Once Upon a Midnight Part II - Page 74

Good talk to mop up / make up after an argument that had them feeling raw. Phew!!!

Originally posted by: Errrantnomad

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/08/why-state-universities-have-no-other-choice-but-to-reopen/615565/

Nisha, Jas,

One of the best if not the very best article I've read in recent times. What better way to explain and understand the trap of educational amenities ! Wow!

sad state of affairs 😢

Man of the Moment

“Why are we at an airport” she asked looking around frantically

“Because you will be taking a walk by Lake Michigan tonight, too late for the Art Museum” he smiled

When he hailed an Uber she became curious

“tapan... I dont even have an overnite bag”

“We can get u your basic stuff”

“Umm.. more than basic... I mean.. I need my clothes”

“OK fine we wont shop at Walmart” he laughed under his breath

“I wear Walmart tees if the graphic is cute” she was defensive

“Sure... Pri” (“ncess” he xclaimed inaudibly)

“I am not a Princess”

“No” he nodded

They went thru security quick and walked out to the tarmac to board

“What did u tell Nidhi and Sajal?”

“that I am bringing you to Chicago with me for a quick overnite trip”

“Oh?” “Umm”

“Did u want me to lie?” he caught her

“Umm.. no... what did they say?”

“they dont care Shubhra,... they dont” he smiled at her gently

“Nidhi must think I am ignoring her”

“She is pregnant all she can think of is what to buy for that baby” he rolled his eyes

It was a 8 seater Cessna

She wore her seat belt and looked at him

“Do u fly in small planes often?”

“Only when I have to go to small towns to kiss up to a new clients before sign up” he said honestly

“Oh”

“Are u afraid?” he asked looking at her intensely

“Umm.. I am not sure... I have flown on these a few times but not recently”

“So you forgot if u shud be scared?” he laughed

She thought for a second and burst out laughing

He began to laugh as well

“Its a twin engine dont worry”

“Dont... no dont” she squeezed his hand

“Whoa?”

“Dont tell me turbo and blade and wingspan and such” she warned

“It helps doesnt it?”

“No... I dont want to know” she shut her eyes

The plane sep up and took off, she shut her eyes tight and held her armrest in a deathly grip the next 15 minutes

“Its a 40 minute ride”

“feels like a day long flight” she muttered

They were served champagne and water and salad and crackers and cheese

“Do u have many wealthy clients?” she looked at him

“A few...” he said looking out

He turned to her

“Oh u mean how many times Ive flown on this?” he began to smile

“I dont want to know ur net worth”

“Its not even $2M... if that helps”

“Dont Tapan... I dont want to know”

“Why?”

She looked down at her plate self consciously

“Umm.. I am not... we wont be , we dont need to tell each other that”

“You told me how much you made last year”

“Umm.. that was before I we broke up... when I came to Chicago”

“Its my turn since we are headed back there”

“Congrats... I know how hard it is to grow a business” she said sadly

“Thanks... from one entreprenuer to another” he raised a champagne toast

“You are more successful”

“Ooh! Umm.. here is something misogynistic..You are sexy.. and hot... and gorgeous, so success doesnt matter” he grinned

She smiled back

“You are funny” she said quietly

“Thank God for that, misogynistic men are usually not funny” he raised his glass

She giggled

“Mere saath akele Chicago jaate tumhe dar lag raha hai?” he said softly letting his gaze rove over her lips

She quickly looked away and looked back at him, with flaming cheeks

“Now that u said it... i do”

“I will bring u back” he said silkily

“U are too ethical to kidnap me” she scoffed

“U only hope that” he chuckled

“This is not our first date” she reminded him blushing

“To Chicago it is” he twisted her words

“You can be so charming” she thought aloud

“If I want to be?” he finsihed it for her

The plane descended, she had forgotten how terrified she was

The touch down was a little choppy she bit her lower lip in fear he noticed

And did not open her eyes until 5 minutes after the lights were turned on

“We made it” she said with relief

“save ur fears for legit stuff” he growled

“Tumhe yeh legit nahi lagta?” she accused back

“If it was risky... main laata tumhe?” he asked possessively

“Don’t” she said her eyes filling up with tears

“Chalo...” he said grunting

They walked off the plane like people get off buses

“If we take a walk and stores close?” she worried

“I promise.... chalo” she yanked her arm

“I am not used to spontaneity” she said sprinting after him

“It will do us both good”

“Are u like this with with... always” she quickly corrected herself

“No I havent whisked anyone else away... yes I am always” “I bought the condo 12 hours after seeing it” “I fly to Delhi whenevr I want... one time I flew twice in 20 days”

“Kaise jee paate ho aise?” she paused along the walkway to the terminal

“Dikhata hoon tumhe” he smiled

His eyes sparkled radiantly in the indoor flood lights

“I even plan my clothes and food for days in advance” she whispered

“Whats for dinner on Oct 9?” he mocked

She thought for a bit... confused... “Oh actual dinner?”

“Haan”

“Its a Friday?” she checke dher phone

He was laughing the whole time

“Mostly pizza... we have a a wood fired tandoor now, so the cook makes pizza.. who ever eats whenever at home.. we dont eat together much” she explained

“What will u wear?” he pressed

“At home?” he nodded

“Shorts and tee” she said

“Color?” he was amused

“Offwhite mostly... I find it very relaxing”

He grabbed her hand, held tight...

“Lets go” he said without laughing anymore

Pls nisha mam try to update daily

Too funny!! plan for What you are gonna eat in advanced. Lol

Dinner on Oct 9 ??? I put them pot of the stove and start thinking what I should make 😂😂😂 Shubra is in for a ride on her Chicago date.

oh oh btw lady, what was it when you showed up at Tapans doorstep few months ago. Planned 🥰

She is the only one he has whisked off for a date like this. Lets see how it goes.

He will take her back to his place after the date. Maybe she will stay until her flight back. They made progress last time. Maybe they can this time too.

I am SO totally sorry people. I had a idyllic weekend, and was all set to write this evening,

Meri mai baap at work asked for a report on Friday, I forgot to email it to her

I worked on the report two weeks ago, and saved it on my hard drive, at my WORK DESK

Instead of saving on Teams.😡

At 6 in the evening today she again called me on WhatsApp from Singapore again asked for it,

I tried to connect remotely to the new desk PC

IT was DEAD

She was NOT happy

The new office PC is mysteriously powering off on its own for some reason

I offered to drive down to work and beg some IT person to turn it on if they wont let me in. She asked me to send another/second report

I sent that thankfully through my old work laptop I still have at home, PHEW!!

did an IT chat, they said they cannot remotely power it up so I have to wait until AM.

I am too stressed right now to write, I am trying to recreate that stupid report on my old laptop unsuccessfully

Kal mujhe zaroor sunayegi

So sick of this mazdoori man!

However much we try to be careful, s--- hits the ceiling every now and then. WHO knew I was going to forget AND the PC was going to go dead on me :(

Oh! Sorry to hear that nisha! These things do happen😔😔

Take care