Chapter 4: Bunking the Shift

After that night on video call, the regular office commute lost all its routine. In the branch, they could barely look at each other without their pulses racing, knowing what they had already seen and heard. The moment they were out of sight, their text threads caught fire.

Akash: I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I just keep thinking about that night. The video calls aren’t enough anymore. We need to book a place.

Sonia: Stop it, Akash. Concentrate on your work.

Akash: I don’t care about work. I want to lose my virginity with you. You know I do. Stop making me wait like this. Just tell me when?

Sonia stared at her phone screen under the edge of her desk. She wasn’t even going to pretend anymore—she wanted it just as much as he did. The loneliness in her house whenever Ramesh was away on night shifts made her frustrated. Over the next couple of weeks, the late-night video calls got wilder, harsher, and completely unfiltered. They stopped playing games; they just watched each other touch themselves, the desperation reaching a boiling point where a screen wasn’t enough anymore.

Akash: Tuesday morning, Sonia. We’re bunking the shift. Just let me book the room and tell me you’re in.

Sonia: Are you crazy? If both of us take leave on the exact same day, people at the office are going to get suspicious.

Akash: Say your uncle or someone passed away. Anything. I’ll text the manager that I’ve got a high fever. Just say yes, Sonia.

Sonia: I don’t know ... this is risky, but fine.

On Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM, both stepped out of their respective homes as if heading to a normal day at the bank. Sonia wore her neatly ironed formal office shirt and dark trousers, her handbag over her shoulder. Akash wore his standard cotton shirt and trousers. Sonia had already messaged her manager an emergency leave request for a family funeral, while Akash sent a quick text about a sudden fever.

Akash had already booked a room online at The Fern Residency near the airport area—a discreet, reliable business hotel far enough from their daily route to avoid any prying eyes.

Sonia waited at her daily pickup point. When Akash came, she quickly slid into the back seat of the rickshaw. They didn’t talk about the bank files or traffic. Akash’s hand slid straight over her thigh, his fingers pressing into the fabric of her office trousers.

The rickshaw pulled up outside the hotel. They walked into the lobby together, trying to look as casual as possible. Akash approached the front desk to handle the booking reference while both of them handed over their identity cards for the mandatory guest registration.

The receptionist handed over the room key card, wishing them a pleasant stay. They took the elevator up to their floor and walked down the quiet corridor to their room. The moment they stepped inside, Akash shut the heavy door behind them, and they were finally alone with the whole day ahead of them.

There was no rush, so they took their time settling in. They dropped their office bags on the desk, kicked off their shoes, and took turns freshening up in the bathroom to wash off the Mumbai heat.