One year later, he was travelling to New Delhi on Rajdhani express for a new project… It was an overnight train journey and looking out of window made no sense as it was dark – with nothing else to do, he double checked his purse for its contents and saw an old memory card he had forgotten about… He changed the memory cards to look at the content it stored… lo! It contained some of his favourite music tracks he had forgotten about… He opened the picture gallery and started scanning the gallery – it contained many old photos – this memory card was about a year old….

He started scrolling through them when one held his attention – Shongita – he had met her at Rajesh’s engagement bash. She had been eyeing him right from the moment he had entered and was impressed by his popularity in the team. He had finally won her heart when he had sung few songs in his silky voice… She had unabashedly approached him, introduced herself and complimented him – then onward, it had been a breath-taking love affair between them which was cut short when she along with her family had moved to New Zealand…

He wiped off the sweat on his forehead in her fond memory – he started scrolling through the photos again and each photo pushed him to a memory lane and brought a smile on his face – he kept on smiling and scrolling – till he scrolled to a photo – his mind refusing to budge – his eyes, filled with tears… ‘LISHA PIEN’…

His memory transported him to events – One Year ago

“Congratulations!!” Christy had shouted across the office as he walked out of his cabin, “Chaits! You made it – Guys – meet the number one sales person of the year…” and he gladly pointed out Chaits… The incentive was mind boggling – an incentive trip to Malaysia and 2000 USD in cash on touch down… plus he could take along a girlfriend/wife for free…

“Wow! Thanks Boss! and the whole team…” and from that day he was in multiple minds – he could take a girlfriend along with him – which one?

After a lot of thinking – he decided that he won’t ask any of his girlfriends – lest – he’d lose others for favouring someone. He wanted to enjoy being the most wanted bachelor boy… everyone advised him to go there and find the best of items before deciding what to buy. The itinerary was sent out and their passports called in for VISA application. All those who had qualified for the trip had nothing else to discuss but the forthcoming trip… when the time was due they packed their bags and reached Mumbai Central station for their Rajdhani express ride – they were about 15 of them from the Mumbai branch…

They all waited patiently for the train to arrive – it was delayed by about 5 hours the railway officials had not given any reason for the delay. About 3 hours later, they saw a buzz and everyone was being escorted out of the platforms. The security personnel started rushing in… They looked at the train arrive on the platform but were bundled out… suddenly everyone’s mobiles stared to buzz…

There had been about 5 bomb blasts that had occurred in the city on the local trains and buses – a bomb was supposed to have been planted on one of the platforms… ‘Damn the terrorists’ they casually cursed… these occurrences were normal to Mumbai…

As the news of more specific locations started to trickle in, their concern for their family and friends who used to frequent those routes grew and each one started to call, to ensure that their near and dear ones were safe and sound…

After scanning all the platforms it was decided that the news of a bomb on the platform was hoax and they were allowed to board the train… Even as the train rumbled out of the station, they were still on calls with their family and friends. Once the train rolled out of Mumbai suburbs, it gained fearsome speed – this was a priority train and the track had been kept free for it to cover the delay… they settled down and had their meals served complimentary on the train after which they could discuss only the terror and the terrorists – is there no solution to this gangrene of the society?

They were greeted by a placard outside New Delhi railway station and then led to a bus and bundled into a hotel. They lazed around and greeted their colleagues from different parts of the country, as and when they arrived… as the evening approached, Chaits was in no mood to laze around and booze like others he decided to go out for a stroll – he asked the counter for the directions to the nearest popular market…

“Chaits!” a familiar excited voice called out his name and he turned around… It was Kamal Kaur Bajwa, his colleague from Chandigarh…

“Hey! Kamal… when did you arrive from Chandigarh?”

“Where are you going?”

“I was getting bored so I decided to go to a popular market nearby – the girl here recommended Karol Baag…”

“Karol Baag? It’s a good shopping option – I will join you – I know Delhi pretty well and guide you to shops for what you want to buy… I have my car at your disposal…”

They enjoyed their stroll in the market looking at various goods on display for sale. More than the goods, it was the sense of togetherness as they held hands tenderly – she was glad for Chaits and told him that she had not qualified for the trip – he could have suggested her name as girlfriend and she would have been glad to accompany him as his girlfriend to Malaysia…

“Oh! Sorry – didn’t click me – this is what happens when you don’t keep in touch regularly – I’d have been glad to take you along as my girlfriend – but, it’s too late now – VISA formalities have already been completed…”

“I know – but how could I have suggested you this? Would have looked cheap on my part…”

“There’s nothing cheap about it,” he put an arm around her shoulder, “aren’t you my girlfriend?”

They were driving back to hotel when she suddenly veered off to a side – she could no longer control herself… she leaned over and kissed him sweet, “Go on – enjoy yourself and enjoy on my behalf too…”

She dropped him outside the hotel and drove off – her heartbeats accelerating the speed of her car… Next day saw them completing all the formalities – travel certificates, cash exchange for USD and were bundled out to the airport after dinner, boarding their flight to Kuala Lumpur…

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By Prasad Deshpande

Are you ready for a thrill ride like no other? Look no further than Prasad Deshpande, the mastermind behind heart-stopping, spine-tingling thrillers that will leave you breathless and begging for more! "Unimaginable Plots, Unrelenting Suspense" With a twisted imagination and a flair for the unexpected, Prasad Deshpande weaves intricate tales that will keep you guessing until the very end. From shocking twists to heart-pumping action, it is a wild ride that will push you to the edge of your seat. Dive into a World of Thrills and Chills Explore the dark corners of the human psyche, where the unimaginable becomes reality. Prasad Deshpande's thrillers are not for the faint or weak of heart, but for those who crave a story that will haunt them long after the final page is turned.