A Story Of Someone Special

Vandana did not want to attend that seminar. Again a new seminar, for two days! And that too, at a small town like Ranchi! “I wouldn’t,” she said to herself.

On second thoughts, she packed her bags. There was no reason in particular to be excited and run away from home for an insignificant conference like this.

However, she was told by one of her assistants that a very promising economist, who had recently returned from Singapore was going to present a paper there.

Vandana was a leading Economist herself and headed a company having turnover of more than 100 Crores a year. She had toiled to reach this level by working for more than 20 years for this company, immediately after completing her M.A.in Economics at a prestigious college from Delhi.

Her only regret was that she could not overtake Ashutosh in topping the University results. But that did not deter her from making a glorious career in Mumbai’s finance world. Ashutosh had stopped mattering to her anymore. That chapter was closed for her.

She did not even know his whereabouts! How strangely they had separated! He had not waited for a day more to wish her goodbye! Whose fault it was?

Vandana was a strong girl. Instead of sitting and crying over a colourful past, she had focused on her career and due to her impressive resume, she had received many prestigious job offers, to soon find a lucrative job with hefty pay and opportunities to flourish!

As an icing on the cake, she had found a good husband in Vipul, who was the son of the owner of this company. Within a year of starting to work at Cambay, Luthra & Associtaes, she was married and settled in a picture-perfect way.

“Only if Vipul was around, I would have requested him to attend this !” Vandana sighed. It was difficult to manage everything single-handedly.

In fact, deadline for Vandana’s next project was glaring from round the corner.

In all the probability, Vandana had decided to cancel this trip. After instructing her secretary to remind about cancellation of her air tickets for Ranchi, something in her mind stirred.

Sonia came to her cabin in the afternoon. “Madam, Should I cancel your tickets for Ranchi? Instead, as you had suggested, I will book your Delhi tickets for day after?”

Vandana looked at Sonia blankly. Sonia could guess that when Madam was quiet with a blank look, she was most active mentally.

However, when Vandana replied to Sonia, it was quite unexpected. “Sonia, I have considered this. I might go to Delhi via Ranchi. So please book my flights accordingly.”

On one hand, Vandana was tired of unnecessary traveling. Besides, attending a conference would mean that she will have to prepare for a panel discussion which she would chair.

In fact, after Vipul’s sudden death, she had become cautious about not leaving a single business opportunity slip out of her hands. What if this would be one of those lucky ones?

 Sonia nodded, and saying “Okay Ma’am..will book accordingly..Thank you Ma’am“ left the cabin.

Whenever Vandana travelled, she found it difficult to relish hotel food. She never enjoyed the taste or type of food offered at new places.

Maybe it was different during her college days, when she would try every new food variety and opine as an expert on it. But it was all over now.

Inspite of all the reasons for not attending the conference, Vandana wondered why she was going ahead with this plan. “I am a positive thinker now “ She smiled at herself. “Neha will be pleased to know.”

After Vipul passed away, their daughter Neha used to make sure that Vandana was cheerful and happy, and often spent time with her mother by shopping together and day-spending inspite of her demanding architecture studies at Bangluru. She used to encourage Vandana, “Mom, You are a dynamic person. Now is the right time for you to make the best in your career. Dad would love to see you rule the Mumbai finance world! “

Next day, in the early morning, Vandana’s journey began. After changing two flights, Vandana finally reached Ranchi. She met many participants at Delhi and Ranchi airport. Some of them she knew personally, so attending the seminar was more like visiting a gathering in the known business circles.

Comfortable hotel stay was a pleasant surprise to Vandana. “Ma’am, chains of a lot of good hotels have come up here in the last two years. People prefer to enjoy the peace and quiet of Ranchi, and some guests also make a small vacation out of it!“ Manager Agarwal replied to her as she appreciated the hotel while checking in.

Along with the other participants, Vandana was looking forward to listen to the new Economist. But the VIP seemed to be eluding everyone as he was to arrive a day later, as per the announcement.

The seminar began and with the inaugural speeches and introductions, morning of the first day passed off well. After a few hours, Vandana found the subject getting very monotonous and repetitive.

She decided to resign herself for the day and participate in the next day’s discussion where she would be part of the Panel discussion on the current Economic scenario. She excused herself saying that she was not feeling well.

After relaxing for an hour in the hotel room, she decided to visit the town market. “I would rather do some shopping and buy traditional goodies for Neha.” She decided.

Ranchi market had ethnic textiles coming from Kolkata, and other local artifacts and souvenirs. After some interesting shopping, Vandana was in a good mood.

When she returned to the hotel, she was happy and humming an old Hindi movie song..”Kya yehi pyar hai..?”

Suddenly, as Vandana registered the song mentally, she was shocked at herself. It used to be her favourite song during college days. A flood of redundant memories rushed to her mind.

He always used to sing this song for her whenever they met in the college lawns!

“It’s over” Vandana told herself. “Those were beautiful memories.” She pretended to control her thoughts.

Soon it was already dinner time and the participants were requested to proceed towards the dining hall.  

Vandana entered the dining room with many of them, but somehow feared to approach the plethora of food spread on the tables.

Feeling restless, she decided to sit for some time.

Music was being played softly in the background, and the atmosphere was very relaxing.

After a few minutes, suddenly the instrumental music stopped, and the same song “Kya yehi pyar hai ?” started playing. Taken aback by the coincidence, Vandana looked around. 

She went to the RJ managing the music and asked, “This song is very beautiful! I am happy you are playing it !”

“Thank you Ma’am, It was suggested by one of the guests here.”

Vandana did not like this. Why should anyone else decide to play this song now? But she did not want to make a scene. Trying once again to brush aside her memories, she approached the food tables which were getting crowded with people filling up their plates.

As she looked at the food spread, she could not believe her eyes and exclaimed softly: “My favourite Manchow soup! I would have never imagined to find it here, of all the places! “ 

So the hotels in Ranchi do serve an imaginative and appetizing food! With a smile on her face, she picked up a cup full of helping of the soup and started eating.

It was Vandana’s usual habit to observe people keenly. She noticed a gentleman helping himself with the same soup, that she was excited about. Interestingly, he was wearing the same expressions of delight!

Vandana was curious. He looked familiar, but it was difficult to place him, wearing large glasses and a French beard. Which financial institution he can belong to? Vandana tried to remember.

As she filled her plate with the main course, the same gentleman approached her.

As a natural reflex, Vandana looked at his plate, and lo and behold! His plate had only noodles, something that she would always order first! Again her favorite!

Vandana smiled at him. and said “How amazing! You seem to be relishing this soup and noodles! That is my favourite too! “

He smiled. “Yes I do. “

Vandana invited him to join her on the table.

“Nice to meet you Madam. So how is the conference progressing?”

“It has nothing great to offer. Everyone talks about the same old hypothesis. No one wants to think out of the box or take risks.”

“Agree. It has been my experience that ONLY EXPERIENCE COUNTS. THEORY IS SECONDARY WHEN YOU GO OUT IN THE WORLD.”

Vandana was flabberghasted. How does this gentleman talk familiar words? She had heard this sentence at least 100 times from Him!

She wanted to know more about him. “Are you from Ranchi, Sir? “

“I belong to Patna. But my schooling was in Mumbai, and later college studies at Delhi.”

“That is wonderful, isn’t it? I also studied in Delhi. “

“I could tell. From the food that you seem to be relishing. One of my classmates used to adore this. I never liked Chinese food then..”

Vandana looked at him in surprise. “So you started eating after your college days?”

The gentleman nodded. Vandana felt a tinge of envy.

“I guess she was your girlfriend. How lucky that girl must be! Did you keep in touch with her?”

The gentleman dropped fork from his hand and suddenly held Vandana’s hand. “No, Vandana, I did not. Since I did not bid her Goodbye on the last day of college, I have decided to eat her favourite food, listen to her favourite music and thus remember her. ALWAYS. Even in Singapore. Finally, I meet her today.”

Vandana was speechless for a few moments. Then she put her hand on his and could only mutter “Ashutosh…!!