'Schneller! Faster!'

Treyton urged his driver, as he tried maneuvering the now heavy morning traffic.

'Jawohl, Herr Elrod! Yes, sir!'

The more time it was taking, the more hyper was he becoming.
As soon as Julian had dropped the bomb on him, Treyton had been unable to think straight.
Erisha..leaving Vienna? Forever?
No! No! This couldn't be happening!
I have to talk to her, she can't just desert me like this..I need her..I..

You left it too late, Treyton!
His conscience berated him.
You let your ego come in between! You couldn't admit it to yourself that you had started to care for her, that you needed to be with her, that she had become important for you..

Okay! I admit it! I kept trying to convince myself that she was like any other woman I had ever had interest in. That I could be with her while it lasted, and then it would be back to normal.
But I was wrong..and now it's probably too late..

Treyton had called Irma, who had been extremely astonished at his request to find out the departure time of flights to India at this time of the morning.
But, she had been quick, imparting the information within minutes.
The next flight to Delhi was in another hour, and Treyton was still a good twenty minutes away from the airport.

Damn it! What if I don't reach there on time? I don't even know what city she belongs to in India, and if this is a direct flight or a stop over.

The traffic began moving, and Treyton, who usually had no time for such things, sent a prayer heavenwards...

***************************

'Are you absolutely sure about this, my child?'
KK asked her for about the umpteenth time since she had told him her decision.

'What about your shop? You love that shop, you love your work..how can you..'

'I'll keep my shop..technology is so advanced these days, that I can manage it from across another country. My assistant knows everything. She will take care of it.'
Erisha had been firm.

Erisha had made this decision after a lot of thought.
It wasn't because she couldn't hide her love from him, no! It was because she wouldn't be able to stay away from him.
Treyton had turned the world she knew upside down.
Albeit, she had met him under false pretenses, had increased their fake dates, but she never knew when he had become so important for her.

He never made me any promises..we are not even like girlfriend boyfriend..but somehow, somewhere, he has become my everything.
I can't stay here, knowing he is under any obligations to Nanna, to behave as if he cares..
He was just playing along with David's plans..to see how far I could go..and see..we went so far as to sleep with each other.
Thank God, there have been no repercussions from that night..or else...
Erisha had been stunned at her thoughts, when an image of a baby had flashed in her head.
No! No! Stop daydreaming woman..there is absolutely nothing for you there...

That's when she had thought about leaving Vienna..for good.
He will forget about me, and I can put him away in my memories.

Taking advantage of Treyton being busy, Erisha had wrapped up things in the few days that had followed.
Once her grandfather had seen her determination, he had also helped in packing away the things necessary.
Since her apartment was rented, she had decided to leave it for whenever she had to come to visit her shop, and would continue to pay the rent as per schedule.
And DREAMS..she couldn't close her successful business just like that. It was her only saviour.
Maybe she could open a branch in India..there were all sorts of opportunities.
So, she had let her only trusted friend, Julian into this. He would make sure her rents were paid, that her shop was in proper condition.

Now, as she sat in the departure lounge of the airport with her grandfather, she felt a trepidation at her plans.
When she had gone to Treyton's office early this morning, she had felt a sense of loss.
But, she had controlled her emotions, and left the envelope with the cheque on Treyton's assistant's desk, before hurrying out. She didn't know what she would have done if she had come face to face with him.
So, she ran..got in her waiting cab in the rain, and felt immense relief, when she turned around for a last look and saw Treyton getting off his car.
Saved by just a few minutes..
She had given him a longing look, as he strode inside his building, and her grandfather had given her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Erisha had taken his warmth, and put her head on her grandfather's shoulder, quiet all the way to the airport.

The announcement for their flight came through the speakers, and boarding began.
Her grandfather hurried to the restroom, and Erisha slung her bag on her shoulder, her heart heavy.
Her feet felt like lead, as she moved to the line of passengers waiting to board the flight.
She kept an eye out for her grandfather, so he wouldn't have to look for her.

It was then, that she heard the commotion.

***************************

Treyton thanked his lucky stars for being a well known personality.

Using his connections, he had been able to get inside the airport. He had hurried, almost running in his attempt to find Erisha before she left.

'Bitte hör auf, Herr! Please stop, sir!'

Treyton ignored the people trying to stop him, as he reached the departure lounge area.

'Da kannst du nicht hin! You can't go there!'

'Versuche mich zu stoppen! Try and stop me!'
Treyton almost snarled, as one man tried to hold on to him.
Treyton heard the boarding announcement for the flight to Delhi, and felt his heart pounding.

'Herr!'

'Let me go, damn you! I need to get inside!'
Treyton was almost shouting.
'Erisha! KK!'
He called out, as several people turned to look.

***************************

Standing at the far end of the huge hall, Erisha saw the struggle of some men, as they tried to stop someone from entering the departure gate area.
Her mind on other things, she looked towards the direction of the restrooms, wondering where her grandfather was.
Their line had started to move now, as the gates to their aircraft opened.

'Erisha! KK! Erisha!'

Her head snapped around at the sound of her name, and she focused towards the commotion.
Her eyes widened in absolute astonishment, as she realised who had been calling her.
Treyton! Here! What the..

Her line moved on, and she found herself standing separately with her bags, as people began to move past her.
She saw Treyton spot her, and as she watched, stunned, he thwarted the men holding him, and began to run towards her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her grandfather coming back, but she stood rooted to the spot, unable to believe it was Treyton running towards her.
Her grandfather also stopped, clearly surprised.

Treyton reached her, amid protests from the airport authority people following him. They stopped, as he did, a bit away from Erisha.
Their walkie talkies buzzed with messages, and they continued with their information, but Treyton and Erisha only had eyes for each other.

'You allowed this man access? He's who? Treyton Elrod? Alright! We will retreat for now..'
The men moved away, but stood at some distance, watching.

Treyton stood there, slightly breathless from his run, his expression changing from one of relief to one of fury within seconds, as he watched her.

'Treyton..'
Erisha whispered, finally.
'What..'
She cleared her throat to speak louder.
'What do you think you are doing?'

Treyton's eyes blazed at that.
'What I'm doing? What the hell do you think you are doing?'
He moved towards her menacingly, so that Erisha was compelled to take a step back.
'How dare you return me the money..and..come here..'
He sputtered, looking too angry to speak.

Erisha, who's frown had deepened at his sudden appearance, cleared at where this was going.
'Oh! So, you found out where I was, came rushing here and crashed the airport rules to tell me this?'
She said, her tone a bit rude, angry more at herself for thinking of any reason but this.

'Erisha..'
KK intervened.

'No, Nanna!'
She gave him a glance, before turning back to face Treyton.
'I mean, what? Did I hurt your ego that bad, that you had to come rushing here to tell me?'
Erisha was also angry now.

'Look who's talking!'
Treyton stepped closer, and Erisha took a step backwards.
'What kind of behaviour is this? I don't need your money..'

'Neither do I!'
Erisha broke into his ranting.
'You did me a favour, and I returned it back. Simple!'
Erisha now made a bored expression, trying to keep her emotions in check.

'You didn't hear what I said! I don't need your money! What..'

'But, I can't keep it! I am able to provide for myself, thankyou very much!'
Erisha gave back.

'I have no doubt..but..'

'Madam! Will you be boarding the flight?'

Treyton and Erisha snapped their heads towards the woman who had just spoken, an airline official, as if just becoming aware of their surroundings.

'Yes!'

'No!'

They both said together, causing the woman to look at them as if they gone crazy.

Erisha turned to look at Treyton who looked as if he had been wronged.
'What do you mean, no!'
She turned back to the woman again, who had become busy checking out Treyton, feminine interest visible in her stance.
Erisha wanted to scratch her eyes out.
'Yes! I will be boarding the flight!'

'Ma'am..please hurry then. It's almost time..'
She spoke to Erisha, but her eyes were still on Treyton.

'I said I..'
Erisha huffed.

'And I said, she won't be boarding the flight!'
Treyton gave the woman a charming smile, which caused her to blush, and Erisha to flush, in jealousy.

'Oh..alright! I..I will just go and inform..'
The woman shrugged, taking a step backwards.

'Yes, thankyou! So sweet of you..'
Treyton smiled at her once more before dismissing her.

'No!'
Erisha called, as the woman moved back to the desk, swaying her hips as she did so.
'I..how dare you?'
She turned back to Treyton, furious by now.
How dare that woman flirt with him like that? And him?
'I'm getting on that flight with Nanna! Come on, Nanna!'
She turned to her grandfather, who throughout all this, had stood watching, and not uttered a word. She saw that he had a bemused expression on his face.
Erisha swung her ponytail behind her shoulder, and began to drag her trolley suitcase towards the boarding gate.
'Come on, Nanna..'

Before she could take more than two steps, however, Treyton blocked her way, catching her by the shoulders.
'I said, you are not going anywhere!'
His eyes blazed.

'And what is it to you? I didn't use your money to pay for this flight..'

'It's not about the damn money!'
Treyton almost shook her, causing Erisha to look at him in astonishment.

'You can't stop me!'

'I already did!'
He gestured towards the gate, which the woman was already closing for her flight.

'No!'
Erisha struggled to get away from him, but Treyton merely tightened his hands on her shoulders.
'What is your problem? What is it to you if I go somewhere or not?'
Erisha said furiously.
'Wait! My flight!'
She called out again to the woman, who was still looking at Treyton from behind her desk.

'It is my problem! You can't leave!'
Treyton saw Erisha look a bit taken aback at that, and so he let her go, wondering what had made him say that.

'Can't?'
Erisha raised her eyebrows, and saw something flash in his eyes, which she couldn't decipher.
'Anyways, thankyou! You just made me miss my flight! Now I'll have to go book the next one!'
Erisha moved away, grabbing her luggage as she did so.
Her grandfather watched them both, before he began to follow Erisha.

Treyton stood frozen to the spot, his feelings running haywire, as he watched her walk away..from him.
'NO!'
He said so loudly, that even the woman behind the desk stared.
'No! You can't go! I won't let you!'
He strode again to Erisha, stopping her.

Erisha saw all the anger drain out of him, as he stood again in front of her.
Puzzled, she stood there, unable to move.
'Wha..'

'Please, don't go!'
His voice, when it came, was almost pleading, causing Erisha's heart to beat inside her chest like a drum.

Erisha felt herself go weak in the knees at the look in his eyes.
God..what is this torture?

'I'll be left all alone! Don't leave me!'
The words seemed to wrenched out of him.
He suddenly remembered another time, another place..where he had pleaded with his mother not to go away. But this seemed more important, somehow.
'Don't go..'
He whispered, as their eyes locked.

'What are you saying?'
Erisha choked out, unable to fathom it all.

'Oh God! Don't you see?'
Treyton pushed a hand through his hair, trying to make her understand.

'See what?'
Erisha looked apprehensive, and he suddenly couldn't take it any longer.

Treyton pulled her close, his face mere inches from hers.
'That I love you, you crazy woman!'

To be continued...