Almost Love (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 20

Today was officially my first day at work.

Work.

The word sounded strange coming from my tongue.

Saying that I was excited for the first day would be an understatement. I was jittery, even Yuv noticed it when I dropped him off to work but thankfully he didn't ask anything, because I still had no clue what I would've said if he had. I started getting ready once everyone had gone.

I slipped on a pair of blue jeans and wore a white embroidered kurta on top. I was glad I had gone shopping for the new clothes, they were a refreshing change from my usual salwars and they made me look young.

I combed my hair and fixed my hair with bobby pins on both the sides after a middle partition. And after applying some lip gloss and kohl, I was finally ready. I grabbed my purse and locked the door behind me before hailing an auto.

When I entered the huge building, the receptionist gave me an identity card and I stuffed it in my purse before making my way to level four. I stepped out of the lift just as Kartik came out of his cabin. He shot me a smile which I nervously returned as he stepped towards me.

"Good Morning, Meera."

"Good Morning, sir." I mumbled nervously.

He pointed towards the area where the interns were sitting and Eesha waved at me excitedly. "That's where you will be sitting for the next two months and a manuscript is already waiting for you on the desk. Now, I'm sure you'll use your time wisely while you're here. All the best," he nodded before walking away into his cabin.

"Hi, Meera! Come sit here!" Eesha whispered loudly and I rushed to sit besides her. "What is your genre?"

"What?" I stupidly asked.

She pointed towards the manuscript on my desk and I read the title and genre written on the front page.

"It's, uhmm, romance."

Eesha groaned. "How I wish we could exchange the scripts. I'm a sucker for romance and all I've got here is historical fiction."

I laughed, dismissing her to focus on my script.

Once I had started, I just couldn't stop. It was that good. Granted it was about romance, and the storyline was related to two lovers who got separated only to cross paths again. Destiny. It was all destiny's play. It was so well written that I had to read so carefully in order to find even one correction point.

"Meera? It's almost lunch time. Come on, aren't you going home?" Eesha interrupted my train of thought and I sighed. She was right. Yuv was going straight to his grandmother's house after school so I had the afternoon to myself, and I decided to treat myself to something junk today.

"You're right, sorry I didn't notice the time. The story was so good!"

"Stop making me jealous!" She whined and I laughed. It was strange to get along with someone other than your family like this and I could definitely get used to it. "Well, I need to get home as soon as possible, I have a function to attend today. So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You will, have fun today!" I smiled as she ran out of the building. I took my sweet time walking to the nearest mall and did some window shopping before going to an eatery. I stood in line as I decided what to order: a burger and some fries to go with them, and a small coke. I just gave my order when I heard someone calling my name.

"Meera? Meera!"

I turned around to search for the voice when I saw Kartik waving at me from a table near the window. I waved back as he beckoned me towards his table.

"Hello, sir," I smiled with the tray of food still in my hands. He furrowed his brows as a small smile played on his lips.

"Sir? No, no. It's strictly first name basis outside of office," he smiled warmly as he motioned for me to sit. "What are you doing here alone, Meera?"

"Oh nothing, sir."

"Not sir," he scolded but his eyes crinkled in a smile.

"Okay, sorry." I laughed. "Actually I was just here to grab something to eat before I went home."

"Oh." He nodded as he took a sip from his cold drink. "Do you come here often?"

I shook my head. "Not really, you?"

He smiled. "Actually, I do. I spend all my lunch time here, it's a refreshing atmosphere as compared to the office.

I nodded like I understood what he meant.

"Oh, before I forget, are you taking the manuscript home to finish it?"

"Uhmm, I actually finished it already. It might be waiting on your desk for you," I shrugged. He looked at me with wide eyes. "Why, is something wrong, Kartik?"

He closed his mouth in disbelief. "No, I—" he cleared his throat. "It's actually surprising that you finished it so quickly, I might even review it by today and by tomorrow it can be sent to the other departments. Wow, I'm actually impressed with you." He grinned.

"Well," I blushed and tucked a stray piece of hair away from my face. "Thankyou." I checked the time and grimaced. "I should get going, I didn't even realise how much time had passed."

"You're right," he said sheepishly. I got up from the table quickly and grabbed my stuff. "You look in a hurry." He noted.

"I actually need to be home by four, my son will be back by then."

His mouth gaped open in shock. "Son?"

I giggled at his reaction and nodded.

"Wow. I didn't even think you were married. Wow, Meera, forgive me but I'm still so shocked."

I laughed at his expression. "Not a problem." It still surprised me though that he thought that I wasn't even married. Did I really look that young?

"Well, I can drop you home if you want." He offered but I politely declined.

"You don't have to, it's completely fine. I'll take an auto,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, don't worry Kartik. I often take auto from this route. I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Of course, don't be late." He teased as I waved him.

I felt really happy as I stepped inside my house. Today was such a productive day, and I had found a friend in both Eesha and Kartik sir. I laughed when I remembered Kartik's face as he scolded me for calling him sir outside of work.

I wanted to share the day's happenings with someone so I quickly dialled Simmi's number.

"Hi," she chirped.

"Hi!" I gushed excitedly.

"You sound happy." It was a statement and I wanted to roll my eyes at how well she knew me.

"I worked at the publishing house today! It was great,"

"Wow, so you finally got the guts, huh?" She teased.

"Only thanks to you. If you hadn't pushed me to do it, I don't think if I would've done it anyway. Really, thank you Simmi."

"Oh come on, you don't have to thank me. I just wanted you to know that it's finally high time that you start doing something for yourself and I'm glad you listened to me."

The bell rang signalling someone was at the door.

"I think Yuv's at the door, I'll talk to you tomorrow then, okay?"

"Of course, bye Meera."

VOTE !