#Reader's Challenge series

This was a reader challenge which I had given instagram.

Chapter – 1 - Present

Asha looked up at from her laptop. Her shoulders ached and she needed her post lunch bonus dose of caffeine to keep her going.

She had worked till midnight yesterday and had to be back in office from ten o’clock today. In between her innumerable cups of coffee, she had just a fifteen minutes break for lunch and her boss had hurried her up; No, not just her but the whole team.

“God knows what crawled up his ass,” she complained,” Khane bhi nahi deta hai theek se. I couldn’t even finish my dosa.”

“You ordered dosa, kya?” Asked Priya turning,” How was it?”

Before Asha could relate the levels of crispiness the dosa had offered, Yatin complained,” He just does not let you eat...mujhe toh...he does not let me eat and he does not let me sleep. Yesterday night I had just dipped my roti in the dal and was about to pass it into my mouth when the bastard calls asking for some work and he says I am holding the phone check and let me know. Khane ka satyanash! Sala, phir se subha panch baje phone karke needh se uthaya. Lag raha hai uska viagra kal raat me kaam nahi kiya. @#$$%, a@#€$.”

The girls laughed. “I think he is a workaholic. Biwi, bacche nahi hai kya?” Asked Asha. He looked old enough to have a family.

" Eisa aadmi ke sath kaun rahega? Chhor ke chali gayi hogi. Pagal admi hai,” Yatin said agitatedly.

"Aree ..No,” Priya put in,” His wife is pregnant. She has gone to her maike. I think he is missing her. That is why he keeps working round the clock. ”

"Toh rakhna chahiye tha na usko...naazar ke samne. Jigar ke paas,” said Yatin.

Asha laughed, “As a substitute tujhe rakh raha hai...naazar ke samne, jigar ke paas.” They all laughed.

Just then the famed and very much hated boss, stalked up the aisle sipping a cup of steaming coffee from a cup which had the words, “The best boss.”

“Which boot licking idiot gave him that cup?” Asha asked in a whisper.

“Yatin did,” Priya avered.

Asha looked at his red face and tittered. That uncontrollable titter....she just rolled off laughing till tears came out of her eyes and yet she could not stop. Priya too laughed.

“What is so funny?” asked their boss Aakash Pathak stopping beside her table looking at all three of them. His regular scowl replaced with an inquisitive smile.

Asha’s head was down and she put her hand up, “Noth....nothing, Aahhhkash,” and she broke into another bout of laughter. Yeah, it was an IT company...a multinational one at that... no sir or honorific addresses or prefixes. Everyone called one another by their first names.

A small frown formed in Aakash’s forehead but his smile remained intact.

“Nothing, Aakash. These two girls are bullying me.”

“Oh! Don’t bully him. He is one of the most hardworking guys we have here. Always delivering...” he trailed as his secretary came for some sign. He stopped to read and sign.

“Yes, his babies,” said Priya starting to laugh.

“Now I am sure,” added Asha, “Aakash has a crush on him. May be he swings both ways,” both the women tittered and rolled off laughing.

Aakash stopped signing and looked up. “Hope the joke us not on me?”

“No...No,” Asha shook her hands and head. Was it that obvious?

“No...No...Aakash,” Priya reiterated adding, “We were pulling Yatin’s leg.”

“Don’t bully him too much,” he said with a twinkle of his eyes and moved on.

“Aakash, there was something...” Yatin stood up and followed him.

“Hutch ka kutta...” said Asha and the girls started laughing again, “You and I in a beautiful world,” she sang softly and laughed again.

Aakash turned to look at them and said, “I like this happy spirit of camaraderie in office. It helps in team building spirit.”

“Yes. We could extend it with a team dinner and brainstorming of ideas tonight,” suggest Yatin as he heard a collective groan.

“Good idea but not today. I have something important in the evening.”

Everyone was stunned but deliriously happy with the expectation of going home on time today.

Aakash was in good mood today. His permanent scowl and frown was replaced most strangely with a light smile. He was a good looking man; everyone in office including Asha had to admit. But what was more appealing to Asha was the uncanny similarity to someone she knew way back in school...sigh! Anshu....Anshu for others and Anshuman Pathak for her. ..

Anshu Pathak...Asha’s first crush....first heart break... someone she loved and that someone who did not love her back.....it has been ten years she had last met Anshu. But his memories had lived on in her heart all these years leaving no space to be given to anyone else. Whoever lives pining for a love so unrequited...so unreciprocated...he must be married by now, her best friend Lata had told her...it is foolish of you not being able to move on....

Asha had agreed and had nodded. Par yeh dil gain ki manta nahin. Her stupid dil. Asha shut her eyes as memories of her school days streamed down her memory lane.