Chapter 2: Secrets and Samosas

I rattled off my report, keeping my eyes glued to the projector. Arjun only asked two simple questions, his voice cool and unreadable. As soon as the meeting ended, I made a beeline for the door, my mind already drafting a resignation letter. But…

Thinking about the job market these days, my EMI, my car loan, I knew I couldn’t just run away.

I swear, the second I left the conference room, I wiped my forehead with my old handkerchief—Ma always said never leave home without one. Cursing my fate in muttered Hindi, I trudged back to my desk. What a mess, yaar! Quitting was tempting, but those endless EMIs, the dreaded SBI messages, and Ma’s reminders about saving for a Mumbai flat kept echoing in my head. Bas, Kabir, kaam pe dhyaan de.

Priya came bouncing back from the meeting, practically glowing. "Arrey, Mr. Arjun toh total dreamboat hai! Shirt ke neeche bhi six-pack dikh raha hai, I swear. Even if I’m slogging away, at least there’s eye candy, na? World forgive ho gaya for three seconds."

I laughed. "Such lofty ambition, Priya."

She fanned herself with her diary, grinning. "Yeh toh full-on movie hero types, no? If he walks into a party, half the aunties will lose their minds! Overflowing with swag."

I tried to focus on my pens, but my cheeks were burning. She had no idea the man she was drooling over was whispering filth in my ear just nights ago. Mere toh pairon tale zameen phir se khisak gayi.

Just then, Arjun’s secretary clicked over in her heels. "Kabir, Mr. Arjun wants to see you in his office."

I stood up like a condemned man.

Priya squeezed my hand, whispering, "Don’t forget us after you get promoted!"

Every step towards his cabin felt like a slow walk to the principal’s office—except this time, my secret was much juicier than stealing samosas.