My Pleasure: Short Love Story

On a sunny Saturday morning, Vikram woke up way before his usual weekend mornings. Heading straight to the kitchen he switched on the coffee machine, fresh brew immediately filled the room with happy aroma.

Turning to the business newspaper, he hurriedly scanned through the stocks section. Being a wealth management expert at a Multinational Bank, he is well equipped with the financial scores and numbers. The exquisite Manchester United giant wall clock reminded him it’s time to rush.

Today is a special day, in fact, the one he was waiting for all these months. It was yesterday when he was given the confirmed employment offer at the bank. The first thing he decided to do is, invite office friends to celebrate. The real reason for all this extravaganza is something entirely different.

“Vikram! Where the hell you are? We are waiting at the entrance, hurry up man!” Pranjal yelled in irritation over the phone. He is Vikram’s boss cum best buddy, a college senior who referred him for this job a year ago. As expected, he impressed everyone with outstanding performance and winning the confirmation in just a few months’ time.

Hopping inside the car, Vikram asked him to press on the gas hard and go full speed. Their destination is a luxurious club just outside the city outskirts. They reached in an hour’s time braving heavy traffic of the Bangalore roads.

“Nice! This is the right choice to chill before you hit the grind all over again at the office.” Pranjal quipped handing over the bags and car keys to club staff.

“Yep! That’s why we are here, isn’t it?” answered Vikram with his boyish charm and content smile.

“So, what’s the plan? Shall we take a dip before others arrive?” Pranjal asked Vikram looking at the gigantic pool spread across the meadows.

“You carry on, I will check with others where they stuck?” Vikram isn’t here for the pool or view, he has some different plans, the celebration is just an excuse to invite everyone and her.

Sunaina is also coming, an office colleague and friend of Vikram and Pranjal. She is from risk planning and works under Pranjal. A sweet girl-next-door with a million-dollar smile, the reason why Pranjal nicknamed her ‘sunshine’.

She entered the club’s lobby along with her other colleagues, Vikram was at the reception area waiting.

“Hey guys, what took you so long?” he asked looking at Sunaina with curious eyes. She was looking beautiful, radiating sunshine in her omber orange dress. Her hair hanging loose in soft curls, very big hoop earings kissing her cheeks every time she moves her head.

His eyes were still fixed on Sunaina, when she looked up he immediately diverted away to call for room keys.

“Let’s meet in an hour at the pool side, huh, what say everyone?” he asked all four of them but eyes only on her.

“I am not a water baby! You guys carry on, I will rest in the room”, she replied with a sweet lingering smile.

Today I will tell her, there is no point in waiting for the right signs and stuff. That’s all fancy Bollywood drama, I will tell her today evening! Vikram was contemplating his plan, what if she gets mad? What if she doesn’t feel the same way? What this? What that?

“Are you day dreaming?” her soothing voice came from behind.

“Not at all, sorry! I was thinking about something. By the way, you look lovely Su!” he immediately focused all attention on her.

“Thank You! Vikram.” a hint of red blush surfaced itself on her cheeks.

He further added “um… What would you like to do in the evening? Shall I book the lounge or if you prefer to dance?”

“I am fine with anything you decide.” she replied meekly.

Vikram is determined to share his feeling with Sunaina, he was in love with her from the very beginning, but waited till his confirmation to arrive. Such things matter when you are about to commit for life. He already planned about their future together. Love, marriage, family, everything accordingly in a right permutations and combinations.

It was 5 in the evening when his room intercom started ringing. Her sweet voice asked, “Vikram, I am planning to go for coffee, would you care to join?”

Bingo!

He got ready and literally ran to reach her room matching Bolt’s sprint timings. She was wearing a frilled peach dress and her pale skin was shining in sunset hues.

“Shall we?” he asked looking at her lovely face,

She just smiled!

“Vikram! I agreed to your offer because there is a reason why I wanted to meet you.” she admitted in sweet soft voice.

His heart skipped two beats, my offer! she wants to talk! Does she too feels the same?

Settled with their coffee overlooking the pool at the one side and lush green garden on the other. His heart was pounding inside the chest cavity to run and dance wildly.

“This might put you in an awkward situation, but I thought it is best to talk to you personally.” her voice was as low as whispers.

“I know you and Pranjal are college friends, he is our boss and technically saying this isn’t best codes of business ethics. But you have to help me, Vikram, please… I think I am in LOVE with Pranjal.” her declaration of love jolted his life away.

After a screeching dismissal inside his heart, he looked up to meet the warmth of her eyes with the moisture in his – “Sure, this is nothing!”

“Oh! Thank you a million times, Vikram! You are the BEST.”

“My Pleasure.” he replied.

The post is written as part of #A2ZChallenge & #BlogchatterA2Z. To read the previous post, please click here. My theme this year is Short Love Stories.

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Reader discretion is advised.

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