Chapter 13

Mine(field)

Mihir Bhat his BIL was calling with what was most likely a job lead

He loved Aatreya, he couldn’t wait for him to find a job…. In Bangalore though

He looked down at his phone and looked back up

She was processing his presence he realized

Checking him out nervously while trying to be cool about it

“Yeah?” she said a lil shaky

“You have no idea who I am do you” he smiled disarmingly

“Umm… not really,” she shrugged

“We met in Lonavala almost 10 years ago”

Her face paled again

“Oh?”

“Your expression tells me you do recognize me” he said innocently

“I was  aparty animal”

“With blue eyes” he chuckled

“Oh” she shut one eye and put a hand over it

“That changed too?” he laughed

She tried not to smile

Her son had the same eyes

HIS son she swallowed

“I am just you know…” she shrugged without revealing the reason

“How have you been?” he smiled

She realized how gorgeous he was… he was parting his hair to the left, which was unusual

He was in navy trousers and a watered down pink shirt

“Not going to a funeral” he reminded her

She turned bright red

“Oh yeah… about that”

“U wouldn’t wear pink would you?” she demanded

“Unless it was specifically requested” he nodded

“that was stupid of me”

“No” he said grimly… his heart thudded like crazy around her

He had no idea why

She could be married with two kids or 4

“Did u need anything?” she asked coolly

“Umm… a cup of coffee maybe?” he tried not to look at her ring finger again… nope there was no ring

She was not wearing anything around her neck either

“I am actually busy, readying for a customer dispute… guest I mean” she rubbed her hair parting

She looked worried and antsy, he just could not place why

“That’s disappointing… Mrunalini” he smiled happy to be saying her name

She squirmed self consciously

“Maybe some other time” she nodded

“I wanted to let you know I am in town… for a couple more days”

She nodded with a “Why are you telling me?”

“I didn’t expect this reaction”

“Umm… you are a stranger” she sighed

“I guess…” he nodded

He wanted more

There was none on offer

“What have you been up to?” he asked curiously

“U know…. Just traveling… focusing on my career, and just having a good time” she shrugged

“Wow”

“Yep… just really busy”

“With that big friends group of yours?”

“Nah… I have a few work friends… u know”

“Can I give you my number?”

“Umm… I am not sure why I would call you” she was fearful

“For old times sake… maybe I could stop by and say Hi to ur husband”

Her expression changed again

No husband then?” he wondered

“Hes busy” “Traveling you know” she shrugged

He didn’t know what to make of it

“Well It was nice to see you” he nodded

“oh yeah” she nodded looking at her phone again wishing it would ring a text msg or a call

Her prayer was answered but not the way she had wanted 

An employee walked up to her and handed her a stack of forms

“Mr. Rueben has signed  a recommendation but he was saying getting your kid into 5th standard is perhaps the hardest (Mrunalini tried her best to steer him away) at Canyon Oaks, maybe wait a year and try 6th he will be 11?...There could be a (glancing at Aatreya) single parent forum ( he continued…glancing at Aatreya again and lowering his voice) he said they have some distribution for those kids…..good luck to Jaidrith!”

She grabbed the forms as if that would shut the guy up and turned

“You have a 10 year old?” Aatreya was shocked

“Hes MINE” he said panicking sprinting running away from him

2nd day in a row Aatreya Rao stood shell shocked