The Unexpected Swipe

Chapter 1

(Day 1: Neemrana Fort Palace)

Khushi was jerked awake as Payal killed the engine. She blinked and let her eyes adjust to the afternoon sunlight through her sunglasses and dupatta.

"Okay, people. You can grab your gear!" Payal called.

Khushi grinned as she removed her dupatta from her face. "Lav!"

"I'm already awake, sleepyhead."

Khushi looked over at Lavanya. Her friend was indeed awake, and had layered down to her sleeveless top, too. Her jacket lay on the seat, as Lavanya removed her quilt to show off her tan legs visible beyond her denim shorts. "I'll grab the gear, then."

The gear was a few backpacks containing one set of overnight change of clothes. Neemrana had been their choice of stay for the first night ever since Preetika mentioned that the Aravali views from some rooms were to die for. The girls had, thus, booked two rooms with the accommodation of the same.

They arrived at the reception to check-in, quickly. At high noon, it was useless to try to enjoy the place. They asked for an a-la-carte menu to be sent to the rooms and proceeded towards them.

It took them barely half an hour to freshen up and soon enough Khushi was attacking her lunch like a hungry lion.

"If her Tinder matches could see her now." Payal teased her openly.

Khushi gulped down her food. "They would say that it's okay to eat to my heart's content." Without wasting another breath, she took another serving of manchurian and mixed it with a few spoons of fried rice.

"They would or... Raizada would?" Lavanya prodded.

"Raizada is a closed chapter. Unless Akrit didn't delete my contact from his phone?" Khushi raised an eye at Lavanya. This had been planned since the last few weeks. Akrit was their colleague at Lord of The Rings, who was well aware that Khushi and Lavanya's waitressing days were over, along with their Delhi days.

"He said he did. We'll know Friday, I guess."

Khushi shrugged, ready to change the topic. "There's a pool here, right? You guys want to spend the afternoon there?"

"Yes, please." Preetika nodded. "At least something cool in this weather. We didn't choose the best time for this trip, you know."

"I was ready whenever." Payal reminded them. She had been the chauffeur of Khushi since getting a licence. She could never say no to her.

"I wanted to do this once monsoon was done, you know. It's the middle of July." Lavanya looked at Khushi.

"Sorry, I couldn't take another month of that... that man." Khushi gulped. Truth was, she knew the moment he would know she had graduated, he would offer her to work with him. He already had multiple times, offering internships and temp jobs just so she would stop waitressing.

"Let's not discuss him." Payal said. "You guys finish up, I'll call the reception to ask about the arrangements for the afternoon."

"Thanks." Khushi turned to her food, suddenly feeling full. Brushing the feeling aside, she slowly finished her third serving as her friends continued to gossip and make plans for the night.

Some time later, the friends meandered through the fort appreciating the well maintained hotel and its architecture that meshed well with the latest changes that a resort needed in this decade. Eventually, they hit the pool and found a table by the shade. Ordering milkshakes and cold coffees, they sat just enjoying the view for a long time.

Khushi had zoned out completely, so when there was a splash, she started. She heard Preetika trying to bite back a laugh and turned to see the pool. Drenched head to toe, Lavanya Kashyap was making innocent eyes at a man who was looking at her helplessly.