By late afternoon, the flood receded, only a feet high left. Luckily the rain had stopped earlier, but occasionally it was still drizzling but only intermittently. The clouds in the sky no longer looked dense and dark.What remains were the remnants of the flood, in the form of silt deposits. At Doorna, Praveen was still helping clean the room from the remnants of the flood. He deliberately did not come home. He wanted to help Mrs. Fateema and the other two teachers cleaned up. What a pity to see they have no help. If not him then who else? Hoping for help from other parties, say parents student, was impossible. They must also be busy with their house.You can imagine how much trouble it was to clean up the remnants of the flood in the form of sediment because of the scarcity of clean water supply. Earlier he had gone back and forth to fetch clean water from a public tank not far from the school, to clean floors that were dirty with sediment. He could not imagine if the female teache
The coffee shop seemed busy with visitors. A cold afternoon was indeed nice to warm up with a glass of chai tea and accompanied by fried foods such as Samosa and Pakora.Anil took his place in a corner, because there was only two empty chairs that could seat two people."Sit down, don't just stand there!" said Anil to Praveen who looked transfixed beside the chair. He just believed that Anil really wanted to talk to him.Anil looked relaxed, called the waiter and ordered two glasses of chai tea. Praveen sat across from Anil."Would you like a snack? The pakora and samosa here are delicious," he offered. Praveen was starting to relax a bit, though still wary of all the possibilities. Hopefully this wasn't a trap anymore, he hoped.He just couldn't believe it. Yesterday, at almost the same hour, this man named Anil threw a punch at him. But now they both were sitting at the same table, ordering two glasses of chai tea."Don't worry! I'll pay for it as an apology for what I've done yeste
Anil tried to call Praveen, but Praveen ignored him and kept walking out of the tavern without looking back. He didn't care that several pairs of eyes were staring at him. Anil kept calling out but in vain. Finally he let Praveen go.Anil had absolutely no idea what he had just heard. Where did the young man know Ashita's true identity? Nobody in this Dharavi knew that Ashita Agrawal was Zoya. It couldn't be Zoya who divulged the secret herself. It's risky for her because it concerned her own safety.But was it true Praveen didn't care that Ashita was Zoya Bipasha, the daughter of the Mumbai conglomerate? Of course this sounds weird because Ashita and Zoya were the same person.A young man fell in love with a girl's fake identity even though he knew her true identity? Uh, how could it be! He must had been more or less happy if it turned out that Ashita was actually the daughter of a conglomerate.Did he have a particular agenda, let's say to take advantage of the girl?Yes, at least t
"I'm going home now. I have other things to do. If anything happens, you can call me. You already know my phone number, right?” Praveen said intending to go home. He felt he was no longer needed. Everything had been cleaned, it's just that the floor is still wet.Mrs. Fateema shook her head. Praveen took out his phone and asked for her number. After he copied and saved it, he missed call her. There was the sound of phone ringing."It's my number. If you need help, just give me a call." Praveen got up too. He did not want to linger at that school any longer. It was late and he had to take a shower. Helping to clean Doorna's school was enough to make him sweat. He then said goodbye.Along the way he was busy thinking about what happened today. It was beyond his expectations. It wasn't the flood that caught his attention the most, but Ashita Agrawal.He was happy being able to reveal Ashita's identity. He should be thanking Anil for it. If only yesterday Anil and two other envoys had not
That morning Zoya had an argument with her father regarding her decision to return to Dharavi."I won't let you go back there today Zoya! Circumstance is not yet favorable and the weather is unpredictable.” Narendra Prasadh said coldly but firmly to his daughter.“My colleague said It's no longer flooded there, Dad!” Zoya replied."Didn't you see the weather report? It could still rain in the next three to four days. You know how Dharavi is when it rains? It's quite dangerous for you!""I'm not a child anymore! Of course I can take care of myself!"The man firmly shook his head."No! You are back next Sunday!""I want to go now! My principal had called me several times asking where I was. She also needs my presence there!” Zoya was still arguing.“Find the right reason so she doesn't ask you anymore!""I want to go now!""Don't argue! My decision, you will be there in a week!”“I insist on going today, even though you doesn't allow it. I just wanna say that. I have to make the most of
Praveen woke up when the sun was already high. The room looked bright because the light through the clear glass window without curtains. He stretched for a while, massaging his sore neck from sleeping all night pillowing a backpack.He did not buy a lot of room equipment. It's still an emergency. His finances were a bit thin because had to pay for room rent which was quite expensive. And he had to save money because his life was still unclear. He was still waiting for the results of his casting at the AMAs. If he failed, then he would repeat his fate as an unemployed person.He had no schedule this morning. He deliberately did not get up and went to the bathroom. He grabbed the phone that was beside him looking what was the time and checking if a notification had come in Apparently there was, and he jumped to see a missed call from a number he didn't recognize. He frowned.Whose number was it? Why didn't he wake up to the ringing of the incoming calls? He looked at the time, it was
Fifteen minutes passed. Praveen occasionally glanced at the clock hanging on the wall . Why hadn't he been called yet, it's been a quarter of an hour. He was getting restless. The receptionist seemed busy at her desk. He didn't know what she's doing. There was no one else in the room.Occasionally he glanced at the girl behind the reception desk. As if asking for an explanation, where were the AMA officials or other employees? Was everyone busy with work in their respective rooms?Be patient! It could be that they were busy. And for sure, it was Praveen who needed them, not the other way around. Or maybe this was a test of his patience and seriousness to become a model? Praveen wondered.After twenty minutes, a man of mature age finally appeared, maybe from his forties. The director who interviewed him yesterday. Mr Viresh Chandrasekhar."Good afternoon Praveen. Sorry to keep you waiting. You can come into my room now. Come on please!" said the man with a smile. He looked more casual
"You... you're crying?" asked Mr. Viresh. Praveen's eyes were filled with tears, and he tried to wipe away the tears that had just fallen."I'm sorry... I'm so moved by this news. I really didn't expect it and beyond my expectations. This contract is worth so much, according to my standards," Praveen said honestly. He really couldn't hide his emotions."If you can work professionally and maintain your reputation and supported by a humble attitude, you can earn more than this. This is not much. You know, a model's income is no less than that of other professions."Praveen just nodded. Mr. Viresh tried to smile. He knew that the young man was still so green and innocent. He also knew that Praveen was great potential. He had all the requirements needed in the models industry. His face that is way above average. He had perfect physique not only as a model, but also as a performer in fashion shows as if it had been given from nature. Just sharpen it, like a diamond to make it look more sp
It was almost midnight when Zoya was finally able to go to her room.“Aren’t you tired, Danishka?” Zoya asked her sister.Danishka shook her head. Her face looked cheerful.“I won’t just let this party pass me by! You’re so lucky, Sis! Dad threw a party this big for you!” said her sister.“What’s lucky? Being mated suddenly is lucky?”“Your mate is your ex, right? You’ve both dated before?”“Actually, I didn’t intend to get married! But never mind! After all, everyone gets married eventually, right?” said Zoya, not wanting to prolong her conversation with her sister.What is clear is that she is now in her room and carrying out her next plan.But no! She had to wait for Danishka to sleep first. If she didn’t sleep, Zoya had prepared an alternative scenario.But honestly, she didn’t have the heart to give Danishka sleeping pills.But what if there was no other way?Zoya went to the bathroom to freshen up and call Praveen.While in the bathroom, she immediately took out her phone and ty
“They’re coming! You should stay in your room! Don’t go anywhere!” Rajesh said over the phone.Rajesh was still in the cafe across from the hotel monitoring the situation.As he watched Narendra’s family group enter the hotel, he swallowed his saliva and felt a bitter sensation in his throat.He cursed his fate for no longer being a part of Narendra’s family. Ten years of devoting himself to Narendra and being his confidant, did not end his life well. Instead he ended up as a loser.It was so easy for Narendra to dump him.Just because of Sunil Chakraborty.But he did not regret it because now he had the chance to get back at him.He would embarrass Narendra and Sunil. He swore that the wedding party would end in vain.He would help the bride run away with another man. A man Narendra hated.He never imagined that he would end up in a reverse position like this. He still remembered how Narendra ordered him to get rid of Praveen. With the power he had, he beat the young man until he alm
“They’re coming! You should stay in your room! Don’t go anywhere!” Rajesh said over the phone.Rajesh was still in the cafe across from the hotel monitoring the situation.As he watched Narendra’s family group enter the hotel, he swallowed his saliva and felt a bitter sensation in his throat.He cursed his fate for no longer being a part of Narendra’s family. Ten years of devoting himself to Narendra and being his confidant, did not end his life well. Instead he ended up as a loser.It was so easy for Narendra to dump him.Just because of Sunil Chakraborty.But he did not regret it because now he had the chance to get back at him.He would embarrass Narendra and Sunil. He swore that the wedding party would end in vain.He would help the bride run away with another man. A man Narendra hated.He never imagined that he would end up in a reverse position like this. He still remembered how Narendra ordered him to get rid of Praveen. With the power he had, he beat the young man until he alm
Praveen was back in the hotel room when Narendra Prasadh's family troupe arrived. Two luxury cars entered the hotel grounds in a convoy and stopped in front of the entrance. Not far behind were five more SUVs carrying employees and servants.Narendra Prasadh was in the first car. He got out of the car after the hotel staff opened the car door for him.He appeared to be wearing traditional clothing instead of a suit, and that did not diminish his authority as a wealthy businessman.His wife, Pratyusha Beniwal followed after him. She also appeared to be wearing a saree with gold ornaments. Precious stone jewelry in the form of a necklace and bracelet added to the luxury of her appearance. Truly extraordinary. Then followed by her youngest son Rahul.Before entering, the graceful woman stood for a moment waiting for the next car. The sedan carrying Zoya and her sister Danishka.The hotel staff also swiftly opened the car door for Zoya. She got out of the car carefully while fixing her sa
That morning at Amaneesh Chakraborty's residence, there was also a lot of activity.They would perform Ganesh puja, a ritual to ask the god for blessings.The procession will be held this afternoon. Many of Mr. Amaneesh's extended family had also attended.The joy radiated from the face of the Mumbai Police Chief. Of course, this was a happy day because his proud son, Sunil Chakraborty, was getting married.As a father, he could imagine how lucky Sunil was. Having a good career in the police force and also having a beautiful wife who was the daughter of a rich man in Mumbai.It felt like a dream.All preparations had been done well by a third party. They just went through it. Everything went smoothly according to expectations.Sunil should have also been very happy that day. But it was as if something was bothering him, and it was visible on his face. He was not completely happy because of one problem that had not been resolved until now.He should have been able to overcome Praveen a
Praveen was still lying in bed that morning. Even though the hotel room was so comfortable, he had not been able to sleep at all since last night.This was a very decisive moment in his life, preparing himself to carry out the plan he had made as best he could.He had thought about it down to the smallest detail so that this plan would succeed. There should be no gaps or opportunities for him to fail.If he failed, he could end up in prison.Taking away the prospective bride who is none other than the daughter of a prominent conglomerate and the prospective daughter-in-law of the number one person in the Mumbai police?It would definitely create a scene and become national news. More sensational than the kidnapping that Zoya experienced before!If he failed, his face would adorn the front pages of newspapers and even television, not as an actor or model, but as a criminal. The career he had built with great difficulty would end tragically.No, that couldn't happen!He immediately got
It was late afternoon when they returned from Dharavi, but nothing happened. Praveen's room was empty just like when Sunil visited earlier. There was no sign of him coming here. Nothing had changed at all.It was just that Zoya felt a different atmosphere when she saw the room. There was a longing that enveloped her, imagining when she and Praveen were alone in the room.She remembered the time she slept over during the heavy rain that caused flooding due to the moonson. Even though the lights were out and it was raining outside, she felt at peace in Praveen's arms all night. The man really took good care of her.There were indeed many memories in Dharavi. If not with Sunil, she would have gone to school to meet the teachers there, Mrs. Fateema and her two other friends, Harshida and Shanti. Or if necessary she would go to her rented house.Had everything remained the same or changed? She really didn't know."Where have you been? Why are you home at this hour?" Mrs. Pratyusha asked wh
A surprise for Zoya, but not for Sunil as they headed to the AMA office. A large billboard on the side of the road caught the attention of passersby.An advertising billboard starring Praveen. Apparently the advertisement had spread to several strategic places.Zoya was happy to see the billboard. She wanted to take out her cellphone and take a picture of it as memorials. But she didn't because didn't want to offend the man beside her. She didn't say a word, even trying to divert attention by pretending not to see it."Damn it! I don't want to see that billboard!" said Sunil."Isn't he the person you want to meet now?""Right, but not with his poster!""Okay! Just look away!" said Zoya indifferently. She tried not to look at the billboard as if it wasn't important.Sunil's gut feeling told him that she deliberately pretended unwilling to see the billboard. He was sure, deep down in her heart, she was happy to see it. It made Sunil even more annoyed.If only he could find him, he woul
Sunil still stared at Zoya with an uncertain look in his eyes. His intuition said otherwise. The girl still had a secret that she kept tightly.Sunil was sure that Zoya knew where Praveen was. They were still in touch until now.Even though their wedding day was getting closer, he felt that something was going to happen.He had to make sure that it didn't happen. He had to find that man right now!"I have to meet him, Zoya!" said Sunil.The beautiful girl frowned, but said nothing."Help me find him!" he said in a deep, commanding voice.Zoya took a deep breath."I told you, since I was kidnapped, we've only been in touch by phone, only a few times. I don't know where he is now. All I know is that he lives in Dharavi. Isn't it clear what I said?""I know you're lying!""I don't know how to convince you anymore! Rather than keep talking, I'd rather go home! I don't want us to fight, Sunil! I don't want to spoil my mood before our wedding day. That's much more important than finding him