Roundabout Way to You

4. Caught

"Please na" Sarth pleaded with his friend.

"No means no, Phi. I am not coming." Mihit answered without taking his eyes off the computer screen.

"Why not?" Sarth pouted.

"I have my own plans" Mihit just wanted to get rid of Sarth so that he could concentrate on his work.

"Isn't your plan to go back home and laze around?" Sarth asked. "Why can't you just do me a favour and come with me."

Sarth was dead set on dragging his friend along with him to pick up his girlfriend from work. Not that he couldn't go alone but because he knew that he might need to wait a long time for her and he would get bored. If he had Mihit with him, he could easily pass the time irritating the latter.

"What will I do if I tag along? Be a third wheel?" Mihit wasn't very keen on accompanying the couple because of all the bad experiences that he had from doing the same in the past. 

"No, you won't be a third wheel. I swear!" Sarth looked at him with a grin on his face. "Actually, Kitty has no idea that I am going to pick her up. It's a surprise."

"Then go surprise your girlfriend yourself! Why drag me along? What will I do there?"

Suddenly an idea appeared in Sarth's mind. "How about this? You come with me and I will have Kitty introduce you to RJ Spear. Since it is time for his show, he will surely be there!"

Mihit was a bit tempted. He was a huge fan of RJ Spear. As someone who is haunted by insomnia and overthinking, listening to 'Here from Spear' hosted by RJ Spear, put him in peace.

"Ok," Mihit mumbled.

Sarth had a victorious smile as he skipped back to his seat.

✨✨✨

After their office hours were over, Sarth, Mihit and Bern headed to the Radio Euphoria Limited company that owned Bliss FM, the radio station in which both Sarth's and Bern's girlfriends worked.

"You two get off here, I will go park the car," Mihit instructed as he stopped his car in front of the entrance of the office building.

The other two nodded and got off and Mihit drove off to the parking lot.

Having successfully found a parking space for his car, Mihit sat inside the car for a while scrolling on the phone. He only got out of the car when he started feeling hungry.

He had visited the place several times before along with Sarth. So, he was very familiar with the layout of the building.

He made his way to the cafeteria to get himself something to eat. He bought a chicken sandwich and a coffee. He gobbled it down and threw the wrapper and the cup into the trash bin. He then headed to the lounging area where he usually used to wait with Sarth for Kitty.

As he walked, Mihit noticed another tripping on the marbles that someone had spread across the floor. Thanks to his quick reflexes, he managed to catch the guy on time.

"Are you okay?" Mihit asked, still holding the guy.

The guy looked at him with a bewildered expression, seeming to be still in shock from stepping on those marbles and slipping.

"Hey?" Mihit called out again. "Are you alright?" He repeated.

This time, the question snapped the guy out of the daze. "Yes. I am good. Thank you." he tried to stand up but hissed in pain.

"Looks like you sprained your angle" Mihit said looking at the guy.

The guy was at least a head shorter than him and a thin stature.

"I think so too." The guy was in too much pain to stand on his own.

"Let me help you" Mihit offered and helped the guy towards the nearest bench.

"I am really sorry, Nong. The kids just ran around" A lady rushed over and apologised, holding two kids.

Those two kids were playing with those marbles that they picked up from the flower pot. Those marbles were being used as decorative items over the soil of the pot. The kids carelessly left those marbles on the floor and that was why the guy tripped.

Though in pain, the guy answered the woman "No problem, phi. But can you have them pick up those marbles and place them back in the flower pots? Or else someone else may trip as well."

"Kha!" The lady bowed again to show her apology and got her children to pick up all the marbles on the floor.

"May I take a look?" Mihit asked squatting next to the guy's leg.

As the former basketball team captain of his university, he was well-versed in checking a sprain.

The guy nodded slowly.

Mihit carefully removed the shoe on the injured leg and pulled down the sock. He carefully examined the injury. He applied light pressure over the bone and the guy hissed in pain again.

"I think you should go to the hospital. It kind of looks like you have got a fracture and not just a sprain." Mihit said with a frown making the guy surprised.

✨✨✨

Sarth had separated ways with Bern after they entered the building. Bern who had already informed his girlfriend about his arrival went to the cafeteria to meet her, whereas Sarth headed to Kitty's office.

Most of the staff there recognised him as he visited the place often. They greeted him on the way and he greeted them back.

"Swadee P' Sarth" A coquettish male voice was heard from behind.

Sarth turned around to see Georgie, one of Kitty's colleagues smiling at him. "Swadee Georgie"

Kitty was not very fond of Georgie as the latter was really pretty and was a feminine gay. She often badmouthed about him to Sarth. 

This made Sarth have a not-so-good image of Georgie. Still, he remained polite and smiled at the latter when he approached him.

"Are you here to pick Kitty up, phi?" Georgie asked.

"Yes," Sarth answered.

"Oh?" Georgie looked surprised. "Didn't you call her before coming here?"

"No. It is a surprise visit." Sarth felt there was something odd. "Why? Did she leave already?" It wasn't time to clock out yet. 

"No, phi." Georgie chuckled. "She is not in her office. She is in the storeroom to look for something." He smiled and turned to one of the colleagues  "Fern, why don't you show P' Sarth the way to the store room."

Sarth looked up at the girl named Fern. Fern was said to be the top gossiper of the company. Telling her something was like publishing on social media. Everyone would know it within a few hours.

Sarth had his doubts about Georgie's intentions but still chose to play along. He followed behind Fern.

Fern used her id to open the door for Sarth.

"Thank you, Fern" Sarth said entering the storeroom. But as he walked he saw Fern follow him. He understood her actions too. He was an outsider after all. If something went missing or got damaged in the storeroom, then the blame would go in her name. She was just being cautious. 

Even though he felt awkward, he let her follow him. His footsteps halted as he saw his girlfriend.

His girlfriend was making out with the same guy whom she assured him that was no more than a colleague.

"Oh My God!" Fern screamed and immediately pulled out her phone to film the sight in front of her. 

The scream made the two who barely had any clothes on freeze.

Kitty saw her boyfriend and was beyond shocked, and so was the 'colleague'. His little brother instantly shrunk back into his trousers.