Chapter 2: The Meeting
Maya left the hospital in the morning before her mother reached. She went to university. The feeling of uncertainty about her father was creating unrest in her mind. She was so tired and exhausted that she threw herself on the sofa in her office. After a while, she went to the table and picked the letter she received the day before. She opened the letter and read. It was an offer to work with Konark telefilm on a film project. She was not sure what to do but she didn't want to go to the class either. A change was necessary at this state of mind. She picked her phone and contacted the number given in the letter. Though the person was scheduling an appointment the day after, she wanted this today itself. Finally, the appointment got confirmed. She took some rest and left for the appointment before time.
The office was a tall building standing in the middle of the city. It took an hour for her to reach there. Her appointment was on the 43rd floor. She went ahead to the 43rd floor after finishing the formalities. It was a well-decorated office with a beautiful receptionist waiting for her. She didn't have to wait for the meeting. The receptionist immediately took her inside a beautifully decorated meeting room. There were expensive furniture, lighting which she had never seen. "Please wait here maam, I will call Mr. Harry. Do you need anything ma'am?" the receptionist asked in a polite way. Maya asked for a glass of water and sat on the couch. The receptionist handed over a glass of water and left the room. After a couple of minutes, an old man entered the room. He was wearing a grey coloured suit and an expensive-looking watch. "Hello, miss Maya, it is very nice to see you here. I am Harry, the director" the old man said. Maya got up and greeted him in a polite way. "I am Maya. I am a professor at Udra University." "I know all about you. That is the reason I have offered you this project" The old man said. Maya looked surprised and said, "I don't understand, how my skills would help you anyways and how do you know about me". The old man smiled and offered her some snacks then said, "You are one of the few history professors specializing in ancient Indian history and your father is an archaeologist. You are young and seems to be energetic. I need exactly that for my project." A young man, entered the room while they were having this conversation. Maya was thrilled when she looked at him. He was Avnish Kumar, the superstar.
Maya kept looking her for a few seconds until he responded, "Hello, I am Avnish." He introduced himself. Harry chuckled and told, "Maya, he is Avnish, you will be working with me and him for this project." Maya was lost in the moment so much that, for a moment she forgot that her father was sick and was in the hospital. She then introduced herself. "I am Maya". Avnish took the seat in front of her while speaking to Harry. "Have you told her what we are planning to do?" "Oh yes, we are about to start. Good that you came in time." Harry said. "See Maya, we are working on a story which is set in Ancient India. I believe you could help us with the knowledge about the people during that era. How they dressed, what they ate, how they spoke, you know, all day to day activities." "You would be helping us with the costume ideas, dialogues, the set, etc." Avnish interrupted. Maya was excited hearing all this. At last, she got a chance to work on what she loved. The discussion went on for 3 hours where the duo explained Maya and answered Maya's queries. After the discussion was over, Maya started to leave for home. "Maya" Avnish shouted from behind when she was about to exit the room. "Have we met somewhere? Because I think I have seen you somewhere." He said. Maya smiled and said, not possible sir, I have never got out of my world, which is my home and my university. You must be getting confused with someone else." she said. "Maybe, but I don't know how I feel somewhere I have seen you long back… …Never mind. Catch you later" Avnish said with an optimistic tone and left the room.
In the next 15 days, they met only two times for a very brief period of time. Most of the time Avnish would be out due to his busy schedule. Maya had to balance her job and the project. Some times she would go to Konark's office and would meet the rest of the crew but not Avnish. She was also spending a lot of time studying books and researching on the internet. The condition of her father was also not improving. He was completely bedridden and the hospital has not cleared him to go home. The doctors say, he might not walk if he lives. This statement made Maya think sometimes what would happen, whether his father would live on a wheelchair for the rest of his life or would die. She got terrified by either of the thoughts. Her mother was still pissed off, so she confronted her less even at home. Indra made sure her mom stays in control when she was at home. One night, when Maya was working on her laptop, her phone rang. It was Avnish. Maya picked the call, "Maya, can you meet now? I will pick you. We have something to discuss over a cup of coffee." This seemed very unusual to Maya. It was 3 am in the night and Avnish wanted to discuss now. She wanted to say no but she considered going with him on a second thought, who gets a chance to have coffee with the superstar late in the night? She agreed, got ready and sneaked out of her home without making a sound.
Avnish picked her up from her home in a fancy sports car. She had never got a chance to be inside such an expensive car. He was driving and was alone. She entered the car and he drove with a loud sports engine noise. "Sorry, I asked you to meet this late or shall I say this early" Avnish said sarcastically. "No you don't seem to be sorry," Maya said. Avnish smiled and said, "Do you like coffee?" "Yes, is this a date?" Maya asked sarcastically. "Would you like it to be?" Avnish replied with another question. Maya could not think of what to say. "You wanted to discuss something? What is it?" she said. "I have been busy since we last met. We didn't have time to talk about our project and also I was returning from a party through your area, so wanted to meet"
"This can't be just about the project?" Maya said.
Avnish looked at her said, "Yes, you are right, it is not just about project." After a brief silence, he again said, "You remember, I was telling you that I have seen you somewhere? I think I have figured it out. But first, let us go somewhere to eat, I am starving."
They reached a restaurant which looked lavish. He took her to the rooftop restaurant. They sat in a corner and ordered coffee with some sandwiches. Maya said, "You were saying something". Avnish didn't look that well. She could figure out the traces of sadness on his face. "Are you alright, you don't look well. What happened?" Maya asked. Avnish wiped his face, then looked at the dark night sky and said, "Some memories no matter how old can haunt you forever. Memories of death, helplessness can make you feel the pain for a much longer period when you experience it during your childhood." Maya was surprised by hearing this. "What happened? Had you seen someone close to you die when you were a child?" Avnish didn't say anything. "Hey, you can tell me. Whatever is bothering you, tell me. You will feel relieved and I am sure this would help you".
"It is not about the death of someone close to me, it is about seeing a helpless woman being murdered by someone close to me. I see her face in my dream sometimes. Those eyes full of desperation and helplessness don't let me sleep"
Avnish looked like a baby who was about to cry. Maya held his hand and said, "Hey, it's okay. It is just a dream. You need to find peace and let go of it. Have some food and coffee, we will figure out a way."
"Even superstars are also not immune to nightmares." She said chuckling in the hope that this would make him feel better.
"I did. I had got over the memory and I hadn't had the dream since long time, until I met you." Avnish said.
Maya was shocked, "What do you mean?" she asked.
"That face, Maya, that woman's face was yours. I didn't remember when I saw you that day but tonight it was so clear. I am sure it was your face"
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone