The Young man's POV:
' "It's quite alright,K",Poyal said,"too bad he disapproved".
I made a grimace dropping my gaze down.
"I can make some additions though"he continued,"And then just hand over the rest later saying you have prepared the entire thing over again."
"Won't he know?"i asked dubiously.
"He won't,i will take care of that"he said in an animated manner.
"Jeez,thanks man"
"Take it as my birthday present"
I've totally forgotten about it.The fiasco of the interview with the frog was the reason.But then the only thought that occurred was 'atleast he remembered'.
"Happy birthday,K",he hugged me.
"Thanks,bro"i said,"its a queer birthday this,nothing like I expected."
"You can't always expect"he winked.
"Yeah,now what do i do?"
" Just go dawdle at your seat or may be roam around until i embellish this thing."
"That sounds cool,though.Frog won't notice,he's got a meeting with the chief."
"Right then.Enjoy the day"saying he scuttled back to his seat.
On my way to my seat,I received some greetings putting up the Pan Am smile.I sat there idly for some time brooding unconsciously.I did some daily procedures and later i offered to help Poyal.When he refused,I decided to wander around and may be get some 'birthday' lunch.
I came out of the office,prowled about the abutting places.I had nothing in mind as i moved with a vacant expression and moody behavior.It was when i came across the familiar restaurant,i halted.I've become a fan of a queer dish they served the other day.I'm not a vegan though,but that was one veg dish that
was amusingly delicious.'Atlast,something for my birthday'i thought and entered the restaurant.
It was all comfy and serene until the waiter shook his head when i pointed him the dish(it was something like radicchio,i couldn't spell it)in the menu.
"What do you mean by that?"i asked infuriated.
"Sorry,sir.It is served only on weekends."he answered nonchalantly.
"No! You can't do this"i moaned indignantly,"it is my birthday"
"Sorry again sir,i hope you comprehend"he said placidly.
I came out of the restaurant dejected.I stumbled my way back to the office musing and swearing all the way.Empty stomach and heavy mind don't make a fine couple.'This day can't get any worse'i thought until my eyes met an enigmatic stare that bore into me.
Those pair of eyes and the neat forehead,i know them.My mind took its time for recognition swerving out of the trance it had been and again captivated by another.The scrupulously curved eye brows that were tantalizingly placed slightly apart,the faint,turned up nose, the round cheeks,slightly conflicting incisors and the softened smile- Karina! a voice echoed inside my head that i unintentionally blurted out,"Karina".
She was staring at me but then my bored call made her expression repugnant.She had meant to enter my office standing at the lobby.I then suddenly wondered if she had come to visit me.She came towards me and i too advanced.
When we were close enough,she let out a hand for me to shake.My hands moved involuntarily and shook them.
"Happy birthday"she said feigning a smile.
Before i could respond she took out a present from her bag and handed it to me.I was like stunned at the spot and my fingers were fidgeting.I could see that she was nervous too that her hands trembled.
"Is it like the re.."i began.
"No!"she cut me off,"it's not what you think it is.Lets say we're just acquainted and we're like friends."
"Yeah,like friends,sounds good"i said sarcastically.
"Right,we can still be in touch,you know and not be some awkward strangers."she said in a vague tone.
"I'll try"is all that i managed to say.
"Well,how's the birthday shaping up?"
"Good,not that i expected,but still good yeah.Too much of surprise happenings"
She frowned and let out a little squawk."May be you should have overlooked the results rather than blindly expecting"she retorted.
"It depends on the perspective though.You must know that more than anyone else."I snapped back.
She simply nodded in a limp manner.There was a touch of hesitation before she spoke the words,
"Right,got to go.See you later,then"
"Yeah,bye.Will be yearning for our next ..."She was gone before i could finish.She scuttled through the crowd as i watched her disappear.I then examined the present she had handed me.There were no signs of anticipation as to what could be inside,highly unlike the previous encounters.I let out an exasperated sigh.Hesitantly,i entered my office,took up my seat and flung the gift aside.
Karina was my girlfriend.Here 'was' is significant.I had met her at a friend's party and it was just like a conventional love story,picking on the congruity between us.Things were going fine between us for some time. But then,I didn't know what had crossed her head or changed her mind.She accosted me the other day and said things were not working out the right way.And as a reason she just said that i lacked empathy.And i was like'What's she talking about?.We had no serious rows or anything.Or is that just a lame excuse?'.'
