*Tuesday, 7:00 Am*

A faded sound started closing in the background which wasn’t a part of the ongoing scene. The sound eventually became louder enough to wake me up from the dream. I realised that the night was over for me. I swapped the phone screen rightwards to turn off the alarm. I stood up from the bed, stretched and rubbed my eyes. Like every day, I thanked God for another day.  It was an important day for me.  I freshened up and took a bath which lasted longer than it was supposed to be. I was reciting my lines ever since I woke up. It was one of those rare days when I actually wanted to reach office as early as I could. I decided to wear a new shirt that day. It was my favourite shirt which I have kept for special occasions. Praying for a good day, I left for the office.

*9:45 Am*

I reached the office 15 minutes before the scheduled time. And for no reason, my team members and the manager were astounded to see me in the office premises at this time. It had to be surprising as an individual who usually runs late each day had arrived well before the shift timings. The chair opposite to my workstation was still vacant. I started working so as to divert my mind. As the sound of door opening pitched on to my ears drums, each time I stood from my chair with all the attention. But the person who entered was not the one whom I was expecting. This standing and sitting back in disappointment continued for the next 15 minutes. I was nervous.

One could easily spot the discontent on my face. It was the time when I made myself understand that there’s no point being an asshole and I should better continue with the work. Therefore, I didn’t give a fuck to who entered and who left. Moments later the opposite chair moved a bit and my heart had already started pumping gallons. I have never liked cosmetics much but trust me it was the best shampoo a human could ever make. As I inhaled the pleasant fragrance, I came back to life once again like each day. Finally, she has arrived.  I waved her a good morning. I am always confident but when it comes to talking or approaching whom I like, I am the biggest asshole out there. My voice shivers, I fumble words and I start sweating. “Good Morning” replied the sweetest voice. I smiled back in acknowledgement.  I continued with my work and thought of not disturbing her as she appeared to be all confused and disorganized.

*2:00 Pm*

I tiptoed with her towards the cafeteria carrying our lunch boxes. We spotted the same table at which we have been having our lunch together for the last 3 months. “Is something wrong?” she asked. I knew this was coming. “No” I replied back. “Stop hiding whatever it is. There is definitely something wrong. You don’t act like this on regular day” she questioned looking for an acceptable answer. As I told you above, I become an asshole. It has been 3 months that we have to work together. Moreover, we have become very good friends indeed. 

“There’s nothing to hide. I am fine.” I commented in a low tone. Since she had this offbeat talent of reading faces, she asked me to stop telling lies. It was a moment where I did not act like an asshole and remained silent. Obviously I didn’t want to utter any nonsense that would eventually ruin her mood and the day. I didn’t want to postpone my lines as well. So I tangled her in some other conversation and somehow managed to escape from her ballistic questions.  

*7:00 Pm*

So finally the work for the day was done. The longest day ever, I guess.  It was now the best part of the day i.e. walking with her towards the bus stop. We would talk throughout the way, share problems, cuss our bosses and crack random jokes about the team members. Walking for the past 3 months alongside her had made me fall for her. She was someone I felt belonged to out of this world. She seemed almost perfect to me. Like someone sent her from heaven, just for me. For all this time I have observed her taking care of me, getting worried and stuffs like that. Possessive, you can say. I was quite confident as well on the fact that by all this time, she might also have started liking me. I was confident but wasn’t too sure about it. And even if she likes me, she would never say it. It is the men who have to take such initiatives, says the Indian mentality.

*7:20 Pm*

“Hey, listen...” I said in a shivering tone.

“Yes...” she replied.

“I need to tell you something.” I urged.

 “Ya tell me, what it is?” she commented.

“Once I start speaking, promise me you won’t talk in between” I requested her.

“Hmmm Okay” She agreed.

So this is it. The moment was actually here, the moment which I was waiting for all this time. I strolled silently for about 10 seconds and in those 10 seconds, I collected all the motivation from every corner of the universe, revised my lines (Yeah I revised them again, even though I was revising them since morning), kept myself calm and composed, made sure I wasn’t sweating much and proceeded with the script.

I spoke for about 10 minutes, breathless. The script started off with the memories of how we met and how we are growing together as an individual, how many memories we shared and helped her recall all the special moments that we have already spent. I continued by telling her how gratefully my life has changed and how fruitful it has become ever since her arrival. I told her the best things I liked about her, how I am learning in life with her and how miserable and devastated my world would become without her. I gave her each and every reason to stay and accept me like her better half.

While I was rapping my script, there was a constant smile running across her face which indicated to me that I was going in the right direction and should continue on the same track. As soon as I stopped and was battling with my lungs, she marched quickly towards the bus, boarded and left. I was standing there confused, eyes glued to her but she left without saying a word. I wondered what she might be thinking of me. I had already started applying permutations and combinations on my way back home. Just as I entered the house, I messaged her that why did she run away? She read the message but didn’t reply. Guys literally hate to be in this situation. I did not have guts to call her at that moment. I made myself understand that maybe she might be busy at that point and might reply later on. So I gave her time and decided to wait till midnight for her reply.

*11:45 Pm*

Ever since I reached home, my eyes, ears, nose, hands, everything was glued to the mobile phone. Fuck. I cannot wait any longer and therefore dialled her number.

Ringing.......

Still ringing..........

“How come she is not answering my call? She never sleeps before 1:00 Am” I asked myself. I thought of calling one last time for the day.

Ringing..... (Phone call answered)

“Hello, Drishti?” I said.

“Wrong Number” answered a familiar voice.