Chapter 18

Athira Patel

I hurriedly got into our cabin to see that everyone is listening to something Abhilash was saying. I cursed myself for coming late today. It's only the third day in my office and I am already late, don't know how he will react to this. This is all because of that stupid alarm which didnt ring on time. We hurriedly got ready and went directly to the office without even having breakfast.

I slowly got inside without making a sound but still, everyone listened because within a minute every head turned towards my direction. Ivan and Chandan with smirking faces, Divya and Bharat with sympathetic faces. Something is definitely fishy. The look on their faces is saying everything.

"Took your sweet time to come to office Athira," Said Abhilash mockingly standing behind Ivan placing his hands in the pockets. He wore a white shirt inside with a black blazer and black pants completing it with a watch to his wrist. His hair is neatly combed to the backside giving him a hot look. What am I saying? He looks hot in anything he wears. You can feel the dominating aura from him like he is the leader to all this. And no wonder that he is with his arrogant and strict behaviour.

"Sorry, Abhilash. It won't happen next time" I said looking down because I am unable to look into his brown orbs.

"Meet me in my cabin after this meeting," He said giving no room to argue. I simply nodded in defeat and stood beside Chandan.

"So as I was saying, today I would like to train you on the outer image of the projects and how we have to plan accordingly," Abhilash said looking at all of them and went to stand in front of the whiteboard taking a marker in his hands. We all took our seats with the notepad ready to take the important points.

He started explaining that mostly our company will get hotels and independent houses projects itself which are of the high cost. So for every project, we will take the inputs from our clients and will form the plan and brief designs of how it looks and will present it for them. If the client is satisfied with the plan and designs then will start working together with the architecture department for designing. While designing we should not forget about the main things like Floorplans and the Construction Documentation, Shipping and Installation, Furniture Plans, Reflected Ceiling Plans/Basic Lighting Plans, Basic Electrical Plans, Details/Sections, Specifications etc.

When he completed the training it was almost lunchtime. We were very much into the training that we forgot about the time. For the first time, I can say why people said that he is the best project manager. The way he explained everything in detail and answered every query of us says a lot. He is very patient and understanding. Doesn't get irritated to repeat the points if we were unable to understand it for the first time. We can learn a lot from him. This is only the first training for us from him, but I can say that I am glad to get into this team. There is a lot more to him than he shows it. I want to learn everything from him.

"That's it for today. If you have any more doubts you know where my cabin is. Don't hesitate to ask doubts. Thank you" he said starting to go to his cabin. I am somewhat happy that he forgot about my special meeting with him. Maybe he is in a good mood. Wow.. how you got yourself so lucky Athira... "Athira, meet me in my cabin. Thought I would forget about this? Sorry to disappoint you, madam. But I won't forget anything that easily" He said somewhat smirking which is only visible to me and went inside.

I think I celebrated it too early. He didn't forget about that matter. Suddenly my heartbeat started increasing entirely for different matter now.

Go go... Have a nice meeting... !!! Mocked my brain.

I heaved a breath and followed him to his cabin. I can listen to the silent laughs of my friends from my backside. Idiots. I got inside and closed the door but stood at the door itself not knowing what to do.

"Do I have to tell you to take your seat now?" He asked looking at me with seriousness. I slowly shook my head and took the seat opposite him feeling nervous. I have never seen him being this serious. God, I messed up this time.

I started fidgeting my fingers looking down due to nervousness. I was scared for the first time about what he will say to me. Any double work is fine with me but it should not cost this job. It's my dream to work here.

I was so busy in self-pitying that I didn't observe him until he called my name to get my attention. I looked towards his side to see that he placed one small bag in front of the desk for me to take it. I am a little confused about what is present inside and why he is giving me this.

"What is this," I asked looking at him in confusion.

"I know you haven't had your breakfast. So take this. It's a sandwich. Have it" He said looking softly at me. I froze, listening to his words because never in a lifetime I would have thought that he would do something like this for me. Hell, I didn't even know how he found out that I haven't had my breakfast.

"How did you know that I didn't have my breakfast?" I asked looking confused at the same time surprised because of his act.

"The way you came inside the cabin in the morning with the look like you want to eat anything and everything you could grab on and the way you were drinking so much water and placing your hands on your stomach for every 10 minutes in between the training says a lot" He said looking directly at my eyes with a tender look on his face. I felt like jelly looking at those eyes which held so much care for me. I never thought that he is this observant. I kind of felt thankful to him at this moment. I don't know why but there is an overwhelming feeling inside me that I want to hug him right away. But I have stopped myself from doing.

"Thank you, Abhilash. It was not necessary though. I would have eaten lunch early" I said feeling thankful and took the bag getting up from the seat.

"Where do you think you are going?" He asked to which I looked at him confused "Everyone is outside. I don't want anyone to get the wrong ideas. So please take a seat on the couch and have it" He explained gesturing towards the couch. He is right though. Don't want to spread the rumours now. So like a good girl I took a seat on the couch and had my breakfast while he was busily working on his laptop stealing glances in my direction every now and then. Of course, even I am also looking at him in between eating. What to do? He is handsome and irresistible. I was looking at his face and my eyes landed on those delicious lips of him which made me remember our encounter in the pub. How those soft and feather-like lips caressed mine and how responsive I was. Suddenly I started coughing because of getting caught staring at him. He got up from his seat and came to my side placing the bottle to my lips after opening the cap of it while rubbing my back. I gulped the water in big amount and breathed heavily to become normal.

"Are you okay?" He asked looking concerned still rubbing my back.

"Ya. It's fine now. Thank you" I said feeling awkward.

"It's ok. Be careful Athi." He said looking at me and rubbing my cheeks with his thumb finger. I can clearly see how much he cares for me. Or I don't know if I am right or not. But it's a good feeling.

We were looking at each other without saying anything when the door to his cabin opened revealing Omisha standing at the entrance looking at us in shock. I quickly got away from him composing myself due to his touch and stood straightening my dress.

"May I know what is going on here?" She asked looking mad in between both of us.

"Its nothing Omisha. She was just thirsty. So I gave her the water." Explained Abhilash as if what happened earlier is nothing but just a helping gesture.

I don't know why but it stabbed my heart literally. If felt like there was not enough oxygen in the room and I am unable to breathe normally. Don't know why it felt like someone was squeezing my heart and like someone slapped on my face. It felt like reality came slapping me on my face showing me everything with open eyes. Tears started forming at the corner of my eyes. I blinked rapidly to make them stop because I don't want them to see this side of me and my tears, Especially him. I have to control my emotions and my messed up feelings in front of them. I can't burst into tears here itself. I have to get away as soon as possible.

How am I this blind? I know that he has a girlfriend and he is just flirting with me. But still, I gave in to my greedy needs just to kiss him and to be near him? It felt like I am some sort of an item girl or a whore.

You are very stupid Athira. I have already told you to be careful with your heart. But you won't listen, and look where it got you. Even now you have the time to get away from this confused messed up situation. Act as if nothing happened and it didn't affect you in any way. Get out of this room immediately. Said my brain. For once I am on the side of my brain. I have to get away from this.

I looked at his side to see he is observing me intensely. He was trying to say something with his eyes but I averted my eyes from him and looked towards her side. "Yes. He is correct. It was nothing." I said starting to walk towards the door "Now if you excuse me.." I said and got away from his cabin and went directly to my cabin before I started crying in front of everyone.

Once I am back in my safety zone, I closed the door behind me and took the seat letting the tears fall freely. I felt stupid standing there and making him walk on me like I am some sort of easy access. It's my mistake that I let my heart loose for once and thought that he really cares for me. I was so attracted to his outer appearance that I forgot my own rules why I have kept them in the first place. It's the last time that I let him walk away like this. I won't give him the chance to hurt me again. I know how to protect myself and my heart from his flirting. I will have to show him what it's like to see if he messes with the wrong person.

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