Siddharth

"Ah... so you are Payal's husband? Nice to meet you." Manager Arnav shook hands with me. His forgetfulness was coming to my rescue in the best way possible. 

I wonder how talented he has to be to not notice something so obvious. Don't I just look like the heir of the Star Group, Siddharth Ahuja? How dumb! 

You should be glad, you idiot! My subconscious shouted back. 

"I am glad to meet you as well." I smiled, trying to keep my anxious heart at ease. Yes, it was good that he didn't recognize me and he should never recognize me either. 

"How are you here Siddharth?" On this question of Payal, everyone's eyes fell on me. My heart raced and I could feel the sweat under my collar.

Keeping my nervousness inside, I coughed out a little before replying, "That's because I wanted to see the market." I looked around, pretending to be in awe. "This market is huge and nice. Must be very profitable, I heard." 

By now, as I noticed their looks, I was sure I made my impression as a weirdo but soon the manager laughed it off. "It is true. Young husbands are always so worried about their wives. I can understand." 

As he laughed, I tried the same to make me feel at ease. But as the laughter rose in the air, what increased was my anxiety and embarrassment. 

"Sir, didn't you want to talk to our manager?" The woman asked as I expected.

Feeling his gaze over me, I responded in reflex. "That's because I was curious about this rule for married employees. As a husband, I was just worried." I shrugged with a smile.

The manager still kept smiling. I wonder if he always smiles like this. It was getting uncomfortable. "Our boss is very particular with beliefs and he believes this market is just open for married employees. We provide all help for them. We even have a kid's room where working mothers bring their children too. We give every facility needed. We care for our employees like a family." 

I nod, understanding the policies as I knew them all beforehand. Though I hate this job, I gave considerable time to learn about this market.

"Payal, I would leave you here then. We will inform you about the interview results by mail." The manager left after saying this. As Payal bowed and greeted him goodbye, I kept taking deep breaths, preparing myself to answer her questions.

Before she could ask anything, I asked her, "You are curious, aren't you?" 

"Of course. What were you doing here really?" 

That was it. I could imagine myself running to my death. She will evidently be curious about me. Putting the last bit of courage together, I was about to spill it out when my phone rang. 

I saw the manager's name flashing on it and noticed that he was waiting in front of the entrance. Think fast, Siddharth. 

I quickly excused myself to go to the restroom. Before calling him back, I had to think about my plan. I can't tell him that I can't make it today because my father is going to ask him about me. 

That's when Abhiraj called me. "Bro, bro, I was on a date with Shruti when I met Nandini, the singing club girl. Our college reunion date got fixed. It's after two weeks! I am so excited. And you have to come with us." 

"Abhiraj, I am stressed. Can I call—" That's when my mind worked best. As the idea flashed, a smile formed on my face. "Wait, where are you right now?"

"Me?" He paused before continuing, "Ah, this is 'Zindagi na Milegi Dobara Hair Salon'. What the heck? Does that mean I will look like Hrithik Roshan if I get a cut from here?" His voice didn't sound like he was joking.

He was being ridiculous as always. "I won't ask what the heck you are doing there on a date but just tell me if you are anywhere close to Pegasus Plaza." 

I could hear the faint voice of him asking someone before he returned the call. "Yeah, it is quite near. Maybe it will take five minutes." 

I let out a sigh of relief. "What are you wearing now?" 

He hesitated a little before checking his dress. "Blue Donald duck t-shirt." I was about to hit my head against the wall but controlled myself. Is he kidding me?

"What's wrong with you? Did you fall from the ceiling and hurt your head? Why would you wear that thing on a date?" I was frustrated. I could feel it in my bones.

"I like Donald Duck and we are wearing matching dresses but what's up with you? Why are you getting so angry?" I sighed, giving up on putting any sense inside him.

"Stop everything. Go and buy a green T-shirt and come to Pegasus Plaza. Call me before entering, okay?"

I just hope God takes my side this time. 

★★★

Payal

Everything was confusing. That's all I could say. 

The time when I had to go through all those lame and weird interview questions about my family and my life partner, I was just about to lose it. But miraculously, I managed. 

I hope that things go well and believe me, I am scared enough. Though I did half-well throughout the interview span, I didn't have much confidence anymore.

And then I saw him, standing in the middle of the market, in front of me, all of a sudden. He didn't have a role here so why? 

I couldn't stop thinking about his reason when he successfully convinced the manager here about his reason. What is he thinking? 

I stood near the gate, waiting for him. Thoughts of the sudden encounter raised many suspicions inside me. I should just ask him. 

While I waited, I heard the manager whisper to an employee and they voluntarily got busy after that. Everyone started walking to the entrance and brought the garlands as if to welcome someone important. 

I would lie if that didn't put me in a curious mode. I did my best in peeking to glance at the situation when I noticed someone in a green T-shirt walking towards the entry gate. He held on to a brown briefcase as he kept his black glasses on.

As soon as he took the first step, the employees cheered together to welcome their guests. Surely, he was some big shot. 

The crowd slowly moved aside, giving him the place when the manager put the garlands. "Welcome sir. We, the employees of the Pegasus Plaza, welcome you with immense joy." Everyone clapped at the end of the line. 

Even with his glasses on, I believed I had seen him somewhere. 

I looked around to see Siddharth already standing in the crowd, blending in them naturally. My sharp eyes were quick to notice him slip something into that man's bag. 

My curiosity and interest were beaming high. I couldn't help but question his actions. He quickly retreated and as I pretended dumb, he stood next to me, looking nowhere in particular.

My eyes fell on him to see him quite satisfied as if he just accomplished something. "What's happening?" I whispered to him.

He looked at me, startled but soon composed himself. "What do... you mean?" 

I squinted my eyes. "Siddharth, tell me honestly. What is it?" 

He looked like he was caught. I knew something was up with him. He sighed and whispered low. "Don't worry. I will tell you everything. But not now," he paused and continued, "Trust me. It will be okay." 

His voice was somewhat assuring but he didn't sound like he was convincing me rather it felt like he was trying to convince himself. 

I turned to see the man hand over an envelope to the manager. He still didn't pull off the glasses but he looked more and more familiar as time passed.

"Sir, you can open your sunglasses now. We are curious to see you." As the employees and the manager insisted, he hesitated at first to pull it off. He held on to his glasses for a long time before finally giving up when he put them off.

And I was dumbfounded to see the man in front of me. Abhiraj!

Before I could scream out his name loud or get overhyped about the issue, I felt Siddharth's hand covering my mouth as he shook his head vigorously. His eyes pleaded with me to stop whatever I was thinking of doing. 

He took his hands when he believed I would not do anything stupid. I pulled at his sleeves and asked, "What is he doing here?" My eyebrows knitted together as I glared at him.

"He... he must be someone important here." He nervously chuckled as if he was being funny.

I kept glaring at him. I can't believe he wanted me to believe that. "Are you kidding me?"

"I—" He was stopped by the sudden intervention of Abhiraj as we turned to see him speak. "Hi everyone. I am Sid Ahuja, here to work with you all. Nice to meet you." He bowed with a happy smile but it seemed as if the happy look didn't last long when his eyes met mine.

His face naturally fell down when he shifted his eyes to see Siddharth. Both of them looked as if they could see each other dead.

Well, no one's gonna argue that they both are as good as dead now. 

~•~

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