"Where are we going?" Zoya asked when they were at the side of the main road. It was a very busy afternoon. People came home from work and of course the streets looked crowded and bustling, typical of Indian streets."We'll just take a taxi from here," said Praveen trying to look for a taxi.“Take a taxi? Where are we going?" Zoya asked in surprised."We're looking for a restaurant in Zion.""Why don't we go to the nearer one? Isn't there a place to eat here?""No! I want it in Zion. It's not far, isn't it?""If it's not far, we can just walk!" Zoya said. Praveen glared at her.“I don't want to trouble you, Miss Ashita! I'm sure if we go by walk, you'll be sweating. The weather is still a bit hot this afternoon,” replied Praveen.A taxi passed in front of them and honked."You guys need a taxi?" asked the driver, sticking his head closer to the window."Can you take us to Zion?" asked Praveen."Sure! 110 rupees!”“100 rupees! It's not far from here!” Praveen bargained."Come on up!" s
Hearing Zoya said so Praveen's face turned serious. "Hell No! I'm not that kind of man. Honestly, if I wanted to, I might have been surrounded by women a long time ago. It's easy for me to conquer women and take advantage from them. What's so great about deceiving women and profiting from them? I don't really like playing around with girls." "Oh yeah?" "Do I look like I'm babbling?" "Yeah, you're teasing me now! Isn't it?" Praveen laughed. “Sounds like that huh? Well, don't take it to heart then!" "I want to ask you, why do you treat me? We've just known each other?" "Then who else do I want to treat? You are the only one I know in Dharavi. The one I want to approach." "Approach?" “Oops, sorry! I'm babbling again… I don't know why. I think it's fun to know you. Moreover, your face resembles someone. Back when we just met, I misunderstood you right? You look like the girl in the car that I broke it's rearview mirror. But never mind, it doesn't matter anymore. I just want to
They were already at Cinema, which was still in Zion. Praveen and Zoya just walked there and they spent fifteen minutes to reach there. The cinema building which consists of several floors was on the right side of Sion Circle Road. The building looked majestic, really much different from the cinema that Praveen frequented in Chandrapur. The Cinema which was his second home was owned by a local businessman, not like this one. He knows the employees and guards well so he was free to go in and out. "Wow, it must be fun watching in a comfortable atmosphere like this," said Praveen amazed when he was in the cinema lobby, not far from the ticket counter. The lights were sparkling. On the walls were neatly arranged movie posters. The air also felt cool. There was a counter selling food and soft drinks too. "Isn't all cinema like this?" Zoya asked in surprised. “This one is luxurious. The cinema I frequent in Chandrapur is quite modest,” "What's the cinema like in your village?" “There
Praveen went that morning in his best appearance. It was only 6 o'clock. He purposely left 3 hours earlier to avoid being late. However, he must show seriousness with the schedule set by Mr. Manoj. He really didn't want to be late at the Prouction House. Better to wait there than come late. He left almost at the same time as the other Idli sellers, and it made them wonder, why wasn't Praveen selling and leaving so well-dressed? Where was he really going? But no one dared to ask directly. Only he was let go by Aunt Raju with a sour face. But Praveen didn't care. He set off with a steady stride. When he arrived at his destination, it was still quiet. The office wasn't open yet, and no one had come yet. Unlike the other day when he auditioned, the office was bustling with people, especially the audition participants. He waited outside the fence. He waited a long time, almost half an hour. He could only enter after the gate was opened by security. "Who do you have an appointment with?
Zoya had just arrived that morning at Doorna Kindergarten. The principal, Mrs. Fateema, didn't seem as enthusiastic as usual. She looked gloomy, in contrast to the faces of the students who came with cheerful faces. During the morning exercise, she just stood in the corner watching the children. The other two teachers, Harshida and Shanti, seemed busy arranging the children in a line. They also wondered what was wrong with Mrs. Fateema, but they were reluctant to ask. Zoya approached Mrs. Fateema. "Mrs. Fateema, you look down this morning. Are you unwell, or is there a problem with our school?" Zoya asked carefully. She looked at Zoya with a sad look. "Yeah, I'm having a problem. It's a bit heavy for me to handle on my own." She said frankly. "Is it a personal matter?" "I never bring personal matters to school." "Does it have anything to do with school? May I know? Who knows I can help?" Mrs. Fateema looked at Zoya again, then took a deep breath. "I don't really want to let
Mrs. Fateema's steps were fast. Zoya continued to follow her through the winding alleys of the densely populated Dharavi neighborhood. The summer air was as hot as ever. "Is It still far?" Zoya asked slightly out of breath. It's been fifteen minutes they walked from school to Mrs. Fateema's house. This was Zoya's first visit to her house. "We will be there in a minute," said Mrs. Fateema. The lunch time was past. Her stomach was growling. Earlier she had asked her to eat first, but Mrs. Fateema refused. She said, just having lunch at her house. The alley was getting narrower because the houses on both sides of the alley. Maybe not more than half a meter wide. Let alone motorbike passed, pedestrians only have to pull over in the opposite direction. The funny thing was there were so many doors that directly face the alley. Zoya didn't expect Mrs. Fateema to live in an area like this. She must have passed through this alley every day so that she memorized the alley like a maze.
"You don't have to sell the goat, ma'am. It's too bad because it was already intended for sacrifice!" Zoya said. "Never mind! I think I can sacrifice next year. Helping to add payment for the building rent so that the children can go to school as well as worship. Both have benefits for many people," said Mrs. Fateema again, still staring at the goat tied up in the vestibule. Zoya was speechless. How noble the woman's heart. In the simplicity of her life, still thinking about the interests of others. "Miss Fateema, I promise, I will do my best to keep Doorna's school from eviction, even if we have to move, I will try to find a better building. This school cannot be closed, lest their learning process be disrupted because of this!" Zoya said confidently. "How can you be so sure?" asked Mrs. Fateema looking at Zoya. "Trust me, I will move as fast as I can to raise funds. At Gondia I was successful whenever I was appointed to raise funds," Zoya lied. Her brain had begun to arrange
Zoya came to school early that morning with the file that Mrs. Fateema asked for. She brought quite a lot of proposal letters which she would later deliver to agencies and companies. Everything was ready for delivery. Last night she also sent an email to her college friends in Boston. She hoped that there would be friends who were willing to help through the fundraising page she created yesterday. Mrs. Fateema was amazed at Zoya's apt work. Yesterday she had doubted whether Zoya could do it, but that morning her doubts suddenly disappeared. Everything in the proposal was appropriate, no need for further revision. She even wondered how the girl could do it in less than a day. "How did you get it done so fast, Ashita?" asked Mrs. Fateema. "I'm used to doing assignments quickly, Mrs. Fateema. I'm used to working to deadlines and under pressure. I even sacrificed my sleeping time," Zoya said casually. "Is this proposal ready for submission?" "Just the school stamp and your signature
Meanwhile, far away in Mumbai, Sunil Chakraborty still could not accept the reality of what had happened.He was angry, but did not know how to vent his anger. Why did all this come to light?This must be the result of Roohan's failure, the man he had assigned to eliminate Praveen. If only he had succeeded, it would have been a different story. That man would have rotted at the bottom of the river!He had paid Roohan. He had to take responsibility for this failure! He should not deny it like that day, at least he should get his reward!Sunil still felt his chest burning with emotion. He would teach Roohan a lesson!He immediately left the house. But his steps stopped when Amaneesh stopped him."Where are you going?""I have some business to finish!""No! You stay home for now! Let me take care of everything!""No, Dad!" said Sunil, ignoring his father's words. He continued walking towards his car and soon the car was out of the garage.Amaneesh was furious, but could not do anything.
The afternoon was approaching.The Balinese bridal make-up artist had finished dressing Zoya. She seemed satisfied with her work.“It’s done. You can look in the mirror now!” said her with a smile.Zoya turned her body slowly to face the large mirror not far from her and was immediately stunned.Is that really her?She looked very different wearing a typical Balinese bridal kebaya in maroon and decorated with gold thread embroidery. Her head was decorated with a majestic floral metal crown that was also gold in color. Both of her wrists wore gold color bracelets. Prada songket cloth with a color that matched the kebaya she was wearing further enhanced her appearance.The make-up on her face was not striking so that her beautiful face looked even more beautiful.She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a long time, not expecting it to be herself.However, she had a little difficulty moving her head because the crown was quite heavy, around three kg.She convinced herself that she
The Balinese woman looked so graceful in the traditional dress. She wore a short white kebaya with a silver Prada cloth with a floral motif.Her black hair was pulled up into a bun. She was around mid-thirties and spoke fluent English.“So you two will be married with Balinese customs and rituals?”“Yes, of course. I have longed to marry with Balinese rituals. It just so happens that India and Bali have similarities,” Zoya explained.She smiled and looked at the two of them alternately. There was a sense of amazement in her eyes. The girl looked beautiful and the man was so handsome. They both looked so harmonious, especially later when they wear Balinese traditional clothes. Of course it would be even more charming.She had served quite a lot of clients who were about to get married, and most of them were Westerners, but this time she met a unique client from India.Judging from their appearance, they were not from just anyone. If not the upper class, then they must be public figures
Zoya and Praveen had landed in Bali three hours ago and now they had checked in at a resort in the Seminyak region. Zoya had made a reservation before so they didn't have to bother booking a hotel.Praveen didn't expect to go this far. This was the first time in his life he saw the outside world directly. It never even crossed his mind to be on this island of the gods. Not for leisure pursuit but to get married!No! He didn't feel tired after a long journey, in fact when he set foot in Ngurah Rai Airport his chest was still beating fast. Since leaving India, he felt like he entered a new world.Uncertain? Alienated? No! He didn't feel lost as long as Zoya was by his side. She gave him energy and determination so strong that he was a man who could overcome all obstacles.He had passed the biggest obstacle perfectly, taking away the lover he loved so much to escape from the one-sided match made by her parents.Coming out of the airport he was already fascinated by the pleasant atmospher
“What’s wrong? What are you guys talking about in there?” Sunil asked curiously.Stupid kid!If there were no other people around, Amaneesh would have slapped him. But he held back his anger so as not to raise further suspicion.“Come on, go home! I want to talk to you at home!”“Just tell me here now. I want to know!” Sunil said curiously.Amaneesh shook his head. He saw several of his subordinates standing looking at him in surprise.“You guys go back to the office now! We’ll talk later!”His subordinates took a respectful position,“Yes, sir!” said them.Sunil couldn’t accept it, he just walked briskly into Narendra’s room and opened the door,“What are you talking about with my father, Mr. Narendra?!” he asked loudly.Narendra was sitting on the sofa realizing the mistake he had made. Seeing Sunil act like that, his disgust surfaced again, he really didn’t want to see the young man’s face again.“Just ask your father! From now on I don’t want to see anymore! Get out of my room now
Rajesh Kumar was cheered. He quickly got up and half ran out to his car. In less than half an hour he was at the cafe that Narendra usually visited.Apparently Rajesh had arrived first. Narendra was not there yet. He immediately took a seat in the corner of the cafe and ordered a drink.Not long, finally Narendra appeared alone. He entered with brisk steps and sat across from Rajesh.“How are you, sir! Long time no see!” he said, starting the conversation.Narendra ignored him and went straight to the point.“Why did you tell me this now? Why?”“Because this is the best time to reveal everything!”“No! It’s too late!”“Not for me!”“Where did you get that evidence?” asked Narendra.Rajesh then explained in as much detail as possible.Narendra Prasadh listened with an angry expression. How could a police officer do something bad to get his personal desires and the police officer was… his future son-in-law? Truly, he had been deceived!“Your daughter has found a suitable man as her life
Two investigators came to see Mr. Amaneesh that night. They brought very important news.“We have checked the immigration data at the airport and got the names we are looking for, Sir! It turns out that Miss Zoya and Praveen Jayachandran took a flight abroad. They managed to escape to Singapore!” said a police officer named Sukhdev excitedly. His other colleague nodded in agreement.“That’s right! They left at 4:10 in the morning, and this data has been matched with the airline passenger manifest!”“They fled abroad?” said Amaneesh as if in disbelief. He did not know whether this was good or bad news because if this was true, their pursuit would be more difficult unless they asked for help from Interpol.But was it possible, considering that they were not criminals or perpetrators of crimes that harmed the country?Nothing is impossible. He could have used his authority as the Mumbai police chief.“What else did you get?”“That’s it. I think this is a very important clue, so I reporte
There were no significant results of the investigation even though Amaneesh had ordered many of his personnel. Some were ordered to Dharavi, some to modeling agencies, and advertising agencies and more to guard the borders.But none of them yielded results.Towards evening, Mrs. Fateema was even more shocked to see Sunil and his men arrive at her house. They interrogated her again, even though previously in Doorna she had been visited by the police asking about Praveen's whereabouts. Of course she did not know where he was. Since Zoya's identity was revealed, he had never been there again. What shocked her the most how Sunil knew where she lives?"Don't try to hide something from me, Mrs. Fateema!" said Sunil intimidatingly."Why would I hide him whereabouts, Sir! I have no idea at all. Since Ashita, I mean... Miss Zoya is no longer in Doorna, he has also never come again! Especially since he started to become famous!"“You don’t know where he lives?”“I don’t know exactly! But he sa
The wedding ceremony that was planned to take place this morning really ended in a mess, even though the hotel had made good preparations. The hall had been neatly arranged, both the stage and the arrangement of chairs and tables for the guests. Decorations full of flowers were already available. So was the catering.But all that was in vain because the bride ran away.Approaching 10 o'clock, the hall was actually quiet. Guests who did not know and had already come were not allowed to enter the building. The hotel was closed to guests.Of course, many guests were shocked, not expecting the party to be canceled. Not a few were disappointed because they had already come.In connection with being closed, Narendra's family could not hide their shame.This was the first time in his life he felt humiliated, not by someone else, but by his own child.Was there a wrong decision that made his daughter choose to run away rather than follow his wishes?But what was wrong? Isn't it his duty as a