Happily Ever After- 2

-It's You-

It's the next morning and I have a flight to Mumbai. I have to meet Zoya. She has appeared for UPSC earlier and she is the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mumbai right now. I am meeting her after four years. It's gonna be fun.

So, I reach the airport and take a taxi to her home. Her husband, Divyansh, opens the door. We chill for a bit before Z comes. She has taken a half-day today. She's going to show me around.

So, we go to Gateway of India and Marine Drive and Juhu Beach. She always brags about the street food of the city. We also visit Pali Hill and Bandra Market.

It's evening now, and we're near Andheri (E). Zoya got a call earlier about a suicide attempt case, so we're at this hospital. I am waiting outside, while she finishes up her work.

Just then, I see someone coming out of the hospital. 13 years later, she is back. Ahana Roy Choudhary is back. And, she has a baby bump?

I somehow gather my courage and go to talk to her.

"Hey, Ahana."

"Hi."

"Do you... remember me?"

"Of course. Arjun, do you think I can ever forget? You haven't changed except for the specs and this accent."

"Oh yeah, Newcastle did that to me. So, what are you upto?"

"Being a mother, I guess. I really wanna be a good one."

"Oh, you will. So, do you like maybe wanna sit and talk somewhere?"

"Yeah, definitely. We can go to a cafe. It's nearby. Let's walk."

"Are you sure you wanna walk? We can take the car."

"No Arjun Sehgal, I'm okay. Come on. This way."

We reach the cafe. We order for ourselves and talk about the past 13 years.

"Oh so you're a professor now? That's great!"

"Yes. I didn't know you were pregnant."

"How would you? I mean, we were not connected anywhere. I had deactivated my Instagram, changed my number."

"Yeah. So, how's married life? How's your man?"

"He.. he is no more. He died two months back. It was an accident. He was coming back from an office party and the car slid down the cliff."

"Oh, jesus. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. I wanna be okay for my child. I wanna be a good mother. Nikhil and I had lots of plans for this baby. I am gonna raise her to be a strong and independent girl. She is all I have."

"Yes. She'll be like her mom. Wait! How can you say it's a she?"

"Because Nikhil and I wanted so."

"So, was it an arranged marriage?"

"Yeah, kinda sorta. I mean, I knew him. He was Dada's friend's grandson so I had met him earlier."

"Okay. How are your parents? And grandparents?"

"My parents are good. They're in Gwalior. Dadi is at home and Dada died 3 years ago."

"Oh okay. I'm sure you're going be a great mother, Ahana. My friend lives in Mumbai too. If you want, I can let her know if you need any help."

"Thankyou Arjun, that's very kind of you. But, I'm fine."

"That's alright."

My phone starts ringing. It is Z.

"Hey Z. Yeah, sorry. I'm at the cafe nearby. Met a friend. Come pick me up here?"

"Sorry, that was her. Gotta go."

"Sure Arjun. It was great meeting you."

"Likewise."

We exchanged our numbers and walk to the door. Z is waiting for me in the car. Ahana walks me to the car.

"Oh hi, Ahana."

"Zoya! Hello."

"Wait, do you know each other?" That was surprising.

"Yes. I met Ahana a couple of months ago."

"Oh, so she is your friend? She was involved with Nik's case. That's how I know her."

"I hope you're fine. How's the baby?"

"It's good, healthy. Everything is under control."

"That's great. Let me know if you need me."

"Sure, bye. Bye Arjun."

I explain Zoya about me and Ahana. I'm staying at her's for the night. Tomorrow, I'm gonna go back home. My childhood, my memories, all of it is going to hit me hard. Gwalior, it is.

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Meeting childhood crush? Check. What else is left on the checklist of Visit to India?
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© Anshul Maheshwari
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