We hadn't complained. Abeer had been unsure. Maya had threatened to defame him, and if not delicately handled, the matter would go out of hand and definitely in Maya's favor. I didn't know delicacy, but I sure knew to read between lines. I read between Abeer's hesitancy. Going to the authorities meant trusting your luck way more than we could afford. Abeer had grudgingly suggested to wait a tad longer and formulate a feasible plan before doing anything. I had agreed just as begrudgingly. But that didn't mean I was happy where we were. I wasn't really keen on letting Maya be anywhere near him and make him more miserable than he already was.

I was waiting for the good news to flood in my very moody and anxiety filled days when it finally arrived next week. I was working in my cabin on a Wednesday morning when I heard an impatient knock.

"Come -" I was interrupted by a squeal. "Natasha, what are you doing?" I asked her, shocked. She had barged into my cabin, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Did you hear the news?" She whispered scandalously.

"What news?" I sighed as I opened the file I had shut previously. Natasha was a gossip queen, if it wasn't as plain as day already. While gossip was something I did indulge in, office hours weren't exactly ideal for those. But Natasha had other plans today. She took the file from my desk and shut it, plopping herself down on the nearby chair.

"Aashi, it's big news! Maya got transferred!" Natasha squealed again, clapping her hands in glee. That got my attention.

"Transferred? When?" I questioned her.

"Yesterday. When she didn't show up today morning, we rang her. Her cell phone was switched off, and when we went to her desk, all her stuff was gone! You can imagine our shock at that! We went to check with the HR, and he informed us that she was transferred to another branch. Seriously!" She gesticulated, her arms flying.

"And that isn't even the MAIN story!" She lowered her voice, her tone scandalous. "The HR's assistant told us why she was transferred in such a hurried fashion. Apparently Miss Spidery-long-legs -"

Oh, I just love Natasha!

"- had been harassing Mr. Sen. You know, the hunk. He even showed us the proof! Like seriously, could the witch be anymore of a witch?" If it weren't for Natasha, I would've had a pretty good minute dancing around the cabin.

But Natasha wasn't finished. "The HR Head was pretty tight-lipped about the entire situation. Like, you know, the poor boy was so much into our pretty receptionist. But his assistant was of much help. He showed us everything. That witch had sent Abeer sir lipstick-kissed documents! Can you imagine that?" She exclaimed and slouched on the chair, huffing out loud.

I knew the grin on my face wasn't gonna go anytime soon. I couldn't imagine the relief Abeer must be experiencing right now. Natasha soon left my cabin, way too excited to wait for a reply from me.

I picked up my phone, ready to type in a message to Abeer, when I paused. It didn't feel right to wish him via text. I was itching to meet Abeer, and...do nothing. I didn't know what to say to him. I didn't know what to do with him. Just...shake hands? Pat his back? Wish him? But it isn't like it is his birthday.

When is his birthday, though? I shook my head, willing myself to focus.

It was a mess. But I wasn't as concerned about it as I should be. My focus was to see him. Smile. Be relieved.

And why was that necessary! Goddammit!

I sat cooped up in my cabin till lunch time. It was unlike me, but I was determined not to leave my haven until it was time. I was being patient. What has the world come to?

I got out of my cabin at 1 PM sharp with my lunch box in hand and made my way towards the cafeteria. I rarely had my lunch with others, but today wasn't an ordinary day. As soon as I stepped in, my eyes flew to the table in the extreme end of the room. Abeer. I walked towards the table, my eyes not leaving Abeer's bulky form. His back was facing me, so he wasn't able to see me as I approached him.

"Oh! Aashi, what a surprise!" I looked to find Neel (yes, my aunt's choice for me) seated across Abeer.

I internally groaned. Why didn't I see him? But the damage was done. I was there, and I couldn't just turn back and run the hell away from there. While I was busy cursing my luck, someone looked up from his lunch to me.

His face held a beatific smile as he acknowledged my presence. I noticed how his posture was less tense, more relieved. He was back to his calm, crisp self, making me smile widely. I sat down in the chair beside him, my eyes holding his.

"Thank you," he murmured with a smile as Neel got up to get his lunch.

"Why thank me, what did I do?" I asked, batting my eyes innocently. Abeer looked at me with disbelief, but shook his head and went to his lunch with a smile on his face. My insides fluttered with excitement.

"The HR department finally proved their worth, didn't they?" I remarked, shifting my focus to my lunch box.

"Yes they did. With extra efficiency, to be honest. We hadn't complained, and yet, somehow, they found a CCTV footage of Maya cornering me and also of the morning in the storeroom. They also enquired with me if I had other proof to cement this claim, which was a bit out of the blue, but nevertheless, I did show them the papers. Way too efficient, don't you think?" Abeer mused, eyeing me with a knowing glint in his eyes.

I leaned back in the chair, a half smirk playing on my lips. "As I said, efficiency at its peak," I shrugged innocently, playing along. He shook his head and chuckled. I grinned, picking a chip from his plate and munching on it.

"Why do you buy lunch from here? You don't know how to cook?" I asked as I opened the lid of my box.

He shook his head. "I do, it's just terribly boring to cook for one in the morning. But you have something today," he stated as he looked into my box. Aloo paratha. My favorite.

"Wanna try?" I asked, pushing my tiffin towards him. He left his chicken sandwich and took a piece.

"What do I have it with?"

"Arre, have it with your ketchup. It tastes good that way," I explained, tearing a satchel of tomato ketchup for myself.

By that time Neel had come with his lunch plate, Natasha hot on his heels. "Would you mind if I sit here?" Natasha asked meekly. I knew it wasn't a question for Neel or me, because if it had been just us, she would have plopped down uninvited. Abeer smiled and gestured to her to take a seat.

"The entire office is ablaze with Maya's news. Like seriously, that's what everyone has been - Oh, I'm sorry sir!" Natasha exclaimed, looking sheepishly apologetic.

"No, it's alright. No need to apologize. And please, call me Abeer," he smiled at her as she visibly relaxed. Why does he go around telling everyone that! Jealous? A voice came from deep within which I kicked back to it's original place.

"Its seriously shocking, I mean, Maya! Everyone has been talking about it since morning. It's a terrible thing to do! It's a big victory for you si...Abeer," she quickly corrected herself.

Abeer simply smiled, his hands reaching into my tiffin box for another bite. I didn't say anything for either of them, choosing silence for the very first time in my life.

"I can't imagine Maya did that with you. I mean she could have anyone. She is so hot. With that perfect little nose, seductive smile, dark eyes and those perfect, voluptuous curves, it's almost a sin to look like that!" Neel said dreamily, not acknowledging the fact that his forever lust-crush Maya was a total creep. He would trade anything to be in Abeer's place. My matchmaker aunt had to be shown this.

Natasha and I flashed him disgusted looks while Abeer was busy stealing my parathas. I never, ever liked sharing my favorite food. But today seemed exceptional in many ways.

"What?" Neel asked.

Natasha ignored him and said, "Guys we need to celebrate this. Let's have a house party at my place this Friday. It will be a lot of fun!"

"Done!" said Neel. I rolled my eyes, unsurprised at the person's hypocrisy. Abeer and I also gave our confirmation. It was truly something that had to be celebrated.

Natasha and Neel got up early to complete some work they had pending as Abeer and I continued eating my parathas. We both ate in silence.

"You like them?" I finally asked as we both got up to head for work.

"When are you bringing them again?" He asked, cleaning his hands with his napkin.

"Well, they do take a lot of time to make in the morning..." I trailed off, raising my eyebrows.

"Then what will I have to do for you to invite me to dinner someday and make that for me?"

My eyes widened with surprise. Him liking my parathas was fine, but to this extent was jarring.

Or is it just about parathas?

"Ahem...yeah...anytime you like. Yeah..." I said, trying my best to hide my nervousness.

He smiled, slipping into his coat and striding out of the cafeteria, leaving my insides fluttering with excitement.

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For our readers:

Aloo Parathas - Basically they are stuffed flat breads filled with a spicy potato filling. A very famous snack from North India.

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