June 13 2022

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun was shining at New Delhi and the streets were busy, There was a restaurant where the place wasn't so crowded but a good few people were around, Anne was seen sitting by the table, fixing her outfit while looking around, Charlie was supposed to meet him for lunch today and neither of their parents knew about this.

Anne continued looking at the customers and waiters that were rushing to give orders. Winters took a deep breath, feeling nervous about this hangout, She hoped it was gonna go well.

That's when she heard footsteps and turned around and saw Charlie entering the restaurant, looking around before he saw Anne and quickly walked towards her. She smiled at him as he quickly took his seat.

Anne: You're late.

Charlie: *Takes a deep breath* I know, I know. One aunty asked for help with bags.

Anne: *Smiles* You really can't say no to anyone, can you?

Charlie: I'm always happy to help people. She looked like my mother as well.

She chuckled, finding it sweet as Charlie was still smiling, his hair a little messy from the rush, Which she found adorable.

Anne: You look like you ran a marathon.

Charlie: Maybe small one. You wait long?

Anne: A bit. But it's fine.

Charlie: *Smiles* I'm sorry.

Anne: Oh please, Don't say sorry. You just wanted to help someone.

She smiled, fixing her hair as Charlie nodded, smiling at her again. He looked at her face before noticing the dress she was wearing. He wanted to say something but blushed and didn't speak a word, Winters noticed him and tilted her head.

Anne: What's with the red face?

Charlie: Umm. . . . You look beautiful.

Anne's heart skipped a beat as he looked away, blushing while laughing quietly. Winters blushed as well, giggling.

Anne: Aww thank you, Charlie. You look great.

Charlie: Great? Not handsome?

Anne: *Smirks* Maybe both.

They shared a laugh together as the waiter walked towards them, asking for their order and they ordered what they wanted, The waiter nodded and walked away as Charlie was tapping on the table, thinking of a conversation starter before he asked a question.

Charlie: So. . . You pick this place. Why here?

Anne: *Giggles* I liked the flowers by the window. You can smell the jasmine from the shop next door.

Charlie: Yaar, Always flowers. You and them like friends.

Anne: They make me happy. They remind me that the world can be beautiful if you just stop long enough to notice.

Charlie tilted his head slightly, watching her as she smiled.

Charlie: You talk like poet.

Anne: Maybe just someone who likes pretty things.

Charlie: And I think you're one of them.

She looked at him, surprised and blushed, Anne took a sip of water before laughing as Singh stared at her face, smiling at her reaction.

Anne: That's. . . very smooth, Charlie. Since when are you so charming?

Charlie: Since you start calling me "Charlie" Before that, I am only Chandramohan. Too serious.

Anne: *Giggles* But you're still shy, Yet charming.

Charlie: *Chuckles* I can do both.

Both of them shared a laugh as they continued talking to each other, shifting the conversation, Soon, Their food arrived, and the conversation shifted. She told him about her life back home as he listened intently, focusing on her words as they were eating. He cracked a few jokes that made her laugh and he smiled, feeling proud of himself.

Anne: Anyways, Charlie. Talk about yourself, What do you wanna be when you get older?

He was quiet for a moment, almost like he hesitated to answer the question but started speaking anyway.

Charlie: I want to open a company. Security one. Protect people, give jobs too. But my family. . . they want construction.

Anne frowned and noticed he looked disappointed. It was his dream and his family isn't allowing him to achieve it.

Anne: That's not fair. It's your life.

Charlie: *Shrugs* Hard to change old mind. But I will try. Slowly.

Anne: You should, You have that spark. . .

He looked at her with surprise, his eyes softened as Anne gave a smile to him.

Charlie: Really?

Anne: Yes. . . You have a heart, Charlie. I can tell.

His heart skipped a beat as he looked at his food, thinking about her words before looking up to her again. She believed he should follow his dreams instead of stepping back for his family.

Charlie: Thank you, Anne. . . I'll think about it.

Anne: *Smiles* No problem at all.

Charlie: *Smiles* Wait here.

He suddenly got up as Anne looked at him in confusion and was about to ask where he was going, He didn't even finish his plate yet. Charlie walked away as Winters sat and continued eating her food, thinking about Charlie. Just a minute later, He returned to the table, holding a small jasmine garland. Anne looked at him with shock as he smiled, giving it to her.

Charlie: Because you love flowers.

Anne: I. . . Oh my gosh. . . Thank you.

She was speechless and had a huge smile on her face, The faint scent of jasmine hitting her nose. Charlie had a huge smile on his face and took his seat, looking at the flower and looked back at her.

This wasn't just a friendly lunch. . .

This was the beginning of something

~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback End~~~~~~~~~~~

Anne was seen driving through the road, The traffic wasn't so heavy today. She looked at cars in silence, thinking about her first date with Charlie back in New Delhi. It brought a faint smile on her face, especially how he brought a jasmine garland just for her. She chuckled at the memory before her smile slowly faded away.

She rarely thinks about him.

Or she does. . . But tries to push it away.

Since he returned to her life again, She's thinking about him a bit too much. Her anger started to fade, But it didn't mean things were fixed. She needed some time to start talking to him again, But her kids? They already love talking to him.

Of course, She couldn't push him away now that her kids enjoy being around him, But Anne knew sooner then later, She needed to tell them the truth about him. . . Especially to Anya.

Her thoughts continued to roam until she saw multiple police officers patrolling the streets as Anne looked at them, It was just the usual patrol around the street. But she kept looking around and wondered. . . Was he there?

She looked around until she spotted him, Her eyes lit up and saw Charlie, fixing his jacket while glaring at an Officer. Winters opened the window and stared quietly while Alex was behind him, covering his mouth.

Charlie: *Stares* You left the patrol car where, Officer?

Officer: Uh. . . At the donut shop on Alder Street, sir.

Charlie: At the donut shop!?!?

Officer: I-I was hungry, sir! I just wanted to grab a quick bite and coffee-

Charlie: You left the patrol car running with the lights still on because you needed a snack!?

Officer: (earnestly) I parked it safely! I even put the hazard lights on!

Charlie: Oh, congratulations! You've just invented the world's first Donut emergency vehicle!

Alex immediately burst out laughing, turning away to hide his face as Anne was watching the scene, holding her laughter.

Officer: Sir, people were staring-

Charlie: What were you investigating? The mystery of disappearing sprinkles!?

Anne bit her lip, struggling not to laugh while Alex continued laughing at what was going on while the officer looked at the ground with shame as Charlie groaned, fixing his hair.

Charlie: Listen to me! Next time you want coffee, you call for a break, you don't turn my patrol car into a delivery car for Dunkin Donuts, Understood!?

Officer: Y-Yes sir! It won't happen again!

The young man ran to the patrol car, trying to avoid any more embarrassment as Alex laughed, Charlie sighed in annoyance before shaking his head

Charlie: Ajeeb banda hai yeh. . . Dimagh toh lagta hai chhutti pe gaya tha (What a strange guy. . . His brain must've taken a vacation today)

Alex: *Laughs* That was amazing.

Charlie: You thought this was a comedy show?

Alex: It felt like one, Besides, He's the new guy we recruited last week.

Charlie: Him!? Nobody told me he gets hungry too fast.

Alex: *Laughs* Don't worry, I'm sure he won't do it again.

Charlie rolled his eyes before laughing to himself as Anne laughed to herself, enjoying what she just witnessed.

( Oh Charlie, You never really changed. )

She realised she was staring at him, A little longer than she should. Anne was about to drive away but. . . Something was stopping her from leaving. Winters looked at him again as he was talking to the other officers, guiding them where to patrol next. . . She wanted to speak to him.

( Should I just. . . Speak to him? )

Alex said something to him which made him smile and pat his partner's shoulder, Winters looked at him, smirking a little by his smile. . . He always had the same smile, The one who gave her flowers back then, The one who tried so hard to speak English just to make her laugh. The one who once told her he'd build something of his own someday.

And now. . . Here he was, He became someone respected and strong. Even though he didn't achieve what he wanted to do.

Anne looked at him as the wind breezed to her face, Her heart was beating a little faster than before. . .

( He broke your heart, I never wanted to speak or see him again in my life. . . But why?. . . What's pulling me towards him? )

She looked away, shutting her eyes for a moment.

( Come on Anne. . . It's been nineteen years. . . Don't keep a grudge. I changed, He changed. . . My kids are grown up, I shouldn't be like this. . . )

She was conflicted now, A part of her wanted to leave. . . But another part of her wanted to talk to him. That's when she took a deep breath, pulling the car and parked.

(Just one conversation, Anne. . . That's all)

She got out of the car, looking at him again before walking towards him. Charlie was looking at cars in front of him while Alex was talking to one of the officers, Anne slowly approached Singh, feeling nervous at first before clearing her throat.

Anne: Charlie.

He turned around, Seeing Anne in front of him as his heart skipped a beat and took off his glasses, staring at her. She had a neutral look on her face. But Charlie was shocked to see her again. . .

Charlie: Anne?. . .Uh hi.

Anne: You're busy, Aren't you?

He looked around before shrugging, smiling awkwardly.

Charlie: Uh well, What do you think?

Anne: *Nods* I can tell. . . . Can you spare a few minutes with me?. . . We can talk at the cafe.

He looked at her with surprise. . . Trying to process if he heard what she said correctly. He looked at the cafe before looking back at her, His heart continued beating fast.

Charlie: You sure about that? I mean. . . it's been a long time.

Anne: I'm sure.

Her tone was gentle but firm, Charlie looked at her, hesitating for a moment before putting his glasses back on.

Charlie: Alright. . . Can you wait ten minutes? Just need to patrol.

Anne: Of course, I'll be waiting.

She walked away as Charlie nodded and began looking at her, This wasn't going to be easy. . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later on, Charlie entered the cafe, fixing his jacket. He told Alex to handle the rest of the police patrol as Singh was looking for Anne, He noticed she was sitting in silence as his heart skipped a beat. . . Charlie walked towards her as she looked at him before he took his seat. Both of them looked at each other in silence.

Charlie: You. . . actually waited. Thought you'd change your mind halfway.

Anne: I almost did.

He smiled faintly before laughing quietly.

Charlie: Acha, I wouldn't blame you if you did.

Anne tilted her head, smirking a little as Charlie looked at her.

Anne: You're early. You usually take your time.

Charlie: Can't keep a lady waiting, I already did it once and regretted it.

Anne: *Chuckles* You're learning

He leaned back in his seat, studying her carefully. She looked tired, maybe even a little guarded, but there was something gentler about her now compared to their last few encounter. The anger that once flared on her eyes wasn't there anymore, replaced instead by something quiet and uncertain.

The two were quiet, none of them spoke a word. Charlie looked around before clearing his throat.

Charlie: How is Anya and Maya?

Anne: They're good, They can't stop talking about you.

Charlie: *Smiles* Oh really?

Anne: Maya said you were funny. And that you told her she was braver than most grown-ups.

Charlie: *Chuckles* I wasn't lying. The kid's got spirit. Reminds me of you, actually.

Anne stared at him, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the small smile on her face.

Anne: Don't start flattering me, Charlie.

Charlie: Old habit, Hard to quit.

She looked away, hiding the smile on her face and felt her heart skip a beat, Charlie had a faint smile on his face and kept looking at her, Despite the tension, He couldn't help but admit to himself. . . How she looked beautiful even today.

Anne: Of course, You never changed. Anya is starting to act like you now.

Charlie: Really?

Anne: *Smirks* Why wouldn't she? She's your daughter.

His smile faded for a moment, her words hit him harder than he expected. Not because it was cruel, Because it was deep.

Charlie: Yeah. . . She is.

There was a moment of silence before both of them laughed, genuinely. It felt like a dream for Charlie, He never expected to meet and talk to her. . . And laugh with her again. It reminded him of the old times.

Anne: Sometimes I wonder. . . If things had gone differently back then.

His smile faded. . . He knew this topic was gonna come up.

Charlie: Differently how?

Anne: If you hadn't left. If I hadn't been so angry. Maybe things would've been better.

There was a moment of silence. . . Charlie looked at her with a hint of guilt in his eyes.

Charlie: I didn't want to leave, Anne. You know that.

Anne: Then why did you?

He was lost in words for a moment. . .

Charlie: Guess life had different plans for me.

Anne: Still doesn't justify why you left.

Charlie: I'm sorry. . . I had a goal. . . I wanted to achieve it.

Anne: While I was left alone, Raising Anya?

His heart dropped when she said that, Charlie wasn't sure how to respond back anymore. . .

Charlie: She was just a baby. . . I know.

Anne laughed bitterly as Charlie looked at her quietly.

Anne: You left before she could even remember your face. You missed her first word, her first steps, Every single thing

Charlie: I know I did. . . I wanted to come back. . . But you said you hated me. . . You never wanted to see me again.

Her chest tightened as Anne swallowed and looked away for a moment, remembering that day.

Charlie: I realised I made a big mistake leaving you, Anne. . .

Anne: And you realised too late.

There was heavy silence between them, No one spoke a word. . . That's when Anne took her bag and got up from the chair while Charlie frowned, knowing she was leaving now.

Charlie: Anne. . . I want to try to make this right.

Anne was about to walk away until she heard those words, Winters felt her heart beating faster as Charlie continued looking at her, with his eyes softened.

Anne: For the kids. . . Maybe you should.

She turned and walked away, leaving Charlie alone. . . He sighed to himself and thought about the conversation they had before shaking his head.

Charlie: Is baar, Main sab theek kar doon ga (This time. . . I'll make it right )

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)