Silently Falling in Love: Race - #Wattys2017

Chapter 28 - April 1995

Sorry it's taken me so long to write this chapter.  It's just been crazy busy and I had parts of it written but I just couldn't get in the right zone to complete the chapter.  I'm going to post the next chapter soon in order to make up for the long lapse.

BTW, I love this version of Dil Se by A. R. Rahman - it's an incredible version - I hope you enjoy it too.  And look further in the chapter for a piece by Chet Baker.  Yes I was in a jazzy mood to finish this chapter.

Tell me what you think of the earrings in this chapter.  Would you buy a pair like this? And of course any other feedback would be welcome.  We are a little over half way through the story in case you're wondering.

Hope everyone has been well!  Best, G.D.

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Anjali

I answered my work phone which rarely rings with an outside line, "Hello, this is Anjali Malkani."

"Hey Anjali, it's me," the soft deep voiced responded assuming I would recognize his voice. I sighed and he was right in his assumption, I would recognize his voice anytime anywhere.

"Hey Alex, how are you?"

"I'm good, I know you're working so I'll make this quick, Tarun cha cha would like you to stop by the workshop this evening to see the earrings he's created based on your Natraja designs. They look great by the way, in my humble opinion."

"Alex, I can't come by this evening."

"Do you have to work late tonight? Or are you subbing for one of the dance or yoga classes?" he asked so confidently. He knew my schedule as well as I knew it.

I stumbled, "I can't come in for the next few days can we do it next week?"

"Oh. Is everything okay?" he asked nervously.

"Yeah, everything is okay," I said and then took a deep breath, "Karthik is on spring break and he's spending the next few days with me before school starts back up. I can come in next week," I offer.

"I was wondering why I haven't seen you at the workshop," Alex said and then continued, "So I'm assuming our Friday lunch is canceled?"

"Oh yeah, sorry about that. Do you mind if we re-schedule?"

"Yeah next week works. We'll catch up then," Alex said and we both say our byes.

It was always so awkward speaking with Alex about Karthik. I tried to avoid it since I knew he didn't like him.

I glanced at the clock and noticed that Karthik would be arriving at my office soon for lunch. I started to shut down what I was working on in anticipation of our lunch get together.

Around noon I walked to the lobby and saw that Karthik had just arrived. Karthik saw me and smiled, he came by and pulled me into his arms, "Hey beautiful, ready for lunch?"

"Yes, I'm ready. How was your morning?"

"It was great, I got to sleep in and I ate your leftover Indian food for breakfast. Veg pullauo tastes awesome for breakfast by the way. And I even had time to fix your leaky faucet before coming to see you."

"You fixed the leaky faucet? I've been meaning to call the landlord for that. Thank you," I said as we rode the elevator down arm in arm.

"Always happy to help," Karthik said cheerfully.