xvii | attention

key:

ishita /jai

meeting with Mr Nair is canceled. his wife is in the hospital.

did he give more details?

his assistant is a bitch. she communicates like she would die if she typed more than four words

okay, remind to make a personal call and inquire about his wife's health

okay

so, are you free?

why?

i wanted to ask you something

you've got me too curious now. guess those unanswered emails will have to wait

what's up

what's your dream?

huh?

your dream?

why suddenly?

i usually ask this question in the interview but i never asked you. i was just wondering

oh

my dream... is to keep learning and teaching. i want to never stop learning new things — be it art or a skill or a trick. i want to learn, master it, and teach it to others. I'm on the road to it, you know. i attend workshops, get certified, teach, earn and repeat. all my money goes to those workshops

it's all about the experience for me. i'm always open to learning. that was one of the main reasons why i accepted the job. i've never been an assistant before and probably never would have if not for you luring me in with your bet. i knew this experience won't come again so i grabbed it

and what did you learn so far?

tbh, i regretted in the beginning. you were cold to me and i couldn't read you. it was frustrating because i always get through to people and you were like ice. the others in the office were very nice to me tho. that kept me going. and of course, the money and the chance to prove you wrong.

then, i got used to it. and i understood you bit by bit. you are not that deep, actually, but you pretend to be. you are as open as you can be but it takes a while for others to recognise that. i know that now. and now that i do, my job feels easy. i know what you want, when you want it and how to deal with you. i can sense your emotions even with how little you show them. surprisingly, working with you has become the easiest of all my jobs.

oh?

yeah, this is what i learnt about you. there's more. i mean, i spend more than 10 hours a day with you. so it's obvious ik more. but what i learnt from the experience so far is that schedules are not all bad.

wow i never thought i'd live to see the day when you admitted it

yeah yeah at least i have the guts to own up

at first it was frustrating but i think we kinda found a common ground these days. you take breaks in between and that gives me space to shift your meetings around more comfortably if something comes up. and the breaks you take gives me time to focus on my part without any rush. the best thing about it are the days when the schedule goes according to the plan smoothly, without a speck of disruption. the satisfaction it gives me is like... better than any orgasm a man can give me.

are you sure?

about what? the orgasm?

yes

yeah, at least till now.

why?

are you interested in proving me wrong?

if you'll let me

TF!?

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO TALK LIKE THIS?

YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO GIVE THAT ANSWER

why not

BECAUSE I DIDN'T EXPECT IT

IT'S NOT THE JAI I KNOW

like i told you, you don't know a lot about me, astronaut

you only think you do and that's cute

WHO TF ARE YOU?

WHERE IS MY JAI?

right here, astronaut

I MEANT WHERE IS THE ONE-WORDED ASSHOLE WHO REFUSES TO GIVE ME ATTENTION FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES?

you must not know how to count then

ARE YOU FLIRTING WITH ME?

what if i am?

idk i think i'll hear you out

you flirting with me is a rare experience and it gives me a ton of ego boost

that's all this is to you?

an ego boost?

what? you want me to think you are actually interested in me?

lmao

jai?

hey don't seenzone me

hey

now you won't even read my messages?

ik you're an asshole but don't be an asshole now okay?

okay you can seenzone me. i give you permission but at least open my messages

did i say something wrong? or cross my line? i'm sorry.

okay i'm calling you

at least pick up?

i'm breaking my rules for you. i'm double texting you. i'm triple texting you. so just text me back goddamn it

okay i'm coming into your cabin

i'm busy

i'll talk to you later

oh

okay

a/n: this year has been a jolly good ride with vishal and layla, firecracker, karthik and anjali and cellophane! i've been quite productive this year now that i realise haha. just want to take this opportunity to thank YOU, the readers, especially the ones who've read all the stories. i see most of you all hopping from one to another and it's so great --- best feeling for a writer, trust me. also, the updates have been very off with cellophane and i apologise for that. i can't promise you regular updates but cellophane will be complete before 21st of january. i assure you that!

i hope when you look back at your year you are proud of how far you've come and are happy you've been going strong! happy new year in advance <3

lots of love, cara x