June’
2002,
Midtown, Manhattan Borough, NY.
“Aryan, I am walking down to 14th street from union square subway. Where are you?” a message flashed on his phone screen.
“I will be there in five minutes, I’ve almost reached” he replied instantly.
“Okay great, I will wait outside wall greens,” another message from the same number.
“Perfect” he replied and accelerated towards East 14th street.
“Hey, Shalu.”
“Hi handsome” she said getting into the car, “look at you, young man. Gone are those salad days, aren’t they?”
“Quite Shalu,” he started the engine, “you draw the longbow, every time.” he said driving down the roadway.
“Okeydokey”, she tried to emulate his voice.
They drove a few miles, “How is everything?” Aryan broke the ten-minute silence.
“Absolutely fine. I am having a great time at your company and as always, with your company” she retorted and cleared out, “By the by, no pun intended”
Filled with awe, Aryan lost for his expressions, “Fair play,” he responded.
“Whatever! Where are we driving to?” She asked gazing at her phone.
“Wait and watch,” he said driving her to a Marriott five-star restaurant having made a name for seafood.
Shalini’s infancy had been down in the dumps. She lost her parents when she was in her babyhood. Kinsfolk had felt her being a trammel to their family and relinquished her to a govt. orphanage. Fortunately at the same time, the administration was being nice to the penurious nippers, urchins and other toddlers. So there were adequate funds being allocated to the orphanage undertaken by the govt. That being so, she got well-read and learned in her schooling subsequently in college under the regulation of the central regime. She was a highbrow woman and had been the titlist in her college at the state level. She helped and made a name for herself by securing a position in an university for her undergraduate degree with full tuition and fee waiver. Eventually she had been the top dog in her department of computer science at the university. Impressed by such a massive intellectual ability and steadfastness approach towards life, she was offered a full time position at JAPMI as a computer engineer.
At a later time, she had done commendable research and implementation in the Programmable Engine control units. She made her mark yet again at the professional front and a series of industry night shindigs left her with an invitation by Rekha to the chairman’s home for a lunch. As it goes without saying, like minds wend and rove cheek by jowl. In no time, Rekha and Shalini snugged in common circles. She was also a multi-talented damsel and she revelled in playing her role in the activity management department.
By the time Shalini has started her professional career at JAPMI Aryan was in his seventh grade. Since then she never left the company even after the fact that she had many proffers knocking her door every month. Nobody ever knew of her personal rationales but when Aryan asked her about the subject, her response was that she maintained a very special relationship with Rekha and Aryan himself.
Shalini was delighted to see her driven to a multi-cuisine restaurant well known for sea food, “Uh-huh, so you do remember my love for seafood” She expressed in a beatific manner as they sat down in the seats reserved for them.
“Forever Shalu,” he said.
“So we gonna go for shrimp shells” Shalini sounded out without a shufti over the menu.
“Seriously?” Aryan said with his eyes locked on the set menu, “You’re an audacious woman, it was intentional isn’t it? You knew it I am mentally allergic to shrimps”
Shalini giggled.
“Paelle Valenciana and Grilled Halibut,” Aryan said, “will have’em. Looking for more choices?”
“Oh sure I do. Crab cakes with remoulade” she skimmed over the menu on the double and said, “and Scallop Piccata”
“I know you would be fine with Halibut, don’t you?”
“Of course junior”
“Junior, you seem to have gained weight lately,” she said, “also good physique, I smell something fishy”
“Uh-huh! Maybe because there are fishes in the backyard and the aura might be hovering around” he said, in germane we are in a seafood restaurant he thought, “by the by, pun intended”
“Ah! Solid sally,” She now made her hunch talk into words, “any girlfriend lately?”
“No! None for now” Aryan shrugged off, “I would definitely lend your help if there is one on the way”
“Much obliged. I will very much be glad to be at your service” she sipped from the glass of water, “you know, you should get one real soon ‘cos woman can change a man’s world”
“Yep! Agreed. They do in reality.” he said brooding over the relationship of Vivek and Rekha.
With a smirk Aryan catapulted his inkling, “So when are you going to change a man’s world”
Aryan had no tip-off on what was about to come. “Very soon,” She said promptly alongside the garçon arrived with the order.
It was unforgettable luncheon that Aryan ever had. They talked their hearts out, recalled all the instances where they pulled each other’s legs and shared the merriment after trudging through each other’s memory lanes.
Shalini not in any time had tried to patronize Aryan. She neither acquiesced nor acceded to consider him to be coequal with friends of her peer group. Aryan greatly admired for her affable nature and basked her camaraderie. They had a jaunt on their itinerary to the Whitney Museum of American Art few miles drive away from the restaurant. They got into the car to follow the course but in the spur of moment Aryan received an unexpected call.
“What?” Aryan bawled, “How? Is he alright? Where are you all?” he kept asking unceasing questions on the call.
“Aryan, I want you right here. I will talk again” the voice over the call stumbled with the words and the phone went dead abruptly.
“What happened, anything wrong?” Shalini asked with an apprehension, “Aryan, I’ll come with you. Everything is gonna be fine” she said jostling for serenity concomitantly pacifying his fear, “Let’s drive now” She said patting his shoulder.
Power and Pelf 