crossroads

8. office makeover

My mind kept thinking about the fact that the office reminds too much of her father to riya. I could see that in her face. How hard must it be for Akil to come here every single day. This might be the reason he is not able to move on. Every morning starts and ends with his dad's memories. So, I decided to give this room a makeover. This room should be akil's office. The fact that people still call it Raj's office makes it clear that it desperately is in need of a makeover. So when Akil texted me he is calling it a day after the lunch and would not be coming back to the office, I started up with the makeover. I cannot throw out all his dad stuff , rather I should make room for both. But the problem is that I was damn well sure that he is not gonna like it. He is gonna be really really angry but I am going to be ready for it. Someone is gotta do this, the room is not gonna change by itself.

I cleared off all his dad's trophies and placed 'best dad in the world' in the center of the rest. I replaced his nameplate with akil's. I found a picture of both Akil and his dad in his desk. He looked a lot like his dad. His lips and hair were exactly like him . At far sight, they looked like brothers. They were both wearing tuxedos and smiling at the camera. He looked very carefree and relaxed and free, like he didn't have a single worry in world. God help him get that back! I got it framed to replace his dad's portrait. I cleaned up his desk. There was no picture of akil's mom except one very old family picture. It was taken years back and weirdly, akil's mom felt very familiar. I think I must have seen her in any of the school functions. I got the hidden booze compartment cleaned and kept most of his dad's stuff in it. Finally, I figured where the booze was. It was right behind the books. If I had seen through the dust that day, I could have easily spotted it. Among the glasses, there was one bottle with a pretty red ribbon on it. I wonder what that is? I also dug out this gorgeous lamb that went very well with the booze compartment and I fixed his dad's portrait on the inner wall. The booze compartment exactly looked a shrine for his dad. I changed the colour of the rug just for the sake of it. Because the room wouldn't really look that different if not for the new rug. And I also got new cushions and pillows for the sofa to make it look a bit more hospitable. I changed the old boring clock to a vintage style wooden one. I couldn't decide on what painting to hang on the wall, so I left a perfect vacant spot for it. Akil's office looked good as new. this new office looks like it actually belongs to someone of akil's age. I felt pretty good at the result. I admired my work for sometime when I received a call from neil asking if I am going to be late for dinner. I could not believe it's already freaking 8'o clock now. I had a gift for him that I hope he likes. I placed it on his table along with a small note and left the office.

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i got ready early today planning to reach  office before akil. i was excited to see his reaction to his new office. i was waiting for the lift when akil walked in and stood beside me. 

" good morning akil! " i said proudly as i removed my earphones.

" Morning sunshine. Look who is early today " he smiled.

" what? I am early everyday " i grinned

" i know " he said, sarcastically and i rolled my eyes. we got inside the lift. finally, we reached our floor after what felt like forever. i was really excited about the new office. i left all my stuff on my desk and hurried to open the door for akil.

he stopped looking confused " what? " 

" i have.. I did. Ok. Just.." i looked down. But I didn't wanna show him now. I was actually really scared. What was I thinking!?!? He is gonna lash out now. Omg!!  he smiled a little as he walked to the door.

"well, as long as you don't have a dead body in there! " i rolled my eyes and opened the door. he walked in and took a step back in shock. he wishpered in a really low and taut voice " what the hell have you done? " Someone help me, I might shit my pants anytime now.