"Coincidences mean you're on the right path!" ~ Simon Van Booy 💕

10th February 2020, 9:00 pm.

Currently waiting at the airport for my flight to arrive. I've checked in my luggage but I still don't know where I'm flying off to. Can you believe that? Dr Sharma assured me he would email me all the details, but I haven't received anything yet. When I spoke to him earlier today, he said he was busy with back to back surgeries but assured me he would send it as soon as possible.

My family were very unsure of this spontaneous decision of mine to work abroad for sometime. I have been abroad for work purposes before but I've given them enough notice to prepare themselves. This was very last minute so they were very hesitant but of course they would not stop me. They knew it would be a new experience for me. Mum has not stopped ringing me in the past two hours since I left to check up on me and see if everything is alright. Typical moms.

A chauffeur was sent to my house who accompanied me to the airport. Once my passport check was done, I was assisted by a worker who checked my luggage in for me and escorted me to the business class waiting room. I did not even receive my boarding pass. She assured me that my boarding pass will be shared with the flight crew, and I did not have to do anything but sit on that flight. She did not even tell me what plane I was boarding. I'm sat here cluelessly trying to figure out where I'm flying off to. This is ridiculous. Luckily, I packed both winter and summer clothes because god knows where I'm going to end up. I guess I'll only know once I board the flight. We started boarding the flight around 10pm as take off time was 11pm. The flight attendant checked my passport and immediately smile.

"Ah Doctor Murthy! I have your boarding pass right here." She said with a smile as she confirmed my details.

"May I have my boarding pass please?" I asked politely.

"Of course ma'am. We'll give it to you once you're in the flight." She replied with a big smile.

Whenever I saw flight attendants, they always had such a big smile which sometime made me question whether it was even real or a facade they had to put up. They could've broken up with their boyfriend prior to starting work and will still stand there with a big smile on their face.

"Why not now?" I questioned.

"We just need to cross check some other details but don't worry I will personally come and give it to you in the flight." She reassured me as she noted down my seat number for me.

"Okay, thank you!" I said as I took the piece of paper and headed inside.

Once I was inside, we were once again welcomed by some more flight attendants with their big smile. I started to search for my seat, and it was not so hard to find as it was quite close to the entrance. I took my coat off and put it in the overhead compartment and then made myself comfortable.

The past 24 hours have been so hectic that I did not even get a chance to message Manik. He's probably in New Zealand by now. The first thing I do when I get off this flight is ring him. It's not because I miss him or anything. I just don't want him to think I'm rude for not thanking him for the flowers. It was soon take off time so I adjusted my seat belt and prepared myself for take off. The doors had officially closed and everyone was instructed to remain in their seats. The pilot did his ritual welcome speech which I was not interested in at all, but one phrase caught my attention.

"This is your Emirates flight from Mumbai, India to Auckland, New Zealand."

New Zealand? What the fudge? What were the chances of this happening? There are over 190 countries in the world and I land up in the same place as Manik. God, is this a sign? I had mixed emotions running through me. I would be in the same country as Manik again. I would get to see him. However, am I really prepared to meet him so soon? I thought this trip would give me some time to gather my thoughts but that won't happen. Then again, Manik doesn't know I'm in New Zealand so I don't need to meet him. There you go, you're doing it again. You need to stop pushing yourself away from Manik. You have to give him a chance, remember? 

I was lost in my thoughts when I heard the air hostess speak. The flight had taken off now and it was safe to walk around.

"Thank you for agreeing to exchange your seat so that lady could sit with her husband and her child." She said as she gestured the man to his new seat.

I felt a man sit next to me but I paid no attention. I pulled my book out to start reading when I felt the man staring at me. I decided to ignore it but he carried on. I shut my book in irritation and proceeded to say something but before I could open my mouth he spoke.

"You're Nandini, right? Manik's friend?" He said softly. I turned to look at him and took a few moments to process his looks. He seemed very familiar, but who was he?

"Urm yes. I'm Nandini. How do you know me?" I questioned curiously.

"I've seen you at the parties with Manik and I think you attended a match once too." He said as he adjusted his seat belt.

"Yeah, I have and you are...." I said cluelessly.

"Bumrah, Jasprit Bumrah!" He introduced himself in James Bond style but let me tell you one thing, he absolutely sucked at the impersonation of the legend Bond.

"Right! Yes of course. I remember you!" I lied.

I admit I saw him around but I had no clue as to who he was or what his name was prior to this meeting.

"You don't know who I am, do you?" He said with a smirk.

"Honestly, no! I remember seeing you around at the parties but I can't remember who you are. I don't really watch cricket so I'm very oblivious. So what role do you play in the team then?" I replied honestly.

"Well I admire your honesty. It's fine you probably wouldn't know me anyway. I'm a masseur for team India." He replied as he adjusted his glasses on his face and pulled out a book.

"Nice!" I replied.

"You don't have to be so nice about it. I'm just a masseur. It's not like I'm the world's best bowler or anything." He replied with a sigh.

"Yes, but a masseur plays an important part in the team. They make sure the players are well relaxed and don't have any stressed muscles. That is important because you're more likely to get injured with stressed muscles." I said as the doctor in me came out.

"Yes Of course. 100% correct Doctor!" He replied with a smile.

"Hmmm by the way, what book are you reading?" I questioned.

"The Notebook!" He replied casually.

"Wow! You're into the romantic stuff?" I questioned.

"Yeah I guess! You're into Jane Austen I see?" He said with a smile.

"Yeah I quite like reading her novels. Not sure if I buy into her ideology of romance but she writes well!" I said as I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'll give Jane Austen a go! I have heard lots about her books but never really got a chance to read!" He replied.

"You should! You'll love it!" I exclaimed.

"I will for sure!" He replied.

"So why did you not go to New Zealand with the rest of the team?" I asked curiously.

"Oh it was my mum's birthday yesterday and I really wanted to spend the day with her so I'm going today instead. Why are you going to New Zealand?" He asked.

"Oh work related. I'm going for a short placement." I replied briefly.

To be honest, I didn't know the details of my placement so I couldn't tell him anything more.

"That's amazing. Does Manik know you're also going to New Zealand?" He asked.

"Urm no, it was very last minute!" I replied hesitantly.

"Well I'm sure Manik would be thrilled to see you in New Zealand." He replied chirpily.

"I'm sure he would!" I muttered under my breath.

He seems like Manik kaa chamcha! Urgh! There goes my plan of not informing Manik. In a way it's good, I can't run away from Manik. I promised di and Jiju that I would give him a chance.

The conversation between me and Jasprit ended after that. We were both very focused on our books to say anything. We occasionally exchanged a few words here and there but nothing more. I spent most of the time sleeping and reading.

By the time we landed it was past 11:30 pm New Zealand time. The 15 hour flight has shattered me. We collected our hand luggage and headed out. I was still with Bumrah until we went through the security check and collected the rest of our luggage. Once we had collected our luggage, we walked over to the arrivals gate. I was told there would be someone waiting there for me. When we reached there we saw a well dressed chauffeur holding a card which read "Doctor Nandini Murthy" and next to him was another man holding a card with the name "Jasprit Bumrah". They were both dressed similarly.

"Even our drivers are stood together!" I stated.

"Coincidence pai coincidence! Next thing you know, our hotels would probably be the same! Can you imagine that?" Bumrah said with a giggle.

"Yeah that would be funny!" I said sarcastically.

Is it hecks funny? It would be a mess because Manik would probably be in the same hotel too.

"Right, it was lovely seeing you Nandini! Hope to see you soon. I should get going now, I'm so tired. Take care!" He said.

"Hope to see you soon too! Bye!" I said as I waved him goodbye and walked towards the person waiting for me.

I mentally hoped I wouldn't see him soon because that would mean meeting Manik soon too. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to see Manik but with so much happening, I just wanted some time. The driver took my luggage and guided me towards the car. Once I was in the car, he informed me the hotel was an hour away so I took this opportunity to catch up on some sleep. I was woken up by the driver's voice informing me that we had reached the hotel. I gathered my things and walked out after thanking him. One of the workers helped me with my luggage and escorted me to the main reception where they checked my details and then handed me my keys. I was about to head towards my room when the receptionist called out to me.

"Just a minute Ma'am. This is a welcome gift for you from us." She replied with a smile as she handed me a bouquet of fresh pink and white flowers.

"Thank you! That's so sweet of you!" I replied with a smile.

I then turned to go towards my room when I bumped into someone.

"Tum?" The person said with surprise.

"Aap?" I said equally shocked.

Kya kismat hai meri? Kabhi saath hi nahi deti!

A/N: Chapter 27 updated! Hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry for the delay, I tried to update as soon as I could. ☺️