The Day That Was Not To Be

NEXT DAY AT THE WORKPLACE

Anjana walks into the office at 11:30 A.M. She is late by one and a half hours. Panting, she helps herself to her desk.

Anjana (catching her breath): Sorry folks, I am late; really very sorry.

Panchali (in a nagging tone): Were you with your boyfriend last night or what?

[Everybody chuckles.]

Anjana (annoyed): What"s the matter with you? I told you yesterday itself that I am not lucky enough to have one!

Shrikar (trying to save Panchali from the situation): Am I astonished or shocked? Really, I don"t know what to say. I have become speechless to find you coming late. On the one hand you project yourself as a perfectionist... A stickler for perfection... And on the other, you ignore the basic corporate etiquettes...

[Without an answer, Anjana smiles haplessly and quietly joins her colleagues.

Work progresses as usual at this Virtual Reality Simulation and Research Centre.]

Vignettes of multi-dimensional corporate conducts... Some people seriously working, unaware of the surroundings...

Some others flirting... fooling around...

An intern named Jay is picking an opportunity to flirt with the gorgeous Anamika. But it turns out to be counterproductive.

Jay (pompously): Anamika, you are lucky to work with a topper.

Anamika (confused): What?... I didn"t get you.

Jay (confidently): You know?, I was the topper in my batch.

Anamika (ignoring): Good for you, but why are you telling me this? I am least concerned about your batch and you.

Jay (overconfident): To remind you, not to fool around!

Anamika (angrily): Why don"t you mind your own f*****g business. And for your kind information, Mr. Shrikar is there to monitor us. Don"t try to get into his shoes.

Jay (genuinely): Actually I was just trying to help you out.

Anamika (madly): By insulting me?

Jay (trying to be nice): No, no. By making sure that you don"t entangle yourself into any stupid situations.

Anamika (very madly): Enough is enough; I am going to complain to Mr. Shrikar.

And Anamika storms out of the work arena. Jay follows her to stop her from complaining.

Jay (pleadingly): Hey, please don"t complain about me. I will treat you to a coffee. Please let go.

But Anamika is in no mood to listen. All others are confused at the happenings and the related commotion.

Anamika blasts into Shrikar"s cabin.

Shrikar (surprised): What happened Miss! And oh my, why are you so pissed off?

Anamika (angry): Sir, please tell Jay to mind his own business. He tried to question my capabilities.

Just then Jay enters in a jiffy to stop Anamika from spitting out against him.

Jay (innocently): No sir, nothing like that has happened.

Anamika (mad): He is lying sir, he insulted me.

Jay (innocently): Is inviting for a coffee insulting, Sir? I was unaware about such a thing.

Shrikar laughs innocently.

Shrikar (assuming a magisterial attitude): Ok, I get it. Anamika, you please proceed with your tasks. Let me lecture Jay on some etiquettes. Promise you that he won"t ever disturb you. Ok?

As soon as Anamika leaves the room, Shrikar turns to Jay and asks him to close the door.

Jay (closes the door): Now the door is closed, Sir.

Shrikar (very seriously): Do you think ladies are that easy to get?

Jay (tensed and stammering): No, Sir, I never meant to be seen like that. (I have never thought on those lines.)

Shrikar again lets out a laugh...

Shrikar (jokingly): First, get to know a girl. Become her friend and then, wait for a month or a little longer. I bet, you will start hating each other. Once you know you can tolerate each other, only then go ahead with any commitments.

Jay (relaxed): Will pay heed to your advice, when the time arrives, Sir.

LUNCH BREAK

Shrikar takes a table and Anjana joins him. Panchali follows suit.

Shrikar (With concern): Anjana, jokes apart, really, why were you late this morning? Any issues which I can help to solve?

Anjana (agitated): Actually, I am searching for a house on rent. This PG accommodation is really not private enough.

And what was all that about Jay and Anamika?

Shrikar: Oh that was nothing, the same Romeo and Juliet thing. It is sorted out for now.

So, what"s stopping you from renting a house?

Anjana (with a Stern look): Well, I am sure, being a Mumbaikar(one who is a local in Mumbai), you should be very well aware of the space crunch we, newcomers, face here. (Highlighting) It"s nearly impossible to get a good accommodation for a reasonable rate.

Panchali (choruses with Anjana): Yeah that"s so true. Even I am fed up of these PG accommodations here, which run against the PG ideology.

Shrikar (seriously): Frankly speaking, I didn"t get you Panchali.

Panchali (explaining): PG means Paying Guest, for your kind information. In other cities, you pay a family and they would spare you an exclusive bedroom attached with a bathroom and lavatory. In addition, they would provide you with the comfort of homemade food. All these, at a reasonable cost. Here you pay a hefty sum, and what do you get? Just a bed for sleeping. And there would be three other strangers sleeping on separate beds in the very same room.

Shrikar (authoritatively): Oh! So that"s the case. But dear ones, in this world, “If you have the money, you get the honey!". So why don"t you girls flock together and go for a rented place. I am sure, that would turn out to be the honey for your money.

Anjana: That seems brilliant. Can you help us on this, Shrikar? You being a local, you will have better leverages on making the deals.

Shrikar (confidently): Of course, I can. I have many confidantes who are real estate brokers here. So... Should I proceed with them?

Panchali (doubtingly): Do we stand any chance other than complying with you?

Shrikar (taking for granted): I suppose, I can take that for a "yes". Right?

They all unify in a spontaneous chuckle.

Shrikar (confidently): OK then. Will talk to them and try to get you the best of the bargain. Will also let you know about the modalities of renting a place. Will that be ok?

Anjana shakes her head affirmatively, and Panchali vocally approves it.

Panchali: OK, then.