Chapter 20

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

꧁-------❤︎-------꧂

Tiasha's POV

After getting ready for the day, Neil and I were standing at the living room, where the entire family was present.

"Awwww my babies. God bless you both and have a safe journey and stay there safely" maa squealed in happiness, pulling us in a hug as she continued, "And Neil you, take care of my daughter"

"And Tiasha, listen one thing, if he does anything mischievous, just give me a call. Okay??? I know how to handle everything??? Don't bother her ok??? Understood?" she completed, looking at Neil as he sighed with a not-so-sweet-smile.

"I am not a kid to do mischievous stuffs" he retorted as all burst out laughing while he murmured something under his breath audible enough for me to hear, "Moreover your loving daughter, Tiasha isn't calm too" he gave me a not-so-sweet-smile as I glared at him.

"You are not a kid??? Huh, I don't believe that only" maa asked, walking towards him and  holding his ears as he groaned while she pulled him in a hug as he reciprocated it.

I kept looking at them with a awe as maa cooed him while he was hugging her like his life depended on her as my eyes brimmed with tears as I recalled my parents.

I guess whoever told that for our parents, we never grow. We always remain the same baby, said it absolutely right

I wish you three were with me mumma, papa and bhaiyya

"All love is for bhaiyya now??? Me, bhabi, Anu bhabi, Karan bhaiyya and bro are also there" Naina pouted as all nodded, breaking my trance as I looked at them while maa chuckled.

"Ok ok fine. Come here" she opened her arms as all ran towards her, embracing her in a hug.

"You need an invitation or what???" she asked looking at me as I shook my head and went and hugged her as she wrapped one hand of hers on my back as she pulled me and Neil closer.

"You all are my kids. I love you equally, no less no more. Got my little princess???" she lifted her chin as she looked at Naina who nodded her with a pout.

Then we took blessings of the elders when daadi gave us an advice of staying together come what may and also told that I would love the place a lot and having a change in surroundings will give my mind some peace too while Neil and I looked at each.

Peace with him???
God only knows what will happen there

"Ok I think we should leave. I had a talk with Soham and he said that the private plane is ready. So we need to leave. Moreover I have a meeting tomorrow"

Private plane???
We are going to Delhi that too from Mumbai in a private plane???

"Well it's not my plan. Dad asked us to do so. Else I would have boarded the normal flight. Moreover you are going so I can't take a risk" he said as I looked at him, narrowing my eyebrows.

"Why??? Am I a hijacker??? Or will I be get murde---" I stopped in between as I felt a tug on my wrist.

"Nothing like that. Stop saying that ok???" I looked at him surprised as he gave me an expressionless face.

"Fine I won't. But why did you explain me??? Did I ask anything???"

"But you thought it??? Anyways, stop thinking so much. Your brain will burst. And oops then my mom, who is now your maa will see my fault" he replied with a not-so-sweet-smile as I rolled my eyes.

"Ugh whatever. God only knows how daadi thought staying together will give me peace, will give us peace??? I hope we return back soon"

"Oh please, I am also not interested to be there with you. I am going for a work. They all are saying as if it's our honeymoon" he said nonchalantly as I looked at him shocked.

"What???" he asked as he continued and added, "Don't have those hanky-panky stuff in your head"

"Oh please with you??? I don't even think also. Ummm nevermind"

"Yeah yeah and yesterday your ghost was staring at me right" he said with a smirk, eyeing at my nuptial chain as I understood what he was trying to say as I looked at him glaring.

Before I could say anything, we heard someone coughing as we turned around and looked at maa who gave us a 'Keep-some-talks-for-Delhi-too' look while Anu bhabi and Naina literally jumped onto me, clinging onto my both the shoulders, respectively.

"Ahem ahem. So what plans are there for Delhi???" bhabi asked smirking as I looked at her, rolling my eyes.

"Excuse me please?! I am not even thinking anything. You know bhabi, I didn't even want to go"

"But bhabi we want you to go right??? Afterall who knows, Delhi mein kahi aapko dil de baithe mere bhaiyya???" Naina winked as bhabi nodded, chuckling as both hi-fied while I slap her head lightly.

"Hawwww, Naina indeed you are becoming naughty. Chup!!!" I said, sighing as they kept on chuckling.

"Ok ok fine. Don't turn your mood off" bhabi pulled my cheeks as I smiled.

"But Tiasha on a serious note, believe me you also need a change of mind. In past days, many things happened and I think you need some fresh air. I am not telling it's suffocating here. But change in surroundings can make us feel better sometimes. You understand that right???" she added as Naina nodded and walked towards Neil when bhabi whispered to me, "Tiasha, Delhi has many things dear. I don't want to tell you anything because I am not the one to do so. But one thing I will tell you, just take care of Neil"

Hearing her words, I looked at Anamika bhabi with a confused look while she looked at me with her eyes showing an emotion which tried to tell something and I read it right as it tried to tell that Delhi has something special for Neil.

Something which gave him the best memories and something which left him shattered

"Bhabi, you know Neil is indeed lucky to have found such a person like you in his life"

"Haha I am lucky to have a person like him in my life. But anyways, you don't get jealous haa??? I love him way too much"

"Jealous??? Why will I be jealous of you???"

"So you don't have any problem seeing my and Neil's bond. Lol I always thought my sister-in-law would be jealous of me like anything"

"Ohhh I see. So then you have to be jealous of me too. I share the same bond with Karan bhaiyya like you share with Neil"

"Ayyyyyy You miss---oops sorry Mrs. Smarty" she pulled my cheeks as we both burst out laughing.

"Anyways, now go. Maami is calling, see there" we looked at maa who called me as I nodded when bhabi added, "Also, I won't mind being a taiji now. So if you know you know"

"Ohhhhhhh" I dragged the word, placing a hand on her shoulder and continued, "Well, I guess, I mean I feel I am going to be a chachi soon. You know, I won't mind too"

"Tiasha shut up" she swatted away my hand, blushing as I chuckled.

"Awwww blushing blushing. Tit for tat. Anyways, if something is there. Promise me you will tell me. Okay???"

"Tiasha"

"Promise???"

"You are a kid"

"Whatever. Now promise???"

"Ok fine. Uff you also I sometimes don't understand. Now go" she held my shoulders and turned me around as she pushed me by my shoulder as a train and we walked towards maa.

"Done??? Or something is left???" we shook our head as maa sighed.

"God knows what secrets you were discussing and here this idiot is making me crazy" maa looked at us and then at Neil as I too looked at him while he gave a blank face.

"Nothing as such maa" I replied with a smile and continued, "Anyways, let's leave then I guess" I looked at Neil, as he nodded.

Then all went till the door and the parking area to see us off while our luggages were being stuffed into the backspace of the car.

"Wait a second" Neil instructed one of the servants and rushed towards them.

"That one won't be kept there. You give it to me" he said, taking away a packet from their hand which was wrapped in a brown paper.

"Neil what's there??? Keep it there only" maa said as he shook his head and walked towards the driver's seat.

"No mom. This will stay with the one for whom it belongs" he said, eyeing at me for a fraction of second though it went unnoticed by others.

"Yeah mom leave na. See it might be bhaiyya's any important document. Let it be with him only. Else if it gets displaced, lol only god knows what will happen" Naman laughed as maa too chuckled followed by others while I looked at Neil with much curiosity as he shot Naman a glare and then looked back at me, again.

Why is he looking at me???

Strange person I must say

"Ok I think they should leave now. In Delhi, I had a talk with Yug, our branch head. He said he will make all the arrangements for their stay" papa announced with an awkward smile, exchanging glances between me and Neil.

"Thank you so much papa" I hugged him with a smile as he reciprocated the hug and blessed me, caressing my hair.

"No issues beta. Anything for my children" he replied with a smile.

"But it wasn't needed. I could have managed. Anyways, I hope I am living in my home and you informed that" Neil said sternly, looking at him with a stern face as he gave a low smile.

"I know you my kid. I have informed everything. Don't worry" he said as Neil gave a sarcastic laugh, rolling his eyes which really wasn't liked by me at all.

"Listen I am----" he tried to give a reply but stopped in between as I walked and stood in front of me, shaking my head slowly.

He looked at me for a moment, glaring when gradually the eyes showed some unknown emotions as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and opened it in one shot and looked at the surroundings.

I too turned around and looked at them who were having a low smile plastered on their lips while I saw tears, dwelling up in maa's eyes which was soon replaced with a smile as she realised I was looking at her.

"Ok ok now Neil, Tiasha I think you all should leave. God bless you both and have a safe journey" maa said as she caressed my face and then walked to Neil who embraced her in a hug.

"You take care mom and daadi you too" he said with a smile and after bidding a goodbye to everyone we boarded the car and drove off the place.

As we travelled few metres away from the house, I looked at Neil with an irritating yet curious eyes as he maintained a fixed gaze on the road.

"What's there to stare at me like that?" He asked as I averted my gaze immediately.

"Nothing"

"Lie"

"Excuse me???"

"You are lying Tiasha. What happened???" he asked as he looked at me for a fraction of second before looking back at the road.

"You are asking this Neil??? I should question you what happened??? And what was that???" I said as he sighed slowing the speed of the car.

"Tiasha listen just don't start ok???"

"Oh please I don't have a wish also. Neil you know what, it's not worth talking also. But still I want to say that you should have not reacted that way when everyone was there" I tried to make him understand as he rolled his eyes.

"Neil, maa was hurt and so was daadi. Even papa too. He is your dad afterall" I said only to earn a sarcastic laugh from him.

"Dad. Right. Wowwww thanks a lot for such a valuable information Mrs. Tiasha Khurrana. I am grateful to know this"

"You know it's indeed a wastage of time, talking to you"

"Then don't. Who told you???"

"Yeah right. But you know what Neil, from the time when I was four years, I lost my parents. So I know the pain of living without them. Anyways, sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you" I said while my voice cracked at the end as my eyes dwelled up with tears.

I immediately looked away, letting out a deep breath as I turned back only to see Neil sighing as he closed his eyes and after a moment, shot it open, looking at me.

"You don't have to be sorry. Moreover, you are right. Everyone was there too. But anyways, it's what I am" he gave a blank face as I looked at him confused.

I kept looking at him, not being able to grasp anything in my mind and was about to ask him something but before I could say anything, he spoke up.

"Oh yeah, one thing" he said as the car halted at the airport area.

"Here, this one is for you" he said, reaching out his hands at the back seat to get hold of the same packet and forwarded it to me.

"What's this???" I asked, confused as he signalled me to take it.

Receiving it from, I looked at the packet for a minute and opened the wrapper when my eyes got glued to the thing, as a smile crept my lips yet tears dwelled my eyes.

"Nei---Neil---this---this is---"

"----your bhaiyya's picture" he replied before I could complete my sentence.

I gave him a smile and looked down at my lap, where my hands were clutching the photo frame as I caressed it one of my hand, closing my eyes as a lone tear eascped my eyes.

"Actually, mom was telling that the house I have in Delhi is now yours also. A  family also and there I have my family's picture and so you know" he said rubbing the back of his neck as I looked at him.

"I thought that since it's a new place for you and there no one is there you know so your bhaiyya's picture can complete our family. Well about your parents I don't have a photograph so" he added as I kept looking at him, lost in my world.

Our family??? He considers me as his family???
Is this man even for real???
I still can't understand him

I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly it clicked my mind about what I was thinking as I looked at him with an expressionless face as a lone tear escaped my eyes and back at the photo and caressed my bhaiyya's smiling face.

"Why are you crying all of a sudden??? Didn't like it??? I guess I would have asked mom to give----"

"----Thank you so much Neil" I said with a smile before he could complete his sentence as I turned at him and gave a quick hug.

"This is indeed very close to me. I loved it. Thank---" I stopped in between, not receiving any response as my mind clicked my reaction to his words as I felt a pull backwards by the seatbelt.

Did I just hug him???

I immediately pulled back and looked at him who in turn was looking at me like a statue as I averted my gaze to the other side, mentally slapping my forehead.

A silence prevailed in the car, as both exchanged awkward glances which was soon broken when he spoke up.

"I think we should go. We have to reach Delhi soon. I have few things to look upon" he said as I nodded.

"Yes" I replied and was trying to open the seatbelt with one hand as I was keeping the photograph safe with me.

Trying to manage the both, I was unable to open the seatbelt when I decided to keep the frame at the backseat and turned around to do so when I felt a click sound as I turned around to find Neil working with the seatbelt.

My breath was stuck on my throat as I felt his hot breath fanning against my cheeks as he tried to unlock it. My entire body was shuddering and heart was throbbing at such a pace that it echoed in my ears.

"Damn what's wrong with this belt now???" he groaned in frustration as it was not opening.

"Neil I---I---I can mana---" my voice came as a whisper as he added before I could complete my sentence, "Thank God"

"Take. It opened" he said and looked up and there I froze.

His eyes met mine as we both shared an eyelock and I was getting drown in those deeper than the ocean, jet black eyes as we kept looking at each other, unblinkingly.

After sometime, our trance broke when his cell phone rang as he immediately averted his gaze as I sighed and breathed heavily, calming my heart.

Gosh I am alive!? Indeed Thank God

I thought as then the next moment, I immediately shook my head and looked at him, who was busy talking to someone as my eyes turned moist.

No no no. No Tiasha. You can't be weak like this. And never get attached. No. Just remember, it's just for a year. You can do it

A sarcastic laugh left my lips as I mentally laughed and felt bad for my situation.

It was not that I was blaming or cursing my fate or either mocking Neil. But it was something I always feel as each day's passes by.

I so wish only if this could be a forever

"Are you planning to go Delhi by car???" my trance broke as I looked up only to find the driver seat empty and immediately turned around to find Neil standing at the window with a 'We-are-getting-late' look as I shook my head.

I opened the door and stepped out as he sighed and kept walking while I looked at him confused.

"Neil our luggage is in the car" I said as he paused on his tracks and turned around.

"They are already boarded on the plane"

"Ohh okay. I didn't know so I just said" I said as I followed him, walking by his side.

"Yeah ofcourse. You were sooooooooo lost" he gave a smirk as I gave an irritating look.

"Well I didn't know you think about me so much" he blurted chuckling, looking into his phone  as I looked at him with my eyes widened a bit as we both boarded the plane.

"What???" he asked and added, "Come on don't take it seriously. I was joking"

"Listen whatever it is. Firstly, I was not lost in your thoughts and secondly, I didn't take it seriously too. All rubbish" I lied flawlessly as he nodded.

"Yeah yeah whatever makes you happy and live with me in Delhi" he answered back and took out a file and started shuffling through the pages.
......

Oh my my my. Today I had the most boring journey of my life

After about 2- 2.5hours or so we finally reached Delhi as I sighed in relief and immediately got off the plane.

"Ahhh there we are. Finally reached" he said to himself as I looked at him.

Someone spoke after 2.5 hours, finally

I thought as my mind recalled this time span and believe me, just beleive me only I and the almighty knows how I spent these hours.

I literally changed my seats so much, kept admiring the surroundings and what not and the great Neil Khurrana was only shuffling through files and files or either sitting like a statue.

Also my luck was so good that my phone's battery was dead

"Good morning sir. Good morning ma'am" a middle-aged man greeted us as Neil gave a curt nod.

"Good morning Mr. Verma" he wished.

"Good morning Mr. Verma" I wished him too as we gave each other a smile.

"So everything is ready???" he asked walking towards the exit as I followed him while he nodded.

"Yes sir all are done. Even Shalini ma'am has asked to keep your home clean and ready. Afterall, newly married couple are visiting the place for the first time" he gave me a smile as I smiled back while Neil kept walking.

From there we boarded the car, as he took us to Neil's place and after traveling for about 20 minutes, we finally reached his place.

The Naturals

It was a building complex and was having much greenery around as I looked at the surroundings as the car entered the gate.

I also found kids playing in the small park that was there in the complex while some elders were sitting at a place under a shade, busy gossipping.

"Oh my god, what a pleasant surprise" I

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net