Chapter 4 London
Aakash understood Daksh’s worries as he has always been an overprotective brother for Lavanya.
“What is wrong?”
“This change in grandpa’s behaviour and him giving her a solo trip to London. He should’ve given her any jewellery or something else but this trip. I am having a strong strange feeling about all this.” Daksh said and Aakash sighed.
“He is your grandpa, Daksh. I understand he doesn’t like Lavanya but I know him. He will never think of hurting her.” Aakash said but Daksh wasn’t ready to understand.
“Dad, but…. He tried to say but Aakash cut him off and said “Nothing is wrong son. It’s the overprotective brother inside you who is worried. She is traveling alone for the first time but she should experience this and the world. It’s also better for her. Stop overthinking and worrying too much.” He hoped for Daksh to understand this. Daksh nodded and said, “I think you’re right, Dad. She needs to experience this.”
“Don’t think too much and sleep. Good night.”
“Good night, Dad.” Aakash left his room and Daksh went to sleep after switching off the lights.
***
It was the last day of Lavanya’s college. She was sitting in the garden of the college with Shreya. “I am tense about exams. There’s just three weeks left and I have a lot of syllabus gathered up to study. I don’t know how I am going to study everything.” Shreya said, making a crying face and Lavanya chuckled.
“You should’ve studied with me at that time instead of mocking me for being a study bird.” Lavanya said and Shreya lightly punched her in the arm.
“You’re going on a trip to London. You will be enjoying it while I will be studying. You’re really very lucky.” Shreya said and Lavanya looked at her.
“It’s just a one week trip. It’s not like I am going to settle there in London.” Lavanya said and Shreya hugged her.
“I will miss you.”
“You’re a really bad liar.”
Lavanya reached home. She ate her lunch and went inside her room to rest for a while before starting packing as her flight was in the morning. She woke up in the evening and started packing.
Sakshi entered her room with a glass of juice for her and helped her with the packing. She packed all the new dresses which she brought with Daksh and her daily essentials. It was almost dinner time when they finished packing.
They went downstairs after getting done with the packing and saw Daksh sitting in the living room with Jai. Sakshi entered the kitchen to prepare for dinner and Lavanya went to sit with Daksh. Aakash also joined them soon.
“Are you done with your packing, Lavanya?” Jai asked her and she nodded.
They all had dinner together and Lavanya was very happy. Everyone went to their rooms after dinner. Daksh was trying to sleep but Lavanya’s thoughts were continuously occurring in his mind. He still wanted to stop her from going to London. He got up from his bed and went in front of Lavanya’s room.
He stood there for a few minutes before finally deciding to go inside. He gently pushed the door and it opened because it wasn’t locked. He walked inside her room and saw her sleeping with a huge smile on her face. He sat beside her and touched her face.
“Please, don’t go. My heart is saying that something is not right. You’re not only my sister but also my best friend. I can’t lose you.” A tear escaped his eyes rolling down his cheek and he left her room.
Next day, Lavanya was ready to leave for London. Daksh kept her luggage in the car. Lavanya hugged Aakash and Sakshi.
“We are going to miss you.” They both said and Lavanya kissed their hands. Jai, who was standing there, said in his mind, “You all will miss her. After all, you all are seeing her for the last time.”
Lavanya came to Jai and hugged him. Jai placed his hand on her head to bless her and said, “Enjoy your trip.”
Lavanya smiled and got into the car with Daksh. He started the engine and the car disappeared from their eyes. Daksh looked at Lavanya who was busy chatting with Shreya. He wanted to say something to her but stopped and focused on the road.
***
Jai entered his room and called on Eden’s number.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
Eden was sleeping when his phone started ringing. He picked his phone and looked at Jai’s name flashing on the screen with his sleepy eyes. He answered the call and asked in his sleepy voice, “What happened?”
“I called to inform you that Lavanya will board her flight in just an hour. She will be with you soon.” As soon as Eden heard Jai, he quickly sat on the bed and asked again, “What did you just say?”
“Lavanya is coming to London.” Jai said and Eden smiled.
“Don’t worry, My men will go to the airport to pick her up. Eden said and cut the call.
Sleep was away from his eyes now. He wanted to hold Lavanya in his arms. He opened Lavanya’s photograph in his phone and said, tracing a finger on her photo, “Finally, soon you will be mine forever baby.”
***
Lavanya and Daksh were standing in front of the airport. She hugged him tightly and said, “Don’t worry about me okay. I will call you daily on facetime.”
He nodded and kissed her forehead. She entered the airport and waved at Daksh who waved back at her. He looked at her with eyes full of worry as she was disappearing from his eyes. He got into his car and left.
Lavanya boarded her plane and was enjoying the view from the window seat. Soon, the plane took off and Lavanya smiled looking at the sky. She took some pictures on her phone.
After a long nine hours flight, the plane landed at Heathrow Airport. Lavanya excitedly stepped out of the plane and said, “Finally, I am in London.”