Milind-Prachi-TheTie that Binds-Ch1/pg1(22/07/09)

The Tie that Binds

Chapter 1

Milind Mishra stood in the doorway and watched the organized chaos with interest. People scurried throughout the room as he searched for the leader of the group. His face broke out into a grin as soon as he caught sight of her. "Milind!" Prachi Shah rushed over to him when she saw him in the doorway. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in London for the rest of the week. She never ceased to amaze him when a whole string of sentences came out in one breath. "What?? You're not happy to see me? And here I was thinking how lucky I was to be able to finish up business three days early and come home to see my favorite modeling agent." Prachi giggled at his mock hurt expression. "Of course I'm happy to see you!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "You're just in time to see the photo shoot. Want to stay and watch?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No," Prachi laughed. She left his side then to make sure everything was ready. Milind leaned against the wall next to the refreshment table where he had a clear view of the set-up.The wall opposite where he was standing was draped with white curtains over a French-door setting. A table was set for a romantic dinner with silver placing and an elaborate candelabrum. The white, tapered candles were just being lit. Milind knew the photo-op was for a magazine ad for a very popular perfume. As Milind watched the scene, his thoughts were transported to a similar place four years before. Prachi had been wearing a pale purple sheath that fell to her ankles. Her shoes were only a slightly lighter shade, and silver. She had been absolutely breathtaking with her hair curled around her face and hanging loose. She laughed at his look of astonishment. He had never seen her look so beautiful in his life. He was in a white dinner jacket and black tuxedo pants. Prachi had tried not to show the weakness in her own knees, but he'd seen it. That night had been one of the most wonderful nights he'd ever spent with her. They had been so much in love. A sudden sound brought him back to the present. Someone had dropped a board when they were moving it out of the way of a camera angle. Milind shook his head and thought once more of that night. {How could everything have changed so much the next day? It's almost like two different lives had ended and begun in the span of twenty-four hours.} He watched for a few more minutes until his cell phone rang in his coat pocket. He quickly stepped out into the hallway to answer it. "Milind here."

"Milind! Where are you? Do you have any idea how many offices I've called trying to find you?" Milind shook his head with amusement as soon as he heard his partner's voice. "Alap, you know I always carry my cell phone with me. And what's more, they've invented those new things called pagers, you know. They're really neat. You call a number and magically, I know to call you back. You'd really like one, I'll bet."

"All right, all right. Knock it off, Milind. But now that I've gotten a hold of you, where are you? You're supposed to be in London." Alap was used to Milind's smart comments. They threw them at each other quite frequently. "I'm right here. What more do you need to know?" Milind was enjoying playing with Alap. "Milind," Alap's tone was warning, but he didn't say anything else since he knew it was exactly what was expected. "So I take it you're in New York, then? Probably in a sky rise in Manhattan where a certain best friend of ours is working today."

"You're getting good at this." He was thoroughly enjoying it now. "Now why did you need to reach me? Something you can't handle from the London deal?" He knew exactly what kind of reaction he'd get from that. The twinkle in his eyes found extreme pleasure in this. "Milind, you can be so obnoxious, you know that? I was calling to see if you were, in fact, in New York with Prachi. Since you are, I thought we might have dinner tonight. You know the four of us. That is, if you don't have other plans with your wife."

"No, I don't. Let me ask Prachi and I'll call you back in an hour or so when she's finished."

"Sounds good. I've already called Kamya and regardless of you two, we're going to dinner tonight."

." Milind hung up the phone and went back into the room. It looked like Prachi was just finishing up. Prachi shook hands with the ad execs and then came to Milind's side. "Hi, again. Where'd you go?"

"My phone rang and I didn't want it to interrupt." He held the door open for her and when they walked through to the hallway, he took her hand. "Let me guess," she said, swinging his hand and smiling, "it was Alap, wasn't it?" Milind laughed at her perceptiveness and nodded. "Yes, it was Alap. He wanted to know if we could join him for dinner tonight."

"Will Kamya be there?"

"Apparently with or without us." He smiled. "Then, it better be with." She laughed and buttoned her coat before they stepped into the cold November air. "But shouldn't you already have plans?"

"With whom?" Milind knew exactly what she was talking about, but tried as often as possible not to think about it. "You know who I mean."

"Yes, I do, but if I should have plans for that reason, shouldn't you?"

"Good point. Then, neither of us have plans. Wonderful! Call Alap and tell him we'll be there." Milind took out his phone to call him before they left the building. They agreed to meet at a restaurant that night. He hung up and moved closer to Prachi. He held out his arm for her and she took it. Leading her to the waiting limo, they quickly settled back in the plush leather seats. Milind directed the driver to go to his apartment on the Upper Side. Prachi watched out the window for a few minutes, debating if she should do it or not. Prachi reached for the phone on the armrest. Her hand stopped when she felt one already there. She looked up, surprised. "Calling her?"

"Calling him?" They both said at the same time and then they both nodded in response. Their faces were grim at the prospect of having to make the calls. A thought came to Prachi and she laughed mischievously. "What?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"How about if you call my husband and I'll call your wife!" She laughed again and Milind joined in. The truth of the matter was they would just as soon rather leave their spouses in the dark about the fact that they were planning to have dinner together. Neither one would be too happy to hear it, yet again.