We Happened

Chapter Seven

Radhika's pov

I entered the office and immediately saw Pakhi entering Rishabh's cabin. I was pissed about the whole lunch thing but I managed to not let it ruin my mood or my day.

"Rishabh wants to see you. You should get in as soon as possible." Anya informed me.

"Okay" I walked to my desk, settled my stuff and made my way to Rishabh's cabin.

As I entered I thought he might just have the decency to apologise for whatever happened yesterday but it was a stupid thought. A man who can't even look up from his file when someone enters his cabin doesn't really care about one's feeling.

It felt forever but he didn't look up. I didn't realize I was so soft on my feet. I finally stomped my foot and it immediately got his attention.

"Oh, You're here." I nodded slightly "We have an important and high profile client in Mumbai who our service. It is really big so we're going to be flying down to Mumbai for work. Arjun will be joining us too. All the details are in the file." I reached and grabbed the file. He was right, he was a really high profile businessman.

"Anything else you might want to say? Anything that is kind of important?" I said hoping he would remember how inconsiderate he was yesterday.

"Not really. Everything is pretty much in the file and the flight details and everything will be mailed to you during the day. That's it" he resumed working.

"How long are we supposed to be there? I mean.. what should I pack?.." I trailed not knowing how to ask an informal question.

"Two weeks tops. Could be more. Pack accordingly"

I nodded. I stood there thinking about the trip and how much I didn't want to be in Mumbai.

"Can I ask you something?" he nodded "Why do you want me to go? I'm new and I hardly know any of your clients. Isn't there someone more experienced you would rather want?" I asked

"It is an opportunity. A big one, if I may say so. You want to learn, don't you?" I nodded "Then, learn. It is a big deal"

"I-I-but-"

"If you don't want to go, then just say so, okay? But it is a great thing and I'm not here to hear your whining. Take it up with Pakhi, she's the one who insisted on taking you." I could sense he was getting annoyed. I took that as a cue and left before he gets more annoyed.

As I turned to leave I saw Pakhi standing at the door. I smiled at her and moved past her, not wanting to piss off anybody else but then she called me.

"It is an opportunity and I believe you're smart enough to grab it. I can understand it isn't easy working with Rishabh but this could be great for your career and you shouldn't let anything stand in the way. Also, if it makes you feel any better, Arjun and I will be there too. If you'll need any sort of support, I'll be there." I wanted to tell her that it wasn't just Rishabh but I had my own personal reasons for not going to Mumbai but her argument was strong. It is my career and I've to fight it to make it.

Rishabh noticed Pakhi standing outside his office and called her in "Did you talk to mom and Arjun?"He asked while I stood outside the door. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I couldn't move. The conservation seemed to interest me. I never imagine him as somebody who has a family, I think of him more as an alien.

"Why don't you call her yourself? She really misses you. It won't hurt if you could just talk to her." I heard her moving the chair, probably to sit down.

"I did. I talked to her last week and she's fine."

"Rishabh, come on! Talking to her for two minutes and asking basic social questions isn't talking. She wants to have a real talk and now about your life and everything. Can't you just humor her one time? It'll be okay."

"Okay, look, I'll talk to her but I'm not making any huge big promises. I'll try as much as I can. Now tell me do they know you're coming too?"

"Yeah I told Arjun how.." she talked but I didn't listen anymore. I already felt guilty about listening to their conversation and to top it off, I was curious about Rishabh. It was a weird feeling which confused me.  

I sitting in front of Rishabh while he was briefing me about our new client and the procedure we need to follow through our process. I was writing notes simultaneously when I heard him say something faintly.

"What was it?" I asked again.

He was quiet for a minute before he spoke up. "I'm sorry" he said.

It was whisper as if he was embarrassed to even say it. It was nice to know that he thought about what he did wrong and had the decency to apologise even if it was hardly audible.

"Doesn't matter." I replied. It really didn't matter. It had happened and a sorry isn't going to fix anything. He doesn't owe me anything. I accepted some retort or something but he just kept staring as if I was some alien. I waited for another minute before asking "Do you need anything else?" He shook his head and I took that as a sign so that I can leave.

"Radhika as you will be leaving tomorrow, you have a meeting with Rishabh about the client and what your work entails" Anya informed me.

"Just the two of us?"

"Yup. Arjun will be leaving today as he has to attend some urgent work to attend to and Pakhi is generally not a part of such meeting" She informed.

I wanted to put my head through the wall. I was already anxious about going on this work trip and now I've to indulge Rishabh more. I can't seem to figure him out and it wad infuriating. I have never met a person who is so hard to get a read on. He must be a great poker player, I thought.

"When is the meeting by the way?" I asked.

"In fifteen minutes or so"

As the meeting started I mainly ignored his stares and glares. I was still upset about him ditching me and an ass about it. Sure, he apologized but it was a whisper of apology. I don't think he meant it.

He was smart enough to recognize my hostile behavior towards him but decided to not push which I think is was a very smart decision. I don't want our personal feelings ruin my professional career. This is too important for me to jeopardize over him.   

"You can take the tomorrow off, prepare for your trip and things. We've an evening fight, so I'll see you at the airport." He was somewhat a little awkward while saying it but I didn't pay attention. I just wanted to go home now.

"Okay!" I replied in a nonchalant tone.

"Should I send you driver?"

"Yeah? No. I should probably manage on my own. Shouldn't depend on anyone to show up." I stood up and left before he had a chance to say something.