Chapter 5
A week had passed since the incident at Max's place. The more I gave the whole thing a thought the more ashamed I felt. I had jumped into bed with a guy without bothering to find out anything about him. I've always been rather opinionated on the topic of cheating and think of people who cheat as nothing more than low life scum. So, it was particularly hard for me to wrap my head around the notion that I had been party to someone else's cheating.
The sole consolation for me was that my boss had dropped an unexpected project in my lap that ended up consuming most of my time thinking up strategies, which meant that my brain was too occupied to dwell on the recent embarrassing turn of events.
It was Friday evening and I was returning home later from work than usual. I was exhausted mentally more than physically thanks to work and I was really looking forward to getting home and having a nice hot shower before heading out to meet up with Saira for dinner.
Saira had recently started dating someone and she asked me to join them for dinner- knowing Saira that most likely meant that the guy had an Indian friend, who she was trying to set me up with.
It was endearing how all my friends thought I needed help with my love life. And to be fair they usually set me up with some pretty nice guys, things just didn't work out that's all.
No chemistry.
That was it, really. But I never thought about it in those terms before.
I entered my building foyer and noticed someone sitting on the floor in one corner- my building doesn't have any seating in the foyer like some of the nicer buildings do. When I saw who it was I tried to duck out the door before he noticed me. But, it was too late.
"Nayana, please don't go." Max called out. "I can understand you're mad at me and ..."
"Mad? You think I'm mad," I cut him off. "I'm not mad. I'm horrified, I'm humiliated, I'm also disappointed with myself but I'm not mad... and certainly not at
you
." I spat the words out.
"I can explain. I didn't want to do this over the phone, which is why I came here in person. I thought that if I gave you some days to cool off..."
"What? That I'd be okay with..."I waved my hands about, "whatever the hell you have going on and that I would help you cheat on your girlfriend?"
"Look, can we please just sit down and talk. I'd like to explain." I was struck by the sincerity in the tone of his voice. I looked at the clock on my phone and noticed that I'd be late if I didn't rush upstairs and shower immediately.
"I can't." I closed my eyes, doing my best to shut him out.
"Nayana, please," he urged.
"No. I seriously can't. I'm supposed to be meeting a friend and I'm going to be late." I said looking at my phone.
"Can I meet you later then?"
"I don't know when I'll be back."
"That's okay," was all Max said before he left.
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After Max left I rushed to my apartment to quickly shower and change before heading out to meet Saira at the restaurant. I didn't know the name of the place as Saira had only forwarded me directions on how to get there. As the cab approached the location I saw her standing with a couple of guys- one of whom looked oddly familiar.
I jumped out of the cab and walked to greet Saira but even before she could introduce me my brain had finally managed to make the connection.
"You're Shrini, from Legal!" I said, excitedly.
The man looked at me and smiled warmly.
"Yes, but I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of learning your name."
"Nayana," I said as I stretched out my hand in a handshake.
"That name is familiar. Don't tell me, wait... Aren't you the one who send that memo to HR notifying them that if the company didn't offer reparation to Ella Demille we could have a potential lawsuit on our hands?"
"Yes. That's me." I answered with pride. I was amazed that Shrini had heard about me. Shrini was short for Shriniwas and he was the head of the legal department in the company I worked for.
Saira grabbed my arm as she walked me into the restaurant, "Isn't this nice, we all seem to already know each other."
"That's almost true," said the other guy in our party as he held out a chair for Saira.
We all laughed at Saira for having forgotten about Christopher. I may have been meeting him for the first time but I had already had enough phone conversations with Saira to know that he was the current love of her life. I admired the way Saira could wear her heart on her sleeve and was unafraid to put herself out there. The best part about her being 'her' was that she lived with no regrets. She introduced me to Christopher who seemed pleasant enough.
Dinner finished went by quickly as the conversation was light and the company engaging. I could see that Christopher was a lot like Saira and appeared to dote on her. They were already at the stage in their relationship where they were comfortable saying they loved each other in public and yet three weeks ago, they hadn't even met. I was happy to see my friend happy but I knew that could never be me, I could never risk my feelings in that manner.
During dinner I found out that Shrini and Christopher had been friends since college and had even lived together for some time as roommates. I also discovered why Shrini was so popular even outside his department at work- he was smart and charming. It didn't hurt that he was a silver haired fox who had one of the warmest smiles I have ever seen. So much more pleasant that a smirk.
Where did that come from?
I ignored the stupid voice in my head and focused instead on my conversation with Shrini. And while I may have not have admitted to it, the truth was that I was making comparisons.
After dinner Shrini offered to drop me home. Saira looked super pleased with herself to see that we had hit it off so well. She mouthed that I owed her one and I nodded in acquiescence.
Shrini was a gentleman the entire way home, unlike a certain someone who had pulled the car over to finger fuck me only to leave me unsatisfied.
Stop that!
I scolded myself.
We were soon walking into the foyer of my building. I turned to thank Shrini for the wonderful evening and drive home.
"Nayana, aren't you going to invite me up for a drink?"
I was a little taken aback by the forwardness of his request, quite a contrast to his behaviour till then. He sensed my misgivings and explained, "I just enjoyed talking to you and I thought perhaps we could spend some more time talking before I went home."
He flashed me a reassuring smile that made me reconsider. I didn't see any harm in inviting him upstairs. Shrini had behaved like a gentleman so far and I had no reason to doubt his intentions.
"Okay. But I'm not much of a drinker so I don't have anything stronger than wine to offer."
We entered the lift and pressed the button for my floor. The closed space of the elevator alerted me to Shrini's eyes appraising my body. I looked at him and smiled and tried to act casual.
The automatic doors slid open on my floor and I exited the elevator fishing for the door keys in my purse. Shrini was walking right behind me. I looked at my door ready to slip the key into the keyhole when I saw him.
"Max!"
"I didn't think you'd have company." Max said sounding annoyed.
"Is this a friend of yours Nayana?" Shrini politely enquired while slipping his hand casually around my waist. I flinched visibly at the gesture but didn't step away.
"No. I mean, yes. This is Max."