“How was my performance just now?” Praveen asked Rajesh after the fashion show. They walked towards the parking lot."I don’t know! I didn't pay much attention." Rajesh took out the car keys from his trouser pocket."Why?""I'm not here to see your performance, but to ensure your safety!""So, you didn't notice me at all?"“In my eyes, all the models look the same! Besides, I met someone earlier and talked to her.”Praveen turned and looked at Rajesh sharply."Who?"“Zoya!”"What? Is she here?” Praveen was disbelieved. “How did you meet her? Did you meet on purpose?""No! I saw her by chance. She's here to see you perform!""But why didn't she tell me?"“How would I know! Just ask her! She's here with her new bodyguard!”Praveen really didn't expect Zoya to be so bold as to come here without telling him first."Isn't that risky, Rajesh?""What do you mean?""I told her not to meet me. I'm worried that someone will find out if she meets me.""You don't need to worry. She didn't meet y
Sunil didn't know why the closer he got to his wedding day the more anxious he became.The attitude shown by Zoya was not the attitude of a girl who is so happy about her wedding day. She looked relaxed. In fact, she never talked about who she would invite later.Was it not important to her? They had a lot of mutual friends because they went to the same high school. But why didn't she even say who they should invite?Sunil rushed in. Inside he saw Zoya already in the living room welcoming him.“What would you like to drink, Sunil?” she asked in small talk. He saw that there was no drink on the living room table for him."I'm not thirsty.""So, you're just here to stop by?"Sunil nodded."You said you met someone earlier?" Sunil asked, changing the conversation.“Yes, Uncle Rajesh Kumar. Just a coincidence. He's also at the mall. How do you know? Balaa told you?”Sunil nodded. He was silent for a moment, Seemed like he's thinking about something.“By the way, our wedding is only a matt
"You don't trust me, Boss?" Roohan asked with a raised eyebrow. He glared at Sunil. Instantly his heart beat faster, worried that Sunil really knew that the man was still alive.But he tried to remain calm. He had carried out his duties well. Doing what Sunil told him. His other colleagues probably wouldn't believe that the man survived either. What happens after that is no longer his business.It could be that the man managed to save himself or saved by someone else. Or does he have a spare life? That's none of his business either.“My feeling says he's still alive!” Sunil said."Don't play with feelings! It's often deceptive! If you don't believe me, you can ask someone else. There are several executors besides me!” Roohan tried to convince.Sunil was silent for a few seconds. He returned Roohan's gaze. Being stared at like that apparently made Roohan uncomfortable. He felt distrusted.“I just want to make sure, Roohan!”Roohan took a deep breath.“Boss, I don't know what's on your
The tall and slender stewardess dressed in Indian kurti inspected the passenger seatbelts one by one and reminded them to fasten the seatbelt. Within fifteen minutes, the plane of Air India carrying passengers from New York to Mumbai would ground at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. A few minutes ago the captain's voice heard from the speaker announcing that they were above Mumbai.In the economy class row, on seat 17F, next to the window, there was a girl with a smile on her face, looking out the window. She seemed to observe the megapolitan city from her seat. Skyscrapers were scattered below. Mixed with other small buildings, which were so tight and dense. Unlike Boston, the city where she lived for 4 years, the buildings were so classy and covered with glass even though the population was less, but Mumbai, looked more simple and a bit monotonous.But she didn't care, after all Mumbai was her hometown. The city she was born and raised. Mumbai in all its realities was much m
Praveen seemed very nervous when his name was called to enter the audition room. Would I be humiliated again this time like before? He thought to himself. Every time he took audition, he became the jokes of the panelists. He was said not talented, can't acting, and other degrading remarks. And so far he was still strong enough to face panelists whose mouth were sharper than a razor. He believed someday, he definitely be selected to the next stage. That belief never waned in the slightest. He had memorized the dialogues from the script. It's already by heart, and later it's just a matter of executing it in front of the panelists. Hopefully, all goes well. But this time, he was too nervous, disturbing his concentration. He did not expect too much, it was because the message he received since two days ago which made him unable to focus. The Important message telling him to go back to Chandrapur. The message was sent by his mother's sister, Auntie Neha. There was no other explanation why
In the midst of his confusion, Praveen still thought what to do. His hand as trembling dialed Aunt Neha's number. There was a dial tone, but it wasn't answered. He tried to call again, still no response. What's wrong? Why wasn't Auntie Neha picking up the phone? Was she angry because he had turned off his cell phone before? He tried to contact her many times, but she wasn't available. Praveen was almost in despair. He needed explanation now. Was the message he received true? Why did his mother die? All he knew she was fine before. Indeed, he rarely phoned her, because she didn't have a cell phone. Every time he contacted her, it would be to Auntie Neha first and then to her mother. Their house in the village is near, only twenty meters away. His mother lived alone in their small house in the village. She selling vegetables in market in Chandrapur on a daily basis. Every morning before sunrise, she goes to the collector and picks up vegetables to resell at the market. The vegetables w
The Cranky expression still covered Rajesh's face. After the incident he just kept quiet, not a word came out of his mouth. Zoya was also silent and looking out to the people passing by and the row of shops along the road side. She was sure, the young man was not lying by telling his mother died. Zoya could see the sadness and confusion on his handsome face. Handsome? Suddenly she smiled. During four years in Boston she rarely saw Indian men, only White or Hispanic faces everywhere. Once in a while another east Asian face. That's what she often saw at least around her campus. She wasn't that interested in them. The face of India was more attractive to her because she felt closer culturally. And honestly she admitted that the young man was the most handsome Indian man she had seen since setting foot in Mumbai today. That's why she's not angry. Her heart was wondering, who the hell was he? From his simple appearance, the man was nobody, just ordinary man like people out there. But his
The train entered Chandrapur District station just before nine in the morning. The small city had started to be busy, but definitely not as busy as Mumbai. The city known as Black Gold City as the coal beneath its land relatively quiet.Praveen had not slept all night in the train. He couldn't even close his eyes. The bread he bought yesterday was not eaten at all. Only a little bottled water left.When the train had stopped, Praveen hurriedly got out of the train. He ran out of the station and called for a tricycle bajaj that was parked on the side of the road waiting for passengers. Everything was fast paced. He didn't even bargain the fare just got on board, sat down and asked the driver to take him to his house in the southern part of Chandrapur.His heart was pounding. His mind wandered. If it was true that his mother died who will take care of the body? His mother was lived alone. It must had been Auntie Neha took care of everything with Sarpanch's help. Maybe she didn't call h