"The bees are humming, the buds are blooming... in every lane, in every street…" Meera was softly singing to herself that evening in the parking lot. Just then, Ajay arrived with his helmet.
"Wow, you're glowing today. What's the secret?" he asked with a smile.
"People say I look good when I'm happy. So I've decided - I'll always be happy." Meera replied, flashing a wide grin.
"And who are these people, if I may ask?" Ajay raised an eyebrow. "Just don't tell me that grumpy boss of yours is one of them."
Meera gave him a side glance, trying to signal him to stop, but Ajay didn't catch it.
"Can I know who we're talking about here - if you don't mind?" another voice chimed in.
"Certainly not you." Ajay replied sharply.
"I was talking to Meera." Swapnil said, walking toward them.
"Yes sir, we were having a personal conversation. Did you need something?" Meera asked politely.
"We have a meeting now. Come with me," Swapnil ordered.
Ajay held Meera's hand to stop her. "Don't you think it's a bit late for a meeting? Taking Meera out at this hour - it doesn't exactly look... appropriate. You get what I'm trying to say, right?"
"Of course I do. But as far as I know, Meera is here to learn. And these meetings are an integral part of her learning process. Now it's up to her - whether she wants to attend or not?" Swapnil said.
Both men looked at Meera.
The result? Meera was now sitting in Swapnil's car, waving goodbye to a confused Ajay.
"What meeting is this, sir? It wasn't on the schedule," she asked.
"There's no meeting. We're going out to eat. I need to talk to you." Swapnil replied, starting the car.
"So, you lie too?" Meera teased.
"Hah... Says the biggest liar sitting right beside me!" Swapnil shot back.
"What lie did I say that you're accusing me like this?" Meera protested.
"You didn't lie, but you didn't tell the truth either. Just now - what were you and Ajay talking about in the parking lot? It was about me, right?"
"Oh, come on, Ajay was just joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?"
"I'm not taking it to heart. What bothered me was that someone was mocking your husband in front of you - and you didn't even feel the need to stop him."
Meera stared at him, surprised. He quickly turned to her, " What? Why are you surprise? Isn't this you want?" He asked but then looking at her quite sad face. He said again. " Listen, I don't want to taunt you.... But I just think… since we're now tied in this unwanted bond, the least we can do is give each other some respect. And ensure others do the same. I don't care what your friend thinks of me - but if you mock me with him, don't you think that's wrong?"
He pulled the car over.
"Fine, I get it. Have we reached now?" Meera asked, staring out the window, her heart pounding.
"No, I stopped because it was hard to explain this while driving. Now we are okey?" Swapnil said, but before he could start the car again, Meera tried adjusting her seat. Her skirt got stuck.
Panicking, she tried to free it but failed.
"Stop moving. What have you done?! You're so clumsy!" Swapnil said, frustrated.
He leaned over from his seat to help untangle her skirt without touching her. Meera stared at him silently.
"Meera, what is this strange feeling? Why does being near him feel... uncomfortable? Or is it nervousness? Did I take this marriage talk too seriously? Or is he really attractive? Was he always attractive and I just didn't notice?" She was talking to herself while looking at Swapnil's face closely.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the car window. A constable peered in with suspicion.
"What's going on here? This car's been parked here for ten minutes. You know this is a public place - kids pass by here. This is not the place for... those things!"
Meera, confused, asked, "What things???"
"The things you two were doing. Should I file a case?" the constable threatened.
Swapnil gave Meera a glare to stay quiet. "We're really sorry, sir. She's my wife. She's unwell - I was just comforting her. We'll leave now." He said while gesturing the constable about Meera's mental state.
Meera hit him with the file in her hand. "Did you just say I'm unwell?"
"Meera, relax. Let me handle this." Swapnil said, grabbing her hand.
"Newlyweds, huh? Go home and explain things there. Don't make a scene in the street. Now move - before my senior shows up."
"Thank you, sir. We're leaving," Swapnil replied, driving off.
"Why did you do that? I wanted to know what he meant by those things!" Meera grumbled.
"Just keep quiet. We'll talk once we reach. Until then, no talking." Swapnil ordered.
Meera sat silently, muttering in her mind: "You're the worst. Totally the worst. I take back every nice thing I said about you today!"
The car stopped in front of a big roadside diner.
"This is a treat - for cooperating with me despite everything that happened." Swapnil said.
Meera's eyes lit up like a child's at their first circus. "This is a dhaba? Seriously?"
"Yes. But if you don't like it, we can - " Swapnil began, but Meera grabbed his hand.
"You're kidding me! I've always wanted to eat at a dhaba! This is my first time. Wow!"
"Wait - you're the daughter of an industrialist and you've never eaten at a dhaba?"
"Dad never allowed it. And I always had bodyguards. So couldn't even bunk college. I only got into your company thanks to Ajay. Now hurry - let's eat before Dad calls."
"Let me treat you to the best cuisine in Mumbai!" he grinned.
They stepped inside.
For Meera, it was the first time she was outside without guards, with someone she had chosen herself. She was enjoying it. For Swapnil, maybe not the first time, but after years, he was laughing and joking freely with a woman.
In the office, he was always the cold and aloof boss. But here - he didn't need that mask.
It was the beginning of a new, unexpected friendship.
---
Sometimes, life brings someone into your world who might not seem "right" for you. But despite that, you keep them in your life - and punish yourself for it. The truth is, maybe that person needs you more than you realize. Maybe they've been waiting for someone just like you. And sometimes, you just have to hold yourself together - for them.
No matter how tangled the path, destiny always finds a way to bring the right people together.