"Is this the kind of work, you are supposed to be doing at Infosys?"

"This will not be tolerated. And yes, Ayesha - remember to keep your records correct!"

These words, which Shekhar sir yelled, were indeed disappointing and disheartening for a new employee, who has just completed 3 weeks of employment at his office.

"I am sorry Sir" I left.

Nevertheless, I was disheartened, as I opened the door of his cabin, kept the file on my seat and walked towards the washroom - preferably trying to ignore the sight of my other colleagues, who were actually staring at me.

At that point of time, for one instance - I glared at Abhi, but he was the only one, who was not looking at me.

Well, I accept that I had made a mistake in my records but the mistake wasn't huge enough that he would be scolding me, so loudly in front of everyone.

Just because, Shekhar Sir was previously angry at someone on the phone call, he vented out his frustration on my mistake, which was definitely incorrect.

Later in the day, while we had our evening break, there were 3 to 4 girls, around my table with Shreya sitting beside me.

Kabir, Anand and Rohit were also near us, with Kabir speaking and consoling me with the same words.

"Guys, but aaj kal - Shekhar sir, thode zyada hi bhadak rahe hain. But chill kar Ayesha, we will help you with the work" the last words of Kabir, while he was looking at Ayesha.

Just then, the MAN (Mr. Abhimanyu Mantri) of the office walked towards us - "Guys, I am going to the canteen so anybody up for tea/coffee?"

"Kabira - teri black coffee aaj available nahi hain"

"And Shreya - filter coffee?"

At one point of time, I actually thought that Shreya blushed at the fact, that Abhi asked her for coffee - because it was evident that Shreya liked Mr. Mantri - but Mr. Mantri did not pay any heed to it.

"NO, thank you Abhi" Shreya answered, although we were not expecting an answer from her, at this point of time.

"Yaar Abhi, tere sir aaj-kal bohat zyada hi kar rahe hain.

Plus work load bhi badh raha hain, kuch bol na unko" spoke Rohit.

"Kaun - Shekhar sir?" - Abhimanyu.

"Toh aur kaun, tune dekha nahi kya, aaj kaise bola tha Ayesha ko. Aur 4-5 din pehle, mujhpe bhi chilaaya tha, for no reason." Spoke Anand, adding his point against sir, as well.

"Look...4-5 din pehle kya reason tha, mujhe nahi pata. Haan, aur rahi baat aaj ki - toh I accept ki he got extra angry - but thike yaar - kaam ka pressure hain aur thodi galti apni bhi toh thi." He gave a justification to the girl sitting in front of him - ME.

"Hey Abhi...I mean Abhimanyu, I hope you don't mind, calling you ABHI" I got up from my chair, standing in front of him, in an attitude stance.

"Nope. I don't. Please continue." He spoke with a smirk on his face.

"Look Abhi. It's not about him scolding me or anyone - on the mistakes we committed. It's about how large he is scolding for a mistake which is small." I looked around, as my colleagues agreed to my point.

"2 things to add on, if you allow me, Ayesha" that "Ayesha" which he spoke, was indeed attractive. I simply gave a nod - with a little attitude, after all he was counter-attacking my points.

"Number 1 - I appreciate the fact that you accepted - you made a mistake. This is your very first step, which makes you greater than him"

"Number 2 - You believe that the mistake you committed was small. But you never know - how large can the mistake be, for the person in front."

He looked around for a second and then - Staring directly into my eyes, he spoke -

"Our assumptions are often the main reason for our dissatisfaction!" Confidence was seeping through his words, as he spoke this statement, as if it was a famous saying.

"Wah! Abhimanyu Bhaiya, inka bas chale toh humesha sir hi sahi hain aur hum galat." Rohit spoke mockingly.

"Isliye toh apne bhai - Best Employee Award jeet te hain" this statement of Anand was out of jealously.

Abhimanyu laughed with them and then spoke to me - "Aur aisa hain Thakur ji, ki -

Humaare Bauji kehte hain, maafi maangane se koi chota-bada toh hota nahi,

Lekin joh maaf kar deta hain na, uska dil sabse bada hota hain!"

"Ohhhh Mr. Abhimanyu Mantri"

"Bhai tu rehne de, jaa filter coffee pee ke aa, wo hi sahi hain tere liye" 2 of the girls and boys turned away and so did Rohit and Anand, while they spoke this statement and it was evident that to some extent, they were envious towards the MAN of the office - for the work he did and particularly - the awards he won.

These people turned away, but he still stared at me, as if he was waiting for a reply.

"Kajol to Amitabh Bachchan - the Gamla scene - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham" a big smile broke on my face as I laughed, looking down a little shy but joyful. In addition to this, I just know one thing - he made me SMILE and LAUGH at that moment.

"Ohkay then."

"Filter coffee 1 for ABHI" he pointed his finger towards himself.

"And, Filter coffee 2 for Ms. Thakur" his handsome face, with that adorable smile - made me believe that he is definitely my INFATUATION.

He turned and walked away, as I sank back in my chair, with my same routine.

Moreover, I just realized and assumed another common instinct and common choice of me and Mr. Mantri.

He had the same craze for Bollywood movies and series just as I, especially the old to medium movies, their songs and their dialogues - just like this one.

"By the way, Ayesha tujhe pata hain kya, about his actual bauji?" Kabir, who was still present beside my desk, asked.

"Kya...?" I asked.

"Uske papa zinda nahi hain. He died in an accident." Kabir murmured.

"Oh okay. I am sorry, I didn't know." I spoke, with some genuine concern,

"Arre. Why are you sorry? You don't be sorry." Kabir said. He further continued -

"Woh toh mujhe laga ki main tujhe bata du, isliye maine bataya. Aur waise bhi usne khud ne, unka naam liya tha."

"Aur woh khud toh tujhe batata nahi tha na, isliye."

Kabir explained the whole thing to me that, Abhimanyu's father had died in an accident, while he was in grade 11 and it was only he and his mother, who lived in Mumbai from the last 5 years.

When I asked about his other siblings, he answered that he has one elder sister, who is married and lives in Delhi.

We were just conversing about him and the MAN of the office, came back - holding two glasses of filter coffee.

"Naam liya aur shaitaan haazir!" Kabir chuckled as Abhimanyu handed over my coffee.

"Thank you so much" I smiled at him, a gesture.

The break was about to get over in the next 10 minutes. So the remaining boys walked back to their respective places and suddenly, I found Kabir back to my table - with his phone, near his ears, as if he is talking to someone.

"Hey, ahhh...if you find any problem with the records or something, you can message me, if at all....." Kabir spoke, fumbling while speaking his last words.

"I will help her Kabir!" Shreya interrupted and laughed at Kabir, and it felt as if he was blushing.

Without saying anything, he turned back and walked away, as both of us laughed a little, and Shreya whispered in my ears -

"Yeh toh tujhe puri tarah pasand karne laga hain Bro."

"Tujhe toh pehle teen hafton mein hi - ek sexy ladka mil gaya. Ahaaaaaa"

I spoke to myself, in a very soft tone - "Yeh toh thik hain, par meri nazar toh kisi aur pe hain."

"Kyaaaa?" Shreya suddenly spoke and I hope, I was not audible to her.

"Nahi re."

"Chal break khatam hone wala hain." Taking a sip of the hot filter coffee, in my hand.

That night and the days later, my bond with some of my new colleagues had increased and strengthened. At the same time, I was not aware of the fact that this new bonding might bring upon - some unexpected consequences, unfolding some mysterious phases in my life and this might also lead to unrevealing some darkest secrets in the most exquisite and wonderful twinkling moments.

Amongst all my colleagues, I had no behind-the-back thoughts for anyone except one - the MAN of the office - Mr. Abhimanyu Mantri.

Time passed well, and there I was - celebrating my one-month anniversary of working at Infosys - enjoying with my best friend - Shreya in my room.

The first time - I met my colleagues and entered the office was on Saturday, on 25th November at 7:00pm in the evening.

So rightly, on 24th December 11:59pm - I received a message from Kabir Chaudhary - "Happy One-month Working Anniversary Ayesha!"

"I hope you have an amazing time with all of us at the Infosys and may we have amazing memories in the upcoming months."

"Aur haan, ek party toh pending rahegi."

"Lots of Love."

"Yours Kabira"

Just a general Trivia -

Well yes, I will not be bragging - but I am a beautiful girl.

I do have a fair color-tone, some cute dimples, soft shiny hair and an attractive figure. This might be the same description of many Bollywood actresses as well, but yes, I do have all the remarkable qualities - which a person (specifically a boy) would be finding in a girl.

And at the same time, I am one of the most - "bigadi hui ladki" - who sometimes enjoys the point - that boys are pampering me and giving me their attention.

As far as, my past relationships are concerned - right now toh I am single - looking to be a double.

My mom desperately wanted me to get married - so I decided to convince dad and come to Mumbai - at least for a year or so.

But now, at the Infosys - I personally believe to continue working for more than 1 year, so lets see - "Aage aage dekho, hota hain kya!"

Coming back to the message from Kabir, which I was expecting, because this handsome guy, was definitely having a crush on me. As far as I am concerned, I liked him - but not kinda love-wala-like.

It's just that he had an attractive body/shape and yes, he was the "JAAN" of Infosys - always ready to involve and impress people, very unlikely and different as compared to the MAN of our office.

"Hey Kabir - a.k.a Kabira,

Awww...you remembered this day.

Thank you very much. Main khud bhi chahti hoon - that we have the best of times and most unforgettable memories at Infosys.

Aur party toh tu mujhe dega, Right! (The laughing and heart emoji)

Good Night!"

I replied benevolently since he made me feel special.

At the same time, I typed another name - in the search bar of Whatsapp - "ABHI..."

Just typed the first 4 letters, and their appeared the DP of the MAN of the office - an adorable picture of himself with his mother.

I opened our chat - and to my greatest astonishment - I could actually see the words - ONLINE - below his profile.

I was just about to type something - before which - the ONLINE word changed into green TYPING.

My excitement increased.

I waited for 5 minutes, but to no avail. Later, I had just got up from my bed to have something - when I heard a notification.

Looking into the phone, it was the guy and not the MAN.

Yes, you guessed it right - it was Kabir Chaudhary as I used a slang word - just bitching about my desperateness.

He had messaged whether I was awake and some usual topics, probably just to initiate a conversation with me.

Shreya entered my room and was mocking at my chats, completely peering into my conversation with Kabira.

At 1:00am, after having an impressive though not-so-important conversation with Kabir, I decided to sleep since I had to go office the next day, finally replied to Kabira - "That's nice...chalo...okay then - I am sleepy (the sleep emojis).

Good Night Kabira!"

To which he instantly replied - "KABIRA" (he typed everything in block letters)

"Yeh Bhi theek Hain" (with some amazing emoji) (to which I definitely laughed)

"Robin from Mirzapur" I replied instantly.

(Two laughing emojis) (as I replied with a Good Night)

"Kisi insaan ne thik hi kahan hain - Umeed pe duniya kayam hain"

Because exactly at 1:11 am, the notification panel of my phone, had a Whatsapp message from Abhimanyu.

To be frank, at first I thought to ignore the MAN.

But in not less than 30s, I also opened his message - my desperation or "bachpana" whatever you call.

It said - "Hi Ayesha."

"Are you awake?"

I replied - "Hi Abhi!"

"Yes, I am. Kuch kaam tha?"

He typed - "Firstly, sorry to disturb you this late."

"I just wanted to tell you something - if you are free right now"

I spoke to my heart - "Not bad my MAN. Ek ghanta late ho gaya, par koi baat nahi. Aur uske baad bhi - you want to call me at late night." I giggled blushingly and laughing on the MAN on the chat.

"Yeah sure."

"Hmm...you wanna call?" I asked, amusing at my thoughts.

"Well yeah, if it is cool at your end?" he replied, lifting my mood.

After 1 long minute, I replied - "Okay"

And at 1:15a.m, in midnight, my MAN called me. Our first ever midnight call, to be precise.

"Hi Abhi" although he had called, but I was the first one to speak.

"Hi Ayesha. Disturb toh nahi kiya na?" very diplomatic, he replied.

"Nahi re, bol na. Kuch important tha?" I asked, expecting a happy one-month wish from him.

"Haan. Woh actually aaj 25th December hain na..."

"1 month complete ho gaya." He spoke, in a serious tone.

"Haan. One month toh complete ho gaya!" I just repeated his words.

"Toh I was saying ki -"he paused for a second.

I took a deep breath, ready to smile.

"Woh actually Ayesha..."

Increase your expectations.

TO BE CONTNIUED.