chapter : 12
marry me

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n o o r
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"They made out in the pantry. Full tongue."

You know the morning is going well when your office has a new piece of steaming gossip being served with coffee or tea. The piping coffee tastes exceptional when the aroma of the beans surrounds you.

We are seated near the finance department where Sana handles her work affairs, the area is bang opposite the pantry space giving everyone a clear view.

"Who saw them?" She is busy chewing on the piece of rusk biscuit that we heaped on our saucers.

"Yours truly. First, Rakshit went and Tia followed. They tried being discreet, sticking closer to the refrigerator. Her back was on the door, and I had a clear undisturbed view. It made me sick after some point so I went and told them to shoo away."

"You didn't not!"

"Oh, but I did. Tia now looks at me like I drenched her favourite chew toy in chilli sauce and well Rakshit seems embarrassed." I don't have many friends in the office for obvious reasons. I always preferred keeping a low profile, Sana was my first friend while others I only share a very cordial bond with.

She works in finance and so we often keep popping into each other's department to give company. Rakshit and Tia are her colleagues and they all sit on the third floor of the building.

My cubicle is on the fourth floor along with the CEO's cabin and the entire HR department, hence their common love for my messy habits.

I am not dirty, I just don't like cleaning every minute of the day. I keep my desk clear of any dust, but the stacks of paper and scattered pens on the desk help me focus. It makes me feel busy, evoking my urge to work better.

Kabir and the HR don't agree. Obvious reasons.

I have bigger plans for my future. I want to have my start-up, have labored to save money and my trust funds for it. I am working in this industry for a better idea and experience. I am in my middle twenties and have plenty of time to work towards my goal.

Earlier marriage was never in my plan but now I might have that as a tiny hiccup but just one year of my life. After my divorce, I am pretty sure my family will not pester me to remarry. So a good riddance.

"It was a pornographic experience." Sana is still shaken from her encounter.

"It's okay. They are dating, it's normal."

"It is but this is a workplace. They could have gone to the washroom. Okay, no. We use that every time, I can't imagine it being dirty with their controversial juices."

"You are making it worse for us, baby."

"I should stop talking." She plops one more piece of the cookie in her mouth, shutting it up for the better.

"Hey." I take a quick sip of my coffee upon hearing a new voice. Yug stands in front of us juggling with a pile of files in his hands. We both stand up, helping him with the load.

He works in the administration, sharing the space on the third floor. He has been our acquaintance for a time now. Sana and him share a friendlier bond than me, but because we three are like the lone wolves of this office, we often hang out together.

"I need your help. The CEO just handed me the files for the recruits, I have to enter the details and work the logistics and I have to do it by lunch."

"Yug. That's like in three hours." The watch shows the hour hand striking ten, which gives us only a limited time until one in the afternoon.

"Ask him to push the deadline by four?" Sana offers.

I shake my head in denial. "He has a meeting after lunch, he'll not be in the office after that."

"It's not his fault. He gave these to me the previous day, I had to leave early to attend my sister's birthday party. I am to be blamed."

He looks dejected and we can't help but feel sorry for him. Sana has to return to her work but I know my schedule is empty for today. Kabir has my number, he can give me a call if he has some urgent work for me.

I proffer my help to Yug and we move to his cubicle to fill in the details and make proper files for the task. I rest my phone on the desk, keeping a check on the notifications to avoid missing any from Kabir.

Every time I think of him, my mind unsettles and feels uncomfortable. We both have traded our lives for our greedy selves. Our expectations have made us lose our common sense.

The pact we made seems inappropriate, and insensible but miraculously caters as a solution to our problems.

"You don't have to work right now?" Yug questions, his face screaming the remorse he is feeling currently. I assure him that it's nothing like it.

Upon my arrival, I was notified by Kabir that his friend would be joining him today. He had cleared his first half and instructed me to not disturb him with any pings. They were in the office for two hours when I left to meet Sana for the tea break.

I haven't received any message from him and it helps me to assume that they are still busy. Jay Dixit is Kabir's probably only friend. They are so different from each other that makes me feel weary of how they even became friends.

While Jay always greets me with a warm smile, Kabir grunts as soon as he enters the office. Jay is humorous and I doubt that Kabir even knows how humour is even spelt. Kabir is grumpy and Jay is sunshine.

"I am so grateful to have your help."

"It's nothing, I know how Ka—sir would react if you don't complete the task on time. He would lose his cool, which won't be good for me either." It's the truth, Kabir's bad mood would spoil my day.

Yesterday we signed the contract, today we acted aloof. He acted as he always did, detached and focussed. Nodded at my presence, snorted as usual with a grim face, and went inside, everything that is his normal.

Our normal.

I had tossed and turned on my bed the entire night. Like my body, even my brain felt tired. It sucked my energy and left me dry.

"How is he— I mean is he so scary as we all interpret him to be?"

Not exactly. He is grumpy, sadist spews fire, doesn't let me live peacefully, loads up so much work upon me, gets pissed off at any inconvenience, and loathes my way of keeping things, so we'll, okay, he indeed is scary.

"Demon-ish, if I say so myself." I honestly reply. It took me three whole seconds to list his habits and it's the best conclusion I could come up with.

"This demon summoned you to his office almost half an hour back, Noor." My fingers pause mid-air and fall loudly on the keyboard.

I bite my tongue, closing my eyes wishing for the ground to open and swallow me wholly. Yug whips around stridently, he trembles and shakes like a kitten, scared and fearful for his job and life.

Think of the devil and he arrives.

How does he do that every single time?

Am I being bugged? Every time I badmouth him, he shows up.

"Noor." He repeats himself. I finally acknowledge his presence, turning around to face him. His face is stoic and his eyes glaring at the space where Yug and I are cramped up.

His arms crossed on his chest, his eyebrows raised, forehead creased. Even if he radiates anger, he doesn't look dishevelled. Hair is styled neatly and the navy shirt he is wearing is carefully tucked into his cream-coloured trousers.

"I didn't see your text." That's my futile attempt. Finding my phone, I now notice three unread messages from Kabir. They all are sent only fifteen minutes ago.

"I shouldn't have had the chance to text you in the first place. You should have been at your seat."

He is genuinely furious, the words appear like the fiery balls he is aiming at me with the pure intention of destroying me.

"I am sorry." That's all I can offer after the mistake. He isn't wrong and I don't want to face his wrath. Yug looks like he could melt on the spot with the heat we are being addressed to.

"You. How huge was your assigned work, that you had to take help from my assistant? Had I not given you enough time." It's not a question, he is not asking but demanding.

"I...I am—"

"It's not Yug's fault. I insisted on helping him. I am the one at fault,"

"My office. Now." He leaves the floor without even looking back at us.

Yug apologises profusely as soon as Kabir leaves our sight. I assure him that I will be okay and I make my way to the fourth floor.

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The palpitations in my heart are loud enough to ring in my ears. The floor is quiet and busy. No one pays attention to me and my disturbed state. Thankfully so.

It's not that I haven't been crossed with Kabir, we have had many arguments and disagreements but most of the time they end with us throwing some insults at each other and going back to our routine but today it's a little different.

I know I am at fault today. I neglected my duties as his employee. My fist hits the door of his cabin waiting for him to allow my entrance.

"Come in." I enter.

"See, I am sorry I know I shouldn't have been so careless about my work. I promise it won't happen again."

I begin rambling once the door of his cabin closes behind me.

"Choose one." He cuts my sentence and pushes his laptop towards mine. My eyes fall on the screen that displays a jewellery site, with different rings showcased.

"What?"

"I am not interested in your excuse. Choose a ring, Noor."

"This is—"

"Yes. You need a ring for this proposal to appear real."

"You asked me to come to the office because of this?"

"Yes. Now choose and leave."

"Why do I feel there's something more? You are angrier than usual. My absence couldn't have triggered so much vexation. Tell me." I pester him, sauntering closer to where he is sitting.

"Choose."

"No. Tell me."

"You want to know why I am so agitated?" His tone turns brassy. His eyes twitch and he gets up. I failed to realise how close I was standing to him until now. Our toes touch, and he is sporting an undecipherable look.

A brief silence perspires between us, a dismaying moment before he angles him to meet my eyes. Same level, my breath hitches.

"I am annoyed because I hate sharing, Noor. Now select a ring so that we can get married."

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thank you!

@cococoffeebeans wanted an update earlier, so here it is.

This book is gonna serve all the readers (LIKE ME) who enjoy reading possessive main leads with good dose of jealousy. I mean, WHO DOESN'T?

we have completed 10 chapters, as we begin to the next half, it would mean the world if you could comment and let me know how you feel
about the book.

do share it, if possible.

vote. comment!

thank you
take care :))

royally yours,
meethi.