Ann and Ayaan were meeting for the first and maybe last time at Mumbai airport. Both stood there staring at each other as they knew this would be the only time to see each other in person. In slow steps, Ann moved towards Ayaan. For a few minutes, time stopped for them as if the entire world was in a different frame than theirs. Ann hugged Ayaan kissing him on his neck and saying" Hi there... It seems ages, I have waited for you". Tears rolled down her cheeks.
The moment they separated Ayaan said" Ann let me hold your hand. I may not know how long I could hold on to it but even if it is for milliseconds, it is worth it."
By Ayaan's gestures, it appeared, that he was trying to help Ann with her luggage but she seemed adamant about carrying it herself just as she had a habit of carrying her share of troubles. He was aware of her habits but never thought she would be the same even with him on her side.
Both held hands and continued to walk towards the airport exit. Ann took her phone out from her back pocket and booked a cab to the hotel where she had already booked a room for both Ayaan and herself. Ayaan simply followed as a student following his teacher to the principal's office.
For meager few seconds, they left hands, and the moment they sat inside the cab Ayaan immediately held her hand like a kid fearing of getting lost in the marketplace without his mother. Their hands were slippery because of sweat despite the fact it was the rainy season, maybe it was their emotions and love that gave so much warmth.
Both looked outside the cab window on their respective sides, lost in the memories of when they enjoyed rain video calling one another. Ann and Ayaan both were surprised at the irony that this was their first rain together not on a video call and both are speechless knowing nothing about what to do.
For Ann, it has been four years since those good old days and the same is for Ayaan except for her it was much more like a century. Ayaan is going to marry a girl of his mother's liking in the coming months, so this was his only chance at being with the girl he has loved all his life.
The driver hit the brakes and the cab stopped outside a grand hotel. Both Ann and Ayaan got out of the cab. Immediately a staff member from the hotel along with a valet came to collect their luggage. Before the hotel staff could properly greet her, Ann asked that guy "Has my team arrived yet? " She was answered instantly "Yes ma'am they are waiting for you in the hotel conference room and also ma'am your usual room has been made ready"
Ann thanked the hotel personnel and after thinking momentarily, asked him to convey a message to the team to be ready with what she asked them to prepare and that she would meet them in 20 minutes. "Yes ma'am surely I will", the staff member bowed to greet her. By this time the valet has already taken the luggage with him to the room.
Ann turned around to Ayaan, who was silently observing all this, just to smile and say " Come on, let's go else we both will catch cold." It's very common to be caught in heavy rain in Mumbai during these three-four months of the rainfall season.
Ayaan walked alongside her matching each and every footstep with hers and thinking to himself " She is now so much more prettier... Still so amazing, cool at the very same time so graceful when she talks.Her cute smile can make anybody go crazy about her....How could I just....not love her?" Amidst all these thoughts he was so much so lost that he didn't realise that he actually continued to walk although Ann had already stopped to open the door of the room.
Ann stopped Ayaan from walking further into the corridor, he was flustered as if a child just woke from deep slumber. Both entered the room and she was like " Ayaan would you like to freshen up or do you need anything to eat? Actually i have some business to attend to it might take me half an hour or may be little more." He instantly remembered that some team was waiting for her and said " Sure Ann work is important you should go I will take a nap I am a bit tired also."
Ann before leaving the room asked him not to hesitate and call for room service if he needed anything. She left and Ayaan was all alone by himself. He tried to sleep but couldn't help but wondering while tossing sides in bed " What will Ann be doing now?" This was because he didn't know what sort of work she did or for matter how was her life like anymore.
While being deeply lost in these thoughts he didn't realise he was lying down facing the ceiling with tears from his eyes rolling down on pillow. He was feeling the same pain he felt when he broke up with Ann just by saying "I don't want you in my life anymore Ann because my mother won't accept you" Ann was so shattered that she could not even say anything but ok. That day was so much so alive in his memories that she could literally feel the heartache.
That was the day when they both heard each other's voice last time. And after that it was just two days back when Ann called Ayaan if he could meet him in person as she was in a city close to his. Ayaan after some hesitation agreed thinking he could finally give a proper farewell to the girl he loved all these years and this would be right also because he was supposed to start a new married life with a woman of her mother's liking.
On the other side of this Ann was so pissed off because of her team. Though they were working with her for many years and were quite efficient but it well said even best can sometimes make worst mistakes. Ann had instructed them to arrange something for Ayaan and they failed to get it done within time. Nobody knew why would she be so cross at such a trivial matter as no one knew who this person was and why would she transfer such a huge sum of money on his name.
Ann took the papers from Suzy's hand and was about to leave. But Suzy apologetically stopped her and said " Ma'am there is a slight problem in one of our factory outlets, workers are creating a scene regarding increased orders for our new cosmetic products." At the very same time George added " If this gets out in the media we might face a backlash with our new launch event this Saturday."
Ann with strict glare in her eyes, " How long have you been working with me? Don't you already know how to deal with it?" Both Suzy and George understood exactly what she meant and nodded " Ma'am we will get it resolved in 2 hours." Any body who was well aware of corporate world would already know how good these two secretaries of Ann were.
Wrapping up here Ann went straight to the room where Ayaan was. She used her key card to get inside the room thinking she might disturb his sleep. The tiptoed into the room only to find out he was lost in his thoughts focused on the ceiling fan unware of his tears wetting the pillow. " Ayaan are you ok? Is something wrong?". He was startled as he couldn't sense her being in the room and instantly answered " No, nothing is wrong. Why do you ask?"
Ann immediately " Then why are you crying? Are you hurt somewhere?"
"No, I am not. I didn't realise i had tears in my eyes."
"Anyway is your work done? Do you still have to go"
Ann while sitting on couch easing herself and trying to grab a bottle of water from the table answered " No, no it's all done, rest my team can figure out."
While she was gulping down water Ayaan curiously asked her " What sort of work are you into? You seem to be wasted out of exertion? Is it only today or maybe it's that all your days are pretty much same?"
Ann with a slight grin asked him " It's more than four years now and you never even bothered about my whereabouts. And all of a sudden you are damn curious about me."
Alongside placing cap on water bottle she completed her statement on a teasing note " Anybody might think of you having some ulterior motives here."
With one raised eyebrow and trying not to be funny Ann questioned him "Do you have such things in my mind?"
Both started smiling and before Ann could exactly answer Ayaan's questions there was a knock on the door. Ayaan went to get the door and found that a hotel staff with a mobile in his hand was standing there looking for Ann.
Before with could say more, Ann yelled " I asked you guys not to disturb me for the rest of the day and if I am not wrong there is a DO NOT DISTURB sign outside the room. Which part of these two actions you guys don't understand? "
