Double Stranded

Chapter 3

10th October 2004 5:30 pm

Ayfa and Zayn married in a grand Punjabi style super colorful wedding. They both looked so happy. Aanan left for Dubai with his mother and younger brother and she never heard from him ever again. Especially, after their last interaction months back, she didn't even want to. Instead she engrossed herself in work and studies. Kind of reset her priorities.

She was closer to her family more, went shopping with her mom, spent more time with her friends, grabbed every possibility of occupying herself in whatever activity available, and if stayed home she would read, pray or write, making sure all her day time was double notched with everything she used to do. She worked fanatically, studied hard, laughed more, even booked her weekends too with whatever she found obtainable.

Once when she was shopping with her mother, she saw a memento of two crystal hands, a guy's and a girl's in a tight embrace, fingers tangled. It reminded her of their walk on beach, the way Aanan held her hand, the very memory of that date she so wanted to erase from her conscience, was still very fresh. She wanted to forget it but the effort was pointless, memento or not, she never forgot it.

It was a busy day in office. Exhausted of all the additional activities she had forcefully opted for herself, and completely clueless that she lost deadline of an important email to one of the correspondences. Her boss called her, just when she was about to leave for home. Watching the clock she entered his office casually, she saw his face and knew her day was about to ruin.

"Do you have any idea how vital that email was?", her boss's pitch was higher than usual, leaving her in sheer embarrassment, everyone outside must have heard it too. "Now get back to work will you! Contact his assistant and no more delays", his tone was unprofessionally harsh.

Coming back to her cabin, she cooled her temperament and loudly recalled, "How could I forget!!!", her brain's voice added, 'Its ok Esha, happens sometimes, now relax, resolve and get it done with'.

May be she really needed a break from everything. She was becoming workaholic. She was in desperate need to shed the stress.

Her table extension rang, the call was coming from Harris's desk, only colleague who knew how to behave humanely in this office. Knowing she needed some words of relief, she picked up the hand set.

"Are you ok Esha?", Harris's tone was genuinely concerned.

"Yes I'm fine. Thanks for asking", she replied, exhaling a sigh.

"He is an idiot. That's not how you talk to women", he wasn't just saying that, he meant it, she knew he was a gentleman by heart. "Anyways please let me know if I could be of any help ok. Don't get stressed, I am sure you will defiantly work it out", he added encouragingly.

"Thanks. I sure will", her shoulders relaxed, returning her smile back. Harris was a month junior then her, a sweet thoughtful soul in the era of sheer selfishness. When no one cared for another he was the only person in this office who would mingle with distressed person just to lift up their spirits. Be it the elderly people in the office or the under privileged tea boys. He was always there and did something to keep the environment lightened. Esha and Harris were on very good terms.

She opened the file and started responding to the missed email. Just when she was done with it, her cell phone started ringing. To her surprise it was Ayfa's call. She picked it up quickly,
guessing it would surely be one of her weekend plans again.

"Hi darling how are you? Where were you last weekend? How's mom dad?" she kept firing question, no stops, no pauses, as always, in her cute charming accent.

Cheerfully smiling she waited for her questions to end and said, "Ayfa you really need to stop talking like a teenager. Grow up girl you are married now!"