Work , Life and a Break -Part1

“Dude get a life! Who the hell works on a Friday night! I hardly see anyone in the office, except the 2^nd shift guys!"

“Get out of office and dooo what exactly?” 

“Are you kidding me Pranay? You are a 27 year old single and smart looking guy. Go out and party with your friends”

“Dost! Party karne ka time nahi hai. Abhi toh career banana hai”

“Dude seriously tu impossible hai. Byee”

Pranay was a young lad heading a sales team in a big multinational giant in Mumbai. He was trying to make it big but very quick. It had been almost 4 years he had visited his parents in Lucknow. He felt it would distract him. He hardly went out with friends.  Leave aside relationships; he not even had occasional flings!

He was serious about his aspirations and was working towards fulfilling each of his dreams. But he had somehow forgotten that life was not just about quickly going up the management ladder. It was not about having a money making machine. It was more about valuing the people in your life and living each day as it comes. 

Like every other day it was late night and he was still in the office.  Friday or Monday didn’t quite matter to him. Suddenly he felt a little giddy and when he saw the clock it was almost 11pm. It was 14hours he had been in the office. He packed his laptop and decided to call it a day.

He had just managed driving out through the parking when he saw a slim, tall girl in a bright red kurti standing outside the gate with her back facing him. The street was dim lit and he felt at that time, it wasn’t very safe for a girl to be standing there alone. He pulled the car close to her and rolling down the window asked, “Excuse me, do you need any help?”

She turned and the diamond stud that she wore on her left nose sparkled; Thus, bringing Pranay’s entire attention onto her face. He could just not believe his eyes.  She looked ravishing. She had light brown eyes and her eyebrows were perfectly arched. She had sucked her lips in, reasoning why only a tinge of pink gloss remained on her lips.  He could sense a little panic in her eyes. Probably she wasn’t expecting anyone around at this time. 

 Suddenly breaking through his thoughts she replied coyly. “Actually I had called for a cab but it seems it's stuck in traffic and will take at least an hour to reach.” 

“Hop in. I can drop you. It’s probably not a good idea to wait here”, replied Pranay instantly.

Little hesitant in the beginning she thought it was no doubt a better idea to accept the lift.

Nodding her head she opened the door of the car and adjusted the seat; Once seated she signalled Pranay to get started.  She was continuously looking out of the window. Pranay could sense her discomfort.  As pranay tried to catch her glimpse she turned and said “I want to get down near Lokhandwala”. Pranay was in awe with her beauty and serenity. He felt like halting the car and just staring at her. Indeed, she couldn't have been more simpler, more considerate or more demure.  

Breaking the silence she said, “I need to get down here can you please slow down the car”. He was obfuscated.  He looked around to realize they were in Lokhandwala already. What a fool he was to have got lost in his thoughts. What would have she thought about him? He was so arrogant that he didn’t even converse with her.  

He pulled his Honda city to the left. She got down slowly, avoiding the puddle. Cursing himself, he started the car again. She had a smile on her face. For the first time he noticed her dimples. They made her look even more beautiful.  

Interrupting his thoughts and retaining the same smile on her face she said” Thank you, Pranay. Good Byee”. He smiled back and turned his car. 

On his way back home he was still thinking about her, he wanted to know more about her. He thought of meeting her again. But how would he do that? He didn’t know anything about her! Leave aside other things, he didn’t even ask her name! For a moment, he considered going back to the place where he dropped her. But it seemed useless as she would be home by now.  He felt like a dimwit. :(

He reached home exhausted. With a broken heart, he crashed on the bed.  He was just not able to forget the beautiful face. He was disheartened recalling the entire episode and his absent mindlessness. 

He suddenly remembered how she bid him goodbye. She called him by his name!!

“OMG”, he exclaimed.

How was it possible? They were neither acquaintance nor did they introduce themselves. Then how did she know his name?   He tried very hard but couldn’t get the answers. He was completely baffled.  

to be contd....