He wanted to add a spa wing to The Marquis. His spa would be one of the best city spas in the country, he would make sure of that. A tranquil oasis in the midst of a crazy, busy, city. This new addition to the Marquis would catapult it from a city hotel to a city resort. He really had to discuss this with the board soon. Kabier would love what he had in mind and Rishi already knew his plans and was excited to get the ball rolling. So all that was left was to get a nod from their grandfather and they could get started.
“I’m bringing this up in the board meeting on Monday. Let’s see what the others have to say to this new idea,” Sameer said as they both climbed back on the bike again.
He rode the bike at a low speed, all the while talking to Rishi.
“I just hope...What the hell?” Sameer yelled.
He swerved his bike on to the side as a huge black SUV drove recklessly past him.
“Looks like more people having fun tonight, other than you and me,” Rishi commented as his gaze followed the unruly SUV.
“Fun...more like mad people with a death wish,” Sameer said.
He stopped the bike to look at the black Porsche Cayenne SUV take a fast U turn and speed down on the opposite side of the road, the music from its speakers audible and loud even from where they were standing.
“Whoa. Did you see the plates on the Cayenne?” Rishi asked.
“No. Why?”
“Isn’t Kabier in London?”
“Uh huh.” Sameer replied.
“If Kabier is in London then who in the world is driving his car at four in the morning unless...”
“Unless, that’s Keya,” Sameer completed. “Come on,” Sameer dropped down his helmet flap and revved the bike, “let’s go say Hi!”
4
“This feels just like old times!” Keya chirped from behind the steering wheel of the car. She was zipping down the empty road like a pro.
“Absolutely,” agreed Sheena, who was sitting next to her.
“Yes, well other than the fact that both of you are married and have husbands now, it is like old times indeed,” Raashi said from the back seat.
Her two friends had surprised her by landing up at her place unannounced for dinner earlier in the evening. They had chatted long into the night. Both their husbands were out of town and neither of them wanted to call it a night so here they were zipping in Keya’s car, music blaring, at four a.m.
“Come on, let’s stop for some coffee,” Keya said, slowing down as The Marquis loomed up on their right.
She took a U turn to head towards the hotel. She reached the gates of the hotel in no time, stopping for the security check.
Suddenly, a bike appeared on their side and came to a halt. The rear rider got off and knocked on Keya’s window. Raashi’s eyes met Keya’s panicked ones through the rearview mirror for asecond just as Sheena leaned forward and exclaimed, “Oh look, it’s Rishi!”
Keya rolled the window down as Sheena continued to talk excitedly, “Rishi! You gave us quite a fright.”
Sheena leaned forward again and squinted her eyes.
“Huh! Is that Sameer riding the bike? Wow! I can’t believe it,” Sheena exclaimed.
Sameer! He was here. Raashi’s heart stopped before it beat again. All her pep talks to herself on staying in control and being immune to him when she saw him next went for a toss as her heartbeat accelerated.
“Meet us at the hotel porch,” Rishi instructed Keya.
Oh No! She would be face to face with him in the next few minutes and there was no way out of this predicament.
Sameer parked the bike at the porch of The Marquis and waited with Rishi as Keya brought her car to a halt beside them.
“Hello, you two. Fancy meeting you guys here,” Sheena remarked, stepping out of the car.
