LOST

9. SAPNA

~ Sapna ~

My day started off with explaining all the basic work to the carpenters that Mr. Dutt had introduced me to the other day. It didn't take up much time since they were all professionals. I then headed to the painters, Mr. Dutt had two color schemes in mind and he had asked for a trail of both the scheme after which he would finalize one. Next was the lighting, furniture accessories and fitting work. I placed my orders to the local vendors, who had now started knowing me. They had the perfect articles according to my taste which gave me a freedom of selection instead of having no choice but to go with the one piece that large showrooms kept. As I always had a print out of my AutoCAD designs, it was handy to show it to people for them to understand the space setting of the office and how I wanted it to be designed.

All the work I had planned on doing was about to finish and it was just afternoon. I liked getting my work done as sooner as possible so that later I could head to my office and look into other stuff and find other projects to work on meanwhile.

My phone rang, as I walked into the elevator at Mr. Dutt's office.

"Hi Ma! What's up?"

"Sapna, remember I told you about the guests we were going to have last night?"

"Yeah."

"Well, they've arrived. And I want you to come home now so that we can all have lunch together."

I got out of the elevator and started walking towards Mr. Dutt's office that was under construction currently so it wasn't apt to be called an office yet. Today, I was dressed elegantly. Beige cotton pants and a black crop top paired with a beige blazer and black peep toe pumps to go with it all. For some strange reason, it gave me a feeling of buoyancy when I walked down the corridor.

I considered Ma's order. I hardly had any work left to be done here. Instead of my usual routine of meeting Chintu's gang, I decided to comply with Ma's directions.

"Okay. I just need to look into some things here and then head back to my office to collect my stuff. I'll be there in a while."

"Don't be late! Bye!"

"Bye, Ma."

Once I was free, I called Chintu and asked him to drop me home.

My phone's buzzing startled me as I marched up the stairs to our apartment. It was Mr. Dutt.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Dutt." I squeaked.

"Miss Ahuja, I thought we were supposed to select the color scheme this afternoon."

"You are mistaken, Sir. It is tomorrow morning. Besides, I've already talked to the painters. They'll be –"

"There's one professional advice I would like to give to you, Miss Ahuja. Never tell your clients how and when things should be done. Especially those clients who do not like to take no for an answer. It infuriates them." He seethed.

It took me everything I had to keep my calm as I spoke, "I am sorry, Sir."

"I don't want an apology. I want the colors sampled on the walls."

"Yes Sir. I am home for lunch now. I will be back as soon as I can."

"Don't keep me waiting longer."

"Sure –" He disconnected the call before I could say anything else.

I didn't know about him but I was furious as hell.