My Great Bollywood Romance [Completed]

Chapter 1: The India Trip Email

Chapter 1 - The India Trip Email

Eric, Chynna, Emma, Rushil, Fiza and Jash:

Since none of you like to take initiative, I thought I'd reach out to you.

Believe it or not, five years have passed since we graduated high school and parted our ways. I have been in touch with a few of you, but some of you moved across the country to become popular YouTubers (Emma and Chynna!).

Some of you have been too busy brushing other people's teeth (Jash!).

God knows what Eric is upto because he will only reply to my texts and emails after I start spamming them.

Thank God, Fiza, Rushil and I work at the same company—different departments—but still, we find time for each other.

I know you're all wondering why I'm bothering you, then I'd like to remind you of our high school plan to visit India together. I will hear no excuses! I've already talked to my uncle and he's agreed to loan us his house in Shimla.

You must take out at least two weeks for our Friends Trip Out.

The itinerary is attached to this email.

See you at the Delhi Airport.

Yours Truly,

Saloni Bhatt

P.S. Rushil has already given his thumbs up.

P.P.S. It's better for us to go in December than during the scorching heat wave of summer. Get your visas applied quickly.

Twice.

I noted my name was placed next to Rushil's twice in Saloni's email. I stared at the email with a hearty smile on her face.

Emma, Chynna, Saloni, Rushil, and Jash were all a year and a grade above Eric and I. I recalled working extra hard during my sophomore and junior years, so I could manage to take some classes with Rushil.

Rushil's parents and mine were co-founders and partners of our technology consultancy business. Our parents had been neighbors, then great friends, and now, business partners. Their partnership led to closeness between Rushil and I.

He had asked me out during his senior year of high school when I was a junior. Everything was unicorns and rainbows until the both of us entered college. The relationship became unsteady.

I still loved him.

He became more distant.

My thoughts were interrupted by an elbow to the arm by my friend, Saloni.

Saloni had snuck up to me and asked me to grab a coffee with her. We went to the coffee machine.

"Did you get my email?" Saloni asked remaining calm but her hands were moving around frantically.

I had completely forgotten about the email. My mind easily got sidetracked seeing Rushil's name.

I nodded as if I was on the same page. "I'll have to get back to you on that."

"Oh c'mon, Fizz." Saloni pleaded with her stunning green eyes. Her dark brown ponytail swung back and forth waiting for a positive response.

Since Rushil had already agreed, there was no question of me not going. Wherever Rushil went, I had to go. We had to build a stronger relationship if we wanted a stable marriage. At least, that's what our parents claimed.

Mom and dad had pressured me to get married and take over the business. Both of them would be double thrilled if I went on vacation to India with Rushil. They never had time to visit when I was growing up. They were too busy working and building my future.