Chapter 10: Serendipity


      I was the first one to reach the waiting spot for lunch. I had had a tough day in office. My Boss' Boss the Goliath had shouted at me in front of my subordinates for no fault of mine. I was really down in the dumps and therefore sat with my face down. The sound of an approaching Royal Enfield Bullet disturbed my thoughts. I looked towards the entryway and could feel my heart sinking. Mallu drove past me up the driveway and parked his motorbike. I felt like running away. I did not want further torture. I had had enough for the day. He was the last person I wanted to see.

      "Hey what is up??? Why are you sitting like this?

      "Nothing sir."

      "Come on, speak up. I am not going to eat you up. Maybe I can help??"

      I wanted him to shut up and leave me alone. He probably sensed my discomfort.

      "Look, even I have gone through bad days. Tell me, I might help out."

    The tone in which he spoke touched a chord in my heart. Without thinking I blurted out whatever had happened in office.

      "Sir my boss ' boss howled at me for no rhyme or reason...."

      I went on and on for five minutes pouring my heart out and wallowing in self pity. I stopped when I realized that I was not getting any response.

      "Finished?"
  
      I nodded my head while taking out my handkerchief to wipe my tears (Had told you I cried at the drop of a hat, remember????). After a two second pause, he started critically analyzing whatever I had blabbered. He was being critical and reasonable at the same time. My hands froze. I looked up and saw that his expressions were not mocking me. His eyes revealed a genuine concern. Till date, I do not remember what he said, but the way he said definitely made my heart skip a beat for a split second. 

      "Mallu, why are you after the poor girl's life?" Chow's voice interrupted.

      "Not at all sir. I was only explaining to her how hierarchy works in our organization. Right?" he asked looking towards me.

      I simply nodded my head.

      Throughout lunch I kept looking at his face, one that I had never even bothered to glance at. Post lunch we went back to our respective rooms. My mind kept rewinding and playing the little tete-a-tete that I had with Mallu that afternoon. In the evening at tea time, there was a friendly squash match amongst the men. I tagged along with Saapy and Mallu as Senorita and Singer were nowhere to be seen. Throughout that evening and even during dinner I could help myself stealing a look at Mallu. I found that his eyes smiled when he smiled. His entire face brightened up as well. His eyes were so expressive!!! 

      I washed my hair the next day, it being a Saturday. God and of course my genes had blessed me lustrous long hair (Remember the earlier reference??? And by the way, my month long stay in Bhairavi had ensured that the Skeleton had enough skin and muscles to keep it under wraps!!!). For the first time since my stay in Guwahati, I went and sat on the stairs in front of my room with my wet hair hanging loose. I saw all the guys playing cricket. Singer had joined in and Senorita was not seen around.

     Mallu was batting. I saw him, he saw me. I gave a slight smile of acknowledgement and opened my book to read. The next instant he got out. Handing over his bat to Saapy, he went and sat on the cane swing. My sixth sense told me I was being watched. I was sitting facing Room No. 20 with my back rested on a pillar and my dried hair flying all over. I could not lift my head and stare back at the person staring at me. A first in my life. Was this serendipity destined to happen???

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