09

Ria

I shifted in my sleep as the sun rays entering from the window started to irritate me.

Hmm.

Sunrays mean it's morning.

Suddenly, realization dawned upon me, and I opened my eyes wide like an owl. Last night's events started coming to my mind. I had lost consciousness.

Immediately, I looked down to see if I had clothes on or not. I breathed in relief, seeing that I was dressed just like last night. I looked around and saw that I was in my room.

Was last night just a dream?

I would be happiest if it turned out to be a dream.

No. Not a dream- it was a nightmare.

I didn't know what happened, and I didn't try to remember.

I shook my head to clear my mind. I didn't want to know what happened. I don't want to make myself sad. I was happy that I was alive.

I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Gazing at my reflection in the mirror, I pulled a face and nearly burst into laughter. I looked like the person who got lost in the Amazon jungle and returned home after years. My hair looked like a nest. My makeup had been destroyed cause of my crying.

I look like a witch.

Having freshened up, I descended the stairs. Upon entering the kitchen, I greeted my grandma with a good morning kiss on her forehead. She was busy preparing breakfast. While Aaron was playing games on his mobile. I rolled my eyes and wished him good morning with a slap on his head.

"Diiii." He groaned, but his eyes didn't leave his mobile. I shook my head and took the cup of coffee that Grandma had brought for me. She sat across from me and started drinking while reading the newspaper. I thought it was the right time to ask.

"Grandma.." I called her while fiddling with my sweater.

"Yeah?" She said, looking up and giving me her best smile.

"How did I get here yesterday? Who brought me?" I inquired.

"Vik," she replied, then quickly corrected herself, "I mean, Mr. Advik, your boss, brought you here." I stared at her. The seriousness of her expression made it clear she wasn't joking. But how could he have...

"How?"

"He brought you in his arms. In bridal style. And trust me the scene was kinda funny because due to your fatness, he wasn't able to carry you properly and ended up tripping on the second stair." It was Aaron.

I rolled my eyes and hit him. He laughed and went back to staring at his mobile.

"Grandmaa!" I groaned, urging her to tell me the truth.

"Nothing sort of this happened. He just brought you here and then he left." She resumed reading the newspaper, lifting it slightly higher to hide her face from my view. With a sigh, I rose from my seat and prepared to leave for the office.

×

I reached the office, 30 minutes late. I hoped that Mr. Rude spare me alive. It was not my mistake. I left the house on time, but the bus got late and came after 10 minutes. And when we were halfway, the bus got punctured.

Sad life.

I hurried through the office, almost running. I gave a quick wave to Rosy and Kevin, who were engrossed in their work but acknowledged me anyway. When I finally reached my cabin, I took a deep breath of relief.

Finally!

But that happiness vanished in a second when I picked up the ringing phone.

"Come to my cabin." His icy voice came from the phone. And with that, he ended the call.

He just said those four words.

Just Mr. Rude being Mr. Rude.

I wondered if he was ever going to be polite. Like, behave and talk like normal humans.

I closed my eyes and prepared myself to face the storm waiting for me. I knocked on the door and heard 'come in' in the most unpolite manner.

Rolling my eyes, I entered. My eyes landed on him as he was sitting on his chair talking to someone with his famous frown on his face. He motioned me to sit on the chair in front of him, and I did nervously.

I started reading the file- or more like pretending that I was reading those files. So that the situation won't get awkward.

"Hmm."

"No. I want it done."

Suddenly, I started feeling like someone was staring at me. I frown and look upwards at Mr. Rude. He was rubbing his eyebrows, looking at the laptop. I noticed he does that whenever he gets irritated.

"I don't know about that. I want my work done in an hour. Otherwise, consider yourself fire." And with that, he put the phone down and looked at me.

Now, I am dead.

I put the file a little more upward, so my face won't be seen- just like my grandma did in the morning.

I heard him clearing his throat, and then he said in an amused voice, "You are holding the file upside down, Ms. Mehra."

"What?" I suddenly noticed that the letters on the file were also upside down. I cursed myself.

How can I be so stupid?

Why do I always end up embarrassing myself?

Slowly, I put the file on the table. I could feel his eyes on me. I cleared my throat and rubbed my cheeks so that my blush would fade away. And I look less like a tomato.

Gathering my confidence, I looked into his eyes, gleaming with amusement.

A smile was on the verge of breaking out across his face. As I gazed into his eyes, memories of last night suddenly came flooding back.

I wonder if I bring up the topic now. My mind told me not to, but I felt like I should thank him.

"About last night, thank you for taking me home," I said, looking down at my lap as a blush spread across my cheeks.

Why am I blushing?

Stupid!

"Yeah, you-" He stopped himself from saying further and looked at his wristwatch.

"When is the next meeting?" He asked, changing his tone and going back to his usual self.

I took a deep breath and started to reply, "In an hour."

"Okay. You may go. Bring me the files of K. M financial." He spoke, opening his laptop and motioning me to go. I nodded and thanked God.

Mr. Rude forgot about me getting late.

A broad smile spread across my face as I pushed open the exit door, but I closed my eyes when I heard him call out my name.

"Ms. Mehra?"

"Yes, sir." I gulped turning my head in his direction, his piercing eyes making a shiver run down my spine as he spoke,

"Don't think that I forget about you getting late. It is the last warning. If you break any rules again, you have to endure punishments."

Why does he have such a strong memory?