Varsha

The phone was ringing as Ed walked into his cubicle.

"Hello"
"Hi, May I speak with Varsha?"
"Umm" said Ed, stealing a glance at the young woman who was sleeping at her desk.
"Varsha's not at her desk. She's out for lunch. May I know who this is?"
"This is Vidya. Been trying to contact her for half an hour now. Just wanted to know if Varsha has got the design ready."
"OK. I'll make her call you once she is back. Bye"
"Bye!"

"Varshu!!" Ed called out. "Wake up. How can you sleep when the phone's been ringing fo the past half an hour"
"What time is it?"
"2:30"
"Ohh! Have to send a copy of the Wentworth Ad to Vidya at 3"
"Yep! She just called.So, you have the copy ready?" enquired Ed.
"It was ready a week ago. But Vidya wasn't ready to look at it. She wanted me to review it again" said Varsha "What she does not know is, I reviewed the design the week before."
"OK" said Ed " But WHY have you been sleeping at work of late?"
"Coz I'm not able to sleep at night. and before you ask me why, lemme tell you, it's none of your business" said Varsha, trying to stifle a yawn.
"For god's sake, Varshu. Don't go about saying that to people." warned Ed "Do you even know the kind of rumours floating about you?"
"Yeah! Sharma down there in finance thinks I'm a 'you know what'" giggled Varsha.
"IT IS NOT FUNNY!"
"Oh!Come on! Me of all people!!"
"Yeah!" said Ed "We know what a baby you are." Ed made a face and started ticking off an imaginary checklist " No alcohol, No lies, No parties, No meat and worst of all NO BOYFRIEND!"
"It's not as bad as it looks Ed!"
"Yeah! you've got me!" said Ed with a sly smile "Did anyone ever tell you? You look like jessica alba?"
"No! But you're gonna tell me anyway." said varsha with a bored look.

Varsha had a habit of doodling whenever she was bored or distracted. Right now she was scribbling on a notepad hardly noticing Ed, who never tired of flirting.

Varsha, Priya and Ed, short for Edward Mathews, joined the AD-vantage AD agency on the same day. All three worked for the design department. Soon they became very good friends. Varsha was Tall, lanky, vivacious, loud and full of energy, exept for the days when she looked like she could drop off to sleep any moment. She was very quick with her work and she always had a habit of finishing things way before the deadline. Thanks to this many people in Ad-vantage considered her a snob. Only Ed, and Priya knew what a 'baby' she was. She had a set of rules which she rigidly followed.

Priya Dutta on the other hand was totally outgoing and fancied herself as a detective. In reality she was extremely nosy and had a special interest in gossip. Though not very talented, Priya was very good with words. She could talk her way out of trouble.

Ed on the other hand had a knack for attracting trouble. A lot more talented than Priya and Varsha put together, Ed could be considered a genious. But Ed was never taken seriously thanks to his 'extra curricular activities' as Priya put them. These included flirting, taking care of his pony tail and acquiring new earstuds for his left earlobe.

Priya worked for the afternoon shift and just entered the block.

"Good afternoon! Flirting again are we?"
"Not me!" said Varsha and Ed together and burst out laughing.

"Priya! I'll be out of town for some time and am not very sure when I'll be back. Do you know anyone who can take care of bubbles?" asked Varsha.
Bubbles was her pet parrot.
"Not a problem. I'll take care of her" offered Priya
"Where are you off to?" She enquired
"Don't ask me and I wont lie to you" replied Varsha, "Oh no! I was supposed to call Vidya."

As Varsha made the call Priya walked over to her desk and looked at her scribble pad.

"Hey Varshu! What's with all these 10's?" asked Priya.

Varsha turned around looking a little uneasy and said "Well..."

"We know!!" said Ed and Priya in unision " Don't ask me and I wont lie to you!!"