Mr. Gentleman

Two

Now playing: Symphony, by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson.

A V N E E T

I had my head hung low as I silently watched my feet going on and on. I knew where I was going, and unknowingly it was peaceful looking at nothing. Not that I'm depressed or something, I just wanted a small walk with only myself.

I usually go on walks after having my dinner. But today, I felt like leaving my work to see my surroundings. Probably the last time. Even if it looks beautiful to others, I personally don't like sunsets. I don't know why I'm still walking in the atmosphere I don't like.

I continued to walk while thinking what happened this morning.

FLASHBACK.

I was sitting with my hands on my lap, patiently waiting for Mom to come. I looked like an obedient child.

It was all silent. I could hear the clicking of heels slowly nearing, indicating that Mom has arrived.

I straightened my back and greeted her when she entered. After greeting me, she sat on her chair that was right in front of me. She began scrolling something on her desktop which was on her table.

I silently watched her do so. I couldn't get anything to say. So, I waited for her to say something.

When she was done checking her work, she turned to me and began. "So Avneet, as both of us already know, it's Vaishnavi's ring ceremony after a week. I can't attend that, unfortunately, I have an important client to visit. I won't be back before two months, at least, so I expect you to attend her ceremony. I want you to be present at Mumbai as soon as possible. You have people to visit and things to take care of."

I tried to process what she said and I was left shocked after her statement. "But mom, what do you mean by as soon as possible? I can't just book a flight now and fly away leaving all my friends here!"

"Sorry to say, but that's exactly what you have to do. No need to book a flight. I've already arranged a jet. It's at 11:00 pm today." She exclaimed. I stood up with rage.

"Mom? Seriously? I can't believe you could do that! I literally have some hours to bid good bye to my friends! I have my packing to do, I have to meet people whom I assume to never meet again! Everything is pending! And the time you're giving me is not enough." I replied with my brows furrowed. I was quite flustered at her statement.

"Keep your voice down, first of all. And I'm sorry Avneet. But everything is done now. I have arranged your jet, as well as the arrangement of your house is also done." She explained with words that sounded rather bitter to me.

"Thanks mom. What else can I expect from you." I said with sarcasm and stormed out of her office.

END OF FLASHBACK.

I have completed my packing, met my friends and have done all the needful. It was hard to bid bye to my friends, but somehow, I did it. They were the only ones who were available for me when there was no one to take care of me in an unknown country.

I'm currently in Queenstown, New Zealand. It will take about 22 hours or so to reach Mumbai. As the flight is at 11:00 pm today, I will reach Mumbai at about 9:00 pm tomorrow.

It was approximately 7:00 pm and I was walking while thinking about the same. I remembered about the roses I got and opened my hand bag. When I shared the news of me going back to India, I got a proposal from my close friend. However, I did reject it. I don't believe in love.

I took the bouquet out. There were different colored roses, they looked beautiful together.
This afternoon, I lost its ribbon which was keeping the roses together. They were basically separate roses now.

From my right hand, I took the scrunchie which I was wearing out from my hair, making my hair fall down. I tied it around the roses I was holding in my left hand. Now, they once again looked pretty tied up together.

Suddenly, I could hear some more footsteps other than mine. I turned around to look at who was there, only to find a little girl who looked five years old walking while thinking something. She had a cute pout on her lips.

I approached her. "Hi!" I started the conversation. "Hey." She replied plainly.

"Where are your parents?" I asked her.

"They're at the gate of that hotel. They're booking a taxi and I was just roaming around." She said pointing at a nearby hotel. I could see a couple talking about something.

"Are you sad?" I asked her.

"No, I'm just disappointed." She said.

"For what?" I asked again.

"From my best friend."

"Why?" I questioned for the fourth time.

"He said he liked somebody. I expected him to propose me, but he didn't." She said being mad at her best friend. I tried to process her words.

"He must be very young right? Why do you expect him to propose you?" I asked her being amazed from what she said.

"It's my last day in this city. I'm going abroad, out of New Zealand. He should've done that today! I just want somebody to propose me, not even my brother did that!" She said and pouted after.

"You just want someone to propose you?"

"Yeah. Am I not cute enough? I know I am. But look at them, nobody proposed me."

I was silent for some seconds. But then...

I remembered about my flowers. I looked at her. When it abruptly clicked me....

Suddenly her parents called her.

I was looking at her all the time. She turned to them and sighed. She was just about to leave...

"Hey,"

She turned to me.

I slowly crouched down to her size and handed her the bouquet like I'm proposing her, with a straight face.

She looked at me and then at the flowers, she was smiling brightly all the time. She happily took the flowers and hugged me tight.

"Thank you!"

I let her hug me for a few seconds. She broke the hug and cheerfuly bid her hand as a goodbye.

I bid my hand back when she excitedly ran towards her parents showing them her bouquet, like she just achieved something.

I stood up again watching how happy she was. She was smiling. All this while.

I watched how a taxi came near the hotel, and that family sat inside and went away in minutes.

It was me again. Alone.

I started walking. With my hands in my pockets.

I couldn't stop thinking about the girl's smile. She looked....pretty..

Wonder if someone will ever make me smile like that.

~▪︎~

Precap

"Wouldn't it be boring all the time for two months? Just think about it!"

"Hmmm. What should we do, then?"

"Vacations, of course!"

~▪︎~

Originally completed on : Sunday, 13 March 2022.

Posted on : Friday, 7 October 2022

~▪︎~

Long time no see huh? You asked for it.

There you go with the second chapter. Btw, the media box would contain photos that might co-relate with the chapter. Did you notice?

Next one will continue the story a bit. Excited?

~your iconic bitch,
Sammy.