Author's POV: 

Flashback continues:

Luxurious Chic is one of the top international fashion houses based in New York, with multiple branches across the world and Mumbai's branch is said to be one of the biggest talent hub. Being one of the most reputed fashion companies brings some perks and benefits to the employees as well; it has provided rooms in the studio apartment for the convenience of interns.

Neha received her room details a day before, making it convenient to directly proceed towards the reception and grab her room keys even at 10:30 pm. 

Due to the journey and tiredness, Neha just jumped onto the bed not minding her state and surroundings.

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Next day

"Oh No!, I am late", Neha panicked looking in her watch which was kept on the side table, poor Neha forgot to charge her discharged phone after entering the room at night resulting to the failure of alarm to wake her . 

Luckily Neha has placed her toiletries, necessary documents and a pair of outfit in her hand carry which she grabbed and went to the bathroom to get ready, and in 20 minutes she was ready and dashed for the office which was 10 minutes walking distance.

The first day of her internship went super busy, with her roaming from one department to another to submit her documents and verifying all her original certificates. Finally, when she came back to her room, she thought to unpack her luggage which had been placed in the corner of her room untouched since yesterday. 

Keeping the suitcase at the edge of the bed, she started to unzip it, making her senses horrified as the things looked unfamiliar. 'Oh no! What should I do now? Let me call Papa. No, if I call him, he will scold and tell Ammi, who in return will lecture me for my carelessness. What shall I do?, Ya Allah!' Neha started to panic moving back and forth in the room. As if on cue, the doorbell rang. 

Thinking to answer it first then think about the solution to get the bag back, she opened the door.

"Ma'am, someone came to meet you and Can you please enter your contact number? I was unable to find it in the register." The watchman of the apartment came and told her. 

She hastily typed her phone number into the register and, with curiosity, went to see who was the visitor.

"Hi," A lady of the same age as her with a height of 5'7" and a perfect fit greeted Neha, getting up from one of the benches allotted for the visitors to sit, On the side a blue suitcase similar to that of her was placed.

"Hello, Do I know you?" replying to her greeting, Neha asked curiously.

"Oops, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. Hello, my name is Sana." The lady forwarded her hand. As a reflex, Neha also forwarded her hand and introduced herself: "Hi Sana, I am Neha".

"I know that's why I came here," Sana muttered to which Neha raised her eyebrow questioningly as she was seeing her for the first time.

Understanding Neha's gesture, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, actually our bags got exchanged, I guess. Here this is your bag and can you please return my bag as well?" Sana forwarded the bag that was kept beside the bench. 

Looking at the bag, she quickly placed it on the bench and unzipped it and to her relief it was correct; indeed, it was her bag. 

"Thank you so much for bringing it; I was just thinking of the solution to get it back" Neha thanked her and looked at Sana, who was wiping her forehead and looking here and there.

Concerned, Neha followed Sana's gaze to the ceiling where she saw that there was no fan or air conditioning. Feeling bad, she invited Sana to her room, saying, "Why don't you come to my room? You can just freshen up and then get your bag." Neha offered help to Sana, having no option as she really was exhausted due to travelling. Sana accepted the offer.

As they were heading to Neha's room they both felt comfortable with each other and they briefly introduced themselves.

"Here is your bag and thanks once again. Do you want to drink something?" Neha returned Sana's bag and asked her about any beverage to drink, moving towards the mini fridge kept in her room.

"No thanks. If you don't mind, can I use your washroom?"

"Not at all; there is the washroom on the left side you can freely use it," Neha replied to Sana pointing at the door on the left side.

"Hey, there is a restaurant nearby; we can may be fill our stomachs as it is past eating time," Neha asked Sana after she got freshened up. Sana looked at her phone and agreed to the dinner.

Though both were strangers, they felt a sense of comfort towards each other, which easily helped them to remove the wall of awkwardness.

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At Restaurant

"I forgot to ask you—How did you know it was my bag? And how did you know my address?" Neha asked Sana, who was sitting across her.

"Oh, I got to know your name through the file of your Xeroxed documents in the bag, and regarding the location, I actually had Air Tag in my bag which helped me in tracking your location." Sana answered Neha's question and looked here and there. 

Meanwhile, the waiter has arrived with their order, and they have quickly started to eat.

Later, after that dinner, they exchanged numbers, leading the base of their friendship. Eventually, they became friends and started to hang out around and enjoy the breezes of the new shore, flattering their fondness towards each other in a city full of dreams and opportunities. 

Flashback Ends

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At Present

After three days ( three days after the announcement of Neha's leaving)

As a farewell to Neha, her former team has planned a see off lunch party which lasted till 4 pm later she took a ride to the marine drive to engulf the breezes of Mumbai for one last time. 

As the sun kissed the bottom of the water surface, the waves of the beach welcomed the shine with loud whispers of tides, then crashed on to the structured rocks, next lessening down the intensity of the flow of waves. Indicating the intrusion of change can surely distress the environment, but welcoming and contouring it as per the requirements can soothe the flow of life. 

Neha was sitting on one of the tetrapod's, remembering all the memories of the past two years. When Sana and Neha came here for the first time, it was not a pleasant experience thinking of the place as an overrated they thought to never come, but eventually, when they came into the terms of Mumbai's life, they started to like this place and used to hang out a lot. Sometimes just to sit, sometimes to relax from the hastiness of the city, sometimes to vent out the frustrations of life, and later he also joined them, turning the duo into a trio group. 

After the calming sunset experience, Neha got up and took Kaali peeli (the famous black-yellow taxis present in Mumbai) to proceed towards their apartment along with the glistened eyes. 

Reaching the flat, Neha was surprised to see the door was already unlocked being alert she rang the doorbell,

 "Coming" listening to the chirpy voice of the person, she got relaxed.

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Nostalgic memories and friendship are never forgotten , comment inline what is your favourite memory ?

Please vote and comment to motivate me  .....