Padmanabh greeted everyone on the way to Tarun's office. He had been in good spirits lately. There was a strange calmness as he dropped Vrishali off at her university. She handed him a chocolate in return for the favour. He was stunned, as he had never received a chocolate before for giving someone a lift.
Knocking on the door. He entered Tarun's office. "Good morning."
"Good morning." Padmanabh stood before the desk. "Did you keep all the files together? Please send me those documents as well." Tarun went to the book rack where all the files were stored. He pulled out the grey file and handed it to Padmanabh. "I will email you. Vijay is in your office."
"Okay. See you around lunch," Padmanabh said, leaving the office. "Sure."
Padmanabh entered his office, Vijay sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine. "Good morning."
"Good morning. Why are you here?" Padmanabh took his seat. Vijay stood up from his seat and went to the desk. He took a seat. "I was just dropping by."
"This early? Don't you have to be at your sites?" Padmanabh opened the file he had brought from Tarun's office. Thankfully, Tarun had clarified everything, making it easy to tackle the problems they were facing with their new projects.
"Can't I just drop by at my friend's office?" Padmanabh raised a brow. "Without making a call? That is very unlike you." Vijay rolled his eyes and pulled out the orange parcel. "I was going to invite Vrishali and you to dinner on the weekend. Sadly, I will be travelling."
Padmanabh picked up the small orange parcel. "What is this?"
"Why don't you look for yourself?" Tarun smiled as Padmanabh suspiciously opened the parcel. There were photographs. He flipped them right to see photographs of him with Vrishali. All the photographs are candid. "You don't have to thank me, brother. I hope you create all the good memories with her. You two look good together, and I'm sure you two will work it out."
"Thank you, man."
"You cannot thank me. I want you to take me to dinner or lunch when I return from work. Let's catch up, okay?" Vijay looked at his wristwatch. "Now, I'm going to be late for work." Padmanabh hummed.
"Vijay, I want to discuss the Amal Palace project." Vijay smiled. "Don't worry about it. We have three months, which would be enough time to review the changes paper."
"What about the renovations?" Padmanabh asked. Once we finish the checking and planning, we will start renovations. It might take over a year or more."
"Okay. Once you are back, we will go to the site, and you can check." Vijay nodded. "Just a heads-up, Harika is willing to take charge." Padmanabh's brows frown. "Wasn't she supposed to leave for Delhi or London?"
"She's returning next month. She signed a six-month contract with me. She is going to work on this project. Iâ I know she's been weird, but I cannot stop her on this project. She is one of the best architects my firm has. I will try not to mess this up."
"Sure."
"That's great. Let's catch up later, man." Vijay left the office while Padmanabh went through the printed photographs. He couldn't help but smile, even though he was frowning at Vrishali while she messed up eating the ice cream.
He suggested that she take the cup because she had requested four scoops of different ice cream. He warned her that the ice cream would melt and create a mess. However, she didn't heed his warnings, and soon the ice cream melted, dripping onto her face and T-shirt. Looking at the photograph, he chuckled.
*
Vrishali groaned, stepping out of the shower. There was paint on her fingers, and she felt dirty after slipping in the garden. Thankfully, Padmanabh wasn't home to witness it. She didn't hurt herself. Humming to a song, she wandered over to the mirror. She's wearing cotton shorts and a crop tank. Her skin is showing, but she doesn't care as there's no one in the house.
The cook had left some time ago after preparing dinner. She got a message from Padmanabh indicating he would be home late, which made her eager to enjoy dinner together. After rummaging through her junk stash, she grabbed the Kit Kats and went to the window.
She opened Instagram and began scrolling through the comments on her posts. All the photos she shared featured herself and various locations, but there was no picture of Padmanabh. It's not as if she had any photos of them together.
She added Vijay to her Instagram. He had tagged her in one of the group photos. Thankfully, Vijay's account is private, indicating the picture wouldn't be shown on her friend's accounts. She saved the photo to her gallery. It was a group photo, but Padmanabh was standing beside her. Once she was done with enough Instagram scrollâ She went downstairs to watch a movie in the living room.
She watched a movie, then paused it to switch to YouTube for some music. Bobbing her head as one of her favourite songs began, she got up to dance, confident that no one was home. The watchman was at the main gate, and a worker was in the quarters.
*
Padmanabh was changing his clothes when he heard a knock on his door. He looked at the time on the wall. It was past twelve. Frowning his eyebrows, he put back the T-shirt. He walked over to the doors to open them. He was surely surprised to see Vrishali.
"Vrishali, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice tired. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to have a word."
"Did something happen?" Vrishali shook her head. "No, everything is okay. Iâ I want to visit my grandparents. I wanted to ask if you would mind dropping me off at their place in the morning?"
Padmanabh was surprised by the request. "Sure, I will drop you in the morning." Vrishali smiled. "Good night."
"Good night. . ." He stood there until Vrishali went into her room. Vrishali couldn't help but smile to herself. She could've texted or asked him in the morning but was eager to see him before bed.
Padmanabh changed into his night pants and switched off the lights. He then slipped beneath his sheets and picked up the photographs from the nightstand. He looked through the photographs, smiling to himself, before sleeping.
*
Vrishali served her plate, and Padmanabh did the same. He handed her the glass of juice while she passed him his coffee. This has become their routine every morning. Their cook prepared breakfast and left everything on the table.
Vrishali has come to appreciate the tranquillity and privacy of their home. Padmanabh, being a reserved individual, values quiet moments at home. Vrishali hasn't noticed anyone else inside the house other than themselves. The cook performs her tasks quietly and departs without a word. The worker, who resides in the outer house, tidies up the home when they are away.
"Are you staying with your grandparents for the night?" Padmanabh asked. "Yes, we are planning to visit an ancient temple. I will return tomorrow morning."
"I will pick you up."
"Sure." Padmanabh smiled at his breakfast. After they finished their breakfast and washed their plates, Padmanabh picked up the bag Vrishali had packed. She was wearing a mustard cotton frock with a colourful flower print.
Vrishali glanced at Padmanabh as he was on the call with Vijay. He is wearing a white shirt and black pants. For some reason, he didn't tuck in the shirtâ Not that she was complaining. He looked handsome. Padmanabh glanced at Vrishali, and she looked away when he caught her staring at her. He ended the call and got into the car.
"Vijay said hi." Vrishali brought her gaze back onto Padmanabh. "Vijay?"
"Yes, we are having a site meeting today. He is already at the site and asking when I will reach."
"Did I make you late?" Vrishali asked. Padmanabh shook his head. "Vijay is excited and early as he couldn't wait to see the site."
"Oh." Padmanabh glanced at Vrishali before looking back at the road. "Once the road is done. I will take you there for sunset."
"I'm excited." They share a smile without looking at each other. Vrishali is happy with the progress they have been making. However, Padmanabh is shy and introverted. He is trying to have conversations with her.
*
Vrishali walked Padmanabh to his car. He had met his grandparents and other family members, who insisted he have tea. He couldn't refuse, as his phone had been pinging with messages and emails.
Once near the car, Padmanabh looked at Vrishali. She was beautiful as she looked up at him, and she had a soft smile on her face. "Hmm, have a good time with your cousins."
"Yes." Padmanabh nodded. "I will pick you up in the morning."
"Okay." They both stood there, enveloped in a cloak of shyness; Padmanabh found himself transfixed, unable to tear his gaze away as the gentle sunlight cascaded over her features, illuminating each delicate curve of her face.
It was an enchanting mystery how Vrishali's smile could steal his breath away instantly, sparking a flutter of emotions deep within him. Her eyes, artfully accentuated with makeup, shimmered with a captivating depth, leaving him unsure of where the artistry ended, and her natural beauty began. Regardless, she was undeniably stunning, a vision that lingered in his mind like a sweet melody.
"Okay, have a good day." Padmanabh smiled at her before getting into the car. Vrishali stood there until she couldn't see the car anymore. "Are you coming?" Manav yelled. She turned to see her cousins standing on the balcony.
"Yeah." She went to where her cousins hung out while her Aunts got ready. "How was the trip to south India?" Riddi asked. "It was beautiful. I plan on visiting South India soon."
"Yeah, we went to South India four years ago. It was a family trip and one of the longest we all went on," Manav said. Vrishali half listened, half wondered about Padmanabh.