Chapter 2

The next morning, Aryan sat at the breakfast table, his mind still clouded by the events of the previous night. Nita and Raj exchanged glances, their worry evident. Nita, with a gentle tone, asked, "Aryan, is everything alright? You seem preoccupied."

Aryan, attempting a reassuring smile, replied, "Just work, Mom. Nothing to worry about."

Raj, sensing more beneath the surface, said, "You know you can share anything with us, right?"

After a moment of contemplation, Aryan admitted, "It's just been hectic at work, Dad. I'll manage."

Nita, her concern deepening, suggested, "Maybe it's time for a break, Aryan. Take care of yourself."

Raj, with a thoughtful expression, added, "And son, we were thinking... what if we help you find someone special? Marriage might bring a new kind of joy into your life."

Aryan, staunchly opposed to the idea of marriage, maintained his position, "Mom, Dad, I appreciate your concern, but marriage isn't on my radar right now. I need to focus on my work."

Nita, sensing his resistance, gently persisted, "Aryan, we understand your dedication to your work, but we also worry about your well-being. A companion might make a positive difference."

Aryan, holding onto his distaste for the idea, replied, "I can handle my life on my own. I don't need someone else complicating it."

Raj, with a father's understanding, said, "Son, we just want to see you happy. Don't shut the door on possibilities that might bring joy into your life."

Aryan, concealing his true feelings, nodded, "I'll think about it, but right now, I need to focus on work."

Nita, accepting his response, added, "Take your time, Aryan. We only want what's best for you."

As Aryan reluctantly agreed to consider the possibility, the room held a tension of unspoken dissent. The clash between Aryan's aversion to marriage and his parents' well-meaning concerns set the stage for a contemplative journey that lay ahead.

As Aryan sat in the backseat, lost in thoughts about the discussion on marriage, his phone rang. Irritated, he answered to find Sameer, his best friend and essentially a family member, on the line. Aryan's family had already briefed Sameer about their concerns regarding Aryan's marriage and requested him to convince Aryan.

Sameer, with a cheerful tone, said, "Hey, grumpy! Heard your parents are on a mission to get you married. What's up with that?"

Aryan, annoyance evident, replied, "Sameer, it's not funny. They're just worried about my work-life balance or something."

Sameer, undeterred, teased, "Well, maybe they've realized you need someone to handle your chaotic life. Could be onto something, you know?"

Aryan, rolling his eyes, retorted, "Yeah, right. I can handle my life just fine. No need for a life manager."

Sameer, playfully, quipped, "Life manager? That's a new one. But seriously, Aryan, maybe it's time to consider it. Who knows, your life might become less chaotic with a partner in crime!"

Aryan, still resistant, sighed, "Sameer, not you too. I need to focus on work, not some matchmaking scheme."

Sameer, with a laugh, said, "Alright, Mr. Workaholic. Just remember, I'll be the first to say 'I told you so' when you realize I was right."

Aryan, shaking his head, ended the call, the banter providing a brief respite from the serious thoughts about marriage.

Disha stepped into the office, greeted by the familiar buzz of workplace activity on her second day. As she approached her desk, Aditi and Vishal, newfound friends from the previous day, welcomed her with genuine smiles.

Aditi: "Good morning, Disha! Ready for another day of workplace adventures?"

Disha: "Morning, Aditi! Absolutely, especially when I've got friends like you and Vishal to make it interesting."

Vishal, leaning in, added with a grin, "The unstoppable trio! Any grand plans for today?"

Disha chuckled, "Surviving the email avalanche is at the top of my list. But maybe we can add a daring coffee break escapade to the agenda?"

Aditi, with a playful glint in her eye, chimed in, "I'm in! Perhaps today the coffee machine will be on our side."

Their laughter resonated through the office, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie. As they settled into their tasks, the trio's banter continued, turning mundane work into moments of shared joy. The friendship that had blossomed on the first day infused the workplace with a sense of warmth and connection, making every task a bit more enjoyable.

During lunchtime, the trio made their way to the canteen on the 1st floor. Disha's office was on the 5th floor, and as they entered the bustling canteen, the aroma of various cuisines filled the air. The canteen served the entire building, with different floors occupied by various offices.

While in line for lunch, Disha spotted Vikram, a friend from her school days, who was working in a BPO on the 11th floor.

Vikram: "Disha! Is that really you?"

Disha, with a warm smile, replied, "Vikram! Long time, no see. How have you been?"

Vikram: "Surviving the corporate chaos. How's it going?"

Disha chuckled, "It's great. And these are my colleagues, Aditi and Vishal."

Aditi: "Hi Vikram! Nice to meet you."

Vishal: "Hey there! Small world, huh?"

Vikram: "Absolutely! Disha, we should catch up after work. What do you say?"

Disha, with a nod, said, "Sure, that sounds nice. Aditi, Vishal, would you like to join for coffee later?"

Aditi and Vishal agreed, and Vikram added, "Great! Looking forward to it."

As they continued through the lunch line, the group chatted about work and reminisced about old times, creating a casual and friendly atmosphere in the bustling canteen.

After lunch, the trio returned to their desk's. Vishal, known for his humour, couldn't resist cracking a few jokes.

Vishal, grinning, said, "Back to the IT grind! Brace yourselves for coding challenges and maybe a surprise visit from the printer – or should I say 'paper jam generator.'"

Aditi chuckled, "I hope the surprise involves it actually working today."

Vishal, jokingly, replied, "Well, miracles do happen. Let's hope our code works its magic too."

Disha, with a smile, added, "Fingers crossed. Let's see what the afternoon brings in the IT world."

In the afternoon, Mr. Kapoor, Disha's boss, handed her some challenging tasks involving debugging in the code, with a tight deadline.

Mr. Kapoor: "Disha, these bugs need to be fixed by the end of the day. We're on a tight schedule for this project."

Disha, feeling the pressure, nodded and replied, "Sure, Mr. Kapoor. I'll start working on resolving these issues."

Recognizing the complexity, she turned to her colleagues, Aditi and Vishal, for help.

Disha: "Guys, Mr. Kapoor just gave me these tricky bugs in the code. Can you help me figure them out?"

Aditi, always ready to assist, said, "Of course, Disha. Let's tackle them together."

Vishal, injecting humor, added, "Think of us as your bug-busting team. We've got your back!"

Throughout the afternoon, Aditi and Vishal guided Disha through the code, identifying bugs, explaining concepts, and providing insights.

As the day neared its end, Disha successfully fixed the bugs with the help of her colleagues.

Disha: "Thanks for your support. You two were a big help with these code issues!"

Aditi: "Anytime, Disha! Teamwork makes it easier."

Vishal, jokingly, said, "Bug extermination accomplished! Let's celebrate this victory."

The teamwork of Aditi and Vishal not only made resolving the code issues manageable but also turned what could have been a stressful afternoon into a successful collaboration for the trio.

Throughout the day, Aryan found himself swamped with back-to-back meetings, not even getting a break for lunch. The relentless demands of his schedule left him in need of a much-deserved break.

By 4 PM, Sameer, Aryan's long-time friend and occasional troublemaker, made a dramatic entrance into Aryan's office, bearing a steaming cup of his favourite black coffee.

Sameer: "Hey, mate! I heard you were drowning in a sea of meetings, so I thought I'd toss you a lifeline in the form of caffeine."

Aryan, looking up from his desk with a hint of amusement, raised an eyebrow, "A lifeline, huh? What's the occasion?"

Sameer, with an exaggerated flourish, handed over the coffee, grinning, "The occasion, my friend, is your caffeine addiction and my heroic deeds of saving you from a caffeine-deprived fate."

Aryan, taking the cup with a smirk, replied, "If only your heroics extended to saving me from these endless meetings."

Sameer, laughing, said, "Hey, I can't fight every battle. But at least this coffee should revive your spirits."

As Aryan sipped the coffee, Sameer leaned against the doorframe, eyeing Aryan with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Sameer: "You know, Aryan, I was thinking..."

Aryan, raising an eyebrow, interrupted, "Thinking? That's a new one for you."

Sameer, undeterred, continued, "What if we added a new item to your meeting agenda? 'Project Happily Ever After.'"

Aryan, immediately dismissive, replied, "Marriage? Not happening."

Sameer, with a twinkle in his eye, persisted, "Come on, Aryan, it's the next big project. I can even be your project manager for this one."

Aryan, unamused, stated firmly, "No project manager, no project. End of discussion."

Sameer, ever the relentless persuader, said, "Alright, but just imagine the joy of adding 'happily ever after' to your project list."

Aryan, shaking his head, muttered, "You're relentless, Sameer."

Sameer, with a chuckle, playfully saluted and left Aryan's office, leaving behind the echoes of a topic Aryan had no intention of entertaining. Aryan, taking another sip of his coffee, couldn't help but appreciate the brief interruption and the entertaining banter that came with it.

As the clock struck 6 in the evening, the trio finished their work and decided to relax at a nearby coffee shop. Vikram joined them, and they ordered coffee, settling into a comfortable spot. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounded them as they began reminiscing about their school days.

Disha, with a smile, shared a nostalgic memory.

Disha: "Vikram, remember when we tried to sneak into the school library after hours? We thought we were so sneaky."

Vikram, also smiling, replied, "Ah, 'Operation Library.' Good times, Disha. We felt like secret agents on a mission."

Disha chuckled, saying, "Our mission didn't go as planned – the librarian's 'shh' was louder than our attempts."

In the midst of their laughter, Vishal, known for his humour, jumped into the conversation.

Vishal: "A failed mission, Disha? Did you at least come out with an exciting novel as a prize?"

Disha, playing along, responded, "No exciting novel, Vishal. Just a quick exit before detention was looming."

Vikram, adding to the banter, teased, "Our rebellious adventures had no limits."

Vishal, with a mock serious look, said, "Rebels without a cause, my friends."

Aditi, enjoying the friendly banter, couldn't help but smile at Vikram's stories. She glanced at him subtly, and Disha noticed the admiration in her expressions.

In that coffee shop evening, stories flowed, laughter echoed, and glances were exchanged, creating a warm atmosphere that showcased the enduring bonds of friendship.

After enjoying their coffee and a good time together, they said their goodbyes and headed home.

As the day wrapped up, Disha spent time with her family and went to bed, thinking about the next day. On the other side, Aryan, dealing with the constant talk of marriage, called his mom. He made up a story about work and staying at Sameer's place for the night.

His mom, thinking Sameer might change his mind about marriage, was happy. "That's a good idea, beta. Maybe Sameer can help you see things differently."

Aryan decided to visit "The Royal Reserve," his favorite bar. Sitting in his usual spot, he ordered a whiskey. The dim lights highlighted his presence as he stood out in the crowd.

Sameer, sensing Aryan's contemplative mood, joined him without an invitation. With a grin, Sameer greeted him.

Sameer: "Look who's here at his favourite spot. What's up, Aryan?"

Aryan, with a small smile, replied, "Just needed a change of scenery. 'The Royal Reserve' has its charm."

Sameer, always ready for banter, teased, "Charm? Or are you here to escape the marriage talks? Your mom's been talking about it."

Rolling his eyes, Aryan retorted, "You're not invited to this pity party, Sameer. Go bother someone else."

Sameer, undeterred, leaned back.

Sameer: "Alright, what's really bothering you? You can't hide behind that brooding look."

Aryan, taking a sip of his whiskey, hesitated before opening up.

Aryan: "It's the marriage talks again. I need a break from the constant discussions at home. Can't a man enjoy a drink in peace?"

Understanding, Sameer quipped, "Ah, the infamous marriage talks. Well, my friend, you're not alone in this. Let's face it together, like the warriors we are."

As the night deepened, Sameer, with a cheeky grin, insisted, "One more round, Aryan! Let's keep this going!" The glasses clinked, signaling another round on their path to complete intoxication.

Aryan, usually reserved with his alcohol, surprisingly gave in to Sameer's prodding. Today was an exception – he craved the numbness that came with getting drunk. With a nod, he agreed, "Alright, Sameer. One more round."

Sameer, reveling in the moment, chuckled, "That's the spirit! To forgetting everything and just enjoying the night!"

Aryan, raising his glass with a faint smile, replied, "To the night."

As the whiskey flowed and the laughter heightened, Sameer became the chatterbox, sharing anecdotes, cracking jokes, and weaving tales. Aryan, a man of few words, listened in silence, occasionally offering a nod or a brief comment.

Sameer, teasingly, said, "Aryan, my friend, you're unusually quiet tonight. What's on your mind?"

Aryan, looking into his glass, replied in his characteristic succinct manner, "Just needed a break."

Sameer, understanding the unspoken words, continued to regale Aryan with stories, providing a temporary escape from the thoughts that lingered in the recesses of Aryan's mind.

They decided to head to Sameer's place, just a short drive away. Sameer lived alone since his parents preferred their hometown and visited occasionally. Aryan had his own room at Sameer's place, and reciprocally, Sameer had his personal space at Aryan's home. It reflected the strength of their enduring friendship.

Upon arrival, Sameer, in a slightly tipsy manner, said, "Feel at home, Aryan! This is your space too."

Aryan, being a man of few words, just nodded, finding comfort in the familiarity of Sameer's place. Laughter filled the night, emphasising the unspoken depth of their bond.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, waking Aryan to the consequences of their night of revelry. Groaning, Aryan rubbed his temples, regret written on his face.

Simultaneously, Sameer stood at the door, holding a tray with two steaming cups of coffee. He observed Aryan's discomfort and grinned.

Sameer: "Here's the cure for our self-inflicted misery – black coffee."

Aryan, acknowledging Sameer's remedy with a nod, took the offered coffee.

Aryan: "Why did we decide on that last round, Sameer?"

Sameer, nursing his own headache, chuckled in agreement, "Well, my friend, the night seemed endless, and one more round sounded like a fantastic idea."

They both sat up, slowly realizing the aftermath of their indulgence.

Aryan, with a rueful smile, remarked, "I haven't felt this way in ages. Remind me why we thought it was a good idea?"

Sameer, attempting to recall the hazy details, replied, "Blame it on the charm of 'The Royal Reserve' and our brilliant idea of drowning our troubles."

As they navigated through the remnants of their hangover, Aryan couldn't help but admit, "Maybe we got carried away."

Sameer, with a mischievous glint in his eye, retorted, "Carried away? We practically let the night sweep us off our feet!"

They exchanged knowing glances, sharing a laugh amidst the post-party discomfort. The morning unfolded with them reminiscing about the antics of the previous night, a shared experience etched into the fabric of their enduring friendship.