After the Last goodbye (6).

 

Link to the previous part -

Previous Part.

***************************************************

Manasi stood under a huge Gulmohar tree, sipping water from the bottle. She had visited three vendors already, since morning. But as promised to Kripa she didn't want the trip to be unproductive. So even after not getting desirable outcome from the prior rendezvous, she decided to move on to the fourth vendor. The office of 'Clover Fabrics' was right opposite the Gulmohar tree. Manasi kept the bottle back in the car and carrying file and her bag she crossed the road.

Manasi reached the building and looked up. There were large glass panels with partially visible rolls of fabrics and neatly stacked bundles. At the entrance was a small canopy for shade. She went in. There were potted plants, palms, bamboo and snake plants, on either side of the pathway. She climbed the floor and found a clean, professional yet quietly stylish ambience. The interiors were not flashy, but seemed confident, like someone who knows their craft. She gave the receptionist her visiting card and asked if she could meet the authorised person. "Ma'am please be seated. I'll inform the boss", the receptionist walked away with her card. 

The four-leaf clover on the logo that was right behind the receptionist's desk caught Manasi's eye. "Clover Fabrics", she read it loud. 

"Sir is in a meeting, Ma'am can you wait? It'll take atleast 40-45 mins. I've kept your card on his desk with a note. He will attend to it when he goes back to his cabin. Is it alright?", the receptionist said.

Manasi was determined to finish this task so she agreed. "I'll take a stroll on the street downstairs. Give me a call when your boss is ready", she said and descended. "Cafe? No, not in a mood of coffee right now. Ummm, let me just take a stroll and look around", Manasi thought as she walked past the shops on the street. She came across a bakery and stood by the glass display watching the beautifully decorated cakes. 

"The beautiful clover aunty", she heard a familiar voice say. Manasi shifted her gaze from the cakes to the entrance of the bakery. She saw the same little girl dressed in blue uniform and two piggy tail ponnies. The same girl who had returned her car keys. This time the girl was accompanied by a lady. 

"Are you buying a cake for your birthday too?", the girl asked Manasi. 

"Actually, I'm just looking around. It is your birthday? Are you here to buy a cake?", Manasi's eyes twinkled as she spoke to girl. 

"Do you know her?', the lady asked the girl. "Don't talk to strangers", she whispered. "She is not stranger. She likes clover too", the girl gave a cute smile looking at Manasi.

Manasi's phone rang, "Yes, I'll be there", she said. "Bye -bye, I've to leave. Have some work", she told the little girl. The little girl waved a goodbye to her. The lady held the girl's hand and started walking. Manasi suddenly realised that she had left a brochure in the car. So she went to fetch it from the car. As Manasi locked the car, she saw the lady and the girl enter the 'Clover Fabrics' office. Manasi stood under the Gulmohar tree holding the file, brochure and her bag. 

Link to the next part -

*************************************************

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a fictional story. Resemblance of any sort in real life is purely coincedental.

If you like the story, comment and share, keep following for more!