One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

Neel and I walked on the two-kilometre trail that circled the island. Every nook and corner had
spectacular scenery. Warm seawater touched our shoes as we walked on the sand near the water. If
God hired an architect to design heaven, this was how it would be done.
‘Let’s keep it brisk,’ Neel said and increased his stride. He now walked in front of me,
looking even better in his workout clothes: knee-length black shorts and a neon-green Nike T-shirt.
I wore a white T-shirt and grey trackpants.
‘You are really into fitness,’ I said.
‘I try,’ Neel said.
‘The hike that day. Walk today.’
‘Well, when you get to my age, your metabolism drops. Not easy to remain fit.’
‘You look so fit,’ I said. I wondered if I should have said it. I had just noticed a partner’s
physical appearance. Well, who in the office hadn’t?
‘Thank you. I am old now. Forty-five.’
‘That’s not so old,’ I said. Okay, why did I have to say that?
He laughed. ‘Really? How old are you? Sorry. I shouldn’t be asking a lady that.’
‘I am twenty-five. Well, twenty-six soon.’
‘That’s incredibly young. Look at you, already on big deals.’
‘I am lucky.’
‘Don’t say that. You are good. You work hard. That’s when luck creeps up on you.’
I turned to him and smiled.
‘Thanks,’ I said.
‘But you are twenty years younger. I feel even older now,’ Neel said.
‘You are a partner at Goldman Sachs at forty-five. It’s pretty young. Plus, you look good.’
Now why the fuck did I have to say that? ‘You look good’? You are with the head of
distressed debt for Asia. Radhika, control your tongue.
‘Thank you. Don’t get to hear that so much these days,’ he said.
We circled the entire island and returned to the resort.
‘Dinner in an hour? I will take a shower and see you at the restaurant,’ he said.
‘Sure,’ I said.
‘I might run a few more rounds of the island before that,’ he said.
‘I feel like a slob,’ I said.
‘Relax. You must be tired. See you soon.’