I agree. Also they make it seem like this particular usage of the word "ahorita" is so unique, but reading the article I got the feeling that, even though the

I agree. Also they make it seem like this particular usage of the word "ahorita" is so unique, but reading the article I got the feeling that, even though the "future ahora" may be more common in some regions than others, this is simply the meaning of the word in Spanish in general. I am from Spain where you wold think we have a more "european" time management sense. Yet it is common to say: "ahora nos vemos" or "hasta ahora" (see you now/soon) as you are leaving the room, when you know you are gonna meet the others later in the day. It if you ask someone when are they going to do this thing you asked them to do and and they reply: "ahora"... it actually means "when I finish what I am doing now". It is true that in a business setting and some context you might need to be more specific, but that still does not change the meaning of ahora. It is also a ok reply "ahora, cuando acabe con esto", which means--"soon, as I am done with this", or even more specific: "when is the concert going to start? Ahora en 15 minutos." "Ahora" simply does not mean "now" as in the current instant, but in the "present", this is, the time of the events that are connected to the current activities, the things that you can "wait for", the things that will happen before they are out of your head... it is like "soon" or "soon today", but with a hint of will, of promise, of certainty or fate.