Trouble Has a New Name Read Online Free

fragile since her childhood and her world had revolved around Papa, who’d doted on her. When Papa passed away following a massiveheart attack her world had come crashing down. With Papa gone, Meera’s free spirit died too. The bubbly child had turned into a morose, withdrawn teenager who was given to frequent outbursts of violent and self-destructive behaviour. Now, she was stuck in a past that didn’t seem to ever fade away, despite the best doctors that he could now afford to treat her for her condition: dysthymia. Her hero, Papa, had failed her. And later, he—her beloved elder brother whom she called
bhaiya
—would fail her too. But the past couldn’t be changed. It couldn’t be wiped clean. It could only teach you lessons.
    And the most important one was: steer clear of emotional involvement with women. Especially ones who thought they were God’s gift to mankind and could charm their way out of trouble. Women like Rayna were dazzling in their brilliance but the closer you got to them, the higher the risk of being burnt. He still bore the scars of just one such close encounter.
    As the aircraft emptied, he approached Rayna. He’d promised Chris he would personally escort his A-list guests to the resort. After he’d fulfilled his obligations, he would be only too glad to get back to Mumbai in a couple of hours. ‘I don’t wish to disturb your meditation but the helicopter leaves in a short while.’
    ‘Helicopter?’ Rayna’s insides clenched as fear wrapped its cold fingers around her chest.
    ‘Yes. Unless you wish to swim all the way to the resort?’
    Her breath felt shallow as her fear of closed, cramped spaces began to rear its ugly head. A helicopter sounded much like an airborne elevator.
    She took a deep breath as she tried to dispel thewave of nausea that was beginning to build. ‘Is there any other way of getting to the resort?’
    His exasperation was obvious. ‘Seriously, are you always so difficult or do you enjoy annoying me?’
    Her temper flared for a brief second. ‘Believe me, that’s not my intention at all. Would you please answer my question?’
    His eyes narrowed into angry slits. ‘A ship leaves from Port Blair to the islands but you’re unlikely to get a seat on it as it’s booked in advance. The only other option is to take the catamaran.’
    She clenched her fingers into a fist so as not to betray the slight tremor in them. ‘Uh…catamaran? Are they like small boats?’
    His sharp intake of oxygen left her in no doubt he was fast losing his temper. ‘I’m not an expert on seagoing transport and I’m afraid I won’t be able to give you the exact dimensions of a catamaran…but they are largish vessels.’
    ‘And how many people can they seat?’
    ‘Roughly, sixty or seventy. Will that be all or do you have some more questions?’
    She exhaled the breath she had been holding in relief. ‘I’m done! I’ll take the catamaran and I shall see you at the island in—?’
    ‘Two and a half hours. Make sure you don’t miss it. Or you’ll be stranded at Port Blair till tomorrow morning,’ he flung back at her as he stormed off.
    The ride in the catamaran, grandly named Ocean Queen, was quite pleasant and it gave Rayna her first glimpse of the hotel. Shrouded by coconut palms, she could see the tops of the red-brick roof tiles from a distance.Sunlight glistened off the white sands separating the hotel grounds from the gently lapping waves. The sea breeze soothed away her dark fears and she felt her spirits soar again. At the jetty, a vehicle was waiting for her and the short drive to the resort was accomplished in a few minutes.
    Twenty villas were tucked away behind tall palm trees and lush greenery. Each villa was designed to provide its occupants access to a private little slice of the stunning beach. Nirvana on the Beach—the name couldn’t be more appropriate, marvelled Rayna as she approached the main building. She was given the traditional Indian