The Cancelled Meeting

Rishi was quite happy. He was beaming with joy as he looked at the photograph of his beloved Saniya. She just had the spark to make any male fall in love, indeed she was beautiful; well that was what he felt, though she didn't consider herself as beautiful as he praised her often. She was not only in possession of a beautiful physical appearance but her thoughts and mind too was an harbinger of happiness. 

It was just three more days and he would finally get to meet her on Wednesday. Rishi excitedly opened his wardrobe and picked up the t-shirts and trousers. He thoughtfully picked up the colours she loved to see him in - mustard yellow, olive green, maroon, blue. After all he wanted to look dashingly handsome in front of her. She had always praised his looks and it would be the best time to make her fall in love with him all over again. 

Rishi's reminder started beaming, oh he has an appointment at GenNext Spa at 5pm today. He quickly took his car keys and rushed to the parking;  he just had fifteen minutes in hand. Rishi was worried if not today then he would have no time for a funky haircut, facial massage and spa. As he drove the car, Rishi quickly made a phone call and told the receptionist at the spa that he was on his way and could be late by a few minutes and that they must keep things ready. 

While Rishi drove the car, he turned on the FM; he didn't like driving alone. Soon the song Aaj unse pehli mulakat hogi started reverberating in the air. Rishi was smiling as he drove to the Spa. As he relaxed on the recliner he soon fell asleep. He started dreaming of the first ever meeting he would have with his beloved and her family. Indeed it would be a unique experience which he would like to cherish it for a lifetime. 

As Rishi drove back home he collected some essentials he would require during the trip from the nearby departmental store. He bought a cologne with an exquisite fragnance which he knew Saniya would love smelling. He wanted to carry her off the feet not just by his looks and etiquettes but by smelling really good that she crave for his company lifelong.

Finally, after reaching home, he had a quick dinner prepared by his cook and had a long video chat with Saniya. It was the time both looked forward to after long hectic days at work. For Rishi - an eligible bachelor living alone in Noida, away from his parents in Raipur the video calls are the only means to stay connected to all his loved ones. 

The next morning as Rishi woke up and tuned to the television channel in the morning, he saw a news flash on the wide screen; the government has announced a lockdown in the wake of the terror spread by the contagious COVID 19. Rishi kept on watching the news for over an hour, everything around him went blank. He heard it again and again, the airports, railway stations, hotels, malls, offices, educational institutions almost everything around him will be closed from tomorrow. 

Rishi felt a sudden ache on his heart, so, this time too he won't be able to meet Saniya. Earlier it got postponed due to CAA protests and subsequent curfew in various parts of the country. He had been waiting for this day for months. He had applied for a week's leave in advance, booked the flight tickets almost three months back. The hotel had been booked and infact he made the complete payment of the amount required for his stay. He booked a cab via a travelling agency for visiting certain places with Saniya, but what would he do now. How would he meet his lady love? What about his dreams of making the first meeting a special one? 

Rishi felt heartbroken, it was as if the world would come to an end for him. Beep! a message appeared on the screen of his cellphone. Rishi half-heartedly opened it. It was a message from the airlines that his ticket was cancelled and that they have initiated a refund. Rishi kept on looking at the screen for a long time wondering what to do next!!