Arhi SS- Boomerang- THD 2- LINK PG1 - Page 6

Prologue

He closed his travel bags after a quick inspection. He checked through the items he had packed, while running through a printed list, to make sure that he had all the items he required for the expedition, including his summit bag, sleeping bag, his medication and his headgear. The trip organiser had re-confirmed that they would provide him with a tent that would be suitable for the conditions, if needed, so he opted out of carrying a tent with him. Before locking the door to his apartment in New York, he recorded a new voicemail greeting message on his home phone.

He had been aspiring to climb the Everest for a long time now, but then 'she' happened and the dream remained just that- a dream. But after the happenings of the last year, he had felt such an overpowering need to do this, not only for his dream, but also for his own peace of mind.

He called her one last time on her phone when an announcement for boarding was made. As it had been the case over the last month the call redirected to a voice mail. He took a deep breath in, stopping himself from leaving a rude message, and then switched off his phone. He then removed the SIM card from his phone and threw it into a trash bin on his way to board his flight.

Arnav Singh Raizada relaxed into his first class seat after taking a sip of the champagne that was served as welcome drink, and closed his eyes. He hoped that this trip would be everything it promised to be; adventurous, exciting, dangerous and most importantly a new start.

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She was packing the last remaining items into her hand baggage, keeping the photo beside her so that she could pack it last . She wanted to be able to take it out easily, so that she could see the photo and hold it close to her whenever she felt like it, during the flight trip. She packed a few more items that were dear to her, an amethyst pendant, a dried peach rose petal and an old worn out T-Shirt, items that reminded her of him, of his scent, of his feel, his touch, his smile, of the memories that they made together, the future they dreamed together.

She closed the bag and wiped the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. They had promised to take this trip this year to celebrate their fifth anniversary, but fate had other plans. Now she was going to take this trip on her own, scale the heights and keep the promise she made to him. She was going to try and celebrate the memories and the life they shared together. She had an inkling that he'd be watching her, staying closer than ever before, she could feel it already.