POTION OF LOVE

61.𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

“Okay, which one?” I ask, holding up two pairs of earrings in front of Charlie. He slowly lifts his head, tilting his head slightly, observing it under the light of the private jet’s cabin. After a moment of silent inspection, he lifts his paw and gently pushes the shinier earring .

I can’t help but smile  softly at his choice “Good taste, Charlie” I mutter, shifting the earrings into one hand so I can scratch under his chin. He closes his eyes and purrs, leaning into my fingers.

Thanks to Lucas’s arrangements, I am surprisingly relaxed, moving around the spacious jet cabin as if it’s my personal dressing room. Normally, flights make me want to glue myself to my seat and whisper silent prayers.

I turn back to the mirror, taking in my outfit — the deep indigo half-saree I am wearing. Can I call it a half saree ? It's more of a plazo than lehenga with a blouse and an attached draping dupatta. Tiny jeweled stones scatter across the fabric like stars. I slip on the long crystal earrings Charlie chose and decide to leave my neckline.

Okay, almost done.

We are currently flying back to Mumbai for the reception. Bhai only invited close friends and family to the wedding, keeping it intimate. The reception is on a grand scale though, inviting all the business partners, politicians and of course the entertainment industry.

We only had a few hours gap, last night was the wedding and this night it was the reception. In the morning we had to pack everything, then in the afternoon we went to see off Mia at the airport and in the evening we were flying. There was totally no gap in between, others already took the morning flight so they have time to get ready while Lucas, Liam, Stella and I are getting ready on the plane.

“Where are my bangles now?” I murmur to myself

I start looking around the room, searching for the suitcase which had my other jewellry. I was in such a hurry that I might have dumped everything here and there if Lucas didn't help me pack.

I pull two suitcases onto the bed, unzipping the first one to find my clothes. When I open the second, it turns out to be Lucas’s bag. I was about to close it when something caught my eye.

A dictionary?

I blink, picking it up curiously. Flipping it open, I realize it’s a Hindi-to-English translation dictionary.

“Oh” I breathe

As I turn the pages, I notice words underlined, highlighted and annotated with little notes in his handwriting. My chest tightens as the realization sinks in.

He has been learning Hindi.

For me…

My fingers hover over the page, lingering on the red-ink-highlighted word 'Dil' . Next to it, he has written one simple word.
[Translation - Heart]