Yalini doesn't even know why everyone is congratulating her. The entire office seems unusually lively, filled with excited whispers, smiling faces, and curious glances directed toward her from every corner. The usual calm working environment feels completely different today, almost festive, as if something important has just happened.
Some colleagues pass by, patting her shoulder warmly, offering congratulations with genuine smiles, while others simply look at her with admiration, as if she has achieved something remarkable. A few even exchange knowing looks among themselves, whispering softly. Yet, she stands there, completely unaware of what is happening, feeling strangely out of place in the middle of all this attention.
With a slight irritation forming on her face, her brows knitting together, she turns to Reha and asks, "What's going on here? Will someone please tell me?"
Her tone carries confusion mixed with a hint of annoyance, as if she is tired of being left out of something clearly important, something everyone else seems to already know.
Reha looks at her, a soft smile playing on her lips, her eyes sparkling slightly, as if she is enjoying this moment far more than she should. It's clear that she knows something Yalini doesn't.
"The boss has called you to his cabin. Go, you'll understand everything once you get there."
Her voice is calm, almost teasing, as if she is deliberately holding back the truth to build suspense.
Still a bit annoyed, Yalini exhales softly, trying to control her growing impatience. She takes off the bag from her shoulder and places it on her desk with a small, slightly louder-than-usual thud. Without wasting another second, she turns and quickly walks toward the boss's cabin, her steps slightly faster than usual, reflecting her restless state of mind.
As she walks through the office corridor, she can feel people's eyes on her. The whispers behind her grow slightly louder, but she chooses to ignore them. Her mind is filled with questions, one after another, creating a quiet storm inside her.
She reaches the cabin door and pauses for a brief second, taking a small breath.
Then she knocks.
"May I come in, sir?"
Inside, the boss is sitting at his desk, focused on something on his computer screen. Hearing Yalini's voice, he lifts his head and looks toward the door.
A warm, welcoming smile slowly appears on his face.
"Oh, Miss Yalini Sen. Come in," the boss says in a pleasant and friendly tone.
Yalini opens the door and steps inside, closing it gently behind her.
"Sir, you called me?" she asks, standing straight, her expression still serious, though curiosity flickers in her eyes.
"Yes, I did. I have some good news for you," the boss replies, leaning slightly back in his chair, his smile widening just a little more.
"What good news, sir?" Yalini asks again, her curiosity growing stronger now, though her confusion still lingers.
The boss stops working, closes the file on his screen, and gives her his full attention.
"I'll tell you. First, have a seat."
Yalini nods slightly and sits down on the chair placed in front of him. Her posture is straight, her hands resting quietly, her eyes fixed on him, waiting patiently, though her heart beats just a little faster.
The boss folds his hands on the desk and says,
"Alright, now listen carefully."
"You know that three of our staff members were supposed to go to Japan. One of them is Meenakshi Bose. You know her, right?"
"Yes, sir," Yalini replies without hesitation.
"Yes, that same Meenakshi has suddenly informed me that she won't be able to go to Japan. Her elder brother had an accident, and there is no one else in her family to take care of him. So she has to stay back and look after him. She personally called me last night and informed me."
The boss pauses for a moment, carefully observing Yalini's reaction, as if trying to understand what she is thinking.
"Now, if she doesn't want to go, we can't force her. So I have decided to send someone else in her place…"
He leans slightly forward, his voice becoming a little more deliberate.
"And for that… I have selected you."
The moment those words leave his mouth—
Everything stops.
Time freezes.
Yalini freezes completely.
Her mind goes blank, as if someone has suddenly erased all her thoughts.
The room, the desk, the boss—everything seems to blur slightly, as if she is no longer fully present in that moment.
The boss continues speaking, explaining details, responsibilities, preparations… but none of it reaches her ears.
It's as if all sound has disappeared.
Only one question echoes again and again inside her mind—
"Did I hear that right?"
She stares at the boss, her eyes fixed on him, but it feels like she is watching a TV without sound.
His lips are moving.
But she hears nothing.
Seeing no reaction from her, the boss frowns slightly and stops speaking.
"Yalini? …Yalini?"
He calls her name once.
Then again, a little louder.
"Yalini! Yalini! Yalini!"
Still, there is no response.
Finally, he stands up slightly and lightly shakes her shoulder.
"Yalini!"
Suddenly—
She snaps back to reality.
As if waking up from a deep, distant dream.
Her eyes blink rapidly, trying to adjust.
She looks slightly startled, almost disoriented.
The boss picks up a glass of water from the table and hands it to her.
"Are you okay, Yalini?"
Yalini takes the glass with slightly trembling hands, her fingers not completely steady. She brings it to her lips and drinks a sip.
The cool water flows down her throat, grounding her, bringing her senses back.
"Yes, sir. I'm fine," she replies softly.
The boss nods slowly.
"Alright. Did you understand what I said?"
Yalini looks at him for a moment, gathering herself, then says carefully,
"Sir… could you please repeat what you said at the beginning?"
"Which part?" the boss asks.
"About selecting me," she replies quietly.
"Oh yes," the boss smiles again, "I've selected you in place of Meenakshi."
"And listen, I'm giving you four days of leave. Use this time to prepare everything you need and complete your shopping. Okay?"
Yalini nods slowly.
She still cannot speak.
At this moment, she is so happy that she has lost the ability to express it.
Her emotions are too overwhelming, too powerful for words to carry.
She quietly stands up, almost mechanically, and walks out of the boss's cabin.
As soon as she steps outside—
Reha rushes toward her immediately.
"So, how was the surprise?" she says playfully, her eyes full of excitement.
But Yalini cannot say a word.
Instead—
She suddenly hugs Reha tightly.
Her grip is firm, emotional, almost desperate.
Tears start falling from her eyes.
Warm, uncontrollable tears.
Her tears speak loudly today—
as if they are shouting that these are tears of happiness, not sorrow.
Reha is taken aback for a second, slightly surprised, then she smiles softly and gently pats Yalini's back, understanding everything without words.
After a moment, Yalini slowly lets go.
Reha crosses her arms and says teasingly,
"You won't get away just like that. You have to treat me! Today is such a happy day for you!"
Yalini sits down on a nearby chair.
Her emotions slowly begin to settle, though her heart still feels full.
Then, in a soft, slightly heavy voice, she says,
"You know, Reha… today is truly one of the happiest and most memorable days of my life…"
She pauses briefly, her gaze lowering.
"But I don't know why… it feels like a dark shadow is covering this happiness with sadness."
Reha's expression changes immediately.
She sits beside her, more serious now.
"What happened to you? Are you worried about something?"
Yalini takes a deep breath, her chest rising slowly.
"Not worried exactly… but something just won't leave my mind."
"What?" Reha asks.
"Dhruv," Yalini answers quietly.
Reha suddenly reacts,
"Oh! I completely forgot to tell you—"
But before she can continue, Yalini starts speaking, her thoughts already spilling out,
"You know, I went to the hospital yesterday…"
She explains everything slowly.
"…but when I got there, I found out that Dhruv had already been discharged two days ago. But the strange thing is—he didn't inform me about it at all. He didn't even give me his home address."
Reha listens quietly, her expression thoughtful.
Then she says,
"Did you ever ask him for his address? You're blaming him for no reason."
"And even if you don't have his address… you do have his phone number, right? That business card he gave you—did you throw it away or something?"
Yalini suddenly freezes.
The card.
She had completely forgotten.
"Yes… you're right!" she says quickly. "I still have that card!"
She tries to get up immediately, her urgency returning.
But Reha grabs her hand and pulls her back down.
"Wait, madam! What's the hurry? Office isn't over yet."
"And anyway… you'll have to go to his house later."
"What do you mean?" Yalini asks, confused.
Reha leans slightly closer, lowering her voice a bit.
"Yes, you have to go to his house."
"Why?" Yalini asks again.
"To say thank you."
"Thank you? For what?"
Reha smiles knowingly, her eyes meaningful.
"Because of him… you'll be able to fulfill your dream of going to Japan's Sakura festival."
Yalini is completely stunned.
"What does Dhruv have to do with my Japan trip? I don't understand anything you're saying."
Reha sighs lightly.
"Listen carefully."
"Do you know who Dhruv is?"
"Who?" Yalini asks.
"Dhruv is Meenakshi's elder brother."
Silence falls between them.
"Who is Meenakshi?" Yalini asks again.
Reha slaps her forehead dramatically.
"Oh God!"
"Meenakshi—the one who was supposed to go to Japan but can't go now. So you're going in her place…"
"…because there's no one else to take care of Dhruv except her."
And in that moment—
Everything connects.
Everything starts getting mixed up in Yalini's mind…
Then slowly…
Piece by piece…
The boss's words begin to echo again.
Meenakshi… accident… elder brother… replacement…
Dhruv…
Her heart begins to beat faster.
A strange mix of emotions rises within her—
surprise, realization, gratitude, and something deeper she cannot yet name.
Slowly, everything that was scattered begins to come together—
And finally—
It all makes sense.