Chapter 14

Athira Patel

After completing our lunch we went down to meet karthik and Sahana. But they both already went to their training sessions it seems. So we too departed to our rooms after saying goodbye and to meet outside in the evening.

When I have entered into the conference room I can see that there are only two members present and rest of them still need to come. I went to my seat and placed my bag on the floor while taking my seat when someone called me from behind me.

"Hey Athira, you too are not shy type right?" Chandan asked me dragging his chair near to mine.

"What? Why do you ask like that" I asked him confused to why he got that doubt.

"Ya, because I tried to talk with Divya sometime ago, but she was so shy that she only answered my questions and nothing else. And I don't want the only other girl in our team to be shy too. So just clarifying my doubt you see" he said giving me his wide smile.

"Oh Divya. Ya even I too noticed that she is a bit shy. And don't worry, I am not shy definitely. " I said smiling at him.

"Thank God Athira." Said Ivan dragging his chair too near to mine. "Hai. We haven't officially met gorgeous. I am Ivan and people call me Ive when they love me" He said winking at me.

"Hai Ivan. Nice to meet you. But don't you think that this type of flirting became old." I asked making a look of thinking to which both of them laughed.

"Oh no. That's not fair Athira. Such a beautiful girl like you should not throw away a handsome guy like me you know" Ivan said as if he is the most handsome guy in the world.

"You know you have to try new types to flirt with a girl. These are old ways. Update Ivan." I said laughing to which he huffed his chest showing he is more than that.

"Burn." Chandan said laughing and tapping Ivan's shoulder. "You are awesome Athira. No one can easily flirt with you right. " Chandan asked smiling at me.

"Ya. You can say that. I have a friend who is a playboy too. So you can say that I got used to these type of old tricks" I said looking at both of us and winking.

"You think these are old ways. I will show you my new ways . Wait and see" Ivan said huffing his chest showing his male ego. I think I have busted his male ego.

"Bring it on Ivan" I said winking to which Chandan laughed making us all laugh when the rest of the team members came inside with Abhilash. The moment I saw him my laughter died down making my heart beat faster. I averted my eyes to see Ivan and Chandan seated on either side of me.

"Ok guys. I hope you enjoyed your lunch." Abhilash said standing near the table leaning on it and folding his hands. "Now everyone take this file and look into it. This is what your task will be to complete your design. I will give you one week of time to complete this design. Everyone will get a different one. So there won't be any copying" He explained while distributing our files.

After I got my file I have opened it to see I got the task to design a bedroom with furniture and classy but trendy looking walls. Looking at a task seems easy but it's not. Giving it a classy and at the same time trendy takes much work. I still like this task and I am eager to start it.

Someone got inside carrying the laptop bags with them and disturbed it to each of them and went out. We carefully placed them down and looked at Abhilash for further instructions.

"Now that you got your laptop bags, you can sign in to your personal account to check your official mail I'd details. I hope you all got the access cards." He asked to which we all nodded. "Good. Now come with me. I will show you to your places." He said getting to the front doors. We all got up with him and went out behind him.

"He is going to be one strict project manager. I can already see my future crumbling" Ivan said faking his cry.

"Drama queen." Chandan said slapping Ivan's head and went forward dismissing him.

"I have to agree on that with him you know." I said looking at him and shaking my head. "Keep your drama in pause button. I hope you will need it in the near future" I said smirking at him while entering the lift and going to the 4th floor.

"Athira… That's not fair" Ivan grumbled like a small kid. "I am not a drama queen. At least you can say I am a drama king. I am not a Girl you know" he said complaining.

”Oh really. What an enlightenment. I just got to know this flash news" I said looking at him seriously to which all of them laughed including Abhilash.

"Arghhh…. Shit. That's not what I meant. I am a boy" Ivan rushed to explain his mistake feeling embarrassed.

I started laughing even more looking at his face. It's worth teasing him. "God Ivan you are busted man. I am sorry though. I would have helped you but I am not that type you know" Chandan said laughing loudly. Ivan stood folding his hands and sulking at the corner.

"Sorry Ivan. Just kidding" I said feeling sorry for making fun of him. He immediately smiled and hugged me in return which didn't go unnoticed by Abhilash.

"I knew you like me but was just teasing me" he said giving me a cheeky smile. God this guy is impossible. I shook my head and went out when the lift doors opened. Abhilash gave me a look and started walking towards the left side. Now what is wrong with this guy?

We all entered one cabin where you can see that inside the cabins are partitioned into ten cabins. And opposite to these cabins there is a big cabin located. All these cabins are half with glass and half with white wooden. It's beautiful.

"That cabin opposite to you guys is mine and these are yours. Your names are present on each cabin. You can get inside and take a look at it. For today you all are dismissed. You can go home. But I need you guys here by 10:00 AM sharp tomorrow." He said and turned towards his cabin and got inside. We all looked at it and went to our respective cabins. My cabin is small but cozy with a computer table and a drawer in the middle. It's total white wooden with glasses. There is a landline too on the desk.

After few minutes I said goodbye to my new friends and went down to wait for my other friends. But by the time I have reached, they were already waiting for me. We all spoke for sometime and went to our respective houses making a promise to meet here tomorrow at 9:45 AM. Once we got to our apartment Dev went out to buy some food for us since we are not in a mood to cook today.

I got into the lift and pressed 24th button when a lady in her 50's came rushing towards the lift, so I have stopped for her to enter it. Once she got in, I have closed the doors of the lift.

"Thank you child" she said smiling. Her smile is so genuine that it gave me a pleasant feeling.

"It's ok aunty. Which floor?" I asked looking at her to which she nodded. She is carrying two bags in her left hand and one bag in her right hand with her mobile. She kept one notepad inside of her hands and carrying her purse on her right shoulder. So I thought she needed some help in pressing buttons.

"Ya. It's the 25th floor please" she said giving me a thankful smile.

"Oh. So you are the one who stays at penthouse then?" I asked surprised and pressed 25th button.

"Oh yes. That's pretty much me" she said laughing when her mobile started ringing. She caught her bag on the other hand while answering the call. I don't know what she spoke but then she opened the notepad to write something on what the other person on the line was saying and was unable to do due to her bags. So I gave her my hand to carry her bags to which she looked at me gratefully and handed her bags. She wrote something on her book and once she disconnected the call, she leaned on the lift wall to balance herself from falling due to heavy breaths. I don't know what was the matter but I think it's something serious since she is acting that way.

"Are you fine Aunty?" I asked looking at her in concern. She slowly nodded her head and got up from the wall.

"Thank you. You didn't have to do that" she said trying to take her bags. I shook my head and said that I will carry her bags up to her door.

Once we got to the 25th floor, we both got out and went towards the only door on the left side.

"Come in kid" she said once she opened the door. I got inside and placed the bags to the corner and stood at the entrance.

"Want to have some coffee or tea?" She asked politely smiling at me.

"Oh no. I have to go. I just came to help you. That's it" I said shaking my head and smiling at her.

"No. You helped me. You have to drink coffee. I persist" she asked looking at me. Even I want to spend some time with her. But I have to go. Dev might come back at any moment now.

"No aunty. Maybe next time. I'm staying on the 24th floor itself. Will meet again. My friend will be waiting for me" I said getting to the entrance door. "It was nice meeting you aunty" I said smiling and coming out of her house. She too came out of her house behind me following me to the lift.

"Ok. Make sure you will come to have coffee tomorrow in the evening then. And what is your name?" Aunty asked me coming towards the lift.

"My name is Athira. Sure Aunty. Will come tomorrow to have coffee then. See you. Bye" I said before the doors to the lift closed. She was good. I don't know why I have accepted to have coffee with her. But I feel like she is gentle and kind. It's nice to meet the one who is not of our age. I smiled thinking to myself and got into our flat by closing the door.

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