Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Night before… PART 9

Pritish was feeling quite tired. Stella tried calling him twice but he preferred to leave it unanswered. Saturday was over. The Republic Day celebrations were flashed over a million times on television. But Pritish was more interested in the Monday meeting. Sunday fizzled out like the bubble thrown out of a beer bottle. Pritish answered Kunal’s call and confirmed the time of the meeting but requested that they meet a little early in the office before they leave.

On Monday January 28, 2008; Kunal reported to office at dot 8.30 a.m. Pritish was eagerly awaiting his arrival. As Kunal settled in the chair he usually occupied in the Thought Room, Pritish started unfolding the episodes that took place during the night of the party. Kunal was dumbstruck not knowing what to say next.

Pritish and Kunal both reached Gary’s office at Powai by 10.45 a.m. Kunal was not that pleased to meet Gary now. But Pritish wanted to see the person who behaved like an evil the other night. They were both led to a Conference Room that was beautifully decorated with gerbera flowers. Having patiently awaited Gary’s arrival both started looking at their watch. As they were about to place their elbows on the table, the door flung open and entered a tall man suited smartly. He had blue eyes, black hair and with a thin file in his hand. Pritish couldn’t believe what he was seeing and Kunal too was amused about whether this was the man he had stories about. As Pritish shook hands with Gary, he started feeling guilty about a fact he thought he shouldn’t have acquainted with. The person seated in front of them was not the Gary Renward he had met on that night. This Gary was very much different from the Gary he ended up hating. This Gary spoke gently, smiled occasionally and meant only business. Gary kept talking but realised Pritish was lost in his thoughts.

“Mr. Pritish! I hope you aren’t bored of my conversation?” asked Gary.
“Hmmm. No, I mean yes and no. But what happened?” minced Pritish.

He was amused to find Gary addressing him as Pritish and not P2. There was something not at all right with his version of the story and with the person he had met. Everything contradicted the other thing. As the meeting ended Kunal had made his notes. But one person who was still left thinking was none other than Pritish. He couldn’t arrive to a conclusion that who was that Gary Renward he had met. Once again they shook hands, exchanged cards and parted. As Pritish neared the door, Gary patted his back.

“Pritish. I hope you will be attending the party tonight,” asked Gary.
“I have already,” replied Pritish.
“Which party are you talking about Pritish?” inquired Gary.

Kunal too was confused by now. Not letting any one else to further corrupt their thoughts, Kunal and Pritish chose to leave Gary’s office. The lift touched the ground floor of the building. Pritish and Kunal stepped out of the lift to approach the parking lot. Kunal excused himself to attend a call on his mobile phone. As Pritish started walking towards his car a woman came rushing towards his direction. Before he could think the woman had already pushed him side to make it to the lift the door of which was about to close. But before she could make it the door closed and she stood helplessly. Pritish couldn’t believe what had happened. As he bent down to collect the car keys that had fallen out his pocket, he saw the woman approaching him. Once he stood up, he saw this woman standing in front of her draped in a lovely sari making her appear more beautiful than she was.

“I am very sorry sir. I was in a rush,” said the woman.
“Actually I have to attend an interview and I have already run late. I am so sorry, in my rush, I ended up pushing you so hard,” continued the woman gasping for breath.
“It’s alright. Please don’t feel so bothered about that,” said Pritish.
“But I owe you an apology sir. By the way I am Mallika,” said the woman.

The second biggest instalment of shock had struck Pritish. Here was a female who introduced herself as Mallika and was not the same woman he had had a one night stand with. Then who was she. To confirm his doubts, Pritish tried looking at her left arm which was partly got covered by the drape of her sari. To his surprise there was a tattoo which read – LOVE BITES HARD. By the time he could gather his thoughts together to speak to the woman, she turned back and walked straight towards the lift. Kunal joined him later.

“Is something wrong with you Pritu?” asked Kunal.
“That woman!” exclaimed Pritish stretching his hand towards the lift.
“What with that woman?” asked Kunal.
“She was Mal…, forget it!” ended Pritish.

No comments: