chapter 16

Sameer has booked a beach resort, with both cottage-style and concrete houses set in landscaped gardens. Everyone appreciates his choice. They reached the resort around 8:30 am, but as the manager knows Sameer, they got the room before the check-in time.Everyone quickly freshens up and gets ready for the local tour. Fiza wears jeans with a short kurti and a scarf. She ties a high ponytail and wears stylish earrings. She wears small heeled shoes. The chubby girl looks different in the western outfit. Sameer gets mesmerized by Fiza's new look. He stares at Fiza until Vinay comes and says, 'Let's go.'Sameer realizes his mistake and feels embarrassed being caught staring at Fiza. After breakfast, they set out for the local tour in two cars. Sameer wanted Fiza to go with him in the car, but Fiza's team members put her with the girls in another car. Vinay accompanies the girls in the car. Sameer could do nothing but watch her go.Today's Fiza is entirely different from the team leader Fiza. Like any other girl, she is busy taking selfies and posing for photos. When posing for a group photo, sometimes she lines up everyone as per their dress color or tells them how to pose.Goa, formerly a Portuguese colony, offers a unique blend of sea beaches, forests, monuments and mouth-watering cuisines. Everyone had a lot of fun throughout the day. On the way back, Sameer finally manages to convince Fiza to return in the same car with him. Vinay immediately sends some girls to Sameer's car, and he also gets into it. Vinay does it so fast that Sameer can't find a way to avoid them, but he manages to sit beside Fiza.Throughout the day, Sameer notices that most of the time, Fiza is roaming, keeping a little distance from the group. Whenever she distances herself from the group, she seems lost in some thought. Sameer feels that Fiza is not comfortable with them. So, he wants to talk with Fiza to make her feel comfortable. But Vinay's presence in the car has made it awkward. Sameer can sense that something is brewing in Vinay's mind.Everyone is exhausted from traveling all day, so they close their eyes and relax, except Vinay and Sameer. The girls sitting in the back seat are sleepily bumping into each other. The girl sitting beside Fiza is also falling on her, but Fiza is sleeping straight. Sameer watches Fiza for a while but can not understand whether she is awake or sleeping. How can one sleep so straight? Sameer thought.Sameer is sad as he could not talk to Fiza. He is deep in thought when Vinay calls him.'Sir, what have you clicked the whole day?''I took pictures of the places we visited today.''Can I have a look at those?''Yes, why not?'Sameer gives his camera to Vinay, but he never thought it might embarrass him.'Sir, you have taken more pictures of Fiza ma'am than the pictures of the places we have visited today.' Vinay says.'My pictures? Show me.' Fiza says to Vinay.Sameer wonders that Fiza was sleeping, so how did she hear?'Why did you click my photo?' Seeing her pictures, Fiza asks Sameer.'I clicked everyone's photo.' Sameer tries to manage the situation. He abuses Vinay in his heart for disclosing that he has clicked Fiza's photo.'But most of them are ma'am's photos.' Vinay says with a mischievous smile as if he has solved a mystery.Hearing the discussion of Fiza's photos, other girls in the car get up and start looking at the pictures on Sameer's camera.'Mail me my photos.' Fiza says to Sameer and closes her eyes again.Everyone gets surprised by Fiza's reaction. Sameer was afraid that Fiza might get angry. But when she didn't say anything, Sameer plucked up the courage to say, 'Don't you like the pictures I took?''They are good.' Fiza replies, keeping her eyes closed.Vinay smiles at Fiza's reaction. But Sameer gets disheartened.He says,' If they are just good, then why do you want those photos?''Why did you take my picture without my consent? It was wrong. So, mail me my photos as a souvenir.' Fiza opens her eyes and says, looking straight into Sameer's eyes.Sameer couldn't find words to reply to Fiza.No one could sleep last night. So, everyone is tired after a day-long tour. After reaching the resort and freshening up, everyone takes a nap before dinner. After dinner, when everyone gets busy with their mobile, Fiza goes to the seaside and sits on a chair. As it is a full moon night, the surrounding beauty is enchanting. The moonlight has spread all over the sea, giving the waves a magical look. So the waves are roaring when hitting the shore.Seeing Fiza sitting alone by the sea, Sameer feels like talking to her, but he remembers his embarrassment in the car and changes his mind and sees Fiza from afar. The place where Fiza is sitting is lit only by the moonlight. She looks alluring in the moonlight. The sea is roaring and breaking the silence of the surroundings. But anyone away from the hustle and bustle of the city will feel thrilled and relieved. Sameer goes for a stroll on the seashore. The cool breeze blowing by the sea refreshes his mind and removes his tiredness. While strolling, Sameer thinks about Fiza.Isn't she different from other girls? She avoids gatherings, avoids talking about her personal life, and she is not on social media. But at the airport, she was looking at someone's social media profile. It seems she is hiding something, but what? Sameer says inwardly.Sameer sees Fiza from a distance. It looks like Fiza is talking to someone, but Sameer can see everyone sitting together on the balcony. Since the place where Fiza is sitting is lit up only by moonlight, Sameer cannot see clearly with whom Fiza is talking. Sameer gets worried as many crimes against women travelers come to the fore in Goa every day. Maybe Fiza is different from all other girls, but she is innocent. Sameer says inwardly.Sameer walks hurriedly towards Fiza. When Sameer reaches Fiza, he finds her leaning on a chair and murmuring with her eyes closed. He calls her 'Fiza.'Fiza gets nervous seeing Sameer in front of her. She looks around as if she is looking for something.'Fiza, what are you looking for?''Nothing.'(Continued .... )