To The Moon And Back

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

IT WAS TUESDAY morning around half past 10, blinking on the digital clock on the wall. Having free time, Priya opened her online business management course and was writing notes. She had informed her boss of his schedule, and surprisingly he asked to cancel them. He seemed to be a little off, and she wondered whether his son, Kunal, had brought any new trouble on his head. As far as she knew, it was nothing new, and if there was anything as such, she would be the first one to know. After she had started working for Vijay Sharma, she spent the majority of her time covering up his son's escapades.

It's been nearly three years since she joined Sharma Company.

Thanks to the old man, Vijay Sharma. She started as a small paid worker and proved her abilities, now working as an executive assistant. In the beginning, she was a klutz, she thought grimly. Sometimes, maybe even now. Molding herself into a perfectionist had been fun and a laborious task. Not a single person goes by without making mistakes, right? Whenever she recalled them, she had a good laugh. This company had given her so much when she was in dire need. And she would do anything for the Sharma Company.

She was in the middle of the asynchronous class when an email notification popped on her desktop. She opened the email icon, and when her eyes took in the email subject, she was pissed.

"Well... Someone is in a foul mood today." A familiar voice spoke beside her, making Priya jump. She didn't even realize someone had entered the cabin.

"Madhu! Why do you sneak up on me, always?" she scolded her friend, Madhubala – her friend and coworker – keeping a hand on her chest.

Madhu twisted her mouth and turned away, saying, "I think no one wants my coffee."

"For me?" Priya perked up, seeing two mugs of hot coffee in her hands. She stretched her hands eagerly.

"Oh, why?" Madhu said, "I might have even spooked this coffee. I am a person who sneaks up on people, right?" she turned her head to the other side. Her short, curly ponytail bounced behind her with each stride she took. God, only Madhu could hold a grudge hard, just for a tiny slip of word.

"Just give me my coffee," Priya demanded. Madhu made a sound as if she was unimpressed but handed her the coffee.

When Priya took a sip, half her headache seemed to fly away, "Thank you so much."

Madhu shrugged and took a seat in an empty chair in front of her. "So?" she sipped hers, "What's with that frown on your face?"

Priya sighed and regarded Madhu thoughtfully. "Why don't you try pursuing art instead of being stuck here? Post your paintings on social media... Instagram, Facebook... I am sure somebody would be interested. Give a chance."

"Says the one who doesn't have at least one of them," Madhu countered and then narrowed her gaze. "This discussion takes us nowhere. Now," she set her cup aside, "Don't divert the topic."

Priya smiled at her concern. She had known Madhu for almost two and a half years. Priya had been just promoted when Madhu joined the company as a worker. Though there was a considerable difference in the status of their jobs, they clicked instantly and became good friends. Madhu was an exceptional artist. By accident, Priya found Madhu's sketchbook. Priya never understood why she wasn't pursuing art and working in Sharma Company for low pay.

When Priya voiced out her question, Madhu shrugged, saying, 'They're just silly strokes. And it wasn't easy to learn fine art. I don't even have my high school certificate. Then, how can I afford the art school?'

Priya raised an eyebrow at that. It was an absurd thing and she doesn't agree with Madhu. She believed a person's talent couldn't be judged by a piece of paper. Without Madhu's knowledge, Priya had shown Madhu's sketchbook to their boss, Vijay Sharma. To say he was impressed would be an understatement. He told Priya a talent shouldn't go to waste and that he would do something.