 |
| Shhh! You are getting promotion!! |
An Affair to remember , A career to forget
Office relationships can sometimes cross boundaries, and
it’s important to know when professional behavior gives way to personal
tension. This story follows Karan, a new employee who starts to develop
feelings for his team lead, Urvashi. Their interactions grow complicated,
blurring the lines between professionalism and something more.
I was new to the company, freshly resigned from my previous
role, and trying to navigate a new environment. My team lead, Urvashi, was
unlike anyone I'd worked with before—a 40-year-old woman with impeccable style
and a commanding presence. Her confidence was magnetic, and her perfect figure
added to Attraction. Yet, I kept my attraction in check, mindful of office
decorum and potential repercussions.
The First Encounter
During a team lunch, I couldn't help but notice how stunning
Urvashi looked that day. She caught my eye, and for a moment, I forgot about
the difficult task I was struggling to complete. I want to look at her continuously As
if reading my thoughts, she asked, "So, Karan, are you married?"
Caught off guard, I fumbled, "No...yes...I mean, my parents are looking
for someone."
Before the awkwardness could settle, Aani, my silent and efficient colleague,
interjected, "Urvashi, the client wants to meet now. I’m prepared, so I
can handle it."
Relieved but anxious, I knew I wasn’t ready. Urvashi's piercing gaze made my
heart race, especially when she teasingly asked, "You don't have a
girlfriend, do you?" The spoon in my hand slipped, and as she bent to pick
it up, our eyes locked in a brief, electrifying moment.
The Struggles Begin
Later that day, I sought help from Aani. She reassured me,
"Don’t worry, Karan. It's already taken care of." Her dedication
reminded me of my equations with Shalini, a colleague I had helped selflessly
in my previous job.
Urvashi, called me to her cabin. I was scared but she placed her hand
gently on my shoulder and leaned closer. You're a hardworking guy, Karan. I
know you're new, but you'll learn. You don't need to fear me. I started
breathing heavily. I was feeling electrified, and I nod my head and excused me
from that moment.
The next morning, I see the email from our client, praising
the Aani, recognized for her dedication and efficiency. It was well-deserved,
and she gave a small smile when I congratulated her.
Later, I received a surprise reward-an appreciation email
and 5000-rupee coupon from Urvashi. For a moment, I felt validated. She had
likely done to boost my confidence.
I was hesitating to meet Urvashi, but during lunchtime, Urvashi came to my seat
when no one else was around. I thanked Urvashi for the reward. Urvashi placed
her hand on my thigh and said, "Thanks." I felt excited and nervous
at her touch and didn't know what to say. To avoid the situation, I asked,
"Urvashi, did you have lunch?" Urvashi replied, "Yes," and
left.
Her proximity left me breathless, her touch was soft, her
perfume intoxicating.
Professional Lessons from the Scenario
- Avoid
Overdependence on Favoritism:
Karan started relying on Urvashi’s recognition rather than his work's merit. While rewards are motivating, depending too much on personal favoritism can backfire in the long run.
Tip: Always ensure your contributions are visible to
clients and stakeholders, not just your manager.
- Maintain
Professional Boundaries:
Karan’s growing personal relationship with Urvashi blurred professional lines, which can create complications in team dynamics.
Tip: Romantic relationships at work should be discreet
and managed carefully to avoid conflicts of interest.
- Leverage
Teamwork:
Aani’s dedication and proactive approach were key to the project’s success. However, Karan’s lack of collaboration led to missed opportunities to build his own reputation.
Tip: Acknowledge and collaborate with teammates to
foster trust and shared success.
- Don’t
Compromise Ethics for Rewards:
Karan received professional perks due to his personal equation with Urvashi, sidelining others like Aani, who genuinely deserved recognition.
Tip: Strive for fair recognition that aligns with your
efforts
The Rise of Karan's Confidence and Rewards
Four months had passed since I started the company, and my confidence in
front of Urvashi had grown. She began rewarding me for the work I did and
started enjoying the perks that come with her recognition. But as time went on,
I realized I wasn't interacting much with the clients, Instead Urvashi assigned
me functional tasks which were not complicated what Aani gets.
Though I didn't have the visibility with clients, she made sure to recognize me
in the team.
One evening, Urvashi assigned me an important task with a
deadline. She told him, “If you have to stay longer to finish this, then do
it.” I agreed, eager to prove himself, but unsure of how long it would take.
At 11:00 PM, Urvashi came to check on him. She saw Aani
still at her desk, working on her own project.
“Annie, you’re still here?” Urvashi asked.
“Yes, Urvashi. I’m taking off next week, so I want to finish
this project first,” Aani explained.
“You should go home, it’s getting late. Shall I drop you
off?” Urvashi offered kindly.
“No, I have a cab,” Aani replied, gathering her things and
heading out.
“Are you leaving as well?” Aani had asked me before she
left.
Karan hesitated. “Just another 30 minutes. I need to finish
this.”
Urvashi asked, “Karan, I need this submitted soon. How’s the
status?”
“I’m struggling with the last PowerPoint. I don’t have the
results file yet,” Karan admitted, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“Don’t worry,” Urvashi said, offering reassurance. “I have
the file. I’ll share it with you. Meanwhile, you send me the rest of the
PowerPoint.”
Urvashi left to her cabin; Aani’s voice echoed in my head.
She had asked, “Do you need help, Karan?” But I replied, “Thanks, Aani, but I’m
almost done.” she is always ready to help, i always appreciate her
behavior.
Urvashi and I wrapped up our work, and she insisted on
dropping me home. On Way back home, she stopped her car near Coffee Shop. We
had coffee, I was wishing that moment to happen. and Urvashi asked,
"So, what about marriage? Why don't you have a girlfriend? Did you have a
breakup?" She moved her chair closer, and I could feel her warm breath on
my neck.
"I wish I had a girl like you—confident and bold,
someone who helps me like you do," I said, my voice low.
Urvashi laughed, placed her hands in mine, and said nothing.
The Silence was intense, and I could feel the tension between us.
In the car, when we reached my home, we said goodbye, As i going to move
out, she hold my hand. Urvashi's eye locked on mine and i could see the desire
burning withing them. She leaned in closer, her face inches from mine and she
kissed me. "Do you like me?" she asked. I bring her closer and kissed
her back and said Yes.
"Okays, see you tomorrow. And what's plan for the weekend?" Urvashi
Asked
I was still in that moment,
"Nothing, Urvashi. If you want, you can stay the night with me," I replied
to my heart racing. I was not thinking what is ethical at that moment but i was
carried away.
Urvashi agreed. I made her comfortable and I was cooking
dinner for her when the Doorbell rang. "Who could that be?" I
whispered.
My heart started racing but this time with fear. What if HR see us together? Oh
God. I hesitated, the bell rang again, louder this time. I took a deep breath
and going to step towards door and meantime Urvashi Opened the door, and it was
the small packet she ordered from Blinkit.
What happened next is something I will always remember,
but I will keep it to myself.
Next morning, we returned to work as if nothing had happened. But don’t know I
kept thinking about Shalini that day.
The Aftermath and Reflection
Months passed, and my relationship with Urvashi grew
stronger. The day of my career review meeting arrived. I walked towards the
conference room, nervous about my review. As I reached the door, I saw Anni
walking out. Our eyes met, and she gave me a strange look. I felt a shiver run
down my spine, but I ignored it and entered the room.
"Karan, congratulations! You're promoted,
and we're giving you a 25% hike," my manager said, smiling.
It was the same look I gave Shalini when she
got promoted and I didn't, despite all the hard work I did while she did
nothing, simply because she had close proximity to the manager , I even noticed them too close in the cabin. In my anger, I
wrote a Blog and tagged my Manager on Linkdin before resigning.
I remembered how I felt - angry, frustrated, and betrayed.
Anni's eyes seemed to scream the same thing: "Why you,
Karan? I'm the one who always helped you. I deserved it..." Anni's eyes
seemed to ask, What about me?
"Karan! Karan!" Urvashi's loud voice
broke my trance. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" I looked at her,
nodded, and forced a smile.
1) Neglecting Merit-Based Growth:
Karan let personal dynamics overshadow
his professional growth, leading to a lack of genuine skills and visibility.
2) Ignoring Team Contributions:
His reliance on Urvashi’s favor sidelined Aani’s efforts, creating resentment.
3) Compromising Professional Integrity:
Office relationships should not influence professional decisions, as they can
harm team morale and trust.
4)Maintain professionalism at all times
While personal success is important, always be mindful of how your actions
affect those around you. Strive for professionalism, respect, and integrity in
all of your workplace relationships.
5)Think carefully before crossing professional boundaries
It’s easy to get swept up in the moment, but decisions made in a professional
environment can have lasting consequences. Be sure to think about your actions
before making any move that could jeopardize your career or relationships at
work.
Karan’s story is a cautionary tale about maintaining
professional integrity, managing relationships wisely, and prioritizing
teamwork. While office romances can be enticing, it’s crucial to strike a
balance to avoid long-term repercussions.
Comments
Post a Comment