This is the second part posted today for chapter 27. Make sure to read the earlier part one first!!

♔ Aarav ♔

          I glance over at Annie where she's switched to watching movies. No matter how long a flight, she can never bring herself to fall asleep in flight. She's terrified the plane will crash or something and so she insists on staying up through all of it. I clip open the buckle and walk over to sit next to her.

She smiles at me, acknowledging me, but continues to watch the movie.

I press pause on the screen and turn on the screen in front of me so I can watch the movie with her. I've already watched it before and I know for a fact she has too. So, I just skip over to the part where she is, not caring about missing the first half hour.

When she sees I've fast forwarded to it, she presses play and I plug in the headphones.

In between, the flight attendant comes over to ask if we wanted something to drink and we both settle on just water. Then they bring us food and the whole time, we just silently and watch a movie after another.

Because movies. Something we do best.

Halfway through the third movie, she yawns pausing the movie and informing, "I'm going to walk a little."

I get that she's trying to do this so she can wake up a bit. I suggest, "Or, you could just take a nap."

She laughs, "Yeah, right."

When she starts to sit up, I put my hand atop hers to stop her and nudge her into sitting again. "Come on, what are you afraid of? I'm here."

"Aarav, no. I..."

I continue to insist, "Annie, you're tired and don't even deny it. You've been over-working yourself these past two weeks. Get some sleep; I promise I'll sit right here next to you. Nothing is going to happen."

She searches my eyes, trying to see if there is scope to talk me out of pushing her to give it a try. Eventually, reluctantly, her shoulders drop and she mutters. "I hate you."

A smile forms on my face feeling the love even in her contradictory words. She wouldn't let just anyone talk her into giving in to her fears.

I say just to rile her up a little, "I love you too."

But today... she has no idea just how much I mean it.

Yesterday was a wake-up call.

She rolls her eyes, shutting me down. "Alright, tone down that cockiness, darling." She slides into her chair, leaving it in the sitting position with tilting it back just a little, and gets comfortable. She moves her hand out from under mines to place it atop and that is when I realize my hand was still keeping her glued to the chair. "You're not going anywhere."

I reassure her spotting the pinch of fear keeping her on edge, "I'm not going anywhere, Angel."

She swallows, clenching her teeth for a second before nodding and closing her eyes.

I go back to watching the movie and absentmindedly tug my hand to plug in the headphone. Her grip on it tightens and I turn my head back to her. Her eyes are closed but that crinkle on her forehead remains. She's tensed, not relaxed.

I move my free hand to the center of her brows and slide out the crease. Leaning in, I kiss her temple and speak against her skin. "Relax, Angel. Nothing is going to happen to you while I'm there."

She doesn't say anything and I'm not even sure if she hears me.

I have to fight back my tears as I recall yesterday's touch and go. She is in front of me. she is fine. But that fear has my heart trapped... and I cannot even properly express myself.

I don't even have that right and on the inside... it is killing me.

With a heavy sigh and composing myself as best as I can, I move back and try my best to use just one hand to drape a blanket over her shoulders so she won't be cold and then reach overhead to lower the speed of the air coming at us.

You have to be careful, Annie. I think to myself because I can't say it. Even if she is asleep and she won't hear it, I can't say it. It's not right. For me, please.

Before long, I get back to watching the movie and my own eyes get heavy with sleep, unable to wait longer to reach Mumbai.

After long, we are all going home.

Jhanvi will be back in Mumbai, but this time, as a part of the family she'll come to know even if she doesn't remember.

For Annie, meeting Arnav and Khushi has always been home.

And for me... well, everyone I hold dear will be under one roof. Nothing could be better.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          I am abruptly woken up with Eva gently shaking me, "You finally got her to sleep, huh?"

"Hmm?" I question in disorientation before I follow her nod to Annie whose head had slipped down to my shoulder. "Oh. Yeah. Are we landing?"

She informs in a negative, "No, we still have 2 hours." She the nods for me to talk aside, "Can we talk?"

I start to get up but feel the tug on my hand still in hers. Probably feeling it, she mumbles a little whine. I glance at Eva again, "Is it important?'

She smiles in understanding, "No, it's okay. We'll talk later." I nod in gratitude and she walks back to sit comfortably on the couch and pulls open the windows slightly to gaze outwards.

I let out a sigh starting to feel a little refreshed.

I didn't realize how much I myself needed this nap. With everything going on, I don't think I've gotten a good night's sleep in a long time.

I turn back to check on Jhanvi. She's awake and watching a movie. Perhaps noticing movement in her peripheral, her eyes shift to me. She smiles quickly before focusing back on the movie.

I turn ahead again, awaiting the next two hours to pass by quickly.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          Mid-afternoon, we land in Mumbai. As I approach the exit door, I am met with the familiar scene of my guards standing at either sides of the steps. About twenty feet, there are three cars, again surrounded by men. The two BMW's with a black limousine in between. I'm sure the two BMWs are the extra security at the airport.

This is dad protecting me.

Jhanvi asks as she descents the stairs carefully with her purse hanging by the elbow, "Why do you always have so much security?"

Falling in step with her, I answer briefly, "As much as I'd like to humor myself, one does not reach the top of the industry without making some enemies on the way." Noticing the concern, I add to ease her mind, "Though don't worry, most of the times it's just to keep the media away."

On reaching the limo, Vikas opens the passenger door for us, "Welcome home."

I joke, "Finally someone who'll open the door for me."

He rolls his eyes, ordering. "Get in."

I wouldn't let anyone else talk to me this way but this is Vikas. He has been by my side as my security in charge since I was 18. And when someone follows you like your shadow for years, you grow accustomed to having them around and there is even a bit of leeway allowed here and there to behave more like friends and less like boss-employee.

After all, I reckon he gets to learn a lot more about me as my shadow then I care to admit I'd be comfortable with. If I go anywhere, he knows. If I do anything, he knows. It is more of a one-sided 'relationship', but it exists and there may be hardly anything that happens in my life that is hidden from him.

I'll admit, it was weird not having him in Italy this time. Else, wherever I have gone since Dad hired him, no matter which country, he is always there with me.

Eva walks around the side to get in through the other door that the driver opens for her. I nod for Jhanvi and Annie to get in first.

The fleet of guards dismiss to their assigned cars and soon enough, we're out of the private air-strip and on our way to the mansion.

I notice Jhanvi lost in thoughts. I imagine she feels intimidated by it all. Even though I always have security around, they make themselves invisible and stay in the distance from where they can keep an eye out so I have some breathing space indoors.

But outdoors, their presence is always known. On normal occasions as well, I travel in smaller cars for easy access rather than limos.

I reach for her hand and gently squeeze for comfort, "You'll learn to get used to this."

It looks like she'd rather not, but she still nods to not argue. "Yeah."

Annie opens the screen in between to speak to the driver, "Could you drop me off at the hotel first?"

The driver nods and she lifts the screen shut again. I question, "Hotel? I thought you'd come home with us."

"I will tomorrow to surprise Arnav and Khushi. Today, I've got some work for the calendar to finish first." She informs and when she mentions work, I know it's going to be impossible to make her change her mind. So, I don't even try.

I could never get between her work ethics.

Half hour later when we reach the mansion, Eva enters through the front but I nudge Jhanvi towards the back as I want to keep our arrival a surprise instead of announcing it by walking through the front doors.

I disable the alarm from the 2x2 machine before pulling the door and entering. She follows behind and I quickly reset the alarm. Taking her hand, I maneuver her through the hallway and to the right, straight into the kitchen.

A few servants glance up at the movement and I place my index finger to my lips to silence them before waving for them to leave and they quietly walk out. The only person remaining is Anjali di dressed in an elegant parrot colored saree standing by the burner and cutting potatoes.

This is her. Even after having all these workers, she prefers to cook atleast one meal in a day by herself.

Politely in her soft voice, she asks, "HP, pass me the bottle of club soda please." I walk closer to her, leaving Jhanvi's hand, but I freeze when she continues, "Don't even think about it, Aarav."

While I pout, Jhanvi holds back a laugh. Dropping the sneak attack for a hug, I lean back against the granite counter to stand beside her, "Di, how do you always know?"

She places the knife on the cutting board and after wiping her hands at a nearby hand towel, she turns to face me with a grin and pulls my ear.

I wince while she reminds, "I am your mother, kiddo. And let's not forget that expensive perfume that no one in this house uses other than you."

I grumble at that treacherous piece for giving me away "I am going to throw that wretched piece of bottle away."

She laughs and pulls me in a hug, knowing I wasn't going to throw it away just because it gave me away considering it was my favorite.

"Ah, it's so good to see you again." She expresses, "It feels like the longest trip you've ever taken." She pulls back with a quick swat on my shoulder, "You couldn't even afford to fly back for a weekend or something?"

I pinch her cheek amused, "You're cute when you're angry, mom. But hey, will I be forgiven if I said I won't be going anywhere atleast for the next year or so?"

She rolls her eyes and scoffs, not believing me at all. "Please, I am no fool. I very well know you're turning into a workaholic, just like chote. I bet you'll be leaving for some or the other business deal in a couple of weeks."

I answer confidently, "Nope," and turn my head to Jhanvi. I forward my hand calling her to come closer. With a smile, she stands next to me as I introduce, "Mom, meet Jhanvi. And Shona, this is Anjali mom."

Anjali's eyes widen slightly, for even though she knew Jhanvi was back, she hadn't yet met her and she probably did not think I'd be able to convince Jhanvi to meet my family this soon in these two and a half months. "Jhanvi?" She repeats her name needing confirmation and at my nod, she flashes her a loving smile. I can see the surprise in Jhanvi as she is greeted with a hug. "Welcome home, dear."

She tries to recover from it and her eyes flicker past Anjali's shoulder to me and I smile back at her, encouraging her to embrace this because it was happening.

"Is everyone home?"

Anjali informs, "Other than Riddhima and Khushi, yes. The two have gone out for something. Wouldn't tell anyone, probably up to no good." I open my mouth to ask further but she confirms knowing my thought, "And yes, they're all camped up in their own rooms. I swear, one of these days I am going to take away all the electronics."

I chuckle. This time, I do not believe her. "Sure you are."

She's made that threat multiple times in the past and never shown true to it. She does not have the heart to be cold towards those she loves. She's the easiest to melt.

I pull my weight on my feet again and kiss her cheek. "Alright, have fun cooking." I steal a cube of raw potato from the cutting board and plop it in my mouth just as se scolds it will hurt my stomach for eating it raw.

Turning a deaf ear to it, I take Jhanvi's hand and nudge her away towards the first floor. Before opening it, I inform. "First, La mom and Sam."

Opening the door, I place my hand over my eyes in a scolding, "Mom, Sam, please! Atleast lock the door if you're going to be romancing."

I hear the two jumping apart as if they were two teenagers caught in the act when really, all they had been doing was that she had her arms locked around his neck and was standing very close to Sam.

She questions in surprise, "Aarav?!" and jumps down the bed to walk over to us. She swats my arm for my exaggeration and laughing, I remove them from covering my eyes. "When did you get back? You didn't even tell us!" She scolds while taking me in a hug.

I respond by tightening my hold around my adoptive mother and lifting her slightly off the ground.

She squeals in another scolding, "Aarav! You're going to break my bones one of these days."

I arch a brow, "Now who is exaggerating?" and when she rolls her eyes, I acknowledge Sam. "Hey Sam, you better be taking good care of my mom."

"He takes care of me just fine," Lavanya defends before Sam can get a word in, "You're the one who has stopped caring. Were you that busy that you can't take a second out to call your mom? Was your work that important?"

I pull Jhanvi to my side, arm draping over her shoulder. "No, but this one was."

She gasps, "Did you just bring a girl home?" In a dramatic flair, she turns to her husband and repeats as if she were hallucinating. "Did he just bring a girl home? Someone pinch me. I've got to be dreaming."

I am sure Jhanvi is now starting to believe that no one in this house is the quiet one as I had pointed out during the flight.

Sam obliges and pinched her upper arm before speaking to me, "Well, about damn time kid. We were all worrying you'll hit your 30s and still not get settled."

In the sideline, Lavanya hisses in pain from the pinch and throws Sam a glare for which he winks back at her in response trying to be charming. She rolls her eyes and turns her attention to Jhanvi. For the second time, she is hugged. "We really owe you, honey."

I grumble, "You all need to stop talking as if I were a hopeless case."

Sam teases, "Weren't you? We have to force you to go on dates, which you always ditch so they don't even count anyway."

I defend, "Just because I wouldn't go on a date doesn't make me hopeless." Before she argues, I continue. "Anyway, we're going to go meet dad and since Khushi isn't home yet, don't tell her I'm back. Let it be a surprise."

Lavanya warns, "Aarav, wait. Listen, he's not in a good mood right now."

I pay no heed to it, "He's always in a good mood for me."

We go up a small flight of stairs and then down a corridor and then down another staircase to get to the other side of the house by the pool side. Jhanvi momentarily stops walking and feeling the tug on my hand, I turn around.

"What is it?"

For a second, she doesn't answer looking at the pool. The plants at the right corner of the area. "Nothing."

I almost wait for her to change her answer, but she doesn't. Somewhere, I hoped that she would remember something about us - especially now since I had told her we used to know each other. I hoped that if she'd remember, this between us will mean something to her too and it won't continue to feel one sided.

It wasn't the same house that we lived in when I was young and we were friends. As the size of the family grew and business continues to progress, dad had bought a bigger house and it's where we lived now. But still, I was hoping that just being back in Mumbai and meeting my family would have her recall something.

And this garden... it might not be the same one but it still a similar one I had planted in her memory... of our memory for when we were children and after school, we'd have spent countless hours building the other one. Both dad and Khushi had helped me recreate this here as a teenager.

It seemed, dad and Khushi have memories by the poolside and so even though we were moving to a larger property, they wanted to something familiar from the old place.

It's why a lot of the structure, dad had kept same.

That old garden still existed. We hadn't sold that house. The first chance I would get, I want to take her there. Maybe she will remember something then.

For now, I try to not show disappointment and nod towards a door that goes into a room, "That's his room. Come."

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

  ∞ author note  ∞  

Ah... Anjali, Lavanya & Sam! ^_^ 

QOTC: So there are two reasons for titling this chapter welcome home. One is literal, another is slightly symbolic. Let's see who can guess it? Also... This so-called guy that Annie sees. Concussion or...? Wonder what's cooking in my head, haha. Aarav... he is starting to get a reality dose. What do you think? And Jhanvi... seeing it all. I wonder what she thinks/feels/will do next?

Comment & Vote away! I'm getting so excited!!

More of the family coming up!