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PART 6
My alarm rang at 6AM in the morning. I was nicely cuddled in my blanket in my large couch. Friday. I sighed. Why couldn't it be a Saturday. Lazily, I got up and brushed my teeth. Putting on my shoes, it was time for morning jogs.
While running, memories of RK flashed past my thoughts. Its true I never told him about how I felt, but it is also true that until I left India...I myself had no clue about my heart. I always waited to talk to him via voice messages but one day they just stopped. I left him a bazillion of messages but he never replied. Maybe he thought I was a waste of time. Or maybe something bad happened to him. I shrugged my later thought. Don't know what happened to him. Rihan never wrote me back too. But then, he was just a PA. Maybe RK told him not to communicate with me anymore? Maybe he was bored with me!
After taking a round, I turned back to my apartment. On my way, I noticed a flyer. "Kundra Iron and Steels, Ltd. recruiting freshmen." I stopped and read it carefully. The message was from the CEO, Mr Kundra. Noting down the number, I returned back home.
At home, I took a shower and had my breakfast. There was still time for Maria to come and pick me...
"Hello. Kundra Iron and Steels, Ltd?"
"Yes. Hello Mam! How may I help you. I am Grace!"
"I am the Chief Editor of Brisbane Weekly; and I wanted to interview your CEO of Australian Wing Mr. Virat Kundra for our 100th Year Celebration"
"That is wonderful Mam. But Virat sir doesn't handle the Australian Unit anymore. His younger brother has taken over"
"You mean. MR Rishabh Kundra?"
"Certainly Mam!"
"Could I be given a time then?"
"Mam, I'll let you know in 15 minutes"
The receptionist hung up. A smile crept my face. He was here. In Australia...in Brisbane. The car honked. Maria was here. I quickly locked my apartment and rushed down.
"Morning!", I greeted her sitting in the car.
"Morning MD!", she winked at me.
On my way, I got a reply from the receptionist saying I could have a chat with Rishabh Kundra on Saturday in the evening. Maria noticed the smile.
"What have you been cooking up?"
"Nothing Ri! Just some nice ideas in my mind for our 100th Year Celebrations!", I winked back. The only way to avoid her was to fake attitude in front of her. Luckily, Ri bought it.
That was it. I waited for my day to finish so that Saturday could come fast. I was looking forward to see him. So many year have gone by, and I still want to see him. His image of the simple down to earth guy standing at the door of the hut that night is etched in my mind. He was beautiful, and I just stood numb admiring him.
At Office, there wasnt much to do. Only proofreading intern papers and some new applicants. By 6, I was home. Weekend. I sighed in relief. My favourite part of the week. I checked out the sticky on my fridge. My help had written on things that needed to be bought from the grocery store. Quite a many things.
I turned on my laptop and hunted for the location of the meeting. There was a grocery store just nearby their address. I could pick up the things on my way back. I took the list and put them in my purse and changed into my Pajamas. Ri had forwarded me some emails, job applications. I sipped coffee and went through them. My phone vibrated...
"Madhu!", my mom.
"Maa! Kaise ho aap?", I tilted my head to support my phone as I typed a reply to one of the applicants.
"Tu bata mera bachcha kaisa hai?"
"Maa! Tum humesha aise mushy mushy kyun rehte ho...!", I smiled.
"Madhu!"
"Sorry Maa. Main achchi. Achcha suno. Maine kal na shayad RK se milne jaana ho!"
"RK waha hai?"
"Hanji Maa! Mujhe bhi nahi pata tha. Bus aaj hi pata chala. Interview lena hai uska!"
"Haan, jaa mil le usse.", she sounded concerned.
"Kuch hua kya Maa?", I grew curious
"Nahi...bas aise hi", I felt the struggle in her voice.
"Ok Maa! Phir usse mil ke I'll call you!", I kissed her on phone and hung up.
My Maa's expression made me worried. Firstly, RK wasn't supposed to be here and then Maa.
My help knocked the door and brought me out of thoughts.
"Mam! You're back early?"
"Yeah Stacy! Make me something please?"
"Yes Mam. I'll make you Chinese today!"
"Perfect Stacy. I am in my room"
I lay on my bed...and tired as I was, fell asleep. Stacy had to wake me up hard for dinner. She told me that the mechanic had dropped my car back and parked it safely. I was sleepy and so immediately after eating, I slept again after Stacy left.
6AM. My alarm buzzed off again. I put it off and went back to sleep. It was a weekend and nobody could wake me up before 9. At 8:30, Stacy banged my door. I fell from my bed dreaming of jumping off a plane while sky-diving. I trudged and opened the door to a bright morning smiling face of Stacy.
"Morning MD!", she offered flowers. Yes, Stacy's usual. "Morning Stacy! You early today?", I yawned. "Its 8:30 mam! You have gym today.", she pointed at the calendar. I freaked out. "Tumhare Bina mera kya hota Stacy!", I mumbled. "Sorry Mam?", she looked confused. "I said I would not have survived without you here!". Stacy looked delighted. She got my gym garments and at 9:15, I was in my gym.
Udne Ki Aasha
