An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 35

Ishika's pov

"One black coffee please."

I place my order, and taking the cup I settle into the corner seat by the window. Seattle has made me fall in love with rain, I smile as another peal of thunder rolls across the sky.

I take a sip of my coffee, savoring its warmth as I watch the rain intensify outside. I glance down at the letter resting on the table. Cascadia Northwest University's logo stares back at me, announcing my appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science.

But I don't feel any happiness receiving the appointment letter.

Sigh.

I reach into my bag and pull out my new diary. Flipping it open, I turn to the first page and start penning down my confused thoughts.

For the first time I am confused in my life. Why am I not happy anymore with my academics? why am I not happy anymore with whatever I am doing with my future? Why has everything started overwhelming me? I have no answers. I don't know what I want anymore. My studies are not making me happy. My job is not making me happy. Why am I so restless, so dissatisfied?

Maybe I'm lonely. Too much of self reflection.

Frankly saying I have lost myself in the unending circles of survival that I have stopped thinking anything else but my carrier.

I have started missing Abhiraj, which I never thought I would.

Ek din bhi baat na ho toh bechaini si hone lagti hai. Jaise koi aadat si lag gai ho.

I pause, my pen hovering over the page. As I scan my last lines. Since the night I've called him, he has made it a routine to call me daily and ask me about my day. We don't talk much, but those few minutes are the moments I eagerly wait. I miss Abhiraj.

Taking another sip of coffee, I gaze out at the rain-soaked streets.

I'm jolted out of my thoughts by the sudden ringing of my phone. I check my phone and see Abhiraj's name flashing. A warm smile spreads across my face as I answer the video call.

"Abhiraj." I smile at him, feeling a little calm.

"How's your day going?" He asks.

"It's good. I'm at a coffee shop, it's raining. Enjoying the view." I say turning the camera to show him the view from the window.

He smiles. " Give me a second Ishika." He says, placing the phone on the table in a angle so that I can see the study and disappears from the view.

He returns back carrying a stack of file, laptop and a cup of tea. He places things on the desk, takes a sip of tea and start setting his laptop.

"You seem a bit busy today," I say breaking the silence.

"Yeah a bit," he responds, glancing at me with a quick smile. " Got some important meetings coming up. Have to finalize some reports."

"Anything interesting?" I ask, curious seeing him shuffling through the papers.

"We've got the opening of the new branch in the States. Just the details about that." He replies.

"Interesting." I say, resting my chin on my hand.

I stare out of the window, watching people passing by.

"How's your research going?"

"Ishika, are you there?" Abhiraj's voice pulls me back from my reverie. I blink, refocusing on the screen.

"Umm yeah. Was just looking outside." I mumble. "What were you saying?"

"Your research."

I smile, "It's going good. We are having sessions on research methods"