FRAGMENTS OF US

Chapter 06

The part of me left my body to rest somewhere and another part is sulking in the corner waiting for me to act stupid. Now at a point where I can't differentiate the advices given by my brain. People say, think from your brain and act as per your heart but then no one told me, if i had to use my heart, I need to have it with me right?

"The fuck is wrong with you? Is this the design we will be sending her? You all know how important this client is for us! Where is your brain??? Gone with the cyclone we just had????." I heard Maanya shouting at us. All of us were silent. If there's a problem then I am at fault. Stepping forward, I made her look at me.

"It is my fault ma'am. Do give us some time. I will check it. " I said looking at her. She moved from her place a bit but did not shout. Consider it as permission to leave her, I walked away. Its been 3 days since we last had conversation at her house. The way she said I am someone she knows, it hurt. Choco can be a dog, a person or a tree but if you truly like someone or atleast consider liking someone she could have said something. Moreover, my doubts were clear, I am really someone in her life, not even a potential friend.

"Why do you have to cling on to that part? Just leave it and move on with others! We can't concentrate if we keep on going back to same thing." One of my teammate shouted.

Yes dont go back.

My day was pretty fucked up with my mind going back to same thing. Turns out, what we eagerly wait to pass, will stay with us until we learn to leave that thought alone. Our manager sat with me assessing my work closely. He made sure I work my ass off and give him updates which he needed today. After work, i stretched out my body and waited for rain to stop. Sighing it is humanly impossible to drive my bike. I decided to walk home.

2.5km isn't much right?

I passed by different vendors, teenagers and tourists who were busy admiring the beauty of this city. Humid air stuck on to my face as I smiled at random people. My life was different when I was there. As someone who designs surfing boards, I knew that was my destiny but turns out, It is waiting here. Bright lights flashed on to my body and I turned around to find a car honking at me. Keeping my umbrella aside I moved around to give them space.

"Get in. " I heard Maanya's voice.

"Thank you Ma'am, I prefer walking home." I replied with a polite smile.

"Stop fussing around and get in! You will get drenched!." She shouted again. Row of bikes and car lined up behind her silently waiting for her car to move and I looked ahead to find children crossing the road alone.

"You go ahead Ma'am, theres traffic behind you. I will help them. I love to get drenched by the way." I said moving away from her. Assisting the children I signaled her to move. She looked at me not did not care to ask again. I smiled at her.

My presence does bother her.

When I reached home, I saw familiar person standing at the entrance of my society.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned.

"Ma'am." I concluded. Maanya stood there with umbrella in her hand. She was partially drenched but her glare suggested this storm is not the reason she looked pissed now.

"Why didn't you get into my car?." She questioned.

"I got my own umbrella and two legs to walk home. Plus isn't my house opposite direction to yours? Ma'am?." I asked. She stomped her foot walked close to me and hit my umbrella with hers. Loosing grip on it, I let it slide from my hand.

"I am not your Ma'am!." She shouted.

"Well, you are someone to me. My superior, I should acknowledge whatever you are in my life right? If I dont how will you know your place? Since you are my superior, I should address you as Ma'am. " I said moving hair away from my forehead. She took a step towards me with umbrella over my head.

"Call me whatever you want to. I am not just Ma'am in your life. I know it." She said. I moved it towards her as she was drenching from the back.

"You will catch cold-" I was cut off in the middle by her.

"You sure are not my junior. You have never been. Next time when I ask you to get into my car, you will. I dont like anyone seeing you drenched. I hate it when you get sick, I feel responsible for your well being." She said bending down to fetch my umbrella.

"Before you question who are you to me, let me tell you. You are someone I treasure most. Not as a superior or as your colleague. I cannot name it. I am not good with those." She said holding my umbrella for me. I stood rooted in my place looking at her. Vehicle lights from behind illuminated her face and I realised she's drenched too. The scarf which she had around the neck was loose, I spread it out on to her front to cover her drenched body.

"Go home. Its already past 8pm. Why were you waiting here? We could have talked over phone or tomorrow." I said looking away.

"I can't wait until tomorrow or for you to talk over phone with me. Just answer me, why didn't you get into my car?. You thought I did not acknowledge you so you decided you are unwanted in my life? Or you felt I am not needed as I didn't clarify your place in my life?." She shouted hitting my chest. I was silent, this is the most she has spoken with me outside the office in past two years.

"Come." I said holding her Hand. Crossing the road, we moved towards her car. Opening it, I carefully made her sit. Bending down to her level, I flicked her nose. She loo startled but did not say a word.

"Not every action needs a validation. Sometimes, communicating how you feel is important. We both did in our own way. Now that we are clear who we are to eachother. Lets progress slowly and calmly. Huh?." I asked. She nodded her head as yes but I could clearly see how her face had questions ready to bombard me.

"Go home Maanya. We are good. Thank you for coming here." I said. She just looked at me with tears in her eyes. I bent down a bit and kissed her forehead. Passing my fingers over her cheeks, I closed her door. As she left slowly, I looked ahead trying to understand her. Loving her is easy? No. Understanding that women is easy? No.

Making her happy? Yes. I can do it. Smiling to myself, I walked back.

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