Chapter 2

And so it was decided. Komal was supposed to get herself asked out on a date by Rahul sir, once again. Only this time, she would say ‘yes’. Komal was still uncomfortable with the whole thing and I kept explaining to her that it was just pretense, a means to an end, and that it’ll all be over soon. Komal was reluctant, but ultimately knew why this had to be done. She gave in.

My most immediate concern was whether Rahul sir would ask her out again. Especially when she said no the first time? As beautiful and sexy as Komal is, I was sure Rahul sir wouldn’t have a dearth of models and actresses throwing themselves at him. But I soon realized I was worried for nothing.

The next day, as Komal and I were checking guests in at the front desk, Rahul sir came down the elevator and made a beeline for Komal. He didn’t even look in my direction. I was busy with a guest, so I couldn’t really hear what Komal and Rahul sir were talking about. But it was clear that Rahul sir was flirting. He had positioned himself at the desk, close to Komal. Too close, I thought, as he leaned in to whisper something in her ear. My possessive instincts flared, but I kept my cool, smiling at the guests in front of me. I couldn’t help but steal a glance at the two of them.

Komal was smiling, trying hard to maintain a professional demeanor, but I could see the flush on her cheeks. I could tell she was nervous. Maybe it was because of how close Rahul sir was standing to her, or maybe it was because she knew I was watching. He leaned in again and said something, and this time it made her giggle. A sharp pang of jealousy shot through me. I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure.

“Can we hurry this up a bit?”, said the guest who I was supposed to be checking-in, the irritation clear in his voice.

“Of course sir ... sorry sir,” I mumbled, handing him the key card. “The elevators are right behind you to the left.”

There were two more customers behind him, waiting to be checked in. I focused my attention on them, occasionally glancing back at Komal and Rahul sir. They were still talking, and Rahul sir’s hand was now resting on the counter, casually, but close to Komal’s. She seemed to have relaxed a bit, leaning in to him slightly as they talked. I wondered what they were talking about for so long. All he had to do was ask her out and she had to say yes. An unreasonable anger was brewing inside of me, but I had to tamp it down.

After helping a family and then a particularly demanding lady with her luggage, I turned to see Komal standing next to me. The guests had finally thinned out, and it was just the two of us at the front desk. Rahul sir was nowhere to be seen.

Komal’s eyes met mine and she gave me a small, nervous smile.

“Well, he did ask me out, and I said yes...”

“I figured ... you both seemed deep in conversation” I said, trying to keep my voice casual, but I could feel the tension building inside me.

“Yeah, he was describing how great the food was, at this Thai restaurant he wants to take me to.”

“Oh yeah?” I said, my heart beat rising.

Komal could sense a tone. Not that I was doing any good hiding it.

“Look, Nitin, if this is bothering you...”

“What? No of course it doesn’t bother me that you’re going on a date that playboy. That’s what we wanted, remember, to save our jobs? What DOES bother me, however, is that it doesn’t seem to bother YOU at all ... you seem to be enjoying it!” I blurted it out before I could stop myself.

I saw the hurt in Komal’s eyes, which were rapidly filling with tears. She turned on her heels and walked away, leaving me feeling like the biggest asshole in the world.

Before I could chase after her, another guest had approached the desk, asking for directions to the restaurant. I forced a smile and gave him the information, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts, almost all of them berating myself for being such a massive jerk. I was the one who got her into this, I convinced her to go on a date with Rahul sir, and now I was acting like a jealous schoolboy.

I radioed one of my guys to take over the front desk and went after Komal. I didn’t know where she could have gone. Did she go to her room? Was she going to the penthouse to cancel her plans with Rahul sir??

I made my way to her room and knocked at the door. No answer. Shit! I turned to make my way to the penthouse, I had to stop her!

Just then, to my big relief, I heard the door click open. It was Komal. She was standing in the doorway, her face red and puffy from crying. I looked around and found no one nearby. I entered her room and closed the door behind me.

“Komal, I am so sorry, I don’t know...” I started, but Komal stopped me with a raised hand.

“Nitin, I knew this was a bad idea to begin with. And you just proved my point. I will NOT jeopardize my marriage, just to keep my job.” her voice shook with emotion.

She turned away from me, but I reached out and grabbed her wrist, gently pulling her back to face me.