Disclaimer : I'm a huge KPop fan and you will come across names and photographs of KPop idols in most of my stories. They are my muse and inspiration in so many ways. The incidents and characters are fictional and have no resemblance to any K pop idol in any manner.
The hardest thing to do is to ignore a person you dislike, especially if you happen to see each other everyday- at school or college or your workplace!
This exactly was the dilemma which Amrita and Avi faced. Both studied together in school and then even in college. Imagine when they found out during their MBA classes that they had been picked up by the same company, same city, same branch, for internship!
Sitting in cubicles with glass screens, opposite each other, they were scowling at each other, thinking what a cruel joke fate had played on them.
You'd think its no big deal really. It's just heights of coincidence that's all! It happens! Well, it was a big deal for them!
Amrita and Avi always competed against each other in school. Their constant bickering and arguments continued through college and MBA. One was out to prove a point to the other, always! And of course they had to oppose each other, even if the matter didn't concern them personally! If Amrita said East, Avi would say West!
As new interns, they were very busy initially. As long as they didn't see each other, things were quiet. But their office colleagues soon realised that if the two even looked at each other, they were in for a full time entertainment and drama. They constantly pitted them against each other and enjoyed the show from the sidelines.
Politics and religion are two topics generally avoided in most workplaces and understandably so. This office was no different. But today it became different.
The new budget talked about higher income taxes which everyone was discussing. Obviously no one was happy about it. The Finance Minister would have gone red had he heard the 'compliments' he received! Today's discussion was frank- no holds barred!
When Amrita came in, she took her time to organise her desk and freshen up in the washroom, as she prepared for the long day ahead. She kept her tiffin box and water bottle carefully on the small table hidden from customers, alongwith a sanitiser, hand wash and a small towel. Her comb, lipstick, Kajal and compact were kept in a sparkly grey pouch, ready for a quick touch up anytime. She was so organised and meticulous with everything that her employer always told others to emulate her.
Of course Avi was totally the opposite! He was always the last one to reach office and his desk was never organised! But his good looks and flamboyant persona, alongwith his razor sharp mind and silver tongue made him the face of the company in no time! He was really good at his job and got the maximum clients!
So, despite their dislike for each other, Amrita and Avi made a great team, making up for each other's shortcomings and putting their best on the line every single time! Any presentation or proposal put forth by these two was bound to be accepted immediately. The boss loved them and the colleagues envied them, but kept motivating them always!
Avi came in, dancing, through the doors finally and immediately grasped the gist of the discussion. He cleared his desk just about enough to sit down and took his stylish sunglasses off. Now that he had everyone's attention, he said," I'm sorry but I feel differently. We keep talking about how the infrastructure and public transport is excellent in Singapore and the European countries. Do you know their high taxes are one reason for it? Higher taxes means more revenue for the government which can be used for the improvement of public services and basic infrastructure !"
" I agree with what Avi said," said Amrita.
The entire office, Avi included, was shocked into silence! Was this for real or just their imagination? Did Amrita really agree with something Avi said and that too without any argument? This was unreal, unbelievable !!!!
Avi was the first one to recover and in his usual suave manner, he bowed to acknowledge Amrita and thanked her.
The office staff was in for a second shock as Amrita accepted Avi's 'thanks' with a dazzling smile! This was the first genuine smile anyone had ever seen on Amrita's face and it made her a 100 times prettier!
Avi felt as though he was hit by a giant wave! He managed to calm his racing heart and was back to being his cocky self! Of course, Avi had to spoil the moment. He walked up to her and whispered into her ear," I never knew your lips knew how to smile... I didn't know how beautiful you really are till this moment...." He looked into her eyes deeply as she stopped smiling and her cheeks flushed pink. Amrita's heart was beating so loud! She looked shyly into his eyes and looked away.
This incident was a turning point in the relationship of Amrita and Avi. They smiled at each other and hardly had any arguments anymore. And professionally, their chemistry only got better! Their office colleagues weren't very happy now that their free entertainment was a thing of the past.
The stolen glances became more frequent and Amrita realised that she had fallen for this 'Maverick meets James Bond', Avi. She didn't know whether to feel happy or sad about it! She didn't know how he felt about her! She didn't know anything anymore.... She only knew that she was in love and she wanted to shout it out from the rooftops!
Her sparkling eyes, smiling mouth, flushed cheeks gave Amrita away as her colleagues caught her looking at Avi without blinking, with so much love in her eyes. Avi got flustered and looked away immediately.
Avi's feelings were no different. But this was an entirely new emotion for him. He was a flirt and knew exactly how to charm ladies! But Amrita made him feel something more. He wanted to take care of her and protect her. He wanted to grow old with her and live with her all his life. He wanted to be with her all the time. Awake or asleep, his thoughts were only about her. He had been avoiding his friends all week and spending his free time at home, on his bed, thinking about Amrita. He was madly in love and he didn't know what to do.
Avi decided to confess his true feelings to Amrita. He sent her a message to wait for him after everybody left. They could talk and eat at the pizzeria where they usually ate when they worked together. Amrita had agreed.
At 5, as everyone got up to leave, Amrita and Avi waited till they were the only ones in the office. Quietly, they walked to the lift and went down to the basement parking where Avi parked his car. Hearts beating fast, eyes looking around for prying eyes, they stopped near the car. Their eyes locked. They felt like teens with raging hormones who have no clue what to do about the raging hormones! They were happy, excited and really scared! They held hands and Avi opened the door to let Amrita sit. They drove off towards the pizzeria.
The pizzeria wasn't anywhere close to the office, so running into anyone they knew wasn't possible. They liked the pizzas here and their Tiramisu was mind blowing! They ordered their usual and then sipped their lemonades. In complete silence. Only their eyes talked... Their eyes spoke volumes about their feelings.... How is it even possible that it took them so many years to realise how much they liked each other? They spent so many years fighting like enemies! They could have been friends....
Avi spoke first and said, "Amrita, I think I love you.... No, I'm sure I love you...Last few days have been hell! I can't eat or sleep! I have no peace of mind! I just want to be with you all the time..."
Amrita looked up at him, wide eyed. Avi thought he had totally screwed up now .
He was so tense! Waiting for Amrita's response was killing him!
Amrita finally looked at him and said, "Avi,I don't think we can ever be friends...We never were and we never will be! At this exact moment, I 'unfriend' you.....for eternity!"
Avi was confused, "What is that supposed to mean? Why can't we be friends?"
Amrita leaned across the table, closer to his face and whispered, "Because I love you too!!!"
Avi looked relieved and they both laughed as Amrita said, dramatically, "Avi, I hereby unfriend you, for ever, for eternity, for as long as we live...Loverboy, it's about time we dated!"
Avi replied with his characteristic smoothness, "As you wish, my lovely lady!"
Whoa 😍😍😍 so romantic 😍 😍
Sweet