The day of the party arrived, and Arjun already, wanted that award, but it was not up to him, he talked to Priya on call, she was nervous too, Arjun made her calm, and she offered to drive with her to the venue, there was no reason to decline that offer.
He waited for her, standing outdoors until the car arrived. She looked gorgeous in a blue dress, she waved at him, he smiled then sat inside, she gave her hand offering a high five which he did, then they started their journey, her fragrance gave a different atmosphere in that car, the cold wind entered through the driver side window, touched her open hairs and few towards him, he smelled that air and wanted to hug it but the air didn’t stay still and by chatting they reached the venue.
The decoration was outstanding but it was new at that time, it was unique from the last two times that Arjun could recall, he got out of the car, waited for Priya then both walked towards the people, where they found Arun, he waved at them, Arjun shook hands with him and then they sat, saw some performance while drinking that was what that party meant for, the night of enjoyment.
They enjoyed it, everyone did until the time came for awards, when the boss was on the stage, everyone was excited and anxious, waiting for their name while eating their nails or just rubbing them, all the calmness of the party ended there, a cloud of anxiety just made a quite rain where they were sitting.
“So, finally the award for the employee of the year goes to_” the boss cried, after giving every award from the list, the last award was the employee of the year, which was considered the superior of all.
Priya won the designer of the year, Arun was empty, Arjun was empty too, but still, there was hope to hear his name from the boss, he wanted that award, he never took a leave from the office, overworked for the office, just for getting this award and well-deserved promotion.
“Arjun_,” said the boss clapping and Arjun stood up, he knew that he deserved it, and he glanced at Priya who was clapping for him, with a smile on her face.
He walked straight to the stage, his legs were shaking, he shook hands with his boss and received a trophy with a certificate and a letter of promotion, all he worked for the year. He believed in working throughout without waiting for the fruit, in the end, the fruit will come, as it has to.
After getting the award, he enjoyed the party and went to his home with Priya,
“You know I am jealous of you,” she said smiling.
“Why?” he said innocently.
“Dude, you have three awards of employee of the year, who won’t be jealous of you,” she said but Arjun knew she was not serious, she was smiling, and the smile was not of being jealous.
“That’s true, but_”
“But I am happy for you, I know you deserve better than any of us.”
Arjun blushed, he was too shy to say anything, for a while they shared eye contact, and then his house arrived, so soon for Arjun.
“Bye,” he said. She looked at him for a few seconds, then waved her hands at him,
“Bye Arjun, and congrats once again for the award,” she said. She embraced Arjun, Arjun opened the door and got out of the car,
“Thanks for dropping and picking as well,” he said, rubbing one hand on his head. She smiled and then turned on the car, Arjun stood there until the last sight of the car was gone, then lost in his mind thinking constantly about her. He kept his trophy in the showcase. Then went to the washroom, took a bath while listening to songs, and then came to bed, feeling sleepy, he turned on WhatsApp texting her good night, but he didn’t notice how an hour passed on while talking with her.
‘See you tomorrow, good night.’ she texted.
‘Good night.’ he texted and turned off his phone without waiting for her reaction.
The next few days went on normally, he and Priya often drank coffee together, but Arun was nowhere seen, he took some days off, they thought. But they both were enjoying their company, the connection between them just grew deep and all was going well. Arjun and Priya went to a movie, and they went to a restaurant.
In the office, Arun was not talkative anymore, he just nodded when Arjun or Priya said something, he was not attentive, he usually doesn’t come across them, he started remaining alone, not talking to anyone, not contributing to the project as he did before.
“Anything you want to tell, Arun?” Arjun asked one day after seeing his friend lonely, he thought maybe something went wrong in his family or any trouble he was facing.
“No, no, nothing, I am fine,” he said with a fake smile, Arjun was aware that something was wrong, he thought that one day he would say what was wrong, but the day never came.
After a long while, around March, two months passed since Arjun won the award, that day they got another important project, where Arun, Arjun and Priya were together, and after many projects, they were together. Arjun noticed one thing about him he was not working properly like the way he did when they worked together on many projects. They somehow completed the project, Arun, Priya and Arjun were sitting at a table, drinking coffee, Priya and Arjun were busy in their talk until Priya noticed Arun.
“Arun, why don’t you talk anymore?” she asked. Arun stared at her, then stared down at the cup of coffee.
“Nothing, just personal issues, nothing wrong with me, don’t worry.”
“Can’t you share that issue with us?”
“No, it’s not like I don’t trust you, but you can understand,” he said looking at the eyes of Arjun, Arjun saw his eyes, there was something in his eyes that he was not getting.
He kept his hand on his shoulder,
“We can understand brother, don’t worry, if there is anything we can do, please let us know.”
“Sure,” said Arun. After talking, they continued their work,
Priya and Arjun were enjoying their work while having fun, and Arun was working on his own, after completing the project, Arjun and Priya went home in Priya’s car, but that day was not the same as the day of the party, at that day Arjun proposed Priya.
“Arjun_,” she said looking into his eyes but didn’t wait for Arjun or her remaining words. She directly kissed him, a long passionate kiss they did.
“I love you.” she said, “From the day we did that first project together.”
The words were live heaven for Arjun, Arjun hugged her tight and then opened the door saying bye to his first Girlfriend, and that was another special day for him in his three years of job.
The next day morning, Priya’s car arrived, and Arjun went inside, all night they talked through texting, and in the morning chatted in the car, they arrived at the office, that day they had some work to do, not part of the project, and Arjun saw Arun, there was a different brightness in his face, he was smiling while talking with one of his colleague, that made Arjun happy, he came to Arjun, talked with him and his voice was normal like it used to be.
After the day ended, before going home, he and Priya went to drink coffee, Priya filled her glass and then sat at the table waiting for Arjun. Arjun was about to fill the glass but there was no coffee inside, only warm water filled the glass. Arjun showed that glass to her, she laughed and then offered her glass to him.
“Hey Arjun,” called Arun from a distance, Arjun turned to see him.
He was coming with two glasses of juice, smiling at him,
“Take this, I brought for you,” he said offering the glass.
“Thanks, Arun.”
“Priya?” he said offering her another glass, but she refused as she was already drinking coffee.
“That’s not fair, I counted you in,” he said.
“Next time,” she said and took a sip of coffee.
Arjun drank the fruit juice in one go,
“Arun, it’s tasty,” said Arjun, cleaning his mouth after drinking.
“Thanks, this is my favourite, you know,” he said and drank a whole glass of fruit juice that he had brought for Priya and then smiled looking at both of them, his teeth were visible in that smile.
(To be continued)
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