Behind the bride's veil - II

'Welcome class, it's wonderful to have you here. Pat yourselves on the back, you've all made it to INSEAD!' and we roared in celebration. It was an insane class. A class with some of the best business brains the world will see. And it had the 5 of us, the youngest in the batch. Jay and Karan from my land, our friend Lee Min from China, and Varsha. In that crowd, we pretty much were kids.

Varsha Kapoor and I connected almost instantly. She was the delight to my very apprehensive grandparents who were worried if I will find a friend that's 'our breed' in a new country. They gave her a virtual kiss on the forehead when we Skyped for the very first time. My very first Skype chat with family. When my people became virtual reality.

'Yayy. Orchard's done. Chic', I smiled and collapsed on Varsha's sofa as I checked Orchard from the exuberant bucket list we'd made. Orchard scored high on my I-must-see-these-right-away priority spots.
On the other hand, there were varied responses too.
'What? Orchard?! The name's repelling enough. We're off to the Science Centre. We'll catch you in the evening at Marina Bay'.

Sadly, understandably though, the boys skipped shopping with us that morning.
'Have you any money left at all?',Varsha's mum joked as I unpacked the bags and showed her the dresses and watches we'd bought. The hall was a pretty sight with shopping bags, bills and wallets strewn around. Well, at least to me it was.

'... and that's precisely why we asked them to reschedule this... Why can't Richardson just wait the weekend? If we don't strike this Larry, I swear ...', He stormed through the door talking on his phone, untying his impeccable tie. He waved at Varsha and looked at me surprised. He stood for a few seconds.

In the black suit, he was a vision.
But the guy on the phone was too impatient. Just my luck.

'...give me a minute for God's sake, I just came home. I'll send it right away!' and he dashed away into his room.

'That's Aditya', Varsha spoke nonchalantly, admiring the new Zara linen. Her peripherals didn't pay heed to him.
But all I saw was him.

Brother. Friend's brother. Such a vision.

I was in the hall packing my bag and all the dearests we shopped that day. We were leaving.
'Ma, I'm going to Larry's place. Tell dad the presentation's tomorrow.' He came out of his room, much more relieved and happy looking. He was in a black USPA tee and khakhi pants.

'Heyyyy, sorry couldn't talk earlier! I'm Aditya... You're Vandhana?', he looked happily surprised.
I froze. 'Hi, oh yes.'
'Aah, Varsha rattles a lot about you. Looks like good fun at school?'
I smiled, 'Ummm... Yah'
'Alright!', he smiled and vanished.
'Please don't go...?', I stood praying to him within me.

'We'll leave? Karan and the others are already there', Varsha spoke as she fished for her phone in her bag and snapped me out of my daze.
'What? They've reached?', I was startled.
'Hahah, yes they have'
'Gosh I'm so excited!' I gleamed.
'Me too! Jay's bought our passes. He'll give it to us at the entrance, that's where they'll meet us'.

'Aditya, guess what? Mike's there tonight', Varsha shouted from the hall.
'Yeah I know, he'd invited me too. But I'm off to Larry's. I've work', He answered from the dining sipping on his coffee.
Varsha sensed I needed some explanation seeing me at seas.
'Oh, Mike too works at ol'man sucks with Aditya!', she said.

A tiny pillow came flying across the room. It whizzed past me and hit her.
'Say that one more time and I'll punch your face you douche', He quipped.
'Yeah yeah. Goldman Sachs whatever. It's all the same', we chuckled.

'Varsha, so what time're you both back?'
'We might get late, and...', and Varsha looked at me.
'Alright, I'll pick you up, let me know'
'Oh how very responsible you're becoming. When have you ever, ever picked me ...', Varsha realized he wasn't looking at her.
'Ahem', she looked at me. I looked at her. And then him. And then her. The blush grew with each glance.
'I see where it's going. Cool then. You can pick her up, and I'll tag along', she laughed.
'Come let's go. Bye', she left.
'Bye', I turned around as Aditya came near the door.
'Take care. I'll see you', he smiled.