Chapter 12

Athira Patel

The sound of the alarm bell woke me up from my deep Slumber. I got up from my bed silencing the alarm and went to the bathroom to freshen up. After doing my bath and getting ready, I woke up Dev and left him to get ready while I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for us. While preparing breakfast I spoke with my dad and Riya sharing my daily routine with them. I placed two plates with the Sandwiches and omelette on the table and poured orange juice from the cartoon for the both of us. It's already 8:20 AM when I placed the breakfast on the table.

"Dev common you lazy idiot. Breakfast is ready. We will be late if you won't come" I shouted taking my seat on the table.

I was halfway through my breakfast when he came and took the seat opposite to me "Sorry Choti. I will complete within five Minutes" he said eating it like a dog.

"Yukk. Dev please eat like a human. Not like a dog" I said looking disgustingly at him. He is wearing Dark blue colour formal pants with a white colour shirt which are folded up to elbows and is neatly tucked into his pants. He wears formal on very rare occasion but looks decent in it.

"Ok," he said showing his thumb finger and devouring it again. I shook my head and completed my breakfast.

"I will get my bag. Finish it and keep it in the sink meanwhile" I said and went to my bedroom to take my bag. After checking one last time in the mirror I went to the living room to see that he is booking the cab for us and waiting at the entrance for me. We both got out locking the door and got down waiting for the cab outside.

"We will reach on time right?" I asked him slightly getting panicked since its already 8:40 AM.

"Don't worry Athi. It's just five minutes distance from here. We will make it on time" he assured me while looking at his mobile for the cab. After a few minutes, we got inside the cab and drove to our destination. To say I'm nervous is an understatement. I am panicking inside thinking about how it will be. I don't know how I will manage with that big company, hell I don't even know if what I wore today is presentable or not. I am dressed in a black pencil skirt which lasts until my knee and completed it with a light purple colour shirt which is tucked in my skirt. I kept my hair in a high ponytail and matched it with pearl earrings and watch with it. My hands are getting sweaty due to my nervousness which didn't go unnoticed by Dev.

"It's ok choti. It's not your interview today. Don't panic. Everything will be alright. You look stunning by the way" he comforted me by placing his left hand on my closed hands and holding them. I nodded my head in agreeing when the cab came to a halt.

We reached our destination. Dev gave money to the driver and got out of the cab waiting for me to get down. I slowly opened the door and got down taking my purse with me and came to stand beside him. He was carrying both of our files where the documents are present which we need to submit today. We both entered inside and looked here and there until we saw the reception to the far end of the Corner. It was very huge with total white colour walls and stylish furniture which were matching with the walls. I can only see a few of them here and there who were either walking or talking among themselves. We got to the front desk where a lady was looking at the monitor seriously. "Excuse me. We came here for the joining. It's our first day. May I know where we need to go?" Dev asked her politely.

"Oh yes. You need to get to the 3rd floor. I think you are into interior design department right? " she asked to which we nodded our heads in acceptance. "Great. Go to left and take the elevator for the 3rd floor. There you can meet Ms.Komal from HR Department. She will take you from there. Thank you" She explained and went to look at her desk again.

We both went as she instructed and got inside the lift by pressing 3rd floor. Once we reached the 3rd floor the doors of the elevator got open and we went out looking for the right direction. In the distance, we can see some people standing at the entrance of some door and waiting. Once we got near to them we saw it clearly. It is Ms. Komal's door as instructed by the receptionist. Dev asked one of them if they came for joining today to which they said yes. So we just stood there waiting for her like the rest of them.

"Hi, Guys. I am Charitha" Said the girl standing beside me. She is of the same height as me. But you can say that she is fashionable by looking at her dress itself. She wore a White skirt with dark blue colour shirt and completed it with round tops, She left her shoulder-length brown hair loosely.

"Hi. Myself Athira. And this is my friend Dev" I said introducing us and shaking her hand.

"Nice to meet you both. So you both are also into Interior designing department itself?" She asked looking at us curiously.

"Yes. We are. And I think you are too. Am I right?" I said acting like I was thinking about this.

"Oh Yes I am," she said laughing to which we both smiled when two of them came and stood beside her.

"Wassup Charitha?" One of them asked looking at her. She is wearing formal black colour pants and a light blue colour shirt and kept her hair in a high ponytail like me. She is gorgeous with her light brown colour eyes and chubby cheeks.

"Hey, Sahana. Sorry yar. I forgot to come. Meet Athira and Dev. They too are just like us" Charitha said looking at us while introducing us to her friends. "And these two are Sahana and Karthik. We met here itself a few minutes back" explained Charitha feeling excited. This girl is hyperActive. Karthik is tall and slim with black colour curly hair and black eyes, but have a gym body. He is also wearing a formal attire like everyone else here.

"Hi, Guys, nice to meet you," I said shaking their hands and Dev too did the same.

"Wanna have some coffee? Just got the information that Ms. Komal will come after 15 minutes" Karthik suggested nodding in the direction of the cafeteria. We all nodded saying yes for coffee.

We entered cafeteria looking at our surroundings which are so beautiful with golden and chocolate colour Interior. I have to say that whoever designed it will deserve one hatsoff. I don't think in my entire life I will be able to do this type of decorating.

"Wow. This office looks so stylish. Even the interior of it. They have done a great job designing it" Charitha said looking at the cafeteria in awe.

"Of Course they will silly. This is Gordan saint we are talking about. They have a number of architects and interior designers inside their office itself." Sahana said shaking her head.

"I have to agree with Sahana on this," I said nodding at Sahana in acceptance.

Boys were in front of us standing near the coffee machine and preparing coffee while we are leisurely walking around the cafeteria.

"So you know that Mrs. Hema is one beautiful lady here," Said Sahana looking at both of us after taking the seats at of the table.

"She is our CEO right?" Charitha asked making a face like she is thinking.

"Yes. And she is very strict, at the same time gentle it seems. I have listened to it from my brother." Said Sahana looking at us by placing both of her hands on the table catching together.

"Your brother is working here?" I asked her taking my cup from Dev's hand after they came and took the seats at the table joining us. Karthik kept the tray of three coffees on the table and took one of them in his hand.

"Yes, he is working in the Architecture department. I have even listened that one of his colleagues will become our project manager" Sahana said taking a sip of her coffee.

"Oh yes. I heard it from other girl today morning. They were even saying that he was very handsome. Now I'm definitely excited to see him" Charitha said jumping in her seat like a small kid who just got her candy.

"Really. Now even I'm excited to see him then" Sahana said dreamily. "My brother said that he is very good at what he does and strict as well. But that idiot didn't inform me about these cheesy information" she said punching the table as if it was her brother.

"God, these girls. Can't you stop drooling over boys like they are some kind of meat." Karthik said looking at both of them.

"I have a feeling that it is just starting and we are going to face a lot of this in near future," Dev said in a boring tone.

"God! remind me not to be in their company when this topic comes again," Karthik said pouting. We all laughed at that statement.

"Common guys. I think Komal came. Let's go. I can't miss the first glimpse of his handsome face" Charitha said excitedly standing from her place after placing the empty cup on the table. We all stood and went outside where everyone is waiting for Komal. Looks like she came since there is a pin drop silence on the floor unlike before.

Some lady in early '30s came outside from the room while talking on the call. Once the call is ended she turned towards our side "Good morning all. I hope all of you are ready for your first day with Gordan Saint" she said keeping her hands backside. "My name is Komal. And I'm the HR in this company. These are my colleagues from the HR Department. We all welcome you to Gordan Saint. Everyone get inside this room and please come one by one to verify your documents" she said showing the room beside her.

We all got inside and took the seats waiting for our turn where Sahana and Charitha are talking non stop about this project manager. "Hey Athira, are you not excited to see this new apple pie?" asked Charitha looking at me.

"Apple pie?" I asked confused looking at both of them.

"Yes, Apple pie! Our project manager! Remember?" Sahana is explaining to me like I am a little kid trying to understand this very big maths problem. God these two won't make me miss Riya at any cost. They are the same as Riya.

"Oh. Ok. Why should I get excited about seeing him? He is just some project manager to us" I said looking at both of them like they have lost their heads.

"Oh no. You have to. Otherwise, your female person will feel bad about it." Said Charitha looking at me in concern.

"What? Female person? What are you talking about?" I asked totally getting out of the conversation now.

"She meant to say female hormones. Idiot" Sahana said slapping Charitha's head.

"My hormones? Oh my god. You are crazy you know that?" I asked charitha like she grew two heads.

"Ya, I know that. A lot of them say that I lost my mind somewhere and never stop talking" Charitha explained seriously to which all of us started laughing because she is really crazy to believe that and her face was priceless when she explained it.

"Sahana" One of the girls from the HR department called her name when we were trying to control our laugh. Sahana's face was red due to our laugh and trying to control it. After she managed to control her laugh, she went inside taking her bag. After some time one by one we all went and completed our verification. By the time we completed, it was almost 12:00 PM. We were waiting in the conference room when Komal and some other guy I think Girish entered the conference room and stood in front of us.

"Now you all will be working in the same department and for the same project. That is the reason you all have joined together. Within five minutes your project manager will be coming here to explain you everything about your work. From here on you will work under him and follow his instructions. Is that clear?" Komal asked looking at us for confirmation to which we all nodded. "Good. Now Girish will distribute you these pamphlets where you can find the numbers and floor of each department. Even the route map of this building. If you have any other queries you can contact me on the mentioned number in this pamphlet." Komal explained showing us her number in it. But Sahana and Charitha are busy gossiping about this so-called Project manager that they are not concentrating on Komal's words. Not only them but all the girls in our team are excited to meet this so-called project manager. Now even I am curious to look at this mysterious guy.

Girish completed distributing them when the door to the Conference room opened and in entered one lady with her stylish aura keeping her bag on the table and opened the laptop which she brought with her and connected it to the projector. Turning towards our side by clapping her hands together "Hello everyone. Welcome to Gordan Saint. My name is Omisha and I am from the Architecture department. Our colleague will be your Project manager. He will explain to you about everything. There will be a training of 3 months and all of you will be divided into four teams. Where four of our team members will train you in this. Since you are 20 members each of us will take five members to train you. And these are my colleagues Arpitha and Rohan. I hope it's clear" She asked after explaining to us and we all nodded in yes. I can say that she is having an attitude and I don't know why but I am getting some negative vibrations while watching her. It's better to be away from her. I'm praying to god that my name should not come in her team. Anyone is fine except her. I was busy talking with myself when Sahana nudged me from under the table to inform me that our project manager is coming. I looked upside from my lap to see none other than my nightmare.

Never in my life, I would have imagined that he will become my Project Manager and I will face this day. I thought that I will never see him again. But probably all the forces in the universe are against me that I am going to face him again and that to like this. Oh god, why? What have I done to deserve this? He was looking as handsome as I remembered him on that day. No, he is looking even more handsome now in the daylight. He is wearing a formal suit with black colour pants and black colour coat with white colour shirt inside and completing it with a watch on his left hand. His hair is spread in a messy way indicating that he ran his hands through it many times. I came out of my daydream when I listened to his voice which is as deep as I remembered which brought goosebumps on my skin.

"Good morning one and all. I hope everyone is excited for your first day with us. First, let me welcome you all to Gordan Saint which is yours too from this day on. My name is Abhilash Ponnam and I will be your Project Manager. For the first three months, five members among you will get trained under me and the same goes with my colleagues as well" He said showing a hand towards his Colleagues. He kept his left hand in a pocket while he is showing signs through his right hand. "I am from Architecture and Interior Department. Yes, I work with both the teams. And from now on will completely work with Interior team. That means with you guys" He said indicating us. "Now let me read the names of the team who will be trained with whom." He took the folder from Omisha and started reading the names of us. Now I really want to pray that even Omisha is fine with me but not in his team. Sahana and Charitha got into Rohan's team while Dev got into Omisha's team and Karthik to Arpitha's team which left me.

"And Athira Patel" Reading my name he lifted his head suddenly to look among us for the owner of the name. I slowly raised my hand to say that it's me when his eyes fell on me. I can see the surprise in those brown eyes saying that he remembered me well. Everything around us faded away when our eyes met taking my breath away.

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