Page 5 of Always? Forever.
It’s 9 p.m. by the time I finish the first book. I quickly jot down the important points so I don’t forget them when I get home. I annotated the book using the stickytabs available at the office. They have a vast variety and I thoroughly enjoyed the aesthetic! I like to colour code them based on quotes, and important things.
As I was finishing up the notes, I heard footsteps, so apparently I wasn’t alone in the office. Usually, by 5:30 - 6:00 p.m., everyone went home. It was just the assistants that stayed back sometimes.
As I gather my belongings, a voice suddenly pierced the air, catching me completely off guard. It was Adhira's voice, unexpected and startling, causing me to lose my balance and land on my butt for the second time today.
I let out a groan of discomfort. "Oh, I didn't mean to startle you, Samaira. Are you okay?" Adhira inquired with genuine concern in her tone.
Wincing, I attempted to get back on my feet. "Yeah, I'm quite accustomed to this," I replied, managing a chuckle despite the minor embarrassment.
"You're young; you should probably leave the office once the day is over," Adhira advised. "And I know you'll complete the work assigned to you."
"Yeah, I know. But I have fun reading so this is me spending my youth. Thank you for the assignment, ma’am. You have no idea how much it means to me," I expressed sincerely, gratitude evident in my voice. "And thank you for having confidence in me."
“Oh honey, you deserve it, now go home,” She says with such a motherly tone that reminds me of my mom, I nodmy head. She goes a couple of steps ahead but stops, turns back, and, “How are you going home?”
"Um, I'll probably walk home," I replied when Adhira asked about my plans.
Her eyebrows shot up in concern. "Where do you live?" she inquired.
"East Village," I answered.
"Alright, today I’m dropping you home in my car.” she said with a warm and kind smile. I hesitated, I didn’t know if that was a good idea taking favors from my boss!
“Come, it’s late. I’m sure your mom would feel better knowing you didn’t walk home alone.” She said kindly, her brows slightly furrowed.
I reluctantly gave her a grateful smile. She quickly called her driver as we exited the building. The driver pulled up with her car just 30 seconds later, he got out and opened the door for her and me. We slid in the back.
“George, take us to East Village first, we will be dropping Ms.Bhatt first.” She said to him, as he nodded and pulled in the street.
"Thanks again for the ride, that’s really kind of you," I said, forcing a smile. "It’s four blocks, so I hope you’re not going too far out of your way." Still, the irony wasn’t lost on me—just this morning, I’d mentally strangled her son at least twice.
“Nonsense!” she exclaimed with a flick of her hand as if my comment was the most ridiculous thing in the world. My mother wasn’t even in the same country and I was reminded of her. “If it were me instead of your mom, I would be panicking for my child’s safety, if I found that my daughter was out so late.” she chuckled. Man, all moms are the same, specially Gujarati moms.
I huffed out a small laugh, still feeling nervous. My hand instinctively reached my neck to touch my necklace but I found it empty. I sat up straight and started searching in my bag.
My frantic search alerted Adhira as well. “Is everything alright?” She asked, possibly baffled by my sudden change.
“Yeah I think I lost my necklace”, I answered trying to recollect if I wore it today.
“Oh dear, I certainly hope it wasn’t expensive or sentimental. Don’t worry darling, I'm sure it must be at home.” She offered comfort which I was grateful for but it did nothing to help. How do I tell this kind woman that it was both expensive and sentimental? And moreover what will I tell my parents. God help me.
Kartik
I met Aarush around 9 at the pub. It was a bit packed but not so much that we wouldn’t get a table. We are currently sitting at the bar when the bartender finally pays attention to us and gets our drinks.
“So did Aunty get convinced to veto the condition?” Aarush asks as he sips his scotch
I sigh, “No but I did find out why there is this condition in the first place”
Aarush looks at me with question in his eyes, I take it as a sign to continue, I tell him all the things Mom told me, and the fact that I have around 25 days to find someone.
He is awfully silent for a while as he swirls his drink, I take a sip of my scotch, lost in thoughts. I am jerked back to reality as he speaks up. “Why not hire a fake?” he suggests
‘What do you mean?” I fire back
“You know I read a romance book to impress a girl,” he says after a moment of contemplating.
I am more confused than ever.
