Chapter-37

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Even Though it has only been a few days, it feels like we have left behind our good old friends, Rahul, Shreya, Karthik, Shiva and the others for a very long time. Far away from the plush green lands and the high cold steeps of the mountainous terrain of Coimbatore, along the shore of the pristine waters of the Covelong beach our friends spent their weekend retreat in leisure. The blue of the waters sparkling in late afternoon sunshine tried to compete itself with the cerulean hues of the rare Paraiba Tourmaline. The gentle waves lapping against the golden shore, gave the illusion of walking on a velvety golden carpet. From a distance, the serene dance of the waves against the surface that reflected off the golden sunrays, reminded us of the perfectly cut gemstones and the rich golden contrast of the silky sand just reminds us of a well crafted jewel to cherish with our eyes and feed our souls with.
          Rahul sat down heavily on the lounge by the far end of the beach in his pyjamas and casual T's. Taking a sip of the mocktail he brought back from the open bar of the resort, Rahul let out a contended sigh and sat back on his chair. So far their corporate merger proved to be a success, for rumours about a potential partnership deal started to float among the other employees. Rahul didn't know how he should be investing his trust on those baseless talks, but still, for now he settled to enjoy the calmness and serenity of the moment.
           Just as his eyes closed to the pleasant coolness of the evening breeze he felt the presence of someone beside him. He felt the person hovering around him impatiently, sitting down and standing up but never settling on one single decision whether they wanted to sit or to walk away from that place. Rahul waited a moment or two, giving the person a chance to make a decision but even when the person still continued on with their irritable lingering, Rahul opened his eyes in frustration.
          "What the fuck is wrong with..." Before he could finish his words his eyes landed on a very angry and frustrated face of Shreya who stood before him with her hands on her hips, clearly indicating just how much on edge she was with her friend, Rahul.
          "My God...! Shreya..! What is your problem, man ?! Why are you so hell bent on destroying my happiness...!? Can't I have a moment of peace alone?" Rahul burst out at his friend and looked at her expectantly to give him a proper excuse for her disturbing him.
         "Oh stop with your whining, grown up boy !! If you care so much about your own peace why do you insist on keeping me in the blind... Why can't you just let me out of my misery...!??" Shreya sat down facing him on another lounge chair, beside Rahul.
         "Wait...? What are you even talking about, Shreya?" Rahul looked at his friend, puzzled at her sudden accusation.
         "You really don't remember, do you?" When Rahul nodded his head in denial, Shreya let out a soft sigh and looked up at him with a frown wrinkling her forehead, "I'm talking about the matter regarding Pallavan and Thara, you idiot! You promised me you'll tell me what really was the reason behind Pallavan choosing Vasudha over Thara for that waltz, that night at the party?'' Shreya leaned in towards Rahul with immense curiosity and expectation on having the opportunity to learn about a huge secret.
          "Well...About that...! I just happened to witness some strange familiarity between Pallavan and Vasudha... You know like in the way they looked at each other when they thought no one was noticing them, the way he looked out for her, and she made sure he was eating his food without any disturbance... I don't know what exactly is going on between them, but I'm sure Saravana knows more about them than anyone else here...I was hoping to start up a conversation with him to fish out some information, you know!But that guy is a no show.." Rahul pursed his lips in contemplation.
           Scooting to the edge of the seat, Shreya asked in a stunned voice, "What are you saying, Rahul...? How could this be true... They barely ever talked to each other, more so I rarely saw them ever being in the same place together... But considering what you said, something is going on... Really... Because, both Pallavan and Saravanan refused to come to this retreat stating some personal emergency but that's not what took me by surprise. It's about Vasudha... Did you know she requested to take down her name from the list of candidates chosen for the abroad internship. I clearly remember her saying this to me, just how much going abroad meant to her... Now her backing away from that opportunity, it kind of calls for all kinds of suspicions and on top of all of that she too is a no show to this retreat stating a similar excuse of family emergency back home... Don't you feel like it is all connected somehow..." Shreya tapped her chin with pursed lips, thoughtfully.
           "I didn't know about that... How did you come across that information, Shreya...?" Rahul asked his friend in genuine surprise.
           "Well, I happened to have a small chit-chat with one of the other candidates who was selected to intern at our abroad branch... Even I was very surprised when I heard about that, that is also the reason why I am here, pressing you to tell me about the two of them...!" Shreya gave her side of the explanation. A moment of silence extended between them, looking around Rahul's eyes landed on Thara who was sitting by the open bar in her sundress, twisting the straw in her cocktail in absolute melancholy. 
            ''I wonder what she must have gone through at that moment... When Pallavan walked past her to ask for a dance with Vasudha!" Rahul raised his eyebrows in concern and pity for their fellow colleague.
            "Oh, Do not bother pitying her too much, Rahul! She is more angry and embarrassed about Pallavan choosing Vasudha over the impeccably beautiful Thara and not for choosing another woman...!!" Shreya stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
            "But still... She must've felt something...!" Rahul sighed thoughtfully.
            "Ohhoooho Mister...! Save your concern for someone else...! She is the most self-centred person I have ever come across in my life... The worst of the worst kind...! It is a good thing Pallavan dumped her before anything got out of hand, before they ended up completely destroying their reputations in the process...!" Shreya poured her heart out.
             "In a way you are right, Shreya...! But what's Vasudha's role in all this drama...?" Rahul mused out loud.
             "Maybe it's nothing, Rahul! Maybe we got the wrong impression about the two of them...! Come on...! We know Vasudha, she is this sweet, bold and strong woman and for years, we've known Pallavan too...! You know how he is, that guy barely ever smiles... I am sure he would die a lone wolf... And Vasudha is no way a match for that grumpy guy...! Anyway... the Sun will be down soon... Let's just go and at least dip our toes in the water before getting ready for dinner....!" Shreya stood up from her chair enthusiastically.
            "Really, Shreya...? But I have a very clear view of the ocean from here though... let me just take a peaceful nap under the colourful umbrella for sometime. The waves are enjoyed best in solitude, you know..." Saying this Rahul raised his hand to cover his eyes as he laid back down on his lounge chair but before his back could hit the seat, Shreya pulled him up by his hand and dragged down from his chair.
             "Come now, Old Man! We won't get another chance like this to enjoy life without the tension of completing work and fixing issues... So let's enjoy this time to the fullest, while we have the opportunity...!" Saying this Shreya pulled him towards her, and dragged an absolutely annoyed and helpless Rahul down the shore towards the sea.

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⏰ Last updated: Sep 26 ⏰

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