Shades of Life

His Friend

A trouble.

That’s what she is.

I mean she managed to piss me off on the first day itself.

I sat on my seat with a frown. This new girl is trouble, that’s for sure. I mean I knew that puppy was Aarav’s as he is the only craziest guy and daring enough to do that. He does take the whole cousins thing for granted and gets away with it. For some reason, my dad loves him and thinks that he is the ray of sunshine our company.

Not going to lie, that guy is a genius with computers but also a great pain in my ass. He sure knows he deserves the job so he takes advantage of being founder’s nephew. Seeing him with a puppy isn’t a surprise, he does these kinds of things all the damn time. But that girl who stood there rather than working made me see red. I hate slackers.

It doesn’t matter if it is her first day, I’m sure Rahul had told her what her work is before I entered their floor. And not to forget the drama she caused before this meeting. I actually left my phone back in my cabin, I was going back to get it when she came from outside and splashed water all over me. I had sent Carla to draw some business papers so I became the victim.

Trust me I wanted to snap and shout at her but her eyes were filled with fear and then I remembered it’s her first day so I let her be. If she keeps getting my way, I’ll snap one day for sure.

One of my meetings got cancelled so I re-assigned the stand-up meeting as I was too mad at Aarav in the morning to carry it out. That guy knows how to push my button.

Sighing, I opened my laptop to start my work. That’s all my life is about.

Work. Work. Work.

Not that I mind since I have nothing better to do but I just need a break from all this. I should take a break for few days and chill.

My kind of chill is a bottle of bear in front of the beach at sunset.

Damn, I need a break.

My thoughts were disturbed by my phone ringing. I took it out of my pocket to see, it was my sister-in-law Aishwarya. I rolled my eyes.

She just doesn’t know when to give up, does she?

I cut the call.

After 5 minutes, it started ringing again.

Now, she’s getting on my nerves. I saw the caller name and it was Aakash, my friend. I picked up.

“Hello”

“Hey man, whatcha doing?” came his exhilarated voice. I’m sure he is partying somewhere in Bahamas.

“Nothing just work, what about you?” I asked leaning back on my chair.

“How boring! Dude it’s crazy here. Chicks are bomb man” He said hiccupping. Great, he drunk called me and now I have to calm him down for god knows how long since he gets very needy.

“Aakash, are you hammered?” I asked pressing my forehead.

“Noo, I’m just tipsy” He said hooting to something.

“Are you alone?” I asked him.

“Nope, remember Kaushik. He is here too. He’s such a good guy Varun, he volunteered to get me drinks. Why don’t you ever do that? Haa. Am I such a bad friend? Tell me” I sighed as he got emotional.

Every. Single. Time.

“Aakash, Kaushik kind off has a crush on you. I don’t buddy” I said rolling my eyes.

Yes, Aakash is gay. It was hard for him to come out. I’ve known him since 6th grade and he’s been my best friend since then. During our High school, he realized that he actually like guys. I mean he did doubt it for a while and he confided in me. I was there for him at that time. Surprising, I didn’t judge as this was a new concept for me but I knew no matter which gender he likes, he would be great friend he was for me since the day we met. Later, he came out to his family who didn’t take it well. No surprises there, it was hard for him but he always had me. My dad accepted him the way he is and was understanding towards him. His family sent him with me to USA for further studies. Though he hated the fact that his parents didn’t accept him, he was relived to come stay with me in US.

Two years back, he met Kaushik at a party. They hit it off as friends but I had a doubt that they liked each other. Everyone could see except both of them. I knew they would start dating right way but Kaushik went back to US since his father needed his help to run their company. The company where my brother currently works, he just doesn’t know that I know Kaushik.

Recently, Kaushik came back and they have been going at it again. They flirt all the time but are not ready to accept that they like each other. I mean recently, government has made l***q legal in our country but they still are scared what people would think.

Aakash’s parents think that ‘It was a phase’ for him and now that he is back, he is all better. Their words not mine.

Though, he gets hurt when they say such things he just smiles and act like it was all a joke for his parents’ sake. It was pathetic on their parents’ part but at the same time can’t blame them, they are not accepting to this concept as our generation is. We are more susceptible for change.

“Vaaarrruuuunnnnn” Aakash’s voice broke my chain of thoughts.

“Haa” I said concentrating on him.

“Where did you go? I said Kaushik is so hot but you didn’t reply. Are you working? Is it more important than me?” he started whining.

“Aakash, that’s enough drinking. Sure, he is hot. Happy? Now give the phone to Kaushik” I said sternly. I can’t handle him start crying right now. My day has already been shitty enough, all thanks to that new girl.

“Hey Varun” came Kaushik’s voice.

“Hey man, are you guys still drinking?” I asked him.

“Yep, why? What happened?” He asked casually.

“Look, don’t give him more drinks. He is already drunk and he will get very emotional if he drinks more and trust me you won’t be able to handle him alone. Take him home please” I said in concern. I’ve been there and I know how difficult Aakash gets.

“Oh okay man will do, s**t! I’ll call you later Varun. He’s chatting with some girl who clearly looks uncomfortable” He said and hung up.

I sighed closing my eyes.

This has been a long day.

I got up and took my phone. I walked out of my cabin.

“Cancel remaining meetings” I ordered Carla before walking to my private elevator. I need some sleep.

I reached my penthouse in half an hour. Thank god, there was less traffic today. I can’t handle headache on top of all this.

I walked inside my penthouse and came to halt near my sofa when I heard a bark.

A bark?

Where is that coming from?

I don’t own a dog.

“Rose” I called my home butler. She handles house hold work like cooking, cleaning and laundry.

“Varun” came her excited voice. She is of my dad’s age so I let her call me by my name. She treats me like her own son and I don’t mind.

She came into my view with a puppy in her arms which looked awfully familiar.

“Look what Aarav brought” she grinned caressing the puppy.

Oh, he is so dead.