On the Brink of falling in Love (On Hold)

"What did you delete?"

~ Pani se pyaas nahi bhuji toh maikhane ki taraf chal nikla... Socha shikayat karoon teri khuda se, par khuda bhi tera aashiq nikla ~

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Finally, Srishti had managed to submit her project on time to the clients as per their expectations. She had spent the last few days designing the paperwork, toiling day and night to assemble the files. On Friday, she presented it to the clients. When she reported to her senior that evening, he congratulated her and asked her to submit her final overview report and collect her official statement for completing the project the following day. Srishti promised to come in the evening after her invigilation duty at college in the afternoon.

Wishing him for the evening, she wrapped up her things and decided to leave when her phone buzzed with a message.

"Congratulations! You rock, my girl." - Akash

She smiled at the message and wondered how he knew about her meeting with the client. She didn't hesitate as she typed out her reply almost immediately.

"Akash, don' talk about it. I really messed it all up." - Srishti

She decided to play a prank on him to see his reaction. She waited anxiously for his reply as she got into the elevator.

"Oh please, stop kidding me. I know you this well at least now. You would never text me immediately had you messed it all up. Also, there's no scope that you would've messed it up. I know how much you have worked for this day. You deserve all the praise, baby." - Akash

Srishti read the message and stood rooted to her spot. She couldn't believe how much he knew her and trusted her capabilities. She smiled brightly as she replied,

"Am sorry for that prank and thanks a lot, for everything." - Srishti

"It's okay darling. Anything that makes you happy. I got to go now. Will call you at night. Keep waiting!" - Akash

Srishti bit her lower lip to control the blush that was creeping on her face as she sent him a thumbs-up emoticon before slipping her phone into her bag. She stepped out of the office building and walked towards the parking to get her bike. As she reached her parked bike, she heard Preeti and Joseph yelling out to her from behind. She turned to them, waved her hand and waited as they caught up to her.

"What is wrong with you? We have been yelling out your name since time immemorial and you didn't even realise" Joseph spoke dramatically.

"Yes, we tried calling out to you to keep the elevator doors open but you were so lost in your phone. We had to wait for the next lift ride" Preeti huffed, trying to catch her breath from all the running and brisk walking.

Srishti mentally face palmed herself as she had seriously not noticed them calling out to her. She had not told any of her friends about Akash yet. She looked here and there, trying to cook up some excuse. Joseph, who had been watching her expressions intently, raced her to speak,

"Now just tell us who that guy is. And don't you dare come up with something like texting your parents or brother. Nobody bites their lower lip or blushes while talking to family. Out with it Miss Aggarwal. Now." he completed in a strict tone.

God!! Why did her friends know her so well? She mentally cringed at her failure in hiding her emotions. Were her expressions actually so readable? She had to work on it or else she would land up in more trouble. She was dragged out of her thoughts as Preeti snapped her fingers in front of her face. She sighed. She didn't have a choice but to tell them about Akash.

"Okay, but how about we first move out of here? Like, it's my last day here tomorrow, so how about we go out today and treat ourselves? Like a farewell party and the bill is on me" she completed. They were very good friends and had been of great support to her over the past few months.