Stories

The Office Spouse

Both I and Aniket got into the elevator at the same time. It was five minutes to nine. I said “Good morning” to Aniket and pressed the button for the tenth floor. Aniket just nodded. He did not seem to be in good mood. Just as I was about to ask him, the elevator stopped at the first floor and a few people got in. Arriving at the tenth floor, I got out with Aniket in toe. I tapped my card at the entry console of our “New Design” office. The glass doors parted and we got into the office premises. We were in time. We reached our cubicles, which were side by side, since both of us were part of the same creative marketing design team. I put my purse in the drawer, took out my laptop, and switched it on. It automatically connected to the office wi-fi and I was set to go. Without seating at my desk, I turned to Aniket and asked,

“Coffee?”
“You know, I don’t drink coffee.” Aniket replied coldly.
“Yeah, I know, I will get your black tea.”

Without waiting for his reply, I started towards the coffee room. I first filled a styrofoam cup with hot coffee, put a satchel of sugar and a bit of milk. I then filled another cup with black tea for Aniket. I put both the cups on a tray, picked up some cookies and returned to my desk. Aniket reluctantly pulled his chair towards my desk and picked up his black tea without speaking.

“What’s wrong?” I asked him.
“Nothing, Anju.” He replied.
“Come on Aniket, you know better. After seven years together, I can read you like a book.”
“Nothing much really. Had a fight with my better half in the morning.”
“Oh! What was it about?” I asked.
“It was about you.”
“What!” I nearly dropped my coffee cup.
“Yeah, you remember It was Nisha’s birthday, day before yesterday.”
“Yes. I helped you purchase a nice dress for her from the Mall.”
“I casually told her that you helped me pick the dress and she literally blew up.”
“Aniket, you idiot….”
“Yes, I know. It just slipped out.”
“Oh my god, what did she say?”
“Lots of things, but mainly that I have two spouses. One at home and the other at office.”
“Oh damn! Come on! I just helped you as a friend and colleague. I have done the same with Smita countless times.” Smita was our third team member.
“Yes, but Smita is a girl like you, whereas I am a man, you know!!”
“Yeah, so I have noticed.” Both of us smiled and that relieved the tension somewhat.

Smita was a relative newcomer to our team. She had joined two years ago. We formed a nice team and had achieved lot of milestones for “New Designs” in the last couple of years.

It was not as if Nisha didn’t know me. I had been to their home number of times. We gel well with each other. I said so to Aniket.

“Sure, it is not as if she is jealous or something. But you know, we keep long working hours. In fact, we spend more time at the office than at home. Sometime, it gets to Nisha, especially since she is home most of the time.” Aniket said.

“Don’t worry, I will call and speak with her. Everything will be alright.” I said just as Smita joined us. We forgot everything and started discussing office matters.

I and Aniket have been friends even before we joined “New Designs”. It would not be an exaggeration if I said that we know each other inside-out. We spend almost 13-14 hours together each day working at the office. We have become very close friends. Naturally we talk to each other about many things including personal things, just like you would with a friend. But we always have maintained a proper distance with each other. We understand the boundaries and adhere to them.

I remembered the day when Ravi, my husband and I gave a party at our home on our fifth marriage anniversary. We had invited my as well as Ravi’s colleagues from our respective offices. I am sure Ravi had sensed the bond between me and Aniket. But then, he understood. Afterall, he also had a few female colleagues in his office.

When you spend so much time with each other, there is bound to be some chemistry between both sides. It is quite natural. However, one needs to respect the boundaries and make sure never to cross them.

I picked up the phone and dialled Nisha’s number. I was sure she would understand, and the storm in the tea cup would subside.

Shashank Purandare 09/05/2023