38. Blossoming Spring days

The journey was quite enjoyable as I saw Rithick often. Rahul talked to me and Rithick.

After a few hours, we landed at Kuala Lumpur airport safely. It was a busy, international airport. It looked so attractive that we needed at least a 1000 eyes to admire its beauty.

From there, we went to the hotel to keep all our things. We could book the room as per our choice. My friends and I decided to stay together. Rithick and Rahul arranged a room.

It was evening. Our staff took us to the famous tower named Petronas twin tower in Kuala Lumpur. We were excited to see it.

The tourist guide said, "They were the largest towers in the world from 1998 to 2004 and remained the tallest twin towers in the world. This building is the landmark of Kuala Lumpur."

We clicked many photos there. This would be one of the great memories in my life time.

Stretching out to the side of the Petronas

Twin Towers was the spacious and beautifully landscaped KLCC Park. It featured a jogging track, walking path, a water fountain, and a wading pool for children.

The lighting arrangements enriched the beauty of these places. This place attracted everyone present there. The water was cool and we enjoyed for about a long time.

I looked at Rithick. He had a smile on his lips. He gazed at me too but whenever I looked at him, he averted his gaze. Stupid Rithick!

It was night. We went to the nearby restaurant to have dinner. Later we went back to the hotel.

Fortunately, we got rooms opposite to that of Rithick and Rahul's room. Shantra stayed next to us.

Before going to sleep, we assembled together as per the staff's request. They suggested project-based learning for about half an hour. We were not interested to listen to it but still, we respected our staff for their valuable speech. From tomorrow onwards, we were requested to go related to project-based learning for two hours. The remaining time could be spent according to our wish.

The hotel was surrounded by towers and water fountains. Nearby, there was a variety of programs organised. I felt very tired and said goodbye to everyone. I stepped towards my room.

"Neethu." I guessed it was Shantra calling me from behind.

"What?" I asked.

"Did you forget the rules and regulations to talk to me? Call me madam. Come to my room, my legs are aching. Give me a massage," she ordered.

"I can't call anyone as Madam. If you wish, I am happy to give a nice massage to you," I said seriously. Her eyes widened.

"How dare you to talk to me like this? Did you forget about the punishment or else let me remind you." She stepped closer.

"I adjusted everything for one person but you took that one person away from me. Look, Shantra. I can't adjust anything hereafter. Do whatever you want. I will face anything" I said, fire burning in my veins.

"Oh, you mean Rithick. Don't even imagine him in your life. Before leaving Malaysia, I will make him completely mine. I have a plan for it. You have to die seeing us staying together in a room."

"What do you mean?" I said. A small gasp escaped my lips.

"Are you a fool? Can't you understand this? We will be in a physical relationship so that he will belong to mine," she said. I felt disgusted by her words.

"Rithick will never accept this. Are you so cheap to talk like this? Do you have any self-respect? Do you know the meaning of privacy?" I said.

"You bloody villager. Will you teach me, now?" she asked. Her eyes looked as if they were lit on fire.

"I am sure Rithick is not as cheap as you. He will never accept you if he came to know about your intention."

"Let's see, count the days. I know how to bring him to me. Just shut up and go to hell," she said and went into her room.

I rested my head on the nearby wall. Her words echoed in my ears. I turned aside to see Rithick and Rahul. They were talking. They paused and glanced at me.

"Neethu, Why are you standing here? You said bye to everyone already," Rahul asked.

"Just sim-simply..." I hated that my voice broke.

"Don't think about anything, Neethu. Everything happens for good. Be happy. Good night, Neethu," he said and entered the room.

"Rithick," I called out. He turned back to see me.

"Did you love me?" I asked him with a final hope.

He came closer to me.

"Rithick darling," Shantra called.

This girl was always announcing her entry at important times. I cursed her in my mind.

"It is late, dear. Go and sleep," she said and touched his cheek. I clenched my fists.

"Ok. Good night," he said and went without replying to my question. I was beyond frustrated by seeing his reaction. Later, I went into my room.

Neethu's POV

My friends woke me up. I wished to sleep for some more time. I rubbed my eyes hard to open them and I realized that I was in Malaysia. I looked around, my friends were getting ready. I jumped out of the bed and went bathing.

We had breakfast in the hotel itself. As per our staff's request, we went for project-based learning. It was a really useful class. We could learn everything practically. This type of learning gave more confidence to us. I took some notes, which I found useful.

Later, we visited the famous Aquaria KLCC. We entered slowly and it was like walking inside the sea. We observed various varieties of fishes. Sharks, fishes, star fishes, and golden fishes were nearer to our eyes. My friends and I enjoyed it well. Rithick and Rahul were coming back to us. Shantra was coming together with Rithick. It was really irritating me, so we stepped faster.

At one point, we stopped and clicked photos. Unexpectedly, a big fish opened its huge mouth. It gave me quite a fright and I screamed. I lost my balance.

"What happened, Neethu?"  Rithick had caught my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Was it a dream? I was in Rithick's arms. Thanks to the big fish which gave me such a wonderful chance. I used this chance well.

"I am... scared... of... this fish." I felt sheepish now.

"I am there, Why are you getting scared of it, Neethu?" he asked.

I averted my gaze towards Shantra and gave her a pleasant smile. She was burning, with fire in her eyes. Again I averted my gaze towards Rithick.

"I am scared." I pouted.

"Don't get scared. I will be with you always," he said and I kept my face buried in his chest and hugged him tightly.

"Rithick! What is going on here? She is only acting." Shantra didn't look pleased.

Rithick glanced at her and realized the situation. I could see a sudden change on his face. He pushed me away slightly.

"I am sorry, Shantra" he said. Shantra showed me her stupid smile.

"What happened to him? Why was his mood swinging often? Why was he acting? Why was he playing a double game? Did he loves me or not? What does he think about me?" I asked Rahul worriedly.

"I have asked the same questions to myself, Neethu. After his accident, I understood everything. Do you know how much he missed you? He loves you madly, Neethu. He is keeping something buried in his heart. I tried a lot to bring it out, but I failed. He will do everything for a reason. Don't lose your love for him," Rahul said that plant rose in my heart.

"But..."

"Wait patiently, Neethu. Did he say that he doesn't love you?"

"Nope." I pouted.

"He will never say that because he loves you Neethu. Even now, he is keeping the keychain gifted by you."

"Really?" My spirits lifted.

"Yes."

"Thanks, Rahul. Your words faded away from my worries. I will wait for him even if he takes years to come back to me."

"He won't take years, Neethu, because he doesn't have enough patience. Be ready for him. He will come to you at any time," Rahul said.

"I am expecting the same to happen but only Rithick knows," I said sadly.

We had lunch together and days passed by like this. I couldn't see any improvement in my love. As usual, Rithick and Shantra irritated me.

It was 15th day of the tour. We went to the Perhentian Islands; the most popular Island in Malaysia.

It was well known all over the world because of its pristine beaches and crystal clear water.

My friends, Rithick, Rahul, and Shantra were together in a spot and the remaining students in my class were dispersed and enjoying boating. My friends and I decided to go for boating as well.

Rithick, Rahul, and Shantra got ready for boating. The boat driver pointed at me and my friends to get in the same boat. We stepped on the boat and it was ready to go

Shantra got up. "Let's go separately, Rithick. We don't want to mingle with these third class parties," she said, making my blood boil.

He asked her to be quiet but she didn't. "Rithick, I can't come along with this bloody Neethu and her sludge friends," she said, pointing at me and my friends.

I slapped her immediately without even thinking. Rithick held my hand to stop me. I pushed his hands away and hugged him, with tears in my eyes.  How could he listen to her silly talk without saying anything to her?

"Neethu, control yourself," Rahul and my friends requested me. My friends and I got out of the boat. Rahul too came out with us. Rithick and Shantra went for boating alone.

"I don't know why am I behaving like this. I can't control myself," I said to Rahul with tears in my eyes.

"Neethu is noted for her innocence and patience but now she became brave too. You are not wrong, Neethu. Do whatever your heart tells to do. Don't lose your patience because of Shantra. It will make her closer to Rithick," he said.

"Ok, Rahul." I nodded and wiped my cheeks.

Then we went to the nearby resort to relax. We had coffee together.

Shantra came closer to me. "Hey, fool. Thank you so much. I have acted deliberately. You believed it and slapped me in front of Rithick. After this incident, I became closer to Rithick than before. Also, I don't know how to start talking about staying together with him but you gave me a chance for that too. Always that Rahul idiot is accompanying him and disturbing our privacy, but we got the chance to talk about that too. Thank you, bloody buddy," she said happily.

"You are evil. Your ways of thinking are the worst. Evil never wins over good. Let me see who wins the game," I said and came out.

"Let us see that too," she said in an authoritative voice.

RAHUL'S POV

I was laying on the bed. Rithick was sitting on the couch beside me. He was playing games on the laptop. Silence occupied and losing my patience I broke it.

"Rithick, I want to talk to you... and it was something serious," I said.

"Tell me."

"Look at me, first, keep that laptop aside. Do you at least remember that you hate playing on mobiles, laptop and tablet whenever we have a conversation?" I asked and raised my brows.

"The past is the past. Now, I like playing. I am listening to you," he said casually.

"You have changed a lot, Rithick. Ok, I am coming to my point, Why are behaving badly with Neethu? I know you love Neethu."

He laughed loudly.

"Don't overact, Rithick. Are you playing a double game?" I asked angrily.

In between, he got a phone call and he went outside. Nowadays, Why was Rithick behaving so badly? Whenever he got phone calls he would go out. Why was he so careless about his love?

I followed him to find out more.

"Be alert. I will inform you once I enter. I am close to our target. Inform it to our team," he talked with someone on the phone. I listened to his conversation but I didn't understand anything.

Rithick was about to hang up the call. I hide from him. Before he entered the room, I was in it. I was thinking about his conversation. I didn't get any match. Was he planning something? Or was he talking to Shantra? I was totally confused.