I

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arrived at the restaurant before Neel. I sipped a glass of champagne as I watched the sunset. He
arrived twenty minutes later.
‘Sorry I am late. I ran extra rounds,’ Neel said.
He wore a linen T-shirt and beige shorts.
‘It’s okay,’ I said. He pulled out a chair and sat in front of me.
‘Wow,’ he said, his gaze on me.
‘What?’ I said.
‘You look.. .well, different,’ he said.
‘Good different or bad different?’ I said.
‘You look stunning, actually. This dress really suits you.’
He had given me his first direct compliment about my looks. While working on El Casa we
had become freer in terms of talking to each other. However, we still maintained propriety. We didn’t
discuss feelings, for instance. We didn’t make personal comments. In fact, we never even called each
other a friend.
And yet, today his compliment didn’t feel out of place.
‘Thank you, Neel. That’s sweet of you,’ I said. There, I had become so much better at taking a
compliment.
He removed his Birkenstock sandals so his feet could touch the sand. I kicked off my heels
too.
‘Where’s my drink?’ Neel said and signalled the waiter. The waiter poured champagne for
him.
‘So how do you feel after the run?’ Neel said.
‘Good,’ I said, ‘but I need to build my stamina. People older than me are whipping me and
doing extra rounds.’
Neel grinned. The waiter brought us the set menu choices. I chose the vegetarian option. It
consisted of an avocado and rocket leaf salad, followed by mushroom truffle pasta. Neel chose a
seafood chowder soup and pan-seared salmon cooked in a mango salsa.
‘To El Casa, your first big deal in Asia,’ Neel said and raised his glass.
‘To Greenwood, their new buyer.’ I touched his glass with mine.
‘What a resort, isn’t it?’ Neel said. He pointed to the scenery ahead of us. Only half of the sun
remained on the horizon. The deep orange-coloured sky had turned a silky texture.
‘The most beautiful place I have ever been to,’ I said.
‘Same for me. With one of the most beautiful minds I know,’ Neel said.