Starting the Journey

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The next morning is the scheduled departure to the villa and Daivik drove to pick up Shubhi and Dyuti from the hospital as Shubhi did not want him anywhere near her house again. Her parents, Viren, Veni and Darsh were there to see them off. Darsh was loading Shubhi's bags into Daivik's car. A sleepy Veni was hanging onto Viren's arms as he chatted with Shubhi's parents. He signaled Daivik to go in and pick up Dyuti but just then Shubhi and Rajan stepped into the foyer. Dyuti was in Dr Rajan's arms and Shubhi was holding a bag. Dyuti almost jumped out of his arms to check out the car in front. Darsh muttered, and they were discussing the need for a DNA test.

Daivik had decided he needed space for all her stuff besides the bags Viren had given and the stuff he had ordered for her and Dyuti. The journey required off-road driving so the Mercs and Audis were chucked for the dependable Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. Dressed in jeans and a collared black T shirt and his signature leather jacket, with his trendy sunglasses, he looked awesome. Shubhi was dressed in a simple kurti and leggings, despite her mother and friends urging her to dress up. She had pointedly refused to look at this arrangement as an extended date and with that any need to impress Mr Daivik Rawal. She was committed to resisting his charms.

Once she was done inspecting the car, Dyuti happily ran to Daivik. She told him that she was impressed by how Daivik looked and jumped into his arms calling him chachu (father's younger brother). She and Veni had decided to continue with this name till she and Daivik have decided on his new name. Dr Rajan repeated the medical instructions before kissing Dyuti on the forehead and giving a friendly hug to Shubhi. Shubhi sat with Dyuti at the back and Daivik joked that as of now he is the driver chachu. Shubhi could not suppress her laughter and was smiling, surprising both Daivik as well as her parents. It was still early morning as they waved bye to Shubhi's parents, Viren and Dr Rajan.

Dyuti is overexcited when she locates a book basket in the car. She saw her favorites stacked and asked her mom if she could read. Shubhi allowed her to read while she looked out of the window as the landscape changed to tree-lined roads. She was in no mood to talk to Daivik and he also made polite conversation with Dyuti and then focused on music and driving. In less than an hour Shubhi fell asleep and Dyuti looks up from her book to see Daivik driving. He feels a tap on his shoulder and before he can speak, he sees Dyuti signal him to be quiet.

Dyuti: whispers: she is asleep, don't talk loudly. She gets tired...and needs to rest...

Daivik: Oh, that happens often?

Dyuti: Yes, when I am admitted in the hospital, this happens at times. Then nani and nana take care of me and don't disturb her...

Daivik: Do you want me to stop the car? Do you need something...er...

Dyuti: I am five and potty trained! No keep driving, I just wanted to talk...

Daivik: So, you want me to keep driving and keeping the music on?

Dyuti: Yes, that will help her sleep. In the meantime, there is something serious I wanted to talk to you

Daivik: Okay we will talk in whispers then?

Dyuti: Yes that would be better, actually I will inform her later so don't think we will keep secrets

Daivik: That sounds good that you do not keep secrets from her

Dyuti: I am not a teenager yet, and I do not have a boyfriend....so nothing to hide

Daivik: You can share with me.....when you....get a boyfriend...

Dyuti: Hmm we will see....Tushaar Mamu has already offered to punch anyone who comes near me

Daivik: Wow! He seems to be your favourite...(hint of jealousy) quite protective as well

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