Here was the time to start fresh again. Though it's not the perfect time, yet again I am on my way to start living my life. For years I had made other's life my priority and in the end, I was left alone.
I always wanted to open a restaurant and this was the right time for me to give it a go. I packed my bag in the evening, booked tickets, and ready for Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh, India).
The bus came right on time at the pickup location and as soon as I boarded the bus I plugged in my earphones and slept.
The morning was beautiful with the fresh air of Himalayan valley alarming a regency to my unhealthy obsession with my thoughts. I was ready to act over this alarm now.
ring ring ring....(Phone beeps)
I checked my phone and it was Ritu's Father.
Hello uncle, everything's alright! - I said
Hello...are wah beta itni jaldi papa se uncle bna dia (so swiftly you switched to calling me uncle from papa) - (Ritu's Father)
It's not that I have anything against you, it's just me and Ritu are not together anymore. It's been more than a year now and I don't think there is anything left between us.
we don't respect each other and anyway, I got to know a few days back that she is dating someone. - I said
So, let me guess! You don't wanna be with her anymore because she is dating someone and that means you don't want her to date anyone other than you.
Believe me beta, You still love her.
Son, I am not asking you to remarry her because I am concerned about my daughter, I am concerned about both of you. I have always treated you too equally. Hopefully, You guys will make the right decision. - Ritu's Father
Right, I understand everything but you have to look at everything from the way I view it and probably, then you will understand how does being a 37 years old divorcee feels like in everyday life.
I waited enough, pleaded, begged, and in some cases even threatened to keep my family together but sorry to say that I failed miserably. Now, I am gonna fix my life my way. - I said
If that's what you think will make you happy, then I will not stop you. Still, you can call me papa if you want. Take care son - Ritu's Father
Bye - I said
like I said, the morning was beautiful and I didn't want to waste my time thinking about something I had no control on. I called Arpit, the guy who was going to show me a few locations, he asked me to meet at X. I dumped my luggage to the hotel and Went out in search of the perfect location for my restaurant.
Of course, I wanted it to be in a prime location, I also wanted it to have a beautiful view. After hustling all day, I shortlisted two locations.
I was about to sleep and I got a call from Viraj. He gave me some new contacts to find the location and staff.
Viraj is my cousin. He will always be there to help.
Literally, he knows a lot of people. I guess that's what being a politician brings.
The next day, I found exactly what I was looking for. I locked the deal and got the keys. In the meantime, Arpit had managed to get the kitchen equipments. He also promised me that the staff as instructed will be available at my disposal from Monday.
After setting up the restaurant with the help of Arpit and Babu, another guy who is going to help me in the kitchen from now, we sat outside where Babu served us his specialty, Seafood Biryani. The food was mind-boggling. I was really excited to start a new chapter in my not so old life.
Please let me know if you need any help - Arpit said
I smiled thankfully as we said bye and I rushed back to the hotel. I was really tired after a long day. I finished my dinner and slept.
ring ring ring (Doorbell rings)
I woke up and opened the door. Arpit had sent a guy who can show me a few houses new my restaurant's location.
Can you give me half an hour and I will get ready? - I said
Sure, I will be in the lobby - he said
In another 20 minutes, I was out in the lobby with my luggage.
I kept my luggage in the restaurant and we went out on a house hunt and we could shortlist a few after hustling the whole day. Quickly, I finalized the house which was nearest to my restaurant.
By evening I had shifted to a new place and I was really happy about it. More than anything else, I was feeling this joy of being my own priority. I had started to feel real rather than fading in my own thoughts of what could have been done differently.
I had two days left to put everything together and come up with a name for my restaurant. Now was the time to grab a beer and relax for a bit.
I found a pub near my house and went there.
Do you have wifi? - I said as I ordered a beer
Yes sir. I will just give you- Bartender said
You know, Wifi is really important in today's life. It's funny how we are bound by these technologies that sometimes we forget to appreciate life beyond wifi.
In a few minutes, I had my brewed beer with complimentary wifi on the table. Life was good now. I ran away from all that heat to soak the cold in this picturesque hill town.
Sometimes I question myself If I am running the right way away from my past. But do I really need to be running away?
Nah! I am too worthy to carry the burden of my past. I need to let it go and so will I.
I am ready to Start Fresh Again. Cheers!!!