"Where are you idiot?"
"Currently at Celine! Want me to buy you anything" Arifa replies with 'duh' tone
"We are waiting for you Lauren! Get your ass here fast"
"I met his hero long back, you both discuss"
"You can't just ditch like this"
"Oh sweetie, I can" Arifa ends the calls strolling to find the things she has been looking for
"I am sorry, she is currently stuck in a meeting" Manara apologizes hesitatingly taking a seat
"Ryan informed that he had a talk with Ms. Lauren, it should be fine I guess"
"We will let you know once the botique is arranged and you are free to choose"
Arifa wanders all the branded shops carrying few shopping bags mindlessly stopping at a cafe to refresh her mind. Her mind is playing games with her after that short meeting and eyeing a dress which exactly looked like the young actor would prefer. Even though she doesn't know him properly yet , he is a public figure and every inch of fashion style is analyzed on daily basis. She managed to catch a few likings of the actor based on his dressing style.
A black turtle neck paired with navy blue coat and black slacks caught her attention which would go perfectly with the actor's likings. Arifa don't know why her mind wandered to the actor's clothing but pushed it away thinking he was the only one she spoke with today. Taking away her ordered fries and milkshake she relaxes herself on a single couch at the cafe
Bestfriends duo steal the spotlight again!
She squints her eyes to properly take a glance at the headlines on the TV screen. There are numerous pictures of many celebrities at the party movie launch which happened 2 days ago. Producers, directors, stylists, actresses and actors decorated the venue with their presence. Then comes 2 friends who entered just to shine. Kai Fernan and Ryan Hudson, 2 popular names among the crowd entered wearing dazzling black and chocolate suits respectively
Arifa can't seem to take her eyes off the duo and especially Ryan who looked stunning in that color which complimented his complexion perfectly. His under cut parted pitch black hair, back irises, tint of thin pink lips and defined jawline made her stare in awe. She never really paid attention even though she found his movies cool before but she had met him personally and happened to have a decent conversation with him this morning
Her trail of fantasies ended with a buzz in her bag
'Evening, Mom!'
// Ari, where are you ? //
'Are you okay? You are panting'
// We need you here Ari, you father met with an accident // her mom cries silently desperation filling in her voice
'When? Mom, mom please calm down. I am starting now, I will be there by night' she speaks biting back her own sobs
// Come fast, please //
'Where is Dan? Is he with you?'
// He is, Ari fast please //
'I am coming Mom, please stay strong. Love you'
She ends the calls running out of the cafe frantically driving back to the apartment trying to reach Manara
"Ari, calm down. What happened?" Manara comes out from the shower to see Arifa running around the house packing a bag
"Manu, dad-" she breaks down hugging her bestfriend tightly
"You are scaring me Ari, what happened?"
"He is in hospital, a hit and run"
"Oh God! I will come with you, you are not travelling alone in this state"
"N-no, stay here. I will call you if there's any emergency, please. We have so much going on and can't slow down in this moment. I will update you Manu, please" Arifa pleads pulling her bag outside
"Okay but take care. Call me right after you reach. He will be fine Ari, be strong" she hugs her friend as the car drives away right after
~ A week later ~
// Good morning, Ms. Keitje //
'Morning'
// Is it fine to visit the botique today Miss? //
Then it hits her, they completely forgot about the particular order requested by the actor a week ago
'I am so sorry Mr. Carter. The situations are bad I couldn't contact you. Will you mind giving us 3 days more?'
// It's been a week already and this is not what we expected! //
'I am so sorr-' she gets cut off when a new voice speaks on the other side
// It's completely fine Ms. Keitje. It's for my personal need and not for any shoot, it can wait but is everything okay? //
She contemplates for a moment on telling the truth or coming up with some excuse but the actor sounded really concerned and revealing the truth shouldn't hurt much right? They can have friendly relationship other than actor thinking they delayed for some lame excuse
'Arifa's out of station currently and she is not in a position to work from there'
// Is she fine? Sorry for dwelling so much //
'Her father met with an accident last week, a pretty bad one. So, she might not return right now. I can talk to her and arrange the botique with in 3 days if that's fine with you'
// I am so sorry. As I said it can wait Ms. Keitje. Be strong //
'Thank you Mr. Ryan '
Arifa lazily strolls outside the hospital praying for her father to get back home soon. Her mother has gone completely crazy after the incident. Her father is just fine with 3 broken ribs, a broken ankle, broken elbow and a concussion. She needs time to process everything that happened in the past week. A call distracts her and she picks it up guessing it's Manara but the voice startles her
// Hello! //
'Evening Ryan. How are you doing?'
// I should be the one asking that. Is everything fine? //
'Sort of but I will get over it'
// I just wanted to check and my apologies if I invaded your privacy //
'I highly appreciate your reach out Ryan. I needed it'
// How's your father? //
'He is doing pretty good with a few broken bones, out of danger though'
her voice wavers off at the end as her mom's crying and her father laying lifeless crosses her mind
// Don't beat yourself up! He will be fit and fine in no time //
'Did you by chance know my father Mr. Actor?' she smiles a little at the latter's weird voice
// It's our 3rd conversation designer. I am just wishing you good //
'Thanks for the concern Ryan and sorry for the delay of your outfit'
// I spoke to Ms. Keitje, it's okay //
'I need to assist my mom. See you after returning, Thanks again'
// Have a good day Ms. Gorgeous //
He ends the call leaving her smiling and a bit of relief washes over her as a person who is so busy took time to comfort her. She is happy as she got a new friend whom she thinks she can talk to a little bit openly after today