Arranged to love

#24: I'm alright.

Chapter Twenty-Four: "I'm alright."

What happened to his Meera? Was she already down by now? Worry crept in him as he deciphered what was happening.

She was up there in a plane on fire.

Ajay had no idea what he will do if he lost her. Anger, sadness and fear gripped him as he tried to collect himself.

The once peaceful house turned into chaos. Ramya screamed upon hearing the news, tears immediately streaming from her eyes.

Arjun dropped the glass of water he was holding, water spilling on the marble floor as the glass shattered almost piercing him on the foot.

Akash looked stunned as he did not move a muscle from where he stood.

Sweta looked pretty shaken up as she tried to console Ramya and Nithya who shrieked and started crying as well.

Varun dropped onto the couch, his eyes wide, not crying, but disbelieving.

Vijay gripped his brother's arm, trying to console him but not knowing how to as he himself felt like his heart dropped into a well.

The only person who remained calm was Arvind.

He looked more furious than frightened as he dialled someone's number and barked into the phone.

Ajay could not understand what he was hearing as his mind was in a daze but he knew Arvind was talking to someone in charge, someone who is supposed to ensure her safety.

A sudden fury boiled over Ajay. He was outraged at the incident. Who the hell was so poor at their job that the jet caught fire like that? How could even someone who is so influential, who has so much security, have such low protection? Nothing made sense.

He grabbed his car keys and stormed out of the house, only to be met with the press who were being held back from entering their premises by the security. This enraged him further at how eager they were to get some news.

A person's life was at stake. Any person with humanity would wish for the safe arrival of someone.

But these people? They wished for the worst to happen just so they can bring attention to themselves; just so they could increase viewership; just so they could stir public sentiment.

A casualty, their family's loss and her friends' despair, all was just news to them.

As much as he wanted to lash out, he did what he was told to do if he encountered cameras and reporters.

He kept his head down, pulled his hoodie over his head, walked quietly to his car and drove away.

In the house, Akash was about to go after Ajay when Arjun stopped him. He shook his head, telling Akash to let Ajay be.

Arjun knew his brother. He would need some time alone, to clear his head. Ajay was not the one to get drunk or do something stupid so he was not that worried. He was more worried about Meera.

She was not just his cousin. He found a friend, a sister, an advisor in her. She was always the good part of his conscience, stopping him whenever he is about to take the wrong path, always motivating him and never hesitated to lend him a hand when he needed it.

He glanced around the room. All of them were either in a state of shock or afraid. He pushed his emotions down deep and stood up.

Arvind was struggling to handle everything on his own as he kept trying to juggle between the various phone calls. He wanted to help him out.

"I'll take care of the media mob," he said in monotone and picked up his phone. Arjun thanked him and continued to try to obtain information on Meera.

-

Arjun ran his hand through his hair, frustrated as he drove at a speed exceeding the limit. Just a while ago, he was excited to see his fiancé, how did it come to this? He had no idea where he was going. He just drove, trying to calm down.

Before he knew it, he found himself in the airport where she was supposed to arrive. Has she arrived? Was she okay? There was only one way to find out.

"Hello sir, how can I help you?" the woman at the front desk asked as Ajay stood at the counter.

"Hi, I am Ajay Mehra, Meera D'Souza's fiancé. Is there any status update?"

"I am so sorry sir, but there has been no news. I can tell you that she was close to the landing area when the wing caught fire. Rescue teams have been sent via helicopters and if they were successful, they would be here soon sir," she replied, informing him whatever she knew.

Ajay thanked her and settled down on a seat. He breathed in deeply, praying for her. She would be fine, he told himself.

He was going to ask the front desk again if they received an update when he saw the familiar lock of rose gold hair in the distance.

There she was, in a pair of washed out jeans and a button up shirt, walking out of the arrival hall with a dozen bodyguards at her side.

Ajay stood paralyzed to the ground, fear diminished and relief washing over him.

She had not seen him yet. She was not expecting anyone to come to the airport.

As Meera got closer a figure caught her eyes. Ajay Mehra. His hair was disheveled, his eyes looked heavy and his body looked exhausted. But he always looked amazing to her.

The second their eyes met, both of them ran towards each other, not caring that they were in an airport.

The moment they reached each other, their bodies crashed into one another in a lung-tightening hug.

Ajay held her face in his hands as he kissed her senseless. All his frustration, his previous fear, his relief upon seeing her unscathed, all poured into the kiss as his lips moved roughly against hers.

Meera kissed him back, none of them caring about the cameras that were capturing them. The paparazzi had arrived at the airport as soon as her safe arrival was announced.

Meera pulled back a moment later, but just a little, her lips brushing against his as she spoke.

"I'm alright"

Ajay nodded, laughing a little as his overwhelming emotions calmed down gradually.

"Let's go home," he said, "everyone's worried". He was about to lead her out when something caught his eye.

On her forearm, which was exposed since she had folded the sleeve of the shirt, was a beige band aid plastered on her skin, extending from her wrist to slightly below her elbow.

"What happened?" he asked, getting worried again.

"It's nothing, I just scraped my arm. The wound is shallow, it will be fine soon" she assured him, holding his hand, feeling his fingers slide between hers. He nodded, looking less bothered.

"Ride with me, the guards can take the other car" he asked, no stated. He wanted to be with her and he did not need permission, did he?

"Of course"