Equations Of Love

11

"Loving you feels like a work of art"

DIYANSHI'S POV

I  stood in the doorway, staring in shock at the familiar figure behind the desk. He looked up, equally stunned, his eyes widening in recognition. Memories of my brother's wedding flooded back—the laughter, the chaos, and those two mortifying moments

"Kerchief man," I blurted out.

"Cry baby," he replied instantly, his voice tinged with surprise and amusement.

We looked at each other in disbelief, repeating each other's words. "Kerchief man?" "Cry baby?"

"I'm not a crybaby," I stated, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.

"And I'm not 'kerchief man'," he retorted, leaning back in his chair. "I have a name, you know."

I glanced at the nameplate on his desk: Prateek Rathore. My eyes moved to his designation, and my stomach dropped. What had I done?

"Sorry, sir, for my impoliteness," I said quickly, feeling embarrassed.

"Sir?" he asked, looking momentarily confused before realization dawned. "Oh yes, I forgot we're in the office."

I swallowed hard, feeling more flustered than ever. He stood up and walked around the desk, his demeanor shifting from playful to professional in an instant.

"So, you're the new employee," he said, his tone now formal. "Welcome to the company, Ms. Diya. It's customary for every new employee to meet the boss on their first day."

I nodded, cursing myself silently. How could I have called him kerchief man? Prateek Rathore continued, his voice authoritative.

"Our company values dedication, innovation, and teamwork. As a part of our team, you'll be expected to uphold these values in your daily work. Your primary responsibilities will include project management, client communication, and coordinating with various departments to ensure timely delivery of services. We believe in open communication, so if you ever face any issues, feel free to discuss them with me or your immediate supervisor. Do you have any questions?"

I shook my head, trying to focus on his words and not on the fact that I had called my new boss "kerchief man."

"Good. We expect excellence and commitment from all our employees. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the company policies and procedures. If there's anything you need, my door is always open."

"Thank you, Mr. Rathore," I managed to say, my voice steady.

He smiled, the professional mask slipping slightly. "Is it fate that we're meeting again here? Or perhaps just a small world?"

"Thank you for the introduction," I said, attempting to maintain a professional tone. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

As I turned to leave, he asked, "How have you been?"

"I'm doing well," I replied, wanting to end the conversation and escape the awkwardness. "Goodbye."

I hurried out of his office, my mind racing. How could this be happening? I needed to focus on my work, not on past embarrassments. As I gathered my things and headed towards the lift, I heard footsteps behind me. It was Prateek again.

"Oh, stop following me," he teased. "I know you want something with me."

"What the heck is wrong with you?" I shot back, exasperated. "This is a public lift. Everyone uses it."

He laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Relax, Cry Baby. I'm just messing with you."

The lift arrived, and we both stepped in. The ride down was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional ding as we passed floors. When we reached the ground floor, I practically ran out, eager to put some distance between us.

To my surprise and relief, Ayushman was waiting for me outside. The sight of him brought a wave of happiness and comfort. I walked over to him, leaving Prateek behind without a backward glance.

Ayushman's face lit up when he saw me. "Hey, how was your first day?"

"It was... eventful," I said, glancing back to see Prateek watching us with a smirk on his face.

Ayushman followed my gaze and his expression hardened slightly. He nodded to Prateek, who responded with a casual wave before turning and walking away.

As we walked to the car, Ayushman asked again, "So, how was it?"

I smiled at him, feeling a strange sense of comfort and support. "It was good. Challenging, but good."

Ayushman nodded, his eyes still flicking back to where Prateek had been standing. We got into the car, and as we drove away, I couldn't help but think about the unexpected encounter and what it might mean for the future. But for now, I was content to let the day fade behind me, focusing instead on the journey ahead.

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THANK YOU <3