Risky Romance [COMPLETED]

Chapter 1

"Ticket?"

"Check."

"Purse?"

"Check."

"Food?"

"Check."

"Documents?"

"Check, Amma", said Rhea, exasperatedly.

"Yella seri ide? Check madiko inondu sala. Amele mutidaga phonu madlike mari beda", Rhea's mother kissed her cheeks.

"Don't do that, Amma, I told you, no public display of affection", Rhea said, rubbing her cheeks. "And yes I have everything, I have checked like a hundred times now, and I will call you when I reach Pune. Seri? Okay, Amma?"

"Seri", smiled Rhea's mother, looking affectionately at her. "Don't get lost anywhere, don't get down from the train unless it is your station, don't eat any food on the train, don't talk to strangers, use the public restroom wisely, and work hard in Pune. Your Appa will be in touch with you soon. I'm sorry he couldn't come to see you off today."

"I know, he had a lot of work", said Rhea, trying to act nonchalant. Rhea's father had his own business in laser cutting machines and although he doted on his beloved daughter, he had to attend an important business meeting with Mr. Tochu Ka Sui, or whatever his name was, from Japan.

"Okay get on the train, kanna, before it leaves you behind", said Rhea's mother, urgently.

"Jesus, Amma, don't call me a child."

"Then stop saying Jesus", said Rhea's mother, angrily. "Can't you say Vishnu or Ganesha or Shiva or some God of our religion? We are Hindus. No respect..."

"Not now, Amma, for God's sake! It's just a way of saying things."

"Stop fighting with me and board the train now!"

Rhea sighed. She was tired of having the same argument with her mother everytime she said Jesus.

She lifted her suitcases and boarded the train, with her mother trailing behind her. She quickly found her seat and placed all the suitcases under it in the order of importance- starting from her documents, ending to her shoes. She placed her purse on the berth, and before sitting down, smoothened the seat.

"I'm glad you got the window seat, and not the upper berth", said her mother, sitting down. "Atleast you will be able to enjoy yourself, looking outside and taking in the beautiful breeze."

"Jes- er- Ganesha, Amma, why would I need the window for enjoying myself?" asked Rhea. "I have a book I want to read. And songs I want to listen to."

Rhea's mother shook her head, disappointed. "You know I'm proud of you for all your achievements, kanna, but you don't know how to enjoy nature and relax yourself. Maybe you should stop being such a workaholic, and a control freak, and learn to step out sometimes rather than being holed up in the apartment with a book and an iPod. Maybe Pune will change your way of life."

"Even your Ganesha won't be able to change the way I am. Don't nag now, Amma."

The train's whistle blew. Rhea's mother got down the train onto the platform, and walked towards Rhea.

"Take care, Rheu", said her mother, tearfully. "I'll miss you."

"Amma, stop being such a Bollywood Mother. You don't need to cry. I'll just be gone for three years. And we will be visting each other in the holidays, won't we?"

"Well I'll miss you", said Rhea's mother, looking a little hurt and stopping the water flow from her runny nose with a tissue. "Won't you miss me at all?"

"I will Amma, but I don't cry about that!"

Rhea's mother said thoughtfully, "I hope you fall in love one day. Maybe then you will cry. The power of love can make even a stone cry."

Rhea snorted loudly. "Yeah, we'll see."

The train started moving and Rhea's mother shouted, "Goodbye Rheu! Goodbye kanna! Call us when you reach!" She was crying like a waterfall now.

"Goodbye Amma!" said Rhea, laughing at the antics of her silly, beautiful mother.

She decided to use the washroom, before she settled down. She carefully placed her purse inside the biggest suitcase, and went to freshen up.

She splashed the cool water on her face and wiped it with a turkish towel. On her way back, she decided she would lie down on her berth, and read "The God of Small Things", and eventually go off to sleep. She always planned everything beforehand. The only problem with this plan was there was somebody already lying down on her berth, with earphones in his ears, one hand holding his phone, the other holding a beer can, the breeze ruffling his smooth black hair, his face shining like a movie star, looking out the window.