Chapter 351

It was three on the Friday afternoon. Diya had been interrupted so many times when she wanted to call Akshar during the week. And when she had finally managed to call him it had gone to his voice message. She had left a message asking him to call her back but until them she had not received any calls from him. She called him again and left a detailed message saying that she wanted to meet with him that evening. By the time she was done with all her work it was almost five and still no messages from Akshar. As she was far from both home and work and was leaving a client’s site after a meeting she looked up his address that she had saved on her cell phone and typed it in the GPS. It buzzed for a few minutes and indicated that it would take about thirty five minutes from there to get to his house. She knew it must be closer from there but she had not expected to see thirty five minutes. As he had not returned her call she sat there for a couple of minutes wondering if she should try again or just go back. She sat there contemplating for about five minutes what to do. He phone buzzed and she eagerly picked it up to see if it was Akshar. Unfortunately it was not and it was from some number she didn’t know. She picked it up reluctantly and half heartedly. The voice on the other end said, “Hi Diya! This is Akshar.” Diya was excited to hear his voice and said, “Did you get my message?” Akshar said, “Yes. I did. I had been quiet busy all day and I forgot to charge my cell phone and was completely out of charge. Sorry I couldn’t call you back earlier. If it is not too late we can meet.” Diya said, “That is great. Where are you now?” Akshar said, “I am home. Just reached home and I am calling you from my home line.” Diya said, “I will be there in about thirty-five minutes.” Akshar said, “Wonderful”.

The traffic was usual Friday traffic as everyone was trying to get back home. The same signal where only three cars can take a left at one time and the others end up blocking the left lane completely and the never ending construction on the single lane road with bumper to bumper traffic. For Diya, it felt like it was taking for ever and as if she was getting nowhere. She checked the time at least ten times before she reached Akshar’s. After she parked the car, she freshened up a little by cleaning her face with a cleansing cloth and applied very little makeup to look natural. She brushed her hair a little and she looked at the mirror and felt satisfied. She had a planned in her mind what she was going to say to him when she was ready to open up the topic. She wanted it to be very casual and friendly and at the same time make it clear. She also wanted to remain friends. She felt ready and planned. She got down and straightened her cloths, a simple grey skirt that was just above the knee with a silk white front buttoned shirt nicely tucked in. She looked very pleasant, simple and sophisticated. She walked over and pressed the button next to his apartment number. Within minutes she heard his voice, “Who is it?” Diya said, “Hey! It’s me.” He said, “Come on in” and the door buzzed allowing her to open. She took the stairs as it was just one floor above. His door was ajar and she peeked in. he was wearing an apron from his waist and had a towel on his shoulder. Seeing her he rushed and peeled the apron from his waist and threw the towel over the kitchen counter and rushed to wash his hands. She was a bit surprised and raised her eyebrows wondering what he was up to. He was wearing a dark brown khaki with his usual signature leather belt with a logo in the middle. For a change he had a simple very light pink tee shirt with a tiny almost invisible Ralph Lauren logo. His shirt was unbuttoned revealing his golden hardly there chest hair. He rushed over to the door and before Diya could close the door behind her, he grabbed her by the waist and said, “I have really missed you” and kissed her.