Everyone was outside Ashutosh's House as he placed Nalina's bag in the car,
"Alright, it's done, the luggage is loaded in the car."
He checked time in his watch before continuing, " Let's not wast anymore time, we have to reach airport at time." He nodded at Driver.
Listening to him Grandpa Ram nodded in agreement saying, "he's right you guys better get going."
Everybody starts bidding farewell to them as Avinash reminded everyone of Riya's absence,
" I have called her, she's on her way let's wait a little more."
In middle of their talk Riya arrived with her family though it was only a street's distance from their house they still drove in car.
Riya came out with her parents, her white salwar suit's embroidery shone in the street light , with matching necklace and earrings, her hair styled, her face adored in makeup.
They greeted everyone, initially Riya's parents wanted to go to the airport to drop Riya but seeing how no elders were going they changed their mind.
As Ashutosh indicated to the driver to start the car, they bid their last farewell to elders Nalina touched everyone's feet for blessing, with the other three following behind, after finishing she hugged Sumitra.
Sumitra took this chance to warn her one more time , she whispered in Nalina's ears.
" Don't try anything stupid on your trip."
Nalina scowls at her nagging face , "Maaa…."
Then she quickly turned to Raghunath for a hug realising that Ashutosh Behind her might hear everything she didn't complain to Raghunath.
Raghunath realising his daughter's feelings gently taps on her shoulder whispering, " Don't mind her, do whatever you want, enjoy your trip and take care."
A smile came up at Nalina's face and she happily hugged him one more time before going.
The car was seven seater and as Avinash and Riya were first to enter they sat in the back, then Nalina entered with a little backpack in her hand followed by Ashutosh who placed a hand above her head making sure she didn't hit her head.
Riya noticed it and then her gaze fell on Nalina's attire, a simple cargo trouser with peach coloured oversized shirt and sneakers. Instead of a handbag she was carrying a backpack, looking at her dressing she smugly feels proud about how beautiful her dressing and makeup is.
The car starts, as they settle in their seats Ashutosh remembering a previous event, goes out of his personality and asks her in a low voice, "Hey, what was aunty telling you?"
Feeling him coming closer she looked at him only to turning back her attention on outside,
" Uh…. Nothing.. Nothing at all."
Ashutosh enjoying her embracement continues trying to hard to stop his self from chuckling,
" Come on, tell me I won't judge you, I promise." he grabbed her hand, shaking it, nagging her.
Nalina's face turned into a cute scowl as she faces him ,
" Don't you have anything else to do?"
Ashutosh, giving her smile in answer, continued pursuing her in the end Nalina gave in.
"Fine it's not a big deal anyway." She took a deep breath before continuing,
" Last time, during a trip with my friends…I…uh…" she licked her lips before continuing, "....I recorded a live video of my bungee jumping."
Finishing she turned around but was stopped by him again,
" What now?" Her scowl turned into a frown.
"What happened then?" He inquired.
"Nothing."
"Oh, come on, what happened? Did aunty find out?How did she react?"
"Why are you so noisy today? This personality doesn't suit you at all, quickly switch back."
She complains.
"Just answer me okay?"
She let out a huge sigh.
" she saw it and when I came back she welcomed me with a…" clearing her throat she completed the sentence ".....ah..ah..with a broom."
With that she gave him a looked as if saying,
'Do it, laugh…I dare you to laugh at me.'
Confirming that he won't laugh she turned around without looking back and put on headphones with her eyes closed.
Confirming that she's not listening, a chuckle broke out of him.
_______
They arrived at the airport Ashutosh and Nalina with their bags and IDs moving forward, as Ashutosh was handling the bags Nalina took the tickets from him and with their IDs showing to security they entered.
Behind them Riya and Avinash arrived a little late as Riya's luggage was more , seeing how naturally Nalina behaves she tried to hide her nervousness because it was her first time.
Inside they go through baggage checking and security checking, seeing Nalina behave nonchalantly , jealousy spreads through Riya's bones, compared to Nalina she looks like a clown.
The staff is even smiling at her, for the first time she realises how Nalina can fluently talk in English with staff, and she can barely talk in Hindi. she wonders how Nalina looked familiar with everything.
After finishing the process, they took a seat as their flight was delayed a little and they had to wait for almost two hours.
Riya started clicking some pictures after a while, Nalina stood up seeing that Riya tired to look well-behaved then her saying,
" Sister, be careful not to get lost in here."
Because of their past they are not in talking terms but still after hearing Riya's stupid advice Nalina frowns looking back at her , Ashutosh too frowns looking at her, Avinash beside her deep in sleep didn't notice anything.
Seeing her expression, Riya continues trying to look thoughtful, " I am just concerned about you."
Before she could continue more, Nalina stopped her raising a hand with no expression on her face, " Don't bother, it's not my first time here and don't call me sister."
With that she turned to Ashutosh, " I'll be back."
He nodded in reply with smile at blunt attitude for others and sweet mode only for him ,he smiled at himself , watching her back in distance.
Listening to Nalina's words suddenly it clicked to Riya why Nalina looked more familiar then her but then she convinced her hurt ego by thinking that she still looked more well dressed then her.
After some minutes Nalina returned and then opened her bag tacking out a neck pillow, she put it on closing eyes to sleep, seeing that Ashutosh made her lie down on the bench with her head resting on his thighs.
Riya from behind observing everything looked at Avinash's handsome face for a second before continuing to take selfies.