2 days have passed since we last met. I had even saved his number right there and then, in the middle of all the screaming! 

Why hasn’t he called yet?

I check my phone once again. No calls, no messages, no text on WhatsApp...Nothing!

I sigh to myself as I clicked on his WhatsApp profile picture. He was smiling in the photo, eyes closed and leaning into the camera as if he was having the best time of his life.

He looks so cute and innocent. Who would believe this puppy faced guy could make a girl’s heart flutter this much!

Argghhhhhh!

I lock my phone in frustration.

“Why hasn’t he CALLED?!” I ruffle my hair in frustration and put my head on my table like a lazy dog.

I groan as I stand up to put the laptop in its bag, ready to leave office.

“Saanvi... you are leaving?” Prerona, a colleague tapped on my shoulder from behind.

“Hey, hi... yeah, want to reach home before traffic hour starts. What’s up?” I asked barely looking at her.

“Please tell me you are coming tomorrow for Ms. Rita’s retirement party? I don’t want to go alone!” she begged.

I chuckled, “You think I will let go of this fantabulous opportunity? Come on!” I whined. “It is aretirementparty!” I held her by the shoulders.

“Everyone will be at the party, which means no one will expect any work to be done. I can SLEEP- all... day... long!” I shook her by her shoulders.

I made a sad, long face.

She tch-ed and looked away. I tilted my face to meet her gaze. She turned towards me and pushed my hands off her shoulders, “Ihateyou for this!”

My charm worked!

I smile my biggest smile and pounced on her, “And I love you!”

She sighs and taps on my arms that were wrapped around her torso, “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go now before traffic starts.”

“Okie!” I said, letting her go and running away with my bag in hand. “I owe you one!”

Prerona is more like an older sister than a colleague to me. She pampers me and helps me with the work, but she gets REAL mad when I screw up! Once I even started crying because she yelled at me. But she was a real sweetheart, she apologized and helped me complete the work.

Lately I have been working well, so I am off the hooks for most scoldings. I am NOT letting that go to waste! A girl needs her beauty sleep! ... or a night of NETFLIX and constant scrolling, but STILL!

The moment I reach my car, my bag starts vibrating.

Who is calling at this hour?!

I try to fish out the mobile from the bottom of my bag while trying to open my car door simultaneously.

I looked at the caller id - Shaurya.

Oh God! Shaurya is calling! He is finally calling!

I pranced around and hurriedly threw my bag on the car’s bonnet in confusion. I calm myself down with a few quick breaths before picking up the call.

“Hi.” I said in the most neutral way possible.

“Hey, Hi Saanvi. Uhh, Shaurya this side.” I could hear him smiling awkwardly.

I chuckled, “I know, what’s up?”

“I, uhh... wanted to check... if, uhh... you are free... ummm, day after tomorrow?” he mumbled.

“...” I stayed silent, screaming internally.

He is asking me out!!! FINALLY!

“Actually, I just shifted to Delhi, right? I wanted to see this park that’s supposed to be famous...” he started explaining himself, “They say it is a MUST visit in Delhi. Since, uhh... since you have been living here for quite some while, I was hoping you will... umm, show me.. around?”

Awwww, he is so CUTE!!

He is not at all a smooth flirter, but I can make do with him as long as he stays this cute and innocent!

“Sure, I will show you... around.” I giggle to myself, trying to hold in the sound.

“Oh, that’s great! Thanks!” he said excitedly. “I... I will get back to work now.”

“Uh huh, bye.”

“Bye!”

I cut the call and started jumping around, not caring for the pencil heels I was wearing until I stumbled and fell on the car.

“Oww...” I rubbed my arms where it hurt.

My high school crush finally asked me out!!!!!

It may have taken a whole decade but he asked me out! My crush FINALLY asked me out!

I lean on my car for balance as I mentally bless the phone call and the moment we just had.

Ping!

I checked the notification on my phone. It was an email invitation for a client meeting.

But wait! Why is it showing the date of day after tomorrow? That’s the day I am supposed to meet Shaurya!

I quickly open it.

“No no no no!” I stare at my phone screen.

I completely forgot! We had a meeting kept on that day! Only me or a senior manager can attend the meeting! But I have already said yes to Shaurya! But I also have the responsibilities of the job!

“Oh no, oh no, oh no!” I walk back and forth, with my hand on the forehead, thinking what to do.

PRERONA!

Yes! She is a senior manager. In fact, SHE was the one who helped me edit the presentation deck for this client!

I need to ask her to go to the meeting instead of me!

Without another thought, I started running back inside the office building. If I run fast enough, my legs might die but at least I will catch Prerona before she leaves for that evening meeting of hers.

It would anyway be worth running in high, pencil heels and turning a few heads on the way (that is in case I fall)!

5 minutes later,

Huff- puff!

“Pre... Preronaa..” I wheezed, trying to catch my breath as I saw her at a distance.

She turned around only to get shocked, “Geez! What are you doing running all the way here?”

She walked towards me to help me stand properly.

I fell into her arms as soon as she reached me, “I.... (gulp)... I need you to... (gulp) go to that client meeting day after tomorrow! Ple....Please!” I begged her.

"Thatis what you ran for?” she exclaimed, raising her eyebrows at the silliness of my request.

I nodded, finding my balance to stand again.

“Why? Are you not prepared for the presentation? I even helped you edit it!” she crossed her arms.

“No no. I just wantyouto attend it in place of me.” I said, finally getting my breath back.

She looked at me with suspicion. Her squinted eyes looked at me from my head to toe.

I had put my hands together in a very humble-request mode position.

“Hmmmmm!” she gasps, her eyes and mouth opened wide, “You have adate!”she covered her mouth with her hand, taking a step back while pointing at me with her other hand.

I gasped at her reaction.

How... how did she knowwww??!

“Whaat? No!” I said defensively, but I couldn’t help blush a little, “And Oh my Gawd... SHHHhh!” I looked around in case anyone heard.

She scoffed, sat down on a nearby chair and asked, “So? .... Who is this guy? Is he worthy enough for you to skip the presentation that you worked on for an entire month?”

I bit my lips.Should I come clean or should I try to get out of explanation somehow?

I look around, quite a few people. I grabbed her hand and took her somewhere a little more private.

“Yes.” I turned to look at her, “I am. I am going on a date.”

Prerona crossed her arms again giving me a teasing smile, “Mm hmmm?”

“But it is thefirstguy I ever liked...” I whined, “He is thefirstguy I ever had feelings for. He hasfinallyreturned to the country and is asking me out!” I grabbed onto her arm, shaking her to emphasize my desperation.

“Wait... you are talking aboutthatguy?? The one you talked about when we were talking about our high school crushes?” she leaned in.

Oh right! I did tell a vague story about having a crush on my classmate from school to my colleagues. It was a team dinner and we all had been drinking a little too much that day.

I nodded enthusiastically at Prerona, “YESS!!! That’s the guy!”

I started shaking her again, “Will you please - please - pleaseeee attend the meeting on my behalf now? He finally asked me out for day after tomorrow!”

“Damnn! Youreallyare desperate!” she grinned and looked at me. “Okay, I will take care of the meeti....”

“Really?” I looked at her in shock before giving her a tight bear hug, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank youuuuuu!”

“Okay, okay, calm down!” she pushes me off of her, “I will take care of the meetingbut there is a condition.” she pointed her index finger at my face.

“Ohh...” I calmed down, “What is it?”

“You have to attend Mrs. Rita’s retirement party with me tomorrow.” she smiled widely.

Oh! Look at all her teeth showing! She must be so proud to have thought of the condition.

I thought for a few seconds.I really don’t want to attend the boring party but I really don’t have a choice now, do I?

“Okay.. I will attend it with you.” I let her know.

“Really?” she was confused, “I really thought you would have probably asked him to postpone the date or something.”

“Ideally, I would have done that, but he is quite the shy type. I think if I say no, he might not have the courage to ask me out again....” I explained.

“oh...”

“Plus, he has grown to be so much cuter and hotter over the years!!!!” I screamed while holding her hands in mine. “I sooooo want to be on that date ASAP!”

Prerona burst out laughing, “Okay okay, you seem to be in love already! I will take care of the meeting. And you still need to come with me to the retirement party. Do we have a deal?”

“Deal!”

We shook hands like professionals and parted ways.

“Good luck on the date!” she winked at me before turning the corner to go back into the office space.

“Thank you!” I yelled, not sure if she would have even heard me.

Yayayyyy! I am going on a date with Shaurya Mehrotra, my first love!