Shades at work

“I wanted the whole world or nothing.”
— Charles Bukowski
From Post Office

We started working upon the project, fought almost every day. And although we remained together almost the whole day, all we discussed was work. Whatever happened to that flirty-fun-darling self. No…. no.. am not saying I was missing it!

However a week and I was coming to be completely over it. And particularly that day. When-

We usually worked in groups and since my office wasn’t exactly divided into cubicles and cabins it was easier to interact. Although everyone enjoyed a necessary liberal space of their own. Atleast we did. This day was particularly exhaustive. We wanted to save this weekend and were therefore working double hours. I don’t understand, a few of us I see roaming about on the floors drinking coffee killing time, making friends. And the rest of us slogging away. How does that work? I wouldn’t know I guess. Cause there’s hardly any chance of me getting up to make friends. As I’ve told you before I would be nervous as hell. I stopped for a stretch, when my eyes met the clock set on the wall. The digital clock blinked 23:30 hrs. A mild shriek escaped me. I could feel the nervous tingle spanning all through-out me. It was late. Pretty late. He looked up from his bent stance and said

“Yeah. Its late. But you were so engrossed. Didn’t have the heart to disturb You.”

I gave him an involuntary frown. Heck with passion. How’ll I get back to my apartment! Certain day. My car was out for repair. I had missed the last pick and drop service for the day too. Nice timing. At this hour I was a little afraid of trusting a cab.. It suddenly dawned on me. I had never been out this late without any personal mode of transportation. Some independence I was living in. Now, Should I call….

“I’ll drop you..”
He reeled me back into the room with him.

“I’ll drop you if You want me to.. just this” He pointed to a file.

I nodded a timid Yes.

He nose-dived back into the string of papers. I couldn’t concentrate at the least any more.. couldn’t decide upon what was disturbing me!

But something was. I kept stealing glances at the clock.

As if it mattered if I was late. Only it did not.

If it mattered if I slept an empty stomach? No.

Whether sitting in this room with this idiotic individual..alone, mattered?

Sharing this leather couch where I could sense every compression of the seat every time he moved to comfort himself. I stiffened every-time he bent a little towards me. Ok. Alright. So this was the botheration. I could almost see that stupid cupid hanging out the clock and playing that “nudge-nudge--wink-wink” game with me. He still had the arrow in his quiver.

Both of their presence was distracting. My figment of imagination and this man on the couch. I tried to hold myself to the numbers in-front of me. Trying to avoid any encounter with him.

I suddenly heard an echo…at a distance. His call jolted me back to the present. His cell was ringing. I looked up. He had taken the call and was talking to someone. All smiles and laughs. I hadn’t seen him so sanguine ever since that night. I was disturbed to the heart of it.

The voice on the other side sounded feminine. The hell did I care.

His conversation lasted an eternity. When it finally ended. I asked:

“How long?”

“A couple of minutes maybe..”

I didn’t say another word.

I shouldn’t.

I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

To be contd…

This is a continuation of a series.

You can read the first two parts here:

Part I: The coffee mug

Part II: After the broken Mug.

Continued..

Happy reading.

Cheers.