FF: Ricky & Indira: Serendipity - Page 51

The weather was pleasant today. It had drizzled last night. Indira pulled on a pink t ' shirt & white shorts. After breakfast they would all be leaving for home. The thought of going home depressed her. After last night, there was so much she had to ask Ricky, there was so much she wanted to know, so much she wanted to discuss. After they returned to their routine life with him as her boss and she a mere employee how would she ever meet him? Would all her questions remain unanswered? She did not have the courage to go to him & question him. She feared his reactions. What if he no longer cared about what had happened in the past? What if he had forgotten her & moved on in the true sense of the word. She brushed her hair quickly & went downstairs.

She followed her ears & soon saw Alice, Kathy, Mike, Alex '.& Ricky sitting at a table. Everybody except Ricky was peeping into Alex's laptop. The dark shades which Ricky was wearing made it impossible for her to guess as to where he was looking! He looked fabulous in the lemon yellow V necked T shirt. He seemed lost in his own world while the group giggled about something. Alex saw Indira approach. Getting up from his chair, he pulled out another chair for her & welcomed her with a peck on her cheek.

A: Hey gorgeous!

I: Hi'

A: You are just right on time. We were looking at the snaps from yesterday's dance. You were looking gorgeous in that green shift dress!

Ricky who had been observing Alex & Indira silently broke in,

R: But I did not see you during the whole dance Alex. So, when did you get enough time to admire Indira? Would it be before you fooled her into holding the balloon on which you had written my name?

Indira blushed at the memory of the dance last night. The group waited silently for Alex to reply back. Alex chuckled shamelessly,

A: Yes, exactly. It was before the dance started naturally. Hey, but why so grouchy Ricky? I didn't see you complaining yesterday when you were dancing? I would even dare say you both looked as if you were enjoying yourself thoroughly.

Kathy muttered under her breath,

K: Looks can be deceiving dear!

Indira who was sitting next to her heard her. Indira sent Kathy a pleading look asking her to be quite. However what came next made the breath rush out of her lungs in a whoosh!

R: Who doesn't like a good dance? And when you get a partner like Indira, the dancing becomes more fun!

Utter silence spread over the table for a second time in as many minutes! Indira blushed profusely; Kathy stared, while Alex gave a wicked smile.

A: But then, why did Cinderella run from the ball? The clock hadn't even struck 12!

Alice & Mike, completely unaware of the undercurrents laughed heartily & asked Indira why she had run away in the middle of the dance. Indira could not have come up with a sensible reply even if her life had depended on it. She was behaving like some stupid teenager who had just been complimented by her first boyfriend. She knew Ricky did not mean of word of what he had said. How could he? He had been constantly letting her know how much he hated her. Then how could he have liked her yesterday? Had he? Somewhere at the back of her mind she realized Ricky had answered Alex on her behalf, something about her father calling her from India. She watched as Ricky picked up his cell phone & walked away & kept staring after him.

Ricky could feel Indira's eyes on his back. He had never had much trouble reading her every gesture. He felt the phone in his hand vibrate.

Indira observed silently as Ricky gestured for Alex to come over. Alex jogged up to him & they seemed lost in discussing something important. She watched out of the corner of her eyes as both of them approached the table where Kathy, Alice, Mike & she were sitting.

A: Indira, can we talk to you for a moment?

Indira got up & walked with them to the pool side.

A: Are your presentations for Algeta complete? We were supposed to meet them at the end of this week. I know, it's a little ahead of schedule, but by any chance are you done with the presentation?

Indira gave him a broad smile.

I: As a matter of fact, yes! I completed work on that project before coming for this weekend picnic. But why are you asking?

A: And do you think you can somehow manage to be in Oklahoma by tomorrow noon as well as get those presentations full & final.

Indira gave him a confused look. Ricky muttered irritated,

R: Why don't you stop fooling around Alex & let her know everything in detail? Mr. Davies from Algeta had called me up right now. He was requesting if it would be possible to reschedule our appointment with them & have it tomorrow. Also, he requested if we would come to his Oklahoma office to give our presentation. Now, Indira, Algeta is Diwan builder's oldest client. But that doesn't mean we can take them for granted. They are known for their moodiness. And honestly, I do not want to lose their account at any cost. I know your presentation is at home on your laptop somewhere, but do you think you can make it once more while we drive to Oklahoma? You can use my laptop. Chicago to Oklahoma is nearly a 12 hours drive. Do you think you can do it? And of course, are you willing to come with Alex & me to Oklahoma? We will need to leave right away. It's the weekend, and hence I cannot force you but your'..

I: When are we leaving? Give me half an hour & I will be ready.

Alex did a little 'yaay' gesture & hugged Indira. Ricky just offered her a polite smile.

When Indira came down with her bag, she found Alex & Ricky already waiting for her. She bid a hasty good bye to Alice, Mike & Kathy. Ricky got down from behind the wheel when he saw her approach & helped her stow her bag in the boot of the car. Indira sat on the back seat while Alex sat besides Ricky ahead.

While the sun rose higher in the sky, it was pleasant in the car. Indira began working on her presentation. She noted that right since Ricky had started the car; Alex had started with his constant monologue. She felt lucky that she had work to do & hence wasn't obliged to have a conversation with Alex. She hid a grin as she noted Alex was irritating the hell out of Ricky. Ricky had never liked constant chatter. But Alex was a very determined talker. He talked about everything and anything, the weather, the picnic, the games, the dance, the girls, latest movies! She smiled as she observed that Ricky too had stopped responding to him now & was silently driving the car.

A long time back she had been in Alex's place. She had been so excited to be back in Mumbai. Ricky had come to collect her at the airport. Her father was fit & fine now. Nearly 3 weeks with her father & the dreams of a lifetime with Ricky had doubled her joy of meeting Ricky today. She had talked on and on, about Delhi, about missing him, about Mumbai. Seeing his slightly lost expression while she had babbled along, she had said,

I: Talk something Ricky! I am the only one who has been talking since we met. Open your mouth for heaven's sake.

Ricky had swung his car into the parking space beneath her building then & giving her hair a light tug had pulled her towards him.

R: Or I can just punish you for boring me with your mindless chatter by kissing your mouth shut.

Indira blushed now, as she remembered how one thing had led to another & how Ricky had ended up spending the whole night at her place. She shivered. She realized it had grown silent inside the car. She glanced ahead & found Alex fast asleep. Ricky noticed her peeping ahead & their eyes met in the rear view mirror. They both grinned. Once more, after many years, their eyes communicated what was in their mind. Ricky sighed as he mentally complained about Alex's incessant chatter. Indira gave him an understanding smile. Once more, both of them felt a deep connect somewhere within themselves.

It was late in the night when they reached Oklahoma. They had eaten on the way & hence the only thing that remained was to crash on the nearest bed. Each of them retired to their rooms.