Game of Love

The contract

When the truck hit her hard, Sowmya heard her mobile ringing. With her face full of sweat she woke up gasping heavily. That's when she realized, the whole accident which seemed to be so real was a dream. She looked at the table clock. It was 9 a.m. She woke up and freshened up. She felt lazy as it is a Sunday morning but the dream was really a scary one. While making coffee for herself, she checked her mobile and found it was her mom who called and saved her just right at the moment. Sowmya dialed back. Her mom picked up just within two rings. It was a routine for her mom to call her on Sunday mornings to make her meditate at least once in a week. Sowmya likes to meditate but she hates to wake up early. Her mom, Padma volunteers in a mission called "Heartfulness" where she learned to meditate. They used to go for the Ashram in Hyderabad for their vacation.

After meditating for more than half an hour, her mom called again. Sowmya told her mom about the dream she had of getting in an accident.

"That's so real and a bit scary. But I think your mind is completely occupied by the article and that guy."

"Anyway Maa, What's Chinnu doing?"

"We went for our morning walk today and he is all tired."

Sowmya laughingly,"Oh poor Chinnu."

"Ok Sowmi. Don't think too much about anything."

"Ok Maa. Bye. I will call you evening."

Sowmya started to rearrange her bookshelf and cleaned her room, which has a small wardrobe, a full-length mirror, a casement window covered with pastel pink curtains, some wall hangings, a purple dream catcher and her family photo near the bed-side drawer. Her flat is a small one with just her room, and a kitchen separated by a wooden partition from the living room. After cleaning and dusting everything, she dialed Vinay,

"Hello!"

"What? Did you find something?" Vinay asked hoping for a positive reply.

"No, Have you?"

"I ringed up more than 15 café but no one seemed to know him."

"What do we do now?"

"But he sang at one particular café for more than 5 times."

"Really!! Tell me more."

"They said he always come in a hoodie and speak with no one except a lady."

"Who is it?"

"Just a woman who works in that café?" said in a casual tone.

" So where is that café ?"

"It's just a small café, not even a famous one. It is somewhere near the Lavelle Road, Ashok Nagar."

"Ok fine. I will go and check it right now."

" Do you want me to come?"

"It's Ok. I can manage."

"You have the chances to even meet him there. Maybe you should take the agreement we made with you. It's our last chance, don't miss this." Vinay suggested.

"I know that. He can't escape me today."

"That's the spirit. I'm waiting for the good news already."

"Ok bye." Sowmya hung up the call and packed all the stuffs she need mainly the agreement they had prepared. Sowmya took a cab and went to Lavelle Road. With the address given by Vinay she found the café. It was inside an unnamed street. It was very shabby and looked so old for a café. Sowmya went in and asked for the lady. The lady was an elderly woman in her late 40's, she was wearing the waitress apron.