Back In Time

~twenty one~

A/N:

Yes, I'm back AT LAST.  I can't believe how long it took me to gather inspiration post exams to be able to write these chapters. But I'm glad I managed.

Do drop in your views because I am sceptical about how these chapters have turned out to be considering the epic-ally long hiatus.

Another chapter is on it's way as per tradition. ;)

~kimayaa a.k.a Ankita

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Vedant stirred the freshly chopped onions on the oil stained stove expertly and sniffed at the spectacular aroma. Humming to himself, he then fished for the garlic and began chopping them into fine pieces.

"I didn't know you liked to cook." Gaurav affirmed with a smirk, as he bit onto a fresh and juicy looking apple.

Vedant grinned with a shrug, "Just something I picked up from my girlfriend. Her cooking is phenomenal."

The response came with a chuckle, "Well, so is my wife's, but that never inspired me to switch places."

Unlike Vedant, who was a mere Consultant; Gaurav was one of the Assistant Managers in the audit engagement team. Rather short, but with an extremely well-maintained physique, he easily was the kind to make heads turn. Sadly, his rigid personality always tilted his attractive features to the negative side.

"I...don't know what to say man."

"I'll tell you what." Gaurav started.

Vedant turned towards him with curiosity, "Take it from a happily married man for five years now, never praise your girlfriend's cooking to your Mother."

"Yeah? Iske itne bhi bure din nahi aaye that he'll take advice from you bro."

Vedant let out a laugh, watching his other new peer, Keshav walk in with a smug grin.

"Haan haan tu ne bade jhande gaad liye with women. I've been married to Shikha for five years no-"

"-and he's been with Meera for five years too. I'm sure your advice is the last thing he needs. Now, if you'll let him work in peace, we'll actually get our first decent homely meal since the Audit." Keshav cut hastily.

Gaurav rolled his eyes irritably, before strutting out of the kitchen. Keshav shook his head, with a light mumble, "He's such a work of art."

It had taken Vedant a while to get used to how casually juniors spoke to even their immediate seniors at work. Since he didn't have prior experience from of any of the top twenty firms during his articleship, this work culture had been new and rather difficult to accept. But with time, he had managed to loosen up around his colleagues.

"You don't say." Vedant replied diplomatically. He had realised quite a while back that no matter how long he'd spend in the company, he would perhaps never manage to be as blunt and joking with his seniors as Keshav was. Of course, some of his mirth had to do with Keshav's general personality; he was the fun and relaxed kind; a kind of glue that kept the team together irrespective of seniority and rank; Vedant was by nature a more serious person, with colleagues at least. He liked to believe he had a bit of a sense of humour buried deep within too.

In any case, Vedant knew that aside from their obvious difference in personality, he would certainly never be able to conduct himself the way his peer did. For Keshav had been a part of the same firm and same team even as an articled trainee before qualification, his camaraderie even with their Manager was on a whole different level.