The Girl in the Gym

His Heartbreaker

There was a lot of emphasis on sustainable development this year. A couple of hours went by just like that. Finally, he got around to the dreaded task of sending emails to everyone, a kind of update to let them know he was alive and well. He opened his email, and hundreds of emails came flooding in. Most of them were spam or ads, but quite a few of them were from his colleagues and family. He scrolled down, reading them one by one. Each of them left him touched and grateful. He had been thinking that he had cut ties from his work and life in Berlin, but they had not let go. His boss had also written to him, saying that he had been missed at the annual work party. Simon too had written to him numerous times. He didn't say much except that Jack had been missed terribly, and some more about his own personal research, and a line about his kids. Jack's throat tightened, his presence had meant something to them. He had had to leave to realise that. There was one more email left, it was from Samantha, his ex-fiancée. Jack had been waiting to read that one last for he couldn't possibly imagine what she had to say. Last he knew, she had got married to someone from her work. There had been no contact between them, till now.

Hey Jack,

I had stopped by at your workplace the other day to drop something off. Simon told me that you quit and left the country. I hope you're fine. I don't have your number, else I would have texted. Take care.

Love,

Sam

A few months ago, Jack would have been overjoyed to see this in his inbox. He would have latched onto it, and insisted on meeting her. Now, he was conflicted. He was in the process of simplifying his life, not complicating it. Women, he thought grumpily, why do they have to be so mysterious? He got up, whistled to Bud, and set off towards the restaurant. That night, he went to bed early and tucked Bud in as well. Inaya had not messaged him all day, so he had no way of knowing whether the plan was on. Nonetheless, he woke up at 11.30 pm, pulled on his jeans, boots and a brown leather jacket and walked out to the gate. Inaya was already waiting for him there, clad in a black leather jacket, black jeans and boots. She had brought her motorcycle, she started it as soon as Jack neared. "Where are we going?" he asked.

"You'll see," she grinned, handing him his helmet.

And with a roar, they were off. The roads were, by and large, empty, but still, Inaya kept going on. After about twenty minutes, they reached a junction which opened onto the national highway. Five six other riders with their pillions were there as well. They looked like they were waiting for Inaya, for as soon as she came into sight, they all switched on their bikes and revved.

"We're racing?" Jack asked incredulously. "Racing!"

"Hold on tight, this is fun," she promised.

She revved her bike and they were off like the wind. The night was a black blur around them, and all Jack could hear was the wind rushing by and the distant whoops and yells of the riders. Inaya rode like the motorcycle like a pro. Her arms and shoulders taut, hands and feet moving with precision over the gears and accelerator. Jack forgot everything except the raw thrill that coursed through him. His arms were wrapped around her waist, clinging on for fear of falling. Inaya didn't slow down on turns but banked sharply so that her knees almost touched the road. They went on like that for almost an hour and a half when he noticed their speed had dropped. The roads here were winding, and he could make out the shapes of hills around them. They were not in Mumbai anymore. The other riders slowed down near Inaya, but she waved them on. "I'm not going further today. I have to get this one back on time," she said, jerking a thumb at Jack. They tipped their heads and sped off again.

"Where are we?" asked Jack. He could make out a small water body in the distance, and small lights twinkling here and there.

"Lonavla. It is a small hill station near Mumbai. I often come here at nights to race and eat Maggi," she answered.