Neil felt as if he was living the worst life ever. He was a non chalant police officer, forced to take up this job. He encounters Ananya, a mystery, who is quite contrary to him in all means. Ten days, they fall into a hopeless love story after whic...
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"Attitude hai madam ka." Salgaonkar claimed, looking as if he was trying really hard to control his laughter. "Thanks for coming. Should get going now." Neil felt as if he had said something really offensive to Ananya.
"Ahh Neil, here you are. Stay happy beta." Shweta beamed at her son. She missed him terribly and couldn't stand the fact that he had gone away from her for three days. Call it overindulgence but that was the way they lived and so it goes.
"Caught the thief?" Prakash asked, blessing him simultaneously. "No. Not even caught a glimpse. Really cunning whoever he is."
"Dayawanti ji won't be happy." Prakash replied. "Well, she is the one who's high on rivals. Besides, she has no right to approach my parents. It's me who's solving the case." Neil hated that woman. She reminded him of some old fogey who terrified children if they remained out for long, like the one in moral stories.
"Let him rest Khanna saab. Go Tillu." Shweta gave an encouraging nod to Neil who went to his room at once. He felt so tired he gave himself to sleep as soon as he hit the bed.
It was in the morning that his phone beeped that he realized he had to wake up. It was a message from Ali. Ali, Neil's best friend alongside his colleague, DD.
Ali : Childhood friend came over Come to the cafe at 10 tmrw? She's got another friend Wow Double Date Neil?
Oi you there?
Neil sighed. Ali would just not stop looking for girls for him. Not that he wasn't interested in girls but he knew it wouldn't be of any use. His parents would like him to marry the girl of their choice.
Neil : No please Ali. Thanks though
Neil went to take a shower and came out wearing the khaki uniform which wasn't very comfortable in the hot weather of Mumbai. He was munching on his breakfast when he received another message.
Ali : If not double date, at least come for coffee.
Neil : Ali..
Ali : I have said you are coming. And so you will.
Neil: Ughh fine.
"Mom I'll be at Ali's for an hour and then go to the police station. Bye." Neil left the house and drove straight to his friend's café on the Madh Island Beach.
It was particularly isolated from the over crowded city of Mumbai which is why he loved it. As soon as he caught the sight of the shore, he lowered the window and allowed the scent of the salty moisture to reach him.
Walking towards the small wooden outlet, he kept on closing his eyes for a few seconds, taking in the beauty of this place, regretting not doing this often, regretting choosing the services as a career and not travelling.
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"Ta-da! Neil, meet Avni. Avni, this is Neil." Ali smiled whole heartedly and introduced Neil to his childhood friend. Neil forwarded his hand to shake hers but was confused to see a silent conversation happening between Ali and Avni.
"Oh sorry sorry. This is Ananya. Eheheh I just reada a blog by someone called Avni to bol diya. Ananya meet Neil, Neil meet Ananya." Ali corrected himself and Ananya shook Neil's hand, removing her shades.
"Woah! Hey Ananya!" Neil welcomed the flight-girl with a huge grin. "Hullo Mr. Khanna." Ananya smiled feebly at him, seeming distracted.
"You can call me Neil. Ali's friend is my friend too." Neil was just so glad to see her, although he was not exactly sure why. Maybe he could learn more about countries and places from her, she kept on doing that for architecture.
"You know each other?" Ali asked, grinning at both of them. "We were in the same flight yesterday." Ananya spoke and Neil nodded.
"I'll get you both coffee, and then I'll have a date with Tisca." Ali winked at Neil and joined another girl on the table across.
"He said double date. So that means...never mind we can just have a coffee." Neil cleared his throat as they sat on the chairs.
He couldn't help but admire how relaxed Ananya looked in contrast to his lined face. "So what are you covering here?" Neil began the conversation, as the coffee didn't arrive yet.
"Brit symbols, I don't find something eye catching here." Ananya tapped the table with her fingers and then looked at the beach. Boy, she glowed like anything.
They remained silent and the only sound that was audible for a few minutes was of the waves hitting the rocks and people slurping their drinks.
"Ananya,you have a bad perception of Mumbai then. If you don't mind, I can take you to places perfect enough for your project." Neil offered, after muttering thank you to the waiter.
Ananya looked hesitant, yet again. She probably would have understood why he wanted to do it because he enjoyed it too. So she nodded and he couldn't help but jump in joy internally.
