Chapter 1 – The Girl at Gate Outside the VIP lounge, leaning against the glass wall, Vikram stood clutching his boarding pass. His eyes were fixed on the gate, but his mind was somewhere else entirely."Can a dog… actually talk?"He was biting his nails, one by one, as if chewing them off would somehow chew away his doubts."No way. Dogs bark. Woof-woof. Bhaw-bhaw. They can't even say bro or sis. And yet…"He took a long breath.Three months ago.73 companies.
73 rejection emails.
73 times that red "Not Selected" notification.Every night he put his phone on silent, but sleep still wouldn't come.Then one day, Uncle messaged on Indo-Chat:"Nephew, if no job is coming, just come to Gurgaon.
I'll put you in my restaurant. Make you manager. Good salary.
How long will you keep searching, yaar?"Vikram had typed back instantly:
"Uncle… will talk later."That was it. Phone tossed aside.Anger. Shame. And above everything, fear.Uncle's restaurant meant shouting "One butter chicken, two tandoori" for the rest of his life.He wanted to be a software engineer.His phone buzzed. A new notification.Present day."Hello?"A soft, sweet voice.Vikram slowly looked up.A girl stood in front of him: white kurti, black jeans, and a smile that could stop traffic.In pure shock, the words slipped out:
"Who the hell are you?!"Then it hit him. This was the person he was supposed to pick up.He bowed his head fast:
"Sorry-sorry! My mistake! I—I came to pick you up!
Raizada Company. My name is Vikram Meghwal."He blurted everything in one panicked breath.The girl laughed softly, then said:
"Head up, Vikram."He raised his eyes."Do you always talk this loud?"Vikram shook his head quickly.
"No… not always. And yes, I'll get your luggage. The black car is outside."He ran to the baggage claim, grabbed the suitcase, pointed outside:
"Madam, the car is right there. This way."She stopped him."You told me your name, but I didn't tell you mine.
I'm Kirti Bangan."
She smiled and extended her hand.
"Friends?"Vikram shifted the suitcase, reached to shake her hand…And the suitcase crashed straight onto his own foot.Kirti burst out laughing, covering her mouth.
"Sorry! Couldn't help it!"Vikram picked up the bag, red-faced.
"No problem. Let's go."They got into the car.
The engine started.Kirti glanced at him with a teasing smile.Vikram stared ahead, silent.Only one thought spinning in his head:That talking dog told me, "You have to be friends with her."
So… this girl?
But why the hell did that dog say that?(To be continued…)