S for Secret Saturday Schedule

Saying yes to Manish for Saturday Party, Preethi’s message popped up while Ankur was looking at estimation chart.

I am not available, Ankur immediately responded.

After sending two angry emojis via messenger, Preethi was on Ankur’s desk with same angry face as emojis.

Passed out from same renowned college of Hyderabad, these two scholar Engineers landed their first job in same multinational company and college time friendship bloomed into nameless feeling. This feeling was still exploring primary stages of relationship while they both were trying to know each other better. Intimacy was still limited to exploring new places around Hyderabad over weekends, late night talks on phone and a special smile whenever each pair of eyes talked with the other silently.

But since last two weekends, it was changed a bit. Ankur started excluding himself from Saturday plans saying he was busy. Today he was conveying his unavailability on Saturday consecutively third time and that made Preethi upset.

In general, they talked very less in office although nobody cared. But today, she could not resist and reached to his desk. Before she could speak something, Ankur said in determined tone, I am sorry Preethi, I am not available on Saturday. Please go to the party on your own and we can go around on Sunday.

Preethi looked at him once. Those innocent big eyes of him were unquestionably honest and she did not doubt his intention either. But she got curious now. What makes him busy every Saturday, after all.

What are you going to be busy with? She asked direct question.

Ankur looked up straight into her eyes and with bit of hesitation in his voice, he spoke – I cannot tell you.

Preethi went back to her desk and before she knew, tears rolled down on her cheeks.

I am dreaming a life together and he is not ready to share his whereabouts with me, her mind started silent talk.

Until you don’t know the truth, how can you judge?, heart argued.

Well, he clearly said that he cannot share what he is upto on Saturdays and it’s enough for me to understand where this is going, mind exploded with strong argument.

She held her head tight while silent struggle between heart and mind continued. Thinking a cup of coffee will help, she went to canteen. To her surprise, Ankur was there with the new intern, Vishakha aka Vish. They were so busy talking that Ankur did not realize Preethi’s presence. But Preethi could connect the dots now. Exactly 3 weeks ago, Vishakha aka Vish had joined the company for internship and since then Ankur used to be away on Saturdays.

He must be going out with Vish on Saturdays.

Already found my backup while I am not even confirmed, a sarcastic smile curved Preethi’s lips.

Now I know the secret of Saturday schedule…. She said silently.

BUT….

Was she right?

Was her college mate really playing with her?

What was Ankur upto?

Stay tuned…..Answer tomorrow when we will continue this story under the topic “T for Threads of Trust”

P.S. : This is the ninteenth post for A to Z Challenge April 2022. You can expect 7 more hammers over next few days. and you can have a look at past posts here

image source : google.com