C'est La Vie....

HER:

Booze and conversation flowed effortlessly between the two of us. Alcohol has some good side effects! ;) Aditya actually turned out to be a lotta fun and amazingly witty too. During the course of our conversation he let slip that he might be leaving the firm soon. When he got up to receive a call for the fifth time in about an hour, I quizzed him if it was his girlfriend. He shook his head to indicate that I was wrong and told me he’s never had a girlfriend. “And I don’t think anyone will ever like me,” he added. He just gave a sarcastic kinda smile on my asking him what made him feel so. And in an instant of extreme stupidity, which I justified by thinking that what the heck, he’ll be leaving soon anyway; I told him!

I told him that I had had a CRUSH on him!! I told my EX-BOSS that I had a crush on him!!



HIM:

“Please let this NOT be a dream! Please let this NOT be a dream!”, I kept repeating in my head. Mansi confessed that she had a CRUSH on me!! MY crush had a crush on ME!! I was doing a mental Joey dance!!!!

And that was it! I went ahead and told her how I have had a crush on her since the moment I first saw her in the office. How every time she smiled I lost focus of whatever it was that I was doing. How I had been yearning to be at least friends with her since forever now. Just letting all of it out made me feel so light!

The alcohol had worn off by now. An awkward silence later, I ventured, “Let’s get outta here.”

“I’d like that.”



HER:

I could not believe what had just transpired….ADITYA had a crush on ME!!!! I mean what the hell!!! How lame could he be!! He does not give ONE teeny weeny hint all this time and today he decides to let his feelings overflow????!!!! Guys I tell you!!! Anyway, we headed out for a drive, since the atmosphere had suddenly become too much to take. Once in the car, silence made an entry again. Looking out the car’s window from the DND flyway, Delhi looked its beautiful best, all dressed up in shiny lights. I asked the question that had been bothering me for the past half hour. “Why didn’t you say anything all this while, Aditya?” And he gave me his incredulous smile saying, “Are you kidding me!? You with all your confidence and popularity had me intimidated to death!” “You are mad Aditya. Really!”, I laughed it off. I was switching on the stereo for some music when our hands brushed against each other, and lingered. We gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment before I withdrew it and wondered out aloud “This is going to be weird….”
“Let’s talk this over ice-cream?”, he suggested, focusing on the road once again.



HIM:

We drove to India Gate in the middle of the night for an ice-cream. I got her a chocolate chip knowing that it was her favorite. She always took that flavor on all team outings. The quiet of the night helped us in clearing our heads. I asked her if she was ready for this - a relationship in the office. She seemed wary about it, considering that I was her boss. I assured her that I wouldn’t remain that for long and that made her worry even more. After a long discussion, the two of us decided that we’ll give this a shot and see how things go.

She suddenly realized that I had not got ice-cream for myself and asked if I’d like to have some of hers. And without waiting for my answer, she thrust the cone in my face!!! I ran after her to do a repeat performance with whatever little of what was left of it and managed to catch her in under 30 seconds. Grabbing her arms, I was ready to give the final blow, when a local policeman appeared out of nowhere reprimanding us of creating unnecessary “hullah” and telling us to leave right away. Laughing, we got back in the car and I dropped her off to her place.

On my way back, with the sound of her cackling laughter still ringing in my ears, I realized I had just lived the happiest moments of my life till now.



- * - * - * - * - *Epilogue* - * - * - * - *


Six months later


HER:

Lunch break finally! You’d think that a year down in the office, things would get easier but FAR from it. The work pressure just keeps increasing!!! Gah!!!! And if that wasn’t enough, Adi is there to constantly remind me of his presence through whatever means he can, phone calls; texts; emails and the likes! I think I was too harsh on him in the last mail…poor guy didn’t deserve it. I should make it up to him. Did I tell you what a sweet heart he is? ;)



HIM:

At times college is really interesting and challenging, but it is at these times when I feel if IIM was really worth it. Maanu also seems pissed off…not replying to messages properly. :(

This teacher is going on and on about behavioral ethics in an organization. Wait! Did she just say ‘refrain from getting involved in personal relationships at office’…oh! She messaged! :) Here’s what she wrote:

“Hey sweets!! I’m sooo sawie for that last mail. Lottsa work pressure. :( Have just broken for lunch. Graduate soon and open your own company na. I’ll work for you. FREE! Or you can pay me in kind if you like. ;) Gimme a call when you are over with the class, I’ll catch up. :) Love”

Well, what does this teacher know; for me, ‘Love Work(ed)’. :D




Author's note: Constructive criticism will be much appreciated.