Just as she was about to give up and admit that she was screwed, she felt a shade above her, stopping the droplets from uncomfortably splashing against her fore head. It was an umbrella. An arm was holding the umbrella. The arm was connected to a body. Christopher's.
…
"Why are you standing alone in the rain?"
"Nothing. I'm just waiting for Afsah to pick me up."
"… Oh your boyfriend guy."
"Hehe."
"When were you meant to leave?"
"I'm not sure. About 5 pm.
"Well, its nearly 5:15 now, and you're getting drenched." Christopher's eyes were fixed on Archie's. Their every contact gave off tension. Really obvious tension.
"He'll be here soon."
"I'll wait with you."
The two waited together under the pouring rain sharing the same umbrella for another 25 minutes, not uttering a word. The girls passing by the main entrance couldn't help but stare at their gorgeous manager who was resevered and seemingly quite emotionless, sharing an umbrella with a beautiful south Indian woman. There were more glares than smiles… as expected.
"You should go back. Afsah will come soon."
Christopher looked down at Archie with irritation.
"I'll drop you. He's very late; he probably forgot about you."
"N-" Again, without letting her finish, he took a bundle of keys from his back pocket and held tightly onto her elbows before walking storming sternly to the carpark.
His car was also a jeep, except it had a few red stripes by the sides and was black. A model newer. It shone like a washed apple underneath a Wednesday evenings rain.
The grip on Archie's arms tightened uncomfortably every time she resisted a step, but finally, they were seated inside of the car.
"I told you, Afsah will come. What if he does and finds out I already left?"
"If he made you wait 40 minutes to pick you up from your first day at work under the pouring rain, he rather not turn up at all." Christopher's voice was dry and his eyebrows were narrowed to the bridge of his nose. He was grinding his teeth so hard, it almost sounded like someone scraping their nails against a black board, his hands firm against the steering of the jeep.
He started the vehicle and continued down the city but their argument still continued.
"He was probably caught up in the traffic. I know he wouldn't just leave me there."
"Aren't you the slightest bit hurt that he didn't show you at least a spoon of consideration?"
"Maybe. But I'm more hurt by the hand mark on my arms."
"…"
The two quietened down. Christopher had nothing to say, but his focus was on the road before him, trying to ignore Archie who was staring deep into his right side waiting for a reaction; which she never got.
"Didn't you try call him?" Christopher said calmly after a long pause.
"I left my phone at home." Archie replied reluctantly.
"Best."
~
It was 10 past 6 by the time they arrived at the mansion.
"This is an… interesting place to build a mansion." Christopher laughed as he walked in.
Archie couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Who is this, Architha?" Mother Devi asked raising from the couch before the TV which was playing another soap opera.
"This is Christopher. My manager." Archie said as she removed her shoes while looking around for Afsah angrily.
"Would you like something to eat or drink, son?" Mother Devi asked, gently grabbing Christopher's hands and leading him joyfully to the kitchen.
Archie looked around impatiently for Afsah in his room only to find it empty. The same for the bathroom and corridor.
She ran downstairs into the kitchen expecting him there, but instead, she found Christopher sitting on the countertop eating sweets and gossiping with mother Devi.
"Where the on Earth is Afsah? Did he vanish?"
Mother Devi and Christopher stopped midway from their conversation and stared at Archie who was fuming with anger, still in her half soaked saree and frizzy hair.
"Oh… I completely forgot. He had rushed out in a hurry before to pick you up from the firm." Mother Devi said as she covered her mouth with her hands.
"Really? Because he never reached." Archie spoke with an attitude, her arms crossed.
As the drama continued in the kitchen, Augustin came in, holding his phone and clearly confused, staring at everyone on either sides of the room.
"What's going on in here? Who is this?"
"This is Christopher, my manager. Remember we met him at the interview?"
"Good evening." Augustin said, looking at Christopher awkwardly with bulging eyes.
"Good evening."
"Okay… So where is Afsah?" Augustin turned back to look at Archie.
"How am I meant to know? He said he was going to pick me up at five but he never came and I was standing underneath the rain for 40 minutes until Christopher said he'll drop me." Archie complained like a 4 year old.
"Oh… But Afsah had left to pick you up a while ago."
"He never turned up, Augustin, is what I'm saying." She was getting irritated at having to explain herself so many times.
"Why don't you try calling him?" Augustin said as if pointing out the obvious, raising his hands.
Just as she was about to run upstairs to the phone, the door creaked open and there stood Afsah. Completely drenched from head to toe holding and folder, glaring right at Archie.
"Where were you? I looked all around the firm and even tried calling you."
"Because I waited there until 40 past but you never came. Learn to keep your word."
"40 minutes!? I stopped by the shops for less than 15 minutes. I was there by 5:20."
"No you weren't!"
"Yes I was!"
The two were screaming at each other louder and louder every time. Mother Devi tried to interfere only to be ignored and Christopher sat on the counter top, enjoying the show, treating himself with some occasional sweets.
"And how did you get back here? Did you walk?"
"No, Christopher dropped me! Someone more considerate than you."
Afsah stopped midway and squinted his eyes before dramatically turning his head towards the counter top to where Christopher was sitting smugly.
Christopher glared back.
"Get out."
Christopher remained put.
"I said. Get. Out." Afsah was losing his patience but Archie was only getting angrier and more amused by Afsah's temper.
Christopher looked back at Archie to see if she planned on saying something.
"Why should he leave?"
"Why shouldn't he?"
"Both of you stop. I'm leaving myself." "Don't make me the reason for your love failure." Christopher murmured as he jumped down from the counter and left the kitchen.
"But, Christopher-?" Archie ran after him.
Afsah face palmed before taking a deep breath.