Note
Thanks guys for all the sweet comments. It was a real chore getting Chapter 5 done but all your positive remarks really encouraged me to complete Chapter 6. If you are wondering which way this FF is going, I got to warn you it's not going to be a high voltage drama. I think we all get enough of that on the show itself. I am aiming for a pretty gentle slice of life love story. Hope you will enjoy!
Chapter 6 - 3 Months Later, Delhi
Prachi pulled her coat tighter, to shield her against the cold as she waited for her train. Chilly weather aside, the last 3 months had been good thought Prachi as she sat in the train on her way back to her aunt's house. Prachi was visiting with Premlata'a sister Reena and also doing some work at Inder's Delhi hotel. It still hurt a bit when, she thought about Neev but for the most part, she was having fun. She was required at least 3 or 4 times a week for conference at the hotel but the rest of the time she spent with Reena and with her cousins. Prachi lost track of how many video games, she had played with 10 year old Rahul and how many Barbie tea parties, she had held with 8 year old Anjali. She had learnt how to ride the Delhi Metro and spent hours exploring Delhi on her own
Back in Mumbai, Milind was having a decidedly less pleasant time. His contract with Inder had opened the floodgates and business was booming. With his sharp business acumen and street smarts, he was increasingly becoming the go-to guy for hotels. However, that reputation was increasingly at stake. His business was hopelessly understaffed and he and Ali were finding it increasingly difficult to juggle everything. On top of everything, a Delhi supplier of his was threatening to pull out of a long term deal. "You got to fly to Delhi and speak to Kumar personally. I'll handle things here.", said Ali.
The next day found Milind waiting in the lobby of the Delhi Shah Hotel. Milind was becoming increasingly tetchy. He had flown all the way out here but Kumar was late, very late. Resisting the urge to check his messages again, it suddenly struck Milind that Prachi could be around. "Aahh, long life.", thought Milind as he saw Prachi approach him with a bemused smile. Before he could even greet her, his phone rang, "Milind, where are you ?", asked Ali anxiously. "Shah Hotel, waiting for Kumar.", replied Milind. "Well, he's waiting for you at his offices.", said Ali. "What the hell, is he playing at?", growled Milind, "He specifically said 3pm at Shah Hotel." "Well, you have an hour to get to his office, else he is leaving and I don't think we can arrange another meeting anytime soon.", said Ali. "Prachi, I'm sorry. I haven't got time to explain but I got to go.", said Milind. Before Prachi could even reply, Milind was sprinting out of the hotel.
Milind hailed a cab and explained where he needed to go. "How long will it take to get there ?", asked Milind anxiously as he surveyed Delhi's streets. It was nearly 4pm and rush hour traffic was building up from every direction. The driver realised that Milind was not a guy to be messed with and answered honestly, "An hour and a half, maybe more . It's rush hour and I just heard that there is an accident along the route. Traffic is quite backed up." Milind slammed his palm against the hood of the cab. "Milind", Milind turned around to see that Prachi had followed him out, "It will take half an hour by train to get there." "Prachi, I don't have time to figure out Delhi's Metro.", said Milind in despair. "You don't have to, I'll come with you.", offered Prachi. Milind gratefully accepted her offer.
Prachi realised on the train that small talk was useless. Milind was sitting with his arms folded and nervously shaking his left foot. He desperately needed a cigarette. Prachi resisted the urge to slap him on his knee to make him stop. They managed to get to Kumar's office just in time. It was nearly 6pm before Milind finished his meeting with Kumar, having managed to sucessfully persuade him not to back out of the deal. He found that Prachi was still waiting for him. "Prachi, what are you still doing here? I thought you will be long gone.", said Milind. "I was afraid you will get lost on the way back.", said Prachi. Milind smiled at her and Prachi found herself returning his smile just as widely. "I can not thank you enough for helping me out today.", said Milind sincerely. Milind had to leave the next morning but he accepted her invitation to have dinner with her aunt's family.
It was very late that night when Reena phoned Premlata to give her an update on the very interesting friend Prachi brought home for supper. "He really seemed to be just her friend and he seems a bit rough around the edges but I think they could make a good match.", said Reena. "You and Inder.", replied Premlata. "So, are your'll seriously considering it? You will have my approval.", said Reena. But will they have Prachi's approval wondered Premlata as she put the phone down.
Edited by blackcurrant - 17 years ago
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