I am back!

This chapter is dedicated one of my twitter friends, Atika who will be celebrating her birthday on the 23rdof this month. Happy birthday, Ati! 3

Happy Reading! :D :D

Chapter-23

"Ishani, are you coming? We are getting late!" Ranveer called for her from a distance, making sure that their tickets and his baggage are safe in his hand.

"Two minutes, Ranveer!" she replied back hastily, searching for the band which Ranveer had given to her back on her birthday. He had asked her to wear the ring when she was ready to take their relationship forward and declare her love for him. And she decided to end the game. His birthday is approaching and she couldn't wait to confess her love to him.

"Ha, here it is!" she took the ring from her clutch and placed it safely so that she wouldn't lose the ring at the right time. Scrutinizing all her cases once again, she opened her backpack and checked for his diary, too. Whatever might happen, this book shouldn't be seen by him. Sighing out, she felt an adrenaline gush inside herself as she gave a smile for herself, her features as content as ever. Not wasting another minute, she took her baggage out and locked her room after waving a goodbye to Abel. Finally, he had time to meet his parents, too; she thought and rushed to the anterior portico where she saw him waiting like a kid, looking at all the wings of the mansion. Smiling at his antics, she trod slowly with her baggage as his eyes fell over her.

"Ah! There you come, finally!" he exhaled, giving her a 'you-are-impossible' look.

She bit her lips in embarrassment and said, "Uh, sorry, was caught up in an important work."

"Important? What? Is everything okay?" his expressions changed quickly to a concerned one when she countered, "Yes, certainly," an impulsive silence evoked in the air as she quickly expunged it, "We're getting late."

"Oh yeah! Let's go, c'mon. And wait, there are about twenty other employees travelling with us including you and Gasper and all of them will be travelling in the Economy class except for me and Gasper. We will be travelling in the Business class, okay?"

She nodded quietly as they now walked until their car, revving up to the airport.

The car now stopped in a posh fashion, the brakes smoothly applied as both of them now got down, helping each other with their luggage. Getting inside the Fremont Airport, both of them, along with the staff of the resort entered their frisking stand and completed the security check in the next forty five minutes as everyone had their boarding passes, the boarding taking place in another few minutes.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we thank you for choosing Air France for your flight. The airplane will now take off at a speed of 157 knots per hour and it will be reaching Paris at 11.45 in the morning. I, Irina Fernandez will be the head purser for today's flight and I wish a happy journey to each and every one here."

Ishani now sat down comfortably, her hand luggage consisting his diary and the ring. Holding it tightly, she closed her eyes in prayer, praying that the journey should be a safe and sound one for everyone in the aircraft.

"I request everyone to please fasten their seatbelts and abide by the instructions provided by the captain of the plane. There is a safeguard instruction brochure behind each one's armchair and the cabin crew requests each and every passenger to give a glance to the details. Thank you, once again."

Ishani stirred herself and opened her bag to read the rest of his diary, planning to finish it one go today; no matter what.

"There is a life vest above each of your seats. The cabin crew request the passengers to make use of them in case of an emergency. In case of any other doubt or clarification, contact any one of the cabin crew members. Have a peaceful flight."

Opening the diary, Ishani now caressed the pages which had an impression of his cursive handwriting, perfect in shape and size. Smiling for herself nonchalantly, she tied her hair securely with a band so that her hair does not obstruct her view while reading them.

Ishani now opened a page which had the date 19th August 2004. A few days after his birthday, she thought.

"I have times where I feel terrified; better than I have ever had."

The line of his read as Ishani guessed; it was about his nightmares again. She sighed in melancholy and continued to read, though her heart was bleeding and afraid to read.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Nathan Francis, the captain for today's flight. The flight will be taking off in a few seconds and I request everyone to keep their seatbelts tightened. Thank you."

The plane now took off, kissing the clouds at an enormous speed, fighting with all the air and pushing itself in the firmament.

The flight now landed in style, the speed steady and balanced as Ishani now closed the diary, completing almost three fourth of the entire log of his. Her lips quivered, in fear and anxiety. Ranveer's disorder has only increased in its intensity. At ten years of his age, he was a happy chap, devoid of any tension and fear. At thirteen, the hallucinations of his made an entry in his life, spoiling his happiness, for the first time. But as they say, one doesn't understand the difference between an emotion until he becomes a teenager or an young adult. The same was the case of Ranveer, too. Until thirteen, he never paid heed to any of his hallucinations. But only after his sixteenth birthday, his life took a turn. It has only become worse and now, it's turning out to be the worst of all his life.

"Now that I have already searched about the bipolar disorder yesterday, I can make sure; Ranveer has the bipolar disorder. But no, I cannot tell anything for sure-fire, let the doctor himself confirm it, I'll wait." Ishani thought for herself as she now kept the diary inside, making sure that her ring was seen. Packing her backpack, she waited for the announcement.

-x-

Ranveer now closed the book which he had noticed a few days back in Ishani's safe. The book titled Falling Seeds. The entire notebook contained nothing but her handwriting. Round, straight ones. He identified them to be her work. It had random notes about two characters: Veronica and Ryan. The entire notebook had a rough sketch about the characters and told about their life, as he supposed. He now swiftly kept the notebook inside his hand luggage and searched for Gasper who was reading a magazine, just behind his seat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for choosing Air France. We have now safely landed in Paris, the destination for today's flight. The temperature outside is 23 degrees. We would love to see you all once again. Have a good time." Ranveer heard the announcement as he now took his bag and looked at Gasper, whispering, "We'll meet at 5 in the evening, again in the lobby of the hotel. Okay?"

"Sure, sir. Should I call all the other staff, too?"

"No. Only you. Let them take an off for the evening and yeah, take the file where you have the printed agenda, fine?"

"Definitely, sir," he gave him a smile as he now got up, removing his seat belt. Ranveer too, got up from his seat, and continued walking slowly thinking about the notebook.

"Should I ask her about the notebook? Or not? What if she takes it bad?" he thought as he got down from the stairs, treading towards the boarding bus.

Ranveer now reached the baggage counter where he noticed Ishani from a long distance. He could have sworn that second that he had never seen such an innocent beauty in his life, ever. He would have just seen her a few hours ago, in the valley. But for him, Ishani looked different each and every second. He desired that she would be in his life forever, only if she wished, too.

Ishani now looked at him from the same distance, confused. She had never seen him this happy, ever. She knows him for two months now and she had never seen that hypnotic look of his. Some way or the other, she felt that he was really happy today and she did not want to miss the moment in her life. She gazed back at him soulfully, with her like eyes as she slowly rubbed her fingers against her nose, to make sure if he was gazing at her. Within an instant, he replicated her act again, rubbing his fingers against his nose. Finding his act adorable, she giggled shamelessly as Ranveer realized what had just happened and flushed; smiling indolently. Little did they realize that they missed taking their luggage from the counter, for the second time.

The white Porsche arrived the five star hotel, in style, as Ishani looked at the entire inn in awe.

"Are you going to stay here, Ranveer?" she turned back to him, looking cheerful as he nodded his head from left to right, indicating a no.

"No?" she looked at him confused as he went until her ears and whispered quietly, "We are going to stay here."

Realizing, she flushed and asked, "We? We who, Ranveer? You and Gasp?" she chuckled as he now hit her mockingly and countered, "No! You and me!"

"What?" she squeaked, as though shocked by the revelation as she continued, "You and me? B-But how…I mean, why?"

"Oh c'mon, Ishani. Everyone from our resort will be staying here. It's our partner, Mr. Dawson's hotel and he has given us a special accommodation to all of us. But the thing is that, he has just informed about our arrival. Let's see, I don't know of how many rooms are there in the hotel, will I?"

"Okay," she clicked her tongue as they got down from the car, shutting the door. Ranveer now gave the chauffer a tip for his service as they now got inside the reception lobby, waiting for their accommodation. Minutes later, the entire crew of twenty populaces from the Oakley's now got themselves seated on the couch as Ranveer trod until the reception desk.

"Good afternoon, sir. Rooms for twenty people, right?"

"Yes," he nodded affirmatively as the receptionist spoke, "sir, we are having only four rooms vacant. It would be kind of you if you would manage all the twenty inside the four rooms."

"Yeah, very well," he gave the receptionist a soft smile before he filled all the details required for the accommodation. Getting the rooms blocked, he now addressed everyone else saying, "There are only four rooms and we have to adjust ourselves in them. It's just a matter of two days…so if you guys don't mind…"

"Sure sir, we'll adjust," came the uniform reply as they now received their respective room keys from the receptionist.

"Have a nice time, everyone," he smiled as they now walked towards their rooms when the receptionist called for Ranveer, who came running to him.

"Sir, this is for you," he gave Ranveer a key as he assumed it to be a room key.

"A room key?"

"Yes, sir. This one is for you, from the management. A double room suite," he gave his best smile to Ranveer as he looked the former, baffled.

"Look, I wouldn't require such a big room, trust me," he tried to explain but all his excuses were denied as he, without any other way, accepted the deal. Walking towards his room, he saw Ishani standing alone with her baggage, her eyes wavering and faltering at the entire place. Deciding to check on her, he trod sluggishly towards her as she looked on.

"What are you doing here, Ishani? Why didn't you get inside?"

"No-Nothing, sir. Nothing,"

"Ahem, there's no one here, Ishani," he winked as she looked at him, crinkling her eyebrows. Not understanding her expression, he continued, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied blandly.

"Are you sure?" he asked, when she gave him a stern look as he looked at her bemused.

"Look Ranveer, try to book another room for me, alone. I cannot stay with a group! You know me!" she claimed, her voice rising.

"Look Ishani, if there was any, I would have definitely booked it. You know me, too."

"I'm going to stay in some other hotel. I cannot stay with a group and that is it." She took her baggage to leave as she was stopped by him.

"You can stay with me, Ishani," he suggested quickly only to click his tongue. What did he just suggest her? As expected, her eyes now turned sterner as he bowed down, repentant.

"Are you mad? How can I? I mean…Ranveer? Are you getting?" she spoke, her words broken as he suggested her, once again, "Look, it's a double room suite and there are two rooms, trust me. You can take one and I'll take one. And I swear, I won't step inside your share of the room!"

"Oh, is it?" she gave him an irresolute look as he nodded, affirmative of the decision.

"Okay," she replied unconvinced as he exclaimed, "Please, you're welcome."

He tucked in his mauve coloured shirt for one last time and checked the time. 4.45 p.m. He had to meet Gasper and exchange a conversation regarding the agenda and the inauguration which was going to happen on the 5th of August, a day later. It was one of the most important projects for his company for the year and he just wished that everything would turn out to be the best. He now turned around to have a look at Ishani but she was nowhere to be found. Realizing that she must be inside her room, he slowly tiptoed to her room, making sure that she wasn't aware of his entry. Reaching her room in three strides, he gazed at a sleeping Ishani, her position lopsided. Smiling goofily for himself, he stepped inside her room and roofed her with the blanket, making sure that she wasn't disturbed in her sleep. To his shock, she slowly stirred and changed her position as her hazel nut eyes rolled. Opening them, she sponged them in succession before looking his façade.

"Yikes!" she sprung out from her bed and squealed, "Wha-What are you doing…here?" She now clicked his tongue, thinking about how his plan fails every time.

"Oops!" he squeaked back as Ishani now threw her blanket, getting up in an instant.

"What are you doing here, Ranveer?" she asked him once again, her voice louder than the last time.

"I just came to inform you that I'd be going out for a meeting with Gasper and when I came inside, I saw you sleeping…well, in a clumsy manner and I just put the blanket over you, that is…it."

She heaved out a huge sigh in exertion and whispered, "Okay, bye!" as he gave her an awkward smile. Striding towards the exit of the room, he heard her call him, "Hey!"

He looked back, now gazing at her when she continued, "When's the inauguration happening?"

"Day after tomorrow at 6 in the evening, why?"

"So how about going out tomorrow?" she bit her lip, realizing what she had just asked him. Quickly giving her an appealing smile, he replied, "Nine in the morning, I'll be ready. See you," he winked and left the room in style as she simply sat, dreaming about their daytrip.

Coming out from her reverie, surprisingly only by fifteen minutes, she checked her phone; her eyes glistening, a strange passion seen in them as she checked for her mother's number.

It was almost time and she knew, she had to take it to the next level now.

"C'mon pick up, pick up," she murmured as the ring was still going on a loop. A minute later she heard her mother's sleepy voice from the other line.

"Nysa!" she exclaimed, as the latter let out a soft yawn to which Ishani chirped, "Sleeping?"

"Yeah," came her soft reply, "May I know the reason for your happiness?"

"Your daughter is in love!" she replied dreamily as Nysa now asked, in the same tone, "When can I see the wedding card of the print Ishani weds Ranveer?"

Both of them now chuckled in mutual understanding as Ishani remarked, "Let me first confess it!"

"You haven't done it yet?" she exclaimed in shock as Ishani replied nonchalantly, "I'll do it, Nysa, chill."

"I know, I know. But hey, how's his health now, all okay?"

Ishani now looked sceptical of whether to say about his mental health or not. But she chose the latter, "yeah, he is perfectly fine, Nysa. Not to worry," she assured her as she heard her mom sigh, in relief.

"Ishani, do you know something? I'm missing you a lot! But more than that, I want to have a look at your love. How does he look? Tall, fair, handsome?"

"I never loved him for his looks, Maa," Ishani called her for the first time as Nysa heard them with stuffed love. Motherly love. She quickly asked, "What did you just call me?"

"Maa. I called you Maa," she replied back, smiling without her own knowledge as Nysa asked, "So when's the marriage?"

"The invitation will be given in a few months and you have to attend it!" she demanded, chuckling as Nysa now jeered, "Sure, sure, Madame, I will."

Both of them snickered as Ishani now remarked, "Now, now. Get back to sleep, I disturbed you."

"Keep calling, darling. I miss you badly!"

"I miss you too, Nysa. And I promise to call you regularly. Good night," she reassured her and hung up the call. The only thing which never died in her face was the excitement. And there were two reasons: One because she was going out with him after a long time and two, was his birthday. With just three more days for it, she cannot wait for his big day.

Done! Constructive Criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for typos :D :D