Chapter 11

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LadyMeringue

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Epistle 89: The Gush of Spring in Autumn


A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D

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9th May, 2008:

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

That's what I felt when I saw her today. I still don't know what it was about her that bamboozled me the way I am right now, but it was... different. It was as though somebody had given me a blast of fresh air and had infused within me the zest of living every moment to the fullest. It was as though somebody had thrown me into the intoxication of living, and not just living but enjoying every minute, every second of it.

It was like I'd experienced for the first time what the 'joie de vivre' meant. Truly meant. And it was just her aura that managed to captivate my dead senses and pump the spirit of happiness into it. And I swear upon God, I've not felt anything like this ever. It was as though her happiness was infectious, and in spite of the seriousness of the situation, I couldn't help but smile at her stupidly. It was as though I was high, ecstatic. Like I could conquer all the problems of the world with just the confidence that I could feel oozing from every pore of my body and the current that kept making my brain buzz with an acute sense of grasping everything.

I've come across so many girls and I've always been oblivious to them because their existence has never really mattered to me, but she was an exception. Oh no, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not interested in her. For me, there's only one girl who matters to me - Ishaani. And nothing will ever change that. You can change your world perhaps, but you can never change your Universe, no matter what happens. And Ishaani is my Universe and that's written across the skies with the glitter of the stars who bear testament to my words.

Now you must be wondering who this girl is, then. Well, don't worry I'm getting to that only. Remember the Panorama Synergy Ltd. shares that were causing problems in the portfolios because of the sudden fall in the share prices? Well, I don't know what happened, but they suddenly shot up today to a margin that just crossed the base principal price of the shares that we've been buying from the past one week. Mr. Zaveri was unavailable in his office today due to some personal commitments and I had to contact him to let him know of the latest development since decisions like those were always in his hands.

I didn't have Mr. Zaveri's personal number but he'd given me his address in case of emergencies like this. So I quickly left the ASX and cycled my way through the heavy traffic of the CBD and towards Mr. Zaveri's home that was a twenty-minute distance from the exchange. From all the cycling experiences from years with Ishaani and the extra additional effort I've been putting into them ever since I got the job as a messenger boy at Mr. Zaveri's firm, it's only made me more and more efficient with how fast I can cover up distances like these. I reached Mr. Zaveri's home in exactly fourteen minutes.

It was the first time that I was visiting his place and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. There was a small garden outside on either side with a gorgeous twelve-meter high Lilly Pilly on the right with its fruits looking ready to be plucked off and a six-meter high Golden Wattle on the left whose yellow complimented the green of the grass stunningly. The leaves had all turned into colours ranging from green, yellow, orange, red and brown, making the garden look like a blazing mix of what autumn was meant to symbolically look like.

A gravel pathway led towards the main-door of the luxuriously built house.

I rang the doorbell as I double over to catch my breath that seemed to have been stolen away with all the strenuous cycling. And when the door opened, I felt all the air leave my lungs as my eyes landed upon her. Mr. Zaveri's daughter. She'd worn a simple floral dress that fell below her knees while her hair was pulled into a simple ponytail. Her brown eyes sparkled in spite of the slightly gloomy weather that came along with the autumn, and there was a broad smile plastered upon her face as though she'd never known what it was like to be sad ever.

There was a simplistic air about her that just... fascinated me. She was tall, good-looking for certain, and had rather kind eyes that only radiated happiness and more happiness. She looked like a person who didn't belong in this world at all because the world didn't deserve so much happiness that she just seemed to exude with a simple smile. In that moment, she made me feel the gush of spring in autumn. And I couldn't help but smile in return

"Yes?" she asked and that managed to snap me out from the hypnosis of the moment. 

She looked like she belonged with the gardens, or the wallets on the trees somehow as the lose strands of her hair swept gently with the wind.

"Is- is Mr. Zaveri there?" I stuttered, the chilly wind making me shiver. 

"Sure! Come in, it's rather chilly today," she added, looking at my shivering form and throwing me a sympathetic smile.

I nodded my head and she backed inside. But before I could take another step forward, Mr. Zaveri himself appeared behind her, looking rather somber. His face lifted up however, when he saw me.

"Ah, Vaghela! Come in, come in!" he exclaimed genially and I shook my head in polite denial.

"Uh, no sir, I just had come over to deliver the note to you," I replied politely and he shook his head.

"Come in. You've come home for the first time. I'm not going to let you go away like this. I may have stayed away from India for a long time, but I haven't forgotten my traditions yet," he said kindly and I couldn't help but feel flustered. 

Why were people so afraid of him anyway when he was such a kind soul? Or was he only this kind to me?

"No sir, really I-" I began, but he cut me off with a stern glare.

"No arguments, Ranveer. Come in," he emphasized and I gave a resigned sigh.

Mr. Zaveri and his daughter both walked inside and I followed them hesitantly, feeling even more awkward than before. The house was a pretty cozy structure with a moderately large living room that led into the kitchen, two bedrooms and a study room along with an attic. There was something warm about the atmosphere of the house apart from just the heater and it distinctly felt like home. Mr. Zaveri signalled me to take a seat upon one of the plush sofas that sat in wait of an occupant, while he sat on the chair opposite mine.

I still cannot forget the call that I'd received exactly one week after that extraordinary interview where his secretary had informed me that he wanted to see me urgently. I'd cycled over to his office like a maniac who'd found hope again after a pit of despair and was holding on to it like some sort of thread that'd tether me to survive another year in this city. I'd quickly made my way to the seventeenth floor and had met the receptionist who led me straight to Mr. Zaveri's cabin that looked as gorgeous as ever.

I will still never forget when Mr. Zaveri sat me down and told me how there was no official position or vacancy in his office, but he was willing to give me the job of a messenger boy where I'd working underneath his personal assistant, Frank. My job would have to be transferring key details from Frank to Mr. Zaveri either by phone or by personal message in case of emergencies. Mr. Zaveri explained that it was an outdated job since the job of a messenger boy was abolished with all the technological advancements, but he was willing to give me a job because he saw the scope in me.

He'd further told me how he knew that what I'd be working as would be a step lower than what I was unofficially working as for Mota Babuji. But he said that it would give me a first-hand experience into the groundwork of the ASX and would help me get up-to-date with the technicalities and the working methods of the stock exchange here. And it would certainly help me hone my skills with international dealings as well by the time I completed my masters.

Mr. Zaveri concluded his offer by saying that he'd give me $35 a week for the job, but I'd have to report from eleven to three when the activities at the stock market caught pace. It was a decent offer since I had my lectures till ten forty-five anyway, so it worked to my advantage. And without a second thought, I'd said yes, knowing that this would be a new learning experience for me. And so far, tiring and monotonous as the job might be, I've not regretted my decision AT ALL. On the contrary, I could not have been happier since the money is enough to work for me for a whole week!

And if that wasn't less, Mr. Zaveri would himself give me tips and ideas and mentor me at times if he himself was visiting the ASX on a particular day. I must have really done some outstanding work in my previous life to have not one, but two mentors in my life - Mota Babuji, and now Mr. Zaveri. And everyday is just a learning experience in itself. The University - the ASX - and then either the library or my room. This was my routine.

"What is it?" he asked, looking concerned.

"The Panorama Synergy shares. The prices have gone up but they're saying that it's a temporary hike till the prices crash again. So what's to be done, sir?" I asked seriously, just as Mr. Zaveri gave me a pensive look. 

I knew what could be done but I decided to remain quiet anyway. This wasn't Mota Babuji's office where I could waltz in with an advice any time.

"What are the analysts saying?" he asked finally after two minutes.

"They're saying that the software that Panorama is currently working on might probably be a success as well and that'd cause the prices of the shares of shoot up as well if it's successfully launched in the next month," I replied and he nodded his head.

"What's your take on what we're supposed to do?" he asked me suddenly and I though my heart stopped. 

It was rather unexpected, especially since Mr. Zaveri was known to never consult anyone in things like this. I didn't know whether he was testing or was genuinely wanted to know my opinion, but I gave my two cents nonetheless.

"Sell 40% of them now and see what happens. If it crashes now, there's still a probably chance in the future that the prices will shoot up since there's a good chance of the software being a hit. If the prices begin to stabilize, it'll atleast give our portfolio some more stability as well in terms of the IT sector," I suggested and he gave me a satisfactory smile. Thank goodness.

"What caused the jump?" he asked after sometime.

"The CEO gave an official announcement about the first demo of the project that was a hit," I replied instantly and he nodded his head stiffly.

"Fine, call Frank and tell him to sell 40% of the Panorama shares and to keep an eye out for the trend analysis of the prices of the top ten market movers for today. We've got to bring out some changes in the portfolio divisions," he added, looking suddenly disgruntled for a moment before his features relaxed again.

"Alright, sir. I'll be off then and will drop by in the evening to let you know about it," I replied as I stood up. 

I froze halfway in the process, however, when Mr. Zaveri cocked his eyebrow at me.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked, and I gave him a puzzled look.

"To the ASX," I replied and he shook his head.

"You're not going anywhere. Look at yourself, son. You look like you're going to faint any minute. Call Frank and notify him of the same and in case you cannot reach through, leave a message with the ASX receptionist. She'll do the needful," he explained, and I sighed. 

Atleast I could argue with Mota Babuji but I couldn't even do that over here since Mr. Zaveri was strictly my employer. I really missed Mota Babuji so much at times. 

But nevertheless, I carried out his orders and quickly left a message for my senior for the needful to be done before I stared around the house again in innocent curiosity. The first impression I had of the house was that it was built with a lot of love, and the picture frames around the house with the memories stored in them radiated the same aura. And I couldn't help but notice that though the furnishing of the house was as simple as it could be, the taste behind the choice was rather elegant and chic. 

My eyes finally landed upon the girl once again, who happened to look at me at the same time. We both smiled at each other once again in that same easy flow, and I was suddenly seized by the surge of that same kind of pulsating happiness and joy.

"This is my daughter, Ritika," introduced Mr. Zaveri with a smile upon his face. 

His voice managed to snap me out from my thoughts as I gave Ritika an acknowledging nod while all she did was smile broader. He continued. 

"Ritika, this is my oldest friend's protege, Ranveer. He's been working with me for three months now as a messenger boy," he introduced further and it was her turn to nod her head this time in acknowledgment while I gave her a smile.

"What would you like to have, Ranveer?" she asked suddenly as she got upon her feet gracefully. 

I could feel my stomach rumble slightly, but I wanted to have something more 'Indian' for once rather than the usual Australian gob-blob, as Finch put it. 

"Would it be possible to get some tea? Traditional Indian tea? I haven't had that since almost seven months now," I added in an embarrassed tone, and both Ritika and Mr. Zaveri seemed to find that comment of mine extremely amusing as they chuckled upon it, while I smiled sheepishly. 

Whatever it may be, but only fellow Indians understood this plight.

"You're in luck. I'll be right back," she replied, and her voice was rather... sweet. 

"Ritika, get some of the prasaad as well and come," piped in Mr. Zaveri and I gave him a confused look. "It's my wife's eighteenth death anniversary today," he added when he noticed my expression, and I felt a lump rise into my throat.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," I replied in a small voice, and he gave me a swift nod.

The two of us sat in silence as it suddenly began to rain, the weather even gloomier than before. The living room looked only cozier however, as Mr. Zaveri stood up and switched on the lamps, along with putting some more logs into the fireplace and starting a fire. An enticing waft of aroma made its way into the hall treacherously that only sung its lore about the city he'd come from. And surely enough, Ritika returned back after fifteen minutes late4, carrying a try of tea and pakodas in her hand, along with the prasaad that Mr. Zaveri had asked of her to bring.

It was rather surprising that she knew how to cook, and even more so that when I had the tea and the pakodas, they were the best things I'd had for the first time in my seven months away from Mumbai. Mr. Zaveri and Ritika both smiled at me seeing my nostalgic expression.

"This is great. Thanks!" I told Ritika and she waved her hand in the air.

"You ever miss homemade food, come home. Ritika's an excellent cook," praised Mr. Zaveri and Ritika shook her head, looking slightly flushed. She looked rather embarrassed with all the praises that was really endearing for some odd reason. 

"So what are you doing right now, Ritika?" I asked her.

"I'm doing an Interior Designing course right now," she replied and I gave her an approving nod.

"Oh, that's brilliant!" I replied and she gave me a polite smile. 

"Yeah, she's very artistic like that. Everything in this house, she's the mastermind behind," added Mr. Zaveri affectionately as he patted Ritika's head who was sitting right beside him now.

"Wow, you're one talented girl," I exclaimed as I looked around the house and smiled. 

The effort was evident, and so was the creativity. I could make out that in spite of being happy with the praises, she did look rather awkward as well, and it was something that I could relate to so all I did was give her an understanding smile.

"She's a box of mysteries, my Ritika. Don't go upon her looks because the day you get to know her truly, you'll be in for the shock of your life," he suddenly added, and Ritika shot her father an exasperated look.

"Oh Papa, must you exaggerate so much?" she asked, rolling her eyes at him and this time both me and Mr. Zaveri began to laugh, until she joined in as well. The father and daughter seemed to be such a content duo in themselves that it was heartwarming.

"Well, I'm only telling him the truth. And you know what, Ritika? I think you should take the boy around and give him some company. He doesn't have a lot of friends around here and he could do with one," he suggested suddenly, and it was rather too out-of-the-blue. I was so sure that Ritika would reject her father's idea, but she didn't, thankfully.

"Sure! Just give me your number, Ranveer, and we'll stay in touch. We can go out on the weekend as well, if you're free," she suggested and it was a good idea as well since Finch was going to be out of town for the whole next week. 

Atleast I'd try making another new friend this weekend and see how it turned out. She does look rather intriguing as a person so far. But primarily kind and warm. 

"I think I'd like that," I added and we quickly exchanged numbers after I finished draining the last bits of tea in my cup. 

I stood up, remembering that I had to get back to the University to see Finch off by three thirty to the airport. He was going to England for a week and was rather nervous since it was on Monica's impromptu call that seemed to have left him deeply unsettled.

"Sir, I'll take your leave now. I really do need to get back to the markets and then to the University as well," I explained.

Mr. Zaveri gave me a disapproving sigh when I mentioned 'the markets', but didn't say anything. I guess that Mota Babuji had warned him off about how stubborn I could get when it came to the stock markets.

"It was nice meeting you," I added as I shook hands with Ritika. 

"Same here," she replied as she walked me out towards where I'd parked my cycle. 

Now that it had stopped raining and the sun had finally come out again, the entire garden was bathed in its magnificent glow, the grass looking even more precious with the rain droplets still perched upon its blades while the petrichor was as intoxicating as always, the leaves and their multi-colours scattered across thee grass in a symphony of autumn's beauty. This was one beautiful place they stayed at.

I quickly bid Ritika one last goodbye before I left the place and cycled back to the markets, where Frank told me that he'd carried out my instructions and just in the nick of time because the prices did fall a little after the transaction was made, although not too much. I asked Frank to keep the trend analysis reports ready for the top ten movers of the market today before cycling my way back to the University. I managed to catch Finch just in time.

I accompanied him to the airport where we discussed several trivial things, along with what he was supposed to talk to Monica about since she'd called him to London quite suddenly and Finch did seem rather worried about what might have probably gone wrong. Ever since Finch and I made it up after our fight three months ago, we've become even better friends than before, along with both us being really honest with each other about our insecurities and fears.

I will never forget the fact that in spite of our fight, he'd managed to find me at the bar that night when Ishaani and I had finally spoke on her birthday (well, not spoken... more like she killing me with guilt until I couldn't take it any longer). I'd gotten drunk on vodka shots (that's definitely much stronger than beer, I must admit), and I don't have any recollection whatsoever about what happened that night except that when I woke up in the morning, Finch was in my dorm half asleep on the chair.

Well, it was terrible, the hangover. And even worse so the lecture that Finch gave me about the number of shots that I'd had in my rage and grief alike. And if things weren't embarrassing enough already, he actually let me know the things I'd shared with him the previous night in my drunken stupor about all my truest fears and inhibitions regarding Ishaani, actually crying real tears with him and hugging him and apologizing for being so terrible to him. I wondered for a moment whether Finch was actually enjoying telling me all this but the anger in his eyes were saying quite the latter, so it made me chuck away the thought as well.

But I swear, I'm never seen him this angry so far, and it's seriously not cool being on the opposite side of an angry Finch who resembles a demented bat. He even makes Ishaani look tame in front of him and actually made me feel that Ishaani was very reasonable on the phone last night compared to the hell he was raining down upon me for being so careless and such an idiot for going on a drinking spree like that all alone. And well, I think I sobbed a little more in the morning and Finch just stopped talking abruptly and gave me a side hug, along with handing me a glass of lemonade to take the hangover off with just as I soberly spoke about my current equation with Ishaani.

It was difficult talking about it, but Finch somehow made it much more easier to vent it all out with him. And he just listened on patiently, by the end of which he just told me one thing that somehow gave me the strength to get out of the pit I'd thrown myself into. And that's something that's stuck on to me even after three months of that day, and quoting it again, here it is:

"Don't keep holding the boomerang in your hand thinking it will never return. Let it fly, and it will come back to you. Trust it to."

On any other day, I'd have told him to shut up. But something hit me that day. And from that moment forth, there's been no turning back. I've let the boomerang gone, and I trust it to return back to me because... well, it has to. I'm not going to think otherwise because like Finch said, it's a leap of faith. You have to trust for it to happen for it to happen. And so far, it's been working well for me. I'm more organized, emotionally in check and more focused as well. Just because of one horrendous lecture from Finch that went up for more than an hour and a half of yelling and glaring.

But for someone who looks so sorted like Finch, he surprises me with how much in-depth he has as a person and how many fears and inhibitions and worries he holds in his heart and mind himself. It's funny that even though I thought that I'd be needing a shoulder to drop my worries upon almost every single day, it's actually vice-versa. But I do genuinely like getting to know him more and more and help him out with all the troubles and worries he has, be it sorting out arguments between him and Monica, or his concerns about his career or his family issues.

He comes to me for advice and I'm glad that I've been able to help him out so far. And it's only once he comes back now will I know what's this latest complication that's arisen between him and Monica. But he's a remarkably strong guy, Finch. He knows what it's like to remain tough in life and face challenges head-on in spite of the cushion of money, and that's what I love about him the most. Ishaani's always been my best friend and no one can even come close to that, but Finch is the closest I could have to a best friend right now and I cherish having him as one.

Anyways, I returned back to my dorm in the evening after a quick dinner to pour into more volumes of the books that I'll be needing for my next research paper. Now that I've already done three papers in five months along with several assignments, I've got the knack of how it's all to be done. I did want to go to the library and study, but since my room is all to myself now, I have no issues studying here as well (all thanks to Finch who managed to get me one vacant room all for myself four months ago and away from those idiot roommates of mine. I didn't even have to pay extra! I honestly don't know how he manages to do things like this!).

But I don't feel like getting anything done today, since the deadline for this paper is two months ahead.

Maybe I think I'll call Ishaani up and sort things out, finally. Goodness knows that I haven't been getting time to even catch a good night's sleep, and replying to her letter just keeps getting pushed off for some reason. She does genuinely seem sorry about all the raucous she made on her birthday about me not being there, and she did apologize as well. She must probably be thinking that I'm still angry at her or something so I might as well make her misconception go away. I'm not angry, really. I just needed some time to cope, but well since that's just not there in my fate, let it be.

I don't know, but it does feel like today's conversation might break the jinx of either one of us (or both of us for that matter) crying by the end of the conversation. I don't know, I just feel positive. Whether it's still because of that maddeningly refreshing and warm aura about Ritika, I don't know. But everything doesn't seem so dark and despondent after all, and neither does it seem so hopeless anymore. I might even phone Maa and Baba after talking to Ishaani if things go alright! I know that I spoke to them just three days ago, but doesn't hurt to phone and tell them that I love them now, does it?

But I swear, if everything gets sorted out between Ishaani and myself today, I'm definitely going to thank Ritika for giving me the confidence and that push into taking the initiative and calling her up. It's honestly so weird that we've hardly interacted and yet she's had such an impact upon me. Like I always say, whatever happens, happens for the best. Maybe Ishaani and I needed this three month estrangement to gain better perspective, just like the last time where it only helped in strengthening our relationship. Maybe this time, it'd work the same magic again. Who knows?

Maybe I'm just talking stupid. Or maybe, it's just the gush of spring in autumn that's done its magic.


Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D


Next chapter:
Epistle 90

LadyMeringue2016-12-06 23:51:35

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