Where the Secret Lies Read Online Free Page A

‘I don’t want to sleep or stay cooped up. Can you take us somewhere?’

 
    Khushboo took Arianna and Tianna to the local mall and
introduced her to a couple of her friends.
    ‘This is Sheetal and Jay. Jay is
short for Jayshree.’
    ‘Hello,’ Arianna said. ‘I too
have a friend called Jai. J.A.I.’
    ‘Boyfriend?’ Sheetal asked, raising
an eyebrow.
    Arianna cracked a smile. ‘Only a
friend.’
    ‘Great!’ Khushboo clapped her hands.
‘Now the introducing is done. Let’s shop and then we will go to Juhu beach.’
    Arianna was exhausted and the
thought of home was welcoming after five hours of shopping at the mall. She was
glad it was too late for the beach. She and Tianna said their goodbyes to the
friends and hailed a rickshaw.
    ‘Well?’ asked Tianna. ‘Did you
like it?’
    ‘It was definitely an
experience. I think I’m going to enjoy myself here,’ Arianna said, enjoying
warm air brush her face.

 
    They were to stay in Mumbai for ten days before they moved
onto Lucknow where the wedding was taking
    place. Rani, Arianna’s second cousin was getting married.
      ‘The celebrations will be extravagant! Have
you seen the haveli (mansion)? I can’t wait to see it!’ said Khushboo.
    ‘I’ve heard it has long
corridors, large and spacious rooms, a courtyard the size of two terraced
houses in London,’ whistled Tianna and Khushboo grinned.
    ‘Are not haveli’s supposed to be
in ruins?’ Arianna asked.
    ‘Not all of them. Some have been
restored although thinking about it; I do not think this haveli has ever been
renovated in full. It probably had fresh paint runs but nothing else.’
      ‘I can’t wait to see it,’ Arianna really meant
it. She was intrigued with this architectural structure and was keen to know
more.
      ‘Okay anyway, the night is still young and so
are we. I promised you we would go Juhu beach and we will. We are not wasting
any more time,’ said Khushboo.
    Arianna was not sure she had
heard right. ‘Juhu beach at this time?   But it’s dark.’
    ‘This beach is not just any
beach my dear Arianna. It is amazing, wait till you see.’
           
    Arianna stood at the foot of the sprawling beach and gaped; it
was a mesmerising sight. Lights from food stalls lit up the vast area and a
bright moon reflected in the ripples of the sea. The gentle sloshing of waves comforted
Arianna.
    Families and young and old
couples ate food from the stalls and socialised with their friends into the
happy hours of the evening. College students gathered, told jokes, and were
having a merry time. Arianna
    spotted a couple walking to the edge of the sea, hands held
tight.
      ‘Let’s get some food,’ Tianna pulled Arianna towards
the many stalls. Khushboo gave Arianna a look, which said “Isn’t this fab!”
    Sometime later, a few of
Khushboo’s friends arrived and joined the girls. Arianna recognised them to be
Khushboo’s friends she met in the afternoon. A couple of boys arrived with
them, one of whom would not stop staring at Arianna. He came forward when they
were alone.
      ‘You are not eating anything,’ he stated. ‘Can
I get you something?’
      ‘Thank you but I just finished, it was very
nice,’ Arianna said politely.
    ‘Where are you from? You do not
seem from around here.’
    ‘No, I am from London.’
      ‘I am Nikhil, Khushboo’s close friend. She has
told me so much about you - you are Arianna, am I correct? It’s a pleasure
meeting you finally,’ Nikhil put out his hand for Arianna to shake.
    ‘It is nice meeting you,’
Arianna said, obliging.
    ‘Well, I’ll see you around,’ Nikhil
said.
    ‘Come on Ari, what are you doing
here alone?’ Tianna came by and dragged Arianna away without a glance at
Nikhil.
    ‘Ti! That was rude,’ Arianna
exclaimed.
    ‘No, he was rude. What was he
doing? Who is he?’
    ‘He is Khushboo’s friend, silly.
Now he will think we are ill-mannered!’ said Arianna.
    ‘Oh sorry. I thought he was
harassing you.