Chapter 2

“Sorry Man! I Am Super Late”

Avni’s entrance didn't make much of a difference for her very professional assistant, Karan. Dressed like a corporate big shot, staring at his system with pensiveness, he calmly said, “you are late for your first business meeting for the day ma'am.” The face of her most finicky client Mr. Ahuja flashed in front of Avni’s face. She has done it yet again and now he will most probably hire a contract killer to deal with her. Avni ran towards the meeting room screaming, “you have to tell me these things.” Raising one of his sharp well-defined eyebrows, he said, “please check your phone ma'am. By the time Avni could hear him she slammed open the meeting room door only to find a rather annoyed Mr. Ahuja. She nervously uttered “I am sorry sir, I I.” “Shall we start the meeting ma'am because explaining the importance of time and commitment in business to you is of no use to me, he said.” Avni explained her new ideas and tried hard to impress him while controlling her hunger pangs. “I will eat breakfast from tomorrow before reaching office”, she took a mental note that she will forget for sure.

The day started at a not so positive note but Avni got a surprise. While checking her email, she stumbled upon a reply from a foreign client. It stated -

Ms. Avni,

We are impressed with the designs that we received last week. I apologize for the delay in sending a reply. We will be delighted if you could visit us by the end of this month for further discussions.

Regards

Mr. Jonathan McKinley

Mc & Co. NYC

Avni screamed, yesssssss!!! Karan we are on it, make the reservations, I am going to New York City. He smiled, which happened rarely, “yes madam”, he said.

The day is finally over but there is something that needs Avni’s attention and that's her body. Let's make an appointment before leaving for NYC, she thought. She called her favorite spa & salon to fix an appointment for tomorrow and canceled few meetings to make sure that she doesn't miss this appointment. She would die instead of visiting NYC looking like a woman, who has lost her charm with age. Since makeup is not her thing, hence a couple of beauty treatments should help, she thought while staring at the raindrops that have drenched the windows of her car. “Rain! How it sends me down the memory lane”, she said. The driver looked back at her and said, “yes madam, did you say anything?” “No! I I was reading a message, sorry to disturb you” she said while the birds of her mind fluttered away to the time when she had him. Ankit, the only man who swept her off her feet; her childhood sweetheart and best friend. She remembered that a mutual friend once mentioned that he was in New York City but Avni could not muster the courage to ask more because the damage she has done to him was irreparable. She leaned back and thought “No! Let's not even think about meeting him.” The rain stopped and Avni is now running towards the lift in her heels, trying to avoid Mr. I think I am handsome so, I will flirt. She was successful and as the lift closed Avni thanked God for saving her from his “trying to be friendly to get into your pants” conversation.

Flight is delayed by six hours and Avni is sitting alone in a cafe, sipping her coffee and curiously reading a book. Suddenly she looked up and time stopped when their gaze met, both recognized each other in a split of a second; it is like they can see each other's souls instead of the physical manifestations. Ankit! This was the only word, the only name that she often craved to say and now after 9 years she got a chance to say it again. He came near her, sat down next to her, trying to hide his emotions. “Long time Avni”, he said. The only words that came out of her mouth were, “yes indeed.” Hours went by, both were talking about mundane things, in spite of the fact that their souls yearned to start those old conversations once again. Avni realized that she should prepare to board the plane now. She gave him a big warm hug, promised to stay in touch and left him like she did nine years ago. She turned around to see him for the last time and he was still watching her, with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes. Seems like nine years aren't enough to change a lover.