Serendipity

7

One week later

The Lobby, Radisson Blu Hotel, Ambawadi

"Thank you Mr. Kapadia for granting us this meeting. I understand how busy you must be and we are extremely grateful for this opportunity," Vanraj Shah crooned while shaking Anuj's hands. Right next to him his wife Kavya smiled, pouted, and batted her eyelashes to attract his attention.

When Anuj had first received a request from A&M Global Services to discuss a business proposal, he had categorically refused. Yet, after finding out that their head of marketing was none other than Anupama's ex-husband, he'd decided to grace them with an audience.

His meeting with Anupama at the school had left him rather perplexed. It had been 26 years but he remembered it all like it had happened yesterday.

The first time he'd laid his eyes on her was outside their college. She was buying sour candy from the street vendor. She was wearing a bright yellow salwar kameez with a deep blue dupatta, earrings that touched her shoulders. Her friend stood nearby and had said something to which she threw her head back and laughed.

The second time he saw her was when she came along with eight other girls to enroll the Garba group for an upcoming inter-collegiate dance competition.

The next time he saw her was when she'd slapped a boy for eve-teasing.

She was a rare mix of culture and courage and Anuj had instantly taken a liking to her, to her kind heart that fed the beggar, to her hardworking limbs that never tired, to her courageous mind that took chances and her ferocious soul that always sided with the truth.

Sadly, it was never to be anything more. After a month of not spotting her at rehearsals, he'd dared to ask one of the girls about her. "Oh, Anupama got married two weeks ago."

Married? She was barely 18.

"Her parents arranged her marriage with someone from their village."

"And Anupama?"

"She'd always known that this was her fate."

"Mr. Kapadia, this unique strategy will allow us to explore other less expensive marketing tools such as digital and word of mouth channels which result in a fantastic ROI." Vanraj's drawl brought Anuj back to the present. Clearing his throat, he motioned to the waiter for a cup of water. But instead, Vanraj got up to get it personally for Anuj.

"So Mrs. Shah," Anuj addressed Kavya.

"Please call me Kavya," she interrupted. "I must say that you've done a fantastic job of maintaining yourself Anuj. Nobody would say you're nearing 50."

She placed her hand on his. He pulled his back.

Anuj smiled painfully. He was used to women throwing themselves all over him but this was new even for him. She was with her husband and yet flirting openly.

"I appreciate the gesture, but I'm sure your husband will mind if I don't address you as Mrs. Shah."

Kavya scrunched her face but said nothing further.

"So how long have you and Mr. Shah been married?"

"We've been married for only six months, but V, that's what I call my husband, and I have been dating for the 9 years."

"And what took you so long to take the leap?"

"V's first marriage. V was married when we began dating. We were only able to officially get married after V divorced his wife 6 months ago."

"And what about you? Don't tell me a pretty girl like you didn't have any previous relationships."

She blushed at that. "I was married too. But my divorce was finalized over a year ago."

Anuj made a mental note about the Shah couple. They were social climbers, especially the wife.

"Coming back to your husband's divorce, how did you feel about it all?"

"Honestly, at one time I didn't believe that he would ever divorce his behenji wife, but I'm glad he proved me wrong."

Anuj cleared his throat again.

"Sorry about the delay," Vanraj apologized placing a cup of lukewarm water in front of Anuj. "It took a while as I had them warm the water. This change of season can get to even the fittest."

Anuj pursed his lips and took a sip. Then he gently excused himself promising that someone from his team would be in touch with them. He had no intention of keeping that promise.

As he walked out of the hotel, he began piecing together the information he'd gleaned from Kavya. Anupama had had it rough. A 9-year extramarital affair, followed by a divorce. He didn't know her family dynamics but guessed that none of her in-laws had supported her.

He recalled the Anupama he met at the staffroom of S.G.V.P International School, a shadow of her former self. Yes, he'd been infatuated with her in college, and then he'd not quite found anyone like her anywhere in the world. But a week ago, she herself didn't resemble the Anupama he'd known 26 years ago.

All of a sudden Anuj knew what he had to do. And he wanted to get started. In the past, he'd always hedged his bets, but this time he'd have to go all in. Losing was not an option. He looked up to the sky and asked Anupama's Kanha Ji - dhyaan raakh jo.