Where the Secret Lies (7 page)

‘You know...’ Tridev seemed to
think about something. ‘Wait a moment.’

He called the waiting boy and
whispered something in his ear. The boy nodded and disappeared.

‘Would you mind if I asked you for
advice, if you not in a hurry to go?’ Tridev gestured Arianna to take a seat.

‘Not at all, what advice do you
need?’

 
‘Well, what I was saying, my son lives in
Amrika.’

‘You mean America?’

‘Yes, that’s what I meant,’
laughed Tridev. ‘I still need to practice my English.’

‘Your English is very good,’
said Arianna.

‘Thank you my dear.’

The boy came back with a long
glass of cool mango lassi – a sweet yoghurt drink, and some potato and onion
bhajis.

‘These are on me,’ said Tridev
when Arianna began to protest. ‘Please, you are my guest. So, my son is married
and has three beautiful children. My daughter- in-law is okay, I suppose. Well,
my son wants me to sell the restaurant, move to the US, and live with them. I
would like your opinion.’

Arianna thought about it as she
ate the aromatic food and tasted the heavenly lassi.

‘This is so good,’ she
complimented and Tridev smiled. ‘I think it would be nice to go and live in
America. It will make your wife very happy to see your son.’

‘Oh no, we are divorced,’ Tridev
said. ‘But that is another story.’

‘Mr Kapoor, do you want to sell
the restaurant? Do you have any family here?’ asked Arianna.

‘My family members are scattered
around the world. I have a brother who lives with his family in Australia. My
daughter lives in Germany and works as a designer and you know about my son.
Selling my restaurant will be no big thing.’

‘Then I don’t see what you are
waiting for. Go, sell this place, and move to America!’

‘I suppose you are right but I
will miss India, the good hot weather. I hear New York is very cold.’

‘Wow, New York? I want to go
there too one day. Mr Kapoor, do not delay. Having family nearby is what every
person needs.’

‘Thank you so much, you have
helped me. You are wise beyond your young years.’

Arianna and Tridev chatted some
more and soon the sky began to darken. There were more people on the road now as
well.

 
‘Mr Kapoor, what time is it?’ asked Arianna.

‘It is coming to six.’

‘Oh, I didn’t realise how late
it was. I must go or my family will be worried.’

‘Ari! There you are!’ Khushboo
came in followed by Tianna who was eating an ice cream.

‘I’m sorry, I did leave a note,’
said Arianna. ‘How long have you been looking for me?’

‘Five minutes. Okay, I saw you
from my bedroom window,’ said Khushboo. ‘But I was worried when you didn’t get
home by five.’

‘How are you, dikra (daughter)?’
asked Tridev.

‘I am fine, uncle,’ said
Khushboo. ‘How are you?’

‘Very good. Say hello to your
parents from me. Here, take a few betel leaves for everyone.’

‘Thank you for everything
Mr.Kapoor,’ said Arianna.

‘No, thank you,’ said Tridev.

After dinner, Khushboo told
Arianna they all were going to Lonavala – a beautiful hill station, for a long
weekend. Nikhil will be coming with another friend.

‘I am coming too,’ said Tianna.

‘Did mum say yes?’ said Arianna.

‘We argued but I won as I always
do. Papa said I could go.’

‘Well, just behave. I will be
watching you. When are we leaving?’

‘Tomorrow, so you need to pack
tonight,’ said Khushboo.

‘I will be with Gaurav, if you
need me,’ Tianna walked away leaving Arianna and Khushboo alone.

‘Ari, can I ask you something?’

‘Of course.’

‘Earlier when we were coming
back from the café, you seemed distracted, why?’

Arianna told her about her chat
with Jai.

‘I don’t know what to do. I don’t
feel very good,’ confessed Arianna.

Khushboo put an arm around her
cousin. ‘Don’t worry, Ari. Just concentrate on the weekend. It will clear your
mind. Now, let’s pack.’

NINE

Arianna, Tianna and Khushboo piled
into the awaiting car.

‘Are
we ready?’ Nikhil asked, looking through his rear view mirror. He caught
Arianna’s eye and smiled. ‘Arianna, Tianna – this is Kabir.’

‘Hello,’
said Arianna and Tianna together.

‘It is
nice meeting you,’ Kabir smiled in return.

‘Ti, I
hope you have not googled Lonavala,’ Khushboo raised her eyebrow. ‘I want this
experience to be a surprise, uplifting and magical. Understood?’

‘Alright,
no reading!’ Tianna grumbled.

Arianna
suppressed a laugh. She knew how desperate her sister longed for information on
new destinations.
 

The
monsoon season was the perfect time to visit Lonavala; they were lucky. Tianna
hated the rain and getting wet, and nearly pulled out of going – had she not
seen Kabir who according to her was gorgeous! His fine fitted t-shirt revealed
his solid biceps and chiselled body. To accompany this, Kabir sported a model smile.

 
‘Tianna, I want you to behave yourself,’ said
Arianna.

This
was a silly crush and hoped she will not embarrass herself or poor Kabir.

‘I will drive first,’ Kabir said to
Nikhil. ‘You can take over later.’

Nikhil
settled into the front passenger seat with the three girls in the back.

‘The
journey has begun!’ he announced and everyone cheered.

‘How long
will it take to get there?’ asked Tianna.

‘Around
three hours but we will make stops,’ said Kabir.

Grey
clouds gathered, a rumble heard in the distance. The rain came fast. Tianna
huddled closer to Arianna who covered her with a blanket.

 
‘I brought one, just in case,’ she said.

‘I
hate the rain,’ Tianna moaned and snuggled under the blanket disappearing out
of sight.

 
Nikhil took out a book from his bag.

‘What
are you reading?’ asked Arianna.

‘It’s
not a reading book but his journal,’ said Khushboo. ‘He brings it everywhere.
He is secretive so do not even think of asking him what he writes in it!’

Nikhil
half turned in his seat to face the girls. ‘I like to write about journeys,
what I see, what I feel, and what I like. It’s a passion of mine,’ his eyes
locked with Arianna’s. She blushed and shifted her eyes.

‘You
never told me that,’ accused Khushboo.

‘You
never asked, ‘said Nikhil.

‘I bet
you mentioned a specific girl...’ Khushboo glanced at Arianna.

‘Khushboo,
what are you doing?’ she hissed.

‘Having
some fun,’ winked Khushboo.

Nikhil
turned back to face the road. ‘Khush, you are so immature.’

Khushboo
stuck her tongue out.

Kabir drove out of the city and
soon they were in the midst of lush green fields. Arianna gazed out in
fascination at the complete change of landscape.

Passing
through, the weather changed. Cloudy skies brightened to sunshine and the
temperature hiked. Everyone wound their windows down. Tianna threw the blanket off,
fanning herself vigorously with her hands.
 
Mumbai now far behind, Arianna saw fields, hills
and steep roads that curved. She leaned out of the window and let the air rush
by. She inhaled.

‘Khush,
can you pass a soda?’ Nikhil asked.

Khushboo
duly passed everyone a can.

‘Mmmm,
refreshing,’ he said, taking a long drink.

‘You
sound like an ad,’ laughed Tianna.

‘I
used to work on an ad you know – behind the scenes.’

‘Really?’
Tianna was wide eyed.

‘Yeah,
he was the tea and errand boy,’ laughed Khushboo.

‘I
worked hard and I did it honestly, I have nothing to be ashamed of.’

‘Children,
stop squabbling and be good,’ Kabir warned. ‘Do not make me stop the car.’

An
hour later Tianna and Khushboo nodded off, Kabir yawned too.

‘I
wouldn’t mind a nap,’ he stopped the car. ‘Nikhil, you drive. Arianna, do you
mind swapping seats?’

‘Not
at all,’ she said as Nikhil took the driving seat and Kabir went to the back.
Arianna sat in Nikhil’s former seat; he seemed delighted.

Tianna
woke up. ‘Are we there yet?’

‘No,’
said Arianna.

Tianna
went back to sleep and as soon as the car moved, Kabir was asleep too.

‘He
must be tired,’ commented Arianna.

‘Kabir
doesn’t like driving on long journeys,’ said Nikhil. ‘I’m surprised he volunteered
to drive first. Arianna...I’m glad you came,’ Nikhil said.

‘Why?’

Nikhil
checked the rear view mirror, making sure everyone was asleep.

‘I,
well...I wanted to spend a little more time with you...’

I, too
want to spend time with you, thought Arianna. She liked him, a lot but this was
only a holiday and it will not do any good starting something, she reminded
herself.

‘So
what do you like doing? Do you have any hobbies?’ she asked.

‘I
love drawing and photography. I have a studio in Mumbai, I hope you will come
and see it.’

‘I
would love to,’ she said. ‘Do you mind if I put on some music?’

‘Go
ahead. The CDs are in the glove compartment.’

Arianna
chose a Bollywood CD and settled down to the music.

‘I’d
have thought you would have gone for an English track,’ commented Nikhil.
‘There’s a Michael Jackson CD in there somewhere.’

‘I
like old Michael but I prefer Bollywood. It’s the best.’

Nikhil stopped at a small offside
restaurant. The rain slowed to a drizzle. Everyone filled up on chai and hot
samosas and stretched their legs.

‘Time
to change places,’ said Nikhil as he got in the back.

‘Ari,
you go to the back now. I want to sit in the front,’ said Tianna.

Arianna
obliged but made sure Khushboo sat between her and Nikhil.

They
drove along steep and hilly roads, swerving on a few sharp turns, making
Arianna cringe. She hated heights. Tianna, wide-awake chatted the rest of the
way. Khushboo fell asleep again, her head resting on Nikhil’s shoulder and her
arms hugging his waist. A friendship embrace, Arianna strangely felt better for
it.

By the time they arrived at the Lonavala
lodge, darkness had fallen with a prominent mist forming. The group trundled
out of the car, their limbs screaming from fatigue.

‘Welcome
to Lonavala Lodge,’ said the receptionist with a big smile. ‘How may I assist
you?’

‘We
have come from Mumbai,’ Kabir her. ‘We have a booking on the name Kabir
Tendulkar.’

The
receptionist checked the name on the computer and took a key from the wall.

‘Your
cabin is ready,’ the receptionist smiled and grabbed a flyer. ‘This is a map of
the area and this is your key. Please follow me and I will take you to your
cabin.

The
cabin was modern in structure, a mini two-storey house built with wood. Arianna
imagined fabulous views from the balcony in the morning. She gasped.

‘You
hear the waterfall?’ Nikhil came to stand next to her. Arianna nodded. ‘Wait
till the morning, I will take you there.’

It was
eight in the evening and very warm. Everyone was pretty tired and crashed on
the sofa for a while, resting their minds and bodies before they did anything
else. The simple, natural furnishing blended in perfectly with the location.
Being the time of the Monsoon season, the cascading waterfalls were best at
this time of the year. Arianna was eager to see it already.

 
‘Who wants some chai?’ asked Kabir after a
while.

Everyone
put their hand up.

‘Shall we go for a walk?’ Khushboo
asked after the teas were finished.

‘Not
me. I am too tired from all that driving,’ said Kabir.

‘I’ll
stay with Kabir,’ said Tianna. ‘I’m sure we will be doing a lot of walking
tomorrow anyway.’

‘Are
you sure?’ asked Arianna.

‘You
go on sis; I am a big girl now. I can look after myself,’ she said.

‘Well,
okay but behave yourself. You are still only fourteen and not eighteen,’
lectured Arianna.

‘Have
fun guys,’ said Khushboo as she, Arianna and Nikhil left.

The three walked into town where
good food and beautiful sights beckoned. The town lit up, a number of shops and
stalls enthralled them. Khushboo linked her arm around Arianna’s but Arianna preferred
to hold Nikhil’s hand...she blushed thinking about it, luckily no one noticed.

Nikhil
busied himself in a paper shop and Khushboo took Arianna to the side.

‘Is
there something going on between you two?’ she asked.

‘No,
why do you say that?’ said Arianna as innocently as she could.