Silent Whispers

Chapter 39: The Taste of Flight

"Yes, Mr. Sharma. I'm well aware of our agreement and I assure you, the terms are not going to change any time in the near future. Don't worry."

Khushi gazed out of the glass walls in Arnav's office, staring at the empty desks on the deserted first floor of AR Designs. She didn't have to think hard to know why most of the company was absent. It was tradition to end Friday evenings early, a custom she sorely missed at her new job. Not that she was complaining, of course. She would take her tiny, busy and stressful new job over her old one any day. She wouldn't and didn't put it past her old colleagues to bombard her with inappropriate questions about the nature of her relationship with their boss the second they got the chance.

"Perfect. I will have my secretary fax you the details," Arnav said. He was on the phone with an important client. "Have a great weekend Mr. Sharma."

Khushi felt his eyes drill into her back as he disconnected the call. She determinedly continued to look down at the first floor, reminiscing the days of her employment there. Did Arnav ever watch over her, like she was now? Or was he too busy with work even then?

A strong pair of arms suddenly encircled her frame. "What are you looking at?" he asked, his chin resting on her shoulder.

The hairs at the back of her neck stood up. She was yet to get used to his proximity. "Did you ever look for me from here?" 

He chuckled. "That's an interesting question."

"So you did?"

He pointed to the far left corner of the floor below them in answer, where a line of cabins stood, all with translucent walls. "That was your office. Of course, you being... well, you, never left that tiny room for longer than five minutes. I used to wonder why I even assigned you a cabin... I should have just given you a cubicle. At least that way I would've seen you more often."

She turned around in his arms, her back pressed against the glass wall. "I liked that office."

"I thought you would. It was another thing that I was reminded by multiple people that interns don't get offices."

Her eyes widened. "So, what did you tell them?"

"Nothing... your presentation to the board of directors on the very first day sent everyone my reasoning loud and clear – you deserved it."

Khushi felt herself grinning sheepishly. "So that's why you put me on the spot that day..."

His arms tightened around her as he leaned in closer. "I don't do anything without a reason birthday girl."

"And I used to think you weren't even impressed with me."

His breath fanned her face. "Silly."

A sharp knock echoed through the room. Khushi jumped as Arnav withdrew his arms –calmly– and stepped back. "Come in," he called.

To her utter embarrassment, a burly looking man walked in, who she instantly recognized as Jai, one of the company's trusted managers and not to mention, her close colleague back when she was an intern.

"Do you have the papers?" Arnav asked, his voice business-like.

Jai nodded and extended a blue colored file.

"Give me a minute," Arnav replied, collecting it and striding back to his desk.

"Of course."

As Arnav became absorbed in the file, Jai turned his attention to a rigid Khushi, sniggering shamelessly as he darted his eyes to his boss, his question clear.