The next day I went to Chaaya's hospital for our appointment. She was waiting for me. And we greeted each other as usual.
"Have you ever fallen in love with someone at first sight?" I asked her. She didn't answer. I was thinking about Jenn. I could never forget our first meeting.
"My mom and dad were born in India. All my relatives were there whom I never met. My aunt planned to expand our business in India. After I stayed in Canada for 2 years as a CEO of Excellence corporation, my aunt sent me to India. We needed to find one software company which were very productive. So we had bidding. Aspiration Pvt LTD won the bidding and I inspected about that company and they were 100% productive. They finished all their projects before deadline. So I was okay to work with them. I had a meeting with Mr. Robert, CEO of Aspiration.
I went to his office and we were talking about the project and investment and profit. Someone opened the door. I didn't turn to see who was that. I thought it would be his assistant.
"Jenn, I told you many time that knock the door before you come inside. Robert said.
"Sorry Dad, I just wanted to" She was cut off by his assistant.
"Sir I told her you are having a meeting with Mr. Eric. But she said she wanted to meet Eric sir only and she didn't listen to me." He said.
I turned to look at the girl. She was in her school uniform. Blue skirt which was till her knees and Blue and white small checkered shirt. Her hair was tied in a tight ponytail. She walked towards us. She smiled looking at me. I have never seen someone with such an innocent smile. She would be 17 or 18 at that time.
"Dad, I finished my final exams. Where is my gift?" She asked.
"Jenn, Leave now. I will talk to you later." He said angrily.
"Ok. I will take your business partner out for 10 minutes." She said and turned towards me.
"Eric, Can you come with me for a moment please?" She asked innocently. I twitched my lips and asked "Why?".
"I was having coffee with my friends, when you entered the office. They gave me the task that I have to take you to that coffee shop." She blurted and looked at her father.
He was boiling in the rage because of his daughter's behavior. But he didn't know that I was enjoying it.
"Jenn, Get out now. We are having an important meeting. You are not a kid to play game. Sorry Mr. Eric, she is always like this" He literally shouted at her.
She pouted her lips at Robert and turned to leave. Her smile faded immediately and she became sad. I didn't know why, But I didn't like her sad face. I felt like I wanted to see her smile always. I held her hand. She turned to look at me.
"I will come with you" I said softly. She smiled immediately when she heard it.
"It's okay Mr. Eric. You don't have to do it. She is always". I did not allow him to finish his sentence.
"I need 15 minutes break Mr. Robert. I think I should take." I said this to Robert. But my eyes were glued on Jenn. She gave her best smile. I didn't leave her hand. I held it for the entire time. I didn't want to leave it first of all. I stood up and walked towards the door with Jenn.
"What will I get if I come with you?" I asked her when we came out from her dad's office. We went near to the lift. I was facing lift and she was facing me. She signalled me to come closer a bit. We had a huge height different. I didn't turn to her side but I just tilted my head slightly to match her height. She tiptoed to come to my level and kept her left hand on my shoulder for support. I saw her hand and then her face. I was not able to control my smile. she kept her right hand near to my right ear like she was gonna say some secret. I held her waist to support the way she stood.
"We have a bet for 1000 bucks. I have to take you there and make you buy a coffee for me. If I win I will get that 1000 bucks. We can have 50-50 share. I will pay for coffee also. If I tell this in front of dad, he will scold me" She whispered in my ear and pouted her lips.
I tilted my head to look at her.
"Am I worth for only 1000 bucks?" I asked her sarcastically. She shook her head from left to right to answer to my question. I smiled at her. She was such a cute and little girl. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to taste her pink lips. But She was just a school kid and I didn't want to scare her at our first meeting itself. I was staring at her face. She did the same. I tightened my grip around her waist. she kept her another hand also on my shoulder. And we were staring each other for a long time in that position. My gaze went from her eyes to her lips. She didn't move. I leaned a bit to kiss her when the lift came and she pushed me lightly and turned to get inside the lift.