My Mr. Artist

Chapter 32

Kiyah

I packed my laptop in my bag, turned the lights off after checking myself in the mirror one last time before heading out of my room. My living area was surrounded by empty food containers I ordered these days and kitchen was setting in dust. 'I will clean everything once I come back' I promised myself and fetched my shoes to wear before heading out. As I locked the door from outside, I was greeted by my neighbor, the man, one who helped me that night. I smiled at him, a genuine gratitude filled smile. I had already given them a small token of gift to show how much I was thankful towards them.

"How is your friend?" He asked as we were about to cross each other. It looked like he was really concern and not just small talk. 

"He is all better now, thank you" He smiled in return and i passed by him in a little hurry. I have an important task to do today and not much time left for my appointment, so I excused myself after giving him a brief nod.

Ansh should be better but I could only guess. It had been few days to that traumatic event, my mind was half blurred the entire time and now when I tried to think about it, it felt like a terrific nightmare, not real one bit. From the time I received that phone call till I return and sat in my empty house, I was blank and was just doing things on my instinct. I shudder once again to remember that time and shook my head to keep my thoughts at bay, pacing towards my car.

The traffic was terrible, and I once again missed by motorbike which I left with my roommates in city M. My motorbike was much more travel-friendly than this borrowed car. I sighed and looked at distance, my thoughts get struck to Ansh again. Arnav had called me the next day after me returning from hospital to inform about Ansh regaining his consciousness, saying he woke up previous night and his family had surrounded him since then, like an injured lion cub surrounded by its protective pride. Arnav also said that Ansh asked about me right away as soon as he entered the ward and the whole room grew in awkward silence after that but Ansh didn't care and continued to ask about me, Arnav also conveyed by message which finally made Ansh stop asking. I was not sure if he would contact me right after he recovered or would he finally give up on me?

The honking from behind startled me and I looked up to see the signal had turned green, I accelerated my car and focused on my driving. I took a last turn and finally parked it inside my office parking area. I had one on one meeting fixed with Yash sir and I should hurry.

Likewise, I gave a polite smile to the receptionist and walk straight ahead towards elevator.

It would be almost a year since my joining here, time went by fast but also not, I couldn't decide, but it was lonely and tiring year for sure. I see not many people around and the decoration for Diwali had started, it is less than a week away, but I had to work till last date because of the urgency of my project and I realized how many of other festivals I had spent alone and missed the enjoyment since I came here. And this made me even more determined about my decision.

I took a deep breath and knock on the door, when I heard a muffled come in, I entered and again gave my signature polite smile. Yash sir also nodded to me to take a seat, "Just a minute" he said still typing away on his computer.

"Of course" I scanned the familiar room out of habit while taking my seat, nothing changed, no, there are new plants added to the side near full length window. It looked good but also out of place, maybe forced by boss's wife. We architects can understand the style and maybe thoughts behind every single detail of another architect and sir, for sure, couldn't accept the green in his Monochrome palette. I could imagine his face when these plants were placed here.

"So, I got your email earlier, are you sure?" He spoke, and I immediately turned all my attention on him. Yash sir paused his work, and now I had all his attention. He was straight to the topic as always. I appreciated it.