Fated Under The Dark Sky

Chapter 9

Her guitar hung on her back and a sling bag swayed across her shoulder, as she cavorted on her way to the pathway, on Saturday morning. When her phone vibrated in her hand, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, seeing the caller.

"Kunal?" She asked answering.

"Morning... weren't expecting me I guess?" he asked impishly. Of course, she wasn't. Why would she? After dropping her off that night and assuring her about the project, he hadn't contacted her at all. She had already lost hopes and moved on.

"Morning!! I was on my way to rehearsals."

"Rehearsals?" he asked perplexed.

"Yes... I am a singer in my band. We usually practice on weekends"

"Oh wow!! I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but one of my clients are interested in seeing your presentation" He announced.

"NO.FREAKING.WAY" She screeched.

Kunal snorted asking, "Are you done screaming?" Sammy hummed and he continued, "Now listen. They have scheduled a presentation on Monday."

"What? That's less than 48 hrs. And..." she began blabbering when Kunal interrupted her, "That's right. So, we have to meet today and redo the slides as per their requirements. My team has suggested some changes which I want to share with you. When can we meet?"

"Umm... Afternoon?" Thinking for a moment she spoke. Kunal suggested they met at some café, but she asked him to meet at her place instead. Band sessions usually exhausted her and being in a café would've simply added to her weariness. Moreover, home cooked food was what she preferred over a café at any given time.

For the first time in last six months, she was going to present in front of a client. The whole idea sounded enticing and it would be a lie if she said she wasn't strung out. Bouncing the whole way with those mixed emotions, hoping to be able to share the news with Rihaan soon, she dreamt of the Monday presentation, thus reaching the practice hall a little late. The moment she entered the doorway, five-six heads turned in her direction giving her awkward glances. The number of irate faces outnumbered the happy ones, making her guilt-ridden; a sorry look patched up her face immediately.

"Sammy" a loud voice from the other corner, made her head turn in that direction- Kabeer.

"Hi Bhai... sorry for being late..." Taking the opportunity to indirectly apologise to the everyone, she walked up to him, avoiding the irate heads. With Kabeer on her side, they knew they couldn't complain about her late appearance.

"Come on guys... Let's start" he told the group.

Kabeer - Sammy's senior in college. His family situation was a bit complicated; Kabeer's father passed away when he was seven, then his mother remarried and a half-sister dropped into his life. But something happened and his mother began living separately with Kabeer while his half-sister lived with his step-father. When Sammy first met Kabeer, he told her how she reminded him of his little sister and treated Sammy like one too. He was to her that protective elder brother who fortified her when necessary. To her, Kabeer was like family. He had met her foster parents and cousins, and also had a brief idea of her shady childhood, that her Papaji had secretly shared with him, while asking him to take care of her.

Kabeer was discussing a music piece with a group when she grabbed his hand to whisper, "I want to talk to you for a minute." He gestured her to speak, but she wasn't comfortable talking in front of the group. So, they moved out the hall and giving her a concerned look, he asked, "Is everything alright? You didn't call me even once this week."