31- The Betting

                                        

                                              
After reaching the office on Monday, I headed straight to Richard's cabin, saying I needed to talk about something important. 
“I'm so sorry to hear that,” Richard emphasized after I told about my condition. “So you just need an accomplice. Irfan was dropping you home from the office if I'm correct.” 
“Yes, he was, but his home is entirely opposite to mine. He has to travel ten miles extra to drop me. I don't wish to cause him trouble so I declined his help afterwards.” I reasoned, and it was true. He only dropped me home to see Kylie after all. 
“I see, I see.” Richard nodded in understanding. “Well, in that case, our company can offer you cab services, though that would mean deduction from your monthly salary.” 
“Sir, if possible, may I suggest a person from our team who can assist in dropping me home? His apartment is close to mine, you see.” 
“Sure.” 
~ 
I couldn't help but smile in victory as Vansh shot daggers at me while we walked together after office. 
“What did you say again? You won't be able to do anything since we'll only meet in the office. Either way it's free food for me.” I imitated sounding like a gruff man. “You clearly underestimated me, boy.” 
“How the hell did you convince Richard? He told me you had issues. What issues?” Vansh gestured with his hand. 
I poked my fingers against one another with my head hung low. My voice was timid. “Please don't tell anyone but I have Enochlophobia. It's the fear of crowds.” 
“For real?”
“Yes,” I answered, walking backwards. “It happened a long time ago when I got separated from my parents during a festive fair. They kept searching for me for two hours straight. Imagine a seven year old girl getting lost till ten at night. Ah, goosebumps!” I hugged myself. 
“Sorry to hear. Good thing they found you though.” Vansh said and I smiled at the memory of me hugging my parents and crying bitterly. “But I bet you have no Enochlophobia. Besides, it's hardly crowded here.” I simply shot him a cheeky grin while he frowned. “Seriously, stop walking backwards.” 
“Why? I like it.”
“Isn't it obvious? You're going to bump into something,” He said, his gaze darting away to our surroundings. 
“It's fine. I'm used to it. As I was saying, I—” My words were cut off as my feet hit the edge of a pole. In an instant, his hands reached out to grip my arm before I could fall. We momentarily glanced at each other. 
“See, didn't I tell you not to...” Vansh warned but stopped speaking as he noticed the corners of my mouth curled to a full blown smirk. He left his hold on me immediately. 
“Holding hands is the first step, Baweja. I'll take this as a sign of progression,” I said, maliciously. I stared at his brownish arm that had a few veins popping out. Not bad. “My, my, your grip is strong. You must have practiced a variety of positions in the room.” 
He stared at me in horror, “You didn't just say that.” 
I cocked my head to one side, “What? I was talking about various yoga positions, silly.” 
He let out a frustrating groan, “You psycho! Stop fucking with my mind.” 
“Gee, thanks, atleast I'm fucking something. A huge progress. Wonder how huge it will get.” 
His jaw dropped at that. I guess he decided not to speak any further so we continued to walk in silence. A minute later, I added. “Good going, Baweja. Keep fantasizing about me.”