Meeting Again - 75 Missing

“You met with CEO’s mother?” Tanya screamed in shock

“Sssshhhh not so loud!” I said looking around to see if there was anyone. It had been two days since I met Mrs. Walker. The meeting was such a memorable one that I couldn’t help sharing it with Tanya. But she got overly excited over the news.

“Ooopppsss sorry! I got really excited!” Tanya said, switching on her dough mixer. She gave a mischievous smile to me and said, “So, when am I receiving the wedding invitation?”

I was taking the stock count and filling the ordering form on the number of stock that I need to order. I stopped writing hearing her and said with a sigh, “I went to meet Mrs. Walker not have a marriage discussion!”

“Same thing!” she shrugged and checked the dough.

“It’s not the same. I and Robbie still have lot of things to figure out. We need more time, more like I need it” I said walking to the cold storage.

Tanya came behind me and said thoughtfully, “Are you still angry on Robbie for abandoning you?”

I turned the heavy handle of the steel door and walked into the chilly room. The room was so cold that my feet and hand seemed to freeze the moment I entered. I started going through the material as I said,

“Well it is not something you can forget within a month. But that’s not the only thing!”

“I guess your right. Well, it is better if you both take your time and resolve your issues. If kept suppressed, they only come back later to haunt!” Tanya said, wisely as she pulled out a large bag full of butter cubes.

“Ahhh now Tanya is old enough to advice me” I laughed, running my fingers through the stock.

“Can’t be a kid forever!” Tanya replied, sticking her tongue out. She started pouring the butter cubes in a clay bowl saying, “But I can’t help feeling sorry for Fred!”

That was a sensitive subject. I really didn’t wanna touch upon it. I have always felt very sorry towards Fred for not being able to return his feelings. I can only hope he will move forward. He is still young, he shouldn’t waste his time chasing me.

“I wonder why you never felt anything for him. Such sincerity is hard to come by!” Tanya said as she picked up the clay bowl and walked out

She isn’t the only one who have thought about it. I have wondered the same thing too. But I can only conclude that maybe, we were just not meant to be.

During the lunch break, I sat in my office feeling exhausted. Running from Garnish to Timepass and to Hot N Sour completely drains my energy. Who said that higher posts are easy jobs. It has such a mental pressure and you are responsible for every mistake your subordinate makes.

I stretched my hands and shoulder before starting to search the net for some information on tutoring services around my area. Twen’s exams were round the corner. He isn’t particularly bad at his studies but recently he had been facing trouble with maths and history. I don’t know why a second grader’s study pressure would be this high, but recently the difficulty level of subjects are increasing and he is finding it hard to cope. Since, am not at home to help him out, so I thought I could get him some tutoring to help. Hopefully it doesn’t adds to his pressure.

I was midway in search when my cell phone rang. I didn’t see the Caller ID and picked up straight off.

“Yes” I said, ticking off two services which were pretty budgeted and have good reviews.

“Busy?” came Robbie’s deep smooth voice

I stopped searching and held my phone properly, “Not really. I just wanted to put Twen for tutoring, so I was looking for some tutoring services”

“Why?” Robbie asked, concerned, “Are his grades falling?”

“No, but the difficulty level is increasing. I am worried that he might not be able to cope with it” I said leaning back on my chair

“Wouldn’t that be an extra pressure? School and then tutors? He is only a second grader. Relax!” Robbie said, chuckling softly

“I don’t want him to slack in his studies. Anyways, how did your meeting go?” I asked, changing the subject.

“We just finished. In the evening dinner meet, we will have our planning board introduce themselves and discuss the future plans on this merger” Robbie said, sighing in a slight relief, “I just can’t wait it to finish”

I spoke a little sternly, “Don’t slack on your duty. Just one more evening and your jobs done”

“Nah not slacking. Just it is tiring to keep a smile plastered on your face” Robbie said, exhaustedly

I chuckled and was about to say something when I heard a woman’s voice saying, “Mr. Walker, Mr. Mandes is waiting for you to sign the contract” followed by Robbie’s voice, “Tell them I’ll be there in a minute, Jane”

“Lets talk at night. You are busy” I said, the moment I heard the girl’s voice say “Yes”

“Yeah” Robbie agreed but then said in a flirty voice, “Hey, give me kiss for success”

I rolled my eyes, looked at the cellphone and forwarded a kissing emoji message and said,

“Sent! Wish you luck!”

There was a short pause and then Robbie’s falsely agitated voice came, “Hey that’s cheating!”

“Bye. Good luck!” And I hung the phone.

Unintentionally, my lips upturned into a smile. He has changed a lot but this kiddish side of his didn’t go. It somehow makes me nostalgic. I looked at the computer screen and saw that it was nearly the end of my lunch and I wrapped up my search.

*****

I walked to the parking area, pulling out my car keys. It was a relief that my work ended. Ever since the winters hit, the traffic in the resort had been maddening. Getting off the job was the most satisfying nowadays due to the immense pressure. The moment I sat on my car, did my cell phone rang. Had Robbie put a camera on me? How can he know I am off my work now? And didn’t he say, that he had a meeting in the evening?

But I pulled out my phone to see Sam’s name. I picked it up wondering if he was not able to pick Twen today. I was just going to ask what happened when Sam’s anxious and urgent voice rang out from the phone,

“Tony did you pick Twen up?”

I blinked in surprise. I asked immediately, ” No, I didn’t. What happened?”

“Tony” Sam’s scared voice sounded giving me a premonition, “Tony, I can’t find Twen anywhere around the school!”