Part 2
We have a dinner reservation today said Armaan assertively with a smug smile.
See you tomorrow morning then said Kabir waving at them.
Abhira clutching her tote bag waved back and came up to Armaan.
We have a dinner reservation today? Where ?
Why didn't you tell me ?
Abhira, it's .....it's with my.... new colleague and her boyfriend.
Armaan had met a loquacious bright woman in his office. This case he worked on all night, some credible leads were brought in by her only. Their cabins were adjacent and she dimly reminded him of Abhira. The previous day when this woman Tara had cracked a one liner, he found himself smiling for an entire odd minute.
Armaan, bro I think you have fallen in love with my joke or what giggled Tara.
Nah, My wife, my wife talks like this he had said pointing towards Tara and laughed.
So Mr. Husband is missing his wife ha! teased Tara.
Well Tara was not wrong. He did end up calling Abhira a few minutes later.
But what next! Tara had mentioned about her boyfriend a few times in conversations over lunch but he blurted out the reservation lie only to stop Kabir from seeing Abhira at dinner. Why was all riled up ?!! Why did he behave like a teenager in love. Where was this possessiveness rooting from? Had he fallen in love? Was it ? Nooo . He was not in love . This Kabir. Yes it was him . That man was creepy. And Abhira had befriended him in a wink. Why did the agency send over someone like Kabir ? But now he had to get him removed. But before this , wait how was he going to cover up his own lie about the dinner.
Armaan and Abhira were in the car when Abhira enquired about the dinner timings. Armaan had thought of a brilliant idea. He would take Abhira out for dinner and then pretend that they got stood up by his colleague because of some emergency. That way, he could postpone Abhira meeting Kabir again and they would both also get some time to spend together. Also by the next morning, the agency would send in another cook .
Abhira, lunch,okay . Don't you dare skip it ! warned Armaan as Abhira got off the car.
Okay, Sir said Abhira saluting Armaan.
But I will keep it light in respect of our dinner tonight. Waiting to celebrate you and your win tonight, Mr. Hardworking Poddar, she said before dashing inside the college premises.
Abhira was starting with Business Law classes for this semester. She had forgotten to check in for the guest professor taking her classes for this subject. While scrolling through the professor allotment mail, she reached her class and sat beside Aryan. Before she would ask Aryan about the professor, there he appeared. Mr. Raghav Rajan, her college crush was standing right before her. She remembered while she was in her first year of LLB, she had met Raghav who was pursuing his LLM. Four years down the line and he still looked the same. The same crisp formal style of dressing, petite figure, french beard, hazel brown hair with the widest grin possible. He could still make women go weak in the knees. Actually he already had because Abhira did hear whispers from the back benches. After flying away, he had completed his doctorate and was now associated with the main campus in Italy. Since Abhira's college was an offshore campus of the main campus in Italy, he had flown to teach them business law this semester. Life, coming a full circle for her. For a few passing moments, Abhira had flown back to her college days , her old friends, her old life, her home in Mussoorie, her mumma. Memories came running, her eyes grew moist and the Professor noticed this distracted adult but kept quiet.
After the class, in the canteen corridor Abhira bumped into Raghav and he politely summoned Abhira. Abhira was a little terrified not because she harboured any leftover infatuation but because Raghav reminded her of her past memories and the pain had not healed. She was scared of breaking down in front of a stranger who also happened to be her Professor.
Raghav discussed how he noticed Abhira's lack of attention in class and enquired for reasons.
I apologise. I will make sure to pay serious attention Sir.
I asked for reasons Miss ...uhm..what's your name btw
Mrs. I'm actually married. Mrs Abhira Sharma Poddar Sir.
Oh, okay, my bad. So Mrs Poddar , reasons please .
I was actually thinking about my Mumma said Abhira.
And why was that ?
Technically, it was because of you, Sir.
Excuse me Miss ?!!
Mrs. Sir abhi bataya na maine. Actually aap Mussoorie se hai and aap ko dekh kr mujhe Mussoorie, mera college, mera ghar aur meri mumma sab kuch yaad aane laga.
Andd how do you know that I'm from Mussoorie?
I was actually your super super junior in college. Abhira Sharma daughter of Akshara Sharma.
Oh my Goddd! You are Akshara Aunty's daughter. I remember mentoring your batch once. That is why your face looked slightly familiar to me. My god I would see you with Akshara Aunty at court many times during my internship. Why didn't I recognise you earlier! Damn !! How is Akshara Aunty doing ?
Tears welled up in Abhira's eyes now. She stayed silent. Head bowing down. Fists all curled up. In a meek tone, swallowing the lump in her throat she said Mumma is no more.
Raghav instantly apologized. He cupped her by the shoulder and took her by the seat near them. Abhira could hold her tears no longer. Raghav sat by her side, gave his handkerchief to Abhira and said in an assuring tone
Abhira, you know, I lost my Dad when I was in my last year of college. My entire life came crashing down. My LLM was going to culminate, I was dreaming to practice at the high court but then overnight every dream changed. I suddenly wanted to become a professor because my Dad was one. I wanted to honour him in death. I left for Europe to start with my Phd thereafter. Today I know, my Dad is proud of me. And I know your Mumma will be too one day. You need to just keep going Warrior!
Through her pain, Abhira smiled. She wiped her tears and wiggled her head.
Just then her phone rang. It was Armaan. She looked at the time above, it was 5 p.m. The court verdict would have come by now. Did he win ? she thought
She looked up at Raghav and thanked him for the encouragement. He had really uplifted her today. As Raghav left, she hurriedly picked up her phone .
Mr. Poddar, prevail or collapse ??
Prevail , Mrs Poddar. PREVAIL .
You are treating me to a chocolate souffle tonight at dinner.
Abhira I will but why does your voice sound hoarse. Sab thik hai na baba.
Haan. I just have a sore throat.
Please ghar jakar, have your peppermint medicines.
Sure, I will.
And I will get late, directly meet you at dinner. I will book your cab for 8 p.m. Good ?
I'll be ready by 8 . See you.
Abhira reached home and went in for a hot shower. She got into her pastel green satin finish sheath dress. She left her hair in loose curls and opted for a bold red lip. As she checked her phone, there was a message from Armaan reminding her to take her medicines along with the cab details.
Abhira reached the fancy place and was seated when Armaan arrived. He told her every miniscule detail about the courtroom victory and Abhira proactively listened to it. As she was about to tell him about her college crush becoming her Professor, her phone rang. It was Aryan, her batchmate. She excused herself and went ahead with the call. After discussing about the moot court competition that were to arrange tomorrow, she disconnected the call.
Why was your friend calling at this hour asked Armaan raising an eyebrow.
We were discussing about the moot court competition tomorrow. We are both conveners for it .
And Abhira went on talking about how precisely difficult it was for her to manage things around. She suddenly cut in between and said
Armaan where is your colleague? It has almost been an hour since we arrived.
Abhira while you were talking to your friend, my colleague called and informed that she had to rush back because of a family emergency.
Oh my god, all this dinner reservation for nothing! Now..
Interrupting Abhira a voice called Armaan from behind. They both turned back and their pupils dilated in shock.
It was Tara standing with Raghav right by their table.
To be continued....
Guys, hope you liked Part 2 . I have introduced certain characters. Also ignore the typos.
And Thank you for loving Part 1 
Please tell me how you liked this part .
Ok byeee darlings 
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