The Monsoon Rain Read Free

of the side streets before making their way toward Leicester Square and Soho. It was a unanimous decision to go for a Chinese meal.
    Leicester Square itself was very crowded, which was the norm. Four abreast was not possible to walk, so Charu and Charles led the way with Mira and Derek following close behind. Charu, as usual, was chatting away and trying to include the other two in whatever she was saying to Charles. She looked awfully good that evening in a long ankle-length yellow dress and loose black hair flying in the wind. Almost nymph like, Miranda thought to herself. She had such bright twinkling black eyes that they were the first thing one noticed looking at Charu. Charles was so very protective of her. Miranda envied them!
    Derek’s hand briefly brushed hers accidentally as they walked, and Miranda felt a sort of funny feeling creep all over her. She suddenly became very flushed and could feel her heart beating very fast. She stumbled and nearly fell. Derek had to put his arm round her to steady her and gently hold her elbow as they walked. That was the second time she had stumbled this evening! What was the matter with her?
    He was dressed casually; with his brown corduroy trousers and brown corduroy jacket hooked over his left shoulder, he ambled along easily beside Mira. His hair was partly bleached and he had that wonderful tan, which he’d acquired in the tropics.
    Choosing a restaurant became a major issue. The problem was solved when Derek suggested they all go for dim sum.
    The dinner was delicious, although Miranda could not eat a thing. She pretended to eat, knowing full well that once she got home she would make a dash for the kitchen, she was too nervous!
    “Oh my God,” Derek said, standing to excuse himself. “I have to call home.”
    “You guys seemed to hit it off!” Charu quipped. Both she and Charles exchanged an all-knowing look, and Miranda looked down, blushing.
    “Have you known Derek a long time, Charles?” she asked, still looking down.
    “I have known him for many years. In fact, we were at school together.”
    Charles got a rather faraway look in his eyes. “We sort of lost touch after school. Both of us went our separate ways,” he carried on. “He is the only son of a very rich and wealthy family. The tea garden he is based at now is family owned.” He glanced toward Miranda. “The family owns a number of gardens, and Derek has to go and visit them to see that all is in working order. For instance, he has to go and see that the gardens are producing the quantity of tea they are supposed to produce for export. They have been in the tea business for generations. And especially now as the British companies are leaving India and selling the gardens off to the Indian planters—” Charles stopped suddenly as he spotted Derek making his way toward their table.
    “Mother,” Derek announced, smiling. “She is complaining that she has not seen much of me this time.” He laughed out loud. He looked almost boyish, laughing with his head thrown back, sitting down and stretching lazily in his chair, his long legs crossed at the ankles.
    He and Charles exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Derek’s laughter did not reach his eyes, which were cold. The hazel eyes did not smile even as the sound fooled all of them except Charles.
    Miranda had the sudden urge to give him a big hug and slap a big sloppy kiss on his cheek, but the urge passed as quickly as it had surfaced. Thank God for that!
    Derek picked up the bill and would not hear of anybody else paying. The evening had passed too quickly for Miranda; she was home in no time.
    She wanted to spend some more time with Derek, and she wished that the evening would last longer. But with only a peck on her cheek and a pleasant good night and good-bye they were off.
    Miranda was in love! And she was usually one to be very blasé at the mere thought of love at first sight. She had never met anyone quite like Derek before. He was so foreign