if Wishes were horses Part 30,Page 79,3rd November - Page 31

Part 16

As much as she wanted to try the MRT(Mass Rapid Transport), she took a cab instead to Sentosa island. Disgusted with being at home for so many days, she finally decided to venture out and explore the city !!

The primary tourist destination of the city, Sentosa was a revelation and for adventure freaks like her, it was paradise !! She thought of beginning her trail with the Skyline Luge Sentosa. For a thrill seeker and an adrenalin junkie like her, this part go-kart and part toboggan,the luge was a non-motorised three wheel carrier that she sat on and controlled while whizzing downhill on 650m jungle trail track towards the Siloso Beach.

The Dragon Trail,the second track,with elevated and tighter corners and sharper turns,she hung on for an exciting ride. The third trail,the Sentosa Skyride was a more relaxing aerial ride that carried her above tree tops and leaving her mesmerized though she wished that she had taken this ride in the evening.

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8 a.m at the breakfast table

" I was thinking of going out and exploring the city a little today ".

" If you are okay,we can do so on Saturday ". " In fact we can go to Sentosa ".

" Shantanu, I want to do it on my own ".

" I thought Shaan was fine with you ". Completely oblivious of what he said, she continued……

" I have a detailed map and also my cell phone, I'll manage ".

" But Khanak, you are absolutely new to the city and the systems here are very different from Kolkata ".

" Everyone here speaks English Shantanu and I understand and speak the language pretty well ". " Stop fathering me ". " If I'm in trouble, I will call you ".

Her curt behavior left him speechless but fuming within. He was at a loss in trying to put some sense into her head. Gosh!!! why is she so stubborn?

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Post lunch she took off for Underwater World Singapore. Here,a voyage to the bottom of the sea, began at the water's edge, with shallow rock turtle and ray pools. She was greeted next by brightly corals and exotic ocean dwellers (including eels,sea dragons and jelly fish) before embarking on a spectacular underwater journey through the 83 meter long travelator with a tunnel housing the majestic rays, fearsome sharks,great shoals of other fishes and a host of other creatures that inhabit the ocean depths leaving her spellbound and captivated.

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Nicole couldn't help but notice Shaan's restlessness. Mr.Cool (nickname gifted by his colleagues) has been jittery ever since morning. Reputed as a teetotaler,he has been to the smoking room already a couple of times.

" Would you like to talk, Shaan "?

" Hi, Nicole, I'm fine ".

" I didn't ask you how you are ". " I'm asking if you want to talk ".

" Khanak has left for Sentosa all on her own ". " I haven't heard from her till now ".

" Shaan, she is an adult ". " If she encounters any problem, she'll get in touch ". " Your worrying to death won't help ".

" Look at you " !!! " You are in absolute shambles ". " Collect yourself and try and open shop quickly ".

" Thank you Nicole ". Her thump on his back brought back some lost confidence.

Her ultimate stop for the day was the Dolphin Lagoon. Set amidst lush landscaping, the lagoon completes a seamless journey of discovery into the ocean's depths. She booked herself for the 6:45 p.m show. And was it a delight !! The dolphins and fur seals charmed the audience in a variety of programmes. She had a splashing good time as she went up close to the pink dolphins spy-hopping and tail walking their way into her heart !!

It was close to 8 when Shaan returned. The pitch dark of the house numbed his senses !!! He fished out his phone and frantically dialled her and like previous times,it was switched off!!!

His immediate thought was to report to the police. But what would he say, that he allowed his wife, a stranger to the city to venture out on her own in the name of freedom?

Where are you Khanak? Please come back my bride. I am lost without you !!!

His clenched fists portrayed his distress ……