Prabhu's POV
The time is already 11 PM. I parked my car and got into the lift and pressed #7 to reach my apartment floor. It was a long day in the office. I had to finish the project and also make sure that everything is ready for tomorrow's client meeting. Tomorrow, I have to go earlier to the office and also I need to finish that damn presentation for our new project.
The sound 'ting' from the lift broke my chain of thoughts.
I entered my double bedroom apartment, took a shower and changed into comfortable cotton shorts. I set an alarm on my mobile for the next day to work and opened my WhatsApp. I had 30 texts. 1 Good night from my Amma(Amma means 'Mom' in Tamil) and others from my cousin Janaki and my sister Vidhya.
They are best friends and studying CA(Chartered Accountancy) inter in the same institution. They were so close because they studied in the same school from kindergarten and also related by family.
My parent's 25th wedding anniversary is coming after 2 weeks. Janaki and Vidhya want to get some presents and decorative items for the celebration. They are staying in the hostel and they need me to be their driver and their luggage porter for this weekend. That's why they sent those 30 messages to confirm about the shopping.
I sent them OK and drifted off to sleep within a few minutes.
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I woke up at 5 AM, finished my morning routine and went to the nearby playground for jogging. I came after 30 mins and did exercises for 30 mins.
I called my friend and my Team leader Akash to confirm the time of the new client's meeting. I love cooking but I don't have enough time today to cook. I reached office and completed the presentation and also the reports of the last project and forwarded it to Akash for approval.
The meeting is scheduled after lunch. So I ordered Thalapakati mutton biriyani and chicken fry for lunch
(Biriyani is kind of mixed rice made of spices, rice and meat. It is a popular non-vegetarian food for Indians. And Thalapakati hotel is famous for mouthwatering biriyani in Tamilnadu)
During lunchtime, my colleagues on the next table were speaking of the company's plan of firing some people for certain reasons.
I am wondering what would be the reason for sudden expelling and how those people can manage.
After having a satisfactory lunch, I checked mail for approval from Team leader.
But to my surprise, I was requested to handle the meeting with new clients which is supposed to be done by Akash. Anyway, I successfully finished it and forwarded the report to Akash.
There is something odd happening in the office. Usually, Team leaders will handle those meetings. And the behaviour of Akash is quite different today. He had been acting weird the whole time during the client meeting.
I have to ask him after office time.
So I diverted my concentration on preparing the new project details which have to be shared with our team. When I opened the mail to send it for Akash's approval, I got a new mail from the company's board. My mind rewinds the conversation of my colleagues during lunch.
I was nervous to open it because I joined here only 10 months ago. Usually, newcomers are most likely to be expelled from the Multinational companies. So I am having a second thought to open it. My mind acting against my wish to open the mail. I took a deep breath before deciding what to do.
Prabhu's POVMostly MNCs will mail their employees to inform that they are kicking them out in the formal language. I quickly called Akash to confirm my suspicion."Akash! I got a mail from the company's board. I didn't open it. Do you know anything about it?"Instead of answering my question, he started laughing like a crazy person.After a couple of minutes, he composed himself and spoke."Hey idiot! Just open the mail. I will stay on the line"I opened the mail praying all the gods I could remember and started reading it.I could not believe my own eyes. I started doubting whether I am daydreaming. But the idiot on the line shouted to tell him whether I read it or not.I disconnected the call and ran into his cabin. He started laughing after seeing me. I punched him in his gut for not telling me about this earlier."You should be thanking me, dude! Not punching me. Anyways congratulations for the promotion"Yes
Janaki's POVI am staying in a private hostel, sharing the room with my cousin Vidhya. I have been waking up Vidhu from 6 AM. Now the time is already 7.30 AM. I already did my morning routine and yoga. But my sleepy head cousin is in her own dreamland, blushing in her sleep. I captured a picture of her blushing to use it later to tease her.Do you know? Choosing your best friend who is also related to your family is a very risky choice in life. But I am very happy to choose her. She is trustworthy and she is the type of friend who knows what to tell me to make me feel better at any situation and support me to bring the best in me.Even at the time of some disagreements between our parents, we didn't mind their scolding for going to each other's houses which are practically located in the same street.I and Vidhu have planned to celebrate her parent's anniversary. For that, we are going with Prabhu mama to get necessary things. (Mama is commonly used to ca
Janaki's POVI attended the call from Prabhu mama."Hello mama, How are you? Have you started? Please don't tell any reasons to cancel or postpone the plan. Because we have just 2 weeks for anniversary""I am very fine Janu! And I am not going to cancel or postpone the plan. I already started and on the way. I called Vidhu to tell that we can have breakfast together. No need to eat your hostel food today. And I very well remember the anniversary."I heard him let out the breath held to answer my list of questions."Okay, mama. Fine then. I am ready to go but your little princess is taking bath now. But we will be ready by 9 AM""Okay, Janu! Please don't make me wait longer in front of your hostel.""Haha. Don't pretend like Lord Sriram! You must be enjoying the view. Who knows you might be already here, looking at the girls. Am I right?""Janu! I have better taste. And I am not at all interested in Saturday sleepy faces. I am d
Prabhu's POVAfter speaking to my mama, we are now going to Express Avenue(mall). These girls are a big fan of Adventure films especially Marvel films. I like those movies but not a fan of them.They already booked tickets online for the movie 'Antman and the Wasp'. Thanks to mobile. We have more than 1 hour time for the movie.And these girls planned their menu in the car itself. I went to EA (Express Avenue) a few times before. But these girls are something else.Janu is a master in planning these kinds of things. She scheduled the timetable 'eat and enjoy till night'.As they planned, we went to the food court and ordered dominos pizza and garlic bread and beverages. We discussed the anniversary arrangements while eating. We exactly finished our lunch 10 mins before the movie. And we entered the theater on time. The movie is nice but they two watched the movie without even blinking eyes and also waited till the post credit scene which raised the
Janaki's POVWhen did Vidhu start to have secrets? What is she hiding from me?My emotional side of the brain tells me to confront her. But my Detective side tells me to observe her without her knowledge till I get full details.What shall I do? I decided to dig into the details without her knowledge. From tomorrow onwards 'Detective' Janu must be in full alerts. I silently smiled. My full suspicion is on that jerk, Ajay.Yes, I am calling him a jerk because he is soooooooo mean and arrogant. Once I tried to ask him a doubt in cost accounting as my friends suggested he is great at the subject. But that jerk ignored me with an irritating comment 'I am already busy this month girl! You may try me later. Better luck next time!' I felt annoyed as he winked at me before driving away.My most of my seniors were very nice and always clear our doubts. How dare he think me so cheap? And he called me 'Girl'. What does he think about me? How the hell can he j
Janaki's POVThis should not be happening. Oh my dear God! Why are you always having fun by putting me in embarrassing situations?"Mama! When.. did you.. come?"I gasped as his eyes filled with full of anger.He didn't reply to my question which is evident that he watched the whole thing. He took his mobile and called Vidhu. But it seems her number is busy. He tried again."Wait mama. I will get her"Without glancing back at him I ran to my room.The bomb is now ticking. I have to calm him down. I saw Vidhu speaking on the phone. She and that damn Ajay! Can't she see his brother's call on the second line?"Vidhuu"I shouted her name while entering our room. She almost dropped her phone and placed her hand on chest."Oh Janu, you scared me to the death"I am not in the mood to explain her anything."He came. We have to go"I took my bag and lock and glared at her.She quickly whispered
Prabhu's POVAfter the great dinner, we settled to watch TV. I noticed Janu went out to talk to her parents. Its been 30 minutes and she didn't return. She won't go anywhere without informing us. I want to check her. So without grabbing much attention of others, I walked towards the front gate.There she is, in deep thoughts leaned on the side of the front door facing the street. My mind reminded the morning incident so I decided to tiptoe near her so that I can pull a prank by shouting in her ear. It will be funny to watch her scared face and her reactions.I almost went near her but she suddenly turned and bumped into me. My hand automatically snaked her waist to stop her from falling. She didn't realise that I am holding her because she didn't open her eyes for a couple of minutes. She looks more gorgeous in this dim streetlight. She widened her eyes realising our closeness then she immediately pushed me and rushed inside.I stood there still. What the
Janaki's POVAs there is nothing interesting to do inside my house, we decided to sit at Thinnai. (It is open sit-out built using cement with the support of pillars to the top, usually constructed in front of the house used for resting.)We are watching some songs on YouTube and singing. Practically shouting along, not bothered about our neighbours. I heard my appa bike coming. I jumped from thinnai and stuffed my mobile into Prabhu mama's lap making them jumping a little by my sudden actions. I chuckled a little before running towards the gate and now I'm standing in the middle of the road waving at my parents and smiling at them.Prabhu mama and Akash are leaning at the gate smiling at my action. I ran to hug and kiss them as soon as my appa parked his bike. They laughed before returning my hug and kisses. My appa went to hug Prabhu mama and shook his hand with Akash then invited them both inside."Epdi irukinga mama? Iniku vyabaram epdi pochu?"