- Story 1 -

Chapter 3

Twenty second day. Who bought roses for whom? It was a rainy day, so the woman wasn't there. But it wasn't just me who was unhappy. He was too. And there began my happiness. I smiled at him. He smiled back. I swear that smile was more than formality.

I kept swinging in thoughts. Making a mental list of concepts I should study during the day as we walked down the corridor to his office. After finishing whatever tasks Mr. Gill assigned I usually made time to revisit a few concepts. There was no way I could be a laughing stock before my in-laws and him. No. I had to get that job.

I was so lost that I did not know when I had banged into his back. A small gasp shot out of my mouth as my body collided with his. I pressed my lips and uttering a quick apology, stepped away. He looked rather amused and irritated at the same time. It was the first time something like that happened. All awkwardness described in movies and series was fake to me. We both were into decent sleeping habits. There was whatsoever no awkward moment on the bed.  But there was another kind of awkwardness. Without touch awkwardness between us was always there now came the one with touch with this bang. 

Mr. Gill was on an unasked leave. His frustration shot up. I had an idea of his schedule, Mr. Gill had taught me. I quickly gave him the diary, opening it to the schedule of the day. "Thanks!" He grabbed it, scanning the page. 

I assisted him. Taking notes and sending mails which Mr.Gill did. Oh, how I wished Mr. Gill was there. The man had no patience. Despite my frustration I kept working. After lunch the schedule was relaxed. 

I was sitting on the chair beside his. Making notes so that Mr. Gill wouldn't have a problem the next day.

As we drove back he started a conversation. There I was smiling as he acknowledged mybhelp and thanked me for it. "I swear. The day would have been horrible if you weren't there." His words that fell into my ears and made a curve grow up on my face. "It's just that, I m too used to Mr. Gill being there. Ever since I joined he has assisted me."

"Spoilt you." I remarked smiling.

He glanced at me. Did I cross some line? Shouldn't have been that honest. 

"Sorry." I said quietly turning to look out.

"Don't be. I like that you are honest enough to say that. No one takes the guts to you know. "

And that made me smile again. No I wasn't blushing, hopefully not.

*  *  *

We had changed into our nightwear. I planned to study for a while. Opening the small cupboard by the wall I pulled out a pile of books. Scanning through them, I kept aside the one I wanted and shoved back the ones I didn't.

Thud! Thud! 

"Urrgh! " I looked at the fallen pile irked. As I bent down there he was beside me, helping me. I smiled sheepishly. 

Soon my eyes grew wide, he was looking at the title of the novel. There were a few romance novels in my collection. Strikingly, he picked up only them. I quickly grabbed the books away muttering a thank you. He looked amused. Darn! Awkwardness was growing. I hoped it did not grow tangling enough to strangle me.

"Good night." Said I, making to the poolside by the room to study.

"You can sit here if you want. I am anyway not sleeping. I need to get a document ready so yeah."

No way. It wasn't possible to sit beside him and not muse and check him out. "Ahh no it's fine. I will sit out Thanks."

He smiled shrugging his shoulders.

Oh my heart! So cute!

*  *  *

When I came back to the room he was asleep with laptop beside him and glasses on. I was simpering. Quickly placing my books on the side table I tip-toed to his side of the bed. After settling the laptop I gently pulled out those reading glasses. There was so much opportunity. I just had to crush those frameless glasses. But keeping good girl protocol I simply kept them on the side table and pulled the duvet over him. My eyes rested on his lips. No! No! Look away! My eyes now rested on his forehead with his hair lock dangling over there. Temptation to touch strikes back. O no!  Slamming my eyes shut I made my way to my side of the bed.

* * * 

I was slightly disappointed. He wasn't going to the office today. He had to visit the factory and then had appointment later. After breakfast, I walked down to the exit. He instructed the driver to drop me off and pick me up on time. I smiled. Out of no where came his brother Omkara. Apparently Omkara was going with him. I waved rather awkwardly and was about to wish them and leave. When Omkara suddenly turned saying, we could have a private good bye. 

I blinked bewildered, looking away. I bit my lip. This was way embarrassing. He looked at me gaping. Then itching his for head he pulled his brother by his upper arm and left, muttering a bye. Trying hard to control the color of embarrassment on my face I sat inside the car and the car pulled away. On the way out of the mansion's gate , I looked at him he was looking at me.  Smiles exchanged the moment passed. And I had all the freedom to giggle now. This was nothing of the sort In had read or watched in those romantic tales. But this was beautiful.

*  *  *

That night he came back very late. I greeted when he entered the room. I was sitting on the bed with books around. He gave them a look.

"I m sorry, I will clear it right away, you freshen up."

"Oh no not a issue, I was just seeing his much of a nerd you are!" 

I laughed. "It's not that. "

"Yeah, I see that!" He said getting his blazer off.

"How was your day?" I asked

"Positive. Yours?"

"Positive. Umm, you had dinner?"

"Yeah. I did. You?"

I nodded.

He smiled and pulling out his clothes from his wardrobe he walked to the washroom. While he was inside I tidied the bed. When I was placing the books back I heard him step out.

"You like reading?"

"Umm I guess."

"Romance?"

I am counting this as his lame effort to flirt. "Yup. Horror also." I played. His change of expression was hilarious. He bought that easily. Me and horror? Not in this life. "I was kidding." I smiled cheekily.

He chuckled. "Getting to his side of the bed."

As we lay sleepless staring at the ceiling conversation grew. 

"Shivaay?"

"Hmm."

"You are happy with this marriage right mean ? I mean...

" Yeah." He answered before I could explain. A certain feeling was growing over me. One which I could not explain in words.

"You?" He asked. I turned to him. He was looking at the ceiling.

"Yeah." I said looking up.

That night, I smiled to sleep. 

* * *

While I sat making notes, he came over to me. I had completely forgotten I had earphones pluggend in. He percase tried talking but I couldn't hear. Suddenly there was a hand before me and I yelped. The earphones flying out of my ears to his face. "Sorry!" I said quickly as he jerked back. "No problem. Lunch?"

"Oh yeah!" I said getting up and my leg seemed to give away. Oh my leg was numb due to continuous sitting. I was in a fix. I smiled at him it would be embarrassing to jerk my leg back and froth to wake of up. I simply decided to stand up and as I took a step my leg acted traitor. I grabbed his shoulder for support. "Watch out, are you okay?" He asked out of concern. He kept down his phone and held my shoulders.

Can I become invisible right now?

"Oh I guess my limbs just lost connection to the brain!" 

He laughed helping me sit.  "Just jerk it. "

Yeah I said slowly moving my twitching limb. He went to the other table to get me some water. My eyes happened to fall on his phone screen.

"What!" I gasped. Sealing my lips as he came, I pretended to be busy with my limb. Was that true? Was what I just learnt true?

Guesses please. Wild ones also welcome!🙈😍😂

Feedback? 

-Anami!