Never Apart

CHAPTER 1: A Sisters Surprise

"Hey Sarika! I hope you have finished with those business reports. I need them in the next half hour." Sarika's boss Miss Lamai said demandingly to an overworked Sarika. "Yes mam, your business reports are right here on the passcode protected pen drive as per your request Miss Lamai." Sarika replied obediently. "I have also e-mailed you your flight plans and hotel reservation for your business trip this weekend." Sarika continued to tell her boss without even being asked.

"What do I do without you? You are the best assistant I ever could have hired." Miss Lamai told Sarika trying to sound as friendly as possible though not doing a very good job at it and more distracted with the texts on her phone. "I am glad to be your personal assistant mam. Thank you so much for the opportunity you have given me." Sarika said as kindly as possible trying to earn some 'brownie points' with her boss. "One more thing cancel my travel arrangements before you leave. I have other plans for this weekend." Miss Lamai said as turned to walk to her office seemingly having not hearing a word of Sarika's flattery.

"But I spent two hours getting you that flight..." Sarika said as she sighed in disappointment under her breath at the lost unrecognized hard work. "See you on Monday Miss Lamai." Sarika told her boss after finishing her last-minute tasks. "Did you cancel my flight?' Miss Lamai asked briefly while on a phone call. "I have e-mailed you the proof Miss Lamai." Sarika said now getting more eager to leave the office. "Thank you Sarika have a nice weekend. No not you we still have to discuss those plans." Miss Lamai said to Sarika waving her out of the office at the same time she as she was arguing on the call.

If you haven't figured out by now, Sarika Is pretty much like every other foreign girl working for an international company in Tibet, Thailand. She has dark black short hair, she is thin built, energetic, and always ready for a challenge. Also, she is always on her feet to make deadlines and keeping up with the demand of the ones in charge. Unlike most girls, Fridays are her days to get home as soon as possible and do absolutely nothing, well other than try not to injure herself experimenting on new things after a glass or three of wine.

Leaving the office Sarika went to downstairs to the carpark hoping that the traffic would be kind to her so that she may get home faster and jump in her bed. A women's voice suddenly shouted out from behind her "Hey Rika! You seemed to have had a busy day". Dammit Nelly!! You scared the crap out of me" Sarika said to her sister Nelisha who is also on her way home. "I just love the empty underground carpark echo vibe." Nelisha said laughing hysterically sounding quite devious. "Well at least one of us gets to be chirpy" Sarika said not very amused.

"So busy day huh?" Nelisha asked once again this time more concerningly. "Urhhh busy isn't even the right word for this day. I would do anything for a break" Sarika replied now more relaxed as she slumped her shoulders in exhaustion. "Miss Lamai is great and all though sometimes I just want to urrhhhh probably slip a 6-hour sleeping pill into her 'Starbucks Peach Cloud drink'." Sarika said as she started feeling a bit better with her venting. "Someone's going psychooooo" Nelisha said mockingly at her sisters' evil mind.

"Okay sorry too soon... however it does sound like you need to take a break and you know just relax for a bit." Nelisha said beginning to get excited with what she has up her sleeve. "I would give anything for a break." Sarika said dully. "Well would you give our weekend? Starting like right now?" Nelisha asked with a smug grin on her face leaning ever so closely peering into Sarika's soul. Ever so slowly backing away from those puppy dog eyes Sarika asked. "What are you up to Nelly?"

"
Me? Oh nothing." Nelisha said resuming her beady eyed wide smile look. "Just I think I have an idea of how we both could get want we want. Actually, it might be exactly what you need." Nelisha said hoping to lighten the mood and spread some joy for the weekend ahead. "And what is it that you want?" Sarika asked her sister curiously. "Time with my sister." Nelisha replied calmly with a loving smile.

"Come on let's go home I'll explain in the car." Nelisha said as she got into her sister's car. "Wait why are you in my car? Where's your car?" Sarika asked. "I'm leaving it here for when you agree to our weekend plan. Safer in the underground parking than at home." Nelisha said to which Sarika could deny the safer part, however she still needed convincing about the plans.

"Well whatever you got stirring up inside that head of yours has better got nothing to do with my more endless hours of walking in these shopping malls. And absolutely no more hazardous cooking, which reminds me that we still have to get those scorched cupboards replaced." Sarika said laying down the rules for any weekend plans as she drove out of the parking lot and onto the busy streets of Thailand.

"Okay firstly I did say 'take the roast chicken out of the oven in 10 minutes' but nooooo somebody insisted on having 'just one more' glass of wine. And secondly I thought you liked walking and hiking browsing through the sales and specials of the stores." Nelisha said. "Yes! but outdoor in nature not in buildings with crowded people and being forced non discounted discounts on tops and shoes.

"Okay fine ill bite. What do you have in mind for us this weekend and what are our chances of injury and or otherwise?" Sarika ask her sister teasingly. "Haaa, you just have no faith in your little sister. I sad now *Sniff* *Sniff*" Nelisha said mockingly after turning her face away from Sarika so she would not see the huge grin on her face. "I hate it when you do that!" Sarika said full of guilt "So spill it what do you have planned?" she asked again this time getting more eager to know the answer.

"Okay soo we have been in Thailand for nearly and year and so far, it has been nothing but work and weekends in the city, well it has been mostly working. So, this weekend you and I are going to mix things up just a little bit." Nelisha said excitedly as she did her best not to give out any more details. "I wont ruin the surprise just yet though." She said only peaking Sarika's interest. "You know I do hate it when you do that!" Sarika told her sister briskly as she began to get annoyed by the secrecy. "You have to at least give me a hint or else I swear I will put a sleeping pill in your next Starbucks drink." She urged her sister on into giving her something to carry her till they get home.

"Okay fine! Just one hint!" Nelisha finally caved in. "We get to experience how our brother lives in life in his work recording videos." Nelisha said trying not to get to excited. "Oh! for the sake of! you got to be kidding me! No no I'm not goi...." Sarika was about to say when Nelisha make one more statement.

Hey, did I mention that there will wine? Nelisha said as she knew she has Sarika's full attention. "As in an open wine bar at that too." Nelisha added. "So? when do we get started on this mystery adventure of yours? Sarika said as she sped up just a bit getting impatient to get home. "What ever would our brother think of us going on wine trips?" Sarika asked rhetorically as they both began to laugh. "I do wonder how he is doing though. He usually does risky things for his filming but this time the risk might just be to high." Nelisha said getting genuinely concerned for their brother's well-being.

"Hey! He is used to his life remember and besides, it's not like he alone on that documentary. He had his best friend there and there is nothing that those two can't accomplish together" Sarika said trying to reassure her sister. "Still I do hope to hear from him soon." Nelisha said and they both sat in silence for a while.