Tanvi was tired by the time she reached her home. She was working with an NGO in Bangalore. There was a lot of fieldwork involved hence coming back exhausted was a normal phenomenon for her. She liked it this way, it gave her no time to think of her personal life. She was contemplating whether to change or collapse directly on the bed when her ringing cellphone broke her train of thoughts.
"Hello mam" she spoke sleepily into the phone.
"Hi, Tanvi. I loved your project report."
"Thanks, mam" She replied.
"Anyways I didn't call to talk about projects. I know its short notice but there is a slight problem. Shruti is ill. She had to go on sudden leave. Would you please take up the function responsibilities? That includes welcome speech for the chief guest as well."
Shruti was one of the senior colleagues in the NGO. She was working on an orphanage campaign in Tumkur district. The inauguration of the orphanage was in 2 days. If Tanvi was going to accept the offer, it meant travelling to Tumkur.
"But mam I am not sure if I am the correct person to handle this. I have never done this! And what about my work here?"
"Oh! don't worry about that. Somebody can take charge for a few days. You played a key role for the Sri Adya orphanage inauguration. I am sure you would be able to handle this. I know it is short notice, but I cannot think of any better person than you to handle this. We are hoping to invite the Deputy Commissioner as the chief guest."
"The chief guest is still not decided?" Tanvi asked surprised.
"We have not received any confirmation from the District Magistrate's office till now, but we are hoping they will confirm soon."
"Ok, I will leave for Tumkur tomorrow morning." Tanvi reluctantly agreed.
"Thank you so much !" Kavita replied.
Tanvi stared at her phone for some time. Tumkur is a small city 71 kilometres from Bangalore. It is about 2-hour drive by road and less than an hour by train. She decided to take a train and started browsing to book an early morning train ticket. Managing the inauguration meant a busier schedule for her.
"More the merrier," She thought and collapsed on the bed.
Tanvi was 25, she was pretty. She could even be said beautiful if she took an effort to groom herself. She had her mother's clear skin and fair complexion, but she had inherited her big eyes, straight nose, and full lips from her dad. She had average height and had a slim figure. Her shoulder-length thick curly hair was usually tied up in a messy bun with a more clutch. She had been working with this NGO for last 3 years. Ever since that tragedy destroyed her family. Her work was her passion, her anchor which kept her sane through this turmoil.
Two days later she was running around trying to complete the last-minute glitches before the inauguration. Dressed in a crisp cream-coloured silk sari she took her place near the stage to welcome the chief guest.
One of her friends passed her a piece of paper for the welcome speech. Thankfully, it was already prepared by Rashmi, Tanvi had to just read.
"Hell! I don't even know who is the Deputy Commissioner." She mumbled.
She froze for a minute when she read the name "Aniket Agnihotri !!"
"Could it be him? I hope not." She thought "What are the odds of 2 people having the same name both IAS?" She tensed up then decided she was being silly "What if it's him...3 years is more than enough time to cure heartbreak."
She was wrong.
Aniket entered the auditorium with his entourage, glad that his quest was about to end. He scanned through the group of people waiting and looked straight at her. His jaws tightened to keep a neutral expression. Nothing had changed. She could still make his heart flutter.
Their eyes met and for a second, she saw his eyes grow wide then narrowed. Tanvi's heart was racing so fast she was afraid it would burst out of her chest. With shivering hands, she gave him the customary bouquet. He was staring hard into her eyes. Their fingers touched for a moment too long. She could have sworn that he did that deliberately.
"Welcome Sir" She somehow managed to say.
He nodded in acknowledgement.
"Tanvi is one of our most enthusiastic members" Her director gushed.
"I am sure she must be," He said and offered his hand for a handshake.
His hands engulfed her small hands. She could feel his tight hold which was comforting yet made her jumpy.
She somehow managed to go through the speech and rest of the function. His eyes never left hers for a minute. Though he did that so covertly that only she noticed it.
4 years had added to his maturity. He looked even more handsome in a dark suit.
"Wow!! He is so hot. I thought DM would be some old croon" one of her juniors commented when she went backstage.
Tanvi shook her head and sighed. Nothing had changed in 4 years. The wall she had built around her heart was shattered by her pent-up feelings.
"God gives me the energy to go through this," She thought.
Thankfully, it was too crowded and too formal of an occasion for them to talk. Like most chief guests he left immediately after the program ended. She sighed with relief. After finishing up she left for home. She hoped that she never met him again but somehow, she knew that was not going to happen. She did not realize when an SUV screeched to stop near her. Startled she peered inside, and her face broke into a smile
"Amitabh!! When did you come back?"
The man in the car grinned back at her "Today. Hop in I will drop you home."
Amitabh was one of her close friends. A happy go lucky fellow who was like an older brother to her. Amitabh also treated Tanvi as his sister and took care of her every need.
"But what are you doing in Tumkur? How did you know I was here?"
"My sweet little sister is so busy that she forgot that she invited me to the inauguration. Although I am not here for that. I had to meet some business associates since I am driving back to Bangalore so thought of taking you along. It's a boring 2-hour drive."
"I invited you to. How could I forget." She sat on the passenger's side happily.
She did not notice another pair of deep brown eyes were observing her and Amitabh, and they were enraged.
Aniket had been waiting for Tanvi ever since he saw her in the function. He was at Mussorie for his IAS training when he got the news that Tanvi's parents had died in a car crash. He wanted to run back and comfort her in her pain. Tell her that she was not alone. But he was helpless he could not leave his training midway. He had rushed to Mumbai as soon as he was back. But Tanvi had disappeared. She never gave him her number and the one which he got from his parents was out of service.
Just like a whirlwind she came in his life and was suddenly gone!
He had missed her and searched for her like crazy. She was either not present on Social media or she was avoiding him deliberately. He had recently found her whereabouts in Bangalore. Luckily, he was also posted near Bangalore and was looking for some pretext to meet her. It was one of the reasons why he agreed to be the chief guest.
He was blown away when he saw her dressed in that sari. He had a hard time controlling himself when all he wanted to do was grab her and carry off with him.
She looked equally shocked and kind of aloof. Did he wonder why? And who was this fellow? She was still single, he had already checked all her details. He had asked her to wait. Though there was no obligation for her to do so still he hoped that she did. He was not going to let her go this time.
While Amitabh drove Tanvi could not stop the wave of memories crashing over her. She had buried them long ago but now there was no stopping from remembering them.
