Page 72 of That Same Old Love

“The best option is to speak to her first,” suggested Smitha.

“I already did and she just keeps apologizing and says that she’ll pull her weight, but she still keeps missing the deadlines. I’m covering for her, but I don’t want to do it for too long. It’s not fair for both of us,” said Mahi.

“It’s a lose-lose situation either way I think, Mahi. You can’t cover her for long and telling her immediate manager will probably get her into trouble. Speak to her again. Push her a little,” said Ashwini.

“Yes. If you sense some red flags, prompt her or just ask her about what is happening in her personal life. I think it is okay to do that,” said Jhanvi.

“Yeah. Talk to her like a friend rather than her project manager,” suggested Parvathi.

Mahi nodded, deciding to do that. Slowly the topic shifted to how Mahi was dealing with the long weeklong absence of Samrat in her bed.

“Oh god, I’m missing him like crazy. The arguments when I leave the toothpaste or my stuff lying on the counter and not neatly in their places like he prefers or fighting for the T.V remote. Even though we are talking on the phone, I miss seeing him across the table or bed when we talk about each other’s day or silly things like what we ate for lunch.

I miss his great back rubs and foot rubs. And it’s been so weird not having someone holding me while I sleep, even if that someone has his stupid rules about always sleeping on the right side of the bed and hogging most of the space,” sighed Mahi.

Everyone at the table was silent.

“What?” asked Mahi.

“Did you realize that not one of the things you just listed had anything to do with sex?” asked Jhanvi.

“What? No. I said someone holding me in bed. That usually means… ” Mahi trailed off not knowing how to complete it.

Slowly her panic attack was starting to emerge.

Smitha smiled. “Hey, it is okay to feel bonded like a couple in a relationship. You guys have been together for four months, practically living with each other.”

Mahi nodded with a smile but there was a storm brewing in her head.

CHAPTER 25

On the following Monday morning when Samrat called, Mahi could hear some background noise.

“Sorry, I’m at a restaurant. I’m having drinks with my legal team and it might take a while before I get back to my hotel room. You’ll be at work by then. We are going to win the case, Mahi. Shivani did a great job. I think the hourly rate she charges is worth it,” he said, laughing softly.

Samrat had mentioned before about Shivani, stating that she was like a brilliant shark and literally tore apart the lawsuit. Mahi was pretty fascinated by the arguments made by their defense. She had especially been cheering Shivani’s arguments.

Now that she was feeling mixed up and scared about how she felt about Samrat, she formulated an idea in her head. “So does Shivani look hot?” she asked him casually.

Samrat thought she was teasing him. “Very hot. Maybe that’s why the prosecuting team was having a tough time arguing with her,” he chuckled.

She bit her lip, knowing in the next few seconds she was going to change the entire dynamics of their relationship. “Samrat… I wanted to talk about the terms of our deal. I know you said, I had to be exclusive and not be with anyone else while we were together. But… I didn’t say the same thing to you.”

Samrat laughed. “That’s understood. Wow, I’ve never imagined that you would get jealous of someone or that I would be the cause.”

Mahi took a deep breath. “Samrat, you misunderstood me. I’m not jealous. I can’t be jealous because what we have between us doesn’t warranty jealousy or possessiveness. I’m asking youor rather telling you that if you want to sleep with Shivani, you should go ahead. You mentioned that she was single and unattached. She sounds really great and there is nothing stopping you from pursuing her. It doesn’t necessarily change our deal when you get back. That is… if you still want to continue being with me, later.”

He was absolutely silent for a few seconds. “Are you saying that I can sleep with other women when I feel like it? And then still come back to you and continue to be together like we were in the past four months?” he asked, his voice sounding dangerous.

“Yes,” Mahi replied shakily.

After a few more seconds, he replied.

“Thanks Mahi, that’s good to know. I’ll be home in a few days,” he said and hung up the phone on her.

That night, Mahi cried herself to sleep muttering, “Why can’t I be normal like other women? Why am I so messed up?”

* * *

---