chapter 38

SerendipityEpisode-38While on a call with Mr. Swami, Rajeev looked up to see someone standing near the arrival gate and froze for a moment. Is that… Megha Joshi? he wondered, a mix of disbelief and curiosity flashing through him. He removed his sunglasses briefly to look closer. Yes… it’s her!What a small world, running into her like this, again and again… He smiled to himself.She was absorbed in her phone, fingers flying over the screen—likely handling work emails—and yet, she looked as graceful as ever in her sari, this time a striking black and red combination. You must really love wearing saris, he thought, admiring her polished corporate look with her signature low bun, diamond earrings, simple chain around her neck, and the Titan Raga watch on her left wrist. Classic beauty, cute and elegant.He noticed her shifting back and forth as if impatient, clearly waiting for someone.Rajeev was just a few steps away, but she hadn’t noticed him. He thought about going over to say hello, but just then, a little girl ran up to her, shouting, “Mamma!” and hugged her tightly.Wait… she’s married? Rajeev’s thoughts stumbled over each other in surprise. And she has a daughter? Watching her with her family, he assumed the older couple nearby were likely her in-laws.Soon after, Megha and her family got into their car, and Rajeev’s own Mercedes followed them briefly. Her daughter is adorable, just like my little Sweetoo.Glancing at the report Nidhi had sent, he recalled that it mentioned only one personal detail—‘No presence on any social platform except LinkedIn’—written in bold as if it were an anomaly. No Facebook, no Instagram… he mused. These days, nearly everyone’s entangled in social media, but she’s different.Actually, she’s a lot like me, he realized, finding a strange comfort in this similarity. But Rajeev, stop thinking about her. She’s married, has a child… He shook off his thoughts. Let it go, Rajeev. The Megha Joshi chapter is closed.Watching the sunset colors—reds, oranges, pinks—fade into the evening sky, he dialed Sanyal Sir’s number.*@*@*@*@*Meanwhile, back home, Megha’s mother started to fuss as soon as they walked in.“I’ll rest tomorrow, but tonight I’m taking care of things,” she said, rejecting Megha’s gentle suggestion.“We didn’t get tired sitting on a plane… I have my usual work to do, and that’s that!” she said with her usual determination.“Well, it’s already half past seven,” Megha replied. “I have a work call soon, so why don’t we order food tonight? No need for anyone to go into the kitchen.”“No way,” her mother insisted, “I’m sick of outside food! Parathas, rotis, paneer, chole, rajma, dal tadka, dal makhani… that’s all we ate. I’ve never eaten so many parathas in my life!At least Grandpa and Arya were happy with chicken. We vegetarians, though—just parathas, day after day!”Her tone was half-amused, half-exasperated.“Oh, Grandma, you can’t say you didn’t enjoy even one paratha!” Arya chimed in, with a mischievous grin.“Arya, first go empty your bag and deal with those dirty clothes. They’ve been waiting for you!” her grandmother replied with a raised eyebrow.Arya was about to respond, but Megha, suppressing a smile, widened her eyes playfully and shook her head at Arya, signaling her to go without a fuss.Arya giggled and scurried off to her room.“Radha, make sure there’s some good dal and rice tonight,” Megha’s mother said, deciding on the menu with finality.“It’s been far too long since we had a nice, simple meal of varan-bhaat with ghee and a touch of lemon.”To be continued....© ®️ Meghna_Yadav 2021Special Thanks to friend Gayatri and my loving daughter, my buddy.Hello Readers,Illuminate the five stars of ratings with your gentle touch. Do let me know your thoughts via comments..Thanks and Regards,Meghana Yadav... Â