"Thanks a ton, Mr Malhotra," said Abhay. "I needed this really badly."
"No problem, Dr. Raichand," said Siddharth Malhotra. "You helped my wife, it's the least I could do. Miss Khurana should be available from 9 am till 9 pm at night."
"Thanks again," said Abhay fervently. He dialed the number, a Delhi extension. It was evening. He hoped she wouldn't be some bitter manager. "Good afternoon, this is Alina Khurana speaking,how may I help you?"
Abhay swallowed. "Uh….this is Dr. Abhay Raichand. We haven't spoken, but my friend Sid- "
"Excuse me? Is this a prank call?" came the cold voice of the woman.
"What? No!" Abhay struggled to contain himself. "This is Dr. Abhay Raichand, and I need something important from you."
The voice gentled. "Dr. Raichand, I apologize. We had not expected your call. What is it you need?"
"I need to speak with T.R. Bride."
There was a silence. "Hello?" said Abhay.
Miss Khurana spoke again. "I am sorry. What on earth made you think I could direct you to this author?"
"Look, my friend called up Marina Publications, the publisher of her book," snapped Abhay, now losing patience. "The director head asked him to speak to you. She believed you would have her contacts."
There was another pause. "Of course, I had forgotten your stature," said the silky voice, now with a touch of amusement. "A man of your status and intelligence would no doubt find it easy. But I am sorry, T.R. does not talk much to her fans. Perhaps you could leave a message. It would be delivered to her. You will also get a written reply."
"I don't want to give her a message," retorted Abhay. "I need to talk to her. We went to the same school. Loyola Convent, in Tatanagar."
There was another pause. "Hmm….school friend?" asked Miss Khurana, sounding curious.
"Not exactly," said Abhay. "But I heard of her after more than a decade, and since I'd never thought she could write this good, I was curious."
"Naturally, naturally," said Miss Khurana quietly. "But- I am sorry- We have no ways to confirm if you really knew her."
"Fine," shot back Abhay. "Tell me one thing. Her real name. is it…Piya Jaiswal?"
There was another pause, this time so long he wondered if she had cut the call. But then he heard her voice.
"I will speak to her- and get back to you tomorrow. By afternoon. Will that suit you?"
"Thanks," said Abhay, feeling relieved.
He lay back on the couch in the hotel room. He'd arrived in Delhi for a week-long conference of psychologists all over India, to be held in the ITC Maurya Hotel. He, along with around 300 other delegates, had been putting up in the same hotel.
Pankhuri had told him she lived in Delhi. Almost by luck, the conference came up. He'd confided his quest to a businessman whose wife had been suffering from acute depression, and Sid had found the director of the publications, who, being a friend of Sid's had directed him to Miss Khurana, who was supposed to be close to the author in question. He hoped she didn't still hate him so much that she would not meet him.
The next day :
"Dr. Raichand? Am I speaking to you?"
"Yes, Miss Khurana. This is me."
"I've spoken to Piya. She recognizes you , and says she would like to meet with you personally. If, it does not disturb your schedule of course. We all know you are busy in a conference….. "
"I'll be free by afternoon," butted in Abhay.
"Perfect," said Miss Khurana. "Piya will come to meet you at half past one today. Please remain in the lobby at the said time."
"Excuse me?" said Abhay. "How do you know where I..?"
"We have our ways, Doctor," said Miss Khurana. "It's been a pleasure to know you."
Abhay groaned as the call cut. Dear Heaven, he needed to read his presentation again.
Later in the day :
At twenty five past one, Abhay made his way to the lobby. He hadn't felt nervous in years. For the first time, he had no idea what to expect from the person he was going to meet. All his training didn't stand a chance. He sat down in one of the armchairs to wait.
He had been waiting for nearly half an hour now. Bored, and a trifle irritated, he took to reading again the day's newspaper. "That's not good for your health, Doctor," came a voice to his left. His head jerked up. It took him a minute to recognize the pretty lady standing next to him. Piya Jaiswal was wearing an elegant pink shirt, slate-grey slacks, a beige handbag, and very surprisingly- a teasing smile. She leaned down and removed the newspaper from his hand, folding it neatly and putting it back onto the stand. "You know, reading might have an adverse effect on you,"she said. Abhay felt his lips stretch into a smile : his cheek muscles felt stiff with the lack of exercise. "Why do you think?" "Hmm, let's think," she said in a mock-thoughtful voice. "Because I've never seen you read?" He rolled his eyes. "That's hardly fair; you haven't seen me having a bath either," he retorted. She gave a quick laugh, and then made a face. "Ugh, thanks for giving me disturbing imagery." "It's not my fault you've got an overactive imagination,T.R.," he said. "Didn't hear you complain when you begged to meet me," she snapped. He gaped. "Beg? I didn't beg!"
"No, he didn't, Piya," said a smiling woman standing a bit away. Piya pulled a face. "Aw, come on, Leena, I was just having some fun." "Hey!"she said. "My name's not- " "Yeah, yeah," said Piya. "Leena, this is Abhay Raichand, my old friend-turned-fan. Abhay, this my mother hen, Leena." "Pleased to meet you, Doctor," said the woman, formally. The voice sounded a bit familiar. "Miss Khurana?" he said in surprise. "I thought you had a different first name." "I do, actually," she said, with an air of resignation. "It's just that Piya here doesn't like it very much, so….. " "Of course I don't," said Piya. "Who'd like a name that sounds like Alien?"
"That'd suit you, it would," said Abhay, grinning. Pia opened her mouth to retort, when Alina broke in and said, "Hadn't we better get going?" "Oh," said Abhay, "I apologize for disrupting your schedule- " Piya rolled her eyes. "Please. I'm taking you out for lunch." "You don't have to-" he began. "Of course I have to! I'm hungry!" said Piya, now tugging on his sleeve. "Come on, move!" Shaking his head, ABhay followed the two women out into the parking area, where Piya mved towards a light blue WagnR. He watched her , wondering where the old Piya had gone . Looking sideways, he saw Alina Khurana staring at him, her mouth curved in a slight smirk. "I'll sit in the back,Piya," she said hurriedly. Piya shook her head exasperatedly, but opened the door for her, then got into the driver's seat. Feeling slightly uneasy, Abhay got in beside her. "Seat belts, please," said Piya crisply as she revved up the engine. "Nice to see you're as rule-abiding as ever," he teased, pulling the strap towards himself. Piya pulled a face at him. "Shut up." He shut up, grinning. Alina spoke. "So..this is really the first time you guys are meeting in a decade? You haven't corresponded?" You know we haven't, Leena," said Piya, sounding weary."Come on!" She shook her head. Abhay caught a glimpse of Alina in the mirror. She was wearing the strange half-smile again. "Strange," she said, but made no further comments.
"here we are," said Pieerfully, slowing to a stop outside a posh-looking restaurant called Crystal Bowl. They got out, Abhay blinking in the bright sunlight. "uh- I'll join you guys later, " said Alina. "Need to visit someone. See you here in an hour?" "Okay, Leena," sighed Piya. "You're the boss."
After Alina had left, they had gone inside, and Piya proceeded to order a wide range of dishes. "Er- are you sure we won't be joined by half a dozen people?" said Abhay, grinning. Piya scowled at him. "If His Highness is uneaqual to it, I'll finish off the rest," she snapped. "it's not often I get a free lunch." "What?" said Abhay. "I'm supposed to pay for all this?" She grinned at his horrified expression. "I was pulling your leg, Raichand. Where's your sense of humour?" "It's suffering from a stroke," he retorted. She smiled. "So tell me," she said. "I know a lot about your life, you tell me what you know of mine." "Really? I doubt it," he said coolly. "Hmm, let's see," she said. "Name : Abhay Raichand. Settled in : Kolkata. Occupation : Clinical Pyschologist. Higher education :Stanford University. Is renowned for : Having a high-profile clientele. Has featured in numerous magazines. How's that?"
Abhay stared at her,then recovered. "Not bad, PJ," he said, using a nickname he knew she hated : sure enough, he was rewarded with a scowl. "Considering I know barely anything about yours. Just that you're the author who wrote a book I liked…after a long time." Her smile faded. "Not the bitch who used to snap at you in high school?" she asked. Abhay shook his head. "I don't know where she is. She's invisible right now." She smiled slightly. "You've changed a lot, Piya," he said quietly. She stared at him. "Changed, how?" she asked. "I don't know," he said, feeling troubled. "You've- you've become this bubbly, happy girl. And you've suddenly developed a sense of humour, and you've become kind of charming, and- " he broke off midway s the dishes arrived. Piya let itdrop, serving herself silently, then passing over the dishes to him. Then she spoke suddenly. "And what?" He looked up : she was gazing at him steadily. "Oh, don't hit me if I say this," he said. "Beautiful. You look lovely when you smile. Your eyes sparkle." She stared at him. Her eyes suddenly shimmered with unshed tears, and she dropped her gaze suddenly, toying with her food. "You know," she said softly, "That's the first time I've been complimented like that for something other than my writing. Feels strange." Abhay stared at her : This Piya was suddenly familiar to him. He dropped his gaze, not knowing what to say. What did she mean, anyway? She was so good-looking that people in the street turned around to look at her ; they had attracted quite a few stares in the restaurant. So what did she mean by nobody complimented her? She should have been used to it.
"What kind of books do you like?" she said suddenly. He shrugged. "Well-written ones, with a proper plot, good characters, and some fun. And no love triangles, and no mushy love stories." Piya grinned. " I can see why you liked mine, then. But it was a love story, too." He shook his head. "But it wasn't a happily-ever- after was it? I generally dislike that kind, you know? And I hate love triangles even more, and sadly, nowadays the books are full of it. I hate the idea of someone getting confused between two options. Why can't they just sort themselves out? And you know what? Those perfect love stories aren't real. There is never a happily ever after. You know, maybe that's why everyone loves it so much. Because it doesn't exist." He took a deep breath. It felt strange, telling an almost-stranger something he was loath to tell anyone, but oddly relaxing. Piya maintained a deadpan expression. "Um…sorry for the personal question, but were you…betrayed in love?" she said, sounding timid. "What? No!" he snapped. "Why do you jump to conclusions?" "Ok, ok," she said. "So- I expect you haven't got a girlfriend." "No," he said. "You?" She grinned, pushing back a strand of curly hair. "Sorry, sweetheart. I don't swing that way." It took him a moment to understand, and then he laughed- after what felt like ages. He didn't know how he could remember doing it. She smiled. "I don't have a boyfriend either," she said, grinning mischievously. "Don't plan to have one, ever." He smiled back. "Cheers to singleness,then."
"All right, children," said a voice. Alina had joined them, and Abhay saw she was wearing the half-smile again which made him feel uncomfortable. "Come now, it's getting late; we should go."
On the drive back, Alina sat in the backseat and watched the easy banter between the two of them. Piya was being most unusually friendly- she rarely exerted herself around people other than her sister's, and Alina. And certainly never with a man. She'd noticed for a long time, how her talented employee though one of the most-spoken in the office, rarely spoke about anything except work. Even if Alina forced her to go out on a few dates, she never went for second dates. Piya strangely managed to keep everyone at arm's length, yet without seeming rude. More like….Distant. Yet Alina felt- and hoped what she felt was right- that Abhay Raichand would define another meaning of "arm's length" where Piya was concerned. She wondered at his easy wit, too. Dr.Raichand was known to be a man of few words, she had sounded brusque and formal on the phone.
Her thoughts broke as the car jerked to a halt. She saw Abhay get out of the car, and Piya got out too. She could hear them quite clearly once she rolled down her window. "Hey, Piya, thanks," said Abhay. "Not at all, Abhay," said Piya. "Pleasure." Then, rather hesitantly, she held out her hand. A curious expression crossed Abhay's face- something like recognition. And then they shook hands,and Piya came back to the car; Alina studied Abhay Raichand, He was still watching her go. As Piya opened the door of the car, he called out suddenly "Piya!" She turned to him. "What?" He smiled and raised a hand in farewell. "Try to wear a smile more often, T.R," she heard him say. "Suits you a lot." And then he turned around and entered the hotel, and Alina could have sworn she saw a light blush staining Piya's cheeks. Suddenly, she felt a rush of determination. Abhay Raichand would not fade ay from Piya's life quite so soon. She, Alina, needed to do something to force them together. She knew she had to. For Piya.
PS. Thanks everyone for being so kind with your comments. Please keep maintaining the kindness😆 They make my day, honestly😳
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