One Shift Too Far - Chapter Eight

If you haven't read the seventh chapter, check it out here.

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The wail of the ambulance siren still echoed in Anirudh's ears. The world around him had blurred into muffled voices and hurried movements. Ajay was quickly taken into the vehicle, and a paramedic shouted updates that Anirudh barely registered. Sanvi’s hand remained tightly clasped in his, anchoring him.

“He’ll be okay,” she whispered, her thumb rubbing his.

Anirudh nodded, his jaw clenched.

The rest of the team huddled near the bus, murmuring nervously. Mr. Verma paced, furiously trying to reach the nearest hospital on the phone

“We should follow the ambulance,” Anirudh said, his voice low but firm.

“Of course,” Sanvi agreed without hesitation.

Minutes later, they were in the ambulance, speeding down the highway. They’d taken their bags from the bus and let the others return. The air inside the ambulance was thick with tension. Anirudh’s leg bounced uncontrollably.

“He’s strong,” Sanvi reassured him. “He’s going to fight through this.”

“I should’ve been more attentive,” Anirudh muttered. “We were so distracted. I didn't even notice…!”

Sanvi shook her head firmly. “This wasn’t your fault, Ani.”

Anirudh exhaled sharply, not convinced but grateful for her words.

The hospital lobby was a blur of white walls, hurried footsteps, and antiseptic air. After what felt like an eternity, a doctor emerged.

“He’s stable for now,” the doctor announced. “It was a head injury, but thankfully, no internal bleeding. He’ll need rest and observation, but he’s conscious.”

Relief washed over Anirudh like a wave. He slumped into the nearest chair, his face buried in his hands.

“Can we see him?” Sanvi asked softly.

The doctor nodded.

“Come,” Sanvi urged, gently squeezing Anirudh’s shoulder.

Ajay's room was dimly lit. They could only hear the steady beeping of monitors. His head was bandaged, and there was a noticeable bruise on his forehead. But despite the discomfort, he cracked a weak smile when he saw Anirudh.

“Told you… It wouldn’t take something so boring to take me out. A speeding truck? Pft!” Ajay croaked.

Anirudh barked a laugh, though tears stung his eyes. “Only you would make a grand performance out of a hospital trip.

“Was it cinematic?” Ajay chuckled.

“Ten out of ten, would recommend the near-death experience,” Anirudh said. “Just get better, okay?”

Ajay’s smile faltered slightly as he gave a faint nod.

“Sleep well, Ajay,” Sanvi said gently, pulling up the covers to Ajay’s chest and taking Anirudh’s hand.

“I had a couple of presentations…!” Ajay muttered.

“...which is no important than your health, Ajay!” Anirudh said firmly, as Sanvi led him out. Ajay nodded.

APAC shift on one side, and Europe shift on the other.

It was true. Monday morning found a sleep deprived Anirudh staring at Mr. Verma as he put a couple of extra files upon his desk.

“Ajay’s work. Don’t worry, just for a few days! It’s a breeze, really!” Mr. Verma attempted a laugh and patted Anirudh’s shoulder. He sighed.

Anirudh’s Monday went by in a blur of reports, client calls, and damage control. Not even the tea break cheered him up. Sanvi had to personally drop by to give him his copies of the photos of the trip, including those of her and Anirudh.

He stared at the photos, thinking of yesterday. He had planned on receiving these photos while enjoying his tea break with Sanvi, not burdened with Ajay’s work as Ajay battled for life in a hospital.

“How’s it coming?” Sanvi asked, distracting him from his thoughts.

Anirudh shook his head, “The Europe team has questions. The APAC team has problems. And I have regrets!”

Sanvi sighed.

“I see him sitting on his chair whenever I look up, Sanvi. Sitting there like he owns the world. And guess what Ajay said?”

Anirudh pulled out his phone and read out Ajay’s message - the first message since before the accident - “Hospital food tastes like betrayal. I miss my chair. Tell it I love it!”

Sanvi chuckled. Anirudh looked up at her, his spirits somehow lifted.

“Classic Ajay! Come on, Ani, he wouldn’t want you sulking! Look at these photos!” She said. Anirudh’s mind drifted back to that day when Sanvi had worked 16 hours straight throughout the night, and Anirudh had forced her to take a break, have some coffee, and go home to rest.

When Anirudh finally stepped onto the balcony, he knew what he had missed all day - precious sunlight and wind! Sanvi handed him his tea while sipping hers.

“Thanks!” He muttered.

One of the photos flashed in his mind. Anirudh stood with his arm around a laughing Sanvi, probably taken by Ajay. A second photo featured in his mind - he was enjoying a mocktail with Ajay. Ajay looked so young and wholesome, unlike his battered and bruised image from the hospital that crept up again for the fortieth time that day.

Soon, it was six-thirty. Usually, the time Anirudh would have left the office, except if he was working late. Just as he banged away at spreadsheets, Sanvi breezed through the room, her laughter echoing softly. She was busy, and completely missed the effect she had on a suddenly breathless Anirudh.

As the clock struck seven, Anirudh looked up and rubbed his tired eyes. His eyes met Sanvi’s through the glass separating the Europe and APAC teams. They both sat far from each other, and yet he could feel something charging within. She smiled gracefully and approached him, pausing only to get two cups of coffee.

"Still alive?" she teased, putting his cup down and leaning against the cubicle wall.

"Barely." Anirudh sighed.

Sanvi sighed and sipped her coffee. The slurping sound awoke the beast inside Anirudh, who swallowed nervously.

He took his cup of coffee and stared.

"Figured you’d need it. Now drink it up." Sanvi said, a knowing smile on her lips.

Anirudh drank his coffee, sneaking glances at how Sanvi parted her lips slightly to drink her beverage. Strands of hair cascaded down her face onto her hands when she raised the cup to drink.

The fluorescent lights buzzed softly above. Anirudh absentmindedly tapped a pen against the table.

Sanvi glanced at him. "You ever think we live here more than we do at home?" she mused, her voice soft.

"At this point, my desk has more memories than my apartment," Anirudh whispered, afraid his racing heart would give him away.

She gave the familiar gentle laugh.

As she set her cup down, Anirudh grasped her hand. Her eyes widened.

“Ani?” She whispered.

He tried to mask the tremble in his hands. The lump in her throat refused to go unnoticed, forcing her into a visible, hesitant swallow as her eyes darted away.

Anirudh stood up slowly, her eyes following his. Anirudh muttered, “Thanks!” for the second time that day.

His shivering hand flew up to brush a strand of hair from her eyes as he gazed into those chocolate-brown eyes. Her lips had slightly parted, and she made no attempts to break contact.

He leaned forward, his forehead against hers, his voice uncharacteristically deeper, “Sanvi!”

She shuddered against him, as she whispered back, “Ani!”

The last dregs of the coffee had gone cold. All Anirudh knew was the continuous laughter of Sanvi’s echoing in his mind.

Anirudh bent lower, eyes closing to savour the moment. Sanvi’s breath hitched, and she leaned into him, her eyes shut. Their bodies were pressed against the cubicle wall, their hearts beating with anticipation.

“ANIRUDH!” A sudden, sharp voice cut through the tension like a knife. “SANVI!”

Anirudh and Sanvi broke apart and stared. Anirudh’s hand involuntarily twitched, leading to the discarded cups falling on the carpet. Sanvi lost her footing but clutched the top of the cubicle for support.

Vivek, one of the Europe shift guys was walking towards them with purpose.

“Oh, shit!” Anirudh muttered, convinced this was the end of his time in OliveHeron.

Sanvi leaned into him, eyes wide open.

Vivek approached them and declared with a smirk, “Mr. Verma’s orders! I’ll be handling Ajay’s tasks for the late shift. You’re free to head home, Anirudh.”

“Eh?” Sanvi asked.

“Oh?” Anirudh said.

“Yes, you will handle Ajay’s work during your regular shift. After six, I will handle Ajay’s work. He will wrap up his work once he comes to the office!” Vivek said enthusiastically.

“Well, then, Anirudh. You go and rest!” Sanvi said, clearing her throat.

“I told Verma it’s time I step up. Contribute! He said I was... what's the word... 'reliable.'” Vivek put his chest ahead like he had solved world hunger.

Anirudh arched an eyebrow. "He also said you once requested a five-day leave to recover from a 'traumatic spreadsheet malfunction.'"

"Exactly! And I grew from it!" Vivek shot back without missing a beat. "Adversity breeds leadership!"

Sanvi snorted, quickly masking it with a cough.

"But hey," Vivek continued, leaning in conspiratorially. "Since I’m handling Ajay’s work, and you can go home, I’ve got a head start on that promotion. You're welcome!"

Speechless at Vivek’s audacity, Anirudh wordlessly cleared his desk and collected his bag.

As he straightened, his eyes met Sanvi’s. She stared back at him, holding something.

“WHAT?” Vivek demanded impatiently.

“Umm? Yeah, no, Anirudh forgot to collect the trip’s photos!” Sanvi said, handing over Anirudh’s copy of the photos. Anirudh clasped and held Sanvi’s fingers for a second longer than necessary

“Thanks for the… coffee!” Anirudh whispered before hurrying to the exit, where he paused and turned.

Sanvi stood fumbling with a strand of her hair. Vivek's eyes were distant, with a smirk on his lips.

Anirudh took his chance, “Goodnight, Sanvi.”

"Careful, Anirudh. Next time, someone might catch us." Sanvi breathed, "Goodnight, Ani!"

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Footnotes:

Chapter Seven.

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To Be Continued in Chapter Nine.

Written By Tharun Kumar S