Where the Secret Lies by Malika Gandhi Read Free Book Online Page B

getting married
yet! I am very young!’ exclaimed Khushboo, aghast.
    ‘I am only joking, dikra,’
laughed auntie.
    ‘Thank God for that! So are we
going to London?’
    ‘Khushboo beta, I will make sure
all of you come in December,’ Arianna’s father smiled. ‘Never mind the cold; we
have central heating and lots of blankets and jumpers.’
    Khushboo and Arianna jumped up
and hugged him. ‘Thank you!’
    He hugged them back. ‘It is my
pleasure. Well then Bhai (brother), we better begin applying for visas.’
    ‘Yes! You are coming to London!’
Tianna pulled Khushboo and Arianna away from their father and they danced.
Gaurav rolled his eyes and went back to his TV.
    The chatter became lively and
everyone started talking about London. Arianna’s mother dreamt of showing off
her house and garden, her father looked forward to opening the new whisky by
the fireplace and Arianna thought of the parties she would go to with Khushboo.

 
    Arianna decided to go to the cyber café after breakfast
whilst Tianna and Khushboo went shopping. She wanted to see if there was an
email from Jai.
    Reaching the café, she ordered her usual coke. Arianna had
not checked her emails since she last emailed Jai, around a week ago. She hoped
he replied.   The emails popped up and she
scanned the list.
    Yes, there is was – the tenth
one in line. Arianna checked the date, it was sent five days ago.

 
    Dear Ari,
    I am glad you reached India safely and are enjoying your
holiday. The weather is fantastic here – hot and sunny. Nevertheless, without
you I am empty. I cannot help how I feel about you and I must admit I am
disappointed you do not feel the same. It doesn’t matter; I hope we can still
be friends?
    I have some news; I have found a
job. Can you believe it? The money will tie me over until uni starts.
    I miss you already and cannot
wait until you come back so we can hang out.
    Yours, Jai.xxx

 
    Arianna’s heart sank. She had hoped his declaration of love
was a passing phase...she began to draft a reply.

 
    Hi Jai,
    Glad you are ok. Say hi to everyone back home, I surely miss
everyone, even you my chipmunk! Khushboo has introduced me to many of her
friends, Ritu, Sheetal, Nikhil, Mayuri, and Radha. They are a great bunch. I
have been to Juhu beach, to the City and to the Gate of India. I will not
describe it for you; you will get bored. Keep emailing me – I enjoy hearing
from you.
    Take care, Ari.x

 
    A moment after Arianna sent the
email, the chat box popped up from Jai, startling her.
    Who is Nikhil?
    Arianna laughed and began to
“chat”.
    Not jealous are you?
    No, why should I be?
    He is only a friend, Jai. Like
you are to me.
    I miss you, Ari.
    Please, Jai. Let us not go
there. You said you would get past this and we can be best friends.
    I suppose, sorry. You can’t
blame me for trying though.
    I suppose not.
    There was a pause in the chat
and Arianna waited for him to reply.
    I had better go, have to get
ready for work.
    Are you alright, Jai?
    Give a guy time to heal please.
:0)
    Arianna knew that was a fake
smile.
    Okay. Take care, Jai. Will chat
later.
    Bye Ari.
    Bye Jai.

 
    The chat went offline but Arianna didn’t feel happy. She paid
for the coke and the use of the computer, and left with a heavy and disturbed
mind.
    Tianna and Khushboo met up with
her and they went home together. Khushboo noticed Arianna was not her usual
self and wondered what happened. She decided to ask when they were alone. She
had a feeling Arianna would not want Tianna to know.

 
    Arianna went downstairs to the street in the early afternoon.   Tianna was out again with their aunt and
    mother and Khushboo decided to stay indoors, complaining of
the hot weather.
    Arianna wandered the now, busy
street and visited a few of the local shops where she browsed. Her aunt
informed her that in India, one has to barter all the time and no price is set
even though the shop owner will insist. For a foreigner, they will up the