"You had packed a year's clothes," I rolled my eyes staring at the number of suitcases packed. "I am not going to carry so many bags," I muttered discarding her hours of hard work.

She stared at me for a minute. "It's just three bags," narrowing her eyes at my exaggeration. "And don't forget we are attending, Shlok Oberoi's wedding. You might need anything at any moment." She expressed her eagerness to attend the most awaited event of the year. "Many eyes are going to be on us." Concluding the reason behind so many dresses.

She wasn't entirely wrong after the revelation about Anaya Kapoor ending up with Shlok Oberoi and my video getting viral. We had unknowingly grabbed a lot of attention from the media as well as their fans. I was rather shocked on knowing Mr Oberio's popularity. I never considered a businessman to gain such a frame in the eyes of the public. The audience was much interested in the life of the glamorous world. The world of film, slowly sports were gaining attention but the business world was far from the limelight. What had brought so much publicity to Mr Oberio? Was a kind of mystery to me.

"Diya!" I called her as I found her examining my wardrobe to find any useful clothes still left. I shook my head seeing my empty wardrobe. I wasn't exaggerating when I mentioned I could survive a year with packed clothes. "You hadn't disclosed the reason behind Mr Oberio's such popularity." At my interrogation, she turned to glance at me.

"I will suggest that you read some articles on him. If you don't want to make fool of yourself in front of the vast audience." I narrowed my eyes at her mocking response. "Don't look at me like that! You need to know certain aspects of your client if he is as popular as him."

"Are you going to answer my confusion or just lecture me about how unaware I am about your crush's existence?" She rolled her eyes at my sarcastic self.

"It isn't a popularity but rather admiration and curiousness to know how he had achieved so much in his life." She muttered, I gestured for her to continue as it hadn't erased my confusion. "Oberoi Enterprises, a company of technology. That wasn't gifted to him by his father as the case in many... but years of hard work had made him achieve it. Shlok Oberoi comes first in the list of the most-richest humans in India and fourth in the world list. You can depict why such craze is around him. And his private self adds more to others' curiosity. Unlike many rich people out there, his story of success is still unknown to the audience. So, the craze revolves around his every step."

I nodded listening to a part of the mysterious guy. Shlok Oberoi! A millionaire, going to marry a fashion queen. Nothing extraordinary! But a certain part is kept hidden from the world. The existence of his child and his previous marriage. There was definitely much to unfold on my trip to Kerala.

"Aachal!" Came a rugged voice as Ma rushed inside with a bag full of clothes. Not again! She strolled her eyes around the room resting on the number of suitcases on the floor. "Alas! You are done with packing." She sounded sad. "You had forgotten warm clothes," she spoke eyeing the bag in her hand.

"I am sure, Diya had packed a bunch of them," I said eyeing my empty wardrobe.

"But you still need more!" I was going to argue but Ma didn't provide me with an opportunity to voice a word. "Don't forget you aren't alone but have a kid to look after." That had been standard dialogue from the past few days. As that statement was uttered there was no ground for argument. I knew if it was in her hand she might have not agreed to the trip. She would have locked me in the room and kept an eye on my activity. To assure herself that I was taking care of myself and the baby shaping inside me.

I wanted to do the same! After the doctor's sudden declaration, I wanted to assure the safety of my child at an extreme level. But a huge part of me wanted to walk away from loneliness as engrossing in work was helping me cope with the loss. There wasn't much time available to drive in grief. I was stressing myself with work but it was my defence mechanism from the mental stress provided by Mayur. It had come as a sudden shock that my brain wasn't in a state to accept.

Somehow, Diya made a place for those clothes satisfying Ma. Helping me to carry those bunch of suitcases, we made their place in the carriage. It took more than an hour to reach the airport. I wasn't fan of air-ways but it was more rewarding than consuming hours in roadways. Groaning as the airport got into view, I sighed in defeat. I couldn't excuse myself from encountering Mr Oberio and his daughter.

It would be a torturous task of ignoring the small angel. From my latest encounter with Shlok Oberoi, it was clear he wasn't much fond of our interaction. I couldn't trigger him further as I had no intention of interrupting in his life.

"Hey, are you planning to end us up late for the flight?" I heard an annoyed yell from Diya but she no longer was in the driver's seat. I glanced around in confusion. "Aachal... come on!" I gazed out of the window she was struggling with the number of luggage. I rolled my eyes at her, walking out for her help.

"Should have carried more luggage," I narrowed my eyes at her. Managing to keep the bag back in the car.

"I will have a look..." and soon she disappeared from my sight.

I glanced at the surrounding as I was left with no other option but to wait. My eyes revolved around with disinterest. I would long to stay behind than make a trip to Kerala. Neither I was interested in the celebrity wedding nor inclined towards meeting a complete stranger. I should have been glad that a stranger was desiring to help me with the child. But I couldn't wrap my mind from doubting his intention. The way Ma had described the human, he seemed way too sweet.

I shook my head not allowing my brain to have stress. I couldn't allow myself to burden with worries for the well-being of my child. The streets were packed with numerous cars, indicating a number of travellers. I could glimpse tourists walking out of the airport. The holiday season was near! It was the end of December, the start of a new year. An opportunity for a number of tourists to plan a trip.

My eyes were busy examining bunches of bachelors busy in their joy for holiday to a couple of children with their parents waiting for a pleasing trip. Suddenly something familiar caught my eyes, it took a minute to register what the cause of the familiarity was.

The familiar black coat, my breath hitched at the anticipation. Soon my brain acted logically disposing of my heart's suggestion. It was impossible that it was him. I knew my heart was still in denial. The aching in my heart further compelled my body to walk back home. Back to my treasure where perhaps his memory would assure his presence.

"Hey!" I felt a touch on my shoulder. My eyes averted from the retreating figure to Diya. Her concerned-filled eyes darted from me to the direction I was staring at. "Are you fine?" It was at that minute I realised my abnormal breathing. "You seemed pale? Shall we get home?" She sounded worried; her enthusiasm and spirit were lost.

I could have grabbed the opportunity to escape from the event but I wasn't planning to add up to their stress. I blinked at her, wiping my eyes where there was a slight hint of tear emerging. "I am fine... Got a glimpse of something that reminded me of him." I muttered making her stare at me with suspiciousness.

"Are you sure, you can make it?" She inquired once again. "I wanted you to move on but not in terms of affecting your health." She was sounding guilty for compelling me to join her on the trip.

"Diya! stop blaming yourself for my condition. It wasn't in your hand... it's in no one's hand." I shook my head in displeasure. "I am absolutely fine. I can't keep grieving over him. I need to move on..." My words seemed a distant voice. Those words seemed ideal but far from my reality. I wasn't at all prepared to move on. Diya provided me with a suspicious gaze but didn't voice a word.

___

A few hours in flight lost in clouds were much pleasing.

Descending the flight, I took a breath of relief. Diya was observing my tense behaviour without voicing a word. "Mr Oberoi had handed a card..." she said searching in her purse. I glanced at it and found it was mine.

"What's wrong with you?" I scolded, grabbing it from her. "That's mine!" Examining the purse keenly that she hadn't messed with any of my objects.

"Finally!" She scowled at me, "you uttered a word." She narrowed her eyes at me. Slowly brushing it away with a change of topic. "What's this doing in your purse?" She showed me a piece of paper. "Tanmay Chopra..." She viewed those words a minute longer. "Tanmay Chopra..." as if trying to recollect some information from her brain. "I had heard this name..."

"Never mind," I pulled the sheet of paper from her. "Don't trouble your brain as the individual is of less importance," I muttered putting the paper back in my purse. Her suspicious gaze fixed on me. Dying for answers! "Same individual Ma wanted me to meet..." Providing her curious self with clarification.

"Oh! That Tanmay guy?" She asked and I nodded, gesturing her towards the taxi. She removed a card glancing at the address she handed the card to the person. He seemed much older in age his attire quite traditional in nature. His big moustache made him look dangerous. Those big, round orbs examining us suspiciously.

"It would take four hours." He expressed making us nod. The place chosen for the wedding was like a hill station. The only source to reach there was the road. Neither Rail nor Air could make it possible. Agreeing to lessen the fare we got into his taxi.

"So, I was correct. You weren't planning to end up with him." She continued with the conversation as the luggage was shifted to the vehicle and the driver started the engine.

"I thought we were done with the conversation." I sounded not interested but she prompted me to elaborate.

"Yeah, you were." Agreeing with her was best option. "I wanted to escape from attending the wedding. Though I am fond of the little angel her dad doesn't seem appealed about it." I confessed to her.

"Just because he seems arrogant doesn't mean... he isn't good... he is hot." Diya's that statement gifted her with a glance from the driver. I pressed my lip together, suppressing my giggle. Diya grew pale with his hard stare. Surely, he seemed dangerous!

She didn't voice a word out, the journey was filled with deep silence. I glanced at the beautiful nature surrounding me. I loved travelling but Kerala wasn't ever on my list. But on witnessing the greenery and beautiful climate surrounding me. I was not regretting visiting it.

"It's here!" The driver announced pulling me from nature and Diya from the world of music. We glanced at the marvellous gate in front of us. The grand steel gate, had a beautiful design engraved. My eyes widened seeing the beauty reaching my eyes.

"It's beautiful!" Diya commented, the first word rolling down her tongue. The driver glanced again but rather with a soft expression.

"It was built by kings of that age." His deep voice had the pride for his ascenders. "It was more beautiful but in name of modernization, they turned the accent kingdom into a resort." He shook his head, glancing once again at the beautiful piece of art.

Diya paid his bills, entering in the building asking for help to carry the luggage. I pressed a smile at the driver as I got out of the vehicle. "We are glad that we could glance at something so beautiful." Indirectly trying to assure that the modification hadn't thrashed its glory. He smiled back at me blinking his eyes.

___

"That driver seemed rude!" Grumbled Diya as we were walking down the corridor.

"Just like your Mr Oberoi, whom you describe as hot." I countered back making her glare at me. "This piece is so beautiful..." I voiced my adoration for the beautiful piece of art. My eyes were glued to the ceiling. It seemed as if the mansion had reached the sky. The tip getting deeper at the centre. One could get lost in the depth.

"Stop drooling over its beauty!" Came a mocking comment. And my mind registered the soul without my eyes glimpsing at the human. "I know, you can't afford to stay in such a luxury." She stood a few steps away, hands wrapped around her chest. It seemed as if she loved to expose her body to the world around her. Her piercing eyes planted on us.

"Thanks for making us realise our capacity." I bounced back; she wasn't pleased by my response.

"Mr Oberoi..." Diya's sudden greeting made us realise Shlok's arrival. His cold eyes glanced at each individual but rested on me. The disapproval was quite visible in those orbs. I glanced away not aspiring to get humiliated by his mere glance.

"I hope, you had arranged for a warm interior." His eyes fixed on Diya as if I wasn't even present. His ignorance was triggering me.

"Yes, sir..." She nodded, "your every need is taken into account. Even a room of Nany is just beside yours ." Diya whispered the later statement much more slowly.

I knitted my brow in confusion. I wasn't aware of that development. I glanced between Diya and Shlok for an answer.

"Don't tell me you will keep that..." Anaya made a disgusted face but pulled herself together as she glanced at the awakened lion. He was growling at his would-be wife. "You can't bring her..." she muttered extra softly, glancing around. Caution that none had heard the conversation. "What if it gets into the ears of the media? They had kept a..."

Shlok grabbed her elbow, tightly. Her mouth coming to halt as she gasped in pain. Staff around gave them a glance. And Anaya hid her pain behind her fake smile. Her acting skill turned into an aid for her. "What are you doing?" She sounded helpless. Indicating the limelight of the wedding was much more important for her than Shlok's rude behaviour.

"It was you, who brought it before the crowd. Now! Deal with the consequence. I am not going to shove my daughter away due to your foolishness." With those words, he jerked her hand away not bothering that numerous prying eyes were on them. He spared me a cold stare before disappearing into the crowd.

"Fucking Bastard!" Anaya stamped her foot in annoyance, plastering a smile at the audience and soon retreating to her room.

"That was dramatic!" I heard Diya comment and I shook my head at her.

"But the innocent girl is going to be trapped, in the adult problem," I muttered, my mind revolving back to the angel. My heart craved to get a glimpse of her. And my brain concluded, it was next to impossible. I needed to have control over myself. I couldn't rise her hope. I had to erase her misconception about me.