Meet OS: The Blind Date
(Banner by DreamyButterfly)
Friday, November 30, 2018...
"Hey Meher, you wanted to see the Mittal file, right?" said Sam. She walked up to her friend and handed her a file.
"Thanks," said Meher.
"So, did you think about it?" asked Sam.
"I did," said Meher. "And my answer is still no."
"Oh come on Meher, live a little," insisted Sam. "You'll have a good time. I promise."
"You said that the last 3 times you set me up Sam," sighed Meher.
"I thought you liked Arjun," said Sam. "He was an anesthesiologist."
"And he was so boring, he nearly put me to sleep," remarked Meher.
"And Dheer? Who doesn't love a man in uniform?" teased Sam.
"You mean Captain Dheer the pilot? The guy whose idea of meeting up during his layover was literally me coming over to his hotel room so he could lay all over me," Meher rolled her eyes. "And don't even let me get started on Manmeet. Late. Disheveled appearance. The guy practically spent the entire evening talking...correction...crying about how his ex-wife left him...for another woman."
"Ooo...that bad eh?" chuckled Sam. "Anyway, forget those clowns. It'll be different this time, trust me, because this guy is...well he's just great. Good looking. Good job. Great hair. A perfect 10, I tell you."
"Good, then why don't you go out with him?" retorted Meher.
"I would if I wasn't already taken. Come on Meher, this is the last one, I promise," pleaded Sam. "Look...just listen to your best friend. This guy...he could be your Gaurav."
Sam and Gaurav had met, fallen in love, and married, all within the span of 6 months. Their perfect, made for each other jodi could be sickly sweet at times. Meher knew her friend's heart was in the right place, but unfortunately, her luck hadn't rubbed off on her. "Sorry Sam, I'd rather stay home and watch Big Boss or something," she said. She looked down at the pile of papers lying on her desk and sighed in frustration. It was okay. She led a full life, right? Yoga class in the mornings. Nine to five rat race. Going home to an empty apartment and left overs she'd microwave and eat while watching TV. What more could a girl ask for? Oh yeah...romance, marriage, kids... Wait a minute weren't Mom and Daljeet Chachee coming over this Saturday? They'd lecture her endlessly on why good 'girls' should settle down before it was too 'late.' Daljeet Chachee would throw in a jab or two about her weight, before graciously pulling out her latest stock of pictures of eligible bachelors for her to look over. But how could she decide her fate on some random guy's picture? Like...how was a girl supposed to find a nice guy when all the non-psychotic ones were already taken? Meher rolled her eyes and sighed again. Maybe Sam was right. Maybe she should take her up on her offer. After all, what could be worse than a blind date? Having no date at all.
Just then, the department manager's door opened and 'he' walked out. 'He'...was her office crush. The heartthrob she was mentally dating. 'He' was Preet Juneja. The Canadian returned, youngest son of company owner Lalit Juneja. He had taken over as department head a few months ago. She had noticed him from day one. It was hard not to. On a scale of 1 to 10, he was definitely a 25. Six feet tall, great hair, killer smile, sense of humor, brains, a masterful aura of confidence. You name it...he had it all. He didn't wear a tie like all the other business types in the office. He didn't even button his shirt all the way up...which could prove to be very...uh...what was the right word? Distracting.
"He's just to die for isn't he?" sighed Sam.
"Huhn? He? Who?" stammered Meher.
"Junior Juneja. You were just drooling over him," chuckled Sam.
"I wasn't drooling over anyone," frowned Meher. As if to prove her point, she tried her best to keep her eyes glued to her desk, but it was no use. She couldn't help but sneak a glance in his direction again. Just then, Preet looked up from the file he was holding and smiled at her. Oh crap! He caught me staring at him! Her hand immediately shot up to her mouth to make sure there wasn't really any drool at the sides. Quick...ignore him and look busy! She began shuffling around the papers on her desk.
"Relax," chuckled Sam. "He's gone." She watched her friend exhale in relief. "You know, the way he smiled at you just now...I think he likes you."
"You're being delusional," said Meher.
"No...I mean, it's happened before," said Sam. "An office romance between the boss and an employee is not completely unheard of."
"Ha!" scoffed Meher. "My own mother doesn't love me...and you think the son of Lalit Juneja, owner of Juneja Enterprises International is interested in me? Get real Sam. I'm not exactly some stunning creature with a line of men outside my door fighting each other for my attention."
"Don't do that Meher," frowned Sam. "Don't sell yourself short like that. You're a very pretty girl, and extremely bright too. Besides, didn't I see him having lunch with you the other day?"
"Correction. I was having lunch at my desk. He was passing by when he got a whiff of the gobi ke parathe I had brought in," explained Meher. "He happens to love gobi (cauliflower). I offered him some, and he sat down to have a bite or two. That's it."
Sam was about to say something when she saw Preet walking back towards his office. "Oh God, look who's coming now."
Meher looked up to see Ashlesha walk up to Preet. The high and mighty Ashlesha Singh. Self-proclaimed God's gift to all the men at the office and beyond. Meher and Sam exchanged a peeved glance.
"Hey Preet," Ashlesha batted her eyelashes at him. She was holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands. "Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?"
"It's your birthday? Ah...I see...," Preet struck the manila folder he was holding against his forehead. "So that's what all these flower deliveries are for. I thought maybe we had a horticulture department I didn't know about."
"Horticulture?" I thought this was accounting," Ashelsha gave him a confused look.
Meher chuckled to herself. Ashlesha had totally missed his joke.
"Uh...nevermind," said Preet. "Happy birthday." He was about to leave when she stopped him.
"So...any plans for the weekend?" asked Ashlesha.
Preet looked down at the folder he was holding. "Uh...yeah actually. Big plans."
Damn! Thought Meher. Plans. Of course, he had plans. Why was she surprised?
"You?" asked Preet.
"Of course," smiled Ashlesha.
"Great. Who's the lucky guy?" asked Preet.
"Someone I met recently," Ashlesha said nonchalantly. "Of course, nothing is set in stone you know. I'd be inclined to change my plans if a better offer comes along." She casually ran her fingers up his arm.
"Uh...right...well...I hope you have a great time doing whatever it is you end up doing," said Preet. He gave her a small smile then walked away.
"Hmm...you too," sighed Ashlehsa.
"Wow, Preet must have some really big plans to have rejected Ash like that," said Meher. "I mean she was literally throwing herself at him."
"Maybe he's looking for more in a woman than just a killer body," suggested Sam.
"Oh sure, that's exactly what guys want...great conversation," Meher rolled her eyes. "Anyways...you're still here...did you want something?"
"You mean other than to change your mind about the blind date?" remarked Sam. "Yeah, if you took the numbers you needed, can I have the Mittal file back?"
"Give me a minute," said Meher. "I'll go make a copy and give these papers back to you." She got up from her desk and headed over to the little room with the copiers in them. She inserted the papers into the machine, hit the button and waited for the hot copies to come out.
Meanwhile...
Preet stopped by Meher's desk. "Hey Sam, didn't I see Meher here a few minutes ago?" he asked.
"Uh...yeah...she went to make some copies," said Sam.
"I see. So...uh...that project you're working on...how's it going?" Preet asked.
"Not as well as I hoped," sighed Sam. "But I don't give up easily either."
"That's the spirit," Preet nodded his head approvingly.
"Uh...Meher will be back soon," said Sam. "Anything, I can help you with in the meantime?"
"No thanks," smiled Preet. "I'll...uh...go talk to her myself." He turned and headed for the copy room.
"Hey Preet," Viren met him on the way. "Got a minute?"
"Sure," said Preet.
"It's Ash's birthday," said Viren.
"So I heard," remarked Preet.
"Did you get her something?" asked Viren.
"Was I supposed to?" asked Preet.
"A lot of the guys in the office gave her flowers. I did too," said Viren.
"That was nice of you," said Preet.
"Yeah...um...you didn't mind did you?" asked Viren.
"Why would I mind?" asked Preet.
Well...you know...there's talk around the office...actually there's a betting pool going around on whether you 2 are going out or not," said Viren.
"Really?" Preet said with a raised brow. "And which way did you vote?"
"I haven't...yet," said Viren. "I thought I'd ask you first. I mean, what's a little insider information between friends?"
"But that would be cheating, right?" said Preet.
"Oh come on Preet," pleaded Viren. "Just a little hint. The girl is beautiful."
"And you think that's all I care about? A pretty face?" frowned Preet. "Do I really come off as being that shallow?"
"No man, that's not what I meant," sighed Viren. "Look, all I'm saying is you guys would look great together. You could be the Shahrukh and Kajol of the office."
"But she wouldn't know to make garam garam gobi ke parathe would she?" sighed Preet.
"Parathe? You don't get to look like you belong on the cover of a magazine by eating parathe dude," Viren pointed out.
"Uff! Dhur phitte moon! Khasmanu khania...marjana kahin ka!!" A female's frustrated voice came from the copy room.
"Hmm...and she wouldn't know how to use heavy duty Punjabi curse words either, would she?" Preet muttered almost under his breath as his eyes wandered towards the copy room.
"What?" asked Viren.
"Nothing," chuckled Preet. "I'll catch you later."
"But...," tried Viren.
"Good luck with your pool," grinned Preet.
"Stupid machine!" Meher kicked the copier. "You'd think I could make a few copies without a paper jam happening for once! No, of course not...how could I possibly be so lucky?!" She kicked the machine again for good measure. Suddenly she sensed someone behind her. "Uff! Don't even bother trying! I'm not going to say yes!"
"But I haven't asked you for anything yet," said Preet.
Meher gulped. Preet? When did he come here? "Uh...heh heh...I thought you were Sam," she slowly turned to face him.
"Close," smiled Preet. "But I think I'm little taller."
And a lot more handsome too. "Yes, you...you definitely are," Meher bit her lower lip nervously. His smile was making her grow weak in the knees.
"So is that a new technique you've got?" asked Preet. "Kick the machine into obedience? Does it work?"
"Ah...heh-heh...no...I...," stammered Meher. She noticed the silly grin on his face. He was making fun of her, wasn't he? The papers she was holding slipped from her fingers. Great going Meher. Kick the office equipment in front of the boss then show him what a klutz you are. She gave him a weak smile then bent down to collect them.
"Here, let me help you," offered Preet. As he bent down to help her, his half-buttoned shirt gave her a great view of what was underneath. "So, exactly what is Sam trying to talk you into?"
"Uh...nothing...it's silly really..." Preet looked at her, as if he was waiting for her to answer. "Well...I mean, if you must know...it's a blind date." Meher forced herself to look up from his sculpted chest to his handsome face. Shitake mushrooms! That didn't help much.
"You don't have a date this weekend?" He asked with a raised brow.
"So?" Meher said defensively. She took the papers from his hand. "I mean, what's the big deal? Not everyone wants to go out all the time."
"I agree completely," said Preet. He followed her as she headed back towards her desk.
"You do?" Meher asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Preet nodded his head. "It's like you said, not everyone wants to go out all the time, like, on Valentine's day, for example. Everyone thinks you're a freak if you don't have a date. Frankly, I don't see what all the fuss is about anyway. It's just a stupid commercial way for florists, candy and toy companies to sell their products."
"Exactly," said Meher.
"Now if someone came up with Save the Dolphins Day," continued Preet. "I'd be completely on board."
Meher smiled admiringly at Preet. Despite being the boss' son, he had no airs about him. He had easily slipped into this random banter with her.
"Woah, will you look at that," Preet checked his watch. "It's almost quitting time." He was about to walk away then turned around as if in an after thought. "So...uh...are you going on that blind date?"
Why is he so interested in my blind date? "You mean go out with a complete stranger, with who I probably have nothing in common and will struggle to have a meaningful conversation with, and then have an equally hard time trying to keep his wandering hands off me? I haven't decided yet," remarked Meher.
"You make it sound like a trip to the dentist rather than a date," chuckled Preet.
"With my luck it may as well be," sighed Meher. "What about you?"
"Me?" Preet asked in surprise.
"You told Ash you had big plans," said Meher.
"Oh...you heard that?" asked Preet.
"Uh...yeah...sort of...I...uh...," stammered Meher. Great! Now he probably thinks I've been eavesdropping. Change the topic...quick! "You know there's actually an office poll going around on whether you 2 are going to go out or not."
"So I've heard," sighed Preet. "Uh...did you vote?"
"No...," said Meher.
"Hey Meher, did you make up your mind about...?" Sam's voice trailed off as she saw Preet.
"I'll...uh...see you guys around," said Preet. "Oh...Meher...I almost forgot, I've been carrying this file around all this time. I was supposed to give it to you."
"Okay," said Meher.
Preet turned to go, then turned back to her. "Meher...maybe it won't hurt to take a chance."
Wait...did he just give her dating advice? Meher nodded and gave him a weak smile. Great going Meher Maan...he just friend zoned you.
Sunday December 2, 2018...
Meher sat nervously at the table waiting for her blind date to arrive. She sat up and smiled as a well-dressed young man entered the restaurant holding a bunch of flowers. Aw...how sweet, she thought. He really shouldn't have. She had gotten up half-way to greet the young man, when to her embarrassment, he walked right past her and into the arms of a young woman waiting at another table. Ugh! She quickly sat down, picked up the menu and held it up in front of her face. She could kick herself for letting Sam talk her into this! Ten minutes! She was going to give the bozo 10 more minutes and then she would high tail it out of there!
"Meher?" said Preet, as he walked up to her table. "Is that you?""
Meher peeped out from behind her menu. Oh wow! Of all the people I could run into...I run into Preet Juneja! God hates me! Her skin flushed as they made eye contact. "Uh...Preet...heh-heh...what are you doing here?"
"I came to have dinner," He said.
"Oh...," said Meher. Stupid question. It's a restaurant. Of course he's here to eat.
"You?" asked Preet.
"I...uh...I was supposed to be on a blind date, remember?" said Meher.
"Ah...yes," Preet looked around. "So, how's it going?"
"It's not actually. He hasn't bothered to show up," said Meher. "I was just about to leave."
"Don't," said Preet. "Uh...I mean...we...we could...uh...I mean...since we're both here...how about if we have dinner together?"
He was here by himself? Meher looked up in surprise. Had all the girls in Delhi suddenly dropped dead? "What if my date shows up?"
"You really want to go through with that?" asked Preet, as he slipped into the chair opposite her.
Meher shrugged her shoulders. "Sam said he was a friend of her husband Gaurav. A perfect 10."
Preet placed his hand over his heart and gave her an injured look. "Are you saying I'm not a 10?"
That cute little gesture just got you upgraded from a 25 to a 50. "Hmm...I'm still deciding," teased Meher.
"I see," he smiled at her softly. "Perhaps you'll give me some bonus points for creativity."
"Creativity? I don't understand," said Meher.
He looked down at the table, almost shyly. His hands reached out to fiddle with his napkin nervously, before his eyes met hers again. "Do you know the first time I saw you Meher?"
"I don't know...at the office maybe...after you joined," said Meher. Just where was he going with this line of questioning?
Preet shook his head. "It was 6 months ago, at Sam and Gaurav's wedding."
"You were at the wedding?" Meher's mouth fell open in surprise.
"I was leaving for London on business, but Gaurav and I are childhood friends. He told me he'd never talk to me again if I didn't come by...even if it was just for 5 minutes," explained Preet.
Preet and Gaurav were friends? Meher's mind was reeling.
"I stopped by briefly to congratulate him and drop off a gift," Preet continued. "...and as I was leaving, I saw this beautiful girl, with the most contagious laugh and a smile that could steal anyone's heart...all dressed in pink...right down to her bangles...mendhi in her hands...and wisps of brown hair falling into her eyes as she danced up a storm...just like they are now."
Me? Oh my God! He's talking about me! Meher gulped as he slowly reached out to brush a lock of hair from her eyes. His fingers lingered on her cheek before tucking the hair behind her ear.
"You can imagine my delight when I joined the accounting department and found you working there," he continued. "Honestly Meher, I've been trying my best to flirt with you for over 2 months now, but I wasn't sure if you were interested."
Preet Juneja had been trying to flirt with her?!? Her crush had a crush on her?!? On little old Meher Maan?!? "What made you think I wasn't interested?" she asked.
"I don't know," Preet shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, you tend to shy away whenever I try to talk to you. You always seem polite and friendly, yet maintain this distance."
"Well duh!" said Meher. "You're my boss." My very hot boss!
"Exactly," sighed Preet. "I figured you might be reluctant to go out with me for that very reason. I overheard Sam talking to you into a blind date once. Lucky for me, things didn't work out for you there. So I had her set us up too."
"Wait...so...you mean...you're my blind date?" asked Meher.
"I'm afraid so," nodded Preet. "You're not disappointed are you?"
"Disappointed? Are you serious? If I had even the slightest clue you were interested in me...," giggled Meher. "Let's just say...I have a feeling this is going to be my last blind date."
Preet placed his hand over hers. "I'm going to hold you to that."
Hold her to it? She was willing to give him any excuse to hold her. She blushed at the thought.
The waiter arrived, and they ordered dinner. They talked nonstop as they ate. Preet asked her to dance as they waited for dessert to arrive. He held her close to him as they swayed to the soft music. He felt like heaven and smelled like it too.
A short while later...
"Mmm...that was really good," smiled Meher, as she finished off the last bite of her chocolate cake.
"Yeah," agreed Preet. "Hey, would you like to go see a movie? I know a theater that has a late showing of DDLJ. It's kind of cheesy, but it is a classic."
"That's my favorite movie," Meher's face lit up.
Later that night...
"Well, here we are," said Meher, as Preet walked her to her door.
"Yup. Here we are," sighed Preet.
"Um...thanks for taking me out tonight," said Meher. "I had a wonderful time."
"So did I," smiled Preet. "Thanks for taking a chance on me. Maybe we can do this again real soon."
"Sure," nodded Meher. "Maybe next weekend?"
"I was thinking more like tomorrow night," grinned Preet.
"I'd like that," Meher softly.
They both stood in awkward silence for a while, not quite sure what to say, and not really wanting the night to end either.
"Well...I had better go in...," began Meher.
"Meher wait...," Preet interrupted her. "I was...uh...I was wondering if I...would it be okay if I kissed you good night?" He smiled softly at the astonished look on her face.
"K-k-k...you want to...m-m-me?" Meher stammered in disbelief. Her words disappeared as he closed the distance between them, took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly on the lips. His hands slowly rose and slipped under the heavy fall of her hair, cradling the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss. Meher felt it all the way down to her toes.
Moments later...
Meher entered her flat and closed the door behind her. She stood for a moment as if in a daze. Did tonight really happen or was it all a dream? She wrapped her arms about herself in a hug, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face. If it was a dream, she never wanted to wake up from it. She was happy. Not just happy...ecstatic! She had had the most wonderful date tonight. Sam was a true friend. She was right...she had found her Gaurav in this date. Except his name was Preet. Life was no longer going to be boring. Wait until her mother found out! She twirled around and headed over to calendar that hung on one side of the kitchen. She picked up a red marker and circled the date in red. December 2nd. This was the day her life had changed. This was the day she had gone on her last blind date. 
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