The Other Woman

Bosses

It was Monday afternoon and Mausam and I were about to go to have our snacks. Today, Gaurav too decided to join us.

We have been in the company for almost a month now. The behaviour of the manager and COO was still the same. The COO wasn't much around like the manager did but still, whenever he came to see us, he was rude as hell. He wasn't rude to Roji and it made sense why.

"I feel like resigning from this job already," Mausam whined while we walked towards the cafe.

"You will have to face this kind of boss wherever you go, Mausam. These people are everywhere." Gaurav said.

"Didn't you see how rude he was with me today?" She asked.

"He is rude to us every other day," I shrugged.

"Give yourself a few more months and then when you have a strong CV you can leave," Gaurav replied.

He was right in some way. We needed a strong CV and working in this company meant a huge thing. We could get a job anywhere.

"I don't think my mental health will let me stay here for long," Mausam said in a low voice.

I placed my hand on her shoulder as we walked.

"Let's see till when we can tolerate these assholes," I grinned at her and she laughed.

We entered the cafe and ordered our food. I looked at the far corner where Alan used to sit. He hasn't been here for weeks now. I still wondered where he went. And I didn't know why I would think of him every time I entered the cafe. I guess that's the thing about nice people, I mean, vocally lovely people, they automatically made a place in people's hearts.

We sat on our usual seats. Gaurav and Mausam started to talk while I stared out the window looking at people walking. A couple was walking on the street. They were smiling and holding hands.

I always wondered what it must feel like to hold someone's hand and feel good. What it must feel like to let someone touch you without flinching a bit cause whenever someone would touch me I would flinch as if they burnt me.

Our food came and we started to eat. But, I felt something weird in me. I felt like someone was watching us. I quickly turned around and there he was on the table in the corner he always used to sit. He had put the cap backwards. I could say he was dressed up in a casual outfit even though his back was to me.

"When did he come?" I thought.

I turned back and started to dig in my momo.

"Did you see the CEO? He is here," Mausam whispered.

"Oh, yeah?" I acted like I didn't notice. I quickly looked at him and then at Mausam.

"I heard he went out to Bali for Vacation,"

"Really?" I sounded interested even though I wasn't. I wasn't interested in where he went or what he did. I was interested in why he was so soft and calm. I wanted to know what made him angry and what made him happy. I wanted to know how he kept himself so soft. I just wanted to know about his softness and whether it was fake.

"Bosses and their holidays' destination," Gaurav said with a mouth full of food.

I listen to them talk about bosses, their temper, money, and life.

"Being boss must feel great you know," Mausam said. "You could just yell at employees and then go home with a bank full of money. Isn't it a privilege,"

"I agree," I heard Gaurav say.

I finished the plate of Momo. I looked around and then slowly looked back at him and damn our eyes met. He had changed his seat at the same table. He was sitting facing us. He stared at me for some time and then gave a quick forced smile. I quickly turned back.