*Ritz's POV*

"Ahem Ahem. . . ." Neil and I clear our throats together. The couple sprang apart. Actually it's Maya and Vivian. They both were making out without knowing our presence on the open terrace.

"Bro this is not U.S. it's India. If anyone will see you like this they may spread this adding extra mirch masala.[To tell things with exaggeration.]" Neil informs his brother. I am not able to hold my laughter.

"Shut up!" Vivian groans in frustration. Maya is blushing but then she also laughs at her fiancé.

"Its okay, Viv." Maya tries to calm him down.

"Let's get to dinner. I'm starving." I speak up before anyone else jokes on the situation.

"Yup!" Neil agrees and we head downstairs. I follow him and the love birds come after us.

**

The dinner is extra spicy, heavy and my tongue is burning. I keep drinking water after every bite. The dessert is also extra sweet but it nullifies the burning sensation in my mouth. Mom and dad are talking to Mr and Mrs. Khurana, Maya and Vivian left a while before. I am again alone. But now, there is someone else in the same situation.

No girlfriend to amuse him.

Neil comes across and bumps my shoulder with his,"Hey! Actually I wanna say that I'm sorry, I never meant those words. I was just trying-"

"To piss me off!"

"Yeah! But I am sorry."

"It's okay. But it wasn't cool."

"Sorry!"

"Its O.K." I proclaim and Neil lets out a sigh of relief. Boys cannot stop apologising at certain times. "Nobody can mess with me. Just remember that."

My little test worked fine on him. I won't mind playing some more on him.

"Oh really? I will take that challenge." He says with a chuckle.

"Oh please I totally beat your ass today." I almost laugh while saying that. "Oh Neil! I like you." I mimic myself teasing him. He looks at me annoyed but smiles.

"Fine you win. I am sorry again. You were right, today the way you stormed out on me did hurt my ego. I mean I am not a guy who disrespects women and you just assumed it. That triggered me."

"I didn't mean that. You read too much into things. But yeah I shouldn't have just left like that. You are a fine guy. I am sorry." I pat his shoulder.

"It is okay we don't know each other, can happen. Anyway what are you doing tomorrow?" Neil suddenly asks.

"Nothing planned yet. Why?" I enquire.

"Because if you are free and bored then I can show you around." He offers. I just hope there isn't some catch here. So what if it is? I will beat his ass just like today.

"That's a nice idea! What time?" I ask in excitement.

"Well, that I will tell you after you give me your phone number." He says flirtatiously.

"Yeah sure. Wait." Ignoring his flirty take we exchange our numbers and then I see my parents slowly leaving the mansion still chatting,"Let me know when. I should go then, meet you tomorrow." I tell Neil and start towards the door.

"Ritz?" Neil stops me.

"Yeah?"

"So we are friends now?"

What are we? 'Hey girl don't go too far'. My conscience injects, "Yeah! I guess. What do you think?" I repeat the same question to him.

"Yeah! We can be." Neil squeals. That is funny. I chuckle and bid him goodbye.

**

I get up from my bed and check my clock. It is only 6:30. Though I woke up so early, I'm not a morning person. Maya is still asleep. She is a heavy sleeper alike me.

What has happened? I love sleeping (as you know). I feel goosebumps grow on my skin as the cold wind hits me. Am I excited?

I try to distract myself and the room balcony comes as a solution. I quickly grab a jacket and walk out into the balcony. The view is magnificent. Dense forest, mountains, far away small villages, almost the whole valley is visible from the 5th floor of the hotel. The hotel is situated in a forest area away from the cluster of villages and towns.

I crane my neck down and see the road. It's silent everywhere, only a few labourers are walking along the road, heading for their daily wages. India has a big share of poverty but it doesn't lack in the rich public as well.

A car ascends and stops in front of the hotel. It is a Jaquar with a royal blue colour. Told you, rich public. A boy exits the car. Have I seen this guy?

"Neil!" I shout at him. Yeah, the boy is none other than Neil Khurana. His eyes scour everywhere in search of my voice and finally his gaze stops at me.

"Hey!" He replies in a loud voice. Then I gesture at him in a way to ask why is he here. "I. . . .am he . . .to. . .ake you. . ."he answers which I don't understand as his voice isn't loud enough.

"What are you saying?"

He waves his hand asking me to meet him down. I nod and move to go downstairs without bothering to change. I am still in my night clothes. I reach the first floor and see Neil standing in the lobby of the hotel.

"Hello! Good morning." I greet him.

"Hi. Good morning!" his eyes move from my head to toe. I blush at this and playfully slap his hand.

"Don't check me out." I try his style of speaking and he chuckles. He is in a navy blue jacket, some washed jeans, sunglasses and has car keys in his hand.

"I was not." He says in a serious tone.

"Whatever! Why did you come here so early in the morning?"

"To tell you that. . ." He leans closer,"That you have just five minutes to get ready and come with me."

"No I cannot, I haven't even brushed yet. But I have an idea. You come after an hour and bring your brother too and till then Maya and I will be prepared. Then we all can have fun!"

"Sounds exciting! Okay fine, but what if Vivian is busy? He is the heir of our company. He is a busy man." Neil enlists the possibilities in a not so serious manner. He won't stop cracking pointless jokes whenever he gets a chance to.

"No! Tell him that he is coming and cancel his plans for today." I command.

"Done. But there's a 0.01% chance I can fail." Neil jokes unable to control over his useless abilities.

"Go!" I shoo him away. Giggling I go back to my room to get ready for the long day.

**

"MAYA GET UP!" I shout in Maya's ear and shake her with lot of force. She immediately jumps out of the bed and gives me a death glare.

"What happened?! It's only seven!" She roars. Cackling I tell her that Vivian is coming.

Maya narrowed her eyes.

"You are joking right?" Maya asks suspiciously.

"Nope, Neil and Vivian can arrive here, I mean outside the hotel not our room, any minute, so get ready. I'm all ready." Maya rushes to the bathroom and closes the door behind her. She is so rapid. Before I could even blink she went inside the bathroom.

This shows that she is eager to get married to Vivian. Lovesick. Before any other rapid reaction can occur I go to the mirror. Admiring myself I smile, looking presentable. Maya hops out of the bathroom with her jeans and top on.

"How am I-"

"Just fab!" I give her a thumbs up.

"You too Ritzy." She compliments me.

"It's Ritz." I groan.

"Aye aye captain!"

We leave the room and I inform mom and dad about our day out. Maya is continuously chattering about her date with Vivian last night. I pretend to show interest in her talk. But it isn't too boring either. Kisses, dinner, drinks, candle light on and on.

"...but when he said that he loves me I was on the top of the world!" That's what catches my attention.

"Wait. He said he loves you?"I ask with a wide smile.

"Yes Ritzy! He did." Even though I hate that nickname I hug her tightly and squeal on her shoulder. I draw apart from her when my cellphone vibrates in my jeans pocket. I take it out to check to find a text from Neil.

*Are you girls ready? Can we leave?–Neil*

*We are ready! Actually waiting for you. Hurry up... –Me*

*Gonna have fun!–Neil*

I push the cellphone back in my pocket. When I turn my head up I see a smirking Maya. I frown in confusion.

"Neil, haan?" Maya asks in a teasing voice.

"What?" I pause taking in her expression,"No! Not at all. I'm not a bimbo clinging to him." I almost yell. Why can't people stop assuming things. Especially such things.

"Everyone says that at the beginning. And you are not a bimbo. I never said that." Maya crosses her arms against her chest.

"But you meant it." I huff in disbelief. But even she had a point, not every girl who likes Neil is a bimbo.

"No..." the car horn stops us from arguing further. The window of the Jaquar (which I know) scrolls down. Vivian is sitting in the driver's seat, flashing his white teeth.

"Hey Maya and Ritz get in, there is a lot to do!" Vivian calls out to us. A wide smile lies on my face. Swiftly, Maya and I open the doors of the car. Vivian and she sit up in front and Neil and I sit in the back.

The air conditioners blast cold air in the car and then the car accelerates.

"Where are we going first?" Maya enquires in the most excited way.

"I decided to go to Tapkeshwar temple but Neil says Sahastradhara water spring." Vivian says.

I raise an eyebrow. "What?" Maya is confused and the same goes for me.

"I know those are difficult to pronounce so you decide- the temple or the water spring?"

"Temple!" I crisp.

"No, spring!" Maya disagrees.

"Damn! Again the same thing." Vivian keeps a hand on his head.

"Majority wins!" Neil opens his mouth giving me shivers. Hey! When did that happen?

"There is no majority! I think temple will be a good start. Final. I will drive to the temple." Vivian declares like he is the head of the group. Eventually Maya agrees and Neil follows his majority rule.

The ride to the temple is full of music and chatting. We reach the temple in about half an hour. This is like a tourism trip. I skip out of the car and cool breeze hits me. Goosebumps grow on my skin and I stumble back. Due to my boots I loose my balance and someone catches me, it is Neil.

"This is the second time, girl. Clumsy. I think you fall, so that I can hold you." Neil coos. I just roll my eyes and pace forward on the rocky land.

The temple is huge with a different fragrance. It is too silent and peaceful. People are worshiping, a priest is murmuring the mantras, birds are chirping and there is a big statue of the God. It is mesmerising.

"India is grateful to have such treasurable sites." I say to myself.

"This is nothing. India has much, much. . . .more than this." Neil whispers in my ear.

"Really? I would love to-" I am cut off by Neil.

"It will take you ages to explore this country." Neil acquaints. My lips make an 'O' shape.

"I like such historic places." I spill my interest. I have the biggest interest in history, my favourite subject. After about half an hour later we exit the temple and continue our tour.

**

"Wow! Dehradun is awesome! I'm in love with it. What's next?" I sound prolonged. And few days back I didn't want to step in this country. Note the sarcasm.

"The Malsi deer forest! The last one for today." Vivian says.

"Thanks jiju! (Brother in-law, husband of elder sister)" I squeal.

"My pleasure sis." Vivian welcomes me. He is much better for Maya than Martin. Surprised that my thoughts took a sharp turn, I can't help but say that Vivian is the best for her.

"You should thank me. It was my idea." Neil interrupts. I give him a sweet smile and thank him too.

We are currently outside the Robber's cave, another tourist attraction in Dehradun. It is about 4 in the evening and feels like it will rain. I hop in the car and wait for others to come in. I am excited, too excited.

We travel to whatever park. Masli? Malsi? Leave it. My puzzled thoughts vanish when we reach the last place for today.

It is a forest. Not totally but it's a bit dense. Like a national park. Vivian pays for per head and we enter it. It is cool and dark due to the big trees rooted everywhere. I take in the beauty of the place. I am just lost in it. We hike with slides, slopes and screams of us whenever one loses balance.

After panting and breathing for more air and getting tired we settle down at a place which is a suitable picnic spot. We lay the mat down and sit on it, eating waffles, chocolates, lays etc. Drinks are also arranged (energy drinks).

I almost sleep but the younger Khurana brother comes up with a game to play.

"Sleepy cat!" Maya teases me, reminding me of my latest nickname.

"Let's play hide and seek." The game is supported by everyone. Except Vivian but Maya charms him off.

"Okay the denner or the seeker will be the one who looses in the game of stone, paper, scissors​. And nobody will go far away to hide. Understood?" Neil instructs us the rules. The three of us nod and roll our eyes. Rules matter to him? That's quite surprising.

"Stone paper scissor!"

"Yes!" Maya throws her fist in the air and I clench mine. In the last turn Maya won and now I am the seeker.

"Ritz count till 100 and then find us." Neil informs, chuckling. My face drops and I start to count. This is so nostalgic.

". . .ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one-hundred. Ready?" I shout. No reply comes, so that means everyone is hiding. I walk through the woods searching for my friends. Many times I feel that I saw someone but it is just a hallucination.

Subsequently 10 minutes pass and I glance here and there. I think I am lost because I cannot find my way back from where I started.

Suddenly, it starts to pour heavily. I run further and further until I find an enormous building with large gates at its entrance. I thank God for this and push the gates open with a lot of force and and enter the premises.