The clock blinked 19:00 as Sophia shutdown her computer, stretching her arms. The week had been exhausting. A faint hum of the office AC felt louder in the near-empty workspace. She inhaled, catching the lingering aroma of abandoned coffee mugs on her desk. As she reached for her bag, a voice interrupted, “So, is it true?”

She turned, surprised. ‘Hey, the Number-Guy?’

Tall, broad-shoulders, navy-blue turban, and perfectly groomed beard. Manjeet was impossible to miss. Sophia had noticed him before. Their paths had crossed in hallways, cafeteria, and glass-walled conference rooms. Glances were exchanged, but never words.

Until now.

He stood by her workspace. Illumination from the task-lamp sharpened the curiosity of his deep-set eyes.

“Excuse me?” she asked, masking her surprise.

“You’re quitting?” His voice was smooth and inquisitive.

Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Who’s asking?”

“Manjeet Singh,” he introduced. “Finance.”

“Sophia Carter, Design-Head.” She straightened. “Not quitting. Just a sabbatical. One month.”

He exhaled. “Ah! The office gossip had me worried.”

She smirked. “Didn’t know I had fans.”

He leaned casually against her drafting board, his fingers drumming lightly against the wood. “Your name echoes in the pantry debates. Some say you’re a tough taskmaster. Some say you’re a workaholic. And some… call you untouchable.”

Sophia’s brows lifted. “Untouchable?”

“As in… unreachable.” He hesitated.

Something shifted between them. She had always sensed his gaze and presence, but hearing his voice made him feel more than just a familiar face.

She smiled. “Well, now we’re talking.”

He chuckled. “Finally.”

A pause. A charged silence.

“So… why the sudden break?” he asked.

She leaned back. “Not sudden. Just overdue.”

“Going home?”

“No… Going on a… Vacay-Date. A Vacation-cum-Date.”

His smirk faltered. “A… What?”

“A vacation… with someone I’ve known since always, but only recently, started loving.”

His expression dropped. “Oh.” A brief pause. “Lucky person.”

She tilted her head. “Very!”

His fingers fumbled abruptly on the polished timber. “And where?”

With a mischievous smile, Sophia said, “Turkey.” She let the word hang before adding, “Just me, my camera, and a month of uninterrupted inspiration.”

Manjeet studied her as if assembling a puzzle whose last piece had just fallen into place. “You’re going alone?”

“Yes. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

A slow curve tugged at his lips. “So, you’re dating yourself?”

She laughed. “I suppose you could say that.”

Something flickered in his eyes. Admiration, fondness, maybe something more. “Bold move, I must say!”

Sophia shrugged. “I’ve designed dreams for others. Why not create one for myself?”

Manjeet exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “I underestimated you.”

She smirked. “That’s a typical finance guy mistake.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. But if you ever decide your vacay-date needs a plus one…” He trailed off, his meaning clear.

Her heart did a small, unexpected somersault. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She picked up her bag. Their eyes met, just like in the past.

But this wasn’t a fleeting one. It lingered. Settling into something real.

Something just beginning.