Not A Simple Engineer Boy!

Forty One: Stress Concentration (Part 3)

"I think this timeline is perfect.", Satya looked at Xavier and their subordinates, "If anybody has any suggestion to make?"

Xavier arched a brow, "I think it's too tight, we won't be able to manage it within two months.", he turned around to look at others sitting in the conference room, "We have other things to do as well."

They all stared at him with a look that said- 'We guess you are right but we won't say anything until you two bosses decide whatever the fuck you want.', and he rolled his eyes.

"Mr. Joseph, we can't extend it.", Satya replied in an exasperated tone.

"May I?"

His eyes snapped to the owner of that honeyed voice. Krithika had raised her tiny hand mid-way in the air, her face looking radiant as the moon, a perfect morning glow. He stopped gawking and nodded his approval to her to speak.

"I think if we already have the designs ready, two months would be practically enough. If we plan things initially and start working on them rather than taking our usual approach.", she continued while completely ignoring him, "This would help us to understand the requirements of this new project and we can adjust our prior commitments as well.", smiling at Satya she finished her suggestion.

Thanks for noticing.

Dropping his head down, he cursed to himself, his left-hand throbbing with pain as he tried to fist it inside his coat pocket.

"Yes, that should be a better strategy.", he felt Satya's eyes on him, "What do you think, Mr. Joseph?"

"I don't want to commit to something that could fail, that's not what the Xhasis is about.", he sighed and faced others, "I need your word on this, everyone's word."

Mr. Rathna Raja Rathore, the assistant manager from the Quality Control team nodded, "Sir, I agree with Ms. Krithika.", he smiled at her and she reverted it with a bright smile, "We will start working after our Pongal holidays, it would be good enough."

Xavier's eyes couldn't see beyond her smile, his eyes were fixated on her lips.

What did I do to be a despicable shit inside her mind? She must hate me for ignoring me like this.

If she was polite enough to reward her colleague with a smile of affirmation yet completely dismiss his presence, then she surely hated him. It should have been a good reason for him to stop dreaming about her.

Rather, he was agitated. Again, why was he even dreaming about her? From when did she become a part of his dreams?

He noticed that Rathna still kept smiling at her like a fool.

Would love to fucking punch him to the pulp.

Why the fuck was he annoyed at Rathna?

He had no answers to any of those questions.

Satya cleared her throat, "Mr. Joseph, everyone agreed."

"Okay then.", pushing his chair he stood next to it, "That settles everything.", and he started to button up his coat.

He felt someone's eye on him and his head jerked up as his eyes scanned around the room. Feeling agitated, his left hand raked through his hair, "I guess most of you are leaving for your home in the next two days.", he winced from the use of his injured hand, "Advance Pongal wishes, enjoy your holidays."

Everyone thanked him.

"Also, sorry I couldn't be there last night.", his eyes met Krithika's soft gaze, "Happy New Year to everyone."

Swallowing, he observed how her eyes danced between his bandaged hand and his face. Was it the look of worry that laced her face? Why was she worried? Because she saw the bandage? Why did it matter?

Before he could think any further, she immediately changed her expression to neutral. Was it an accident that he saw her initial emotion? Or was he hallucinating? Probably the latter.

"Okay people, enjoy your day!", Satya quipped in.

Everyone scrambled out of the conference room. Xavier felt Satya stepping next to him and she held his arm, "Still feels like a dream.", she sighed and smiled at him, "I am proud of ourselves, I am so fucking proud of you."

He gave her a half-hearted smile, "Yeah, I lost pretty much everything to be here.".

There was something in Satya's eyes, something which he couldn't decode. She looked at his hand, "You should rest."

"I am fine."

Yeah, delusionally fine.

"It wasn't a request or a suggestion."

Shaking his head he snorted derisively, "Okay Mom!", and was rewarded with a light slap on his shoulder.

--

They both sat in Satya's car and for the second time in his life, he folded his towering figure in the passenger seat- the first time being that morning when they came to the office together. After they had their breakfast together, Satya had ordered him to 'shut the fuck up and sit where I say' and he had allowed himself to be a passenger princess.

Well, his hand hurt like shit and Satya wasn't at fault for treating him like an annoying toddler, because he was acting like one.

As he adjusted his seat, he noticed Krithika standing near a red Maruti Swift with someone. For some stupid reason, he had the knowledge that she used public transport for her commute. Thus, it made no sense for her to be loitering near the parking space of the campus.

He saw the other person and his stomach twisted. It was that bloody Rathna.

Both of them were laughing together as the guy opened the door of his car for the sweetheart.

Fucking hell!?

--
A/N

My second favorite song from this album is "Chahun Main Ya Naa", and how cute Xavier is awwwww.

Am I falling in love with my story characters, heck yeah! XD

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