Dressed in a Floral cold shoulder top and Denim Jeans, Aashi stepped out of the cab and hurried towards the airport arrival entrance. She cursed her busy work schedule for getting her late to pick up her best friend, Suchitra. It has been three days, since she and Suchitra had spoken and she had promised to pick her up from the airport. Whole day, today, Aashi was excited to meet her friend after almost a Decade. But now, she is worried that her friend will scold her instead.

Luckily, Suchitra's plane was delayed. Aashi took the time to the washroom to fix herself. She combed her hair with her fingers and clipped it with a white banana clip.

After she had fixed herself she waited among the crowd, she held a banner with Suchitra's name on it. She kept it in case Suchitra doesn't recognize her, though they had shared pics of each other. Aashi didn't want to take any chances.

Soon enough the passengers from Suchitra's flight began coming out from the entrance. The crowd began shifting and Aashi had to tiptoe and at times jump to look over the heads.

Soon, a tall slim girl dressed in a fit formal yellow shirt and white jeans came out of the arrivals. Suchitra looked unrecognizable in her pixie haircut and with the sunglasses on.

'Suchitra.' Aashi waved excitedly. Suchitra looked around and smiled on seeing Aashi. She waved back.

Aashi had to squeeze her way through the crowd and accidentally stamped on some feet to reach her friend.

'Heeeeyyyyyyyy!' The two of them exclaimed excitedly and hugged each other tightly.

After their reunion and some chit chat, Aashi took Suchitra to a nearby CCD outlet. As they walked Aashi insisted she take some of her luggage but Suchitra kept refusing.

'Two expressos.' Aashi ordered, the waiter nodded and left.

'Wow, that is some pretty strong stuff.' Suchitra said awed.

Aashi nodded, - 'That is what keeps me going when I am over stressed.' Aashi said. Suchitra nodded.

'I still can't believe, we have grown so much. Look at you, you are unrecognizable.' Suchitra said looking at Aashi.

'I know right, ten years.' Aashi said happily. How quickly the time flies, it seems like just yesterday they had been at the graduation party. Aashi's smile faded on recollecting that fateful night.

'Everything all right?' Suchitra asked concerned. She placed her palm over Aashi's and she looked up.

'Nothing.' Aashi said in a small voice. Suchitra guessed something has upset her but to not make her uncomfortable she didn't probe her.

'Hey, are you in touch with anyone from our batch?' Suchitra asked once their order arrived.

'No.' Aashi shook her head as she picked up her cup, she then forced a smile looking at her friend, - 'and you?'

'I was in touch with Kajal, but three years ago lost all contacts after she got married.'

'What? She married?' Aashi's eyes widened. Suchitra nodded. The two women then laughed pointing out the disadvantages of getting married, both strongly agreed that Marriage was just useless.

*************************************

'Wow, the apartment is amazing.' Suchitra looking around. Aashi smiled brightly. She was glad her friend liked the place, it was her choice after all. Aashi remembered the first time she had come with the Broker to this place and instantly liked this house. Over the years, Aashi treated it like her own, decorating it and maintaining it.

Aashi led Suchitra to her room, this one used to be for her parents whenever they had come, but now it belonged to Suchitra. There was one common bathroom though, that was in between the two rooms. But since they both are ladies, it shouldn't be uncomfortable.

'Liked it?' Aashi asked as she placed one of Suchitra's luggage in the corner.

'Like it? I love it.' Suchitra said happily. She tossed her sunglasses on the bed and fell flat on her back.

Aashi smiled and sat beside her at the edge of the bed, - 'You freshen up and rest. Later in the evening, I will make you meet Vimala Tai, she is a gem.' Aashi said standing up.

Suchitra frowned, - 'Where are you going?' She asked propping herself on her elbow.

'Work.' Aashi said fixing her hair in front of the mirror.

'Arghh. You are such a workaholic. Boring.' Suchitra said falling on the bed again. Aashi looked at her friend from the mirror and smiled. Yes, she is a workaholic and she loves it. That is the way she is.

**************************************

Precap:

After John left, she opened her mail and made a silent prayer, - 'God, please let these candidates be proper.' She then clicked on the first profile.

Among top ten of the profiles, Aashi liked only one but that wasn't perfect, as she kept checking she also sipped her black coffee. All these CVS, names, qualifications, everything giving her a headache. Aashi feels all these are unnecessary tensions. Only if Abhishek wasn't leaving none of this trouble would have been there.

Aashi clicked on a CV and then picked up her coffee mug. She froze when she looked up at the CV. Her coffee mug touched her lips and her right palm hovered over the mouse. She read the name on the CV aloud,

Rishabh Khurana.

I am so excited, guys *_* What are your thoughts? Drop in your comments, please :* :*