Best Friends and Cousins? (An Indian Love Story)

Chapter 19

A/N: I know, things have been crappy, because I thought I had to do something for those two weeks, but I'm just going to skip. The conversation between Nikhil and Neha happened, Ash apologised, Nikhil was a bit pissed but Neha promised it would be a one-time thing and all is well. ONTO THE DAY OF DEPARTURE!

Me ~ Sunshine, I'm leaving the house in about fifteen minutes. I'll text you before I board and after I land. Good night! (3:00 am)

My ❤️ ~ I'll see you there, Sunshine. I love you. Have a safe journey and don't forget to text me. I'm waiting 😘 (3:02 am) 

Sigh. What did I do to get such a boyfriend. I look around at the apartment that had become home to me in the past two years. When I first came here, I hated it. Unfortunately, this was the only place I could afford at the time, so I had no other choice. My room-mates were all terrible until Ash, all of them lasting for a maximum of about 2 months. Ash was the first person to even attempt to make a conversation between us, and I knew I was going to keep her around. Speaking of Ash, she was currently perched upon the kitchen counter in her pajamas, a beanie on her head for god knows what.

"Are you sure you've packed everything? Don't text me once you get there to tell me to bring stuff."

"Ashley, I've been packing for the past week. I think I've got everything sorted and packed."

"You think? You better be sure."

"Yes, 'mom', I'm sure I packed everything."

I glance at my stuff - one big suitcase filled with my clothes; one small suitcase filled with academic stuff like my journals, notes, planners, etc.; one backpack with my laptop, toiletries and other travel essentials, and finally, my phone and headphones in my pocket. I check my room for anything one last time and I am relieved to find that nothing is left behind. I plop down on the couch, waiting for my ride to arrive.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"You're seeing me in another week."

"Its an entire week. I'm not prepared."

"Neither am I, Ashley. But we'll see each other in exactly a week's time."

"I know. Keep the house ready by the time I come."

"Harley has already gone there. Nikhil has moved his stuff in but hasn't moved himself. I'll be going straight to the apartment. So yeah, I'll be pretty well settled by the time you come around." I stand up at the sound of my phone ringing. "My ride's here. I'll see you."

"One week," she says. Ashley comes down to the cab with me. Outside, in the chilly air, she starts shivering in her plaid shorts and loose top. "It's cold as hell out here."

"Technically, with all the fumes and lava, hell's supposed to be hot."

"Shut up," she grumbles, leaning in for a hug. As the cabbie lifts my heavy suitcase into the trunk, I hug Ashley back, holding her tight to me.

"Make it there safely. Text me before you exit the house, before you board and after you land. I'll be there to pick you up," I half-whisper.

Ashley pulls away, smiling. "We've already told the landlord. He's probably already got new tenants waiting to get inside the place. Be careful," I give her a playful warning as I get in.

"Will be. Text me once you reach the house and we'll do a video call tomorrow. I want to see how it is, now that the boys have invaded it," she says, laughing slightly. I agree, waving to her as the car rolls down the street. I pull out my phone and start to examine the pictures of the house Nikhil and his roommate, Harley, sent us. 

After looking at several houses, Nikhil and Harley, who was only supposed to be helping us look for homes, stumbled upon this lovely penthouse in Toronto, fifteen minutes from Campus in the car, twenty on a bicycle and thirty by walk. A quaint place, the builder had actually built it for himself and his family, but had to move out because of personal family issues. It was a soundproof three-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms en-suite, a connected kitchen and dining area and a fairly comfortable living room. The penthouse also had nooks, which were perfect for the four of us. Harley loved the house so much that he asked to move in. Nikhil agreed and waited for me to agree. It was during the same call that I proposed Ashley moved in with us, and we decided that the four of us would live in this small house.

Having barely registered the drive up to the airport, I find myself tugging my luggage up to the baggage drop counters, before passing through security. Everything is happening so fast because it is still only 4 in the morning, and the lack of crowd only made it even more pleasant. I wait around near the terminal, texting my family. Mom, Dad, Megha, Anya, Naina, everybody was pleased that I was finally going to my dream college, even if it was not for my entire course. 

"Passengers heading to Toronto, Ontario, Canada with AirCanada, requesting you to please ready your passes for a smooth hassle-free boarding."

I shoot everybody a quick text letting them know I'll be off the network for almost the rest of the day, including Nikhil. The boarding takes quite some time due to the long line of passengers, and by the time I am finally seated and buckled up, it is slightly past the planned take-off time. The airhostess' spend the time on the runway explaining to first timers all the safety measures and procedures, during which I zone out. 

As soon as the flight takes off, I set an alarm to wake me up in four hours so I won't be as affected by jet lag as I usually would be. A restless sleep, cramped neck, sore back and cracking hips keep me exhausted even after my four-hour nap when my co-passenger wakes me up, handing me my phone. "This kept going off."

"Thanks. Sorry for the disturbance."

"Not a problem," she says, offering me a sweet smile. I return the smile, shifting around in my seat to make myself a little more comfortable. 

The rest of the flight passes by without an event, and I try to keep myself occupied. This is my problem - I either do nothing at all or I do everything at once. This is why I hate travelling alone.

The plane finally lands, and I find myself picking my way out to the security. As I'm standing in the queue, waiting for my turn, I shoot Nikhil a text, letting him know I landed.

My❤️ ~ I'll be there in about forty minutes. You're here and I still can't believe it!

Me ~ Me neither, love. I'll be waiting.

I clear the security check and visa approval with little to no hassle. By the time I come out, Nikhil is already there, waving his hands over his head. He runs up to me as I push my cart forward, trying to get through the crowd. As soon as we come in contact, Nikhil wraps his arms around my shoulders, burying his face in my neck. I put my forehead on his collarbone, arms around his waist, holding on tightly because Nikhil has almost picked me off the ground. 

About a minute of us squeezing each other so tight our faced turned red later, Nikhil pulled slightly back, just enough to kiss my forehead. I kissed his cheek and started to push my cart again, receiving weird looks from people around us. Nikhil puts an arm over my shoulder, slightly pulling me into himself as we walk.

"Why are they staring at us like that?"

"It is not common for the guy to let his girl carry her own stuff, but knowing you, I would rather have both my arms intact," he replied, grinning down at me. I playfully nudge him in the ribs as we walk. Nikhil has one hand around me and one on the cart, pushing my luggage, while I have both my hands on th cart.