One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

It’s your life, Radhika, take control of it, a voice inside me said. The voice was calm, unlike
the hysterical mini-me who usually yelled.
‘Who is this?’ I said to myself.
It’s me. Your inner voice.
‘The critic inside me? The one who thinks I am a total bitch?’
No, the one who thinks you deserve to be happy.
‘Really? I have a person like that inside?’ I said in my head and chuckled.
We all do.
‘Well, so what do I do? Who do I choose?’
Stay still, Radhika. Stay still. The answers will come.
I did exactly that. I sat still for half an hour, almost in meditation. I kept my eyes fixed on the
dark sea outside. Slowly, a weight lifted off me. I knew what I had to do.
I took out my phone. I sent an identical message to Debu, Neel and Brijesh:
‘You there?’
Debu replied first, in a few seconds.
‘Yes, baby, trying to sleep but can’t.’
‘Meet me for breakfast. 5 a.m. Hotel coffee shop,’ I answered.
‘Oh really? That’s great! That’s just in an hour. See you!’
He also sent me a few excited and happy smileys.
‘Thanks,’ I replied, ‘see you.’
Neel responded after ten minutes.
‘Yes, am here,’ he said.
I copy-pasted a line from Debu’s chat to Neel.
‘Meet me for breakfast. 5 a.m. Hotel coffee shop,’ I sent to him.
‘Okay sure,’ Neel said.
Brijesh replied at 4.30.
‘Hey, good morning. You are up early. Did you get some rest?’ he said.
‘I am okay.’
‘Good. What’s up?’
I copy-pasted the line from Debu’s chat with one modification on the time.
‘Meet me for breakfast. 5.30 a.m. Hotel coffee shop.’
‘Really? So early?’
‘Can you? Please.’
‘Of course. See you.’
I put my phone aside. I let out a big breath. Aditi didi woke up.
‘What are you doing on the sofa?’
‘Fixing my life,’ I said.
‘What?’
‘Nothing. Just going for a shower,’ I said and went into the bathroom.