Red Rose

Day 01 – In Office

People are excited in office as it was 2nd day of month and all staff were excited to receive mail for employee of month. Around 10 A.M. everybody received mail for employee of the month, many people were upset in office as the name was disclosed, Manav* was awarded employee of the month. He is Financial Analyst in the organization.

At 11:30 A.M. 21 rose bouquet was brought to office. Office staff were shocked to see Rose flower bouquet and started gossiping as till now H.R. department personnel used to order only Rs.250 bouquet for employee of month.

Around 1.00 P.M. All are called at conference room to award Manav with employee of month for his overall performance. Manav had just arrived the office and was in shock. Manav was back after 20 days from leave which he has taken for his marriage. Before going for leave Manav had prepared presentation of new project for bankers which got approved during his leave.

All preparation for award ceremony of Manav was organized by Suhani** who was working in H.R. department. She also joined office 1 month after her marriage. Manav and Suhani were ex lovers.

After felicitations Manav called up his wife on phone and talked with her about ceremony held in office. He was blushing while in conversation with his wife. Suhani was observing Manav from corridor. Manav was ignorant of her as he moved on with his life.

Meanwhile Ravi, Chartered Accounted in office and most eligible bachelor was flirting with Neha. Neha had crush on Ravi. Soon others also joined them and started gossiping about Manav & Suhani.

Around 2.00 P.M. All the staff moved to canteen as they were already late for lunch. Ravi was from U.P and had migrated to Mumbai and he did not carry Lunch box. His dabbawalla had not delivered his tiffin as his caterer has gone to native village for puja.

Ravi joined Suhani for lunch and started flirting with Suhani. They both were sharing food in the same plate and this was irritating Manav. Soon other people also joined on the table with Ravi & Suhani. Everybody was congratulating her for Marriage. Middle aged female friends started discussing about 1st night adventure with Suhani. Suhani felt ashamed and left the Canteen with blush on her face. Meanwhile Manav got irritated with all this. Manav was smart, charming & intelligent guy but he was confused after seeing Suhani after 1 month.

(*Manav belonged to upper middle class, his father was ex army man and held 100 acres of land in Kanpur. He stayed in hi-end apartment at Lower Worli which was gifted by his father when he completed MBA in Finance from Illinois university. He drives BMW S Class which he purchased one year back from performance bonus. He was an intellectual & open minded person.)

(**Suhani is also from elite family, her mother was a socialite & father was diamond merchant. She was married to Rich NRI whose company has presence in more than 10 countries across globe. He was loving & down to earth person.)

After having lunch Manav was sitting on desk, Ravi came to congratulate him for employee of month. Ravi used to compete with Manav in office & personal life too. Ravi in cunning voice taunted Manav “You always win the race but never end up winner, whether love or professional life” and laughed loudly. Manav replied with confident “race is for rats”. Both laughed and moved away from each other.

Around 6 P.M. Every body left from office. Manav called up his wife Nisha on phone for Dinner to celebrate his success. Manav's wife is from village and had done her PHD in English from Lucknow university. Being a girl from small town, she always tried to accept & accommodate with life style of Manav.

Manav picked his wife from home to restaurant for dinner. Nisha was all dressed to kill tonight. Manav & Nisha reached the restaurant in car. Manav used to come to the same restaurant with Suhani too. Waiters & hotel staff all knew Manav. Door keeper opened door for Manav and enquired gently “Saheb seeing you after more than month’. Manav smiled and offered tip to door keeper. Door keeper replied “Salaam saheb”. Manav had already booked reservation of table. Waiter guided them to their table. Manav with a smile, looked towards Nisha & asked her to order. Nisha replied gently, “Today is your day so please order whatever you want, I will have the same”. Manav ordered drinks which was followed with full course dinner. During dinner Manav was discussing about his contribution to company & Nisha was listening. Nisha was feeling bored as Manav had discussed same things many times before also. Both Nisha & Manav were not comfortable in their relationship even after 1 month of marriage.

Day 2 – In Office

Ravi was gossiping with Neha about how company ignored him for employee of month, Suhani entered office and moved toward her working desk. As soon as Ravi realized Suhani is in office he walked toward H.R. Dept. for P.F & Professional tax detail. Ravi enquired with Suhani about taxes & deduction of employees. Suhani knowing gossiping nature of Ravi, she replied, I look into welfare of employees only and salary or taxes are not under her scope of work. Meanwhile Manav reached out to H.R. department searching for his deduction details which Suhani provided him upfront. Ravi came out with sad face and one of the employee Nilesh commented “Angoor Khatte Hai kismis khaya kar”. Ravi told him in loud tone “Tax mein tujhe kuch deduction nahi dunga”. Nilesh commented “I will take from Suhani “Hamare liya Angoor Meethe Hai”. Neha was sympathetically commented to Ravi, “Bechaara”.

Manav was happy that Suhani did not have any grudge towards him after break up. He always loved Suhani but due to some misunderstanding they parted away from each other.

Suhani was called up by her husband Roshesh on phone for evening movie. She was excited as she was going for Movie with her Husband. Hers was an arranged marriage after breakup with Manav within 6 month, she never spent time with Roshesh. Roshesh used to travel a lot across world for his family business. She left office early that day with excitement. Suhani peeped into desk of Manav before leaving office. Suhani purposely reached out to common friend Vibha informing her about her evening Movie with her husband knowing that Manav will listen to it.

Many Days passed away with hide & seek between Suhani & Manav.

14 february – Valentine day

It was valentine day. Office was working as usual, suddenly Vipul entered office and wished Neha Good morning. Vipul was purchase Manager & always had feelings toward Neha. Vipul also knew Neha’s attraction toward Ravi. It was not 1st time Vipul tried to be casual with Neha. Neha also wished him good morning in return. Vipul started asking Neha whether she is free for Lunch today. Neha responded positively for offer of Vipul. Vipul called up hotel and booked a table for two & informed same to Neha.

Suddenly Neha’s cell phone ranged, she was excited as Ravi's name flashed on phone. Ravi enquired about Suhani & Manav. Neha Replied she didn’t have much idea about both of them. Ravi asked to enquire about both of them from their friends. Neha called up Vibha to enquire about Suhani & Manav. Vibha was common friend of Manav & Suhani. Vibha picked up her phone & replied Hello. Neha wished Vibha happy valentine day, Vibha also wished her back. After some casual talk Neha asked whether Suhani will come today. Vibha replied, don’t you know today is Suhani’s 1st valentine after marriage. Neha stopped for moment and replied, so what, Suhani used to come on valentine day earlier. Vibha used to come for Manav & now there is nobody in office to come for valentine day. And then slowly both Neha & Vibha closed the conversation on phone and put receiver down. Manav was on outdoor duty for meeting with bankers. Neha called up Ravi on cell phone and informed about Manav & Neha.

Around 1:00 P.M. both Neha & Vipul went to Lunch together in restaurant. Vipul was all dressed in black today. Vipul was excited for Lunch date with Neha. As both Neha & Vipul entered restaurant they were shocked to see Mr. Arjunaswami was taking lunch. Mr. Arjunaswami is 55 aged newly appointed Administration & H.R. head. Mr. Arjunaswami asked both Neha & Vipul to join for lunch with him. All fantasy of Vipul of lunch date miserably failed. Valentine day for Vipul ended as a routine day in office for him.

Few days later

Ravi was planning to change job as he was going through emotional trauma of one sided lost love on Suhani. Ravi had taken half day leave in office and had gone for an interview. Ravi was selected for U.S. branch of MNC. Ravi phoned Neha and informed her about successful interview. Neha felt sad as she will lose her best friend in office but she congratulated Ravi for his future and asked for celebration. Ravi in excitement asked Neha to come for dinner today evening. Neha replied “joking doesn’t need any celebration”. Ravi asked Neha to provide him some resignation letter format.

Mean while Vipul was planning for long leave as March ending was nearing and his leave where balance which will not be carried forward as per company policy. Vipul submitted his leave application to Mr. Arjunswami. Vipul's leave was approved at once. Vipul met the colleagues before going to leave.

Ravi mailed his resignation to Mr. Arjunswami through mail. The reason for his resignation was Appendices operation to be done at native place as none of the family member were staying in Mumbai. Mr. Arjunswami called Ravi to his chamber. Mr. Arjunswami shared his appendix operation experience with him and asked him whether he will join again after operation. Ravi explained his problem that after appendix operation he needs to stay at native place in UP only as his parents are concerned about his health condition.

All office colleagues had thrown send-off party for Ravi in South Mumbai Pub, All of them danced whole night and praised Ravi and wished him best luck for his operation. Suhani & Manav where observing each other. Neha drank to much and was about to disclose about Ravi's new job opportunity at U.S. she collapsed on the dance floor.

Suhani & Manav decided to drive Neha home. Ravi avoided coming in between both of them and he stayed back partying in pub. Neha was dropped at her sister's house by Manav & Suhani.

Manav & Suhani were lonely together for 1st time after their break up. Suhani & Manav were remembering the pain of past broken relationship.

(Both Suhani & Manav 1st met at a common friend's wedding where they both flirted with each other. Sooner they developed liking towards each other. Suhani helped Manav to get into company after forwarding Manav's C.V. to finance manager of company. They both were in relationship for more than 4 years. Manav needed commitment from Suhani and asked her for marriage.

Next morning Suhani’s father got massive heart stroke leaving him partially paralysed. Suhani was taking care of his father in hospital for 2 weeks where she meet Roshesh for 1st time. After 2 weeks when Suhani rejoined office, Manav started avoiding Suhani thinking Suhani was purposely avoiding him after his marriage proposal. And Manav left for Kanpur. During Manav's visit to Kanpur he changed his mobile no. and was not in contact with Suhani.

After 2 weeks Manav was back in office. Suhani was in jubilant mood and moved happily towards Manav. Manav resisted Suhani saying that he is engaged and will be getting married in December & everything is over between them. Suhani in anger left office with 2 week leave. Suhani’s father wanted Suhani & Roshesh to get married as soon as possible as Suhani’s father's health was not in good condition.

In car Manav was unable to resist attraction toward Suhani, he touched her hand and pulled her towards himself and kissed Suhani. Suhani also did not resist him and both were in tears. As soon as Suhani realized and was back to her consciousness, she came out of car pushing Manav. Manav ran towards her and apologized for his behavior and then Manav dropped Suhani to her home. Suhani had taken leave for 1 week after this incident.

Ravi left for U.S. Neha was feeling absence of Ravi. Vipul left for his native village. Mr. Arjunswami phoned Vinay & called him in his cabin. Vinay was given hike in his salary & made Housekeeping in-charge also by Mr. Arjunswami recommendation. Due to this obligation, Vinay used to pass all information of office and staff to Mr. Arjunswami.

After a week Suhani was back in job. Both Suhani & Manav were busy in their work. They both were avoiding each other throughout that day. They both were working late that day, all office staff already left the office. Certainly Suhani’s phone rang 3 times and stopped suddenly, Suhani got up from her working desk and walked towards Manav's cabin. She entered Manav's cabin. They came out off the cabin after 1 hour and left office together. Manav dropped Suhani to her home on way back to home from office.

Next morning as housekeeping staff was cleaning the office, staff arrived at office. One of staff got used condom in toilet dustbin which he reported to Vinay. Vinay promptly called Mr. Arjunswami regarding stuff in dustbin. As soon as Mr. Arjunswami arrived in office after punch in, He walked towards IT dept. to check the recording of last day after the office was closed. He saw the footage of Suhani entering into Manav's cabin. He copied the video with the help of IT personnel without letting know the content of video footage and promptly deleted the recording from hard disk.

Mr. Arjun swami was waiting for M.D. (Mr. Sood) to come so he can show the video footage & used condom were recovered from dustbin. Mr. Sood arrived around 11.00 P.M. Mr. Arjunswami called up Vibha and asked to fix appointment with Mr. Sood. Vibha called up Mr. Arjunswami for few minutes only as Mr. Sood needed to leave for urgent meeting. Mr. Arjunswami moved with all the evidence of last night and showed it to Mr. Sood. He laughed at him and advised him to fix cameras in all cabin and asked him to destroy all such evidence and to send general email to all staff to maintain professional & personal life separately.

Vipul was back in office after 15 days of leave. Suddenly Vipul's phone rang, Vipul picked up the receiver and he was shocked to hear Ravi's voice. Ravi wished him good day and enquired about Neha. Ravi was missing Neha. Vipul replied he didn’t have any idea as he just resumed office today. Vipul in excitement informed Ravi that he is engaged and will be marrying in month of September. Ravi congratulated Vipul and closed conversation on phone.

Days passed by and September came. The day was vipul's marriage. Suhani was with her husband Roshesh & Manav were accompanying Nisha. Ravi came from U.S. and was anticipating Neha to come in marriage. Neha was last to reach in marriage ceremony. Mr. Arjunswami was sitting with Vibha and enjoying the marriage. After Marriage function was over, Ravi & Neha left together. On their way back Ravi proposed to Neha with red rose he bought for Neha. Neha was in tears and accepted his rose saying its better to be late.