Sonia chuckled. “The cat’s following the trail of fish!” She picked up the newspaper again.
Jatin slipped in through the door and stood patiently beside the table. Sonia glanced up in surprise.
“What’s up? It’s not like you to be so quiet.”
“Boss, I’ve been wanting to tell you something.” Jatin began. His tone of abashment surprised Sonia.
“What is it? Don’t keep me in suspense,” she urged, bracing herself to hear the worst. Did Jatin want leave again?
“Well, actually…” He drew out a chair and sat down facing her.
“Yes?”
“I’m getting married.”
“You’re getting married! Well, congratulations. But don’t you think you’re a little too young?”
“I’m twenty-two. And earning,” he pointed out with an almost defiant air. “That makes me eligible - plenty - in my community.”
“So who’s the lucky girl?”
“There’s no girl yet. That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you, Boss. I plan to get married this year and am on the lookout for some good girl.”
“I see. What kind of a girl stands a chance with you?”
“Let me think.” Jatin’s face took on a dreamy look. “Pomegranate-red cheeks, hair the colour of Kokam - Mangosteen - and she should be fair, or cream-complexioned. Skin the colour of a peeled banana.”
Sonia stared at him. “What about her nature? And her brains, like a cauliflower?” she asked, amazed.
“Now you’re making fun of me!” Jatin looked hurt.
“Indeed not, I was simply testing my visual and verbal abilities,” she dismissed defensively. “Anyway, the long and short of it is that you want a beautiful girl.”
“Who can cook well.”
“Oh yes, the divine taste of food on her fingertips,” Sonia smirked.
“And who is good-natured and can adjust with my family.”
“Right. A paragon of good sense, virtue, and maturity.”
“Boss, if there’s one person in the whole world who understands me well, it’s you. That’s why I’m going to choose you…”
Sonia’s heart almost stopped.
“…to find me a perfect wife!” Jatin offered grandly.
“I truly am honoured!” Sonia exclaimed, humour bubbling inside her. “But where do you expect me to find this. perfection of a woman?”
“Oh, I’ll do some basic groundwork. You’ll just have to accompany me on meetings.”
Sonia looked relieved. “Great. I think I can manage that!”
“Oh, that’s not all. You have to look for a prospective wife amongst the clients and check out any good horoscopes and - ”
“Okay. I get the picture,” Sonia interrupted. She was beginning to get the distinct feeling that someway along the line, their roles of Boss and Assistant had been drastically reversed. “Now how about getting down to some work?” she asked firmly. “Can you show me the report of our last case?”
“Right.” Jatin was all business instantly. “It’s ready in the Computer.”
“What’s ready in the Computer?” a familiar voice asked.
“Oh, hello, Mohnish!” Sonia exclaimed. “We didn’t hear you enter.”
“I am known to have the softest footstep in the world of Journalism,” he replied, grinning. “No one hears me enter, no one hears me leave!”
“Of course. I remember how softly you - the great journalist Mohnish Rai - barged into my office the very first time, announcing your intentions to do a feature on us loudly enough to the world!” Sonia retorted. “Come in. We may as well have some chai before we begin work.”
Jatin hastened away to follow instructions.
“That’s a very impressive nameplate outside,” Mohnish remarked.
“Yes, very professional, isn’t it?” she agreed.
Mohnish relaxed in a chair and observed Sonia as she turned her attention to Nidhi, who had finished her meal and was now demanding a cuddle. Thick straight silky hair, in a shoulder- length blunt-cut, swung over an oval cream-complexioned face. Her almond-shaped honey-brown eyes over a neat nose were momentarily concentrated on the cat. She looked as lovely as ever in a comfortable pink cotton Salwar Khameez. She glanced up and he smiled.
“What’s happening next door?” He indicated with his thumb.
“That Office finally has been let, after lying vacant for years. It’s going to be a garment Store.”
“Interesting.”
“Jatin doesn’t like the idea one bit, and sometimes he’s right,” she acknowledged with a smile. “He’s also a young boy driven with too many opinions.”
“Yes, Grandma,” Mohnish agreed seriously, but the twinkle in his eye made her smile.
“I can’t help it. He’s so patronising that I feel old compared to him.”
“Then why not spend some time with someone who can treat you your age? And in the process have a good time?”
“Oh, that sounds incredible. Who exactly do you mean?” Sonia feigned innocence.
Mohnish bowed his head. “Your very own good friend at your service!”
She laughed. “What a surprise! And what exactly is your definition of a good time?”
“Spending time together, getting to know each other…”
“Hmm. I’ll have to see if I can find some time…”
“Here’s the chai!” Jatin announced, and his timing made them both laugh.
He placed their cups on the table and, whistling, returned to the outer office.
“Seriously, Sonia…” Mohnish began, on a quieter note.
The Journalist looked quite handsome, with abundant straight hair swept sideways and a straying flick falling over a high forehead. A firm jawline hinted at a stubborn nature. But a ready smile displayed a neat set of teeth and a very attractive dimple in his right cheek. The smile always reached his deep brown, almost black eyes, which tilted slightly upwards at the corners.
Now as his gaze rested steadily on her face, she found her pulse quickening.
“Sonia, you must surely know by now that I find you very attractive. There’s something about us that connects. That gives me a good feeling. And I want to explore that feeling.”
Sonia nodded, trying to control her erratic heartbeat. She liked Mohnish, a lot. Not only had he been a great help to Stellar Investigations in the past year, but he had also been a marvellous source of enlightenment for the public, making them aware of her technique of solving cases with Astrology. Considering she had taken an instant dislike to him the first time he had stepped into her office,
