Trisha couldn’t get the conversation with her cousins out of her head. How could she find her sparkle back? It was easier said than done. She knew she would not find it if she cooped herself up in the house and emerged to work. “You need to do something, Trisha. Something that can bring back the sparkle you are missing.” She said to herself.
Since it was a beautiful day, Trisha decided to sit on her terrace. She left work on time and was now surfing the internet, trying to figure out how to find her sparkle back. She had written all the options down and was now staring at her screen. She read out loud:
– Resign and travel the world for a year
– Stay at an ashram in India
– A walking holiday through the French Pyrenees
– A road trip through America
– Climbing the Kilimanjaro
– Take a city trip to a European destination like London or Paris.
Trisha put her laptop on the coffee table and made herself comfortable. She looked at the list and decided to take the least adventurous one, a city trip to London.
“No need to take giant steps, Trisha. Take it slow,” she said, trying to convince herself.
#
Trisha handed Andy the files she was working on. “You can call me if anything comes up.”
Andy looked at her. “As a boss, I demand you get your bag and leave. I don’t want to see or hear from you till your holiday is over.” Andy looked at her with a serious expression on his face. “How do I sound like a real boss, don’t I?”
“Do I really have to answer that? I just wanted to tell you about that …”
Andy held his hand up. “Now go and leave me alone. I can manage without you. Although you think I can’t. It is summer; business is slow, so go and enjoy Trisha. You deserve it. Enjoy your holiday. Have some wine, meet some new people, and get… Well, I better not say it before you sue me.”
“Thank you, Andy, this means a lot to me.” She gathered her belongings, said goodbye to Andy, and walked out the door. The weather was sunny, and she wondered how the weather in London would be.
She saw a familiar face waving at her as she walked towards the metro. She couldn’t believe her eyes. What was Karan doing here? Was he now stalking her?
“What a coincidence, Trisha, to see you here?” He raised his eyebrows. “You look lovely as always. Those heels really add at least 10 cm to your height.” He took a step back. “You look good. Have you lost weight?” He looked curious at Trisha.
Trisha forced a smile. “Karan, I have to go. ”She paused, then blurted out. “I have a date”. Trisha noticed the surprised look on Karan’s face.
“You are going on a date?” He said as if he couldn’t believe what Trisha was saying. “Does this date have a name? I…I want to make sure that you are safe.” He said in a jealous voice, wanting to sound confident.
“Yes, Karan. I am going on a date, and yes, this date has a name.” Trisha rolled her eyes. “Karan, you have your life, and I have mine. That is what happens when people separate. Now, if you will excuse me.”
“So what did you say his name was again?” Jealousy had now overtaken his voice.
Trisha sighed deeply and walked past Karan without saying a word when Karan grabbed her wrist. “Please, Trisha, don’t date another man. The thought of you going on a date with another man, I cannot bear it.”
Trisha’s eyes filled with anger, and she pulled her wrist from his hand. “Don’t you dare to touch me again, Karan! Get your act together, Karan, and move on! And leave me alone!” She walked as fast as she could to the metro, not looking back.
Trisha had managed to get a seat on the metro. She watched the people going off and on the train when her phone started to ring. She took her phone out of her purse. It was Karan. She declined the call and blocked his number. How could she find her sparkle when Karan didn’t leave her alone?