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

I took a deep breath, ready to smile.

"Woh actually Ayesha..."

"Tumhaare Records mein ek galti hain." He ruined everything.

"What the f...." I whispered, and if I am not wrong, he did not hear this phrase.

"What...mere records...?" I panicked with disappointment.

I was expecting him to wish me and he was pointing out my mistake.

"Haan...ideally tere..."

"I mean tumhare records toh sahi hain, but sirf 2nd ya 3rd page mein ek jagah, statistical error hain." He justified.

"Aur yeh tujhe kaise pata?" I questioned him back.

"Do-teen din pehle, jab tumne mere records liye thee, to see the overall presentation, tab tumhi ne mujhe tumhare records dikhaye thee."

"Aur tab I wasn't sure, with the market graphs. But after todays' price fall, the stats in your record must change." He explained everything very well, at 1:30am - midnight.

After 20 to 25 minutes of important discussion, I finally spoke -

"Ohkay! Right, I will make the remaining changes." Looking into my records.

"Yeah! Just correct them, toh kal Shekhar sir, wapas kuch bolenge nahi." He commented.

"Haan yaar." I chuckled, not quite glad at his comment, in spite of the fact, that he was right.

"Thank you so much Abhi! You actually saved me from getting embarrassed again." I sweetly thanked him.

"Anytime!" - spoke the MAN.

"Acha ek baat bata...itni raat mein tujhe, all of a sudden, kaise yaad aaya, ki MERE records mein statistical error hain." I stressed on the word - MERE.

"Aisa nahi hain...main actually apne records check kar raha tha...so I just remembered yours!" he helped me.

"Oh okay!" I chuckled.

"May be, you do not remember something else!" I whispered, with an intention to be audible.

But on the other hand, I wasn't loud enough, for him to reply.

He bade a good bye and good night - as he declined the call.

Although I was not expecting this, and I wanted him to wish me, nevertheless - indirectly, he helped me from getting scolding again. I slept peacefully that night.

THE NEXT DAY (one month completed)

"Again Rohit...again the same mistake."

"I had told you the same thing previously as well."

"If you are supposed to submit your records today, then it is compulsory for you, to take note of all the prices in the market, till YESTERDAY."

"If you complete your records 2 days before submission, and then if you don't take look at the stock prices falling like a bunch of cards - you can never submit correct records.

This is not only to Rohit but for every single employee at Infosys."

"Now go, correct them and then submit."

A long admonishment by our boss - Shekhar Sir.

In addition if you all noticed, luckily, I got to hear the same scolding - in a very pleasant manner by the MAN of the office - Mr. Mantri - just the very night before.

After 30 minutes, when he completely examined my records, with a beaming smile on his face, he exclaimed delightfully -

"Ayesha..."

"Yes sir" I took a step forward.

"Very well done."

"I am really impressed by your work."

"Not only your records are accurate this time but also you have taken into consideration - the price falls which took place yesterday."

"All of you - this is the diligence - which one should have - just after completing 1 single month in the office."

"Pure Bliss of Solitude" - the only words, I whispered to myself as my charming smile gave way to my dimples, and I blushed a little.

I left his office - my boss' office - delightfully, unlike my previous encounter. While he continued to check the records of the other employees, including Abhimanyu - who was still in the office.

While we merely discussed about our respective work, after 30 minutes, Shekhar sir again called out my name and called me, in his office.

Kabir left in front of me - whispering "Congratulations" in my ear, as I just lifted my hair behind my right ear - smiling delightfully.

Along with sir, Abhimanyu was the only employee - who was still in the cabin.

"Ayesha...just wanted to convey my regards to you - for 2 points"

"Number 1 - Congratulations on completing 1 month with our workforce at Infosys. We might not wish you after the second month, but the first one is always special."

"Number 2 - I remember having a harsh word with you last week, wherein your mistake wasn't as harsh as my words. So, apologies for that - but yes, I expect complete diligence from my team, so even if I scold you - don't take it personally. OKAY!"

I shook hands with Sir as I left the office, along with the MAN, walking beside me, as I whispered in his ears - in the most melodious female tone possible - "Thank you Mr. Mantri!"

His smile had the most adorable WELCOME I ever expected from him and the way he shook hands - it made me excited.

All the same, one important fact - which I was still expecting from this MAN was - he had still not wished me, on my special occasion. Obviously, I did not remind him, myself.

At 6:15pm, when it was the time - to pack our bags and leave the office - the 2 boys of our office - walked towards the central hall - with 2 tempting cakes - nicely kept in boxes - held in their hands.

One - was definitely for Sara - as she was celebrating her birthday today - so this was evident.

Abhimanyu called out her name - as she reached to the middle of all of us - and Abhi kept the cake with her name written - on the table.

Now, we were curious to know - what was the second cake or rather for whom was the second cake brought?

Kabir kept the cake on the table and folding his palm like a mic, held it near his mouth and exclaimed loudly - "The second cake is for our new colleague who has just successfully completed 1 month - while bearing us - and we hope to complete many more months with you Ms. Ayesha."

Everyone laughed as I delightfully joined Sara and we celebrated the special day.

We also clicked many pictures, had some snacks and soft drinks and I simply couldn't expect a better workforce anniversary than this one.

Everyone was busy chit-chatting and having meals, when I realized that I have yet not shared my cake with the MAN - who helped me to win appraisal from my boss.

So, I went to look for him as we stood on the 15th floor of the Infosys building in Mumbai.

Checking out, I finally saw this scene - which seemed to be an unexpected one.

On the small terrace on the 15th floor, there was Abhimanyu Mantri - standing on the central edge beside Sara - talking to her.

When I moved on the threshold of the terrace - I actually saw Sara hopping a little and she held Abhi's hand ecstatically.

She looked towards me - as I reached out to them - with a slice of cake kept in a plate, held in my hand - with an intention to give it to Abhi.

Just when I reached, I could hear her say - "Thank you soooo much Abhi - you are just the best!"

She said HI to me and just crossed over, as she left and I entered the scene.

It was 6:54pm in the evening.

"Hey Abhi, Hi" I exclaimed.

"Hello Ms. Thakur" he lifted the plate from my hand.

"Main cake dene hi aayi thi" I looked at the cake, which he held now.

"And also, I again wanted to thank you - for your help."

"I hope I did not disturb."

The smile on his face, frowned as he spoke -

"You - coming to me and giving me your cake - why will this be a disturbance?" he spoke, a little seriously.

"Ahhh...arre aise hi" I tried to change the topic, whereas he still did not eat the cake.

"Ek baat bolu ABHI" it was a rhetorical question.

"Hmm..." he asked me to continue.

"Sach batana - kya tujhe yaad tha - that it is my one month wala day today?"

"Haan...I remembered." He gave an answer instantly.

"Yaar I won't be angry with you - but I don't think so - and above that YOU DIDN'T EVEN WISH ME FROM MORNING." I actually thought that he was lying.

"Oh! Aisa hain kya!" "What is the exact time in your watch now?" he asked.

"Hmmm...6:59" I answered.

He whispered in my ears - "Please count till 10 - Ms. Thakur."

"Sorryyyyy...?" I was curious.

"Please count with me - till 10" he said.

We spoke together -

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...."

"And...."

"ONE..."

He fed me the piece of cake, with his own hands and spoke cheerfully -

"25th November ko shaam mein 7 baje - main pehli baar tumse mila tha."

"Aur exactly abhi - 25th December ko shaam mein 7 baje - tumhara 1st Month officially complete hota hain."

"Aur naa ki raat mein baara (12) baje, Ms. Thakur"

I looked into watch as it showed the time 7:00pm and my happiness had no bounds.

He winked at me, as he spoke - "I hope you don't mind!"

As he kept the plate aside, and gave me a warm hug.

I embraced him and felt special.

"Okay! This was indeed remarkable Mr. Mantri - but I still feel ki tujhe yaad nahi tha?"

"Oho!"

He took his hand behind me and asked me to close my eyes.

Anxious at first, on his insistence, I closed. He lifted my right hand and placed on it - something big wrapped in a paper.

When I opened my eyes -

I could see the NESTLE KITKAT DESERT DELIGHT- my most favorite Cadbury - in its largest available size - right in my hand.

Before I took hold of it - he himself lifted it up - while I gave an angry-but-cute look - just to make him laugh.

He himself opened it - and breaking the first square of the Cadbury - fed me with the same.

I removed a piece and fed him, as we both laughed.

"And how did you know this?" I was curious to know that - how he knew - this is my favorite Cadbury?

"Woh aisa hain Thakurji ki -

Ek mahine pehele se - ek nayi ladki ke aane ke baad - Canteen mein kitkat ka stock bohat kam hota jaa raha hain

Aur dusri baat yeh hain ki -

apne office mein sabse zyada BREAKS, sirf ek hi ladki ko lena pasand hain"

The smile of this person - standing right in front of me - whom I basically call my INFATUATION -

His smile simply made my day.

Just the same way, as he had done,

I winked at him, with my left eye and spoke - "I hope you don't mind!"

I embraced him and while getting back, with my eyes closed, I gave him a gentle kiss on his right cheek.

The right cheek - obviously the one, not facing the people.

Without looking at him, I simply turned right and started walking, and exactly after 10 steps, turned back - expecting to receive his startling smile to my "don't mind action (kiss)".

However, lifting my hair, below my right ear, with my heartbeats increasing, with an ecstatic smile on my face, when I turned back - to give a look to MY MAN -

BUT

HE DID NOT TURN BACK.

Rather he turned the other way around.

I waited for a few seconds. Now thinking that he might be feeling shy or something, I looked forward to walk back inside the room.

Nevertheless, I did not know the fact that MY MAN - the one whose smile definitely made my day -

WAS NOT SMILING,

RATHER,

HE WAS CRYING.

He turned back and wept.

"Mohabbat ki apni hi,

Ek Bachkani Si Zid hoti hain.

Chup karane ke liye bhi wohi chaiye,

Joh tumhe rulakar gaya ho."

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.