The french bread-part 2

He was packing hurriedly. The airport cab was nearby. He had got the ‘last ticket on sale’ to India. Suddenly, he heard his sister screaming his name at top of her voice downstairs. He could hear some bangs and glass breaking.  “Où est-il”, she asked firmly to one of his maids. 

He zipped his bag and kept it down. She barged into his room from nowhere. “ Hi Camile, what a pleasant surprise!” he said with startled expression. “ Are you out of your mind !” This is dumbest thing you have ever done! You don’t even tell me.. You just message me.  Who does that? You are 24! You can get any girl you want. Leaving everything –your fortune and bakery for that girl is insensé.” , she scolded him. She was only two minutes elder than him. However he was her naïve little brother who didn’t understand the realities of life.

  “This mansion is not mine. It’s yours and dad’s hard earned money. The bakery will work fantistique without me. Please let me go!  I have to tell her what I feel. She has every right to know the truth.” , he begged. “ You could tell your amour over the phone or chat. Why do you have to visit another continent? Where will you stay?” she said. “ Don’t worry, Camile. I have arranged everything. I am going to stay in Vivian’s place.” he said.  

He looked at his watch. It was already time. His cab had arrived. He walked past his sister before she could open her mouth. She followed him. Unfortunately she couldn’t stop him. He was already in the cab.

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He had reached his destiny in 10 hours. He was jet lagged and disillusioned by excitement. He had few glasses of wine. But it didn’t work. It added fire to his excited heart. He pushed the trolleys outside the airport. Many people were waiting to greet their closed one or for work purposes. As he slowly moved towards the taxi stand, he was surrounded by cab drivers.  They were scavenging him like the vultures. “ Saar, come here…best cab.” they called him in broken English. Some cab drivers fought against each other to grab his attention.  However he chose to go with the meekest one among them. 

He showed him the address. The driver smiled and started his cab. He had never seen unruly traffic. They were driving all direction. No one followed rules.  He had heard about India in her words. But he was seeing this beautiful place from his eyes for the first time. It was beautiful. The weather was just like London-pleasant. Though it didn’t match up with Paris, but he fell in love with this strange place. 

The cab stopped at  Vivian’s apartment. He asked the driver about the price. “ 1000 rupees only, sir.”, he said politely . “ Quoi??? What???”, he said , grasping his breath.  “ Yes sir. I charge you fix price. It is 1000 rupees from airport to Jp nagar.”, he said.  He had no options but pay him without argument. 

He stood alone without any idea what to do. He took flight of stairs to his friends house. He sat on the floor once he reached. He took a minute to catch up with breath. His heart was pounding. He had wetted shirt due to immense sweat. He took a sip from small whiskey bottle. After few minutes, he got up on his fee and ranged the doorbell. He ranged continuously waiting for someone to open the door. 

(To be continued)