Chapter 30: The Morning After
The next morning, the office was unusually quiet. The aftermath of the previous night’s Holi celebration was evident on every face. Most of the employees were running on minimal sleep, their sluggish movements a testament to the late-night festivities. Bright colors from the previous day had faded into pastel smudges on their clothes and skin, but the spirit of the celebration still lingered.
Oki bounced into the office with a spring in her step, seemingly untouched by the exhaustion that had gripped her colleagues. Her infectious energy stood in stark contrast to the somber mood around her.
“Good morning, everyone!” Oki chirped, her voice slicing through the sleepy haze.
Rafta, Haari, and Ashi sat in a row, their heads resting on their desks. Dark circles under their eyes spoke volumes. They mumbled in unison, “Morning…”
Oki, undeterred by their lackluster response, continued with enthusiasm. “Yesterday was so fun! I wish I could spend my whole year like this.”
Rafta, Haari, and Ashi slowly lifted their heads, their faces a canvas of exhaustion, and spoke in unison again, “We wish that wish of yours never comes true.”
Oki blinked, puzzled. “What? Why would you say that?”
Haari sighed dramatically. “Because we have no intention of dying soon. Some of us like our sleep.”
Oki placed her hands on her hips, feigning offense. “What a bunch of weaklings you are! You know, you could use a little more energy.”
Rafta, Haari, and Ashi suddenly stood up, their faces a mix of irritation and determination. Oki’s confident facade wavered slightly as she took a step back.
“What's the matter, guys? Why are you staring at me like that?” Oki asked, her voice trembling slightly.
The three of them began to move forward, their expressions growing darker with every step. Oki’s eyes widened, her bravado dissipating.
“Hey, don’t come close to me!” Oki pleaded, raising her hands as if to ward them off.
Then, in a synchronized move, Rafta, Haari, and Ashi all collapsed onto the floor.
Oki blinked in confusion. “Eh? How can you sleep like that?”
The trio then stood up, sat in their chairs, and fell asleep once more.
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The office erupted into laughter at the unexpected display. Even in their sleep-deprived state, Rafta, Haari, and Ashi managed to bring humor to the morning. Oki, initially bewildered, couldn’t help but join in, realizing her colleagues were simply too tired to maintain their usual composure.
Ashi, groaning from her position on the desk, added, “If we have another party like that, I’m going to need a whole week to recover. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
Rafta mumbled in agreement, “I feel like I danced for hours with lead weights attached to my feet. Plus, I think I’m still tasting those spicy snacks from last night.”
Haari, eyes still closed, groaned, “And why do my arms feel like I did a hundred push-ups? I can’t even lift my coffee cup.”
Oki grinned. “Well, you did challenge me to an arm-wrestling contest.”
Haari’s eyes snapped open. “That was real? I thought it was a dream.”
Rafta chuckled weakly. “The dream where you lost miserably, right?”
Oki laughed. “I might have won, but my arms are killing me too. Maybe I’m not as invincible as I thought.”
Just then, the Boss walked in, her vibrant appearance contrasting sharply with the employees’ exhaustion. She clapped her hands together, making everyone jump slightly. “Alright, team! I know we're all a bit tired today, but let’s try to power through. And remember, what happens at 'The Color Splash Lounge' stays at 'The Color Splash Lounge'!”
Everyone groaned, but a few chuckles escaped as well. The Boss smiled, her eyes twinkling. “I’m kidding! Sort of. But seriously, great job yesterday. We all needed a night like that.”
Oki, her energy unwavering, raised her hand eagerly. “Boss, I have a suggestion for the next event!”
The Boss raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? And what’s that?”
Oki’s eyes sparkled. “A sleepover party! We could wear pajamas, have pillow fights, and stay up all night talking about our deepest secrets!”
Haari, Rafta, and Ashi groaned in unison. “Nooo, we need sleep, not more reasons to stay up!”
Oki pouted. “You guys are no fun. I promise, I’ll make it less exhausting than last night!”
The Boss chuckled. “I think we’ll give it some time before the next big event, Oki. Let everyone recover first.”
Rafta, half-asleep again, mumbled, “Please... give us at least a month…”
Oki laughed and walked over to their desks, patting Rafta on the back. “Alright, alright, I guess I can give you guys a break. But just you wait, the next party is going to be even more epic!”
The trio at the desks groaned again, but a small smile played on each of their faces. Despite their exhaustion, they knew they wouldn’t trade these moments for anything.
As the day progressed, the office slowly came back to life. The sounds of typing, quiet conversations, and the occasional laugh filled the space. Oki noticed a new energy in the office—a sense of camaraderie that had been strengthened by the shared experience of the previous night.
Later, as the office settled into its routine, Oki took a moment to chat with the Boss in her office. “Boss, do you think we could organize a team-building workshop? Something relaxing, like a yoga session or a cooking class. It could be a nice change of pace.”
The Boss considered it for a moment, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s a great idea, Oki. Let’s plan something that allows us to unwind without overdoing it. I’ll look into it.”
Back at her desk, Oki reflected on the past night and the office's newfound bond. She knew that while the celebration had been intense, it had also brought everyone closer together. And despite their groans and exhaustion, the shared laughter and stories were a reminder of why they all enjoyed working together.
The Holi celebration had been a night to remember, but the following day, with its sleepy humor and shared camaraderie, was proving to be just as memorable in its own unique way.
To be continued...