To Be or Not To Be A Family - Chapter 69

The media kept following her and the team where ever she went. Even the women who modelled for them were surrounded by the press. They were asked questions like why did they help Ashma, how did she find them, how did they feel to be a part of a fashion show where only models are preferred.

The next day their personal stories were printed in the newspaper in a positive light. They all were famous now. It inspired girls to become whatever they dreamed of. It showed girls that they could be achievers too if they put their mind to it. There was nothing, no one who would stop them. They just had to spread their wings and fly, fly high.

Ashma received a lot of requests for her dresses. They were sold before they even went backstage. She promised them to deliver within a week. Ashma and her team collected the sample dresses, thanked the women who displayed the dresses for them and transported the dresses to Samvlta. She packed a few dresses for the girls in Korea and said goodbye to her team.

She stood on a chair and said, “All I really wanted to say was thank you, everyone, for your hard work. You have no idea how grateful I am and except for giving you more money I have no idea how to express my gratitude. Without your help, I would never have been able to solve problem after problem, especially the PR team and Design Team. I owe you guys my life. Thank you for standing with me during such high pressured time. I have no idea how I would have faced everything if you guys would not have helped me. Priyanka, everything I do, I have today is because of your help. You are the real love of my life. I just love you. I love you guys. Now, no work for two days. Go enjoy your life and your family. Those who want to party get the company card from Priyanka and drink to your heart content.”

“Hurray!” shouted her team and clapped for her.

She gestured them to settle down and the sound of clapping died down. She continued, “I am happy that you are happy. I will be going back to Korea. I will design the dresses and send you the designs. Make the dress and courier them. If you guys can think of designs, hit me with a mail. I will be very happy not to do the work.” Her design team laughed.

“A final word before I leave. Legal team, keep an eye on Paul Baston and make sure he pays royalties on time.”

“We will do that,” said the head of the Legal team.

“Thank you, everyone. I love you all.” She placed her fingers on her lips and sent a kiss in everyone’s direction. Every member of her team had a big smile playing on their face. Their hard work was not only appreciated by their boss but also by the fashion community. They were in a beautiful place right now. No one could snatch the victory from them.

Hae-Won was standing in a corner listening to her speech. She was proud of Ashma. Now, she understood why Eun-Kyung loved her so much. She was intelligent, highly loyal and creative and so kind. Why she behaved like an arrogant brat in front of Young-Jae she had no idea.

Ashma came out to the parking lot with bundles of clothes and took Hae-Won to her car in the parking lot. She drove her Hyundai Tuscon and took Hae-Won to her home. She parked the car in her huge courtyard. Hae-Won’s jaw dropped as she saw the beautiful mansion Ashma lived in. It looked like a castle.

She looked up and stared at the mansion with an open mouth. “It’s more beautiful than the Park mansion,” she exclaimed in awe.

“I know. I told the old man that but he didn’t believe me,” said Ashma.

Hae-Won shook her head in disbelief and asked, “Why do you call him, old man?”

“I love it, it’s like a nickname for him,” replied Ashma with a huge smile on her face.

“Ha-ha,” laughed Hae-Won.

“Let’s go inside, my nanaji and Maasi are waiting for you,” said Ashma and gestured her to move ahead of her.

“Let’s go,” said Hae-Won.

Hae-Won first entered the house and was in awe. The mansion was as big as the Park mansion and equally beautifully decorated. The whole house gave the antique vibes. It was ancient yet modern. She turned 360 degrees and looked at the house. The house screamed that it was the house of a designer.

“Welcome,” said Surya and shook hands with Hae-Won.

“Thank you,” said Hae-Won and after shaking his hands she bowed down to him.

“And congratulations Kiddo, you did great,” he hugged Ashma with adoration.

“Oh, how much I missed you,” Ashma hugged him back.

“You were living here,” said Hae-Won. She was confused as to why Ashma missed him when she was living here. How can someone miss someone when they live together?

“No, she was living in her office. We didn’t see each other for the past 5 days,” said Surya still hugging Ashma.

“What?” Hae-Won was shocked.

“That’s how she works,” said Surya.

“Did you eat and sleep or kept working?” asked Hae-Won.

“Eat? Yes. Sleep? Not so much. You see we had only 4 days to complete the collection from scratch so four days of preparation and today the day of the show, I didn’t see my nanaji,” explained Ashma.

“You didn’t sleep for 5 days? But we have to catch the flight tomorrow, how will you wake up early?” asked Hae-Won.

“You are going back tomorrow?” shouted Surya and pushed her away from his embrace but didn’t let her go. He grabbed her shoulder and looked at her face in anger.

Ashma smiled like an idiot by showing all her teeth. “Your daughter is in Korea alone,” she said.

“What are we talking about?” Madhu came out of the kitchen after preparing the food by keeping her hands folded in namaste.

Ashma ran to Madhu, hugged her and said, “Maasi meet Man Hae-Won. This is my Madhu Maasi.”

Madhu went and shook her hands. Hae-Won again bowed down as per her tradition. “You were looking absolutely stunning,” complimented Madhu.

“Thank you. It’s good to meet you,” said Hae-won.

“She is going back tomorrow,” blurted out Surya with fake anger.

“What?” shouted Madhu. Ashma immediately plugged her ears with her fingers.

She then removed her fingers and comforted Madhu, “Come on maasi, mom is alone there. I have to go.”

“I understand that but can’t you stay one more day?” asked Madhu.

“Do you want your Vidhi to live alone in Korea?” asked Ashma.

“She is not alone, she has a whole family there,” said Hae-Won, innocently.

“No, Ashma is right, she is alone. They are Ashma’s family, not Vidhi’s,” said Surya.

“Nanaji!” reprimanded Ashma. She was not sure why she was angry. Was she angry because he called them her family?

“Go and get her back soon. I miss my girls,” said Surya.

“First, eat something,” said Madhu.

“Of course. I am starving but first let me change my clothes,” said Ashma.

“But I don’t have my luggage,” said Hae-Won.

“It’s in the guest bedroom,” said Madhu.

“What? How?” Hae-won was stunned.

“I sent someone to check you out and your luggage is here,” winked Ashma.

Hae-Won smiled at her. She took Hae-Won to the guest room and then loved to her room. She washed her hair and took a quick bath. While Madhu was placing the plates on the table, Ashma changed into her pyjamas and came down. Everyone was at the dinner table.

They all sat to eat. Madhu had prepared a feast for them. They talked and ate and enjoyed themselves.

“We could never eat and talk in the Park mansion,” said Hae-Won while stuffing her face with a spoonful of rice.

“Ohh, that’s just jail. This is heaven,” Ashma gestured towards her house.

“I too like this better,” said Hae-Won.

“See, my nanaji is better than Bong-Cha’s harabuhji,” teased Ashma.

“Ha-ha, so true,” laughed Hae-Won.

They had a hearty meal and were sitting in the living room just for chats. Hae-Won was telling everyone how scary Ashma was. How she acted and how she scolded everyone. She told everyone in explicit detail how she broke her phone.

Madhu and Surya kept screaming with surprise, laughing, exclaiming and showing other expressions. They knew Ashma was angry but had no idea she would so angry that she scolded even elders. Surya pulled her ears to teach her a lesson.

“Don’t shout at your elders,” he said while pulling her ear.

“Ow! Ow! I am sorry,” screamed Ashma.

Hae-Won came to her rescue. “She said sorry to everyone, don’t punish her now. She is a sweet child.”

“No, she deserves punishment.”

“Please,” said Hae-Won.

“If you say,” said Surya and let go of Ashma’s ear.

Ashma mouth “thank you” to Hae-Won. She smiled and nodded at her.

The next instant, Ashma clicked her fingers and said, “Oh I forgot. I have a present for you.”

“For me,” said Hae-Won. “Why?”

“Just accept it,” said Madhu.

“Okay,” said Hae-Won.

Ashma ran to her room and came back with a packet. She handed it over to Hae-Won. She first looked at the packet sceptically but then opened it. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, she could not believe her eyes. She even forgot to breathe.. She was completely motionless.