12:10 pm
India
Mumbai
" Rei! Where the hell are you! I have been calling you for the last one hour-"
A screeching voice bombarded through the silence of my condo and I groan. Snuggling my face deeper in my pillow.
If there is one thing I love more than numbers in my life? It's sleeping. And I can't tell you in words the fury I feel when someone distrupts it.
" What the hell! Move your lazy ass bitch! It's afternoon already! "
" Scram D. Let me sleep."
I try to shoo her away with my hand when I feel the comfort of my quilt getting ripped from my body.
" Darian! "
" I fuc*ing hate you! Just remind me to take my houses spare keys from you! You are clearly misusing your powers."
I shout, aiming my pillow at her and she catches it easily. Flipping her hair, she puts on her thousand dollar shades and pouts at me.
" You suck at lying buttercup. I know you love me. "
I roll my eyes at her nickname and get up from the bed. Sliding my feet into the slip ons I tie my long hair above my head.
My brown eyes scanning through her attire.
A short plaid skirt with a black crop top. Giving a glimpse of her perfect abs under.
I am sure she was already done with her 6 am jog, 2 hours of gym and protein eating.
Her half day was over while mine was starting. Not that I cared.
" So what are we doing today? There are a lot of new places to check out. We are in India after 2 damn years girl. "
Yes, I am Indian. Well half Indian. My mom is from Mumbai so I guess I have my roots here.
She married dad and settled in the u.s but most of the time they are travelling. They love exploring this world so much that they forgot they had a daughter back home.
They never had enough time for me.
I may be born in the states, but I wad brought up by my maternal grandmother and father in India.
It won't be a lie if I say I am way closer to my grandparents than my own parents.
Later I went for high studies back to US.
I met Darian there, she was my seatmate and we just connected from there.
She is also from India. From Delhi to be exact but she hasn't been to India much. Her family has settled in the US for the last 20 years.
Propping on my favorite velvet swinging chair ,she bites on an apple. Her back was straight, legs crossed in a perfect stance and it looked like a damn apple juice commercial to me.
She is too...prim and proper all the time.
Opening my wardrobe I take out a plain kurta and pants.
" Zuhir told me there is a new bar opening-"
Tossing the clothes at her face I turn my back on her, taking out a simple light blue suit with palazzo pants for myself.
" No..no..no. Not this again Rei please! "
She throws the clothes back on my bed and I roll my eyes at her childishness.
" Change D. I won't be repeating myself. "
" Fuc* no! Not that torture again! It's a Sunday. Let's enjoy Rei. "
" I love doing this and you know it Darian. "
" Pretty please?"
I crouch in front of her, forcing her to look at my puppy dog eyes.
And she sighs. Running her fingers through her perfectly curled hair. To mess them up.
" Some fuc*ed up best friend I have. "
She groans under her breath and I raise a brow at her. Asking her to repeat her words.
" Okay fine!"
She groans and I wink at her. Getting up with a defeated look, she bangs to bathroom door shut after her and I smile.
Perfect!
Let's make this day even better!
****
" What will you like to have ma'am?"
The man standing behind the desk asks. His finger tapping on the computer screen and I speak with a soft smile on my lips.
" 1000 veggie burgers. On the go."
He looks up from his screen to stare at me dumbfounded and I hear Darian's chuckle from behind.
" Stop it!"
I groan, nudging her with my elbow and she bites on her lip to hide it. Failing miserable in it.
" Did I hear correct ma'am. One thousand? As in one with three zeroes?"
He looks at me like I have grown two heads. And before I could speak, Darian beats me to it.
Placing her hands on the counter, she leans closer to whisper to him.
" I know you must be thinking she is crazy right? Bravo. You are right. She has some screws loose -"
" Darian!"
Pulling her back I place my hand on her mouth to shut her bullshit. The boy looks between two of us like we just escaped a mental asylum.
Giving him a soft smile. I repeat my words.
" 1000. With three zeroes. You heard it right. Will be able to arrange for them to the earliest?"
"It's for a social cause. "
" Give me a minute ma'am."
He calls someone, his manager I suppose and vanishes in the room behind. I tap the counter in impatience. To look at my companion.
Darian was busy adjusting her appearance in the pocket mirror she carried wherever she went.
" You ruined my hair! Again!"
" Did anyone ever told you that you are too violent for a girl?"
She seethes, looking at me in bitterness. And I chuckle.
" Did anyone ever told you that you are a horrible best friend. Who bitches about her right at her face?"
She gives me a cute smile to wink at me.
"At least I have the guts. Or people literally clear the way for you like you are some kind of god. "
I roll m eyes at her comment. Thankfully I am not in New York. I hate the attention there.
There I am Edward Anderson's prodigy daughter. Reina Anderson
But here in India, I can be just me, Reina.
" It can be arranged ma'am. It will take 2 hours at top. How will you like to pay, cash or card?"
I look at the boy and slide in my infinity black card.
" Card"
He taps on numerous buttons on the screen and then looks up at me with a soft smile. He was nervous.
He has never placed an order as big as this before.
" The system is totalling up. Just a moment. "
" It's Rs 164622.22 paise."
I speak up and the poor boy looks at the screen and then back at me. Unable to believe what I just said.
" R...right! "
His hands start fumbling on the card and I curse myself. Dammit! Why can't I stop myself? Now I have intimidated him.
" Here. Than..k you for your order ma'am. Can I get you something while you wait?"
He says handing me back my card and I give him a soft smile while turning around to settle on one of the sears.
" Just water would do. Thank you. "
After an hour my car was filled with boxes of burgers. And Darian was giving me that look again.
Scruching her nose, she was busy emptying her entire Dior bottle on her.
" Damn. I smell like a damn mayo burger myself. Things you make me do girl!"
Thanking the staff, I roar my mustang to life and put on my shades. Enjoying the rumbling of it's engine.
" Where to next?"
She asks. Vexed. And I give her a soft smile. To wink at her.
" Dharavi."