High School Romance Revisited

Chapter 45 - The Special-Dish

A week full of excitement and happiness of Chitra's wedding drama passed on within a fleeting moment. And here I was packing my luggage to set off for a new project. Both my personal and professional life was facing huge pressure right now. I could not concentrate on one single thing. It felt like dividing myself into pieces to be in every place at once.

However, as that was not possible, I decided to focus on Mahesweta's wedding. Entrusting Rai, Karan, Sanjana and Debdyut to take care of things here I was now ready to set out for Thailand. I could simply hope that bastard does not make any foul move while I am away.

Of course, staying away from Mahen when we had just got together again, was a pain, but I'll manage.

"Ready?" Lofa said knocking at the door. The core team had suggested leaving for the airport along with me and I didn't deny it. Closing off the lid of my Delsey I took it down. Before I could roll it Rob rushed in, "Allow me, madam! You are our employer after all!"

I rolled my eyes and didn't pay extra attention to the idiot. I didn't even have the energy to argue with them. It was already midnight and our flight was leaving in three and half hours.

"Call, once you reach! Don't forget like always," my mother said giving me a tight hug. After a long time, she won't be alone at home when I remain away on assignments. She now had baba with her.

"Photography is good, but I would still insist you write me a small feature. I'll try and get it published with the Page 3 people after all Mahesweta's wedding is currently...what do you all say nowadays? Yes.. the 'it' topic!" my father mocked. He was never into Page 3 news but seeing how I kept talking about the section with Rai he rather encouraged us.

"How about I send the pointers and Rai writes the feature, that way the editor won't even think twice before publishing."

"That will do as well," he said patting my back. We stayed quiet for a few seconds then burst out laughing.

I waved at my parents as Akhil instructed the driver to start the car. "Why did you two laugh regarding Mahesweta's wedding story?" Lofa curiously asked.

"Both me and my father know that I will end up clicking only photographs and Rai is too busy to return to feature writing. So that is just his way of teasing me and also reminding us that nowadays we work too much," I clarified with a smile.

"True. I have seen Chitra and Rai, they are both workaholics like you. No wonder you are best friends. If I hadn't heard about Mahen and Koushik I would have definitely concluded that you two would be having a happily-ever-after with your careers," Lofa yawned, midnight was way past her bedtime.

"What about Rai? Is she single?" our junior photographer Shaon asked.

"Oh no Shaon, I wouldn't go there. She is way out of your league," Akhil warned Shaon.

The lad decided to keep his mouth shut for the rest of the journey.

I am still scared.

I quickly texted Rai. Without a delay, she replied back.

Go. I'll manage.

She assured.

Immigration didn't take too long. Mahesweta's wedding planner had already taken care of the necessary formalities; we just had to check-in. Akhil was worried about the extra luggage cost due to our huge equipment but that too was notified beforehand. Overall we had a swift check-in.

Mahesweta had insisted on booking us to business class but my team had refused. They said we were already charging a bomb, it's best at least if we didn't give her additional burden with flight seats.