Adrita's POV
Scratching my arms I try to ease away the itch, but it gets more aggravating and a burning sensation follows causing a whimper to leave my lips. After the most beautiful day of my life came the great restless today as I endure the rashes spread throughout my arms due to the clothes Anirudh gave me for changing.
I had no idea about the quality of the fabrics until I reached home and felt the itching. But thankfully it was nothing severe, just a minor itching and burning session.
I stare at the ceiling in hopes of distracting myself from the pain. If Nyra would have been here, she would have surely laughed at my sensitive nature.
Realising that I am treading on the edges of unhappiness, I remind myself of yesterday and all the things I love and am grateful about.
A notification pops on my phone screen, and I read the message dropped by the reason of my happiness.
Me Cinderella: Why are you not at the office? Your colleague says you are not doing well. What's wrong? Are you sick due to the rain?
Ah! To be cared like this...But you guys... I am sorry.
Me: It's nothing. Just minor rashes caused due to fabrics.
Mr Cinderella: Fabrics?
Me: yeah, I didn't know yesterday that it will cause an allergic reaction.
Mr Cinderella: oh, it was due to yesterday. I am sorry...I don't understand.
Me: It's nothing. I just have never worn such fabrics that's why, but no worries the doc said it will heal soon!
Anirudh remains online but doesn't reply for a good while.
Me:?
Mr Cinderlla: You take care of yourself and maybe if possible meet me at the city park after office hours? Six pm? IMY.
Me: sure! What's IMY?
Mr Cinderella: something...
*******
Descending the last stair I run across the hall toward the main gate but the loud voice of my Dad echoes through the hall making me stop in my steps. Turning, I raise my eyebrows questioning the reason for his sudden outburst.
"We need to talk." He says, his chin held up as he points towards the dining table where Mom sat, facepalming herself.
I follow him to the table and take a seat across from Mom as Dad sits beside her.
"Certain things are circulating." He says with all seriousness. I look at mom for hints but she just shrugs and mouths, do as he says.
"They say there is a boy and there is you, and the mere chances of it being true horrifies the daylight out of me. Please tell me it is just a rumour."
"But it is not," I confess.
Dad puts his hand on his heart and looks at mom with an overly exaggerated vulnerable expression. Mom just rolls her eyes and pats his hair attempting to console him.
Dad, obviously unsatisfied with her lack of issue, angrily removes her hand and very angrily faces me. "Is he any good? Are you not worried about him using you? What if he breaks your heart? After all, you are the daughter of his employer! What if he is just overly ambitious?"
Placing my elbows on the table I interlock my fingers and lean forward, giving him a challenging look. "He is ambitious, no doubt, but he doesn't need such low tricks to succeed. And don't forget right now he is at a much higher position, unlike your intern daughter. And before you say anything about me being the future face of your company. Remember, till now he has achieved everything on his own and I know he will continue to do so."
Mom lets out a small ooh but zips her mouth as she looks at the serious expression etched on Dad's face.
But the stubborn expression changes into a defeated one. I walk up to him and give him a side hug, placing my head on his shoulders, I try to ease his worries. "Trust me, Dad." He nods, and mom joins our little hug giving me a wink hidden from Dad's eyes.
Patting my hands Dad begins "Nishi.." I stare at Dad confusingly, having never heard of the name. Dad shakes his head at me and adds, "Your distant cousin? It's her engagement two days later. Invite that boy too."
What! I look at dad with an unbelievable look but a mere eye narrow from him makes me shut up, and I nod my head, agreeing with his incredulous demand.
Who even holds an engagement ceremony in the rainy season?
Rubbing his forehead, dad reckons, "There was something else I wanted to tell but I don't remember it anymore."
"No problem, dad. Remember and tell me later because I am already very late!"
Saying that I start running out of the hall. Dad again tries to stop me by shouting something along the lines of remembering and cousin, but being in hurry I wave my hand at them and shout, "later!"
****
As soon as I enter the city park, petrichor emanating from the damp soil hits my nostrils. I walk around the park avoiding the various puddles, reminiscent of yesterday's rain. The holler of teenage boys playing cricket brings my attention toward the group but my eyes get stuck on a familiar face sitting on a bench with a laptop on his lap and eyes on the laptop.
I stroll toward him. The plan was to scare him by walking up behind him and shouting near his ears. However, the pink rose stuck behind his ear originates a laugh out of me, making me turn to him. Realising the reason of my laughter he removes the pink rose and shuts the laptop.
"Why did you remove it? It suited you." I say, rounding the bench and sitting by him. He keeps the laptop in his office bag and turns to me, bringing his legs to him he crosses them over so that his whole body faces me. "Because this is for you. Found a real rose this time." He says, holding the pink rose out for me.
Smiling widely, I take the rose from him and caress the soft petals. "Thank you."
"I am sorry I didn't know you would get rashes because of the shirt. Though I should have guessed. Does it hurt?"
"No worries, and no it doesn't hurt anymore. The itchiness and burning sensation have subsided to a great extent. Forget about it, tell me about your day."
Anirudh starts telling me about his day; from the food he ate to all the conversations he had. His eyes glint with adoration and respect whenever he spoke of his grandmother, his eyes glint with passion whenever he spoke about his work. He could go on and on and I could listen to him all day.
He then asks me about my day and I start with my babble which he listens patiently; sometimes nodding his head, sometimes laughing his heart out, sometimes rolling his eyes, sometimes smirking, but his gaze remains fixated on me.
"Ohh, I forgot!" I exclaim and add, "My cousin is getting engaged and dad has asked me to invite you." I complete, looking at the scared mannerism of Anirudh. "Don't worry. He will not be mad."
"That's not helping. He is my inspiration! I am not ready to meet him yet. And that too while dating his daughter? What if I gain a negative impression?" Anirudh rambles, his face pale with fear.
"Please."
Anirudh looks at me for a minute and then defeatedly nods his head.
"Thank you!" Exclaiming, I peck his cheeks and he stares at me with wide eyes filled with shock.
"What was that for?"
"For agreeing."
"And to think I was doubting my agreement." He mumbles.
The lamps around the park light up, and I look at the surroundings to find the park almost deserted. Anirudh must have noticed it too as he stands up and forwards his hand to me, taking it, I too stand up.
"It's getting late. We should go." He says, still holding my hand.
"Ok. Bye. Do you want me to drop you?"
"Nope, I will just take a bus."
"Are you sure?"
"Yup. Will take an AC bus this time. After all, I have got a permanent job."
I nod at him and we make our way toward the exit, hand in hand. After wishing him goodbye I walk up to the parking lot but Anirudh shouts my name, making me halt in my steps.
"What?"
He doesn't reply. He just embraces me.
****
Author's note:
Not the best chapter out there. Point out all the grammatical mistakes cause I know there might be tons.