Amour à Paris- a rekindled Romance

Chapter 11

Shirin was excited about her next day. She found out Rehaan, a correspondent of her magazine she knew was based in Paris at the moment. So she would meet him and then they would start the day with a climb toward the top of Arc de Triomphe. Then they would visit Hotel des Invalides, Musee d'Orsay. Afterward, if she gets some time she would go and relax somewhere by the Sein River. She met Rehaan a few times and when she reached out, he was courteous enough to immediately escort her the next day. She was happy to have found an acquaintance and was trying to figure out what to wear when her phone beeped.

"Be ready at 5pm tomorrow. I'll pick you up".

This was a message that shouldn't go unanswered. However, she didn't understand why Zain would want to pick her up. So she replied,

"You are a busy person. You don't need to pick me up"

"I bought two tickets, so we need to go together. That's how the seats are arranged. I thought you knew."

"Oh right! I forgot this ticket was for your Girlfriend."

"Now you remember. See you at 5pm tomorrow".

"The show starts at 9pm. Why should I be ready at 5pm?"

"Because we're going to have Dinner before the show."

"I don't want to. Besides, I have plans with someone else tomorrow".

"Who?"

"None of your business"

"Tinder date!"

"We are not in our 20s anymore, Zain. An acquaintance from work, he is currently based in Paris. So..."

"I'll pick you up at 5 tomorrow. Wear something chique".

"???"

"Check the dress code on the site".

"Okay."

Shirin saw a message from Alex, saying he had forwarded the manuscript to Zain for final approval. There was another message from Rehaan from an hour ago. He sent a list of cafes where they could have brunch. Shirin chose a pair of white denim hot pants and a pastel green top to wear the next day. For the evening, she wasn't really sure what to wear. She was too tired to think anymore, and it was 2 am already. She finally dozed off.

Somewhere in the same city, Zain poured himself a glass of wine while looking at the city of Lights from his Balcony. He worked in Paris for a couple of years before moving the work to Germany. Paris somehow made him feel so lonely back then. He tried blind dating, one-night stands and other things to distract himself. Taking a sip of the red wine, he realized he had no clue what to do next. He still didn't book his tickets back to Germany and he wanted to see through it this time. The guilt of leaving that table so many years ago suddenly came back to haunt him. He wanted to kill Shirin and he wanted to also feel the warmth, Kiss her and do things to her. "Shirin Roy, you are killing me!" he muttered in his breath and gulped down the rest of the wine.

Shirin finally had a nice day in Paris. Eating croissants, drinking wine without bothering about anything else, this was the day she was looking for since she landed in Paris. "Screw you, Zain Khurrana" she didn't realize she said her thoughts out loud when she saw Rehaan looking at her rather interestingly. Rehaan was living in Paris for some years now and he has stories to tell about the corners of this city. Shirin was charmed in Latin Quarters just by standing there. Those places where Earnest Hemingway once stood, it is the Paris she dreamt of since she saw Casablanca, the Paris that enchanted her for so long. She felt happy.

They were catching up about work and other things while relaxing in the Luxemburg Garden, when she received a message from Zain and cursed him out loud. Looking at Rehaan's expression, she knew an explanation was needed. She casually said how she was working on an Interview and the CEO of Dreamscape Innovation is annoying her to the core. "How did you manage to get an interview from the CEO of Dreamscape Innovation? That too during your holidays? I once almost got an interview with him but I got snubbed at the last minute. You are the first person to do that! Bravo!". Shirin wasn't as excited as Rehaan though. However, she took the compliment with a smile and looked at her mobile screen again. 

Zain asked when she will send the edited manuscript as he's a busy man. Shirin wrote back "I told you I am meeting someone today. I don't have time. I will work on it and show you in the evening". Zain's reply was short "That's my leisure time". Shirin was getting agitated. "I am a good Journalist, Zain. Could you trust me this once?" This time the reply was even shorter. "No". Aaargghhh "Fuck you, Zain". "See you at 5pm, Shirin." After that Shirin didn't realize how even the quietness of the cemetery, the beautiful architecture of the Sulpice Church and nothing else could cheer her up again. Rehaan took her to the Le Fauves Restaurant for lunch.

:- How do you like French food, Shirin?

:- I feel bad to say this, but my palette is not yet ready for it. If you are talking about French wine, that's a different story though.

:- Why are you working on your holiday, Shirin? What is wrong with you?

:- What can I say?

:- How's work by the way? I think we have a few openings for correspondents in France and Germany. Are you truly traveling or are you scouting for new positions here? I mean anyone would be lucky to have you working for them.

:- I am just on vacation but to be honest I want new challenges. I wouldn't mind moving here and starting afresh.

:- Are you sure? If you are serious then I can forward you the details. With your credentials, it wouldn't be an issue.

:- That would be great! Thank you, Rehaan.

:- So, how are you liking Paris, in general?

:- I don't know. It's a mixed feeling. A lot of things happened in the last couple of days.

:- You scored a great Interview opportunity, the CEO seems to be in touch with you in person. Yes, he has issues with the manuscript which with your calibre is not really an issue. Then why do you still sound so down? Cheer up, drink some wine and be you!

:- It's a bit personal. Umm, actually Paris.. no actually I got reminded of someone in Paris. My head is kind of everywhere right now.

:-Love?

:- That kinda love that makes you lovesick and takes forever to heal from.

:- The kind that stopped you from dating me all those years ago?

:- Kind of. And even if we dated, trust me I am a bad girlfriend to have. 

:- Haha!

:- Yes! Anyway, I am here for a few more days so if you get time we should definitely catch up again. But today I need to go. And please mail me the details.

:- Sure thing. It was good to meet you after so long, Shirin. Enjoy Paris.