Amaya

It's been a week since that accident, as in me running before a car. When my family saw me come home with bandages, everyone made a fuss about it, even though I told them it was a small scratch.

My grandfather was about to book a plane ticket when he heard and saw pictures of it. He loves me too much, and I do too, that's the reason I bear all his tantrums.

My uncle had to talk to him for about an hour to convince him that it was not a big accident. My sister (Niya) and her husband (Sampath) came to visit us for the weekend, and we went bowling and miniature golf.

The weekend was super fun, we had a blast but sadly my sister left for her work. My wounds are almost cleared now, they are in the black icky shell stage.

Wanna know the amazing thing about getting injured? My uncle called the supposed guy whom I had to go on a date with this week. And guess what? It got postponed to the next week. So, I still have time to prepare to go on my date.

Right now, I'm waiting at the Global Tech parking lot along with Rick and Mary for Sarah to get all the details about the project we will be working on.

I tried really hard not to think about the rules I broke, but my stupid heart has a brain of its own. Every time I think of my wounds, my hand touches my forehead. I didn't tell anyone about Mr.Browne, not even Arjun who I share every single thing about my life.

So, to not break the rules anymore I made a plan

Step 1. Avoid --- avoid being alone with him at any cost

Step 2. Ignore --- ignore whatever he says except the things about work

Step 3. No calling him Jerk-Face – my grandma told me that we only give names to people we like.

"That's her car. Let's get moving," said Rick moving towards her car as we save Sarah pulling into the parking lot.

Can I fake a sick face and go home?

I don't want to do this. Please God, save me from the embarrassment that I might cause in the future.

I'm sweating at the thought of going into the building and meeting Mr. Browne.

"I'm sorry I kept you guys waiting," Sarah told us getting her stuff out of the car, and then we went towards the reception.

Apparently, Global Tech is on the 9th and 10th floors of a tall building downtown. We got into the elevator and reached the 9th floor, we are now going to meet everyone according to the roster.

We went into the meeting room and introduced ourselves. There were 3 women in their mid-thirties Victoria, Kimberly, and Dana and there was an old guy Larry and a young Indian man, Aarav.

As we were talking amongst ourselves, the door opened revealing Andrew the guy who helped me when I fell along with a lady, and finally the monster of this Earth and my life Mr.Browne.

Andrew smiled recognizing my face when he saw me and then I looked at Mr. Browne who had a scowl on his face.

Why is this man so grumpy all the time?

Stop staring into his face Amy Step 1 remember avoiding, avoid means avoiding eye contact with that man too, thinking that I averted my eyes away from him.

"Thank you for coming all the way here. And I believe you guys introduced yourselves to our team." Andrew asked us and I nodded with a smile.

Andrew has a warm and happy face, I couldn't help myself from smiling and looking at his cute face. And those sea-green eyes, boy there are the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.

"Hello Everyone, as you all know we are planning to build a new application for our company. I want you guys to give these developers an explanation of how this application should work. And the wish list you have, to make this one better." Mr. Browne told his people who were sitting on the other side of the table breaking my thoughts away from Andrew.

He then turned his head towards us and looked at me.

I know the drill, look into the roster, not his face.

As soon i realized that I shoved my face into the roster like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"If you have any questions or problems here you can talk to me or Mr. Andrew Jones here. Our offices will be on the floor above us, and the door is always open to you guys. Welcome to Global Technologies." he said to us in a serious tone.

Then, the lady, I believe his secretary who came with him here called him out on some other work, and he left.

I suddenly felt free without his presence, and I released a breath I was holding unknown to me.

After Mr.Browne left, Andrew started talking to us, and they gave us a sheet on what we will be doing this week.

Thank god this room has closed walls instead of those stupid glass walls. I was sitting beside Sarah and in front of me was Aarav and beside him Larry.

Victoria is the Business Analyst for this project from their side. She showed their current application and what was wrong with it and everything.

"Hi, Don't panic looking at our wishlist. It's been so long since our system was updated, so everyone is excited about what they want." Aarav told me while I was grasping in all the updates coming our way.

"That makes sense, why don't you guys just build a new one from scratch instead of making bridges trying to connect to old ones," I asked a genuine question that has been bothering me.

"That would make it easier, but there are so many other variables unknown to be involved. So trying to make the best of what we have." He sighed.

Aarav and I talked a lot after that, maybe It's the Indian connection, he has a girlfriend and a dog named poodle.

The next day was the same. We are still in the same meeting room with the same discussions. We have been talking about this from 12 and it's 2:30 now. I will explode if I take one more ounce of information about this stupid thing. I looked at Sarah, and she has the same expression on her face

"Dana can we take a break, I will die if you say one more sentence," I asked her so that we can rest for some time and join back. Everyone nodded their heads agreeing with me.

"Thank God you asked I was so tired of talking for the past 2 hours," she said grabbing a water bottle. Rick went out with Victoria and Mary to talk about some documents regarding the project.

"Can we play some music?" asked Sarah.

"Yeah sure why not?" said Kim and played the song Black widow song and looks like that cheered up us a bit. Aarav got up from his chair and started dancing along with Dana. They started pulling everyone to dance. And by the end of the song, we were jumping around like monkeys except for Larry.

"Amy tell me the rice and curry song name let's play that," Sarah asked me. We always play this song when we want to cheer up a little.

"It's PSY -Daddy you guys are gonna love it," I told them and started playing the song.

"I feel nice, you look nice"  Sarah and I started singing the song

"You'll be my curry, I'll be your rice," said Sarah, and then she jumped up on the table and yelled at me

Hey, where'd you get that body from? Where'd you get that body from? Where'd you get that body from?

I got it from my daddy I got it from my daddy I got it, got it (Hey, where'd you get that body from?) I got it from my daddy I got it from my daddy I got it, got it (Hey, where'd you get that body from?) I got it from my dad, dad, dad, dad, dad Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, daddy

By the end of this bit, I joined her at the table along with Aarav and Kim. It was Larry who was sitting and enjoying our performance. So, I pulled him up, so he can dance. He came at the perfect time I guess

I got it from my dad, dad, dad, dad, dad

Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, daddy

Listen My papa was a superman, hey, hey I got it from my dad, dad, dad, dad, dad Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, daddy I got it from my dad, dad, dad, dad, dad

Someone opened the door and I thought it was Rick.

But the next second everyone stopped singing the song and I looked at the person who entered the room.

The inevitable doom of Amaya, Mr.Browne was at the door looking at me in shock and anger.

By the time I realized this Aarav got down and was helping Larry it was just me and Sarah on the table.

I felt like a deer caught in headlights, too scared to move. God, he looks furious. Before I knew it I felt someone pulling me down, this is it I'm falling!

Okay let's hit the ground, act like I had a concussion and then problem solved.

I squeezed my eyes hard because I knew this was gonna hurt, but I didn't feel any pain. I didn't hit the ground.

Whoa! Did someone catch me?

I opened my eyes and saw Aarav holding me in his hand bridal style. I gave him a thankful smile as he placed my feet on the ground and helped me stand up.

"Looks like you guys are having a party in here instead of a meeting." Mr. Browne said with sarcasm dripping in his tone.

The dead silence in the room, made me listen to my own heart which was racing in fear.

"We are sorry sir, this was my mistake we were taking a break, and soon it turned into a dance party. We are sorry, this won't happen again." Sarah was rambling, she nudged me with her elbow pointing to say something.

"Yes, Mr. Browne this was our mistake we needed a break for all the information to process. I asked Dana and others if we could take one." I supported Sarah because that was the truth, and we will be leaving in a week, but they must stay here.

"Ms. Sarah, Ms.Amaya follow me to my cabin. Nice choice of song by the way Ms. Kimberly," He said with a serious look on his face to me and smiling at Kim, and left.

"Do you think he is gonna fire us?  If Rick knows about this, he might get mad." Sarah asked with worry in her voice.

"He is not our boss remember. He could tell on us to United Tech and might end the project with us." I replied to her stating the obvious.

"Well, that's relieving, knowing we might get fired. We should start acting like responsible adults from now on." Sarah said and I laughed on the inside.

"Hey! You know the pros of him firing you, you can finally move to Texas and stay with your husband."

"And you can go work for your uncle." She retorted.

"Hey! That's mean, Let's go get fired." I said to her as we reached his floor.

I hope he doesn't do anything like that because if loose this job I have to go back and work in my uncle's office. I'm 23 for God's sake, I want to live according to my own wishes.

Do you like the song? I think it's catchy. Don't judge me but I like this more than Gangnam Style.

Thank you for reading

Please let me know if this has any writing errors and suggestions you have for me, Thanks in advance

Love,

Sneha