Overdramatic Much

Gautham stood there outside a building that looked like an office but the only problem was everyone inside was talking and laughing around. Not a single person was actually working.

There were about ten people just hanging around and making fun. One of them was even munching on snacks as he laughed around joking.

Gautham looked around confused not knowing whether to go in or not until he saw a room with a signboard Ms. Sindhuja Srinivas. At last, he was sure that he was in the right place.

He knocked on the door tentatively and a faint "come in" came from inside the room right after. He opened the doors and peaked in. There she was, wearing spectacles that were clutching onto the top of her nose; brows frowned from concentrating and she seemed frustrated as she signed some papers. Gautham cleared his throat to get her attention but Sindhu was already too into the work to notice it. So he had to knock on her table standing in front of her desk which finally got her attention.

"Oh hi, Gautham. What are you doing here??" Sindhu looked up at last and asked in confusion.

"I thought I would take you out for lunch for a change since you have already surprised me twice this week. You quite literally barged into my office and may I say "demanded" I come to lunch with you, all because you were "bored at your office" Gautham deliberately said it all too dramatically even air-quoting "Demanded" in order to add to the effect.

Sindhu gave him an unimpressed look but he can see her eyes brighten slightly which was worth the effort.

Sindhu was actually rubbing off of Gautham. He was never a dramatic person. But the fact that he could make such a cheeky gesture to fit in with her said a lot about his feelings towards her.

"Hahaha. Overdramatic much." She said with a dry face rolling her eyes but it quickly turned into a big fat grin

Gautham just grinned back at her and asked, “Are you sure your office is not running on loss? Because for a second I thought I entered a café rather than an office… nobody was working! Nobody even noticed me entering your office!” His voice was confused when he asked it.

But Sindhu’s brows frowned hearing it and she asked him to wait for 5 minutes in her office.

She went out and Gautham can clearly imagine her face frowning with the scene out of her office. He can even faintly hear her unimpressed speech to people outside. He thought her staff was going to get nicely from her and he was looking forward to seeing her bossy and overbearing. But his wish never came true as she seemed to be joking with them rather than scolding them.

"Very funny guys. I think you all had enough fun for one day at my expense. Guys, I know that I let you do whatever you want after you guys complete your work. Which is perfectly fine but can you guys at least keep it down a bit. And have enough sense to at least pretend to work when there is someone else in the office. My friends in the office and you dumb heads did not even bother to notice. Now he is going to think I am paying you guys for having fun." She said more exasperated than authoritative.

"What?? Seriously??!" Her staff chorused looking surprised at the door. 

"But mam! Why are you trying to impress this friend of yours?" They teased her back.

"Shut up you dumb heads before I screw you guys and show you who the boss is!!" that will be Sindhu. Even when her words were harsh, there was no hostility in her voice.

Every other staff member gave her an unimpressed look as if they are sure nothing like that could ever happen even in their dreams.

"Why do I even try?! Anyways Arvind... I need you in my office. And you guys. At least make sure nothing is stolen. Have an eye on the doors for god's sakes." She added exasperated.

"Sorry, mam. It won't happen again. We will behave. I promise" at last one of the staff said seriously.

"No it won't" she simply said, with authority. But more than the authority in her voice, it was the overbearing aura in her eyes that showed the difference between when she was joking and when she was being serious. And all the staff nodded solemnly. Because even when they can joke around on a normal day, they really did not defy her when she was being serious.

She turned to her office satisfied. She frowned looking at Gautham standing behind her with an amused look. She just shook her head and went inside her office without really saying anything to Gautham. Gautham and Arvind followed her in with all her staff giving Gautham a curious glance.

Back in Sindhu’s office, Gautham sat on the couch while Arvind just stood there.

"Look, Arvind. I know you have practically run this office before me. I know you are more than capable but I don't understand why in hell you won't pass your exams."

Sindhu was practically glaring dagger while Arvind gave her a sheepish grin.

"I want you to go pack your desks. I can't keep you like this"

"But mam..." Arvind started but Sindhu cut him out with one look and he shut up gladly with a depressed look.

"I don't want you to be my employee. I want u to be a partner in this office. Do you think I kept the other room empty just for the fun of it? But I can't give you that office if you are not a CA. So I want you to pack your stuff today and head home. You have exactly a year. One whole year. I want you to complete your CA. I don't care if you just pass. I want the degree that's all. You get to step back into this office only when you complete your degree am I clear??"

Arvind gave her a quick nod. His face was still hung down.

"Look up Arvind. I know you hate exams. God knows how much I hated it. But you're going to go only so far without a qualification. Do you understand what I am saying??"

"I understand, mam. I won't let you down." Arvind assured her with a quick grin.