Dear Ilhaam,

Thank you for your email. I am very impressed with your work and would like to request a meeting with you for further discussion on how we could work together.

I will be flying tonight, so is there any possibility of seeing you today (2 pm) at Second Chance cafe - Colombo 02 for a quick chat? Please let me know.

Kind Regards,
Zayan Umar
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Those are the first words my eyes read as soon as I wake up. It's an email from Mr.Perfect Jawline that has landed in my inbox at 6:05 am.

Honestly, what kind of normal human being writes emails so freaking early? This dude is weird! Also, why would he want to meet at a cafe to discuss business? Again, weird! And that too at Second Chance — wait, could this be a sign from God?

Okay calm down, Ilhaam! Calm down! It's just a work email and not a marriage proposal. I mean, it's not like I am daydreaming of or expecting anything like that. But I think I have developed a slight crush on him. Who wouldn't have a crush on a guy with a jawline like that, right? Anyway, I know it's just a crush — nothing big. Just the way how we look at celebrities on TV.

But you know what's strange? For some reason, I have this butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling after a very long time in my life. I mean, I didn't experience it at all after Sameer. So even the slightest feeling of that nature frightens me now. Could this be bad for my mental health? Should I contact Amer and talk about it? Nah, this is not worth his precious time and wise words.

Besides, this is a business opportunity for me. So, I should stop worrying and start thinking of Zayan as a prospective client. Then everything will be normal and fine. Focus, Ilhaam! Focus!

So, what do I reply? Do I say 'yes' or 'no'? It's not like I have anything urgent to deliver to other clients. I can definitely make time for a meeting. But the thing is, what if I sound too desperate, agreeing to meet him as soon as he suggested it?

Perhaps I should pretend like I am busy today and reschedule it for a different date. But what if this is one of those opportunities that Amer told me about? Maybe I should seize it when it's in front of me and not regret it once it's too late.

I mean, Zayan sounded like he had a genuine need when he spoke to me at the event last evening. So, if he is really interested in my work already and if I could manage to impress him at the meeting today too, there is a high chance of me acquiring another client and making more money. This is important. I better reply back. It's 9:15 am already.
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Hi Zayan,

Sure. We can meet at 2 pm today.

Cheers,
Ilhaam
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I send the email and read it over and over again, just to make sure the grammar and spellings are fine, when an email notification pops up on top of the screen. It is a reply from Zayan, "Great. Looking forward to it :)"

Wow! It hasn't been even a minute since I sent the email and he has already replied. Does this guy use email like we use WhatsApp? A real deal corporate guy or a super weirdo?

Now that I have sent the email, I need to mentally prepare myself for it. So far all my client meetings have gone well. But this one is going to be a little tough because of the number of times I might get distracted by the jawline. What if I start stammering like yesterday? I really hope I don't do that!

Also, my other concern is how are we going to pay the bill? Since I've never gone out with a guy before, I don't know how these things work. Even during Sameer times, I often used to wonder what I'd do someday when we actually meet. Unfortunately the whole relationship ended before I could get some experience.

Anyway, this is different from a romantic date. This is to do with client acquisition. So, even if I had prior experience with a dude, I would have still been confused. Let me think. Should we go for an equal split or should I wait for Zayan to make the move or should I simply pay it fully? Ugh! So annoying! I better figure it out once I go there.

I walk into Second Chance and notice Zayan standing near the counter and talking to one of the barista girls. He is all smiles. She is too. Must be flirting. Or perhaps both of them are extroverts enjoying unnecessary small talk. What do I care any way? I am going to nail this meeting and he is going to become my client. That's all what matters!

As I make my way to the counter to interrupt their sweet conversation, Zayan spots me and says, "Hey Ilhaam! Good to see you." I smile awkwardly and try to greet back but I find it difficult. I mean, just see him. Totally killing the look in his black t-shirt, tapered jeans and quiff haircut. And not to forget — the jawline too!

"Hey Zayan! Good to you see too" I finally manage to say with a smile. "Let's get you seated. How about this spot? You are okay with it?" asks Zayan pointing at a table close-by. Of course I don't mind any spot. This entire cafe is beautiful. "Sure" I say with a smile.

"What can I get for you?" asks Zayan. Okay, he is initiating the food conversation, so perhaps he is planning to pay. But that's going to be a little embarrassing. I must pay for what I eat. "Hello? You didn't tell me yet. You are just smiling" says Zayan interrupting my thoughts about the bill. Wait, what? Am I smiling like a fool? What a shame!

"Umm..I'd like a piece of chocolate cake" I say. The chocolate cake here is great! I've been craving for it since the day I came here with Naomi. "What else? Anything to drink? Coffee?" asks Zayan. "No, just this would do for now" I say with an awkward smile. This is not just hard. This is super hard! I feel so uncomfortable seated with a man all alone by myself in a crowd, even if it is for official purposes.

"Are you sure?" asks Zayan and I nod. Then he makes a hand gesture as if to summon one of the staff. When a girl walks upto our table, he says, "Nehara, can you get ma'am a piece of chocolate cake? And a black coffee for me, please." Wow he knows the names of these girls. Definitely a flirt! I mean, I've never bothered to ask for staff names when I walk into a cafe. Neither have I seen any of my friends do it.

"So, how can you help our business?" asks Zayan. I smile awkwardly and say, "You haven't even told me what your business is yet. I need to know that to discuss about my services." Damn, talking about work is good. I am not even stammering anymore. "Oops! I'm sorry. It's for the cafe. I should've told you earlier" he says.

Okay, what? Second Chance belongs to Zayan? This magnificent place? I have always wanted to do marketing for a food business. This is great! How did I not think of this possibility? Now, it makes perfect sense why he wanted to meet here and how he knows all the staff names.

"Wow! I didn't know this place was yours" I say. Zayan smiles and says, "It is. I opened it a year ago, and I had big plans for marketing, but somehow never did anything about it."

As we discuss about the social media plans, the chocolate cake and coffee arrives. "Please have it first. We can talk once you finish" says Zayan. "No, I can eat peacefully once I finish with work" I say and continue to type on my laptop." The truth is, I might feel awkward to eat in front of this guy. I generally feel uncomfortable eating in front of strangers. It's going to be worse with this dude. So, it's better that he is not around when I pig out on my cake.

"Do you have pages on FB and IG for the cafe already?" I ask. Zayan shakes his head and says, "No, you will have to start everything from scratch. I am not good with those, so never even tried."

"But terribly good on email, huh?" I ask with a chuckle. Zayan smiles and says, "Yeah, I told you I'm old-fashioned, right? Email is definitely my space." I smile and say, "Yeah, figured it. I guess that's your version of social media. How old are you anyway?" Okay, that was unnecessary. Why do I have to know my client's age?

"Almost a decade older than you are. Thirty-four" says Zayan with a smile. He still remembers my age from yesterday's speech. Isn't that cute? Also, 34 is not too old for social media. What's wrong with him? Could he be a serial-killer or something? What if I start working with him and he murders me some day? Scary! Anything is possible these days! Maybe I should get a few facts confirmed from Amer.

We continue to discuss the plan when Zayan says, "You will have to click the food pictures too. Just let me know when you would like to come for that. I will keep the staff informed." Wow! I love food photography! I can totally do that! "Sure, but then the charges might increase. Is that alright?" I ask. Zayan smiles and says, "That's fine. I am willing to pay any amount as long as the job is done perfectly. You work seems promising, especially what I saw on Amer's page."

I smile and ask, "Hey by the way, I wanted to ask you. How do you know Amer? You guys are friends?" Zayan rolls his eyes and says, "Well, not really friends. He was my therapist. Around two years back, my life was a complete mess due to a personal loss. That's when I met him. He is a good guy. He has helped me a great deal."

"Typical Amer saving everyone from breakup grief, huh?" I say with a smile. "More than a breakup in my case. It would've been easier if it was just a girlfriend that I lost. My loss was far bigger than that" says Zayan. What could be bigger than losing a girlfriend? I mean, Sameer was my biggest loss so far, right?

Oh my God! Is Mr.Perfect Jawline married? Is he divorced? Is his ex-wife the loss he is talking about? Can't believe I developed a crush on a married man! Cringe!

I just reply, "Oh" and Zayan says, "Actually, the breakup was kind of like the side reaction to the main scene." Alright, what is he trying to say now? Did he have a wife and a girlfriend? Maybe both of them dumped him at the same time. Very likely to happen in the life of a good-looking flirt. I've seen it in movies so many times.

"I didn't get you" I say, hoping for a full confession about his ugly love life. Zayan sighs and says, "Umm..two years ago, I lost my mother. And I was very very close to her. So, when this happened I couldn't function like a normal person. I had a girlfriend, who I completely started ignoring after this. She tried her best to keep the relationship going but I never gave her any attention. Not something that I did intentionally, but I just couldn't get myself to do it. So, she herself broke up with me. And that's when I started going for therapy sessions."

"Oh I'm sorry" I say. I never expected that. This conversation just turned emotional now. And what kind of girlfriend leaves someone she loves at a time he needs her the most? That's heartless!

"Nah, it's okay. Anyway, that's how even this cafe came into existence" he says. "What do you mean?" I ask. Zayan smiles and says, "It was Amer who suggested that I do something new to divert my attention. So, I started this cafe, and named it this way, because at that moment, I truly thought of it as my second chance in life."

"I've always looked at this cafe and wondered why it was named this way. And now I know the beautiful story behind it" I say with a smile. Zayan smiles too and asks me about my relationship with Amer. I give him a quick summary and mention how it helped me start my business, when he says, "So, you made it all on your own? Wow! All the more reasons to respect you! I wouldn't have done any of this, if not for privilege." I just smile. I feel proud of myself too.

Once we finish discussing all the details, including the payments, Zayan says, "Perfect! So, you can start working on it from tomorrow, right? Give me your WhatsApp number. I will drop you a message, so that you could contact me via it while I'm gone." Oh, can you believe it? Mr.Perfect Jawline just asked for my number! What is my life? A movie?

I share my number with him and ask, "Where are you going by the way?" He smiles and says, "Australia. I have to help dad with some business work of his. I'll be back in a week."

"Okay bring me some chocolates" I hear myself say. Oh my God! This is such an embarrassing brown family habit. Whenever someone says they are going abroad, we ask for chocolates as if we can't buy them in our own country. It's okay to say it to people you are close with. Why would I say it to someone I just met yesterday and that too, a client of mine? What the hell is wrong with me?

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