Her

I was waiting for him to come out of the airport. I checked the time. 1 PM, he should have been out by now. Just then, he came out, pushing his luggage trolley through the crowd, his eyes widening with joy as he spotted me.

"Hi monkey..." he greeted, spreading his arms for me.

I threw myself on him, hugging him tightly as I cried out tears of joy.

He hugged me back, chuckling. "So you didn't miss me, huh?"

I pulled back, sniffling, wiping my tears. "Of course not, crackhead."

He pinched my nose, smiling. "Even I didn't..."

"Okay, come on. Let's go... Ma's waiting."

"Yeah, I am so hungry and I missed her cooking so much these past two years..."

We settled down in the car and drove off to my house. The drive was filled with chatter and laughter, just like old times.

"So, how's London treating you?" I asked, glancing at him.

"It's great, but nothing beats home. The food, the people, and you, of course," he said, ruffling my hair.

I swatted his hand away, laughing. "I knew you missed me!"

"And how's your job going ?" He asked

"Pretty good. Just bagged an influential client yesterday so yeah....things are looking up..." I replied.

"Nice, nice even you have grown up so much..." He looked at me, smiling.

As we turned onto our street, his eyes widened.

"You guys did all this for me?" he asked, looking at the decorations and the crowd gathered outside our house.

"Surprise!" I grinned, parking the car. "Everyone's here to welcome you back."

He stepped out of the car, and as soon as he did, our relatives and old friends swarmed him, showering him with hugs and greetings.

He dropped his bag and hugged Ma first, lifting her off the ground slightly. "Ma, I've missed you so much," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Ma's eyes welled up with tears. "Welcome home, beta. It's been too long."

One of the relatives, Uncle Raj, clapped bhaiya on the back and said, "You've grown up to be just like your father."

The room fell silent, an awkward tension filling the air. Everyone knew how much he missed Dad.

Bhaiya broke the silence with a bright smile.

"Come on, everyone, let's enjoy the party! I'll just freshen up and join you all."

He headed upstairs while the rest of us returned to the celebration. The house buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. People asked him about his life in London, his company, and his future plans.

"So, how's QuantumTech doing?" asked Uncle Vikram. Bhaiya, sipping his drink, replied, "It's doing great. We've got some exciting projects lined up. London's been a fantastic place for growth."

As the evening rolled by, one by one, our guests began to leave, and soon it was just the three of us-Bhaiya, Ma, and me-spending some family time.

He pulled out the gift boxes from his bag. "I got something for both of you." He handed Ma a box first. She opened it to reveal the beautiful pearl earrings. Tears filled her eyes as she cupped his face. "I am so proud of you, beta." Bhaiya kissed her hands, smiling.

"That means a lot, Ma."

He then handed me a box. I opened it to find the gold star earrings. I squealed in delight and jumped to hug him. "These are beautiful! Thank you, bhaiya!"He chuckled, hugging me back.

"You're welcome, monkey." After a few more moments of family bonding, bhaiya changed the topic. "By the way, Dante, will be coming after four days."

I looked at him curiously. "Who's Dante?"

Bhaiya replied "Dante's my best friend since college. We opened QuantumTech together. He's been a huge support."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So he is that guy you told us about. Tell me more about him."

Bhaiya leaned back, smiling. "Well, he's a nice guy and is incredibly smart. He has a knack for problem-solving. I wouldn't have gotten QuantumTech wouldn't have been the same if it weren't for his insights and dedication."

Ma turned to me, her eyes twinkling. "I forgot to mention, Tara, another person will be coming to stay with us for some time. Make sure you make him feel at home."

I nodded, intrigued. "Of course, Ma. I'll make sure to keep the guest room ready for him."

Bhaiya continued, "Dante's been really excited about coming to India. We have an important client meeting here, and staying with us will give him the full experience."

"I can't wait to meet him. It sounds like we're going to have an interesting guest." Ma added,

"And it will be good for you to show him around, Tara. You've always been great at making people feel welcome."

As the night drew to a close, we all felt a sense of contentment and anticipation. Bhaiya was home, and our family was whole again. And with Dante's arrival, it seemed like even more interesting times were ahead.

Him

Finishing up the final touches on the project, I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms above my head. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and late-night brainstorming sessions. But now, as I stared at the completed proposal on my screen, I felt a surge of satisfaction. We were ready.

I glanced at my watch. It was almost time to head to the airport. This business trip to Kolkata was going to be an adventure, and I couldn't wait to experience it, even if I was a bit wary of the cultural differences. Meeting Arjun's family for the first time added an extra layer of excitement and nervousness.

"Tracey, could you come in here for a moment?" I called out.

Tracey, my efficient and ever-reliable secretary, appeared at the door. "Yes, Mr. Marchetti?"

"I need you to send this proposal to the client and make sure everything is set for my trip. Also, I need your advice on something."

She nodded, taking the USB drive with the proposal. "Of course. What do you need help with?"

I scratched my head, feeling a bit sheepish. "It's about gifts. I want to bring something for Arjun's mother and sister, but I have no idea what to get. This is my first time meeting them, and I want to make a good impression."

Tracey smiled knowingly. "I understand. How about something elegant but thoughtful? For Mr. Basu's mother, a nice silk scarf or a handcrafted item would be perfect. For his sister, maybe something trendy and unique, like designer accessories or a personalized gift."

I nodded, grateful for her input. "That sounds good. I'll head to the store now and see what I can find."

As I walked through the bustling streets of London, I found myself deep in thought. Arjun had spoken so fondly of his family, and I wanted to ensure they liked me. Finding the right gifts was just the start.

I entered a high-end boutique that specialized in unique and trendy accessories. After much deliberation, I decided on a delicate gold bracelet with a star charm for Tara. It was chic yet personal, and I hoped she would like it. For Mrs. Basu, I chose a beautifully handcrafted silk scarf, elegant and timeless.

With the gifts sorted, I made my way back to the office to grab my luggage. The anticipation of the trip was starting to outweigh my apprehension. Arjun had been my rock during college and the early days of QuantumTech. Now, it was my turn to meet the people who had shaped him.

As I boarded the flight, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. India was a land of rich culture and history, and I was eager to experience it. More importantly, I was looking forward to seeing Arjun in his element, surrounded by his family.

The flight was long, giving me plenty of time to think about the upcoming meeting with our client and the cultural nuances I needed to be mindful of. Arjun had given me some tips, but I knew I'd have to rely on my instincts as well.

As we began our descent into Kolkata, I looked out of the window, the sprawling city below a stark contrast to the skyline of London. My heart pounded with anticipation. This trip was going to be an adventure in more ways than one.

After clearing customs and grabbing my luggage, I stepped out into the humid air, the sounds and smells of Kolkata hitting me all at once. It was overwhelming, but in an exhilarating way. I spotted Arjun in the crowd, waving enthusiastically. He looked the same, yet different, more relaxed and at home.

"Welcome to India, Dante!" he greeted, extending his hand.

"Thanks, Arjun. It's great to be here," I replied, shaking his hand warmly.

As we loaded my luggage into the car, Arjun turned to me. "Ma has been cooking up a storm, and everyone is excited to see you."

We drove through the vibrant streets, and I soaked in the sights and sounds. Arriving at Arjun's home, I was greeted by a warm and welcoming sight. The house was decorated beautifully, and a delicious aroma wafted through the air.

As I stepped inside, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. This trip was going to be challenging, but I had a feeling it would be incredibly rewarding as well.

************

"Turns out, I'm ahead of schedule. If you see me post this early, just know it's because I'm secretly a time traveler who's here to make your day better. 🚀"

"Jokes apart, the story might be a little bit boring right now but trust me it gets better. Just go with the flow."