Coffee with 'S'

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I have run into 'S' several times after the training. Each time, we act as if we are complete strangers. Not that i wouldn't acknowledge his presence or smile at him, but he always cut me short with his blank stare, as if i am totally non-existant. My smile would freeze on its way.
Recently i have started a new way of reciprocating. Stare blankly and act as if he is non-existant. So imagine my plight if he decides to have a cup of coffee with me unexpectedly...
I was running 10 mins behind schedule for the 4 o'clock session, when i decided to make a quick dash to the Travel Desk (TD) before attending the session. I just ran into the lift area in Phase-II, only to find 'S' also waiting for the lift with a cup of coffee.. As usual i dint dare to look at him. We got into the lift, 'S', me and a third person. When he saw me, my first instinct was to smile, which again froze on its way when he stared at me blankly.. I reverted back to my old tactics. Reached the TD, took a seat and waited for my turn..
A chair is pulled next to me. I turn.. to find a smiling 'S' saying 'Hi', taking his seat next to me. I murmer 'Hi Shubhankar'.. (Did he hear that? I wonder.. Did the sun rise in the west? May be.. I am always too sleepy to notice anything..)
'S' : So which team are you into?
Me : AirMagnet
S : (Ponders for a while, sips coffee as though he has all the time in the world..) Its an American project right?
M : Yeah (Smiling)
S : Do you have a development team there? (Now!!! who knows about that.. Atleast i am happy he knows about my project.. Geee.. I answer rather unconvincingly)
M : There are some guys over there (Watever that meant.. I am not able to think straight.. Dammit..)
S : Is Padmaja in your team? (I look at him confused. Name sounds familiar. Sujatha.. Kavitha.. Abitha.. But who is this Padmaja? My brains not working at this time.. Btw it never did.. )
S : Padmaja Jagannathan..
M : No I dont know (I am embarrassed)
S : Might be you dont know her..
M : (Smile.. I have found out that smile is the best answer for many things..)
S : The project is on Wi-Fi right ?
M : Yes..
He falls silent. I dont have anything to speak. Think.. Think.. What can i speak to him.. Finally i give up and sit still moving only my eyeballs to watch the happenings around.. I look straight at the TD and to my right, where a guy is mopping the floor.. Never to my left. In my visual field I can see him looking at what i am trying to concentrate on. Might be he was enjoying my uneasyness.. All the while I think of a topic to ease out the situation.. Gosh.. Did he have to find a seat next to me of all the empty seats?? After an eternity, i come up with something..
M : Do you stay in Malleshwaram? (Gee.. What a superb topic to converse with GOD..)
S : No. Why??
M : I think i saw you in Malleshwaram once. Might be someone similar to you.. (How stupid..)
S : (Bridging his eyebrows) No.. When did you see me??
M : Some one and a half ye... (Oh god.. What am i speaking)
S : YEARS!! HA HA HA.. No..
M : Months, months..
S : Oh no.. I stay in Sarjapur road. Its very far.. I am wondering what to say next, when the TD associate comes to my rescue.. A group of people swarm his desk. The TD asks us if we are in the queue.. Subhankar raises his hand and says 'yes'..
Associate : Why are you far off?
S : (With his typical accent ) I thought we are supposed to be far off when others speak to you. (Some dumbhead speaks up.. In all probability, he has never attended 'S'' sessions)
S :You have to be faa.. faa.. when others speak.. (I am smiling gleefully. I like 'S' for this. He gives it back even before he gets it.. smart eh..)
Next is his turn. He finishes his work and walks past me as if i am non-existant. I revert back to my previous tactics..

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