Nilay nodded at the sales staff murmuring their greetings, smiling, greeting back. He saw shocked faces in his periphery but nothing could deter him today.
“NiP!” Kedar came running, the mug in his hand sloshing with green tea. Nilay glanced at it and he screeched to a halt — “I’m sorry, I was told you are still on the JVPD crossroads…”
“It’s alright.” Nilay reached for the mug in his hand. “Thanks, Kedar.”
His eyes popped wide, blinking like an owl. Nilay smiled and stepped into the elevator, checking his phone for her message. He knew she wouldn’t have sent any. After all, he had dropped her off at her place only half an hour ago. He thought of sending her a text. But held himself back. She wasn’t as into this idea of them as he was. Last night, she hadn’t outright rejected it. But he knew she hadn’t accepted it either.
There was more pursuing to do here.
The doors to the elevator opened and he walked out into the workshop, full now as it was nearing noon. He crossed tables and mannequins, stopping at designers’ stations, chatting up their latest, talking ‘shop.’ Literally. His interns’ interns had gathered another list of songs for him this morning and made a show of unveiling them. He listened patiently for a change. He even liked one. And not because it fit his campaign. It… made him think about her.
Nahin saamne, yeh alag baat hai…
He crooned under his breath, pressing his palm to the reader and opening his office.
Mere paas hai tu, mere paas hai…
Nilay hummed, smiling to himself. A fool. An idiot. A lovesick puppy. He gagged at those words but he was all of those. And giddy to be them. But his back felt hot. He pulled his shirt off his back, reaching for the AC remote. Unease hit him. And then panic. He reached for the back of his left arm, feeling it go numb. Then it began to throb.
“Oh man,” he collapsed into his chair, scrambling for water. His tea… he had forgotten it outside.Fuck. Fuck. Fuuuuuck!He took deep breaths. His face felt like it was underwater. Sweat was licking the fire on his skin, dripping down on his collar. Nilay pushed his head back.Think. Think. Think.
Cold water. Walk.
He pushed to his feet and began to stroll.
Soda.
That had helped last time. But before he could think how to get that, the pain in his back shot to the front. He collapsed, catching himself in time with a hand on the corner of his desk. He held steady, on his knees, breathing heavily. This was panic. Panic was making it worse. His reports were good.
“NiP! Sorry to barge in but you forgot your tea at…” he heard Kedar and the click of his door. “NiP! NiP! What happened!”
“My mobile…” he managed, turning on his back and sitting up against his desk.
“Here,” Kedar thrust it at him. But he couldn’t do more than use his face to unlock it. He passed it back — “Call Ritu.”
“What happened to you?”
“Call her.”
“It looks like you are blocked!” Kedar shot out.
“Use the… other… SIM.” He breathed hard, closing his eyes, willing his heart to come back under control.Shit, shit, shit. No. Work properly. Please.
“Hello? Ritu? Ma’am?! I am Kedar, NiP is sick… one sec…”
The phone was plastered to his ear.
“Nilay! What happened?”
“I think… It’s another one. Like last time. But it’s not stopping, Ritu. Come, please come…”
“I am on my way, pop a sorbitrate under your tongue…”
“I don’t have it!” He yelled.
“Why?”
“I…” he gasped.
