The next day, Aaron noticed a neatly folded sheet of paper on the table. Apoorva's handwriting filled it from top to bottom—a schedule, broken down hour by hour, task by task, with tiny reminders tucked in between. It was clear she had spent time on it, carefully crafting a routine meant to be followed every day. He realized she hadn't asked for his thoughts before making it. There had been no conversation, no back-and-forth—just this list waiting for him. But instead of feeling dismissed, Aaron felt something else entirely.
Perhaps it was the care in her precise lettering.
Perhaps it was the small note she had added in the corner: "hope this helps". Or
Perhaps it was simply the way Apoorva had always been—organized, thoughtful, quietly making life easier in her own way.
Aaron glanced at his phone, fingers hovering for a moment before typing: "Hey Apoorva, this is Aaron. Just wanted to confirm—all good on my end.", He paused, smirking to himself, then added another line: "You know, we could just stick to this instead of all that paperwork. No need to drag ourselves back to the old age", adding a winking emoji, the kind that carried a mix of playfulness and mischief, as if he were letting her in on a harmless secret.
Apoorva read the message, her brows lifting slightly at the winking emoji. She didn't smile, but the corner of her lips softened for a moment before she began typing: "Duly noted. But some processes are there for a reason, Aaron. Let's stick to what ensures accuracy." She paused, considering for a moment, then added a single check mark emoji—precise, efficient, and leaving no room for debate.
Aaron read her reply and couldn't help but chuckle, "There she goes again". He shook his head with a fond smile. It wasn't that he didn't respect her—if anything, he admired her discipline and kindness more than anyone else—but he found her seriousness a little more endearing.
"Strict and sweet as always, Apoorva. You know, you could tell me the same thing with a smile, and I'd still get it. But honestly, I mean it—you always make me want to do better. Thank you." He added a small grinning face emoji , the kind that carried a lighthearted, cheerful playfulness without being too casual.
Apoorva leaned back slightly in her chair, staring at the message. Efficient, calm, disciplined—that's what everyone had told her about Aaron. But the way he spoke to her now - so casual, almost effortless - felt strangely out of place. It wasn't disrespectful, not at all, but it carried a warmth she wasn't used to.
"Noted, Aaron. Let's stay focused on the project and ensure everything runs smoothly—efficiency matters", She paused for a moment, re-reading her words, then hit send—concise, professional, leaving no room for unnecessary casualness.
Aaron thought, "Classic Appu: always professional, always precise, though that little edge of formality is what makes her…her!"
He might have had his pen lightly on the desk, feeling that familiar mix of admiration and curiosity, but said nothing aloud. He quietly appreciated her focus and discipline, even as he mentally plotted how to make their collaboration as smooth—and subtly challenging—as possible.
The next morning, the office carried a focused energy, different from usual. Teams had gathered in the cafeteria, laptops open, notepads ready, exchanging quick updates and clarifications. Apoorva moved first, her tablet in one hand, a neatly stacked folder of reports in the other, settling into a corner seat. She scanned the agenda, mentally running through deadlines. A few minutes later, Aaron entered—calm and composed as ever. His first reports were perfectly organized. He took the seat opposite her, placing his coffee on the table with deliberate precision.
The cafeteria hummed with conversation. Aaron began the discussion, his tone measured and encouraging, giving clear guidelines while motivating the teams. Apoorva responded, strictly professional and precise, leaving no room for ambiguity. As she observed him closely, she realized this was the first time she had seen him commanding respect indirectly, without raising his voice.
Her mind flickered briefly to the previous day.
"Is this the same person who caused the hiccups yesterday?" she wondered, surprised at how seamlessly he managed the teams. Despite herself, a subtle curiosity about his methods lingered, though she never let it show.
The meeting stretched on—timelines clarified, responsibilities assigned. By the end, the cafeteria had quietened, filled only with the soft tap of keyboards and murmured discussions. Apoorva and Aaron remained seated for a brief moment, eyes meeting across the table, silently acknowledging the work ahead.