"Huh?!"
A lot happened that day and the day after, Friday
II didnt call Amma just sent her her doll arrangement pics.
Amma called her at work on Friday asking what was going on
Amma wanted to know when II wanted to have an "open house" for the festival
II was preoccupied and confused
She hadnt even asked Ranjan or R&B about it
She had no idea how an Iyer tradition was going to be perceived
She quickly managed a reply to Amma saying she would call her the night
Amma reminded her to be making a sweet every day for bhog
II nodded carelessly
Nivi was coming down with a cold after Ranjan let her wander with socks. Nivi refused to let them be taken off
It was dark pink non skid, she wore it everyday if she could
She found it behind furniture rolled up in a ball and brought it back to an adult and lifted her foot asking to wear it
Mrs Batra's tirade was embarrassing and uncalled for
Tan and Sam had been married over 15 years now
II could imagine how Appa would very well do that
Complain to Ranjan about something R&B did at Rohini
II cringed
She hadnt had the courage to call Sam
She realized it must be humiliating for her to hear about her MIL bitch
She was the most obedient bahu acc to II
Blowing off steam one night shouldnt warrant a visit to the principal's office
Tan obviously caught between a rock and a hard place hadnt visited MM
He had strongly reprimanded his Mom tho when she returned and proudly told him what she had done
She was best friends with Chachi and so the news had traveled fast
Manya had gone Thursday night to provoke Mrs Batra
But Sam had quickly grabbed her and taken her upstairs
Ranjan had agonized alone...
He had no friend at home
He cudnt talk to Tan abt it
Manya was being petulant and mean spirited abt it
R&B?
Well he didnt talk with his Dad
II choosing to stay off the whole thing out of politeness and her own bumps on the road since miscariage
II wanted to talk with Akka about it, but Friday afternoon
She opened the text page and began to type
"Busy aa irukeya?"
Cudnt get to send it
R&B's text impeded, he asked her "Is Sofia needed tonight?" he asked relaying Sam's question
"No I dont think so I shud be home soon, Dad said he was going to be home at 6" she texted
"Thx" he said
They were still in a floating limbo...
Like polite roomies, trying not to stress Ranjan further
Thursday night Ranjan had stumbled upon R&B fingering her bra strap in the kitchen
"I am sorry... but its the kitchen" she had hissed primly
SENDING FLOWERS LIKELY VINDICATES YOU IN YOUR MIND
IT DOES NOT
YOUR DISGUSTING PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF ME...
ITS AS BAD AS ME ACCUSING YOU OF DATING HER... OR EVEN WORSE
II cringed... it hurt her to be seen as unprofessional and non team player
Especially by her husband
I CANT HAVE A SHOW DOWN WITH YOU
SAM IS PRIORITY
Her new boss showed up casually.. Puneet Narang
II's phone slid off her lap
She dusted the cookie crumb off her face and got off the carton she was sitting on
Her Herman Miller chair had a broken spinning wheel. They had sent for it to be fixed
She had spent the day working in her old cube on 7th
"IB?" he smiled
Tall--ish, hair neatly parted and combed to the side
Clean shaven, light skinned, and big hands
"Puneet" he said extending a hand
II looked embarrassed
"Sorry I was chowing down a cookie gossiping with my sister" she said nervously
"That seems like a good plan for a Friday afternoon" he smiled graciously
II tried to pull her hand away
"IKR" she gasped
"BTW I asked for the wall to be taken down on the east side, and have clear glass put in so u can see the window, and have a table in here for short meetings" he said amiably
II nodded dazedly
"I have to admit I havent begun looking at my new role stuff"
He let go of her hand
Looked up and down "U are as tall as I am" he said in awe
"Umm.. I am 5'8" actually, but I wear heels for... umm.." II stopped
Doppleganger alert
SHUT UP
DONT SAY U COMPETE WITH UR HUSBAND
NO
"I know I am proud of my height too" he winked conspiratorially
II smiled for the first time relaxing a bit
"Is this a good time to talk?" he asked pleasantly
She nodded, there was no chair
"Umm.. can I go steal a chair?" she asked
"Dont wory I am OK" he insisted
He perched on the edge of her desk
One leg folded at the knee, on her desk
"Welcome to the team" he smiled
She nodded leaning on the opposite wall
She quickly did a mental check of what she was wearing
Friday casual... a pink utility shirt and blue jeans
PHEW!!!
"I looked at ur work, great job" he said hesitantly
II nodded, unable to accept that as a compliment
"IIM as well" he smiled "I went to Ahmedabad" he smiled
"Did u enjoy the gujju food?" she asked
"Greatly" he smiled
"I can start attenting trainings and such from Monday" she offered politely
"Well before that... we help transform the finance function of any company that hires us, we use various methods,
we partner in decision making, we review regulations specific to their industry, we help make technology improvements, we monitor compliance" "Ur work with technology sales will be an asset" he said
II smiled weakly
They talked for an hour
Finally wishing her a good weekend he left her alone
II went and sat on her box again
"OMG... I JUST MET MY NEW BOSS. SOOO HANDSOME KA. Nanna jivvnu shooda irukan (he is smoking hot)" she wrote in caps
Then continued
"He wore brown leather shoes and a dusty brown pants. YIKES!!!!"
"U KNOW ME I LOVE MEN IN FORMAL CLOTHES"
She sent akka a bunch of drool emojis
"Puneet Narang BTW" she sent the name without pausing
"And a SHIRT... peach... peach" she sent a bunch of ROFL emojis
She saw the "..." for the response being typed
By the time R&B's response appeared II was in her car
"Huh" it was
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
