The Potent Dream (short story)

At 9 pm, Avantika entered her office. There was an air of tranquility as it was Friday evening. She worked for an offshore facility of a large Multinational corporation in Whitefield, Bangalore where she was responsible for servicing American Insurance companies. Friday evenings were relaxed as her clients in the US were also anticipating a great weekend. There were less people in office and it was Christmas time in the US.

She was certainly happy today. Last fortnight, she interacted with Peter, a new employee, a team leader, working with the American client. It was a Zoom meeting and Peter insisted to be on video, as it was their first meeting and his notion was to actually see people on remote calls, rather than just hearing them.

She was wearing a orangish pink pearl necklace, with a bit of low neckline on the day of the call and thought that the call would happen off-video. When Peter asked for a video meeting, she tried adjusting her dress, but in vain. As soon as she logged in, Peter exclaimed, “I am so happy to see you, Avantika”

“Happy to meet you as well”, Avantika had smiled and greeted him

“Nice dress. I am sorry but I could not help it”. Avantika was surprised by his comment but was slightly flattered as well. Had it been some other individual, she would have been blunt and rude with them but somehow she maintained her calm.

Peter had an intense baritone which Avantika got attracted to, instantaneously. Peter explained his expectations from the project and said, “I would love to see you more, to understand how your team can help us, especially you”

Avantika had a nasty break-up a year back and she somehow fell for this subtle flirtatious banter.

They had discussed some more finer points of the project and before the meeting was to be called off, he said, “Perhaps one day I would be able to see you. In flesh and blood. Wouldn’t that be great”?

Avantika was not able to answer that question and her cheeks had become red by his suggestion to meet.

Then, Peter asked again, “Is that a yes? Would you say yes to our in-person meeting, should I travel to Bangalore”?

Avantika had managed, “If your current engagement with us requires a travel plan, you are most welcome”

Peter had laughed, before commenting, “I am interested to meet you. In person. That’s it. Work or no work. And you won’t regret it”

Avantika was tongue tied then and had muttered, in a whisper, “Would love to”

After that night’s shift, when Avantika had reached her studio apartment in wee hours of the morning, she went straight to her shower and felt nice about the entire conversation. She had imagined Peter with her, in a bathtub, caressing her and kissing her all over, especially her neck, which was sensitive to touch and activated deeper desires in her. She told herself that it was not a potent dream to have, but her body’s needs were divergent to what her sensible brain was telling her. Her morning sleep that day had led to further progression of her bath fantasy, where she imagined Peter making love to her the entire day and pampering her to the core. She had awakened that day, fully happy and satiated.

She sighed, while shrugging off her fantasies when she finally logged into her office computer. While she was looking at an important email, the phone rang. Without looking at it, she picked it up and heard a familiar voice, “Hey Avantika, this is Peter”

“Peter, how are you? Your team calls rarely on the phone. I hope there is no escalation of any kind”

“There is an escalation unfortunately. I have rushed somewhere to clear this mental chaos”, Peter answered nonchalantly

“I don’t understand”

“Well, I had to fly to one of the Marriott's to sort out this agony”

“Where and what agony?” Now she was utterly confused

“Marriott, Whitefield, Bangalore”. His baritone suddenly became soothing and relaxed. “I am here”, he added

Avantika’s face turned deep red and hiding her emotions, she asked, “Why did you came all the way here?”

“To meet you, to give you some flowers, have coffee and see what possibilities this meeting can lead to. I have been thinking about you every day. Come and meet me. Now”

“I am at work. I have just logged in and there is an important email”

Peter said, “Reply to the email. Make some excuse after that”

Avantika thought for a while and said, “This is Friday. Almost no one is around. We have a conference room where we can chat”

“I am coming to your office. Chat would be a small part of it. You know what I mean”

“Let us begin with Chat and then see what possibilities this may lead to”. She smiled to herself, saying this.