Your fabricated lie

9 - Legal meet

For eight straight hours I was in bed with my eyes open. Seventy percent of me bashed me internally in every possible angle and the other twenty percent cherished the kiss. Intentionally or unintentionally I licked my lips quite often as it still felt like a dream.

I had a quick flash of the moment and before I got to summarize, Gautham came. "Any plans for today?" He asked. To my surprise, he was completely acting contrary to my thoughts.

I expected him to talk about yesterday's meeting but it looks like he is not bothered about it. Waking up reluctantly and adjusting my hair, "Yeah. I am going to the office," I answered his question.

A little bob with a nasal sound was his answer. He left immediately and that behavior of his was absolutely suspicious. Not sure if he was avoiding me or the topic I might talk about had he been with me for the next couple of minutes.

My mental health was already disturbed. Added to this, there are a lot of things that my brain has to process and organize. Yet, I decided to keep it occupied by going to the office and socializing to an extent. After all, an empty brain is a devil's workshop. I can not definitely let the ghost overpower me. Already, I let it win over me once and am still facing consequences.

Doing the basics for one hour and traveling for the next hour, I was in the office before 10 o'clock. The best and the worst thing about today is, it's Lavanya's birthday. Had we didn't fight, it would have been a blast today.

Even though I hated the thought of wishing her, I found an orchid bouquet in my hand.

Somewhere in the corner, there is this version of me that isn't allowing me to be a bad human. I try my best to act cold and build this wall as strong as Captain America's shield but still end up greeting the same person. Is it just me or is it common for people?!

My split personality, for real! Shameless me! I scolded myself and stepped in.

I walked into the law firm as if things never went wrong. I do remember the kind of last month I lived. I'd rather pretend as if I never was fired from this law firm because I don't want to be reminded of the past.

My mind was put at ease when I noticed my colleagues treating me the same way they did a month ago. The way they greeted me increased my confidence levels. I smiled at each and every employee who came across while I was making my way to the elevator.

The climate is too good to believe. People around me are kind. How come my day is this good? Talking about which, my coffee was perfect too. It's not that I am foreboding but... a day being this perfect is not allowed. Particularly in my life.

Snap out. Focus.

Noticing the 'about to get closed' doors, I rushed and yelled asking people in the elevator to hold on. People inside seemed generous. They did hold it for me but I regretted my decision of holding them back when I saw the so-called generous people. I am okay with Rajesh but why Aditya out of all people?!

He smiled at me when our eyes met. Rajesh asked me to get in when I was still contemplating. "I will take the stairs," I turned around to leave.

Before I could take another step, I felt the strong yet gentle pull and the next moment I found myself in the elevator. "Ten floors are not for the 'I will take stairs' statement," Aditya said.

This is my first time agreeing to his actions and not picking up a fight. Neither did I utter a word nor did they. Rajesh and Aditya were standing at the corners leaning on each side while I stood close to the door being ready to jump out the moment I reach the tenth floor.

I am not sure if he was really staring but I felt this constant feeling of a sharp knife being poked. I didn't dare to check if the knife was really his eyes but yes, it was too much for my poor heart.

When I rushed out, I didn't care about the kind of conclusions they come to looking at my weird behavior.

The entire day was a rollercoaster. There was difficulty to get over Karthik's memory, difficulty to escape from reality and difficulty to stay away from Aditya.

Me and Rajesh had meeting with the legal team. It is just that I was ignorant of the happenings in the law firm. Later I got to know that my legal license was back and I was made the head of the legal team.

I am still not sure of my capability of managing such a huge role. Me and Rajesh had a legal meeting with the team. There were a few changes in policies of the company and I was warned of all those. It was nothing less than an orientation day.

I was done with all the documentation work by noon. The only thing that was left was to greet Lavanya.

Packed my belongings, informed Rajesh and went to meet her. The only thing I was hoping for before getting in was Adi's absence. And again it was proved that I was not god's favorite child.

Unfavorable deities and unfavorable circumstances!

Physically, I didn't but internally I banged my head a couple of times. In the midst of the chaos, there was this bright smile on Lavanya's face.

I took small strides and gave her the bouquet she was looking forward to. "My warm wishes to the warmest person I ever knew..."

...Until last night, my brain continued the other unspoken part. True she hurt me. So did Aditya. Still, she's the nicest person I could ever think of till yesterday night. There was an update in the list and it looks like Aditya topped the chart. One thing's for sure. It was definitely not because of the magnificent kiss.

When she was about to thank me, "Looks like someone else gifted the same one," I interrupted, noticing another bouquet on the table.

In my defense, this is absolutely jealousy and I am completely shameless to agree to that.

I heard a soft chuckle over my shoulder and understood that he cracked the code of jealousy.

"My mom gifted it," Lavanya answered with the brightest smile ever. For some reason I felt happy knowing that Aditya didn't gift her.

"Thank you so much, Anu. You have no idea how happy I am," she said..

I smile genuinely. "I would love to spend some more time but I am afraid that I have to leave," I lied. She was fine with me prioritizing my work and that shit hurt. By now I have known her for more than seven years and this is the first time we are celebrating her birthday this way.

"See you tomorrow," I said. There was a halt to my steps when I heard Aditya say, "Drop me on your way". He walked past me before I could even accept it.

I was neither sure how to perceive it nor sure how to respond. "Um, I don't think that's a good idea," he stopped near the door when I said that.

"Neither do I," Lavanya referred to the rumors about us.

Still holding on to the door knob, "It's okay. I will tell people that she is my driver," he replied and left which absolutely surprised us.

We looked at each other for a second in awe. She didn't utter a word. So didn't I.

I followed him out and saw him waiting for me to get onto the elevator.

Had the elevator was empty, I would have definitely picked a fight but the not-so packed lift didn't allow me to speak.

When we reached the parking lot, "Don't you have a car?" I questioned while he was walking towards my car. Considering his pace, it looks like he didn't want to answer my question.

He opened the car door and I shut it again. "Answer my question. Don't you have a car?"

"I do. But you are not in it," he opened the door again. By the time I googled what he meant, he was in my car already. "Come fast. I am getting late," he commanded.

Having no idea what to do, I decided to go with the flow.

Can't believe my years of education and job were just to be called as his driver! Damn, I ended up in the wrong place with the wrong person!