Posted:
DISCLAIMER - Inspired from a drabble shared by someone at #TAW. Long Back.
" Yes, Prasad, please arrange it by 8, I will be soon there. Yes. Make it fast. And yes I'll pick you on the way. Please do mail me the brochures and stats meanwhile. hmmm. . R.I.G.H.T N.O.W. Prasad.' You yell at your secretary in an extremely agitated voice, flaring away your nostrils to their glorious self.
I eye at you, hoping against, what might have had transpired suddenly between.
You shut your eyes for a brief moment and then turn at me with those apologetic eyes of yours. They are darn pretty, you know? But at the same time those eyes are strong enough to crush my little fluttering heart into thousands of granules, which had just hoped for a few moments of us being left "un-interrupted', meaning dinner.
" So. . I suppose dinner has to be . . . cancelled?' I sigh dejectedly, looking at your shoes which were shining brighter than the stars up in the dusky evening.
" Woh. Woh Actually - - - " You start stammering with your famous Woh Actuallys', trying your best not to break the already shattered wishes which I had planned for US, tonight.
" It's O-K-A-Y. Mr Khan.' I softly break, spelling into your confession while I motion you towards the SUV.
" I-I am so sorry.' That is all you say " . . . Please Zooyaa. I too DID wait for tonight.' That is all you can possibly manage to say, in a small voice, while you hold the door of the car, out for me. Mr Good for Nothing Chivalrous utters my inner voice instantly.
" It's fine Mr Khan! Its not the first time your Work plans are ruining OUR plans.' I let my voice raise a tone higher. " Work is Work. It ALWAYS COMES FIRST. And so does H.E.A.L.T.H.' I rant with my hands up in the air, trying not to spill the frustrated tears out which started to brim my eyes, while you secure my seat belt to its lock firmly. Worst of all, all you seemed to be concerned with was my seat belt rather than making up to me.
" Miz Farooqi, if I don't turn up today, we may be re-named as a bad institution to make a deal with. The whole thing will have a very bad and will have a negative impact, if I don't make it up on time. Already I should be thankful enough to the Delhi clients for - - -'
' I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.' I shut my hands over my ears as I yell. You stop midway, and your face falls a bit down. You take a deep breath and close the door softly. And in no seconds you are at your seat behind the wheel, igniting the engine to its life.
The car reverses while my thoughts reverse back to the incidents of the whole month. This was the GOD-KNOWS-WHICH-TIME your work pressure denied us from having a proper meal together. Past a month you have stopped coming home on time just cause of the calls from different delegates or an urgent meeting or a deal being finalized. What's anyway the use of all the money and fame when we can't even sit and share a meal together PEACEFULLY? Let alone some time to US?
Your car halts with a jerk in a known locality. I spot a pensive Prasad near your window, his hands gathering up the files. You roll down the glass and ask him to be in.
" GREAT ! NOW Prasaddd- -Why didn't you bring your kids too? It's long that I have been with them'. I remark sarcastically. You eye me a glare as i turn my face away.
" Sir i need to discuss the stats and details with you once!' Prasad apologetically whispers before he could answer me.
You nervously exchange a look between me and him but before you can say anything i push the door out and slam it hard behind me. The sudden loud noise from the door startles you. Prasad apologetically looks at you but you recover quickly and motion him to take the seat. I slam the door hard again as i make myself comfortable at the back.
PREFECT. JUST PERFECT. What could get worse than this? My ' whatever ' little moment I had got to be with you was brutally snatched away by your beloved secretary. My frustration, my anger, my agitation, my pain saw a new soar.
I roll the glass down as you ignite the engine back to life while Prasad starts with his discussions. Trying not to think of any more disappointments, I focus on the road outside. It was dimly lit, the city slowly coming back to life of the evening. Soon the evening breeze messes my hair up and i struggle against it. In a fraction of a second my eyes catches the rear mirror of yours. They catch you smiling your patent crooked half smile while looking at my reflection. I turn my gaze away in context for my phone inside my purse. A small smile creeps onto my lips as i feel my cheeks slowly burning up with a blush. Your one crooked half smile makes me forget everything, my frustration, my tears, my pain, my sadness, my anger , and even my whole existence. Feigning a stoic expression pasted on my face, I slowly turn back to face the window. With the corner of my eye, I again find you smiling, this time a full one which flashes your dimples deep, at my reflection. I narrow my eyes and motion you to focus on the road. You treat me with a wink and drive ahead.
Like they say, sometimes even a small moment of togetherness means much more than an entire lifetime spent with your loved one. Maybe we couldn't make time out for each other, you were simply burdened with work and expected me to be more civil but I was my usual dramatic self. Maybe the meals and evenings and afternoons being send together had increased on the lesser side of the scale. And i missed you terribly. But one thing remained constant, that was your love for me. And the best part was, We both know our love was strong enough to withstand all the storms that can possibly come our way.
___________________________________________________________________
For Maantals especially. They had a due long. 🤗
Thanks to Noddle for bearing up with me. 🤗
❤️ Ankie
For More Works of Fictions Do Have A Look At My Index 😳
A friendly reminder, KARAN SINGH GROVER will always be MY ASAD AHMED KHAN and SURBHI JYOTI as ZOYA FAROOQI in my FICTIONS, rest is up to you readers, You can imagine anybody my leads to be as, I assure you I will not have a problem with that. 😳
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
124