HAUNTING MEMORIES

After bidding bye to my father, I sat on the plane and it took off just a while ago. And this plane reminded me my second meet with Nikhil. It was right after two days after our first meet in the business party.

It's Veer's Mom's birthday, the next day. Veer's father is out of India because of some project and there was an emergency at Mumbai's branch. Though Veer is a doctor, he has an idea about business and he can handle meetings in the absence of his father. So, Veer went to Mumbai and now he's stuck there. Every year we celebrate his mom's birthday together by spending our day at orphanage, so I decided to go to him. Because I know how much he miss her on her birthday and it pains me to see him like that. I didn't tell him that I'm coming to Mumbai for him. He's busy in meetings. Had he known about my plan, then he would straight away deny it. So, it's going to be a surprise for him.

I got into the plane and started walking inside, I found my seat and luckily, it's a window seat. I'm very happy that it's a window seat, now I can pass my time by looking out and listening music. As I was going alone this time, I was worried that how would I pass my time. I kept my hand bag on the seat beside mine and sat on my seat. And then my phone rang, it must be my father. Like always my intuition is right, it's my father. He called to ask me, if I was okay. I told him that I'm fine and the flight will take off in a few minutes and heard someone saying, "Excuse me?" I turned around to see who it was.

And then I saw, the Restroom guy standing in front of me. I was shocked would be an understatement. I was too shocked to realize that my father is still on the line. He tapped on my shoulder and gestured me to speak to my father. I immediately said I'll call him later and cut the call. And then I was looking at him, as if asking what is he doing here. As if he understood my plight, he gestured to my bag which I kept on the seat beside me which probably might be his seat. So, I immediately removed my bag from his seat and he sat on it.

I turned my face to the other side, not knowing how to react. I mean things eased out a bit later that night after we spoke to each other. But now I don't why but I was feeling pretty nervous. But it wouldn't be nice if I didn't speak and behave weirdly. So, I thought to say a "Hi" at least and turned to his side. But again he spoke first.

"Hey! how are you?" he asked me sweetly, for which I replied, "Hello, I'm fine. And How are you?"

He replied, "I'm fine, but you didn't seem okay to me earlier. Are you afraid of me?"

I sighed and replied, "No, I'm pretty fine, it's just that I didn't expect you here?"

He chuckled and replied, "Were you expecting anyone else?", I immediately nodded my head as no and then as yes.

He said, "Miss. Saxena should I take it as yes or a no" I felt like hitting myself, then I replied, "No, I wasn't expecting anyone and definitely not you. So, I was shocked to see you, but now I'm okay."

He asked me, "Are you sure?", I just showed my thumb that I'm sure, he smiled and replied, "Good, I'm glad that now I have a company. Generally I travel in business class, but this time my new P.A couldn't book it right. So, here I am and you know what, I was scared that I'll get to sit beside some weird stranger. But thankfully it's you, now I'm sure that my journey wouldn't be boring and irritating like last time."

I asked him, "Why did anything happen last time?", he chuckled and replied, "Yeah, that was crazy and irritating too. Last time due to some emergency I had to go to Lucknow regarding new project. As it was a sudden plan, I couldn't get seat in Business class. My father offered to take our chopper but I denied saying that I would manage. After boarding, there was this crazy girl in her early twenties sitting beside me, She has read somewhere about me and recognized me immediately. And then she started her banter that she was a big fan of mine and some other stuff. It was very irritating and I could say nothing to her. Those few hours of journey was hell for me. So after that I made sure that my tickets are booked in business class or else I'd take my chopper. Even today, I didn't know that she booked it wrong until I came here. So, I was scared before entering but now I'm glad that she booked it wrong." and I blushed heavily.

After speaking to him for a while, I realized that we both are the same. We both can speak nineteen to dozens. But I heard that he's reserved and wouldn't talk much to anyone so I asked him, "I always heard that you don't speak much and always stay reserved, but now I wonder why did they speak like that?"

He smiled and said, "Actually I don't speak much with people who are not closely related to me. And I don't know why, but it's easy with you and couldn't stop being myself."

I said, "Are you trying to say that I'm closely related to you Mr. Ahuja?" and raised my eyebrow. And I couldn't stop grinning seeing him nod his head as yes and then as no.

I sighed and said, "Hey, it's okay I understand and I was just kidding."

And then we continued speaking for a while until we heard an announcement, "Hello passengers this is Captain Randhir Singh speaking. According to our information due to extreme weather conditions and heavy fog in Mumbai, we couldn't land in Mumbai. So, we're going to land in Ahmedabad and then we'll be heading to Mumbai once the fog is cleared. You'll get to know the details later, Thankyou."

Now I don't know what to do, what if I couldn't make it before night. I've to be in Mumbai by morning at any cost. Seeing my pale face, he said, "hey it's okay, nothing to worry. They'll arrange everything" I replied, "I know they'll arrange everything, but it's important for me to reach Mumbai before tonight. I don't know how long will it take to go to Mumbai, so I'm worried that I couldn't make it to Mumbai before tonight."

He replied, "Oh, I don't know what to say at this point. But don't worry let's see what happens and then we can figure out a way."

I sighed dejectedly and said, "I've to definitely figure out something or else " and I couldn't continue because my eyes filled up with tears and I tried not to cry here in the plane.

He gently wiped my tears and said, "Hey please don't cry, I promise that I'll take you to Mumbai before tonight, if we couldn't make it through the flight. But please don't cry" and looked at me. And I smiled at him saying that I'm fine now.

After fifteen minutes our flight landed in Ahmedabad. And we had our lunch and then waited for few hours, but the flight wasn't scheduled still. Slowly fear crept in me that if I could make it or not. Seeing my state, he said, "If it's very urgent then we can go by road. We will reach Mumbai by night."

I said, "No, it's okay. I'll manage you don't have to do this" for which he replied, "I know you can manage, but I don't want you to manage alone. Let me help you."

I gave it a thought and said, "If it's not a trouble to you" before I could continue my phone rang and it was Veer.

"Hey Misthi"

"Hello Veer"

"Sorry yaar Misthi, I couldn't call you earlier because of this stupid meetings. I even had to skip my lunch."

"Veer, have you lost it man? How many times do I have to tell you not to skip your lunch? Now just go and have your lunch first and then talk to me"

"Now I don't have time to eat lunch. I've ordered sandwich, I'll have that."

"Veer don't get so worked up. You'll finish all the work but please eat something properly, not those stupid sandwiches."

"I know I can finish the work by tomorrow, but I want to finish all the work today itself. I don't if I'll be able to work tomorrow or not"

"Veer I understand that you want to finish all the work today itself, but you can't neglect your health right. Now I don't want to hear anything, just go and eat something properly or else don't talk to me"

"Ok you win again, I'll go and eat. But don't fly high, even I'll get a day"

"We see to it later, but for now go and eat. Bye"

And I cut the call not even listening his reply and turned back. Nikhil was standing there, he was looking angry and I don't know why so I asked him, "Hey, what's up? Are you okay?"

He tried to fake a smile and replied, "Yeah, I'm fine. But you still didn't answer, can we go by road"

Now I understood the reason. I left the conversation in middle, when Veer called me. So I immediately said, "Sorry, I left our conversation without informing you. It was my best friend, I couldn't speak to him since morning. So, when he called I got little excited and forgot our conversation. I'm really sorry."

He replied, "Hey it's okay, I understand" but I knew he was hurt.

And then he made few calls and arranged for a car, then we finished formalities and left for Mumbai.