Risks and Opportunities are two sides of the same coin.

A Week Later

Youth Today 26.11. 2021

The sun was blocked by clouds and was struggling to spread its radiance.

Siya Arya lay on her desk for a long time. The central conditioning was failing miserably and sweat was dripping from her forehead on a humid day. Her parents had sent her the biodata of the prospective groom. He was a job person and is a cousin on her sister-in-law's side. The guy and his family had seen her at wedding functions and had liked her. Now Arya's family was urging her to meet him as she failed to introduce her BF to them. 'I'm just waiting for the right time to introduce him to you.' she insisted but none believed her.

The mechanical sound of the keyboard from the next desk failed to get her attention but the ringer of the desk phone pulled her out of the chaos of her consciousness. The caller id states the call was from the Deputy Editor's office. Pallavi Kapoor was calling her, displeased she picked up the receiver of the landline.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Deputy Editor .....Oh!.... with pleasure, Deputy Editor, when is the interview scheduled?" Lifting her spirits, Siya entered her professional mode and almost forgot her old grudges against Pallavi.

"It's scheduled for tomorrow. I'm assigning this task to you then."

Siya fell into silence, it was a golden opportunity for her career but tomorrow was Avinash's birthday and they were looking forward to it for a long time. She hesitated," Can you recommend someone else from our agency?"

"Siya, I recommend the best name. It's a pity you are not considering it worth your time." Pallavi's insistence forced her to rethink. She can be with Avinash to celebrate his birthday after winding up her tasks; thinking this way she accepted the job, "Ok, I will do it."

"Great, then I'm forwarding you a call, please manage it well."

..... With the sound of a Beep, another line was connected.

"Hello, Youth Today?"

"You got it right Sir, Good Morning, How can I help you?" Siya replied.

"Hello, Saurabh Kalia speaking, I'm assistant to MLA, Mr. Prakash Surve. Three days ago, Ms. Mathur from Youth Today booked an interview with Mr. Prakash. The original date is tomorrow. Am I correct?"

"Yes, An interview with Mr. Surve is scheduled for tomorrow, Mr. Kalia."

"Regarding the same, I called to inform you that Sir has a banquet to attend tomorrow. Is it convenient if you interview Sir right after it?"

She understands the importance of good opportunities especially to wash away the black ink of fake cases from her career and this one fell in her kitty just by luck.' Mr. Prakash Surve won by a huge margin and instantly attracted the attention of all and it was not easy to get him interviewed. With this thought, she reluctantly agreed to the man's request. With Siya's confirmation, the man confirmed the time and venue with her, "I am looking forward to it. Have a good day ahead." She maintained her professional etiquette and soon the call got disconnected.

Kritika found her grunting so she poked her arm to get her attention. "What's up?"

"Tomorrow is Avinash's birthday." Siya pouted.

"I'm aware, babes. Are you short of cash or something?" inquired Kritika.

"No silly. I earn none less than you." Siya looked petulant.

"Then, why is your battery down?" Kritika snapped irritated with her mop and mow.

"It's his second birthday yaar, after we started dating. Last year I purchased tickets for a romantic Bollywood blockbuster and candlelight dinner in a fancy restaurant but it failed due to urgent work which came suddenly." Kritika shrugged at the information, "So?"

"And tomorrow I have to interview our MLA. Avi will be waiting for me to celebrate his birthday. How would I tell him? I don't want to disappoint him on his birthday." she longed for the day.

"Then why did you accept this interview at first? You knew it was his birthday. Don't you?" Kritika tried to nip.

"I didn't expect it to clash with our plans. I thought it would end early. What should I do now?" Siya got hysterical.

"Oh! How about you plan a trip to some nice place like Lonavala or Arboli Hills this weekend to celebrate with him? This way you won't be at a personal and professional loss."

"Ha ha... I haven't opened an account yet and you are dreaming of a long weekend in Lonavala... Moreover, my aunt's flow will be around the same time... I have to compensate him with some luxury gift like last year. I'm sure he will understand the situation."

The next evening

Siya was immersed in writing when her cell beeped with the reminder of the interview. Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths and turned off her computer. Hearing the movement on the opposite desk, Kritika raised her head and said, "Silly, I can go in your place if you want to be with Avinash." Kritika proposed, thoughtfully.

"Deputy Editor assigned me this job, you know. How could I give her a chance to degrade me?"

"Wait, Pallavi assigned you an interview?"

"Yes!" Sia nodded. She waited for her friend to exclaim in surprise, instead, Kritika tighten her forehead.

"Why does it sound fishy? Do you know she is my other common friend with Avinash?"

Siya was stunned at this information and she stood still for a while. 'Why Avi never mentioned it to me?'

"Last year the urgent work was also assigned to you by Pallavi Kapoor, Wasn't it this time around?" Kritika fired another question. Sia was a nearly clean bolt.

"Huh?" She felt a sudden stomach ache, dropping her contents on the desk she held her stomach.

"What happened to you now, Acchi bhali toh this Abhi?" (You were fine just now) Kritika panicked at her reaction.

"Gas" Siya's face turned white with another wave of pain, her usual agility was completely lost.

"Are you okay? Do you want to see a doctor?" Kritika's nose wrinkled yet she asked concerned.

"No. I'm on saline water for detoxification. Stools and gas are normal."

"Are you sure?" "Don't worry... " Siya shook her head to assure her.

"What's for me to worry about when you don't worry about experimenting with your health? Anyways what do you plan to do?"

"I will visit his apartment after I wind the interview." Adjusting her emotions, Siya answered standing upright.

"That sounds like a plan but don't inform him." Kritika giggled but her fingers kept her nose clogged. "And do something about your gas. don't pollute the air of Mumbai. It's already congested here."

Siya didn't mind her, nor her gas. Her nose was blocked and she returned to her seat to work. She gave command of printing for the questionnaire sent by Pallavi. Walking up to the printer, she watched the process but her brows remained dropped. As if to test her patience the paper got jammed and the notification of Error jumped on the screen. Sighing she removed the paper and again gave the command of print. Soon the paper started piling up in front of her in an orderly manner. It was then her cell rang with Avinash's call, "Baby, when do you get off work, I will pick you up?"

Siya leaned on the printer and ran her fingers on its layout, "Avi, I'm sorry, I will join you later. I have an interview." Crossing her fingers she waited for his reply.

"Not again, yaar! Anyways I understand it must be important otherwise you wouldn't have accepted it at first instance."

Though she knows he is an understanding fellow, they were looking forward to a romantic date for a long time. "I'm sorry Avi. I disappointed you."

Avinash sighed as he heard her words, "Well! message me when you get free."

"I'm sorry, baby." Pursing her lips she apologized again. Her voice was almost inaudible, "l will try to make it up for you next time, please don't spoil your mood, it's your birthday."

Kritika's ears were on Siya and she waited for Siya's call to end. Dropping her pen on the desk, she propped her chin on her palms while her elbows rested on the desk. "He agreed so easily?"

"What do you mean? He is considerate enough to understand work priorities. The same can happen at his end." Siya stood up for her boyfriend and asked back, Avinash's words boosted her morale.

"Are you sure your considerate boyfriend is true to you or you are just a time pass, tu nahi Aur Sahi type?"

"Yes, I'm his priority! But a pitiful single dog won't understand the understanding between couples."

"I wonder who is pitiful, you a fool, or your boyfriend who is robbed of the opportunity to celebrate his every birthday with his GF..... But beware of men, darling, they are often masked."

"If it's in my hand I wouldn't have left him alone on his last birthday and I wish to fly to reach him asap." Siya picked up the information and went aside to bind it.

"Awww! Now stop feeding me this dog food. Anyways, introduce him in person one day. I want to meet this guy who not only stole the heart of my friend and has no objections to her constant absence from their dates." Kritika teased, battling her eyes. After her breakup with Sahil, she found it unbelievable. 'How could such an understanding man exist in this universe?'

"Stop being an unreasonable woman. Avi is unlike Sahil."

"Unlike my ex? But I remember he was clingy to death once. He changed with time. He cheated on me, Siya... I caught him red-handed in bed with a bimbo. Men just need a driving force to cheat or move ahead with another woman in their arms.

Siya started stapling the papers to avoid an outburst from Kritika, but her ears were paying attention and her finger got punctured while binding the sheets.

"Ouch!" Reflexively she removed her finger to put it in her mouth, but the pain in the fingertip gradually spread to her heart.

"Beware, our job is to hunt the story and not become one. Since Pallavi is involved; I warned you early." Kritika pulled her bag out and handed her ointment. "There is no medicine for heartbreak, and you better take precautions in Hermit while interviewing that old man. I heard rumors about his affairs." Leaning forward, Kritika tended to her wound and kept chanting her advice, "This interview could be a trap."

"He is a civilized old man, Kri. Don't believe all the rumors. Did you forget his son is a reputed officer? Where else would I be safe if not there?" Siya tried to put some sense.

"Whatever, don't accept any drinks. Don't be alone with any men, including that old man. Come with any reasonable excuse. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mumma... I understand..." Though Siya laughed, her mind was already looking for a 'reasonable excuse'. "Food poisoning? .... Not feeling well?" Siya teased Kritika, feeling light after talking to Avinash.

"You think he is your Avinash who will readily accept your excuses? You may be bold outwardly but I know men's nature better than you." Kritika mock left Siya doubtful again.

Once a certain idea is born, it will sprout in the heart uncontrollably.

"What do you want me to do?" Siya pouted.

"Keep an eye on your man. What if he is already partying with another woman in his arms? Have you seen your eyes?" Kritika twitched her ears, feeling bad after disturbing her friend. But what's done can't be undone.

Siya hesitated for a while before making a video call to Avinash. Neither she wants to spoil her relationship with Avi nor she could resist skepticism. After contemplating she settled on texting him. [Just wanted to say don't be unhappy.]

His reply came forthwith. [I understand work is important. In the future, there will be many birthdays we will celebrate together. If you have a few minutes, should I video call? I want to see you, baby.] Instead of replying, Siya called him directly and it got connected instantly.

"Happy Birthday, again, Love."

"Thanks, baby... Hey! You look pale. Are you unwell?"

She couldn't let him know her mind, and came up with a 'reasonable excuse.'

"Umm on periods."

"Hmmm take care and call me when you get free." Avinash exhaled sharply. He had planned to book a room after dinner but learning she was on her menstrual period he was disappointed. Oblivious to his thoughts Siya relaxed, 'Kritika's negativity is affecting my mindset. Don't overthink Siya Arya, Avi is a sensible man.'

"Bye and love you, baby."