The Hating Game – Episode 1 – The Narrator

Emma and Andrew have been working together for years, but they still can’t stand each other. Emma is always sarcastic and dry, while Andrew never misses a chance to be blunt and rude. They constantly argue about the smallest things.

And there are small instances that add up to show how each of them gets on the other’s nerves.
“Hey, Emma,” Andrew said as he walked past her cubicle. “How’s it going?”
Emma glared at him. “It would be a lot better if you didn’t exist.”
Andrew snickered and continued on his way. He knew that Emma detested him, but he couldn’t help but find her demeanour amusing.

Every day, Emma and Andrew trade insults and try to one-up each other. They argue with each other, insulting each other’s intelligence, appearance, and everything else imaginable. Emma hates Andrew because he is smug and thinks he is better than everyone else. While Andrew thinks Emma is his most overrated colleague. They both try their best to make each other’s life a living hell, and it is not hard considering they are always around each other.

“I can’t believe you did that!” Emma bellowed, her voice dripping with venom. Andrew had sent a picture of her taking a nap at her desk to everyone in the office, including the boss, with the caption “Some people play it cool”. Although their boss had a good laugh too, Emma was infuriated. Andrew had taken the picture on a Friday when they were working till late in the office.

Andrew just rolled his eyes, “What? It was just a little prank.”
“It was not a little prank! You tried to harm my reputation!” Emma squealed.
Andrew just shrugged, “You’re such a baby.”
Such exchanges are quite normal between them.

And yet, their boss always pairs them together on projects. Initially, the entire office thought it would be a disaster trying to team them up. But to everyone’s surprise including Emma’s and Andrew’s, they ended up making a great team. They always complete the projects ahead of schedule. They have won several projects for the company with their fantastic pitches which were a result of their combined efforts. But it doesn’t matter to either of them. They don’t even celebrate their success together.

On one particular day, everything was going askew for Emma. First, her alarm didn’t go off, she woke up late. Then, on her way to work, she got stuck in traffic. To top that she spilled coffee all over her white blouse at work. If that was not enough, Andrew – her sworn enemy – made fun of her in front of everyone. He knew it was an important day for her. Her meeting with the partner that day would make or break her progression at the firm. Just an hour before the meeting, Emma was so angry and frustrated that she wanted to scream. Emma could have killed Andrew that day even if it meant spending the rest of her life in prison.

But instead, she did something much better. She turned around and gave Andrew a big smile. Andrew was so surprised that he stopped laughing and nervous anticipation appeared on his face. She walked up to Andrew and patted him on the back. Emma could tell Andrew’s mind was racing, trying to figure out what she was up to. He turned towards her, looking at her with his big blue eyes.

Emma already knew what her perfect revenge would be. Although it would go against her ethics, Andrew deserved it. Always taking credit for Emma’s work, and rubbing it in her face. Always a pain in her ass.

The next day, she laced his coffee with a powerful laxative. For the next few days, Andrew was in agony as he ran to the bathroom every few minutes. He tried to hide it from his colleagues, but eventually, word got out that he was sick.

Emma didn’t enjoy herself as much as she had imagined as she watched him suffer. After all the years of him making her life miserable, she had finally gotten her revenge. But she didn’t feel that way. Emma felt she had stooped lower than the line she had drawn for herself. But wasn’t her crime nothing compared to Andrew’s? After all, he was the one who has been bullying her relentlessly for years.

To be Continued…