I was having this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach since I woke up in the morning. It wasn't the first time I felt like that, but this time, it was really stuck to me like glue. And I couldn't decide whether it was a good feeling or not.

So, I just put it on the backburner and carried on with my daily routine and got ready to reach my office before I got late.

I picked up my phone and bag, and after checking my appearance in the mirror one last time, I left the house and dropped the keys in my bag. My workplace was just twenty minutes away from my home, so I utilised this time to give my legs some exercise.

I would buy an American espresso and two cupcakes from the cafeteria on my way to curb the hunger which arose from all the walking.
On reaching office, I greeted everyone present, got in my cubicle and started the work.

I had recently joined this startup, and I was really happy with my decision. After working in three well-known established law firms for six years, I was really worried about joining this new baby on the block.

But when I did my research, I was really impressed with their resume and goals. So, I took a leap of faith and quit my last job - which was boring as hell - and joined this new team.

There were only twenty employees currently, but I knew that one day there would be thousands of footsteps roaming around this place. I believed it.

"Guys! A very important client is coming in the afternoon for a meeting. If everything goes well, we will be able to secure a huge investment," our CEO, Mr. Rajesh Lohari announced, and we all clapped in excitement.

He explained what each of us had to do and said that he would be choosing two persons to accompany him while he took care of the presentation. Therefore, everyone had to be prepared.

This wasn't the first time that someone had showed interest in investing in our startup, but going by the way our CEO was so pumped up for this, it meant that it was a really big deal this time.

I didn't know why I was feeling so nervous while the trainees were all cool about it.

I am a senior, I should act like one.

I got myself a coffee and called all the juniors who were assigned to me. I took an update from them about our ongoing project and announced that if we secured the deal, I would give them a treat. They all got excited and got back to work with more energy.

Soon, the clock struck 3 p.m., and we heard footsteps which seemed to be getting louder with each passing second.

"They are here!" our secretary whisper yelled and ran to take her position at the door to welcome the guests.

After a few seconds, Rajesh sir appeared with two men behind him. Both of them were dressed in expensive suits and looked well groomed, but there was one who got my heart beating like a racing horse.

I clutched my skirt tightly and that feeling from earlier intensified thousand folds. I felt a knot in my stomach. I averted my eyes and focused them on the ground.

When I heard others greet the client, I also joined them. We greeted them like school kids and smiled like a lightbulb. But my smile got stuck on my face and my eyes took the shape of saucers when I saw him staring back at me.

The two men strode with confidence and stood in front of us. My colleague nudged me, and I realised that the other guy was asking for my name. I quickly apologized and introduced myself.

"Sadhna Tiwari," I said my name and shook his hands.

All this time, I could feel the man behind him staring holes in my face. He was our client and he had come with his assistant for the meeting.

He is back; my 6 years old crush is back! I remembered him, but did he remember me?

~°∆°~

"Sadhna and Ankur, you both will be coming with me," Rajesh sir announced, and my face paled.

Why? Why didn't he choose someone else? I don't want to go!

"Okay, sir," I replied, and Ankur high-fived with me.

How could he be so excited? Oh, right. He wasn't the one who was hell of nervous and had a crush on the client.

Rajesh sir sensed my nervousness and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Sadhna. I will take care of everything."

I smiled back at him and fisted my hands in determination. I felt like I was a new soldier going to fight a war, but my commander had full faith in me. I was so blessed to have him as my mentor.

But that didn't help to calm my nerves. I was sweating badly and went to get coffee two times in just fifteen minutes. My colleagues thought I was sick or something but I assured them that everything was fine.

Why am I behaving like an idiot? So what if he is here? He is just our client and nothing else. I should stop acting like I just saw my favourite celebrity.

Ankur helped me and said that he would cover up for me if I made a mistake. He was a junior to me by two years, but he was doing better than me. I thanked him, and after ten minutes, Rajesh sir's secretary called us for the meeting.

I mentally prepared myself and followed Ankur in the conference room. Rajesh sir was explaining something to the client and they looked satisfied with whatever they were hearing.

We took our seats on the opposite side, and I tried to keep my gaze solely on Rajesh sir, or Ankur, or something else. Alas, my stupid heart decided to play games with me, and I stole few glances at my crush.

He was dressed in an Armani suit with top two buttons of his shirt opened up. His hazel eyes were focused on the paper in front of him while his right index finger stroked the light stubble on his strong jawline. His hair were gelled perfectly to the side, and I felt nostalgic as college memories flashed in front of my eyes.

He didn't look at me even once as he was deeply involved in the conversation with Rajesh sir and his assistant. I felt Ankur shift beside me, and I asked him what was wrong.

"Do you know who he is?" he asked like a kid.

"Ummm... our client?" I replied.

"Very funny." He rolled his eyes.

"He is Uttkarsh Khurana; the owner of Khurana enterprises. Isn't he so cool?"

"I know. Yay! We got a huge investor, and we should celebrate." I did a small dance in my seat, and he shook his head in disappointment.

"Let's start the presentation," Rajesh sir announced and switched on the projector.

He had prepared a new PPT this time, and I was really impressed with it. He was so well versed in his job that I was one hundred percent sure we would get this deal.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I snapped my gaze at him, but he wasn't looking at me. Was my mind playing games with me? I shook my head and concentrated back on Rajesh sir.

But it seemed like my eyes had magnets in them which were getting pulled to him no matter how much I controlled them. So, I decided to steal a last glance at him, and my breath hitched when I found him already staring back at me.

We made eye contact, and he didn't blink even once during it. I myself averted my gaze out of embarrassment.

After that I didn't glance in his direction again, but I felt his gaze on me a few times. Fortunately, the meeting ended, and I ran out of the room like my life depended on it. I didn't do any work. I was only observing everything and how our CEO handled the clients. It was a good live session.

I relaxed after I got back in my cubicle and put my head down on the desk.

Why am I feeling like this? It has been 6 years! Calm the fuck down, heart!

I pinched myself on the leg and focused my attention back on the work at hand. After sometime, I sensed a presence beside me. I looked up and saw Uttkarsh staring at me with narrowed eyes.

We didn't say anything for what seemed like ages and just stared at each other like creeps. Suddenly, he took out a pen from his jacket and took a sticky note from my desk. He wrote down something on it and pasted it on my cubicle wall.

I read what he had written and it was his private number. He left after mumbling something under his breath, and I just stared at his retreating back.

What the hell just happened?! Did he really give me his number? But why?