Chapter 5 4

I exit hurriedly. Mini is coming to pick me up from the airport. I look back. I don't want him to follow me. I feel a hand on my shoulder. I shiver, "Suhana! " She hugs me.

"Mini! " Gosh! She scares me. I hug her back. There are only a few people in my life who I allow to touch me. My friends are one of them.

"So good to see you! Did I scare you? " Mini pulls back and looks at me with a huge smile on her face. But it immediately turns into a worried look. My friends can read my face.

"You just startled me. How are you? Is your husband treating you well?" I ask worriedly. I never can accept that a man can treat his woman nicely as I haven't seen one.

"All men are not the same. He cares for me, loves me and Vicky is a perfect husband. " Mini cups my cheeks.

It irks me when I feel another skin on my skin for longer. I smile and step back. She comprehends me. She doesn't question me, "I hope so." I smile.

She signs at the driver and he carries my luggage. I walk behind the driver. But Mini is still staring at people, "Mini," I say a little louder.

"Vicky's cousin is also coming on the same flight. You go. It will take a few minutes. " She smiles, turning back at me.

I nod at her and follow the driver. Vicky is not that type of man who hurts his woman, but I don't trust. Trusting means you are giving someone the right to hurt you. I can't allow this in my life, it would only bring my death to my door. I'm not strong enough to tolerate pain. My friends and family are protective toward me. But I don't care about my family. It's a relief. No one forces me to have a man in my life again. But people who don't know about me, are the most irritating person in my life. I'm glad Mini has gotten a good family. Her in-laws are good souls. They love her, that's what a girl wants after her wedding, especially when you're Indian. It's compulsory, in-laws should be good, otherwise, life would be hell.

His driver opens the door for me, "Thank you. " I say.

"Suhana!" I freeze when I hear him again. I turn and he is coming at me with Mini. My eyes widen and I hear my heart racing.

' Is he Vicky's cousin? No! Please no! '

"Do you know each other? " Mini asks, her eyes are only on me. I know she is trying to read me.

"We share the journey. " I say quietly.

I was hoping I'd not see him ever after. But he's going to make it difficult for me. I like him, but I'm not that Suhana anymore. To whom he met eight years ago. My heart wants to trust his words but my brain is alerting me. It can be his trick to lure me in. I'm not that easy. Indeed, I don't want this.

He whispers something in her ear. I neglect it and get in the car. When Mini slips next to me on the back seat. I assume it isn't him. He gets in the passenger seat.

"You okay? He said you'd have a pain attack in the plane." I could see only care for myself.

"I'm absolutely fine." I smile to assure her.

We are more than sisters, we're together from the day we were born, and we share the same school and college. We share food, our clothes etcetera.

She hugs me from one side. I look ahead and see him staring at him. Can't he keep his mouth shut? I don't want Mini to be concerned because of me. They are already worried about me.

"You'll like Yuba City. " Mini cheerfully said.

"Hmm, Am I the first one or the last one to reach? " I ask, looking out of the window.

"The last one, but Pehu will come later. You know, a doctor's life."I hear her.

" Hm... I still can't believe Rita is getting married to your brother-in-law. " I blurted out my thoughts.

"They love each other. " I hear her little chuckle.

We don't have the same description of love. So I nod and keep my gaze out.

"Mini, does your friend always behave like this? Or I'm the luckiest one. " He asks her, looking back at us.

I squint at him, He is typing on his phone. I turn and find Mini's eyes on me. She never stares at me like this, today she does, "Don't tease her, Arnav. " Mini says, breaking her gaze.

"Tease! Your friend is teasing me. I wanna marry her. " He says without hesitation.

My heart accelerated in my chest. I put on my earbuds. I ignore their talk and close my eyes, resting my head back. I don't wanna open them and face her questioning look. I pretend to sleep.

****

"We're home, " Mini slightly touches my shoulder and plucks It out of my ear.

I open my eyes. I can see questions in her eyes. Why didn't I react to him? Is he someone special? I didn't tell anyone about him. He's such a past who never can be my present and future.

"Did you miss us? " Sippy says, opening the door on my side.

"Like hell! " I say smilingly and step out of the car.

Rita is standing right behind her. They hug me at once. I put my arms around them. It was a long time ago when we all were together. We have our different lives.

"Finally, you put on some weight," Sippy says, taking one step back, but she is still holding my hand.

"Thank you for coming. I was thinking. You'll run away somewhere else. " Rita mocks and smiles.

I smile and hope it will answer her all questions, "You look tired. " Sippy furrows her eyebrows.

"She had a panic attack. " Mini says from behind.

I turn to face her, "Mini! I'm fine. You don't need to break this news to them." It irks me. I whirl to go away.

"Did something happen? Is this about Arnav? You can tell us. We're here for you always." Mini wraps his arms around me from behind.

I swivel my neck, but my gaze rests on him. He was showing his full joyful face standing in a circle with Vicky and Guri and some more people, I don't know them.

"Someone played that song out loudly. That's it. I'm fine. " I smile, assuring her.

Sippy and Rita put their arms around us for a group hug. I am glad when they don't stretch it.

"Wao! United after years! " Guri exclaims as the whole group of boys stops near us.

"How are you? " Vicky put his hand on my head. He immediately removes it.

"Great. Thank you for taking great care of our friend. " I look at Mini.

"It's an honor to hear it from you." He wraps his hand around his wife's shoulder. He sweetly smiles at her.

"Hello, " Guri extends his hand toward me.

Rita slaps his palm and stares at him. All laugh. But I see Arnav ogling at me with a smile. Mini catches a gaze of us, "Let me show you your room. See you guys at dinner. " Mini says take me in the house.

I forgot in all this that it was already ten o'clock.

"Your house is beautiful. " I tell her. But I'm not paying much attention to the surroundings. I just want to be alone. I follow her in.

Mini leads me into the room, "We girls are sharing this room. " She says.

"You're married. Your husband won't like it. " I tell her, looking around.

Yes! I'm avoiding her questions.

"Is there something between you both? Arnav and you? " She hesitates, "He's a good person." She adds quickly and smiles.

"All seems good at first sight. " I tell her quietly.

"He was looking concerned about you when he told me about your Panic attack. " She tries to justify him.

"I couldn't sleep on the plane. if you don't mind I wanna take a nap." I ask her.

"Take a shower you'll feel better. The maid will bring your luggage to the room. You're not sleeping without dinner." She insists.

"Hm, Can you call my mother? I don't wanna talk to anyone. " I tell her.

"I'll. You can't run away from all this every time. " She says and closes the door.

I stare at the closed door. I deflate and slam my body against the couch. I don't wanna hear anything from anyone and don't wanna talk to anyone. I hope shower will lighten my mood.