Whispers of Hope ✓

CHAPTER 41

Joshua's POV

The flight took longer than expected and to my surprise, Layad was comfortably just sleeping all through the travel. Upon taking off the plane, I had my secretary call for accommodation asap after Layad told she just got her first day of menstruation. She whined about how the timing was so off as I just laughed at her.

"Sir, the only available hotel for now is Shimla Group of Hotels and its 3 hours from here."

"That's too long, we have to have nearer bases for Layad to fix herself the soonest."

"Tito Joshy, you're overreacting. I just need a comfort room and a sanitary pad to change. That's all I need and we can go to wherever you booked us to stay in, jeez."

I just silently stared at her and to my secretary and it took us seconds to laugh. Well yeah, how silly of me. I would never know what to do with a lady in her period. Upon stepping out the airport, completely out in the fresh air of Shimla, my mind dozed off as I lingered upon certain thoughts. I'm here, again, in this one land I once was with her. Tho, it's not exactly the same place, it's still India I'm in right now and it's giving me familiar chills.

After making sure Layad was all set, we then drove to the hotel and decided to rest the night completely and telling Layad that tomorrow will not be very sure especially that I'm attending an urgent meeting earlier than expected.

"I will have my secretary look after you for a while okay?"

"Jeez, you're putting me up with that weird uncle again."

I just laughed at Layad nagging at my secretary. They're close actually and my secretary treats Layad as her daughter so I'm quite assured leaving my niece with him. After settling all our things, I had the hotel to cater us for dinner, a very very early breakfast, all as well. It's already 2 am when we got here in the hotel and tho I'm quite sure Layad is all but tired, she's already very much hungry seeing as how she's digging into the food right now.

"Take it easy; slowly there young lady. No one's stealing your food."

She ignored me and just went on digging on the food. Good thing the hotel serves Filipino dishes coz Layad might get an upset stomach when I suggest her to eat foreign dishes.

"Tito, I heard from the hotel staff that they have a buffet hall in this floor. Can we go there?"

"Layad you're already eating as much in here, what do you more food for? Jeez, you might end up a fatty-lady now."

She glared at me and nagged me all the way. I told her to just rest especially that it's already too late for bed and too early to stuff her stomach too much. But eventually, I gave in; yes of course, I always lose in any argument with this young lady. Upon arriving at the buffet hall, Layad went hollering and circling on and about the wide space with sorts of food and I can feel the strong scent of curry. Curry dishers and delicacies everywhere.

"Good evening Sir. how may we help you? Do you want any food in particular? We can help you find it easier."

One female staff came to us and before I could say no, Layad already dragged the female staff asking her where the desserts are placed. Heaving a sigh of defeat, I watched as Layad followed suit with the staff. I told her about not taking too much sweets coz I heard that Indian sweets and desserts are very much deliciously-sweet. She might end up getting an upset stomach. And Layad just gave me a flat look telling me to let her be and making her period cravings as an excuse. Jeez, that young lady.

"This is a Pav Baji ma'am. Different sizes and fillings are served in each section; you can choose from them."

Upon hearing the familiar name of street food, I turned to look at an American-looking lady with a kid asking one staff about the food in the wide table. I walked closer to the table and stared in a daze. The sentimental memories came flashing through me as I resumed to stare at the Indian food. I didn't notice myself staring too much and just silently smiling at the flashes of happy memories. I couldn't help but feel a bitter after-taste just after seeing one familiar bright smile. And the surge of something emotional came next. I cleared my throat and walked away from the table full of Pav Baji. No Joshua, you can't be so emotional right now. How can I even face her if I'm already this week by just her simple memories in me?

"Sir?"

I looked back and saw my secretary with a wary look. I asked him why and he told me that the head of the bargain company re-scheduled the meeting for tomorrow. Tho I'm not in a very much hurry, I still wanted to finish the transaction as much as possible especially that I'm with Layad. I cannot just bring Layad to the meeting and I can't just leave her for too long as well especially in a foreign land.

"Call him and tell him that I want a word with him."

A moment later, my secretary came back handling the phone telling me that it's the company head.

"Yes sir, good evening. This is Joshua Isabella of Cosmos Cosmetic Co., pardon for calling this early."

"No it's okay, I wanted to talk to you all as well anyway."

I told him regarding the sudden change of schedule and asked if we could just meet for an hour or two before he gets to whatever business he has since I appointed an early meeting with him even before landing here in Shimla. He then told me he has an early trip to Delhi and will come back to Shimla by noon but he says that he will be holding a program for a cause in a certain orphanage.

"I don't have much free time but I'm guessing I won't have too much work in the orphanage though. If you'd like Mr. Isabella, you can come with me in the orphanage; if and only if you have time. it won't take me long to hold the program and since you are a big face in the business industry, I might as well advertise some entailments regarding donations?"

It took me a while to react when he suddenly talked about an orphanage. We were supposed to have a meeting regarding the product of my company but we ended up transacting about the orphanage. And because I was desperate for the raw materials he had, I ended up agreeing to him.

"I can always give you the raw materials you need and even double it and I'm sorry firstly if I had to bargain like this but the orphanage is in need of more sponsors. Tho the orphanage is never lacking, we needed to store funds just in case we'll be needing some in the near future. I'm asking you a favor Mr. Isabella."

"No problem; I hope to talk this matter more personally. Send me updates with your schedule then and I'll cope."

We ended the call as that and exactly, Layad finished her food trip and dragged me all the way back to our room telling me she's sleepy already. I haven't eaten anything yet in the buffet hall and now I'm back in our room just because this little lady says so, jeez, the things I do for this niece of mine.