7.2

02 november 2022, day 2

“Jai, there’s someone at the Reception for you.”

If only I had known these words would change my life permanently! I have rewound and replayed all that happened, so many times since, and this is literally where it all started.

I was at work looking through some of the purchase orders my team had put in over the last few days and approving the ones that were in line with approved budgets. I was not expecting visitors that morning. But salespeople, especially the ones who are trying to get a new relationship going, often drop in hoping to meet someone in Purchase or Procurement who will be open to try them out.

It’s a nuisance sometimes, but they are just doing their jobs and hey, I am a nice guy.

So when Preeti, our Receptionist, told me there was someone at the Reception for me, I found nothing out of the ordinary.

“Yeah ok”, I said. “Find him a meeting room and I’ll see him in a few minutes.”

“It’s a she” Preeti said.   

When I walked into the meeting room a little later, I saw a saree clad back and an impossibly tight bun staring out the window. What intrigued me was that this woman seemed old; her hair was completely white. Now there are all kinds of business development folks, and salespeople come in all shapes and sizes, but I had never met a white-haired woman who was here to sell me something.

“Hi, were you looking for me?” I asked.

She turned around.  She must have been a looker when she was young, her eyes were something else. I’m used to dealing with the pretty young saleswomen, but they are usually groomed and made-up in a cookie cutter look. This one was the OG.

“Liber, we meet again! Where on earth have you been? I had a hard time finding you” she said with a tight smile.

Smooth single malt, not marred by even one ice cube. Rashid Khan singing ‘Aaoge jab tum saajana’. Maansi’s fancy silk sheets. Her voice was just that, pure pleasure.

“Are you ready Liber? We’ve lost so much time just finding you” Her urgency brought me back with a thud. She was staring at me, gripping the table edge.  

 “Sorry, what’s Liber? I am Jai”  I said.

She sat down heavily. “That’s how you want to play it? You haven’t forgiven us?”

I frowned in spite of myself. “What are you talking about? Who are you ma’m?”

She leaned forward, staring at me. “We have no time for this. I’ll apologise again. And again. And I will call you Jai. But can we leave now? They are waiting for you. Let’s go.” 

“Listen” I said “I have no idea who you are, what you are talking about, or what you want. Is this a prank? Or are you confusing me for someone else?”

She rolled her eyes. “Please. How could I ever mistake you for someone else? We practically grew up together. And have you forgotten our time at Nusquamia?”

The room swam around me.  

I had a sudden flash of a sunny meadow, laughter, excitement and a deep baritone saying “Welcome to Nusquamia”.

And then the room came back into focus. What was happening? Who was this woman?

(c) Shilpa Chitre