Loving You

Chapter 8 - Akshara - First Day

I glanced at the digital dial on my iWatch and mentally cursed myself for again being late on my first day of work. Abhimanyu's —sorry,  my boss Dr. Birla's words echoed in the back of my head.  I'll see you tomorrow, 9am sharp. Don't be late.

"9am sharp! Don't be late!" I scrunched up my nose in disgust as I attempted to do an over the top terrible impression of my boss. I don't even know how he became a doctor let alone a surgeon. The way he was so punctual about time, he definitely should have been in the army or something.

But to be fair, I did wake up at 6:30am, got dressed in record time to catch the subway at 8. Oh sure, it's an entirely different matter that I wasted a half an hour trying on different outfits with matching shoes. And the funny part was, I didn't even know why I spent so long choosing an outfit.

You do know why you spent 30 minutes choosing an outfit, Akshu. I shrugged off the very unladylike thoughts creeping up into my head and picked up my pace as I saw the Birla Hospital building in sight.

Normally, I'd pick the first clothing item off the rack in my closet, pair it up with a pair of black leggings or jeans and that was it. Simple, fast, easy, classy. But I don't know why, today my mind didn't let me chose my regular go-to outfits. Instead I had made a mess out of my already very messy bedroom and closet just to settle on a knee length spaghetti strap floral summer dress and a pair of light brown wedges.

I let my hair air dry before gently curling them into lose curls that settled right above my waist. I opted for minimal makeup, just light foundation, powder to keep the shine away, mascara and a neutral brown lipstick. Before stepping out of the apartment, I sprayed some "Good Girl" by Carolina Herrera on my wrist and the rest of myself even thought I felt anything but.

And of course a vanilla latte to start the day was a must. Along with a carrot muffin. So yes, I could see why I was late on my first day of work, even though I tried to be on time.

And now I was going to get yelled at by Dr. Birla. Sometimes I felt like a part of me took sadistic pleasure and thrived on being yelled by Abhimanyu. Akshu, shut up and hurry up or else you're not going to hear the end of Abhimanyu and his constant "what type of employee would you be for this hospital if you can't even show up to your first day of work on time?"

I don't know where this incessant fear of Abhimanyu Birla was coming from but it was a very valid feeling. I did not want to be in his bad books. At least not yet. We'd barely even gotten started.

I quickly walked through the entrance of the Birla Hospital and made my way to the elevator. From the corner of my eyes I could see the same receptionist whom I'd met earlier giving me the stink eye for i guess, again showing up late.

I pressed the elevator button and waited impatiently. I clutched my tote bag tightly against myself and adjusted my guitar that I was carrying.

"Miss, excuse me, are you okay?"

I turned around to face the man who was questioning me.

"Oh yes, I'm perfect."

He eyed my tote bag, my guitar and the floral dress I was wearing before his eyes settled on me. He was tall, and handsome in a pristine, proper, rich boy manner. But he wasn't Abhimanyu. Akshu, stop! Don't think about Abhimanyu. He's your boss now.

"Are you sure you're in the right elevator? This is a staff elevator. Public elevators are over there." He pointed towards the opposite corridor.

"Trust me, I'm at the right elevators." I turned my head and faced the closed elevator doors.

"My apologies. Just the way you're dressed, and your guitar, I thought you were here to visit a patient." I don't know why but his tone was both condescending and sincere at the same time.

"Well you thought wrong. And you should really learn to mind your own business, Vikram." The voice was loud but controlled.

Abhimanyu. I felt his presence near me before I heard his voice. If his presence had been heavy before, it felt menacing now. Suddenly I felt chilly, very cold, as if someone had turned up the air conditioning to full blast. And the only warmth I could find was the heat radiating off of Abhimanyu. And for some reason it wasn't directed towards me, it was directed towards the guy on my right, Vikram was his name.

"Abhimanyu." Vikram nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Tension. There was a lot of tension especially with way Abhimanyu did not acknowledge Vikram at all. I prayed for the elevator to come. And my prayers were answered.

The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside and turned to face the 2 men who were standing still, neither of them making a move to come in. As Vikram moved a step forward, Abhimanyu stepped in first, pushing me to a corner, effectively blocking my view to anything but his big body. His posture was almost protective, like a bodyguard's. It was as if he didn't want Vikram seeing me.

It was the first time I had seen Abhimanyu act this way and it felt...good? My stomach was going crazy twisting itself into knots. Whatever this reaction of Abhimanyu's was, it was strange and unexplainable but it felt nice to be on the receiving end of it.

"My name is Vikram, by the way." I could feel Abhimanyu's body becoming tensed, his stance became defensive. He did not like Vikram talking to me at all. And for some reason that made me smile. Abhimanyu made it impossible for me to see the man but I felt like I had to reply.

Before I could utter a single word, the doors opened and Abhimanyu stepped out of the elevator and waited for me to follow. This wasn't our floor but wherever the boss went, I went. But before stepping out of the elevator, I turned to Vikram and replied, "Akshara."

As I walked beside Abhimanyu, I felt his jaw locked into disapproval. He was not happy. Was it because I told whomever Vikram was my name? Or was he mad that I was late? Whatever it was, Dr. Abhimanyu Birla was not a happy camper.

"Sorry, I was late..." I began to apologize but was cut off curtly.

"HR is this way. You have some paperwork to sign. Once you're done, meet me in my office."

And with that, he walked off. And something told me he was angry. Mad even. Uncontrollably mad. But it wasn't me that he was mad at. So if he wasn't mad at me, then who?

***

Sorry for the inconsistency in updates! I wasn't feeling well so I didn't update it last week. But moving forward I'll try to update a chapter every Monday, with a possibly of another one on Thursday-Friday! I have Chapter 8 almost ready to go too. I'll post that on Monday!

I know you as readers aren't obligated to leave comments but if you're able to, please do! Just so I have an idea whether you guys liked the chapter and your thoughts! It's really motivating as a writer. But thank you anyways! :)