INTIMACY CLINIC - The Conversations we AVOID

THE GUEST VISIT

Aanchal was busy with work. She had an important presentation to prepare. She was the first one to enter the office that day. Veena tried to talk to her, but she was too busy. Veena waited for her in the office canteen, but Aanchal didn't show up for lunch either.

Aanchal had the habit of forgetting about everything when she was caught up in work.

Time passed. . . but she didn't stop. Her fingers were moving on her laptop like some robot programmed to press a specific key at a particular time. Her eyes were glued to the screen. When. . .

Her phone rang.

Her eyes moved. But her fingers didn't stop.

She looked at her mobile screen. And her fingers froze. Her eyes were glued to the mobile screen. The phone kept ringing. Her fingers didn't move. Neither did she. Veena, who was constantly looking at her through the glass wall, saw the opportunity and ran to her office.

"Why are you not picking up the call?" She asked, entering her office.

"Hhh," Aanchal said, turning her eyes to her, deep in thought. Veena's sight snapped her out of her thoughts. Her hand rushed to pick up the phone. To stop it from ringing. Aanchal quickly hid the phone in one of the drawers.

But it was too late. Veena had seen what was on the screen. It was not a call. It was an alarm. Titled, jerk.

Veena smiled at first. But then she realized how busy Aanchal was. "You are going. Right?" She asked in a low voice.

Aanchal looked at her. Veena waited for the reply. But it didn't come. Aanchal kept staring at Veena.

"Please tell me you are going," Veena said, folding her hands.

Aanchal didn't say a word. She pulled out her pen drive from the laptop and stood up to leave the office.

"Where are you going?" Veena asked anxiously.

Aanchal didn't respond. Veena ran behind her, but she had to stop before she could catch her. She couldn't dare to follow her into the VP's (Vice President) office.

***

"Excuse me, sir," Aanchal said, opening the door.

"The girl I love to see." VP smiled.

Aanchal smiled back and went inside. "This is the presentation for the evening," She said, stretching her hand to give it to the VP.

"Why are you giving it to me?"

Aanchal cleared her throat. "I also need your permission to leave early today. In fact, to leave the office at 02 pm every Saturday for the next nine weeks."

"Anything serious?" VP showed concern. He had never seen Aanchal asking for a leave on an urgent basis. Especially on the day when she had such an important presentation to deliver.

"Nothing serious. It is just some personal stuff I need to take care of. It's important for me." Aanchal said, trying to be as calm as possible.

"You were supposed to deliver the presentation. You are the best we have. And you know the client is a VIP."

"I am extremely sorry, sir. You know I take my job very seriously. But I really can't deliver the presentation today." Restlessness started to show up on her face. She continued, "Sharad can deliver it. I am sure he will do good."

"Only because it's you," VP said, taking the pen drive from her.

"Thank you very much, sir." Aanchal smiled. She hurried to the door. Veena was waiting outside for her.