From Howrah to Brooklyn

Chapter 8

It was already Christmas holidays. Neil didn't go to Calcutta this time as Raina had decided to come to the UK. Hence, Neil became the tourist guide for her.

Adi too didn't go to India as exams were just after the holidays and he needed to study. Him not going to India gave him an opportunity to meet this Raina girl.

Raina first came to the university as Neil had spoken so highly of it that she wanted to see it herself.

Neil knocked at Adi's door, he opened it and he saw this beautiful girl wearing over the knees boots with a mini skirt and cosy coat standing in front of him.

'Adi ! Meet Raina. My girlfriend and Raina this is Adi. My best mate in uni.' Neil introduced both of us.

Both shook each others hands and then the customary small talks began.

'Neil! What time are we leaving for FnD?' Adi asked.

'How about 10ish. It's going to be packed today since it's the last FnD before the holidays, so it's better for us to go early.' Neil said.

Adi fully agreed with him and after that Neil and Raina went to their room. They met about two hours later and started to walk up to the Students' Union.

'Neil baby! How long do I have to walk? My legs are already tired.' Raina complained.

'That's why Raina I told you not to wear such high heels since the walk is going to be long but you didn't listen to me.' Neil said.

And for the rest of the whole journey Adi only heard Raina complaining about the long walk, the cold weather, the bland food etc. He wasn't sure that how Neil tolerated all her tantrums but he gave the credit to her prettiness that kinda  made up for all the stupidity she did. But one can tolerate this nonsense only upto certain level.

Finally they reached to the Students' Union and paid the entry fee and got themselves stamped and went inside. As anticipated, the whole dance room was packed.

'Neil baby! I am feeling a bit hot. Could you please get me a drink?' Raina told Neil.

Neil went to get the drinks while Adi was giving company to Raina. There was an awkward silence between them as they had nothing to talk about. Suddenly Adi saw Raina's head turned towards Neil and she had a strange look on her face. He too looked in that direction.

Neil went to the bar and there he met two girls from his course. He chatted with them and when their small talks were over Neil just greeted them and kissed them on either side of cheeks.

Adi saw this and looked at Raina. The look on her face told him that Neil had made a boo boo and he is going to pay for it.

Neil came back and gave the drink to Raina, 'Here you go baby.'

Raina didn't take her drink and said to Neil, 'You might as well give them to your kissing girls.'

Neil was shocked at this behaviour of Raina but before he could react to it, she had already left.

That meant that both Neil and Adi had to leave too. They grabbed their coats from the cloakroom and followed Raina. They could see her walk but none of them had the guts to confront her.

Adi was too scared to witness all this, hence he told Neil that he is going to take a detour and ran to Papa Si's and got himself some cheesy chips and pizza.

Neil had no option but to follow Raina. They went to their room and had a massive fight with Raina yelling at him at the top of her shrill voice and accusing him for not giving her time, getting cosy with other girls, cheating on her and what not. Finally she threw Neil out of his own room.

When Adi returned from Papa Si's, he saw Neil sitting outside his room and he understood that he will have to share his cheesy chips and Pizza with Neil.

They entered into Adi's room and ate their midnight snack. None of them spoke to each other as they didn't know what to conclude from all of this.

The next morning around eight o' clock they heard a knock on Adi's door. Adi was an early riser and so he was already up and studying while Neil was still sleeping but the knock woke him up. Adi went to open the door and saw Raina standing.

'Good Morning Adi. Where is my baby?' Raina walked into the room before he could even wish her back.

'Good Morning Neil. Come to your room and start packing, we have to leave for London.'

Neil was confused to see Raina acting in a manner as if nothing had happened. But he wasn't complaining as it is very rare to see Raina in such a happy mood.

He left with her to go to his room and after a few minutes they again knocked at his door and said bye to Adi who was a bit sad that his best mate at the uni was leaving and he will be alone for most of the Christmas holidays. But secretly he was glad too because one night of drama was enough for him and he really wanted to concentrate on his studies.

After ten days of serving Princess Raina, Neil was back in Loughborough and was settling down in his room. Adi, too went into his room and was doing his work while Neil was busy unpacking.

Suddenly Neil received a video call from Alia. Adi asked Neil if he wants him to give him some privacy but he signalled him to just stay. To be honest, Adi wanted to stay too. He has heard so much about Alia that he just wanted to know more about her so that he could make an objective decision between Alia and Raina.

Neil picked up the call and there was a gush of happiness on his face which Adi never noticed on him when Raina came to meet him.

'Aloo, now you got time to call me. For the past 10 days why didn't you even bother messaging me?' Neil asked.

'Neil, calm down. Raina was there and I didn't want to bug you when you are with her. Anyways how was her trip?' Alia asked.

'Don't ask. It was a nightmare. She gets so possessive sometimes that I question myself what I am doing with her.' Neil explained.

'Okay Okay. Don't worry about her too much. You are aware of her nature and probably she is struggling with all this long distance. Give her sometime and you too concentrate on your studies. Your exams are going to begin soon.' Alia said.

Wow ! Adi already liked Alia. She spoke so maturely. He was really not sure of what was Neil doing with Raina when he has a girl like Alia in his life.

'Thanks Aloo. Yeah now I am going to focus on my studies. Okay I'll speak to you later. Bye.'

Both of them hung up the call.

Adi looked at Neil once his video call was over and said to him, 'This Alia girl seems very understanding. Seriously Neil you chose Raina over her?'

'Shut up Adi. It is complicated. Let's go for dinner.' Neil was clearly dodging the question.

The next few weeks were quite hectic for them as they were approaching the start of the first semester exams. Neil had lessen his talks with Raina as he didn't want any tensions during the exam time but his talking sessions with Alia had increased. But Adi didn't butt in too much as he thought it would be better to give him some space.

Before we could even realise, their first semester exams were over and they had already started their second semester. Time just flew away and it was already the time of Easter holidays.

They all were going to India. Adi was flying to Udaipur whereas Neil was flying to Kolkata.