Workers were rushing back and forth, carrying furniture one by one.
In the middle of the living room stood Nalina with a file in her hand instructing them.
"Carefull…. careful…don't damage the furniture."
"Mohit Bhai…here take this file and make sure every piece of furniture is installed in its place according to plan."
"....and please don't open the cover until every electric items are installed."
Behind her inbetween the rush Ashutosh came. observing everything, observing her, he come closer and whispered in a voice that only she could hear,
" Any order for me madam?"
Shocked by the sudden voice she whirled around, facing him.
"Oh, it's you."
In reply he only lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly. He made a single with his eyes pointing downstairs, " So they have started remaking living room." Making a statement.
Looking downstairs Nalina sighed,
"Yeah ,of the all places in the house she wants to work on living room right now."
"But, why so hurry?, She knows that we have a lot of work to do upstairs and we can't enter or carry material without walking through the living room."
"I don't know what she's up to but no matter how long I have to make sure that every piece of furniture and other decor items reach its location before starts working on the floor."she shook her head.
Nodding Ashutosh grabbed her hand and lead her to the couch installed in living room, making her sit with him.
Meeting her eyes, quizzing her hands he inquired,
"Relax and tell me which things are completed and which are yet to be done."
"Well.." Nalina nervously bit her lip as she opened the file to show him details,
" You see… Everything which is marked by red marker is done, which will include…ahh reconstruction of bathrooms, remolding kitchen, Making walk in closet, installation of jacuzzi, installation of White marble temple and shree yantra is ready but it will be installed after Puja, rewiring of house is done and so is plumbing, the flooring is changed, repairing of the walls, priming the surface, paint is done."
She flipped the pages "...and installation of furniture and electric gadgets is in progress which you can see." She moves her hand showing people rushing in and out with different items.
She goes on and on about everything but Ashutosh was too occupied by her face, the way she bit her lips makes heat surging through his body.
Realising that he was not replying, Nalina thought that he was unhappy with the speed they were going.
"Hey, even if it looks like a lot of work it will be done in no time and we all are doing night shift tonight." She checked the time and continued , " I'm sure by night all the electrical items will be installed, then only furniture left which will be done by morning as all the furniture is ready we just have to fix it in place."
Seeing that she might have misunderstood his silence he come back to his senses,
" What are you stressing about? I haven't complained about anything and trust me if not for you and your team no one can do work this fast. You have done an adequate job ."
"Well thanks, actually it's not only my team, thanks to my friend because if she hadn't landed me her team for the project this would not be possible." Nalina smiled.
Her contagious smile made him smile too, nodding he added, " by the way I'll accompany you tonight."
Surprised by his sudden decision he looked up at him, "are you sure, I mean I don't mind your presence it' just… it's a tiresome process and I can manage it on my own ... .really, I'm used to it."
Ashutosh smiled in return mischievously , " You always talk this much or it's because of my presence that makes you nervous."
Heat rose up to her cheeks as Nalina quickly stood up fidgeting her hands, " What are you talking about? I'm not nervous and I'm a small talker okay."
"If you say so."
She can see his lips turning into smirk but before he can say anything she quickly takes her leave saying she needs to check up on the progress.
—------------
Ashutosh sit there in living room watching her work, watching her team sync perfectly with her.
By the time of dinner, Ashutosh orders food for everyone, they eat together, everybody talking and laughing creating harmonious atmosphere.
Downstairs Riya was angrily ordering worker she has hired, her first time working didn't go as well as she have assumed, finally when she saw no other option and seeing how Nalina was working fast then her, she hired a whole team of interior designing as the time was tight, the manager suggested that they can remake the house in superficial way, they will design living room perfect, for the guest rooms they'll paint the wall install readymade furniture changing the whole look, as for the kitchen Riya just have to choose a plan and they will do the work, the main room of family members will be designed according to their wishes.
She smugly looked upstairs thinking, if she do it this fast so can I, what's the big deal about it?
and with her lowclass choice I bet my work will be better than hers.
But why is Ashutosh accompanying her? Doesn't he likes to be in peaceful place? Whatever maybe he is trying to show off to me, that how caring he can be and where is Avinash I wish he could be little sensible, let me call him , if they are staying together for the night shift so can we.
Not after her call Avinash arrived with Ramji ,
Not giving chance to Riya to greet him makes his way in the house with Avinash, observing work, after observing everything theycome in living room, workers were working everywhere it looks chaotic, some on tiles some on furniture some on paint, seeing this Ram ji asked Riya in mild voice,
"Beta , tell me about your interior plan, have you designed the plan?"
"Yes, here…."she replied showing him the plan in her phone which the manager has designed for her.
The old man with years experience Shaw through her shaby plan, which looked like a superficial new cover outside with same inside but considering Avinash's feeling for her, he didn't say much and turned upstairs.
Seeing that he didn't complain about anything Riya became more proud of her plan.
—-----
Upstairs Ramji together with Nalina and Ashutosh took tour of the whole house, observing everything of perfection, he nodded at himself approving her work,
Seeing how Nalina have changed everything to new nothing old remain in the house, Ram ji likes her work very much.
After tour they talked for a while and then Ramji took his leave.
Watching him leave Ashutosh turned and looked at Nalina sitting beside him,she was doing something in the file, fully concentrated in work but he said next made mind blow in embracement.
" I assume it's only you and me now ." Slowly he streched his hand around her shoulder.
Because of his sudden move Nalina feel to shocked to say anything, swiftly she stood up and leave without turning back saying,
"I....um, I shall go check how's the work going."
Watching her running without looking back Ashutosh laughed remembering how she blushes around him, don't know why? But really he likes the feeling of messing with her.