A VISITOR ON A RAINY DAY

 

It is forecast by meteorological department that coming three days the city will experience heavy rainfall due to some cyclonic pressure as well as arrival of monsoon. People are requested to collect necessary articles at home so that they won’t have to go out and face any severe problem. She too is alert and has done shopping. The sky is all dark because of dense black clouds, wind is moving at the dangerous speed and it’s raining like cats and dogs. She has planned her days well in advance so that there will be no last minute regret. 

She switches on radio to listen to some beautiful romantic rain songs. Being a single working lady, recently shifted to Mumbai from a small town, she is well adjusted in her rented studio apartment. She prefers not to socialise much and has created a peaceful heaven at home. She works from home as offices are shut due to heavy rainfall. She has prepared for herself hot crispy onion-chilli pakodas to be served with coriander- mint garlic chutney and two cups of strong ginger tea. She enjoys tea a lot. So there are always two cups of that drink ready for her to get complete satisfaction. Her laptop is on, work on power point presentation is going on. A perfect evening is enjoyed by her with yummy evening snacks.  

Her family and relatives stay in another city. Neighbours love privacy so never interfere anyone. Friends and acquaintances won’t risk life by venturing out in stormy day. She is relaxed as none will disturb her. All of a sudden at that very moment door - bell rings. 

What? Who can visit at such a bad weather! The first thought comes to her mind is arrival of the security guard to share some information. She opens the safety door and finds a stranger outside. A drenched six feet tall young man of around twenty -four with a briefcase in hand is looking at her in a hopeful way. She is surprised how security guard has allowed someone to enter. She asks who to meet. Perhaps he has knocked at the wrong door. He says, “I am a cousin of Mr. Mehta coming from Pune. Would you please inform him?”

She answers, “Sorry to disappoint you. Mr. Mehta doesn’t stay here anymore. He has rented out the studio to me a week ago and has gone to his native land. You must confirm from him before arrival.”  

His entire face is red due to cold and he looks miserable. She waits a little to close the door once he leaves. But he stands there confused. He asks if she can allow him to stay till the intensity of storm subdues. She is in pyjama and loose t-shirt, entire room is little mess, her tiny bathroom is filled with buckets of uncleaned clothes. In absence of sun clothes don’t dry fast so she has decided to clean them tomorrow when the weather will be quite will normal. Her kitchen slab is left as it is after preparing snacks. It is not arranged.  

Finding her little uncomfortable the stranger says not to worry, he will wait outside the building under some shade. On a humanitarian ground she decides to allow him to get in. She opens the door and invites him inside. She asks for an apology as the room is not in condition to welcome any guest. He sits on a chair as his dress is all wet. She rushes to bathroom, makes a space for him to change his dress. He takes shower and comes out in t-shirt and bermuda which he has carried with him. She shares her snacks with him. He is so grateful to her after sipping hot tea. 

She surprisingly gets his assistance in cleaning the kitchen slab. He asks about her profession and is impressed to know that she works in one of the big four companies and is working on an important project. She doesn’t take much interest in knowing about him and gets busy with her work. He enjoys old monsoon Hindi songs and then dials some numbers for booking a room in a nearby hotel. After an hour, the rain stops and he leaves the apartment. They haven’t exchanged numbers as it seems unnecessary. 

After three days of heavy downpour, offices are opened. She is ready with her PPT and very excited to present it to the management. In the conference room all are waiting for the client with whom the project will be done. The sliding glass door opens and she is awe stricken to see the same stranger, who has spent an hour in her studio apartment, enters with her boss. She is so perplexed. Abhimanyu Mehta in a three- piece suit shakes hand with everyone present in the room. In a very formal way without giving hint that they know each other, the presentation is done excellently. Her boss is happy to see his client is impressed by the project. They leave the meeting room. 

For the meeting she dresses herself in a slim fit pestle shirt and a pencil skirt. Her light makeup, a slim diamond bracelet, diamond ear studs, golden Timex wrist watch, smart hair style and black silhouette enhance her personality remarkably. She is feeling so bad that Abhimanyu has seen him in a casual attire and has seen how unorganised she is at home. She is asked to have lunch with Mr. Mehta and the boss. She rushes to the washroom to check if she is looking impressive or not. She looks herself into the mirror and is relieved to find everything perfect. She can join them. 

Abhimanyu is a son of a business tycoon and handling many companies. Since he has met Ananya Mathur on that rainy day in her apartment, he is unable to think anything else. On the day he has seen how intelligent, dedicated and pleasant personality she is. He has become admirer of her cooking skill also. Taste of those pakodas with chutney is still in his memory. Her unkempt apartment, no makeup face, simplicity, courage to live alone in a city like Mumbai has won his heart. Today in the office he is again impressed by her professional look. Her presence is so charming! It proves she has an amazing fashion sense too.    

She arrives and greets him. He smiles. Her boss is not present there for some urgent meeting. First time Ananya feels nervous in front of a client as he has witnessed her earlier. Abhimanyu begins by paying gratitude for her hospitality. He then asks if she will be his friend. She agrees. He requests her to spend a whole Sunday with him and hang out in the happening places of the city. She agrees again. Love seed is planted in their hearts. Soon it will grow into a blossom tree. Every year during monsoon the memory of first meeting will get refreshed to strengthen the roots of Love tree.