Breaking the Rules

Am I dreaming

Today was our annual performance review and appraisal meeting. We were informed that this time the meeting will be a little different from the usual and the best performers from every team will be handled bigger responsibilities as a part of the appraisal.

An hour ago Janvi informed us that she was promoted to Director of Advertising and was asked to work from headquarters in Mumbai. She was so happy, she wanted to go back to her hometown and finally, she can go to her home in Mumbai.

I was happy for her, she deserved every bit of this promotion as she was the most hard-working of all of us.

It was 4:00 PM when it was my turn. I went inside the meeting room, there was our HR head, Director of Marketing and VP of the company along with Janvi since she was my lead.

I took my seat and they were about to start the meeting when the door flung open and entered the ever so handsome Mr. Rahul Sachdev.

“Sorry people, I am late. Let's start the meeting.” He said and took a seat opposite to me beside the VP.

“Sir this is Ms. Sanjana Tripathi, Advertising Executive in Ms. Janvi’s team. These are her performance reports and these are our assessments and prospective projects where she could be an asset.” Director of Marketing handed the files to Rahul and he looked at the files with serious expressions after he glanced at me.

I sat there nervously fidgeting my fingers under the table.

“Hmmm, the performance report looks impressive. Ms. Janvi indeed is a great leader and knows how to use people’s potential.  I looked at the assessment and I think she would be a good fit for the Panache project.” He said and everybody including me looked at him in surprise.

“Sir, but Panache is our prime project and she looks a little junior for it.” Director of Marketing said and Rahul raised his brows.

“Are you questioning my judgment, Mr. Sharma?” Rahul asked with authority. He was intimidating, I felt he looked hot when he showed authority.

What the hell I was thinking, here they were talking about my future and I was roaming in my dreamland. I shook my head and they all looked at me questioning.

“What happened Sanjana?” Janvi asked.

“Umm, nothing Janvi. I thought I saw a fly.” I said in a hurry. Everyone started looking here and there to see if there really is a fly. I looked up and found Rahul looking at me in amusement. I quickly averted my gaze from him and looked at others.

“So Ms. Sanjana, from Monday you will be joining us in Project Panache and you will report directly to me because I handle everything related to that project. Also since that project is our prime project and only exceptional people work on it so we expect utmost confidentiality, dedication, and commitment.” Rahul said and I blinked my eyes a few times before I could respond.

“Yes, of course, Sir, I promise I will give my 200% efforts and won’t disappoint you,” I said as soon as I came out of my trance and composed myself.

“I am sure. As for salary appraisal, you will get an email.” He said and I left the meeting room after saying thank-you to all of them.

I ran towards the washroom and locked myself. My breathing was fast and I tried to calm myself and tried to recall what just happened in the meeting room. I had been working in the company for one and a half year and I rarely got to talk to him and now I would be reporting directly to him working on the best project of the company. Really I must have been dreaming right, this can’t be happening.

I pinched myself just to make sure I was not dreaming and when I realized I was not, I beamed with happiness, I wanted to shout in happiness but I didn’t for obvious reasons that I was in the office and don’t want to embarrass myself.

I went back to my desk and shared the news with my team, they were all happy for me. I messaged Sahil to meet me at the café and messaged Mom informing her about meeting Sahil after office.

I reached the café at 6:00 PM and I knew I had to wait for Sahil so I took out my book and started reading it as I ordered coffee for myself.

After about 10 minutes, I heard a familiar voice.

“May I sit here?” the familiar voice said and I looked up, there he was standing in all his glory with a smile on his face.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly before pinching myself. What the hell is happening today, he talked to me twice in the same day.

“Ahem Ahem... Is this seat occupied, Ms Sanjana?” Rahul asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Ummm no sir, I mean I am waiting for someone but you can take the seat, we can ask for one more chair,” I said and he smiled before sitting opposite to me.

“So you are waiting for someone, he, a date?” he asked and I frowned.

“Noooo not a date. My best friend.” I said and he chuckled.

“I thought Sahil was your best friend.” He said nonchalantly taking a sip of his coffee.

“Yes he is, and he is here.” Just when I was about to reply, Sahil replied taking another seat close to him.

“Hey Bro, how come you are out of office so early,” Sahil asked Rahul, I just looked at both brothers, never in my dreams, I imagined Rahul sitting with me and Sahil.

“Yeah, I just thought to make some changes in my lifestyle and work a little less. I missed you and Dad so I thought why not try spending some time with you guys and make some friends.” Rahul said the last sentence looking at me.

“Well that’s a great thought and I would love to spend some time like old days with my bro and not the workaholic businessman,” Sahil said and Rahul chuckled. I kept looking at him mesmerized.

“Hey Sanju, what happened you didn’t scold me today at all. Today the sun must have risen from the west as two of the important people in my life are behaving weirdly.” Sahil said and I glared at him.

“Well is there a point in scolding you? Just like always you would apologize and next time again you will be late.” I complained and he again made that puppy face which had me melting and I smiled.

“so what was the big news? You said you have something to share.” Sahil asked and I nodded.

“She got a promotion,” Rahul said before I could and Sahil threw a questioning look at me, I replied nodding my head.

“I got promoted to the best project in the company.” I almost squealed and Sahil jumped in excitement.

“Oh wow babe, Congratulations,” Sahil said and hugged me, I hugged him back and saw Rahul frowning.

“You guys continue, I will take leave. I want to go to meet Dad.” Rahul said and left.

“What happened to him?” I asked and Sahil shrugged his shoulders.

“Leave it, you tell me so when are you joining this new project?” he asked me.

“Monday and guess who I am reporting to?” I said with excitement. Sahil knew me like the back of his hand.

“No way. Really?” he asked in surprise.

I nodded confirming his doubt and his smile turned into a grin.

“You must be on cloud nine.” He asked and I nodded giving him my award-winning smile.

“It still feels like it’s a dream,” I said and he chuckled at my punishment.

“So, do you think you have a chance to impress him.” He asked and I looked at him with a confused expression.

“I don’t want to impress him. You know I just like to watch him from distance and don’t expect anything to happen between us.” I said as a matter of fact.

“Yeah I know but it won't harm if something happens between you two, actually I would be the happiest if that happens,” Sahil said and I shook my head at his imagination.

“Don’t have any expectations Sahil, you know nothing can happen between us. He is so hot and handsome, girls can go on the war for him. Whereas I am just an average girl who has nothing exceptional apart from her best friend.” I said and he frowned and smiled at the same time.

“I agree you have an exceptional best friend but I don’t agree that you have nothing else exceptional apart from me. You are the smartest, intelligent and beautiful person inside out that I know.” He said and I sighed.

“Of course you will say that because you are my best friend,” I said and he disagreed. He told me to just go with the flow and let things happen if they happen.

After chatting with him I went back home excited for the weekend. I and Sahil planned to spend the Saturday together at his place giving Uncle some company.