Chapter 4

Gautham stood there outside an office but only problem was everyone inside were talking and laughing around. There were about ten people just hanging around and making fun. Gautham looked around confused until he saw a room with a sign board Ms. Sindhuja Srinivas. He knocked on the door and a faint "come in" came from inside the room right after. He opened the doors and peaked in. There she was, wearing spectacles; brows frowned from concentrating and frustration as she signed some papers. Gautham cleared his throat to get her attention with no avail. So he knocked on her table standing in front of her desk which finally got her attention.

"Oh hi Gautham. What are you doing here??" Sindhu looked up at last and asked in confusion.

"I thought I would take you out for lunch for a change since you have already surprised me twice this week. You quite literally barged into my office and may I say "demanded" I come to lunch with you, all coz you were "bored at your office" Gautham deliberately said it all too dramatically air-quoting "Demanded" in order to add to the effect.

Sindhu gave me an unimpressed look but he can see her eyes brighten slightly which was worth the effort.

"Hahaha. Overdramatic much." She said with a dry face rolling her eyes but it quickly turned into a big fat grin and she asked him to wait for 5 minutes in her office.

She went out and Gautham can clearly imagine her face frowning with the scene out of her office. He can even faintly hear her unimpressed speech to people outside.

"Very funny guys. I think you all had enough fun for one day on my expense. Guys, I know that I let you do whatever you want after you guys complete your work. Which is perfectly fine but can you guys at least keep it down a bit. And have enough sense to at least pretend to work when there is someone else in the office. My friends in the office and you dumb heads did not even bother to notice. Now he is going to think I am paying you guys for having fun." She said more exasperated than authoritative.

"What?? Seriously??!"

"But mam! Why are you trying to impress this friend of yours?" They teased her back.

"Shut up you dumb heads before I screw you guys and show you who the boss is" that will be Sindhu.

Every other staff member gave her an unimpressed look as if they are sure nothing like that could ever happen even in their dreams.

"Why do I even try?! Anyways Arvind... in my office. And you guys. At least make sure nothing is stolen. Have an eye on the doors for god's sakes." She added exasperated.

"No it won't" she simply said, with authority. And all the staffs nodded solemnly.

She turned to her office satisfied. She frowned looking at Gautham standing behind her with an amused look. She just shook her head and went inside her office without really saying anything. Gautham and Arvind followed her in. Gautham sat on the couch while Arvind just stood there.

"Look, Arvind. I know you have practically run this office before me. I know you are more than capable but I don't understand why on hell you won't pass your exams."

Sindhu was practically glaring dagger while Arvind gave her a sheepish grin.

"I want you to go pack your desks. I can't keep you like this"

"But mam..." Arvind started but Sindhu cut him out with one look and he shut up gladly with a depressed look.

"I don't want you to be my employee. I want u to be a partner in this office. Do you think I kept the other room empty just for the fun of it? But I can't give you that office if you are not a CA. So I want you to pack your stuff today and head home. You have exactly a year. One whole year. I want you to complete your CA. I don't care if you just pass. I want the degree that's all. You get to step back into this office only when you complete your degree am I clear??"

Arvind gave her a quick nod. His face was still hung down.

"Look up Arvind. Look I know you hate exams. God knows how much I hated it. But you're going to go only so far without a qualification. Do you understand what I am saying??"

"I understand mam. I won't let you down." Arvind assured her with a quick grin.

"And Arvind your salary will be on your account on the 1st of every month along with your exam fees okay"

"But mam, you don't have to do that. I will manage."

"Arvind I know I don't have to do it but I am doing it. God, what's with you guys always arguing with me. I am seriously getting confused who the boss is" Sindhu bickered.

"Thank you, mam. I won't let you down. I promise. I will be back in a year." He said. The kinda respect he has for his boss is very evident in his voice.

"I will hold the fort till then. You just focus on your exams. And if any of these dumb heads call you with doubts, just ignore them. Even they have to learn. Anyways I am going out for lunch, make sure the dumb heads don't set the office on fire okay" she said taking her bags.

"Yes mam," Arvind said with a salute and walked out of the office with a grin.

At last Sindhu's attention turned to Gautham and he was now giving her an amazed look.

"What?? Why are you giving me that look as if I had just walked on water or something" Sindhu asked confused.

"Nothing. I just had the thought... I soo have to learn how to run an office from you." He replied.

Sindhu just rolled her eyes.

"Guys I am going out now. And I want the office in one piece when I come back okay. And if anyone comes, just deal with them. And Arvind won't deal with them okay?? You lazy bums will deal with them okay." Sindhu said pointedly.

There was a loud groan but they all nodded anyways and Arvind chuckled.

"But mam... Is it a lunch date??" one staff asked curiously.

Sindhu just shook her head exasperated and turned to leave the office while her staffs hooted and cheered for her. I simply waved a bye to her staffs and followed Sindhu out.

Sindhu gapped seeing my bike.

"You drive a Harley Davis???? Seriously??" she asked. Admiration was evident in her voice.

"Yup", Gautham answered and watched curiously at Sindhu.

"You like her??" He asked when Sindhu just kept staring at his bike... quite creepily too if he can add!

"Of course. She's gorgeous. What's not to like?" Sindhu asked but her eyes still hadn't left his bike.

Gautham chuckled and asked, "Why do I get the feeling that all of a sudden you are having a special liking for me??"

But instead of answering my question, Sindhu asked a question of her own, "When do you need to get back to your office?"

Gautham gave her a slightly confused look but answered anyways, "In an hour I guess... why??"

"Can you take the rest of the day off??", Sindhu asked again surprising him a little but then again he answered her anyways, "I can try..." without putting forth any question.

Her face which always had a smile had something entirely different right the moment. She was giving him the best puppy dog face she can muster. But that was not what caught Gautham... it was her eyes... It showed a degree of hopefulness and a greater degree of desperation. There was no way he can say NO to that face.

"Ugh! That expression should be made illegal!!", Gautham groaned under my breathe and took out my phone to inform my office. There is not much to work anyways, so it was no big deal.

When Gautham put down my phone, Sindhu had a shocked expression. There was a glint in her eyes replacing the desperation. And then she gave me an ear-splitting grin and hurriedly sat behind me on the bike and beckoned him to go already.

Gautham let out a chuckle and started my bike.

"Where to, miss?", he asked trying to sound like a chauffeur. She rolled her eyes and directed him to a Mc Donald's first. They both had their lunch. Sindhu more like gobbled it in 5 mins and kept tapping her hands and legs. It was evident she was extremely impatient. So Gautham just gave up and gobbled his own food. Before he could even swallow his last bite, Sindhu took his hands and dragged him out.

Next stop was actually a MAX outlet.

"Please tell me you didn't ask me to bunk office for a sudden shopping spree?!" Gauatham asked and let out a helpless grumble.

"Gautham, you don't even have to come in, just give me a few minutes okay? I will be back I promise." Sindhu said and rushed inside the shop.

After exactly 10 mins he saw her walking out of the doors... And his jaws dropped.

Gone was the Professional-office going Sindhu. The Sindhu in front of him looked... Wild. She had tight jeans that clung to her skin while her t-shirt had some funky logo on it. On top of her t-shirt she had on a jean jacket. And she was now carrying a very small backpack over her shoulders.

This girl is going to be the death of him!!! Gautham could clearly see all her curves in all the right places. He couldn't take my eyes off her. She crossed the road and reached me.

When she reached near him, he was still gaping at her.

By the time Gautham came out of his trance, she had already reached him and was beckoning him to get down from his bike...

Gautham gave her a confused look but still got down. She shoved the backpack into his arms and mounted the bike. The next second the bike grunted and came to life.