My name is Tara; singer, guitarist, member of a local band and obviously an Engineer because it's India .
I am 31 years old, almost there. Just another day to go.
It's been 5 years since I have joined this band called SoulStorm and life seems to be more at balance now more than it ever was.
Relationship status: Single
But never gonna be ready to mingle unless.....
Ah, well, I have a lot of crushes; celebrity crushes, college crushes, office crushes and especially the 'I would totally date this guy' kind of crushes.
Well, putting aside the weirdo that I am, I sure have some crazy friends, and a pretty cool job profile.
12 March 2020.
Friday Morning.
Best day of the week and perhaps the year.
Today at 4pm I am supposed to meet with Mr. Neal Subodh for a client meeting and take on this project on behalf of my company.
Neal Subodh.
My college time crush. I remember falling for him the day I saw him. I never had the courage to initiate a conversation with him. Unfortunately, he also had a girlfriend like so many of my crushes and once again my one-sided love story remained one sided itself.
Crushes on seniors are the worst because they leave college before you.
Ahhhh..... my long lost halflove.
But is this Neal Subodh that Neal Subodh?
Naah.
Maybe someone with the same name.
I am sure he is not.
I am pretty sure of my luck.
I leave and head over for the meeting.
5.30PM: CAFE BANCHETTA
Arriving before time is a usual habit of mine.
I sit there reading the pre-arrangement clauses of the deal set from my company's end just to be more prepared, when I look up and I get distracted by a figure entering the cafe.
He looks familiar.
Is he?
No chance!
I look at him more carefully and he looks like he is searching for someone when our eyes meet.
Holy crap!
Neal Subodh! I mean my crush Neal. It's that Neal!!
Oh my, even after 10 years he still looks so charming.
Wait! Did I just smile at him? And did he just smile back?
Surely, he doesn't remember me!
I feel like I am taken back in time.
I shrug off this cringy feeling and focus on my papers.
Focus Tara! Focus!
And that's when my phone rings.
Mr. Neal Subodh.
I look at Neal's direction he has already disappeared.
I pick the call.
" Hello, Mr. Subodh! "
" Hello, Miss Tara, I have already arrived at the location"
" Oh, I am here too, I am at the table near the glass door with this Christmas tree behind me," I say trying to see something that stands out around me to help Mr. Subodh locate me.
I look at Neal across the hallway of the cafe on call.
" Can you raise your hand, please? Just so that it's easy for me to locate you"
" Ye-Yes Mr. Subodh", I say as I raise my left hand.
" Mr. Subodh, I am across the hallway on your left. "
Neal turned.
It was him!
