Offline classes. New place. Without parents. Final semester. Dissertation. I am dead.

SORRY FOR BEING LATE.

THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME.

By the way, CONGRATULATIONS to everyone, Meera has crossed 1K reads!!

contd..

-"We will land in thirty minutes, sir." A staff informed Robert who had been awake by now.

He nodded his head at the young man and got up from the couch. Robert had a tight sleep. The past week had been very stressful for them, especially Robert, who continuously stayed in touch with his office colleagues. He stretched his arms and twisted his torso a little to wipe off the remaining tiredness from him.

He looked at the smartwatch on his right wrist. It was 3.40 in the afternoon. It was high time the mother-daughter woke up. Pushing the door open, he smiled glancing at them sleeping in each other's embrace. Meera had one leg on Amber, her face hidden between the latter's arm that rested on Meera's back.

Robert did not have the heart to break the moment but he had to. He shook Amber up notifying her that the flight would land anytime now.

-"What time is it ?" She asked quickly getting off the bed.

-"You've exactly ten minutes to settle."

-"Damn! You should've called me earlier." She paused for a second only to continue, "Oh that would require you to get up even earlier." She reprimanded.

-"Please get settled and fasten your seatbelts. We'll land in seven minutes." They heard the announcement.

Amber pushed Robert and jumped towards Meera, who fortunately had already started to wake up. All credits to her parents.

-"We have reached. Wake up, baby."

Meera got up and started rubbing her eyes vigorously. Amber helped her to the washroom for the latter to freshen up.

In no time they were on their respective seats, all fastened. Meera was all awake by now. She was back to her anxious self, looking over the concrete forest out of the window. Amber had a soft yet firm hold on her daughter's hands as a sign of comforting her.

The flight landed and Meera felt something unusual in the pit of her stomach for the first time. Thoughts started flooding in.

What if they don't like me?

I have five brothers. How will I stay with them? I won't even fit in the house.

Robert deboarded the flight followed by Amber and Meera. The Sun was inclined to the West preparing to set. They progressed towards the exit for certain formalities which hardly took fifteen minutes. Soon two men arrived in a big black car. The luggage was arranged at the back of the car.

After everyone settled, the car drove. Meera stared out. Surroundings were barren, without trees or vegetation, which was a strange view for Meera. She stared at the countless cars running on the road.

Everyone has cars here. People must be rich! She estimated.

After some time, she started having a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was as if things inside were churning giving rise to a giddy feeling. Her hands automatically flew up to her mouth. Amber noticed it and immediately alerted Robert.

-"Robert!" She called out.

Robert looked at his back and cursed in his breath.

-"Shit! Adam, stop the car near the gas station." He instructed the driver pointing at the gas station.

Adam obeyed. Robert and Amber climbed down the car and helped Meera out. Amber supported her to the washroom at the coffee shop. Meera was almost a mess by now. Amber helped her to wash her face. It was then she noticed that Meera was on the verge of crying.

-"Meera" Amber hugged her worried.

Anxiety, nervousness, and above all fear took over the little girl. She wrapped her hands around her mother and wailed out. She clung to her mom as if her life depended on it.

-"I got you." Amber whispered holding her close to herself. She was bewildered not knowing what exactly she needs to do to calm her daughter down.

She started peppering kisses to Meera, and gradually her cries subsided. Eventually, Meera wiped away her tears with the back of her hands.

-"You okay?" Amber asked.

Meera nodded her head.

Meera had almost fallen asleep when the car slowed down. She tiredly opened her eyes to see a big gate. A tall, well-built man came out of the small room adjoining the gate. He bowed a little at the car and took a walkie-talkie out of his pockets and said something. In response to this, the gates opened wide and the vehicle drove in. As a result of this, the huge house came into view. Well, not a house, it was a freaking mansion.

Meera had her full concentration outside, her eyes wide open and mouth agape. The car finally stopped at the front porch. Robert and Amber got down followed by Meera. She was beyond astonished and curious at the same time.

They walked through the doors only to be welcomed by a loud voice.

-"MOM !!"

Meera involuntarily took a step back. Robert held her shoulders and squeezed them warmly.

Soon a young boy came running towards them and jumped on Amber.

-"Calm down Chris!" Amber laughed at her over-enthusiastic son.

Chris somehow controlled himself and his eyes finally fell on a nervous Meera and he shrieked out.

Is he mad or something? Meera thought to herself.

-"Oh My God! She is so cute!" Chris exclaimed.

-"You're making her nervous, son." Robert scolded.

Chris composed himself and moved towards Meera and kneeled in front of her.

-"Hello sister! I am your brother, Christopher. But you can call me Chris." He spoke in a single breath.

Meera stared at him clueless. The only information she could register was his name, Chris. He guessed him to be his brother.

She awkwardly waved her hand at him mumbling a meek hello.

-"Where are other brothers ?" She asked looking at her father.

-"Well, you will meet them tomorrow. They are ..." Robert was stopped by a bark, which sounded more like a howl.

-But for now, meet Duke Collins." Chris chirped happily.

-"HOLD HIM." Robert almost shouted.

Meera saw a big furry four-legged running towards them.

-"That's a wolf!" Meera screamed as the huge wolf-like animal sprinted their way. It was huge, covered in a black and white fur coat followed by a curly tail. It was gorgeous but very scary.

Chris somehow managed to get a hold of Duke and tried to calm him down. However, Duke decided to be as energetic as ever. It was only when Robert walked to him, and Duke made sure he had cleaned up his dad's face, that he calmed down. When Duke had settled down, Robert called Meera.

-"Meera come here."

Meera shook her head in negation.

-"He'll just lick your face, Meera. He's not gonna hurt you, baby." Amber assured.

Meera gulped and followed Amber holding her hands firmly. Duke laid on the carpet, his mouth open, tail wagging to and fro, and his eyes on Meera.

-"Look at his tail. He is happy." Amber said.

Meera nodded meekly. She slowly knelt in front of Duke and extended her right hand as instructed by Robert.

-"H..hand."

Duke got up a little and Meera almost shook. But much to her surprise, Duke too extended his paw and kept it on hers. Meera's face finally broke into a pretty smile.

-"He will lick your face. He.will.not.do.anything.to.hurt.you." Amber explained to Meera, especially the last part.

Meera nodded not sure what was waiting for her.

Robert looked into Duke's eyes and said pointing to Meera,

-"That's your sister, Meera."

Duke, as if on cue, got up and enthusiastically started licking her face. At first though nervous, Meera laughed out a little. Duke's tongue had a ticklish effect on her.

-"Okay that's enough now." Amber ordered, "Let's retire to our rooms, now."

-"Mom! At least let me show her around." Chris suggested hopefully.

-"It was a long journey son. Meera is tired." Robert tried to persuade.

-"Are you tired Meera?" Chris asked and Meera felt all the eyes on her.

-"No." Meera answered and Chris took a relief.

-"Great! Let's go around the house." Chris announced putting his arm around his newly found baby sister.

.........

TRYING TO UPDATE AS SOON AS I CAN