking of this, her phone rang. She hoped it was Priya. It wasn’t. It was Raghav.

  “Ishani, there is bad news. Priya is missing since yesterday evening. She didn’t reach home and hasn’t turned up at office today.” said Raghav grimly.

  “What!??!!” exclaimed Ishani. “You are joking right, Raghav? Surely this is one of your pranks?” she asked in disbelief.

  “I wish it was. Apparently Priya spoke to her parents at 6 pm in the evening when she told them she’ll be working an hour overtime and then watching a movie with us and reaching home by 11 pm. When she didn’t turn up home by 3 am and didn’t answer their calls, they got worried and informed the police. The police had come to the office to check if she showed up at work today.” said Raghav. The tone of his voice gave away concern and grief.

  Ishani sat there for a moment not speaking a word. She was still in shock. This surely couldn’t be happening. She calmed herself down a bit and spoke “Raghav, I am coming to our office in an hour as soon as I finish off some work and inform Mr Arora about the situation. I can’t work like this.”

  “Yes Ishani come here ASAP. I can’t handle this alone.” said Raghav.

  Well do hell with the work thought Ishani. She couldn’t rest until she found out where her best friend was. She headed straight to Ayaan’s cabin. She knocked on his door.

  “Come in” he said.

  “Hello Mr Arora, I wanted to ask you whether you could grant me a few days leave if needed. If my presence isn’t required elsewhere, I will continue with work. My colleague who also happens to be my best friend, Priya Shah is missing since yesterday evening. The police are hunting for her. I need to find her!” she finished and took a deep breath.

  Ayaan rose quickly from his chair and rushed to her side.

  “Hey calm down. Tell me what happened. Slowly” he said tenderly.

  Ishani repeated the same to him.

  He was lost in thought for a moment.

  “Well go if you must. You are free to work at your will. I’ll give you that much flexibility. Go, but I want you safe. Stay in touch with me. My driver will drop you to C.T.I. Keep me updated.” He said.

  Ishani was grateful for his thoughtfulness. “Thanks Ayaan. I mean Mr Arora. I’ll keep you updated. Good day”

  Ishani left.

  CHAPTER 9: NUMBED.

  Ishani almost ran into the C.T. I Building. There were a bunch of policemen and almost the entire staff was gathered into a corner. Natasha and her gang looked least interested in what was going on and were playing games on their cell phones. Mr Basu was in talks with the police. He looked slightly worried.

  Ishani searched for Raghav. She tapped his shoulder. He looked at her and the tension on his face eased a bit.

  “I’m glad you are here” he said giving her a quick hug. “Priya’s parents are here too. Let’s go speak with them.”

  They went to the corner where Priya’s parents- Mr and Mrs Shah were sitting. Priya�
��s mother was sobbing uncontrollably. A few policemen were there with them.

  “Hello uncle, hello aunty.” said Ishani.

  “Ishani! “ squealed Mrs Shah. “Thank god you are here. Look what has happened. I don’t know where my daughter is. I want my daughter” she continued to sob. Ishani placed her hand on Mrs Shah’s shoulder not knowing what to say.

  One of the police, seemingly in his mid-thirties said to Ishani “Hello, I am Inspector Rahul Pawar, Mumbai Police. You must be Miss Kirloskar. Mr and Mrs Shah told me Miss Shah is closest to you than anyone else they know. We hope you will co-operate with us.”

  “Of course. I would do anything it takes to find my best friend” said Ishani.

  Mr Shah turned to her and said “I don’t know why Priya disappeared. She was normal at home. Did she by chance have a tiff with someone here at the office? I hope she hasn’t walked off on her own somewhere due to any reason not known to us.” He asked, his eyes brimming with fatherly concern.

  “Personally uncle, I am not aware of anything wrong going on in Priya’s life. She would have surely confided in me if something was bothering her. Even if she didn’t, she is not the type who would run away. She usually confronted the person or the problem head-on. She’s a vivacious person with not a single bone of complication in her system. She is really very simple to understand.” said Ishani.

  “I know beta, I just wanted to hear it from you; some reassurance to us.” Mr Shah smiled sadly.

  “Are you sure about this Miss Kirloskar?” asked the Inspector

  “Yes. If there is anything I am sure of in life, of this I am sure. Priya would never run away. She simply isn’t that kind of a person. Something has surely happened to her. She loves her parents too much to see them go through this for her.” said Ishani with conviction.

  The Inspector nodded. One of the other policemen who were with him was noting everything which Ishani was saying.

  It was getting too much for Ishani. All that crowd, all the tension. She needed to breathe. She excused herself and headed to the balcony attached to the room. From the 20th floor the view looked amazing but Ishani hardly noticed.

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Pri Pri, where are you, I hope you are safe and we find you soon, she thought.