"I spy you!" - 23

“Your mission is simple. Try to put some sense into him. If he is turning hostile, just come back. No compulsion to continue” Padmanabha had told her while she went to say bye to him.

The plane journey was uneventful. She took a neat nap during the flight. But the mind was seriously contemplating what to do when she meets him.

What’s his name? She thought. His name was Gupta. She did not get his first name. Not that it mattered.

She had collected enough details of his family who were in the Nation’s capital.

She landed into a very hot evening. Must be 50 deg C she thought. She hailed a cab and checked into the hotel where Gupta is supposed to have checked in.

While entering her details in the form given by the hotel, she casually asked the receptionist “I am here to meet Mr. Gupta. Is he in this hotel?” and gave him a dazzling smile.

The receptionist was happy to tell. “Yes madam, actually he is in the room now” he said.

She got the number of his room and proceeded to her room. She was not sure whether to meet with him in his room or at the restaurant.

Finally she decided to see whether she could actually get him in the restaurant. If not, then there is no choice but to meet with him in his room. Is it safe? She wondered for a moment.

But she had no luck to meet with him in the evening at the restaurant. He was there but with two people talking in serious tones. Vasupradha was keen to know whether exchange of some document happens. Nothing of that sort happened. After dinner the other two left and Gupta left for his room.

She followed him and joined him in the lift. Encouraged by her friendly smile, he asked whether she can join him in his room. “Eager to have company of a fellow country person, just for talk” He told.

She went into his room. It was a replica of her room. She chose to sit in the chair opposite the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed facing her.

She thought she will have the bold approach as her strategy.

She started talking about his life. His eyes lighted up when he spoke about his family.

“I would do anything to make my family happy. I want to give them the best things in the world” he said with stars in his eyes.

This guy is a misunderstood person. I have to be careful in my approach she thought.

When he asked about her, she was cool saying she is an orphan without anyone to say hello at home when she returned in the evening after she finishes her work.

She told she is a teacher in so and so school. He was flabbergasted. “Oh my God! You are in the same school where my kids are studying. How come I have never seen you?” he said looking at her admiringly.