“Attention ladies and gentlemen, this is a passenger announcement. Flight AI 112 from London Heathrow has now arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, and is currently taxiing to the gate at Terminal 3.
Passengers will begin disembarking shortly, friends and family waiting to receive arriving passengers are kindly requested to proceed to the arrivals area.
For baggage updates or assistance, please contact the airport staff or visit the information desk.
Thank you and welcome to New Delhi.”
The practised, almost robotic voice echoed through the airport even between the loud chatter of the people going in and out of the airport. The plane landed safely and people started coming out after collecting their luggage.
Some people were meeting their friends and family with excitement, while some were still looking towards the exit gate to see the familiar faces which they have been waiting for since an hour or two.
“There he is.. Arjun bhaiya..” A loud, excited voice cut through the chatter of other people, making them look towards the direction Rhea was pointing and saw a man coming towards them while pushing his luggage trolley. The driver smiled at the girl's enthusiasm.
Arjun smiled and waved at his little sister who was waving her hands furiously for him to notice her.
He was wearing a white button up shirt, pairing it with a black formal pants.
He stopped in front of them and the driver quickly took his luggage, taking it to their car.
“How are you chhoti??” He asked, hugging his sister and ruffling her hair affectionately.
Rhea whined a little at her hair being messed up. “Don't do that bhaiya..” She said, Arjun smiled and looked around.
“Did you come alone?” He asked, wrapping his arms around her shoulder. Rhea nodded her head. “Yup, Dad was busy and uncle was out of town so I came with the driver.“ She said and looked at her brother.
“And what about your college?” He asked. “Dad asked me to stay at home today. “ She said and that's when her eyes landed on another exit from where a girl was coming out with her luggage.
“Why..” Arjun asked, “Don't know..” Rhea shrugged her shoulders and tapped her brother's arm and pointed in the girl's direction.
“Isn't she Meher? Meher Malhotra? “ Rhea asked. Arjun turned around and looked at the said girl, who was on her phone calling someone.
He frowned his eyebrows and tilted his head in concentration, “maybe..” He replied. “Why?” He asked his sister who was still looking in her direction.
Rhea just shook her head and smiled. “Nothing, let's go.” She said and both Arjun and Rhea made their way towards their car.
Arjun turned around one more time and looked in Meher's direction and saw her looking back at him.
He swore he saw her rolling her eyes at him. Weirdo.
“Hello, Ma.. Yes I am at the airport, why is there no one here? Nobody came to pick me up?” she asked, baffled.
She heard her mother chuckle through the phone, “Ma I am not joking, there's no one literally..” Meher whined.
“Your brother must be there Meher, you are always bad at spotting people.” Suman, her mother said. Meher just rolled her eyes and looked around to find her brother when she saw Arjun Rathore looking at her. “ I just spotted Arjun Rathore, you will get a stroke if you heard that..” she whispered and rolled her eyes in his direction.
“What? Did you say something?” Suman asked not getting what she said, She focused back on the call, “ Nothing Ma.. and there’s no— ohh Kunal bhaiya is here, I thought Saurya bhaiya will come..” she asked her mother when she spotted Kunal entering, “Umm, Saurya was busy, he called and said Kunal said that he will pick you up.” Suman said and before Meher could say something she again interrupted her.
“Listen Meher, I gotta go okay, come safely and also ask Kunal to stay here for dinner, he listens to you.” Suman said and hung up the call before Meher could reply. “This lady..” Meher shook her head and kept her phone in her pocket.
She pushed her trolley towards her cousin brother, “There you are, little bird. How are you?” Kunal asked, giving her a side hug and taking the luggage from her hands. “I am fine, just a little tired. What about you? How come you are here at this hour? You were supposed to be at the firm, no?” Meher asked, Kunal closed the car trunk carefully and looked back at his little cousin sister.
“I had a free afternoon today so I decided why not meet my little troublemaker here.” Kunal said, making Meher chuckle, “That’s the best thing you thought to do in a while Kunal bhaiya, now give me the car keys.” She said, taking out her palms in front of him.
“No thank you, I don’t want to be in the news for an accident, I have a reputation to hold.” Kunal said dramatically but still handed out the keys to her.
Meher took her seat on the driver’s seat and buckled up her car seat. Kunal also did the same before rolling down the windows.
“Delhi, here I come..” Meher cheered before speeding up the car in the busy highway of New Delhi.
Arjun sat behind along with Rhea as the car started moving. “How is grandpa?” he asked looking at her, Rhea rolled her eyes at that, “Same, grumpy old man, what do you expect? Will he change overnight?” she mocked. Arjun slapped her lightly on her head.
“That’s rude, you don’t talk about your elders like that..” Arjun said. Rhea whined and slapped his arm in return. “You don’t know bhaiya, I didn’t attend a single class in the month because grandpa didn’t allow me, and just kept me busy with household work. I don’t know why we can’t keep servants. We are the Rathores and still we behave like this.” Rhea complained.
Now that’s concerning and Arjun has to do something, it can’t go on like this for long, he always has to travel out of the country, sometimes for a day and sometimes for even a year. And if his family kept pulling stunts like this in his absence it will be bad for her academic performance.
“Don’t worry, I will talk to them.” Arjun comforted her. “That will be of no use, rather they will hate you more.” she said sadly. “So what, I can’t see my Rhea crying and pouting.” he chuckled when Rhea glared at him.
Arjun closed the car door before following Rhea inside the house, “Mama..” Rhea yelled, skipping her steps into the living room. Kiran Rathore, their mother came out of the kitchen wiping her hands in a kitchen cloth and saw Rhea making her way towards her.
“Keep your voice low Rhea, and for god sake walk like a girl for one time.” Kiran frowned and Rhea just grinned and walked towards her brother who was just standing there. “Come on mama, at least greet us, we just came back from the airport. “ Rhea said standing tall, making them realise that she is serious.
“Rhea..” her mother was about to say something when Arjun interrupted her, “Mama, it’s okay, let her be.” Arjun said and Rhea giggled, making her way towards her room. Kiran saw her going upstairs and then looked back at her son who was still standing there. “You have spoiled her too much, Arjun.” Kiran sighed sadly.. “It’s not good..” she whispered. “It’s okay mama, she is a child, it’s her age to enjoy.” Arjun said and took seat on the sofa sighing in relief.
“I will get you water..” Kiran said going inside the kitchen and coming back with a glass of chilled water. Arjun took the glass and drank it in a single breath.
Kiran looked at her son and ruffled his hair, “Tired?” she asked, Arjun just nodded his head. “I will just go take a shower, I will be good before the dinner, don’t worry.” Arjun said and stood up.
“Hmm okay, take a rest.” She said and went away from there. Arjun took his small sling bag and went to his room to freshen up.
He closed the door behind him and kept his sling bag on the floor near bed and took out his clothes before going to the bathroom.
He took a quick shower and put on his clothes before coming towards his bed and literally throwing himself on it. He took a deep sigh and closed his eyes but opened them in a sec when he remembered something. He stood up and checked his pockets for his phone.
He took it out before dialling a familiar number. He waited for the call to be picked up which resulted in only disappointment when the call went unanswered. He tried two more times until the robotic voice said that the number is probably switched off and not reachable at the moment.
He sighed looking at the number and turned off his phone before falling into a deep slumber. His body is getting the much needed sleep it deserves after a whole month in London. He went there as a brand ambassador of a Clothes company launching its Winter Collection. He had a great experience but as people say, a home is a home no matter what.
“Let’s grab lunch somewhere before going home.” Meher said and looked at Kunal for affirmation, “That’s cool..” he said looking at his phone.. “Who are you texting bhaiya?” Meher asked, Kunal looked up and shook his head, “No one.” he said and slid his phone back in his pocket. Meher gave him a side eye but didn’t pry much.
They stopped by a restaurant to grab their lunch, Meher went to choose a seat while Kunal ordered their food. The restaurant was a little rushed today but she still managed to find a seat in the middle as many people had already occupied her desired window seats.
Kunal came with a cold drink for Meher and took a seat while they waited for their lunch. “How was London? Did you have fun?” Kunal asked. Meher took a sip of her drink and smiled brightly, “Fun? Fun is such a short word for what I had there, it was beautiful, magical, more like dreamy. The weather, the food, the places, the people, Everything was so good.” Meher expressed delightfully.
“I am glad you enjoyed it, I told you it was a great place for vacations.” Kunal said while the waiter served their lunch. “Wait, let me show you some pictures..” Meher said excitedly, pulling out her phone and scrolling through her gallery.
“They are so beautiful,” Kunal expressed looking through the images, “I know right, after all it’s me who took them.” Meher flipped her hair in sass. ‘Yeah yeah whatever.” Kkunal chuckled, “let’s focus on lunch now, shall we?” Kunal asked and Meher nodded her head. “Of course.”
“I saw Arjun Rathore at the airport today, you know.” Meher said, taking another bite of her food. Kunal stopped eating and looked at her, “What? Did he say something?” he asked almost instantly. Meher furrowed her brows and shook her head, “No I just saw him.. Why?” she asked. “Don’t talk to him or even meet him, Meher..” Kunal warned her.
“Why??” she asked, confused. “Just do as I say, stay away from him, their family is no good.” Kunal said, rolling his eyes. “But why? I mean there has to be a reason no? I am not saying I like their family and all but the reason for the rivalry has to be something don’t you think?” She asked.
“Meher enough, I don’t want to talk about him or his family. And you also stay out of it and don’t tell anyone that you saw him today, now let’s go..” Kunal said keeping out some cash on the bill book and stood up.
Meher quickly took her bag and dashed behind him, “Why are you suddenly so angry?” Meher asked, sitting on the passenger seat. “I am.. I am not angry, I just want you to create problems for yourself. They are not what they show, far away from the nice things we see or read in the newspaper.” Kunal ruffled his own hair and started the car.
The car stopped in front of the great Malhotra's mansion and Meher came out of the car and waited. “What?” Kunal asked. “What?” Meher asked back. “Why are you standing, go inside..” Kunal said. “Well stay for dinner, mama asked you to.” Meher said.
“I would love to but I don’t really have time today, birdie..” Kunal said apologetically, meher pursed her lips in sadness.. “Please..” she requested. Kunal sighed and looked at his watch. “Okay I will be there, I really have something really important but I will be there.” he said.
“Take Anjali aunt with you as well, I missed her the most..” Meher said excitedly. Kunal nodded his head in affirmation. “Okay I will..”

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