Abhimanyu had been observing Minakshi for a while now. He had noticed that she had been quieter than usual and seemed lost in her thoughts. He wondered if something was bothering her. He was a man of few words, but he had a keen eye for detail. He noticed her silence during the meetings today and her hesitation while speaking up.
He had always been a workaholic and had never really paid attention to his personal life. But something about Minakshi had caught his attention. He had dropped her off at her home once and had expressed an interest in knowing more about her. He had never felt this way before and was confused about his feelings.
As he sat in his cabin, he couldn't help but think about her. He had always been a man of principles, but this was something he was not able to control.
Meanwhile, Minakshi was lost in her own thoughts. She had been dreaming about her late father and was missing him terribly. She had always been close to him and had shared everything with him. But after his sudden demise, she felt lost and alone. Her mother and sister had been her pillars of strength, but she missed her father's guidance.
She had been quiet during the meetings because she was lost in her thoughts. She wondered if her father would be proud of her for getting the job at Mickey Clothing. She had always dreamt of working in the fashion industry, and this was her chance to make it big.
She remembered once her father asked her what she wanted to be when she will grow up.
"I love clothes dad," little Minakshi said showing her cupboard filled with clothes to her father.
"Haha...It means you want to do something in fashion...Minu don't you want to be a lawyer like your father?" her father asked her raising his eyebrows.
"No" she replied folding her hands near her waist and making face cutely.
"Why not?" he asked her back
"Because lawyers don't give time to their families. They always work like you" she said pointing at her father.
Her father used to laugh at her lame replies.
During the meeting she noticed Abhimanyu looking at her. She wondered what he was thinking. She found him intimidating, but there was something about him that drew her towards him. She couldn't explain it, but she felt a connection with him. She was curious about him.
The day passed by in a blur, and before she knew it, it was time to leave. As she was leaving, Abhimanyu called her into his cabin. She wondered what he wanted to talk to her about.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come, Minakshi," Abhimanyu said from the cabin.
As Minakshi entered his cabin, she noticed that he is looking different today. He was sitting cross-legged and his gaze were fixed on her as if he wanted to ask her something.
"Sit," he asked her to sit
Sitting straight he took a pen from the pen stand near him and started talking to her about work. She somewhere felt he wanted to ask her something or is he angry with her? She saw him looking at her today. She wondered if he is going to fire her or what.
Abhimanyu wanted to ask her if she is alright or is everything fine at home or not. But he did not have the courage to do so as he felt awkward about it thinking what she will think.
He thought to start the conversation with work and slowly he will ask her, her problem. He was thinking of ways to ask her. He was tapping his pen all the time. Minakshi was telling him about the work by showing a file to him. However, she noticed him he was not as serious as he used to be during work.
"Sir, this is all for today," Minakshi said closing the file and putting it in front of him.
"Yes, that's enough for today" Abhimanyu replied biting his nails.
"Sir, if there is nothing else, then may I leave?" Minakshi asked looking at him.
"Uhh...Yes, Sure" he said rubbing his fingers.
Minakshi give him a small smile and nodding her head headed towards the door.
"Wait," Abhimanyu said from behind.
She turned around to look at him and wondered why he stopped her. Abhimanyu stood from his seat
"Wait...Don't leave" he said with a deep breath, eyes fixed on her.
Minakshi raised her eyebrows in shock, mouth dropped open. For a second she did not get what he said. Coming back to her senses she asked
"What Sir? I mean what did you just say?" she asked him.
"What did I say?" he asked her back in shock.
"Not leave..something like that" she tried to make him remind.
"Yes, I said so...because...because it's late and I will drop you home...come" he replied walking towards her.
"No Sir, it is not that late see," she said pointing him towards the window.
"yes, but then also...come," he said and asked her to come with him.
As they headed towards the lift she took her belongings from her desk and almost ran to Abhimanyu as the lift was already there.
They walked to the parking lot and Abhimanyu asked her to sit in the front seat. He started driving as they sat wearing their seat belt.
There was silence in the car all the way.
"I wanted to ask you something," Abhimanyu said after thinking for a long while.
"Yes Sir, What is it?" she said looking at him.
"Do not take it otherwise...I am not a person who wants to get personal with his employees" he said explaining himself.
"You were very quiet today. As compared to other days I saw you less speaking and you were lost in thoughts" Abhimanyu said without looking at her and driving.
"Is everything alright? I mean your sister or mother, are they fine?" he asked this time looking at her.
"Thank you for asking Sir, but everything is fine" She said smiling inwardly.
"It is just that I saw a dream about my father and was missing him" she said becoming sad.
"Oh I see" he could say only this much
"Seems like you were very close to your dad" he said smiling now after knowing nothing serious issue is there.
"Yes Sir, he was my best friend" she said smiling charmingly.
Abhimanyu was stunned looking at her smiling. He was happy to see her smile.
"Fathers are great Right?" he said getting comfortable with her and trying to continue their conversation on the way.
"Yes...Are you also very close to your dad?" she asked him looking at him.
"Yes...My father is also my best friend and you know what I cannot stay even one day without talking to him" he said excitedly.
Minakshi looked at him and thought he has this side also. He also talk to people, he is also a charming, he can smile. He is different in office very aggresive, arrogant devil. Here he is like a normal person, nobody can say he is like this.
She smiled looking at him and asked "What about your mother sir?"
Being asked about his mother he became serious and remained silent.
"Get out...we are here," he said giving her a deadly glare.
Minakshi looked at her front and saw that they have reached her home.
Thanking him for dropping and wishing him goodnight she stepped out from his car. Abhimanyu reversed his car in anger and with a creak sound of his car he headed towards his home. Minakshi was standing there confused, she was thinking what wrong did she asked.
"I asked only about his mother" she said little confused.
On the way Abhimanyu was thinking about her last question, about his mother.
"Mom..huh" he said with a smirk on his face.