Chapter 7

It was nearly an hour that Neil's plane had landed in the UK. His parents had come to pick him up from the airport and he was on his way home.

On reaching home, he first sent a message about his safe reaching to Alia. It was surprising to see that he didn't even bother to send the message to Raina.

Neil took a shower and got dressed and came to the kitchen for lunch.

'Babu, I hope you have informed Shekhar Kaaku and Tapur Kaaki that you have reached home safely.' Neil's mother said.

'Yes, mom. I had messaged Alia and I am sure she must have informed Kaaku and Kaaki Maa.' Neil replied.

'And have you spoken to that girlfriend of yours? What's her name? I keep on forgetting it. Yes. Raina. Right?' Neil's father enquired.

'Yeah, Dad. It is Raina. But I have not spoken to her yet. I will do it post-lunch.'

Neil had his lunch peacefully with his family and then he went to his room to rest.

He laid down on his bed and started scrolling through his messages and he was surprised that he hadn't received any message from Raina yet. After giving it much of a thought he decided to call her. The phone was ringing and Raina did pick up the phone.

'Hi.' She said.

'Hey Baby! How are you? Are you okay? I didn't receive any message from you. Have you forgotten me already?' Neil said.

'No I haven't but you probably have.' Raina said in a very cold reply.

'Baby what's the matter with you? Your replies are very cold.' Neil asked.

'Neil, you are still asking me this. I am surprised.'

'Speak to me, Raina. What is it?' Neil asked a bit irritated.

'Okay. Now that you have asked. Before leaving you don't bother to call me or text me but you have time to post a picture on social media with Alia and announce to the world that she is your best friend and you will miss her the most. How do you think I am supposed to feel?' Raina said.

Neil was speechless. At the time of posting things on social media, he didn��t realize it would have such an effect.

'Baby you got it all wrong. It was just a gesture for Alia. Over this past year, she has done a lot for me. And remember she gave up on her coming to the airport just coz you can come.' Neil explained.

'Neil, I have nothing against Alia. I know she is a very nice girl and she is just your friend. But I am just hurtful that you didn't think of doing the same for me. Anyways Neil. I am not in the mood of talking right now. I shall message you later.' Raina hung up the call.

Neil was surprised at this reaction of Raina. He could not understand why one post on social media made her so insecure. To make matters worse, Neil opened his social media account and posted another picture of him and Raina this time and it said "My Dream Girl #girlfriend #longdistance #missyou"

He was sure that this would do the trick but the plan backfired. He immediately got a call back from Raina.

'Hey Baby !! I knew. It will cheer you up.' Neil said excitedly.

'Neil it didn't. I know you only posted a picture because I complained about it to you. Otherwise, I wasn't your preference. You shouldn't have done this.' Neil was shocked, he didn't know that his plan would backfire like this.

'Baby I just tried to mend things. It's just been a day since I have left Calcutta and since I met you last and already so many problems are cropping. Please baby go easy on me.' Neil hung the call this time.

Neil was just tensed. He didn't want unnecessary tension and he just slept. It was in the evening when his parents came into his room and woke him up.

'Mom - Dad, what are you doing in my room? Everything okay?' Neil asked.

'Neil we have a surprise for you before you go to university.' His mother said.

'Surprise? What is it, mom?' Neil asked.

Neil's father handed over an envelope to him and he opened it and started reading the contents of it. His face lightened when he finished reading it and said, 'Wow! We are going on a family holiday to Orlando Universal Studios. This is just what I wanted. It's been ages since I have spent time with you two. Thank you so much, mom and dad.'

'We are happy you liked it son. Now you rest and we will call you when the dinner is ready.' Neil's father replied.

Neil was very excited and he made a call to Alia not thinking that it was nighttime in India. Alia picked up the call and said, 'Neil now you got time to call me. I thought you would call earlier. You just sent one message saying you have reached. What is this behavior?'

Neil felt a bit weird hearing out to a complaining Alia. She never behaved in this manner before.

'Aloo are you okay? It's me, Neil, your friend and not Neil your boyfriend.'

Alia realized that she spoke a little too much and she tried to cover up, 'Ma and baba were asking me throughout the day whether I received a call from you or not. That's why I said all of that.'

'Oh, if Kaaki Maa and Kaaku were asking about me and you are complaining because of that, then it is acceptable.' Neil said.

Alia was relieved that he didn't catch her on her lie. 'Anyways Neil, how come you called at this hour?'

'Yes, I forgot to tell you the actual reason why I called. Guess what? Mom and dad have surprised me by booking a family holiday for us three and we are going to the Universal Studios in Orlando.'

'That is great Neil. I am so happy for you and it's your dream destination right since you have a fetish for rides.' Alia said.

'Well, it's not the most favorite place of mine but it will do.' Neil said.

'Then what is your favorite place?' Alia asked.

'My favorite place is New York City. I mean I just love the vibe there. It is so lively and happening. Nothing can beat it.' Neil said.

'Okay .. Someday when I visit NYC I shall let you know whether I agree with that statement or not.' Alia replied.

'I'll be waiting for that. Okay, Aloo it's getting late for you now and today is your school night so you should sleep on time. Speak to you soon. Bye. Good Night.' Neil wished her.

'Good Night Neil.' Alia hung up the call and she went to her bed.

But she could not get sleep as she was tossing from one side to the other. Finally, she woke up to have a glass of water and she began to think about the whole conversation between her and Neil. 'Why was I so happy when I heard his voice? I know he is just a friend then why did I expect a message from him? It's not right. I am just getting more dependent on him. It's good that he has left and all these thoughts would stop playing in my mind.'

After battling through all these thoughts in her head. Alia was lucky that she was able to get some sleep.

It was the next day and Alia was waiting for her school bus at the bus stop and suddenly it started to pour. Alia went inside the bus stop shed. Suddenly she sees a car pulling at the bus stop and someone open the back seat window.

'Hey, Alia, what are you doing soaking in this rain? Come I will drop you at the school?' Raina said.

Alia was hesitant a bit but the weather was really bad and Raina's offer was very lucrative. Therefore, Alia went and sat inside her car.

'Thank you so much for the lift, Raina. I appreciate it. By the way where are you off to this early in the morning?' Alia asked.

'No worries. I was going to the gym but then I spotted you so I thought I would stop and drop you off at the school. So how is everything with you? You must be feeling very bored now that Neil has gone.' Raina enquired.

'It's okay. I mean it's a bit odd since our family is so small that even one person going away makes a huge difference. But I guess we all will be used to it. I mean it has hardly been anytime since Neil has left. Give it a week or two and things will fall in place.' Alia said.

'Truly said Alia.' Raina mentioned.

'By the way, how are you coping. I mean you are his girlfriend and this long-distance kinda gets difficult.' Alia further asked.

'I know. Long-distance sucks. But I guess we just have to accept the fact that we won't be able to see each other daily and handle the situation like matured people.' Raina said.

'So are you planning to surprise Neil on the Orlando trip?' Alia asked.

'What Orlando trip? What are you talking about?' Raina got tensed.

'Oh Kaaku and Kaaki, I mean Neil's parents have surprised him with a family holiday in Orlando.' Alia said.

'Strange. Neil told you but didn't even bother to tell me. When did he tell you this?' Raina was pissed off.

'Last Night.' Alia replied but she sensed that Raina was not happy hearing all of this so she tried to cover up. 'Actually he called to speak to Ma and Baba but they were pretty tired yesterday and slept early. So then he mentioned it to me. I am sure he's gonna tell you soon.'

Raina just gave a fake smile to Alia and didn't utter a word for the rest of the journey. Finally, the school came and Alia thanked Raina for dropping her and went to her classroom. 'I think I have put Neil in some trouble. I hope he manages her.' Alia muttered to herself.

Soon after Raina finished her gym, it was already 11 a.m. She was still furious over Neil for not telling her about the Orlando plan. So she got home and straightaway called Neil who was fast asleep as it was nearly 7 am in the UK.

Neil frantically got up and was tensed to see Raina's name flashing on his mobile. He picked up the call and said, 'Raina are you okay?'

'Neil, now I have to know about your plans from outsiders.' Raina complained.

'Gosh, Raina it's seven in the morning here. Please talk to me clearly.'

'You are going to Orlando. You could not even tell me. I get to know about this from Alia.' Raina said.

'Alia? Where did you meet her?'

'That's not important Neil. The main thing is why didn't you tell me. Do you not want me to come with you there?' Raina started crying.

'Raina, please. I just happen to speak to Alia yesterday and it was night time and I thought you must be busy or something so I'll tell you today. What's the big deal about it? And yes I don't want you to come there.' Neil was irritated.

'What?' Raina was shocked.

'Don't get me wrong but I want to spend some time alone with my parents. I have been away from them for almost a year now and before going to the uni I just want to spend some quality time with my mom and dad. Is it so much to ask for and besides there will be many opportunities for us in the future to plan holidays like this. Please, Raina. It's just been two days. Give me some space and please be easy on me.'

Raina too felt that she was being unpractical and hence she apologized, 'I am sorry Neil I think I overreacted. But I love you and when I heard from Alia I just got jealous.'

'Oh, Baby you don't have to be. I know its difficult to cope with this long-distance thing but we will plan something soon. Trust me. Maybe this time you come to the UK for Christmas and we can tour around here. Like we can plan this properly when I am not half asleep.'

'Yes and sorry for waking you up. Good night sleepy head and call me when you are fully awake.' Raina said.

Both of them said love you to each other and had gone back to doing their things.

Neil didn't mention anything regarding this to Alia nor she asked anything about it. This became a routine for Neil. He and Raina would have lots of stupid fights for the rest of the holidays. This long-distance relationship was taking a toll on him.