Hope, Love or Destiny

CHAPTER 2

After all the appointment my head was aching and stomach was growling at me, angry that I skipped my lunch once again. I took my belongings and went to inform Malee that I'm heading home.

"Now you decided to have some mercy on my poor soul," Malee said jokingly.

"Sorry, it got so late today. I told you earlier you could go home." She never leaves before me.

"That's not necessary, A. BTW I wanted to inform you tomorrow there is a meeting-"

"You know I can't come tomorrow," I asked a minor panic.

"Can you let me complete?" I nodded. "I know you said you won't be here tomorrow, but the person was persistent. He said he wanted to discuss her younger sister's case with you. Also, he's not a person to mess with, A." she said.

"Name?" I asked.

"Justin Montgomery, owner of Sander engineering and construction."

"Ohh.." my lips formed an 'O'.

"Can you give me his details?"

"Do nothing wrong, okay?" she was worried.

"You know I won't," I assured her.

"Now you also go home" I said to her before taking the details and walking to my car.

I wonder what so urgent that Mr. Montgomery can't wait for a day, but what I don't understand is how he knows me or my clinic. It's not like im famous and have years of experience. People often come to me after showing to other therapist.

After taking my seat, I looked at the details malee gave me. I have heard about sander's but don't know anymore than there name. To be honest, I'm a little annoyed by the situation. It's not I don't work on holidays, I'm a workaholic but tomorrow I had a plan which I could not cancel. I sighed hard before starting the car and driving away.

My finger was wandering around the call button, still not sure what I wanted to do. Clinic is far from my home and also where I have to go tomorrow, thus I was thinking of changing the meeting outside of clinic. I know, it's little unprofessional but what mr. Montgomery did was also not right.

At last I pressed the button and held the phone near my ears. It was ringing forever, and I had the urge to cut the call. Why I was so nervous, I don't know, maybe because he was a powerful person or because I never had a meeting outside my clinic. Just as I was about to cut the call, a voice came from other end.

"Hello" he sounded annoyed and now I wish I hadn't called. His voice was deeply dipped in anger.

"Hello, I'm...." I stuttered. Kill me now.

"If you have nothing good to say, I'm ending the call." He said.

I took a deep breath and said. "No, wait. I wanted to ask if we could shift our meeting place."

"Sorry, who's this?" he asked, confused. Dumb me, I didn't even introduce myself.

"Its Dr. Aranya Singh speaking," I said. I heard a faint curse before there was some commotion on the other end.

"I so sorry doctor for my behavior," how can he change from angry to calm in a second?

"No it's okay. I'm sorry for calling this late. Actually, I was wondering if we could have the meeting outside the clinic as we are only going to discuss your case." I said all the time playing with my hairs.

"Where do you want to meet? I can make the reservation there." He answered immediately. Desperation was hard to miss in his voice.

"No, I will make the reservation there's no need for that." I said.

"If you say so, just send me the address and time I'll be there. Also, I apologize for my behavior earlier, I hope you can forgive me earlier." he said regretfully.

"It's ok, Mr. Montgomery. See you tomorrow, then." I wanted to end the call as soon as possible because even his calm voice was intimidating.

"Good night" he said before hanging up.

I sighed in relief when the call ended. I'm unsure why I felt this nervous when I was only asking to change the venue. It must be because he is an elite and elder client, right?

.........

I was sitting where we were meeting, though I was 15 minutes early. I was dressed in my white sundress, which has sunflower printed on it. Today, I spent more time in front of the mirror than usual. To be honest, I was nervous. My clinic is my territory, but this is not. The table was on the corner away from the other tables, given some privacy.

I heard the footstep even before I even saw his face. Standing up, I saw him approach me, dressed in all black business attire. To my shock he didn't look old, he was probably in his early twenties. I expected someone in his thirties although I knew the patient is 11 years and according the information he is her brother.

His height was intimidating, almost half foot more than me. Now I regret wearing flats.

"Hello, doctor", he said, extending his right hand.

"Hello" I shook his hand.

He gave me the bouquet, which I hadn't noticed.

"Thank you," I said, running my finger over the delicate bunch of fresh flowers.

"For yesterday" he muttered underneath his breath.

"That's okay, Mr. Montgomery." I smiled. He was nervous, it was visible in the way his eyes were moving from one side to other, so unsettling.

"Should we sit?" he nodded, and I followed him. "there's nothing to be nervous about mr. Montgomery." I said with a small smile.

"No I'm not nervous," I raised a brow, and he understood what I mean. "You can help me, right? Grace said you are the best. Tell me you can help Rachel, that she'll be fine." I at that moment truly felt sympathy for him, seeing the desperation in his eyes.

"I'll try my best and also, you are with her, she'll be fine." I tried assuring him, he nodded.

"I hope so" he said after a while. After that we started the discussion. And for the next hour he told me how Rachel, his sister, currently is, her behavior, and a lot more thing regarding the unfortunate event that occurred in their life last year. I was shocked. She was just an 11-year-old child she was so young to face all this.

Also, throughout the conversation I can feel him tearing up occasionally. He tried covering up with a cough when his voice grew heavy, but I don't have to be a psychologist to know it was as difficult for him as it was for his sister. I took a last look at the notes I made before placing it in my bag.

"So, I think we can for now have three sessions a week then as she shows some improvement we can change it as per need," I said.

"As you say. I know nothing about this, I just want her to be okay." he said.

"Everything will be fine, Mr. Montgomery."

"I'm sorry I didn't mention earlier you can call me Justin, doctor," he said with a small smile.

"No, that not needed," I said.

"No, I was just so nervous I forgot to mention earlier. I insist,"

"Okay but only if you call me Aranya." I said, returning his smile.

"Deal then" he said in his businesslike voice, making me chuckle.

"Sorry" I said, trying not to be rude.

"Did I say something wrong? Why are you laughing?" he asked, confused.

"No, I just found 'deal then' amusing. Not every small thing is a deal, Justin." I said.

"I'm sorry for that. It's just nowadays business and Rachel is what I live for." There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Everything will be fine." I squeezed his hand that was placed on top of the table. He nodded.

"Are you hungry? We can order something, my treat, as I owe you one for insisting for meeting today." He said.

"No that's unnecessary because I asked you to come here instead so I think we are equal." I said.

"That's no problem"

"Ok then I think that's all for the day. Also, I think I should get going." He nodded, and we both stood up.

"See you tomorrow then." He extended his hand, and I shook it.

"I look forward to meeting Rachel." I said with a small smile.

"Sure," he then collected his belonging whereas I took my bag and the bouquet Justin gave me earlier.

We exited the café and on my way out I mouthed a thank you to the owner of it because we just had water and nothing else. He nodded in understanding. I have known the owner for a year now as his wife was one was my patient when I was just a beginner.

"Bye then" I said when I reached my car. Justin gave a curt nod before walking toward his own car.

I placed the flowers on the back seat before entering the car. I sighed. Hard. Only I know how I controlled my whirlwind of emotion from the time he entered the café. I was thankful I'm a therapist, otherwise I could not suppress all the unprofessional thoughts I was having with him sitting so close. I just hope this is only a onetime thing because I have to deal with him for at least three months.