Why she heard him not.....

BETWEEN THEM
Part 21

Shriya walked in and greeted the woman there with a cheerful good afternoon....

"Hello Gauri.... Hows the place today? Again good business?"

Gauri gave a nod... She liked this soft-spoken, always-smiling, young lawyer....

There was something about this girl, with eyes that could speak....

Shriya stood by the service counter and leaned over....

"The usual...." she said....

Gauri had already started fixing it.... cafe au lait.....

The stronger it was.... the better for Shriya....

"Am not going to take it to my cabin.... Will have it here....."Shriya was feeling lonely that afternoon and all she wanted was someone to talk to.... not necessarily something to talk about...

"I met someone new here....."Gauri was starting off with her daily gossip....

"Hmm...."

"A young man in his mid twenties..... must be your age.... very handsome guy...."she winked at that.

Shriya was wondering why today the coffee seemed to have a better taste.... She only half heard Gauri....

"Hmm..."

"I was wondering.... Maybe you should meet him...."

Shriya burst out laughing... "Gauri... do you never give up? Just two weeks back you thought I can date that young software executive...."

"Well, you need to get a life....."

"I do have one and am real happy with it...."

Gauri sighed.... "In any case.... Even as I saw him... I could just think only of you.... The two of you walking together.... hand in hand....."

"You are getting crassly romantic...."

"His name is Shanker..... I could not ask more than that... because Gusto walked in right then with that sour stare...."

Shriya giggled.... Gusto was how they called the shop owner....

"Know what Gauri.... If you have really taken it in you that you must try and play matchmaker for me... can't you try to pair me up with Gusto...? My! He looks real real handsome.... sitting in that chair ramrod straight like an Egyptian.... with soulful eyes that have an even more soulful look..... Imagine me and him walking hand in hand... Romantic, what say?"

Gauri was horrified..."I really hope you don't say that next time.... No joking around.... Now get going.... Soulful look! Looks to me more like the look of a silly crocodile caught the wrong way up.."

"You are mean...."Shriya laughed as she paid her .....

"Well, someday Shriya, when you meet Shanker, you will wonder why you did not listen to me...."

"You seem to be really impressed....Let me hope then that I never meet him"

She waved Gauri a goodbye and walked out....

She liked Gauri's sister-like concern over her..... But fixing up for her was crazy.....

Shanker..... If only the guy had a different first name with the same last name....
She might have showed interest if he had been named Krish Shanker.....
She smiled....


So did Fate.... Far above....