Sameer's casual remarks had slowly started shifting something in Swapnil. He wasn't sure what it was, but he was beginning to see Meera differently.
The very next morning, another unexpected moment occurred.
At the company parking lot, Swapnil stepped out of his car just as Meera arrived on the back of Ajay's bike. Swapnil glanced at them with visible anger, said nothing, and walked off. Meera and Ajay looked at each other, confused by his sudden hostility.
Without stopping anywhere, Swapnil went straight to his cabin and waited impatiently for Sameer to arrive.
As Sameer walked in, Swapnil snapped.
"Did you have to be late today?"
"You really need to learn some manners," Sameer said casually. "People say 'Good morning' - not what you just growled."
"I'll say good morning when the morning is actually good. Today's is already ruined."
"What happened? Why are you so grumpy this early?"
"I saw them."
"Who?"
"Meera. And Ajay."
Sameer raised his brows. "Ohhh… So, Meera's no longer available. That's why you're upset?"
"Just shut up. I don't like this kind of thing in the office. You're going to call Meera here right now and ask her to explain."
"Wait, why me? Give me a solid reason."
"Because Ajay is from your department, so you're responsible for your people."
"By that logic, I should talk to Ajay, not Meera."
"I trust Meera more. And you were the one who transferred her to my department - so she's your responsibility too. Quiet now, I'm calling her."
Swapnil dialed her number.
As usual, Meera entered the cabin without knocking.
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Swapnil snapped. "Knock before entering someone's cabin!"
"You just called me," Meera replied, surprised. "And the door was open, so I came in."
"Just because the door is open doesn't mean I'm not busy. Got it? Always knock. And by the way, Sameer called you, not me."
Meera turned to leave.
"Where are you going now?" Swapnil demanded.
"I'm going back to knock, since apparently I'm not allowed to walk in," she said sarcastically.
Sameer stepped in calmly. "It's okay, Meera. Let it go this time. Just remember for next time, alright?"
"Okay, sir," Meera nodded and turned again to leave.
Swapnil gave Sameer a quick gesture to stop her.
"Meera, wait."
"Yes, sir?"
"I heard something in the office today and thought I should ask you. I know you won't mind being honest with me. Whatever it is, say it freely, without hesitation. Okay?"
Saying this, Sameer glanced at Swapnil again.
"Yes, sir. Please ask."
Swapnil pretended to stay focused on work, but he was clearly listening.
"Did you know anyone before joining this office?" Sameer asked.
"Yes, sir. Ajay Singh is my childhood friend."
"Just a friend? Or… more than that?" Sameer tried to be subtle.
"Oh, apart from being a friend, he's a really nice guy. He cooks well. Drives a bit fast though…"
"And… anything else?" Sameer prodded.
Meera frowned, thinking. "What do you mean 'anything else'?"
Sameer turned to Swapnil. "She's asking what 'apart from' means. Care to explain?"
Swapnil, now calm, answered, "Meera, Sameer sir is trying to ask… does Ajay love you?"
Before he could even finish, Meera blurted out, "Ajay loves me. But he can't. What would I tell Aarti? That I couldn't even manage my own friend, and now I'm entering his life as the other woman?"
She began to cry.
Sameer and Swapnil looked at each other. "The other woman?" they said in unison.
"Please, Meera," Sameer said gently. "Don't misunderstand what we were asking."
"Wait a minute - who's Aarti?" Swapnil asked.
"Aarti is Ajay's fiancée. They're getting married."
Swapnil sighed in relief. "Then why are you crying?"
"Because Ajay doesn't love Aarti anymore," Meera said between sobs. "All men are the same. Cheaters. I've seen enough movies to know how this ends."
"Just shut up," Swapnil snapped. "Who told you Ajay doesn't love Aarti?"
"You did. Just now."
"What nonsense? When?"
"You said Ajay loves me. That means he doesn't love Aarti anymore."
Swapnil pressed his hand to his forehead. "I asked you if he loves you. I didn't say it."
"We don't even know what's going on," he added. "Just tell us - do you have a boyfriend here? Any romantic relationship?"
Sameer stepped in. "Swapnil, I think you're going too far now. She works with you. You're not her owner."
Meera stopped crying, lifted her head, and said, "Oh, so you were just fishing for gossip? You scared me for no reason!"
She checked her makeup in her phone's front camera.
Swapnil leaned into Sameer and whispered, "See? A moment ago, she was crying like I abused her. Now look - more worried about her eyeliner. I told you, she's not easy to handle."
They both glanced at her.
Meera caught them looking. "Sorry, I was just checking my face."
"No problem. When you're done, just answer the question," Swapnil said.
"I don't have a boyfriend here." Meera answered. "I never had one. No one dares get close because of my dad."
"Oh? Why's that?" Sameer asked, intrigued.
"Well… back in school, in sixth grade, a boy tried to propose to me by writing his name on my pencil. After that day, no one ever saw him or his family again. People said my dad was behind it. No one's approached me since."
Sameer grinned. "Mr. Patel is a very good father."
Swapnil added, "Now that your love story's done, go get some work done. We have a meeting."
"Aren't you curious about office affairs anymore? I haven't even shown you Aarti's photo."
"Not interested. I'll see her when the wedding happens. Enough."
Meera left the cabin. Sameer burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Swapnil frowned.
"You heard what happens to people who follow her, right? And you still talk to her like that? Have some decency."
"Others say I already talk too nicely," Swapnil muttered. "And if it comes to her dad, I'll handle him."
Sameer walked out, still laughing. Swapnil finally felt more relaxed. The rest of the day passed in meetings and work.
Evening Encounter
Around 7 PM, Meera walked out of the restroom, dressed in a gorgeous velvet red saree. At the elevator, she ran into Swapnil. He stared at her, briefly stunned. Her fair skin, perfect figure, that red saree - she looked like a dream.
"Boss? Did you forget something?" she asked, noticing his gaze.
He snapped back. "No… just surprised. You look… different today."
"You mean something's wrong? Don't I look okay? Is my makeup bad?"
"No, I mean 'different' in a good way. You look beautiful."
"Well, of course I do," Meera said playfully. "You're looking good too. Off to a wedding?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"I'm going too. My friend's wedding. We all decided to wear sarees. And guess what - "
"The lift's here. You are coming?" he cut in.
She nodded, and they stepped in.
Her phone buzzed again and again.
"Your friends didn't wait?"
"They were going to, but I told them to go ahead. I'll wait for a cab."
"I can drop you."
"You'll get late."
"It's fine. Standing around here dressed like this at night isn't the safest."
She agreed and walked with him to his car.
"Where to?" he asked.
"Pioneer Hall, Bandra."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Now you have a problem with the venue too?" Meera teased. "You really are a difficult man."
"I'm not mad. I'm just wondering - my brother booked the same hall. How can your friend be getting married there too?"
They both paused.
"What if… they're getting married at the same wedding?" Meera grinned. "Then you'll get to drop me again tonight too!"
Swapnil gave her a side glance. "Do I look like your driver? Don't get your hopes up."
Just then, his phone rang. It was Sameer.
He gestured to Meera to answer.
Before he could say anything, she picked it up and placed it to her ear. "Hello sir, Meera here. Sir's driving. If you'd like to leave a message, I can pass it on."
Sameer chuckled. "I was going to say something but now I forgot. Just ask him to call me later. Thanks, enjoy your evening. Bye Meera."
"Bye, boss," Meera said, hanging up. Before Swapnil could say anything, she added, "He said he forgot why he called and that you should call him once you're free."
"Why didn't you put the call on speaker?" Swapnil asked, irritated. "Do you have any idea how much I'll have to explain tomorrow because of you?"
Meera looked confused. "Why do you always try to scare me? It's against the rules to talk on the phone while driving. I saved you from breaking the law. You were putting both our lives at risk. Would you have been happy if a beautiful girl got hurt because of you?"
Swapnil pulled the car over and parked it on the side of the road. He turned and leaned toward her, lowering his voice as he spoke near her ear.
"You know when you look the most beautiful?"
Meera slowly shook her head.
"When you shut your mouth and sit quietly."
Saying this, he restarted the car and focused on the road ahead.
Meera, now fuming, didn't say a word the rest of the ride - but kept silently glaring at him the entire way.
(Two Worlds Collide
Two people - so completely different from each other. One, untouched by the world; the other, deeply disillusioned by it.
Both carrying dreams, holding onto their idea of happiness...
Will these two ever truly find each other?
Or will be incomplete and always remain incompleted?)