Cheers to a fresh start - always by my side

Cheers to a fresh start

Some people often gain importance in our lives, so much that we don't even realise. Our subconscious makes an effort to keep them close even when we unknowingly drift away.

 It had been a rather long day for Maaya. She had started her day early morning with a light snack at the break of dawn. Unknown to many around her, she had been taking certification courses to push her career while waiting for her dream offer. Crossing the length of the city, her morning routine became tangled more and more now that recruiters finally started taking notice of her applications. 

Late in the afternoon Maaya changed into a fresh pair of formal pants with a crisp organza shirt for another of her interview schedules. In her words, "shoot all the arrows you got, pick the kill you want to eat". 

 Packing a little snack of her special everything sandwiches, Maaya waved goodbye to her parents as she left. Three hours of being grilled through rigorous interviews demands a light snack for sure, she thought to herself. Traveling all the way to the other corner of the city, she figured she'd ask her Hinge date to meet up afterwards. It was high time she stepped up her dating game and their first two dates had been pretty amazing for her to actually look forward to a third, somewhat informal meet. 

"So Ms Maaya, we are happy to offer you the role, the official letter shall be shared via mail soon and we look forward to working with you shortly." These words from the Director of the company, who had been chairing the panel for her final interview had chimed like Beethoven's symphony to her ears.

Maaya could not believe she had her third offer this week, she was elated beyond words. Stepping out in as much of a composed walk as her body would permit she trotted out of the office main building. Super excited she called Arpan, jumping up and down with excitement she told him how amazing her interview session had been with the VP and HR on panel. Prancing around like a baby deer, she could hardly contain her excitement, and the older recruits who had just stepped out for their evening smoke break could easily make out she was here for an interview. It's an easy tell for the seasoned players to make out who the newbie is.

"Babe, they had to make you an offer, you're too awesome for anyone to think otherwise. I'm telling you." Arpan said calmly, as if he were stating some universal fact to Maaya, he knew how tensed she had been before going for the same. 

"Ummm, did you just call me babe?" Maaya enquired in disbelief, practically ignoring his positive words of affirmation.

"Where are we celebrating, and what do you want to eat?" Arpan asked sheepishly, dumbfounded by his own slip of tongue and change of heart. He hadn't wanted to sappy as he called it, and yet Maaya was slowly growing onto him. 

Sitting under a street lamp on a park bench, they enjoyed street food for a change. Little joys of life and Maaya's love for spicy Desi chaat was to blame. Nonetheless, they were enjoying the simplicity of this evening. Tall glass buildings glittered with street lights on the outside reflected the varying hues of the late evening sun creating a colorful pallet. Birds retreating to their homes caused a pleasant commotion in the otherwise busy city.

" Aisa ni lagta ye b humari tarah metro pakad k ghar bhaagne ki jaldi mei hain"Maaya mused, popping another Sev puri.

"But they don't have metro stations. They follow one another in large groups, streamlined, and they don't even know what their plans are for tomorrow. Let alone an entire midlife crisis or retirement plans" Arpan joked.

" Quite a delight you are. Mere cute se scenario ko depressing bna diya" Maaya pouted.

"What? Itti cute si kyu ho tum?" Arpan looked at Maaya with a serious expression as if contemplating his question, before breaking into a smile.

Maaya reached home late in the night, tired but happy. It had been a great day, she was seeing potential in her equation with Arpan. He was a nice person. Her career goals were now seeming in range for her to reach out and hold onto for real. Resting her eyes she drifted into a calm sleep. Practicing nidrayoga had been of immense help to her in the recent months, especially against nightmares and sleep paralysis.

Surrounded by a large crowd of former batchmates, Maaya found herself in a dream world of reunions, meeting and greeting each one of her old acquaintances.  Catching up with friends from different times of her life from childhood to present she saw everyone, like a collection of memories, except for one person that had gained immense prominence over the years instead of fading away like the others.

Mridul was not there in the crowd of memories and meet ups she was circling through one after another, making her restless. She could see everyone in different scenes, like moving frames of a collage. Yet, in her heart she was restless, and decided to pick her phone and call Mridul. Answering her call, Mridul made her smile. Requesting her to switch to videocall, Mridul asked her to show him the background so he could see where she was. Maaya followed his instructions, and before she knew it, she could see Mridul in her background slowly walking towards and getting closer to her. Overjoyed she turned around and hugged him, making him fall on the ground sideways with her. Laughing, they both get up, dusting off the grass blades off their clothes and laughing like five year olds. Shortly after, her dream sequence was disturbed by the mild sounds of nature emanating from her phone alarm.

Waking up in her bed, feeling truly refreshed and happy Maaya could not help but wonder why she was restless before she saw Mridul. 

Checking her phone, she found a Good morning text from Mridul. Apparently he too woke up a little too early for his schedule.