“Hi Tarun. How’s it going on?”
“So far, so good, Sir.”
“Okay. Hope the new associate Sonia is ready to hit the floor by now?”
“Yes sir, she’s a fast learner. I mean a bit of client interactions and
she would be ready to face the clients.”
“Sounds good,” Boss said, “You can now focus on the client acquisition
and take Sonia along for a few visits, if required. But keep in mind, I want
quick results.”
“Right, sir.” Tarun said and asked Sonia to come to his desk.
“Come Sonia, have a seat.” He asked her.
“Yes Tarun, what did boss say? I hope everything’s fine.”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. But boss wants quick results. So, he feels
that I shall take you along with me for client visits.” Tarun informed while
his eyes on her for the entire time.
“I don’t have any problem as such. But I haven’t got any briefing on
what to speak in front of clients,” Sonia informed.
“Don’t worry madam, I am there to talk to the clients. You have to just
be with me,” Tarun had a confident smile on his face.
“That’s fine then. I have one task at hand given by Sandeep, after that
I am ready for client interaction,”
“Ok then, do let me know when you can be ready at the earliest, so that
I can schedule the client meetings.”
“Sure. It won’t be more than a couple of days.” Sonia seemed quite
confident.
Next few days, Tarun and Sonia combed Bangalore together for client
visits. During these visits, Tarun came closer to Sonia, close enough to call
Sonia by her nick name, Sonu.
However, their intimacy became a subject of discussion
in office during the breaks.
One fine day, Boss’ secretary Gauri called Sonia in
her cabin,
“See Sonia, I don’t know what’s brewing between you
and Tarun, but I am cautioning you to shield your image in office. And I am not
telling this to you as your senior, but as your elder sister.”
“Thanks a lot for your concern Gauri Madam, but there
is nothing between us.” Sonia was on defensive mode.
“I don’t want to know if there is anything or nothing.
But for a woman her image is everything. I want you to make sure that you do
not become the subject of office gossip or loose talks.” Gauri warned.
“Sure ma’am. I will definitely take care,” Sonia
responded and occupied her desk silently.
After that episode, Sonia maintained distance from
Tarun in office. Tarun was perturbed by the change in her behaviour and one day
asked her, “Are you okay, Sonu?”
“Yeah. I am absolutely fine Tarun.” Sonia replied,
while having coffee in the cafeteria.
“Did anyone say anything to you? I mean about me?”
“Tarun, I am sorry for being direct, but I have come
all the way from Bhopal to Bangalore to make career and not for having an affair,”
Sonia clarified, “I like you and admire your skills, but I can’t allow myself
to become a topic of office gossip.”.
“I perfectly understand, Sonu. But...”
Before Tarun could gather his thoughts to answer,
Sonia excused herself and left the cafeteria.
Tarun was left alone with his Dil Bechara brooding
over Sonia’s unexpected response.
Do read other stories from the same author @ http://atulycce.blogspot.com/
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