From Howrah to Brooklyn

Chapter 6

It was nearly an hour since Neil's plane had landed in the UK. His parents had come to pick him up from the airport and he was on his way home.

On reaching home, he first sent a message about his safe reaching to Alia. It was surprising to see that he didn't even bother to send the message to Raina.

Neil took a shower and got dressed and came to the kitchen for lunch.

'Babu .. I hope you have informed Shekhar Kaaku and Tapur Kaaki that you have reached home safely.' Neil's mother said.

'Yes mom. I had messaged Alia and I am sure she must have informed Kaaku and Kaaki Maa.' Neil replied.

'And have you spoken to that girlfriend of yours .. What her name? I keep on forgetting it. Yes.. Raina ... Right?' Neil's father enquired.

'Yeah Dad. It is Raina. But I have not spoken to her yet. I will do it post lunch.'

Neil had his lunch peacefully with his family and then he went to his room to rest.

He laid down on his bed and started scrolling through his messages and he was surprised that he hadn't received any message from Raina yet. After giving it much of a thought he decided to call her. The phone was ringing and Raina did pick up the phone.

'Hi.' She said.

'Hey Baby ! How are you? Are you okay ? I didn't receive any message from you. Have you forgotten me already?' Neil said.

'No I haven't but you probably have.' Raina said in a very cold reply.

'Baby what's the matter with you? You replies are ver cold.' Neil asked.

'Neil.. You are still asking me this. I am surprised.'

'Speak to me clearly Raina. What is it?' Neil asked.

'Okay. Now that you have asked. Before leaving, you don't bother to call me or text me but you have time to post a picture on social media with Alia and announce to the world that she is your best friend and you will miss her the most. How do you think I am supposed to feel?' Raina said.

Neil was speechless. At the time of posting things on social media, he didn't realise it would have such an effect.

'Baby you got it all wrong. It was just a gesture for Alia. Over this past year she has done a lot for me. And remember she gave up on her coming to the airport just coz you can come.' Neil explained.

'Neil.. I have nothing against Alia. I know she is a very nice girl and she is just your friend. But I am just hurtful that you didn't think of doing the same for me. Anyways Neil. I am not in a mood of talking right now. I shall message you later.' Raina hung up the call.

Neil was surprised at this reaction of Raina. He could not understand why one post on social media made her so insecure. To make matters worse, Neil opened his social media account and posted another picture of him and Raina this time and it said "My Dream Girl #girlfriend #longdistance #missyou"

He was sure that this would do the trick but the plan backfired. He immediately got a call back from Raina.

'Hey Baby !! I knew. It will cheer you up.' Neil said excitedly.

'Neil it didn't. I know you only posted a picture because I complained about it to you. Otherwise I wasn't your preference. You shouldn't have done this.'

Neil was shocked, he didn't know that his plan would backfire like this.

'Baby I just tried to mend things. It's just been a day since I have left Calcutta and since I met you last and already so many problems are cropping. Please baby go easy on me.' Neil hung the call this time.