No. This could not be happening.
That hint of amusement on his face sharpened into something else.
‘I ...’ my voice came out strangled. ‘I didn’t realise—’ His phone rang, cutting through the tension.
Jai pulled his phone out of his suit pocket. ‘I need to take this,’ he said, giving me one last unreadable look before he pressed his phone to his ear and walked away.
Spy on your boss? Manageable.
Spy on your boss, whom you’d gotten off on the wrong foot with – thrice?
Not. Even. Close.
3
Hide-and-Seek
Ananya
Anxiety buzzed beneath my skin as I entered my new office.
Over the weekend, I caught up with Maa, ate her delicious food and avoided the topic of marriage like it was a public gathering during Covid. After I dropped her off at the railway station on Sunday evening, Rhea and I had a much-needed debrief session. (Yes, of course I told her everything; she’s my best friend.)
We spent the night dissecting everything: Rekha’s revelations, the cab incident with Jai, whether he heard me call him a dick and my brief interactions with him at the office. I didn’t get a chance to apologise or explain myself, but I could do that today.
He seemed annoyed at best, hostile at worst.Would he fire me?The chai I had in the morning sloshed in my stomach.
You’re overthinking this. It’s going to be fine.Rhea’s words echoed in my mind.
I took a deep breath. Exhaled.It’d be alright.
Kavita’s desk was empty when I got there. I looked at my wristwatch. Eight twenty-four. Notthatearly. I spotted a black bag sitting in the corner. That hadto be hers. She’d show up soon enough. I took a seat and fiddled with the notebook in front of me. If Jai …
The elevator doors pinged.
Please let it be Kavita. Please let it be literally anyone else …
Jai stepped out and walked down the hallway, typing on his phone. He didn’t even glance in my direction.
The door to his office opened. Closed.
Okay. Fine. So that’s how this was going to be. He was going to pretend I didn’t exist.
I wasn't sure whether that was better or worse than a confrontation.
At least I still had a job. For now.
I pulled out my phone and texted Rhea.
Kavita appeared moments later, dressed in a loose powder blue dress and carrying a tray with a steaming cup. She pursed her lips when she saw me. Without a word, she knocked on Jai’s door and walked in.
Just great. My first day hadn’t even started, and I’d already disappointed her.
‘You’re late,’ she said instead of offering a greeting when she returned. ‘But since it’s your first day, I’ll let you off with a warning.’
‘I thought the workday starts at eight thirty.’
I frowned. ‘I was here six minutes before that.’
