___
The next few weeks were manageable - even charming to Anirudh. The endless spreadsheets and calls became bearable with one look at Sanvi, who had started arriving at the office an hour before her shift started, so she could get more time with Anirudh, who used to stay well past seven in the evening due to work. Mr. Verma would relentlessly add to his work, and then give some of Ajay’s work with full assurance that he has faith in Anirudh’s capacity.
“But I am not an AI algorithm!” Anirudh growled, watching Mr. Verma walk away after yet again dumping another file on his desk late on Thursday evening.
Sanvi chuckled, leaning against the edge of his desk. "Well! Considering your output, Mr. Verma might not be entirely wrong. You work like you’ve been coded for efficiency."
"Right, except my battery’s down to 2%," Anirudh retorted, dramatically dropping his head onto the keyboard with a ‘thunk’ sound. "And no one's plugging in the charger."
"Poor you. Should I get you a coffee or call IT support?" Sanvi asked, tilting her head.
"Neither. Just get Mr. Verma to believe I’m human. That’ll do."
“So, you regret being the last one standing in the office every night, valiantly battling Excel demons so that you can spend time with me?” Sanvi gasped dramatically.
Anirudh lifted his head, “That’s the saving grace, isn’t it? Your mere presence! Otherwise, life has made me a lone warrior, bravely fighting corporate spreadsheets while the world sleeps.”
Sanvi chuckled, "Ah, the hero we didn't ask for but deserve. Except, I think the coffee machine deserves more credit."
Anirudh raised his hands in mock offense, "Hey, that machine and I have a complicated relationship. It gives me caffeine, I forgive its squeaky noises. It's mutual."
Sanvi rolled her eyes, "And yet, it didn't RSVP to our wedding. Rude."
Anirudh mocked offense, "You think it’s bad now? Just wait until the coffee runs out. That’s when the real apocalypse begins."
Sanvi retorted, "Well, I'll make sure to stock up. Besides, I think your true savior is the vending machine. Late-night chips are a personality trait now."
“Err, what’s that mean?” Vivek asked, dramatically popping his head into the cubicle. “RSVP.”
“RSVP means 'Please respond'. Unlike you, Vivek.” Sanvi rolled her eyes.
“Fair enough, I don’t have time to attend weddings! Promotions don't just happen, you know. I spent my coffee break networking with the water cooler. Strategic positioning!”
Sanvi rolled her eyes and smirked, "Ah, of course. Did the water cooler offer any career advice?"
Vivek looked straight into her eyes and said, "It said I should stay hydrated. Corporate wisdom!"
Vivek straightened up and left as if he had just been elected Mayor. Sanvi shook her head while Anirudh busied himself with the Excel sheets.
It had now been 70 days since Anirudh had seen Sanvi for the first time. He was grateful that he and Sanvi had bonded so well without much drama, and now, they had already introduced their parents. Very few people in the office were invited, most notably, Ajay, Pranaya, two of Sanvi’s close friends, and Mr. Verma.
When Anirudh walked into the office on Friday morning, the office felt different. The hum of printers, the clacking of keyboards, the usual buzz of the corporate machine seemed a little softer. Ajay was back, and with his presence came the realization of just how terribly Anirudh had missed him. Ajay had been gone for what felt like forever. Days had blended into one long blur of spreadsheets and late-night calls.
"Look who’s back from the land of hospitals," Anirudh teased, offering his best smirk as he looked up from his screen.
Ajay chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You look like you could use a break, my friend.”
Anirudh shrugged, but his heart lifted just a little. "You have no idea."
Anirudh set the files down on Ajay's desk. "Here, take these back. Mr. Verma can shove your work somewhere else for a change."
Ajay chuckled as he put the files away.
Anirudh heaved a sigh of relief. “I swear, I’ve aged a decade in the past few weeks. But, you know, it’s good to have you back.”
Ajay grinned, clearly happy to see his friend looking a little less drained. "I heard about all the overtime you’ve been pulling. You and those spreadsheets are becoming legends. You deserve a medal."
Anirudh rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. "Yeah, right after I get a coffee refill."
The rest of the morning brought out the cheerful side of Anirudh, as he began joking with Ajay during work. Ajay slipped back into the rhythm of the office like he’d never left. Just as the clock struck one, Sanvi entered the office, as usual, an hour before her shift, like she had been doing over the last few weeks.
Expecting to see only Anirudh, she got a pleasant surprise, "Ah, back to the Excel demon slayer and the coffee addict," she teased.
Anirudh raised an eyebrow, his tone playful. "Don’t forget the vending machine aficionado. Late-night chips are an art form."
Sanvi smiled, eyes twinkling. "Well, I’m glad to see you two back in action. Just in time for the weekend."
Ajay paused, catching Sanvi's glance. "You guys must be excited for the wedding. When’s the big day again?"
Anirudh and Sanvi exchanged a quick smile.
“We’re finalizing everything this weekend!” Sanvi replied. “It feels so real now. Can’t wait to have you there, Ajay.”
Ajay looked touched, a little quieter now. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. I think it'll be the best part of this year."
Anirudh and Sanvi beamed at him. He smiled back and returned to work.
Samvi took Anirudh's hand in hers and asked softly, "It feels different now, doesn’t it?"
Anirudh couldn’t help but notice how the weight on his shoulders seemed lighter. He wasn’t alone anymore. He whispered, “Yeah. It does. I think... we’re almost there. Together, we’re almost there.”
Sanvi smiled, squeezing his hand. “We’re ready for everything, Anirudh.”
At tea time, Anirudh and Sanvi found Anirudh's mother at the front gate of the office. She was a tall, thin lady, with half-moon spectacles. She wore a crisp saree and a warm smile.
"Mum!" Anirudh grinned. He turned to Sanvi "I had told my parents the way to the office this morning."
"I have also told my parents the way... To your flat." Sanvi chuckled.
"So, this is Sanvi, huh? My son is a little careless, ma. Take care of him." Mrs. Vinitha teased.
Sanvi chuckled, "Sure, aunty!"
"What is this 'aunty' business? You can also call me 'ma', okay?" Mrs. Vinitha said. "Anirudh, someone called Chikka Arasu called at your flat today, but you were at the office. He was tall and muscular. I told Mr. Chikka Arasu that you weren't home."
"Dad is here?" Sanvi asked in surprise. "He said he would come tonight!"
"Oh, that was your father? I think he is at your flat, ma!" Mrs. Vinitha said apologetically. "I will ask Ani's father to contact him right away."
"It's okay, Ma. Please sit down. I will talk to Dad. I'll ask him and Mum to come over to Ani's flat this evening." Sanvi said.
"That's so sweet of you, ma. Ani has chosen well!" Mrs. Vinitha raised her palms in blessing. Anirudh and Sanvi blushed.
"Ani, where are you, man?" A voice called out just then.
"Uh, here, Ajay!" Anirudh called out. "This is Ajay, Mum, my best friend."
"Hello, Ajay!" Mrs. Vinitha greeted.
"Hello, aunty, Ani here has the knack of vanishing into thin air. Gotta keep him grounded!" Ajay winked at Anirudh. Sanvi chuckled appreciatively.
"Of course, dear!" Mrs. Vinitha laughed playfully.
"So, you guys will be discussing the wedding arrangements tonight?" Ajay asked. "I'll show up tomorrow at your flat, Ani. I want all the details."
"You will be expected!" Anirudh grinned. "Not just to show up, but to actively help!"
"Fair!" Ajay chuckled as Sanvi joined Mrs. Vinitha in laughing.
As six o'clock approached, Anirudh took Sanvi's hand and kissed it, "See you soon. I'll come over at eleven to pick you up."
"Sure! I love you, Ani!" Sanvi breathed.
"I love you... Three!" Anirudh winked and chukled. Sanvi playfully hit his arm with a chuckle, "See you, then!"
___
Footnotes:
Chapter Eight.
___
To Be Continued in Chapter Ten.
Written By Tharun Kumar S
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