Reshimbandh~Silken Threads

7. Lonavala

A month later,

ETF conference room,

"I want a break." Neha said in a tired voice.

"You just had your lunch, wasn't that enough?" Arjun remarked sarcastically.

"No. It's the May of 2015 and we don't even get a break?" She stared at him.

"Team, we're going to Lonavala..."Sameer came in with a file.

Neha exclaimed in French, "Pour vacation!??"

"No. For a case and," Neha walked out of the room, "Neha, where're you going?" She waved her fingers and left while he stared at her for a second before continuing, "I'll brief you all."

After 10 minutes,

"Sorry," Neha came in and held her ear, "there was an important call, I couldn't miss."

Sameer nodded and gave her a file, "The case details. Shree, arrange our tickets and accommodation."

"Why are we all not staying at my place? It's summer break and there will hardly be any good place left," She looked at Sameer and Arjun for confirmation, "Shree just book tickets, don't worry 'bout accommodation, it's on me."

She sat down reading the details and after finishing, "I'm leaving already to make the necessary arrangements. See y'all tomorrow." She walked out.

~

Neha got in her car and called up her childhood best-friend, "Yo man, what you doin'? Wanna come Lonavala?"

Maulik, while designing a new dress, "Just a minute, what appointments do I have today?" asked his secretary.

Neha heard a faint female voice, "One in evening, sir."

"Cancel it. I'm coming!" He said excitedly.

"I love you chap, you're the best!" She blew a loud kiss over the phone.

"When are we leaving?"

"In an hour, be ready, see you at station."

"Sure."

~

"Pack everything very carefully, not even a single speck should be left behind."

"Yes boss."

~

"Well, finally I have break that I wanted for so long and my bestie to share it with me. I'm happy!" Neha squealed childishly and ruffled his jet-black curls.

"Hey happy, I'm bestie!" Maulik pulled her into a bear hug, "So, what's the plan?"

She pulled out a bottle of vodka, "Eat, drink and make merry!"

"Oh my god, woman, let the train leave the station at least." He rolled his brown eyes and exhaled loudly.

"Who cares, who's gonna come in our compartment? I bought the cabin to keep unwanted people away." she shrugged.

"Okay! What's going on in your little brain lately?" He asked, gently hitting her forehead.

"A hell lot of things and I don't even know where to start from." She replied in a tired voice.

"First, tell me about this secret admirer of yours." He said with a childlike excitement.

"Well, he sent me a bouquet of yellow and white flowers. Sent them twice actually. And then a book of metaphysical poems collection which I absolutely loved and the gifts came at the point when I was losing all shit and almost on the verge of breaking. I really wanna know who the person is." She chugged on a quarter of vodka.