Priyanka was drenched in sweat, her body glistening with perspiration. The air in her office was icy cold, sending shivers down her spine. This was the same office she had spent countless hours in, working day shifts and night shifts for the past four years. Life had changed drastically since she had landed this job after graduating. It was the IT career her parents had always dreamed of for her, and landing a job at Infosys was a dream come true for a girl from a small city like Salem.

Her parents had been overjoyed, boasting about their daughter’s success to anyone who would listen. “My daughter Priyanka works at Infosys. We are already looking for a suitable groom for her,” her father would proudly declare to their relatives. Her mother’s face would light up with pride, as if she had hit the jackpot.

While her friends were enjoying their afternoon break, Priyanka sat alone at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. The weight of expectations and the pressure to succeed had taken its toll on her, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. The once bright future she had envisioned now seemed clouded with uncertainty.

She had always been the epitome of a goody-goody girl. Just casual chats, no serious entanglements with any guy, until yesterday. Rahul. Yes, Rahul was the one who had turned her world upside down. The tall, handsome Rahul, who had everyone at the office swooning in his presence. Her friends would practically throw themselves into his lap, sipping coffee and exchanging pizza bites just to get a taste of his lips. It was enough to make Priyanka roll her eyes and bury herself in her work whenever he was around.

But yesterday, everything changed. Rahul had called her out of the blue and asked her on a date. She was stunned. Why her? She wasn’t one of the girls who fawned over him. She wasn’t “Fair and Lovely,” just above average but presentable. She was different. And yet, here he was, asking her to meet him at the “Tonic Bar” at 7 pm.

As the clock struck 6 pm, she couldn’t bear the anticipation any longer. She decided to arrive early, hoping to get this whole ordeal over with as quickly as possible. She took a moment to freshen up, using cleansing wipes to cool and refresh her face. The nerves were setting in, but she was determined to face whatever awaited her at the lounge.

She hurriedly left her office, determined not to let confusion cloud her mind. If it was going to be Rahul, then so be it. It seemed like only the girls were chasing after him, while he remained indifferent, simply engaging in casual conversation. But to her, he was more than just a handsome and intelligent man – he would be her trophy.

As she entered the Tonic Bar, a hub for the IT crowd, the cacophony of noise, laughter, and hiccups enveloped her. Taking a seat on a plush sofa, she couldn’t help but notice the bold red graffiti on the wall in front of her. When the waiter approached to take her order, she informed him that she was waiting for a friend who would arrive in half an hour. The thought of being in a bar without a drink made her uneasy, that too, surrounded by people baring their souls after a few shots.

Observing the raw emotions and truths being shared at each table, she felt compelled to capture the fleeting moments. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on a familiar face – Rahul. What was he doing there so early, engaging in an intense conversation with a waiter? Why hadn’t he informed her of his early arrival?

As her phone vibrated in her handbag, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease and anticipation. 

It was Rahul. “Hi, Priyanka. Sorry, I will be a bit late. Be there at 7:30 at the lounge. OK. I’m at my cousin’s place. Damn. This traffic is annoying,” he said. “I will be there soon.” Wow. He had mastered the art of bluffing. She was screaming inside but concealed it elegantly. He was a con guy. So, Mr. Rahul was right here, and was giving her the “cake”. She quickly gathered her thoughts. His waiter buddy was busy chatting with him. Her heart was fluttering but she was smart enough to understand the finger signal by Rahul. They were planning to spike her drink when she arrived. Maybe after a few rounds. Then… Then, he might even carry her to his car and head straight. Straight to his apartment, or a hotel. Who knows? Her heart was racing now. It was worth the wait. She was lucky to be early. Early enough to know the real Rahul. She quickly, but silently got up, turned her head slowly, and dashed her way to the exit. She wasn’t noticed at all. The dim lights came to her help. 

The wait was finally over.