Chapter 3 - THE PINK CITY

I agreed to accompany in the multi dollar project as soon as I saw the Pink City in pictures shown by my friend Disha.

"See. I told you that this city is beyond beautiful. "

Disha exclaimed still swiping through the pictures.

It was the city of Jaipur which shimmered pink in the evening light.

It was best known for its royal forts and palaces along with its exotic jewellery and dresses.

It was often the 'dream wedding destination of young couples.

"Ya man. It is pretty. No wonder the project is so important."

I said still gazing at those pictures of forts.

"And I am jealous of you miss. If I were to get an opportunity to gk their, I would grab it in a split second." She winked.

"Well, I am excited too for this trip..I mean project but you know my boss Aditya. He is so irritating. Like ughh!! I feel like breaking his face when I see him." I said while throwing some air punches.

"Chillax girl. You have just accompany him not date him."

"Haha. Very funny. Just accompanying him is a nightmare...dating with him would be hell."

We both laughed at the last sentence.

*******

"Its a yes." I say as Aditya is about to enter the cabin.

"Oh good you finally agreed that you are a psychopath who needs help."

"Excuse me," I say wide-eyed, "it was you who asked me to be a part of PJP not the other way round."

Note: PJP stands for Patwardhan Jaipur project.

"Looks like you managed to spoil my company's name with your little abbreviation." He said smirkingly.

"Okay then I guess I should withdraw my name from the project then."

This faltered his smirk.

I was about to turn around and return to my desk when..

"Um...apart from the snarky comments your presence will be really needed at the" he stuttered, "PJP."

He finally accepted his defeat.

*******

I returned to my apartment. Although it had wooden floors white washed walls and furniture for the perfect homely ambience but it still lacked people.

People who actually make a house into a home.

It reminded me of my parental house. A small bungalow at the side of a quiet alley. It wouldn't be distinguishable from other bungalows if I had not spilled a yellow pand box in the courtyard.

It was my home.

Filled with people I cared and loved the most. My parents. It was just perfect like they showed in the movies but then one day a villain came in and took it all away.

While I lamented in the darkness of solitude my phone beeped.

They were tickets.

Airplane tickets.

Of tomorrow.

Wait! What!!!! TOMORROW!?!?!

This idiot was giving me the tickets now when there is hardly a day left for the departure.

Shit!!!! I hadn't even packed yet. What am I suppose to take. I didnt even know the weather in Jaipur or what I was supposed to wear.

Many problems. One sloution---- GOOGLE.

I googled to only find out that it is above 40⁰C during day in Jaipur and freezig cold at night.

So I packed:

Formals (to wear at meetings)

Hoodie for nights

Tank top (for sightseeing if possible)

And last but not the least my Sunglasses.

Oh wait! Forgot the most important thing..

HEADPHONES.

( cancelling any sounds coming from Aditya)

I packed those all in my neon suitcase.

It was morning. The air was humid as though it was going to rain soon. I reported first to the office and then ee took a cab towards the Mumbai Airport.

Sure enough before we could enter the airport it started raining.

It was raining cats and dogs. Everyone was rushing inside the gate while covering their heads. In that bustle I bumped into a guy.

Before I could apologize, Aditya grabbed me by my elbow and sprinted towards the boarding area.

The security checking started and just as I was uploading the bag over the roller I realised the neon coloured suitcase had turned into a green one.

Oh wait!!

It's not mine.

I looked around to spot my neon case to be found nowhere.

And then the next thing happened...

"Damn it Aditya! Why did you put it on the roller without asking?!"

"What was I supposed to do?? Wait for you till you look around."

"Dumbhead!! I was looking for my suitcase."

I yelled still looking it around.

"Wait so this isn't your---

Before he could complete the alarm started ringing.

In no time the police dog came rushing and sniffing the green suitcase.

A crowd had gathered around mostly of police officers.

Man!! You got to be kidding me.