Chapter 33

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"Seriously?"

"Yeah Taru, now you know. The only reason she is showing great interest in this event is because she is trying to impress Vicky. I overheard her asking if anyone saw Vicky in the hotel and if the BOD is still here. For a long time, she has been dropping hints of how she is perfect for Vicky."

"Has she met him?" I ask.

"Not yet I guess, else she would have announced it by now. But she is desperately trying to meet and impress him."

"Well, she is beautiful and sophisticated. She would be ideal as the high society wife of a businessman. If that's what he is looking for."

"I hope he is not that shallow, to go for only physical beauty," Purvi ripostes.

"You never know, maybe they are made for each other," I counter.

Made for each other.

A heavy sadness settles over me, as my mind flashes images of Jeet. How well I fit in his arms, the sense of peace when I was with him, and how my body reacted to his touch. A warm shiver runs through me as I recall our kiss.

At the same time, I am scared how quickly I am getting attached to Jeet, even though I fully well know this won't last for long. It is a temporary arrangement.

'What if it isn't?' inner voice goads. Perhaps it is time that I tell him, how I feel about him. Maybe he feels the same and is hesitating to say it, like me. He did say he kept thinking about me. We certainly have a mutual attraction and it didn't feel like he wanted us to remain only friends.

Whatever his issues are, we probably could work them out, as long as he's not involved in anything illegal. That's it! I decide. When I meet him tomorrow, I shall find an opportunity and tell him how I feel about him and see where it leads from there.

"Anyways," I sigh turning my attention back to Purvi, "I really have no time for this. I need to finish up here and get home."

Tarana, come here," Nivedita calls from the stage.

"I need some changes in the speech and the sequence of events. I have emailed you what I want, make them now and send it to me." Nivedita instructs as she types a message on her phone.

"Now?" I ask stupidly.

She looks up sharply with one eyebrow raised and I mentally slap myself for asking such stupid question. Of course, she wants it immediately.

"I mean, I will work on it and send it you later tonight." I quickly clarify, reading her email.

"Later will not do. Finish it now, I will just run out for an errand and should be back in thirty minutes. We will go over the material and then you go home." she states breezily.

I look at my watch – it's forty-five minutes past six. I can finish the changes in thirty minutes, and it would take another fifteen minutes at most, to discuss. I can still make it home by eight.

"Fine, but I need to leave latest by 7:30. I have some urgent work with my building society that I can't put off till tomorrow. You will be here before that right?"

"Yes of course, I don't even need thirty minutes. I should be here much earlier." She assures me before leaving.

I furiously work on the changes she wants done. Looking at the speech now, in context to what Purvi told me earlier, I can see that Nivedita has ensured that she gets to interact with Vicky Grewal as much as she possibly can, without being overtly obvious.

I shake my head, at her not-so-subtle ruse of trying to get closer, but at the same time my interest too starts spiking on our new CEO. We finally get to meet the elusive Vicky Grewal tomorrow.

And Jeet inner voice shouts gleefully.

I suppress a smile, excited that I will meet him after two weeks. Perhaps this time apart has made him realize his feelings for me too. My insides turn into a twisted, excited knot. Now I can't wait for tomorrow to come.

I nervously look at my watch for the umpteenth time. It is seven forty and there is no sign of Nivedita. I dial her number for the third time. As the last two times, it keeps ringing till the automated message comes on informing the subscriber cannot attend the call.

"Where is she?" I mutter to myself. I debate if I should leave and go home.

I am typing my message to her, informing that I am leaving, when she calls.

"I am really sorry Tarana I did not see your calls. My phone was on silent inside my bag. I am on my way and will be there soon. I won't take more than 5 minutes with you, as I know you have to leave."

"Alright, please come soon," I mutter unhappily.

'When and where are we meeting' message from Rajiv.

'Still at work, will leave in 15 minutes. I am DeWorld Hotel. Can you come here?' I reply.

'Will take me at least 45 minutes to reach there in this traffic. I can meet you outside your building at eight thirty.'

I agree, knowing I am cutting it fine, but its not like I have a choice anymore.

Its eight o'clock, Nivedita has still not reached. I am starting to panic now.

'Nivedita, where are you?' I message.

'Be there soon.'

'I have to leave now. I have emailed you the changes.'

'No, wait. I am on my way.' she replies

'Please come quickly, I really need to leave.'

No reply.

Shit, shit, shit!!! its eight fifteen and still no sign of Nivedita. She is not replying to my message or phone call.

Purvi notices me looking nervous. "What's up? Why are you looking so worried?" she asks walking up to me.

I explain how Nivedita promised to come back within thirty minutes and its now over an hour and half and she keeps telling me to wait.

"Babe!!" Purvi exclaims, "she is at a beauty parlour. Look, she is putting up stories on Instagram of getting her hair and nails done." Purvi whips out her phone and shows me the photos on the app.

I am appalled as Purvi flips through the photos of Nivedita sitting gleefully in a salon. One picture is of her getting her hair colored, the other has her getting a pedicure and many such that she has put up in the past hour. In the last one she posted less than ten minutes ago, she has some mask on her face, her hair still getting treated.

"By the looks of this, she won't finish for another hour at least. Sorry Taru, she played you," Purvi says ruefully.

Frustration and anger bubbles inside me, as I realise what Nivedita has done. I grab my bag and make a dash to the doors, not waiting a second longer.

Angry tears are streaming down my face as I desperately hail for an auto. I manage to stop a passing auto and Rajiv calls just as I seat myself in.

"I am on my way, I just left, I should reach in around 20 minutes." I almost yell.

"I have another appointment. I cannot stay much longer."

I look outside at the jam-packed traffic. It would take me 20 minutes only to pass this signal.

"Rajiv, please!! I have to deposit the certificate today. I will be there as soon as I can." I plead.

"I understand, but I really cannot wait. Is it OK if I leave it with the watchman?"

"No, he's always misplacing stuff. This is too important." Suddenly a thought strikes me. "Could you give the copy of the certificate to the society office? They are open now. I will collect the original from you later."

There is a brief pause, before he replies, "OK, I could do that."

I sigh with relief. I give him directions to the Society office. I am still stuck at the same traffic signal when Rajiv calls back.

"OK, I have submitted the copy to Dinesh Chavan," he says.

Mission accomplished! It feels like a stone has been lifted off my chest. I think I need to pinch myself. It all seems so unreal. Finally, I have my own place. I don't have to move from place to place.

I am so happy and excited that I cannot sit any longer in the auto. I am less than a kilometer away from home, and with the traffic almost at a halt, I would definitely reach faster if I walked. I pay the auto fare and walk with a sprightly step. I am so engrossed contemplating my good fortune that, I don't see the person walking straight in front of me. I almost bump into Meher, another volunteer from the NGO I work with.

"Hey, someone seems to be in a good mood," she laughs.

"Ha ha. Yes, just got some good news." I wave my hand dismissively. "How are you?"

"Fine. By the way, speaking of good news, our NGO has received a donation of computers and projector from an anonymous donor. Now students can practice individually on computers instead of fighting over the old one we had."

"Really?" I squeal with excitement, "Wow that's wonderful news! I am so happy to hear that. Looks like today is a day for getting good news from all over." We part ways after exchanging pleasantries.

The first thing I do as soon as I reach my building, is go to the Society office.

Chavan is just about to leave, preparing to lock the doors.

"Sir!" I call out from behind. "Did you get my certificate?"

"Ah yes!" he nods. "In the nick of time too. We all thought you were bluffing and had prepared the eviction notice against you. But turns out we were wrong." he says solemnly.

"So, it's all clear now?" I ask hesitatingly, willing him to say yes.

"Yes!" he smiles briefly before narrowing his eyes, "Your husband.. ?" he leaves the question hanging.

"Called for work again. He has very erratic schedules you know, can be called at any time." I lie smoothly.

"I see. Good night then." I make an almost imperceptible fist pump at my side, thank Chavan and walk back home, with a smile reaching from ear to ear.

My phone beeps signalling an incoming message.

'Can't make it back. Send me the changes by email.' Nivedita has messaged.

My smile quickly changes to a frown. She has the cheek to think I would still be waiting for her.

Seriously?

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