One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

I walked on the beach outside Marriott. I continued further north until I had left the hotel behind. I saw
that Brijesh had messaged me. I decided not to open it. I couldn’t deal with anyone. I focused on the
orange sun, which sank deeper into the water every minute. My mind was filled with thoughts. How
did Neel find out? Oh well, it isn’t difficult if you work in the same firm, even if in different offices.
What’s he doing in Sri Lanka? Making even more money, I guess. Why did he call me? Why didn’t
he tell me what he wanted to? What’s with all the suspense?
‘Radhika,’ a voice from behind startled me.
‘Debu?’ I turned around. He wore a white printed T-shirt and Bermuda shorts. He came
running to me, huffing and puffing as he caught his breath.
‘Are you following me?’ I said.
‘No. I stay in that property,’ he said and pointed to a hotel building at a distance.
‘Don’t stalk me.’
‘I am not.. .’
‘Oh really?’
‘I am just waiting for your reply. I hung out at the beach all day. Honestly, I saw you alone so I
couldn’t resist. Sorry.’
I looked around.
‘I don’t want anyone to see us,’ I said.
‘There’s a shack on the other side, nobody will find us. Can we talk?’ he said.
‘No, Debu.’
‘Please,’ he said.
I checked the time on my phone.
‘Ten minutes,’ I said.
We went to King’s Shack on Miramar beach. We sat on sea-facing cane chairs. The evening
sea breeze cooled our skin. He ordered a beer. I had a glass of water.
‘How was your day?’ he said.
I showed him the mehndi on my hands.
‘That’s pretty.’
‘Thanks. What did you do?’
He lifted the left sleeve of his T-shirt. He had a two-inch tattoo on his upper arm. It said
‘Radhika’.
‘What the hell, Debu?’ I said.
‘I had nothing to do all day. I decided to get one. I should have done it a long time ago.’
‘You are getting tattoos with my name while I get married to another man? Have you gone
mad?’
‘I love you, Radhika. Call it madness if you want.’
It is not just what Debu says. It’s how he says it. It can make even the most hardened bitch of a
heart melt. He placed one hand on his chest and looked at me with his drooping eyes. He brought
forward his hand to hold mine. I shook my head. He withdrew.
‘Please, baby,’ Debu said, ‘one more chance.’
‘I have to go back,’ I said. I signalled the waiter to give us the bill.
‘I have made the plan. You break the news to the family just one day before your wedding. I