Meera

Episode 13

It was Jhanvi's 17th birthday. She wanted to celebrate this at home with friends. Raghav obliged. He arranged for a simple party and he cooked food for her friends. Unfortunately as the party was about to begin, he had to leave to the office as there was a major technical glitch which he had to solve so that his clients could have uninterrupted access to the ERP Cloud.

"I thought I would introduce my super hero to all my friends. And my super hero wants to leave without attending the party. I am upset. I am calling off the party. And I'm very angry with you papa!"
"Beta! Listen to me! I have to be there or we will lose business. So please let me go my sweet princess. I promise I'll be back before the party ends"
"Ok. You should be here before the party ends. Promise?"
"Promise!"
"Ok. You may go!"
"Thank you Your Highness!"

The evening was hectic for Raghav. He could reach home only by 10 after everyone had left. Jhanvi was upset and she went to her room angry. Raghav followed her to her room to calm her down.

"Sweetheart. Look what I have got for my little princess."
"Hmmm. Don't talk to me papa. I was waiting for you and you have come home too late. I wanted to introduce you to all my friends, especially to my new found brother"
"A new found brother?"
"Yes. We met at CA classes. And he became my brother. I felt that brotherhood in him. He treats me like an elder sister and you know what!? He is so protective like you. He joins me from Worli all the way to classes and back home. I wanted you to meet him but you have come after he left. Am angry with you. Po un pechu kaa!"
"Acha! My princess is angry with me! But I know how I can bring her down. Hmm. I've got her a gift for her birthday. Wouldn't see be anxious to see it?"
"A gift for me? My appa knows how to calm me down. Hmmm! I am never gonna outsmart you in this"
"Ha ha ha. Here you go little princess. Open it up and see what I have got for you!"
...."Papa!"
"Do you like it?"
"Wow. Thank you so much dad. I was just about to ask you for a smartphone. And you've got that as a surprise for me"
"Beta! I know you'd require a smartphone at this age. But you need to assure me that you will use it only for good. I know about my Jhanvi but as a dad, I will have to get myself assured"
"Appa. I promise. And thank you so much. Love you!"
"Love you beta! Good night!"
"Good night papa!"

***

Jhanvi's Intermediate exams were over. She had cleared the level with a rank. Raghav was so proud and happy. By the time the results were declared, she was ready with an appointment from EY for her Articles. Things do happen quicker these days. Her focus on final exams begun immediately from her first year of Articleship.

After a week's time of her joining EY, Vedant joined there for his Articles.

"Hey Vedant. You? Here? Am surprised to see you in here. You didn't tell me you're joining here"
"Yes. It was an all of a sudden decision. When you applied here, there weren't any vacancies left here and I couldn't find vacancies elsewhere in the other Big firms. Finally last week, I tried applying and it clicked. I got a call and was selected only yesterday"
"Am excited as my brother is also here with me. I can have amma's special recipes during lunch. I love her methi theplas and the bisibela baath she makes... umma! Yummy!"
"Behenji! I suppose we are here for our articleship and not for a food fest"
"Oh oh! You mocked me right!? I'll speak to mom regarding this. She'll give you a gift on my behalf"
"Ok ok. Listen. I've got to meet the audit manager before getting into work."
"Ok"

***

You would not know when and where you would meet people. And when you meet first, you would not know who they are. And when you meet them again, you'd have surprises behind them. That's life, with full of surprises. Bliss!

Vadodara Railway Station

'Yaatriyon kripaya dhyan dheejhiye! Gaadi sankhya aat dho nau shoonya dho, ahmedabad se mumbai central ko jaanewaali Ai aar see tee cee Tejas express, thodi samay mei platform kramak ekk se ravaana hone keliye thayar hai!'

Raghav hurriedly rushed down the stairs as India's second corporate train, the Ahmedabad Mumbai IRCTC Tejas Express had already arrived and was about to leave. He quickly managed to hop into C5 and the door was shut and walked all the way to C2. By the time he reached his seat , he found a young man occupying his seat.

"Excuse me young man. I've booked that seat. Can you please move in to yours?."
"Oh. Am sorry sir. I just wanted to experience the scenes from the window. I'll move in now"
"It's ok my boy, if you don't mind calling you so as I don't know you by your name. And you need not call me sir."
"I'm Vedant, uncle."
"Yeah. That's better. Vedant. You can sit over there and do your railfanning. I'm absolutely ok with it"
"Are you sure uncle?"
"Yes kid"
"Thank you so much uncle."
(Raghav occupies the seat that was booked by Vedant, an aisle seat)
"So what do you do beta?"
"Sir, I'm sorry, uncle! I am into CA. And now I'm returning from our client place at Ahmedabad."
"Oh. That's so nice of you."
(Raghav gets calls from clients)
"Excuse me beta. We'll talk a little later"
(When Raghav was done with his calls, Vedant was fast asleep. So he didn't disturb him till he wakes up. But he woke up just as the train reached it's destination)
"Ok my boy. I'm sorry we couldn't speak much. Held up with work even in travel - Perils of being a businessman! Anyway nice meeting you Varun!"
"Uncle, It's Vedant."
"Am sorry. Vedant. Nice to meet you. Here's my card. I somehow feel we should meet often."
"Ok uncle. I'll call you later. See you uncle! Got to go!"

Did they meet again?

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