ROOP'S POV
It's been a month since I started working. My routine did not change but I am waking up earlier than before. After that forehead-poking incident, I was never late.
On my way to the bus stop, I heard a loud beep coming from behind. It was too late. I found myself lying on the pavement and the car that hit me just drove past me. I tried to stand up. My legs felt quite heavy maybe due to the impact. Some concerned people gathered to help me and ask if I am okay. I am okay. I saw a deep cut on the back of my right hand. It's bleeding. I heard someone say that he will accompany me to ER but I refused. I am actually more worried about me being late than the injuries in my body. I get my hanky from my pocket and wrapped it around my hand. Someone offered to take me to the office. That I accepted. It was very nice of this old woman to drive me to work. She was apprehensive and even park beside the street just to tend to me. There are always good people in this new world.
I arrived at the office just in time. I am now limping. The pain just hit me right now. But still bearable.
"What happened?!" Niyon exclaimed when he saw me. My clothes are dirty and my hand is wrapped in a hanky soaked in blood.
Vivek and Niyon gathered around me to ask what happened. I told them everything.
"So you are more worried about being late than you having broken limbs? You are crazy!" Vivek said in disbelief.
"You need to be checked, Roop. That wound looked nasty. Maybe it needed some stitches." Niyon suggested but being scared of the big boss, I protested.
"No, I'm fine. Don't worry." I smiled.
*POP*
OMKAR PARTH: Come into my office.
Everyone went back to their seat after I told them that big boss needs me inside. As I went in, I tried to hide my hand behind my back. The boys said Ranbir is not in the office today. Parth sir asked him to do some personal business. Monkey business if you will ask me.
I bowed. The Cold Horrifying Boss arrived earlier today. "Good morning Sir."
He dropped a folder on his table and glared at me. "Bring these documents to Mr. Arun of Rab Group in Thistlestone. He will sign it and then bring it back to me."
Parth sir will never ask you if you understand his instructions. He always assumes that you did. And he hates it if you want to clarify something because he will immediately say that you are a stupid person with a small brain. Our big boss is like that. Sometimes seeing his immorality, I feel sorry for people. I grabbed the folder with my left hand.
"I'll be back sir with the signed documents." I bowed again. I saw his brows furrowed. He's looking at my clothes. "I'm sorry sir if I looked dirty. I slipped while on the way here and have no time to change my clothes as I am running late."
He sighs, "Open that cabinet and get a top. You change that. I don't want Mr. Arun to think that my employees are not presentable."
My eyes widened. The Cold boss offered his personal clothing to me. But I immediately went to the cabinet still hiding my right hand.
There are several clothes inside the cabinet but there's only one top left. So I picked it up.
"Sir, this is the only one left. Thank you, sir, I promise to wash this after. I'll just go to the washroom and change."
But before I turn my back, I saw him point to a door inside his office. "There's my personal wash area. You change there."
I looked at his glaring eyes and without any more questions, I dashed inside the wash area.
As soon as I enter his washroom, his perfume instantly hit my nostrils. Big boss smells really good. I don't know why but it hit me in the right spot. I immediately push away the thought and continue to change. I removed my dirty top and open the faucet. I removed the blood-soaked hanky and threw it in the trash bin. The bleeding somehow subsides but the pain is more intense than earlier. I washed it with warm water and soap. I grabbed some tissue paper and wipe it dry. I ripped the sleeve of my dirty shirt and wrapped it around my wound. Then I wore the top that my boss lent me.
As soon as I went out, I saw Parth sir's face change. I don't want to assume but he looked somewhat in awe. I'm not sure why but I just let it pass. In the first place, his reactions don't matter.
"Thank you again sir for letting me wear the top. I'll give this back to you clean and tidy. I have to go now, sir. I will be back with the signed documents." I bowed down for the very last time and went out of his office.
"I need to go to Thistlestone and have these documents signed by Mr. Arun," I told Niyon.
"That's 2 hours away from here. Wait, I'll ask boss if I can bring it there. Oh wait, where does that polo come from?" Niyon asked.
"He lent it to me," I answered.
"He what? In my 10 years here, he never even lends a pen to me." Vivek looks bewildered.
"But Roop, I know you are feeling sore. Your hand is not okay. You are limping when you arrived. How can you say you're okay? It's so heartless of him to let you go to Thistlestone with your condition." Niyon said with a look of concern all over his face.
"I didn't tell him," I uttered while placing the folder inside my backpack. "I hide my hand."
"You what? Aish Roop. You're so hard-headed." Niyon rolled his eyes.
I smiled, O Niyon, I am glad to know that you and Vivek care for me, and I am grateful to have friends like you. So I assure you both that I will be fine, my goddess will help me. You don't have to worry about me" I said holding Niyon's hand.
Niyon smiled upon hearing it, "Go carefully, Roop-ah," he expressed concern
I nodded, "I got to go. See you this afternoon." I waved at them and went out of the office.
PARTH'S POV
No matter how hard I try, I can't get Roop out of my mind, that angelic smile is doing me something. The thought of Roop in that polo keeps on playing in my head. He looked phenomenal in my clothes. It's not easy for me to trust anyone after my ex Mahima's betrayal, but I don't know why I see a glimpse of that trust in Roop, because he's exactly the guy with the quotes my father used to talk about. Roop is exactly the same as the soul my father wanted me to marry, a shy one!
I went to the washroom to cool down my face. I grabbed a tissue to pat my face dry. As I throw the tissue into the trash bin, I noticed a mountain of tissue and a cloth that looked like drenched in..."Is that blood?"
AUTHOR'S POV
*POP*
OMKAR PARTH: Sohum, come here, quick.
Niyon almost fell from his seat once he read the message. He rushed inside Parth's office. Niyon saw a trash bin on top of the table.
"Look inside." Parth points at the bin.
Niyon take a peek inside and in utter shock, he knew right away that those bloody tissues and hanky were from Roop. "What happened to Roop?" Parth glared at Niyon who looked paler now.
"Uh.. sir..." Niyon can't speak. He doesn't want to disappoint Roop.
"SPEAK!"
"He figured in an accident this morning. He was hit by a car, sir. Please don't fire me, sir, please." Niyon's voice trembled and he felt ashamed of why he said the last words.
Parth grabbed his phone and dialed. He placed it on his ear.
"RB! Go to Thistlestone."
Ranbir: "But you said I should spy on Mahima?
"Leave that fucking job and get yourself off to Thistlestone now!"
Ranbir: "Ok ok relax! Why so sudden?"
"You pick Roop up. He will visit Mr. Arun."
Ranbir: "Uh wait. Are you asking me to give that Roop a ride?"
"RB listen. I'm not asking you a favor. It's an order. So shut your mouth up and head off to Thistlestone. NOW!"
Parth dropped the phone. His face spells anger. Niyon froze in his place. Standing very stiff. His eyes were as wide as a saucer and his hands clenched into a fist.
"GET OUT!" Parth barked at Niyon who almost tripped. Niyon half ran and half walked to the door. Parth was amazed himself, why is he so worried?