Not A Fair Game ( Free Book )

CHAPTER 1

It all began the day she met her brother’s friend with whom the conversation started with career and ended with all the other unwanted things. With over few shots of vodka and rum the flow of conversation was amazing which she never predicted. So my name is Oriya its pretty funny and guess what I was bullied for the same in school as well as college. 

My friend who was sitting right beside me told me about his education, his work and too many other things which I frankly was not interested in. Chintan was extremely sweet describing everything about his work place as we found that we have couple of common friends with whom I had lost touch after college.

Well I could say Chintan was not the type of guy I would go out for drinks. He had dark brown eyes, tanned skin and he looked like the Alan from the Hangover movie but he was pretty funny and I couldn’t just say no as he was my brother’s friend. Its always annoying to say no and I guess  that’s the one thing I never learnt to say. 

So coming back to the night Chintan was literally staring at me when he abruptively said “Oriya you really look beautiful even behind those hideous glasses”. 

What could I do except blush for a bit and just say “ohh thank you”. As I wanted to change the topic and his prolonged stare I just came up with the most confusing question “ So we have soo many mutual friends, however we didn’t meet earlier. It’s pretty surprising isn’t ? “

He was about to reply when I continued “ it’s not like that I meet many people but I never thought that my  best friend from law college was sharing office space with you, I never thought that she would change her office. I still remember the day she was gushing about her new office space in BKC. It was in prime location for her new venture in social services. I think its like an NGO right ? I haven’t met her so I’m not really sure what her organisation does.”

After taking having two sips of his whiskey he said “ yeah she started working under our roof recently. Actually her friend who is the Co-founder Akansha is my boss’s sister. So it was easy for her to shift in. No offence but you know all brothers have soft corner for their sisters and he just wanted to help them.”

I couldn’t hold my laugher when he said that with the most cliche expression. I just couldn’t refrain from asking more about his work place “ So how is your boss. The last I remember my best friend Shanaya can make any guy swoon over her within seconds. Plus in your work place there aren’t any females so no competition for her. So tell me the hottest gossip. Who is going out with whom ?”

“I’m not sharing office secrets darling !” He said that with a smirk and with a funny chuckle.

“Seriously please tell me. You know I have been dying to call Shanya to tease her. It’s been ages since the last I spoke to her. If you tell me this one bit information I promise to give you anything in return” with my puppy eyes I tried to convince him.

Well never in my wildest dreams I thought he will ask me this “anything, are you really sure about that ?”

I gulped down my shot and one thing I could see in his eyes was a challenge which was a bit scary but never the less I nod my head in agreement. 

He was actually not much interested to talk about his boss but yet he continued “ So my boss is a workaholic but your friend Shanaya is something. She has tried every trick in her sleeve to get his attention but sadly it’s not working. So just to piss my boss she started dating Kevin”. 

After a pause go couple of minutes he stared at me and continued “By the looks of the things going on between them, I highly doubt their relation will survive for more than few months “.

I wasn’t surprised by his opinion about Shanaya’s relation but this information was not enough for me to tease her. I awkwardly just shy away and was drifting into my thoughts of last encounter with her. 

In the meanwhile Chintan asked the waiter for another round of vodka shots which arrived on our table and surprised me. I almost pushed the drink aside when suddenly Chintan holds my hand “ darling you got your information now what do I get ? I’m not leaving you that easily “

Stepping out of my Lala land I come back to reality and his so called challenge. I simply took both the vodka shots back to back with confident stare. Needless to say at this point I was a bit drunk and just told him “ Tell me what you want ? That simple piece of gossip was not really helpful. But whatever you did tell me something” 

At this point I was highly regretting my over confidence and my stupid mouth. Why did I have to know about her life. Wasn’t it enough that Shanaya created enough troubles for me in college even after being my so called best friend.  I was super frustrated or just tired with all the drinking and thinking about all those stupid days. 

My face was literally flustered and I can say he must have thought I’m a sore loser. But however the just continued to enjoy his whiskey. After a long and tense silence he just chucked. “It’s okay I’m not going to eat you. Just chill. I know you girls want all sorts of gossip. But next time be careful as this one is on me” 

I was relieved and smiled looking at him “ So you know how we girls think, guess your girlfriend is pretty lucky to have you “. 

“ohh yeah! She is the lucky one but I have yet not confessed my feeling. Could you help me. The next time when I meet her please come along“

“ Are you sure you want me to be the third wheel ? Will I not be more of distraction for you guys ?” After asking him this I inwardly slapped my head. Really I had to say this. Couldn’t I just help my friend here and be a cupid for once. 

“ It’s okay I can understand that you must be busy with your things and your boyfriend I guess” he said this with the usually taunt and annoyance. 

“ You know what, you win. I will help you. But you have to agree to all my suggestions and not whine about what I ask you to do. Agreed ?”

With that we agreed and had a truce over another round of shots. I never thought that a simple night over drinks can change my direction in life.