Love in Lockdown

1.

Hello Fam :)

Warning: Fingers crossed. :')

Happy Reading...

"I need a job, Abhimanyu."

Abhimanyu Thakkar, the CEO of Thakkar Industries, was running on a 2-hour sleep schedule for the past week and he was bound to get sick if he continued on this path. His father was unwell for the past few days because of which the whole burden at work was on his shoulders. It's fine. It was nothing he hadn't handled before. There were times when the elder Thakkar wasn't available and he had to fill in. But this time it was different. This time, one idiot from the neighboring country thought it would be funny to eat a stupid bat and spread a stupid virus. Seriously, every child in India who had read Snow White and the seven dwarfs would know Bat and the people around the bats are a big no. But guess what? The said neighboring country didn't read about the Snow White and the white dwarfs. He chuckled to himself and a paperweight came flying right at him, almost missing his face. Which reminds him, he had to concentrate on his best friend. "I am sorry. I was thinking something else."

"I am sitting right in front of you and you had the audacity to think about anything else? Really, Thakkar?", yelled the girl, before going into another rant.

Nandini Murthy, his best friend, his partner in crime, had the temper of a mini-volcano. She was a ticking bomb and you wouldn't know when it would get blasted and the only thing you could pray is to let you not be around her when that happens. Because irrespective of whether you are at fault or not, you would be affected by it. Looking at her now, it felt like it would be blasting sooner than later.

Abhimanyu sighed. "Calm down, love. You could have the whole company if you want right in Bangalore. Whom am I even to give a job to you?"

The girl gritted her teeth. "I would shoot you if you even suggest that name."

"Fine", he said. "I would talk to dad. He would never say no to you. Why don't you chill until then? Roam around the city?"

Nandini rolled her eyes. Of course, she had been to the city multiple times. "How about you give me a job like a normal person? I am here because there was an opening in your company."

"That interview was last week and dad had already selected someone. Let me talk to dad, we would find something for you too. Don't worry. What are you doing now?"

"Staying away from you."

Abhimanyu chuckled, before dragging her for lunch.

XXX

It was two days after which Nandini and Mukti went shopping. Hours after shopping, being tired and hungry, they ordered the food and sat down for their order to arrive.

"So, you are working in the Thakkar industry now?", asked Mukti.

Nandini glared at her. "I asked your husband to get me a job. He said he would talk to Uncle. How many days would he need for that? If he doesn't want to give me a job, ask him to say so. How much time should I wait?"

Mukti laughed. "Dad is okay just by listening to your name. They are working on your project only. It's just his health is a bit down. Abhimanyu isn't saying anything but he thinks it's that stupid virus from China."

Nandini snorted. "Uncle hadn't been on any international trip recently. How would he contract the virus? They are blowing out of proportion, really. Don't worry. He would be fit in two days and then Abhimanyu would have no excuse to reject me from getting a job."

Mukti shook her head with a smile. "It's not about your job, Nanz. Abhi might even come to you in a day or two. But I don't understand why don't you do this job in Bangalore?"

Nandini rolled her eyes. "With my dad? Sorry. Under my dad's overprotection? I would go there and sit like a princess while the rest of the office works under me. I went there for a week and I felt like a glass doll in a theatre where everyone is playing their own roles while I am in the audience. How can I work for a company where I am feeling like an outsider?"

Mukti frowned. "Talk to your dad? Ask him not to treat you like a glass doll?"

"And? Mukti, they think they need to protect me, keep me happy and fulfill every wish of mine because I will get married to someone and leave them in a few years. Treating you like a princess works on your birthday but even the cake gets boring if you have to eat it every day, Mukti. It's suffocating me in Bangalore", said Nandini with a sigh. Soon, their order came and she stood up. "Let me bring it."

Nandini took her food and turned around when someone collided with her and the sauce on her tray fell on her top. She fumed at the stain, gritted her teeth, and threw the hot soup on the person in front of her before going back to their table.

"What happened?", asked Mukti, looking at the expression on her face.

Before Nandini could explain herself, the same guy came to their table and banged his hand in front of her. "What the hell? Why did you pour your soup on me?"

"Didn't you pour this?", she asked, showing the tomato sauce on her top.

"It was an accident. You turned around so fast and I didn't do it intentionally.

Nandini smiled, sweet and innocent. "Is it? The soup was an accident too. Now, go to hell."

The guy fumed, raising his finger. "Listen, you-" He was cut off by a call on his mobile and he took a moment to glance at the caller id before turning to Nandini. "If I see you again, I will see your end." He stalked off, answering the call by saying he was on his way.

When she glanced away from the guy, she was met with Mukti's huge frown. "Nandini, you can't throw food on strangers, yaar."

"Do you believe him?", she asked in disbelief. "Don't. He is acting. Everyone does. How can he not see me right in front of him in the line?"

Mukti shrugged. "He looked decent enough but what if he isn't and causes some trouble?"

"Let him try", said Nandini.

Having no other option, Mukti let out a sigh to let her know her disagreement before concentrating on her food. 

A/N: Nandini is a ticking time bomb. No points for guessing the guy at the end. :P

There will be another part following. :)