We Meet Again

Satish had just checked into his hotel in London. He was attending the builders in London seminar. This seminar was a worldwide event and had guests and speakers from all walks of the building industry. Satish was representing his company in the construction field. It was his first time in London and he was very nervous. In fact, it was his first time out of his country. He went down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. The place was already quite full and he had to wait for a free place. After about forty-five minutes he was shown to a table and was just ordering himself something to drink when she walked in. He could not believe his eyes. She was like an angel. Satish could tell from her animated conversation with a waiter that she required a table and also that she would be dining alone. Alas, all the table were taken and she was asked to wait for one to become available. The waiter brought Satish his drink and he gulped it down and asked for another. He shook his head in disbelief. He knew that angel, or she really looked like someone he had known a while back. "It cannot be.", he thought, "Why would she be here?" He called a waiter over and pointing to the angel Satish asked him to invite her to join him. She looked unsure as the waiter spoke and Satish almost lost hope, but then she walked towards his table. When she reached his table, Satish stood up and said, "I do apologise if I am being rude, but seeing as there is a long wait for a table, I hope you would join me dinner." His angel looked at him blankly for a moment and then with a look of uncertain recognition. "Do I know you?", she asked, "You looked somewhat familiar." Satish smiled. "As do you.", he said, "Please forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Satish. Will you join me for a meal?" His angel was silent for rather uncomfortable length of time and then she said, "It cannot be. Are you from Shallcross, South Africa?" Satish looked at her stunned and then almost in a whisper said, "Nisha, is that you?" His angel shrieked in glee and hugged him tightly. "Yes it is. I cannot believe it is you.", she said. Satish hugged her back and then they both sat down. Nisha and Satish had dated each other back when they were in school together. "How long has it been?" asked Satish. "Oh I would say about twenty three years.", exclaimed Nisha. "That long. Time does fly. But wow, you look amazing.", said Satish. "You look great as well.", said Nisha admiringly, "I see you have kept yourself in great shape. But tell me what are you doing here?" "I am attending the builders in London seminar.", replied Satish. "No way!", exclaimed Nisha, "I am also attending the builders in London seminar. I work for a painting company back home and they sent me over for the seminar." They spent the rest of the evening catching up and reluctantly had to leave the restaurant when the waiter advised them that the restaurant was closing for the night. Satish turned to Nisha and said, " Could you please help me with these currency conversions. I just cannot seem to figure it out." Nisha smiled. "If I remember, you never could figure out much back then either.", she said laughingly. They walked into the elevator and as the doors closed, Nisha said "Who would have thought that I would be meeting you after twenty three years at a builders in London seminar."