A flurry of activity surrounded the office, being one of the top legal firms of India and on top of that a demanding day at work, everybody seemed to be doing something or the other at frantic pace.
Raman Bhalla loved this frantic speed and demanding lifestyle that usually becomes a part of life for every lawyer. Correction- every successful lawyer.
Mr. Bhalla had a formidable reputation in this industry that he thrived in. One of the smartest legal minds and just at the age of 30 he was already on his way to become a partner, not that it helped but being blessed with extraordinary genes was something he was lucky to have been born with! He was a beautiful male specimen. Tall and handsome. Very handsome.
But today was not a usual day for him. Sitting in his high swivelling chair, he stared out at Delhi's skyline and was lost somewhere deep in thought when his best friend, his confidante Mihir Arora barged in his cabin with some important file of his client's.
"Raman, we finally got the reports from the graphologist this morning and you were right. The respondents did commit forgery. Raman we have to work-" he stopped short when he noticed his friend had a faraway look on his face. He didn't seem to have registered anything. "Raman? Is everything okay" Mihir asked but did not get a response. He reached out to touch Raman and he started, surprising Mihir. "What is wrong with you?" Mihir asked.
"Nothing" came his clipped reply and pretended to write something on his notepad. "What nothing! You clearly did not listen to what I said." Mihir shot back. "Stop acting like a whiny girlfriend Mihir. I did hear you." He snapped. "Oh! I am a whiny girlfriend now? If you heard me so clearly then will you repeat what I just said?" Mihir asked his friend. Raman looked up at him guiltily then. "I am sorry. I am just...I don't know. I just cannot seem to concentrate today." He sighed.
"That is very clear. But its so unlike you to not take interest in this new breakthrough we got in this case. Anyway, it's fine. But at least tell me what is bothering you." He asked Raman. "Nothing in particular." Raman lied again. Mihir was not his best friend for nothing.
He could tell Raman was lying but did not want to prod. Not right now at least. "Okay fine. I will leave but take an off today if you don't feel fine. Go home. I will ask Ishita to work on this, we can work on this together then tomorrow we will brief you-" Mihir was cut short by Raman's shocked reply "WHAT? Ishita? Ishita is in office today?"
To say Mihir was surprised would be an understatement but he replied nevertheless- "Why yes Raman. Ishita is very much in office and already working away on this case. But why do you ask?"
"She is in office TODAY?" Raman asked shocked. Mihir looked perplexed for a second and then the emphasis on today' dawned upon him.
Ishita's best friend Mihika who also happened to be dating Mihir had informed him last night that she had broken up with her boyfriend of 5 years and Mihir had relayed this information to his best friend. Raman had never said it in many words, heck he had never acknowledged his deep attraction to the beautiful Iyer girl but Mihir always had inkling that his friend liked her somewhat. He had asked Raman multiple times only to be laughed at at his question or being called stupid and always, always brushing aside the topic like a pro. But Mihir knew better. He knew about their fiery history.
Ishita Iyer and Raman Bhalla had joined the firm together but instead of becoming friends they were always wary of each other, the reason was not clear to any of them, not even to Raman nor Ishita. Mihir thought it was their crackling chemistry. And so did the others. The tension between them was always palpable. The undertone of extreme sexual attraction was not missed by their colleagues either and they would often joke that had Ishita not been in such a committed relationship, Raman would have had curbed his devious ways with women only to be with her. They joked yes, but none knew that Raman would have actually done that. Only if she was single.
Over the period of two years that they had started working together, they fell into an easy pattern of working. It came as a surprise to Raman but they were quite good as a team. She was extremely smart, cooperative and patient and helpful. Raman was infamous for his temper but after working with Ishita he realized he did not lose his cool easily anymore. He would stay calm. At least try to.
Mihir had many times caught Raman glancing at Ishita appreciatively. Many times caught him staring at her, but then every red blooded male in the office did. She was stunning. A rare kind of person, who was beautiful inside and out. So he never really blamed Raman for his straying gaze but there were times he glimpsed more than just appreciation for a beautiful woman and whenever he would ask Raman, he would either just laugh it off or say C'mon bro! You know she is not the kind of woman I would be interested in' but Mihir never really believed him.
"Raman she went through a breakup, not coma" Mihir tried to joke only to earn a glare from Raman. "I know that man! I am just surprised she would come today when...when.." Raman tried to justify when Mihir said "When she was in such a serious relationship and must be really hurt and like other girls must want to lay in bed all day long with 5 ice cream tubs and boxes of Kleenex and stock of good old romantic comedies? Right?"
Raman smiled a small smile, "yes, I think" but Mihir quipped "But do you think she is like other girls?" he wanted to see how his friend would react to this question and looked curiously at him "NO" was Raman's firm and instant reply and Mihir's eyebrows shot up at his almost protective tone and Raman hastily tried to fix the damage by saying "we all know that Mihir. She isn't like other girls." Mihir decided to ask one last question before leaving Raman's cabin- "have you come to care for her personally my friend?" He half teased and half seriously asked. "No man! I was just asking as a colleague. You know we have been working since past 2 years now and we have never had any interaction outside office premises except maybe at office parties, official dinner or some colleague's party or something. Its always been work related. In fact she has never even joined us for drinks after work."
Such a long explanation just to justify their relationship? Something was up and Mihir was going to find out but not right now. "Alright alright. As a colleague only then, I will satisfy your curiosity and tell you that she is perfectly alright and in her cabin already working while you are wasting your time-" Mihir was interrupted by a knock. "Come in" Raman said.
Ishita walked inside when a deep voice commanded her. She smiled at her good friend and colleague. No brownie points for guessing who was who, but Ishita never understood why Mihir and a lot of her other co-workers were such good friend of hers but the one she could work most in tandem with, was just a colleague to her. Maybe a friend but just a casual one. She never gave it much thought. Liar. Her mind responded instantly. Mentally kicking herself she told them that they needed to start working on the case. It was a huge case and Mihir, Raman and herself were working together on it. Hearing was just in a matter of days and they really needed to start working.
"Uh, guys if you don't mind can we go to meet our client at lunch rather at dinner? I actually have to-"She was cut short by Raman's instant "Ofcourse Ishita" she was a little surprised but did not show it. He was being cooperative? She instantly chided herself for questioning his motive. However he was with the rest of the world, he was always respectful and cooperative with her. Always. "Thank you" She replied and turned to leave when Mihir said- "Ishita, I uh, already have lunch plans, can you two go for the meeting and brief me later?" A small playful smile came to her lips and Mihir did not fail to notice Raman's fixed gaze at her lips. Neither did she. Nor did Mihir fail to notice the blush that adorned her cheeks. "Why? Is Mr Arora going out on a date?"
It was Mihir's turn to look embarrassed. "Don't ask me man! Go ask your best friend. She has been after my life since past one week and irritating the hell out of me and complaining that we have not been spending much time and-"
"We do not want details Mihir. We know you are dying to go. So go and we will handle the meeting." Replied Raman with a cheeky smile.
Ishita smiled a little wider at both of them. They always reminded her of Mihika and her own relationship. And suddenly she realized she will be alone with him. Call it a coincidence or whatever, in their 2 years of work experience they had never been to any client meeting or any meeting alone. NEVER. And suddenly her smile vanished. Raman noticed she looked apprehensive. Scared she would have to be alone with him in the car with him for 20 minutes. To and fro. 40 minutes in total not counting the time traffic would take. It was too much to bear. HE was too much to bear. Aiyyooo murugan why me?' she thought to herself. "Um, okay then guys, see you later." Said Ishita and left the cabin. "She looks so sad" Raman said, not realizing he thought aloud. "Yes she does. But she is strong and she will get over this" Mihir patted his shoulder and left.
A smile crept up Raman's lips and he couldn't wait to go for the meeting for some reason.
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