"dost dost na raha"

~ Meher ~

Mumbai, India

I harshly shut the room behind me. I took deep breaths, trying to steady my temper. I wanted to scream. Whenever Kabir said that he wasn't like me, it was because he wanted to put me down insinuating our issue, my fault and how he was better than me.

I never said he wasn't.

I felt wetness on my cheeks which I harshly wiped away as I tried to mend the already made bed, before burying my face in the pillow.

I screamed.

Not once, but a few times.

After that, I gently let the tears flow, letting myself cry. I don't think it was the frustration I had due to Kabir, I think it was everything that happened in the past few months.

Sahil, my heart clenched as I remembered him, he just went so far, but he didn't forget to protect me. I was the youngest of the four, they always looked out for me and protected me. And I couldn't be a better friend.

I couldn't protect anyone.

Kabir's words bothered me. What was Sahil up to? What was so secretive that he wouldn't tell anyone?

He used the company's resources. But what kind of resources? Was it something technical, or something else?

I had no clue.

I rolled on my bed, facing the ceiling. Life was easier when we were younger. There were no complications, nothing to worry about except for exams.

But life was moving ahead in such a way that one can't decipher how chaotic living can be.

Today was such an important day, a happy one even as our company hit a milestone by getting the deal and I became the CEO of Media House. But I didn't know if I was really happy.

Something felt missing.

And as I continued thinking about it, my eyes felt heavier and sleep engulfed me.

*   *   *

I stirred on my bed and my eyes flew open. I woke up in a dark room. It was probably night. I lazily searched for my phone on the bed, and finally, I got my hands on it. I tapped on the screen and my eyes widened when I saw the time.

1:07 AM.

How did I sleep for so long? I realised I was still wearing my clothes from this morning and hadn't bothered to change.

Twisting my hair up and tying it in a messy bun, I got out of the bed, switched the lights on and walked into my closet. Picking a night suit, I quickly got myself changed and made my way out of the room.

I waltzed into the empty living room to see the dim lights of the kitchen on. I was hungry and thank god I didn't have to look for switches in the dark.

The kitchen was sparkly clean and there were no dishes in the sink. A plate was hung over the dryer which meant Kabir had eaten and washed his plate. Shaking my head, I opened the fridge to find something to eat when I noticed a plate with a sticky note on it.

I took the plate out and kicked the fridge close behind me. Keeping the plate on the slab, I picked the sticky note off and read it.

Came to call you for dinner but you were sleeping. Ordered Italian. Saved some for you. Heat it and eat — K

I read it twice trying to register the meaning behind those words. The man who wouldn't even share his cold with me decided to share some food. Was the doom already near?

I put the plate in the microwave and wait for it to heat when I hear footsteps.

"You woke up?" He yawned as he sauntered into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to take out a bottle of water.

"Yeah," the microwave dinged as it finished heating my food. I opened the microwave and immediately the heavenly smell of that pasta filled the entire kitchen. I sniffed, filling my stomach with just its smell.

I sat on the dining table and started munching on the food. Maybe I was hungry, but the food was extremely delicious.

"Why did you order? I guess we had some leftovers," I started the conversation, an attempt to bury the fight which had ensued this morning.

"The tomatoes added to the dishes gave a sour stench so I put those in the compost," he says and I hear the fridge close.

"Ah that reminds me," I turned slightly to see him, "the maid is taking off for four or five days."

"Isn't her monthly two-day holiday already done?" I closed my eyes, trying not to curse him. "They can take leave beyond that if they have an emergency."

"Hmm," he nodded.

"Also,"

"Hm?" I looked up at him and noticed that he had walked close, "Arya said we are going to a conference in Chennai. Dad has asked all of us to prepare for it,"

"When are we leaving?" I asked him. Kabir glanced at his phone to check the time.

"Tomorrow at six— well actually, today," he rephrased, smiling at me.

I widen my eyes, shock taking over me. "What the fuck, Kabir!" I screamed. "You should have told me."

Kabir clicked his tongue. "Not my problem if you were sleeping," he shrugged. I gave him a stink eye. I gobbled down my entire food and ran to wash the plate. Within five minutes, I was done cleaning up the area and made my way out of the kitchen when I saw him perched up against a wall.

"Fuck," I poked his chest, "you." And then I ran back into my room. Pulling out a small suitcase, I started throwing clothes inside the bag. Formal, nightwear, casual wear, shoes— there was so much to pack. I had only five hours left to leave.

Thank god we had a private jet to fly.

I heard the door creak open but I refused to look at the intruder because I was so busy running in and out of the closet.

"Need help?" I paused mid-way to see him leaning at the door, hands crossed.

"Yes," I said, wiping the smug off his face. "On the dresser, there are skincare items. Grab a small bag from the closet."

"What?" He stood straight, blinking twice.

"Go and pack my skincare, Kabir. What are you looking at?" I grabbed a few more of my clothes when I saw him walk into the closet. He started rummaging through everything, trying to find the bag and I didn't bother to help as I was a train wreck because of him.

I walked out of the closet and started folding the clothes neatly when I realised something was missing.

"Fancy black lace underwear set, Mini," I heard his amused voice from inside and my eyes widened at the realization.

Fuck, my underwear.

"Kabir!" I screeched, marching inside the closet. I was mortified to see him holding the set, laughing, the mirth dancing in his eyes. "Keep that down," I tried to snatch it back but he stepped back, taking advantage of his height. "Good choice of colour, I must say. When do I get to see you in it?" At this point, I was red and all I wanted to do was to swallow myself in a hole.

"In your dreams, Raizada," I gritted, trying to snatch it back when he went on his toes, towering over me. "Nah, I see the red one in mine," he said and then out of nowhere, he brought out the red set which he was hiding behind his back, in his other hand.

I was mortified.

I closed my eyes in shame when I watched him wave the two sets in the air, making me go berserk. "Kabir," I say, my voice dropping low, trying to bring a little seriousness so that he could give up. "Stop, it's not funny at all."

"That doesn't work on me, Mini," his finger zeroed on my face.

I gave up.

"If you're so interested, please take it and try it on yourself," I pushed him aside, took a bunch of sets along, got out of the closet, and resumed packing. Laughter boomed inside and I chose not to react because I had important things to do.

After Kabir was done teasing me, he finally came out with the bag and packed my skincare.

A while later, he dropped the bag beside my suitcase and silently made his way out of the room leaving me to pack in peace.

It took me a while to be done with all of it. When I checked the time, I realised I could get two hours of sleep. So without wasting any other moment, I put all the packed belongings aside, kept my phone on the charger and hit the bed to get some last-minute sleep before we hit the flight.

*   *   *

"Meher," I heard Kabir calling me for the nth time. "Come fast, we are already running late."

What was being late when we were travelling in the private jet?

I hurriedly grabbed all of my essentials and rushed to wear my Converse. Kabir, who was waiting by the door, dead stared at me to which I paid no heed. "Nobody is going to stare at your face this early," he taunted me when I was tying my laces.

I glared at him and walked past to press the button for the elevator. As the elevator arrived, Kabir pushed both the suitcases in before entering along with me.

"When is the flight leaving?" I asked, looking at the time.

6:02 A.M, we were definitely on time.

"After all of us board, I suppose? The moms are coming too," he informed.

"Feels like a family vacation, I haven't had any in a while."

"Hmm,"

We had called the driver to drive us to the airport, it wasn't that far, just a fifteen-minute drive.

After loading the suitcases in the trunk, he got in the car. Since it was very early in the morning, the sky was still dark and there was barely any traffic on the road. The roads were wet with patches of puddles, an aftermath of those beautiful showers. The sky wasn't clear, the rains had just stopped.

The weather in Chennai would be different as the rains usually hit more in December.

The driver made a right and entered the airport. I quickly dropped a text to Arya telling her that we reached.

"They are already on the plane," I referred to the text Arya had sent back. Kabir hummed, nodding in response. The car stopped and we got out. The driver helped us to get a trolley, and soon we were inside, doing our security check-in.

After we were done with all the procedures, we took our usual route which was for private jets. I greeted the staff who were stationed there and entered the air bridge that was already connected to the plane.

In no time we were inside but all we were welcomed was—

"Where's everyone?" Kabir voiced my thoughts and I tried hard to look around, trying to find the family members.

"Is this a prank?" I thought aloud and looked at Kabir. Kabir looked at me as if he was going to kill me then and there. He was definitely up for it this morning.

"I will call Aryan," I turned around immediately, not poking him further. I dialled that idiot's number. In a few rings, he picked up and I was welcomed with a groggy voice.

Wait, was he asleep?

"Hello?"

"Where the fuck are you Aryan Raizada?" I gritted, as I had almost figured out what was going on.

The sleep if he had possessed any vanished as all I could hear was cackling voices on the other side. Before I could ask anything further, my phone was snatched by Kabir, who put it on the speaker.

There were now two sets of laughter, the other was obviously his devil half— Arya.

That bitch. The audacity of her to answer that they had already reached.

"What the hell is happening, Aryan?" Kabir looked so vexed that he looked like he would rip Aryan's head off and feed them to the dogs if he came in front of him.

"You remember what I told you after you signed it?" I narrowed my eyes at Kabir whose eyes flashed with a reminder that I wasn't aware of. "You do you, and I will do what's best for the two of you."

I heard Kabir grunt as he closed his eyes, almost losing it. "I can still book a flight and come back."

"No, you can't," he sang, as if all of this that was happening was a joke. "Remember the contract that you signed with me when we were drunk and lost in New York City?"

What?

Kabir's eyes widened again as if he remembered, and I looked at him confusedly. "I am exercising it now. Four days of honeymoon with your lovely wife."

Of course, that rascal had to hold something or the other on people, even his family. He made sure to use his lawyer skills to the fullest— that cunning bastard.

I scoffed. "Unlike Kabir, you don't have anything on me, I can go back right?" I say, waiting for his response.

"You can," he hummed, pausing, making me anxious. "You do realise that I am not the only one on this plan?"

Kabir brought my phone closer to his lips. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean to say is, that your influence in society is nothing in comparison to Vikas Mathur and Akash Raizada. For the next four days, no flights, cabs and trains will take you back to Mumbai. We have booked a lovely villa for you both to have the time of your lives. So, toodles!" He hangs up and all of a sudden, we are welcomed with an awkward silence.

"Passengers, we are soon about to take off, please wear your seat belts for a smooth take off," as if on cue, the air hostess walks in, ushering the two of us to take our seats and wear the seat belts.

In a daze, I sat and watched everything unfold, the flight was off. I checked the time and it was only seven in the morning. We were served breakfast.

Even if I felt hungry, I couldn't down a morsel because whenever my eyes accidentally travelled over to him, he looked like he was going to do something to it, might as well throw them on me.

We pass the entire time in silence. Thankfully I had carried a book with me which I was currently reading so I spent my entire time reading it.

The music was plugged in my ears and I listened to mine and Arya's playlist which we had created on Spotify.

Kabir on the other hand, slept through the entire journey, now seemingly unbothered with everything that happened.

I was engrossed in reading when I didn't realise that the air hostess had come back, asking us to wear our seatbelts again as the landing was about to happen.

"Wake up," I was about to kick Kabir, but upon noticing the curious lady, I turned to him with a smile, shaking him gently. "Wake up Kabir, we're about to land."

Kabir stirred in his sleep and his eyes opened gently, looking at me in a daze. "What?" He coughed.

"We are about to land, wear your seat belt."

He followed the instructions and we waited for the jet to land. The landing was pretty smooth, without any turbulence.

Finally, we reached Chennai.

The intercom dings again, it was the voice of the captain. "Thank you Mr and Mrs Raizada for riding with us. We have reached Veer Savarkar International Airport. The current weather is around 27 degrees celsius, with an average temperature of 29 degrees celsius throughout the day. I hope you have a safe and amazing honeymoon. This is Captain Kunal Verma, signing off."

I blinked my eyes in confusion.

"What airport did he say?" I asked Kabir.

"Veer Savarkar International Airport," he muttered silently as if he was aware of what had happened.

Where have I heard of this?

I tried to charge my brain, trying to recall.

And then, it suddenly hit me.

My eyes almost bulged out of its socket as I looked at Kabir. "Isn't this—"

"Andaman and Nicobar islands, yes, you're correct. We got played."

Holy fucking god.

Can't rob my lovely readers out of a honeymoon, right? So here's the surprise: the honeymoon. Now get along with me to join Kabir and Meher's roller coaster ride of a honeymoon, lots of banter and maybe a change in the dynamics.

I really hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.

It's the exam season, how are you guys coping?

I am as stressed as you all, my semester exams are very near.

Please VOTE, SHARE and COMMENT. Comment a heart if you enjoyed reading this chapter.

With Love,

Akii.