White Tulips

Chapter-7

Isha walked into the crowded conference room, carrying her laptop and a folder full of notes. "Good morning, everyone," she said, taking her seat at the table.

The room was filled with the usual chatter and hum of coffee cups being filled. Isha pulled up her presentation on her laptop and waited for Neil to start the meeting.

Neil cleared his throat, his voice commanding attention. "Alright, let's get started. Isha, please update us on the marketing campaign."

Isha began her presentation, walking the team through the strategy and tactics. Neil listened intently, his expression serious, while Rohan took notes and asked occasional questions. The rest of the team followed along, some nodding along, others looking confused.

As Isha wrapped up her presentation, Neil nodded thoughtfully. "Good work, Isha. Let's discuss the details."

The meeting continued, with the team diving into the nitty-gritty of the campaign. Isha felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, but also a hint of anxiety. She knew that Neil was a tough critic, and she hoped she had done enough to impress him.

As the meeting drew to a close, Isha felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had presented her campaign to the team, and it had been well-received. Neil had asked some tough questions, but she had been prepared for them. Rohan had even complimented her on her work, which had felt great.

As the team began to disperse, Isha gathered her things and prepared to leave. But then Neil called out to her. "Isha, can I see you in my office for a minute?"

Isha's heart skipped a beat. What did Neil want to talk to her about? Had she done something wrong? She felt a flutter of anxiety in her chest as she followed Neil to his office.

"Take a seat," Neil said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

Isha sat down, trying to compose herself. Neil leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on her. "Isha, I wanted to talk to you about your campaign. It's good work. You've put a lot of thought into it."

Isha exhaled, feeling a sense of relief. "Thank you, sir. I'm glad you like it."

But then Neil's expression turned serious. "However, I do have some concerns. I think we need to revisit the budget and see if we can make some adjustments."

Isha's heart sank. The budget. She had known this was coming. But she was ready for it. She was prepared to defend her numbers.

As the office emptied and the day drew to a close, Neil approached Isha's desk. "Hey, Isha, ready to head out?"

She looked up from her computer, surprised. "Yeah, I think so. Just wrapping up a few things."

Neil nodded. "Why don't we head out together, then? I'll give you a ride home."

Isha hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Sure, that'd be great. Thanks, Neil."

"Great!" Neil said, gesturing for her to follow him. "Let's go."

As they walked out of the office together, Isha felt a sense of comfort with Neil that she hadn't experienced before. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she was glad to be spending more time with him.

Then, as they drove through the city, Isha asked, "Neil, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Isha," he replied, his eyes on the road.

"Why don't you live with your family?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Neil's expression turned neutral, his voice measured. "I prefer living alone, Isha. It's just easier for me to focus on my work this way."

Isha sensed a hint of evasion, a feeling that there was more to the story. But she didn't press the issue, instead trying to fill the awkward silence. "I understand. I'm sure it can be tough to balance work and family life."

Neil nodded, his eyes still fixed on the road. "Yeah, it can be."

The conversation trailed off, and they drove in silence for a few moments before Isha spoke up again. "Umm, would you like to come over for dinner at my place?" she asked, trying to break the silence.

Neil raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the invitation. "Uh, sure. I'd like that."

Isha smiled, feeling a sense of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with him. "Great! I'll cook something up. What do you like?"

Neil shrugged. "Whatever you make, I'm sure it'll be great."

Isha laughed, feeling a sense of ease with him that she hadn't expected. "Okay, I'll take that as a challenge."

As they entered her apartment, Neil was struck by the warm atmosphere inside. The walls were adorned with colorful artwork, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh cooking spices. "It feels very welcoming in here," he said, looking around.

Isha laughed. "That's what I'm going for. Make yourself at home while I get dinner started."

Neil nodded, taking a seat on the couch as Isha disappeared into the kitchen. He couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in her presence, like he'd known her for far longer than just a few days.

As the evening unfolded, they chatted and laughed over a delicious homemade meal, their connection growing stronger with every passing minute. And as the night drew to a close, Neil realized he didn't want it to end. "Thanks for dinner, Isha," he said, helping with the dishes. "This has been one of the best evenings I've had in a long time."

Isha smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Mine too."

Neil smiled back, feeling a sense of comfort and ease with her. "I'm really glad we did this," he said, meaning every word.

Isha nodded, her smile still in place. "Me too. We should do it again sometime."

Neil's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. "Definitely," he said, trying to sound casual. "Maybe we can even make it a regular thing?"

Isha's eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled. "I'd like that."

And with that, Neil felt a sense of hope and excitement for what might come next. He helped Isha finish up the dishes, and as they said their goodbyes, he couldn't help but feel grateful for this new connection in his life.

They are getting closer.❤️

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