Beautiful disaster (completed)

As I stood outside Kabir's apartment, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The inner conflicts in my mind were like a whirlwind, tearing me apart.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on Kabir's door. The seconds that followed felt like an eternity, my mind racing with thoughts and doubts. What if he doesn't listen? What if he dismisses my concerns? But I had to stay strong, to not let his actions affect me any longer.

The tension between us had been building up for weeks, and today was the breaking point. Kabir's condescending tone and dismissive attitude had pushed me over the edge. How could he talk to me like that? I couldn't believe it. My frustration boiled over, and I couldn't hold back anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door again, my knuckles rapping against the wood with a sense of urgency.

The door swung open, revealing Kabir standing there, his appearance disheveled. He had changed from his formal shirt to a casual t-shirt, his hair a mess. I scolded myself mentally for taking notice of his appearance, reminding myself that it was irrelevant to the conversation at hand.

Kabir's expression was a mix of surprise and confusion as he looked at me. "You?" he said, his voice laced with suspicion. "How did you manage to find my address? Stalking me now, are we?" His eyes narrowed, searching for any signs of deception.

Oh please, Kabir. I didn't have to stalk you. Your ego is so big, it's practically a GPS tracker.

I wanted to say this aloud so badly, but I reminded myself I didn't come here to pick a fight with him again.

I looked him in the eye, my tone firm. "I came here to have a conversation, Kabir. To find a way for us to coexist peacefully in the office." My words hung in the air, the tension between us palpable.

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Coexist? You mean like two rival animals in the same cage?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.

I  mentally rolled my eyes, refusing to let his sarcasm get to me. "We're not animals. We're professionals. And it's about time we start acting like it."

He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arm over his chest. "Like professionals? That's a stretch, Kiara. Last time I checked, you were still struggling with front-end technologies. Maybe you should focus on that before trying to lecture me on professionalism."

His words stung, but I refused to let them break my resolve. I could feel the fire building within me, ready to unleash its fury. This wasn't the Kabir I once knew, the one used to be caring, considerate, and understanding. Now, it felt like a different person was standing in front of me, a rude stranger who couldn't engage in a civil conversation. He was so rude, not even bothering to invite me inside his apartment. It wasn't like I wanted to go in, but basic manners dictated that he should have extended the invitation.

At least I'm not struggling with basic human decency. Maybe you should take a course on that

I thought to myself, biting my tongue to keep from saying it out loud.

My fists clenched at my sides, my patience wearing thin. How dare he belittle me like this? I had worked hard to get where I was, and I wasn't about to let him undermine my efforts. 

"Kabir, I understand that we have our differences but we can't keep going on like this. Our constant clashes may start to affect the entire team. We need to find a way to work together, to respect each other's opinions and ideas. I know it's hard for you to believe, but I genuinely want us to work together without all this animosity. I deserve to be treated fairly at work, just like everyone else."

He chuckled. "Oh, Kiara, you always were the teacher's pet in school. I can understand why it bothers you that you don't get any special treatment here."

I couldn't help but wonder what had caused this change in him. Was it the pressure of work? Personal issues? Or was he simply trying to push people away with his abrasive attitude?

My fists tightened even more, my patience hanging by a thread. "Kabir, I just want to address the present situation," I said, my voice tinged with determination. "I don't need special treatment to excel at my job, and I don't expect much. Just a little bit of understanding and respect. I deserve that, just like any other team member."

He smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "Respect is earned, Kiara. And you haven't done anything to earn it. You're just riding on your past achievements."

His words cut deep, but I refused to let them break me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. "Let's be honest, Kabir," I retorted, my voice laced with a mix of frustration and defiance. "The only reason you're the team leader is because no one else wanted the job. It's not like you have any exceptional skills."

The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. This guy always knew how to bring out the worst in me. I had tried so hard to control my anger, but he had a way of pushing all the right buttons.

His smirk faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. But it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference, as if my words meant nothing to him.

His eyes narrowed, his voice laced with venom. "Well, at least I got my job through my skills and not through some reference."

Anger flashed in my eyes, my frustration boiling over. I had tried to approach him calmly, but his condescending attitude pushed me over the edge. "That's enough!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with a mix of anger and determination. "You know what, Kabir? I may not have the same technical skills as you, but I have something you don't. I have the ability to work well with others, to lead with empathy and respect. And that's something no amount of technical expertise can replace."

I paused, my chest heaving with each breath. The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. I looked at Kabir, his face a mask of indifference, and a wave of disappointment washed over me. I had hoped for a breakthrough, a moment of understanding, but it seemed that was too much to ask for.

"I can't believe I thought we could have a civilized conversation," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it's clear that you're not interested. I should have known better than to expect anything different."

I realized that this battle was far from over. The animosity between us ran deep, and it would take more than just words to bridge the divide.

With that, I turned on my heel and walked out, my heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words and shattered expectations. The door slammed shut behind me, leaving me standing in the hallway, my emotions swirling like a storm within me.

As I stepped out of the building, the rain began to pour, matching the turmoil in my heart. I fumbled through my purse, searching for my phone. With a sinking feeling, I realized its battery was only at 10%. I opened the Ola app, desperately trying to book a cab, but to no avail. The minutes ticked by, frustration mounting as I watched the battery percentage drop.

"Maybe I should take the bus," I muttered to myself, glancing at the time on my watch. It was already 8pm, and the rain showed no signs of stopping. I cursed my forgetfulness for not bringing an umbrella, feeling the cold droplets soak through my clothes.

I huddled against the wall, seeking shelter from the relentless downpour. Thoughts raced through my mind, contemplating my next move.

Should I wait for the rain to subside or brave the storm and find an alternative way home?

Lost in my thoughts, I felt a presence behind me. My heart skipped a beat, but I resisted the urge to turn around. I knew exactly who it was.