Qualms: The Intrusive Thoughts

Chapter-2

I took a relaxing bath and dried myself. I set my hair into soft curls and pulled them into a neat ponytail. I got dressed in my brown winter suit with a turtleneck and black sneakers. I glanced in the mirror, feeling pretty confident about the outfit.

"What do you think? Aadi?" I looked at her, straightening my jacket.

She turned to me with sleepy eyes. With her mouth wide open and eyes as big as saucers, she looked at me from top to bottom. She did not say a word. Suddenly nervous, I brushed off an invisible crease off my jacket. "Is something wrong?" I asked her. It was already 8:10 and I did not have time to change. I had to leave.

"No dude! You look beautiful. Now go, let me sleep!" With a clear schedule for the day, she turned to the other side and mumbled "Eat something before you go".

"Wish me luck!" I left our room without waiting for her reply.

The thought of food was nowhere in my mind. I was too anxious to eat anything at the moment. I feel like puking everything- even if there was nothing in my system. I was pretty sure this anxiety was going to kill me someday. I made my way to the building in which my interview was supposed to happen. I checked the time again and it was 8:30. 

Wow! It had taken me more time to get here than what I had expected earlier. I rushed inside the building and spotted the OUT OF ORDER plate before I even saw the lift. '6th floor, here I come!', I said to myself and began climbing the stairs. With all the anxiety and nervousness, the 6 flights of stairs felt like climbing a mountain. I was huffing like a rabid dog as I reached the 6th floor.

'Wow; I'm in this miserable condition even with my exercise routines?' I thought to myself trying to catch my breath.

'Relax... Calm down... Deep breaths... We'll nail it...' 

I looked out from an open window the view astounded me. This was the last building on the campus from the entrance gates. Beyond the campus walls were vast green farmlands, farms. Somewhere in the beautiful landscape, I could see the morning sunlight glinting off a small lake. The cool wind brushed my face as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Something about this moment relaxed the tension I was holding in my tight jaw. I was ready for this.

I opened my eyes and turned away from the window. In front of me stood a breathtaking man. Messy jet-black hair, a perfectly trimmed beard... beautiful. He was wearing a grey pullover and blue jeans with clean white shoes. I was mesmerized. He waved his hand in front of my face, making me come out of the trance.

"Uh... I... I am..." I stumbled over my words, embarrassed. 

"It's okay. Stairs- happens all the time!" he smiled softly. He was trying his best to comfort my embarrassing ass. "Yeah..." I cleared my throat once again, I could my ears turning warm. I noticed his dimples as he continued to beam at me. His little stubble enhanced his smile.

I won't be ashamed to admit that this man in front of me was making me have impure thoughts. God had surely taken a good amount of time when creating this fine specimen. I sighed to myself. 

'Uff! God has done quite an injustice by taking sweet time to create him and we commoners are left looking like this! Wait, no! He's still looking at you Nitih! Say something. What? Oh yes, introductions!'

"Sorry. I am Nitih Acharya. I'm here for the interview?" I tried to control my emotions.

"Oh! You're early," he said as he glanced at his watch.

"Um..." the confusion was evident on my face. 

"Oh yeah I am Tejas Kapoor. We spoke on the phone?" once I nodded an affirmation, he added "...come follow me" he smiled a little goofy and walked the short distance to his office. He pointed at one of the chairs and offered me a seat. "Give me a moment, I'll just confirm with the professor," he said pulling out his cellphone.