"Ladies and gentlemen, we're landing in Mumbai. Please prepare for landing by putting your seats up, stowing trays, securing belongings, and fastening your seatbelts. If you're using an electronic device, switch it to flight mode." The air host's announcement pulled me away from the movie I was watching on my laptop.

The pilot's voice followed after some time: "This is your captain speaking. We are making our final descent into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The local time is 10:35 a.m. The weather is clear, and we anticipate a smooth landing. We appreciate your cooperation. Thank you for flying with us today.

Despite having flown countless times, the fear of landing and takeoff still got to me. I closed my movie and laptop. As the plane taxied down the runway, I shut my eyes, attempting to calm my racing heartbeat while sending silent prayers. I take a deep breath after finally landing. I felt a sense of relief.

I quickly dropped a message to my sister, letting her know that I had landed and would update her after collecting my belongings.

"As I emerged from the airport, having collected my baggage, I was greeted by the smiling faces of my father, sister, and friends Revana and Neel, waving eagerly. I ran to my dad, leaving my trolley, and gave him a tight hug, followed by my friend Revana, who beat my sister as she pulled me into a hug. My sister joined, and we had a group hug. 'Uff, girls, give me some space,' Neel playfully intervened, pulling them apart.

'Hey, hottie,' he greeted me.

"'Sup, Kiddo?" I shot back, grinning as he playfully feigned offence.

"He, being two years my junior, had a habit of flirtatiously calling me 'hottie,' while I teased him back by playfully referring to him as 'kiddo.' It was our regular drill."

Tripti and Revana joined us, and we were happily catching up when my dad stepped in and said, "Let's head home fast. Your mom has called me four times already; she's eagerly waiting for you," he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

****

"Mumma, I ran to her and hugged her tight. She was waiting for me in the front yard. She kissed my forehead and lovingly caressed my cheeks. She did the aarti, like she always does, to keep me safe from all the evil.

I settled on the couch, placing a pillow on my lap, embracing the warmth of my home. "Are you tired, Laado? Do you feel jet-lagged? Go freshen up and come. We'll have lunch together. I've made all your favorites. You can eat and rest for a while."

"Mumma, I'm good. I'm tired, but I'm so excited to see you all. I don't want to sleep now," I said, feeling more excited than tired.

Did you manage to get all the stuff I ordered from the US?" Revana asked with a curious gleam.

I chuckled, giving her a sly look. "Well, Reva, the bag and the watch might be missing, but the rest are there," I said, pointing to my luggage."

She frowned, her excitement deflating. "You didn't bring the bag and the watch? Seriously?"

I burst into laughter, enjoying her reaction. "Relax, Reva! I just wanted to see that dramatic response of yours. Of course, I got everything!"

"DI, we're going on that cruise trip this time. No more postponing; we've put it off long enough," Tripti declared with a mix of excitement and frustration.

"Agree with her. We have to plan it soon. I'm cool if it's this month. Next month, I've got the final project submission," Neel chimed in.

Who even invited you? It's supposed to be a girls' trip," Revana smirked.

"Enough! Enough! She just got here. She is not going anywhere. You can all catch up with her later. Anshika, go freshen up. Take a nap, too. I don't want you to be sleepy later when Radha and Viswanathan Bhaiya are here," my mother intervened.

Rishi Bhaiya will be coming too," my sister added with a smirk. I knew what she expected from me, but I refused to give her satisfaction by reacting to her additional information.

"Okay, Mumma." I drop the pillow in my lap on the couch and walk up to my room.

I looked around with a smile. "I missed you," I whispered softly. My room was just as I remembered it, with its white and blue decor, my favourite colours. My gaze drifted across the room, lingering on the photos adorning the walls. Each captured a precious moment from my childhood, frozen in time for eternity. Glancing at the shelves, I spotted my collection of medals and awards.

My bed, with its soft comforter and plush pillows, beckoned invitingly. It had been my sanctuary during countless nights of studying and moments of both happiness and sadness. Neatly arranged on the bedside table were my stuffed dolls.

I jumped onto the bed, snuggling with my teddy bear, my favourite since I was 10. It was gifted by that jerk for my 10th birthday. I grew to hate him, but I couldn't bring myself to throw it away like I did with the other things he gave me.

Whoever said that God gives us what we deserve should meet Rishi Malhotra. I say this because he has bestowed upon Rishi Malhotra, the most undeserving man, everything a man could dream of: looks and charm that draw women to him like moths to a flame, an air of confidence that exudes power, a success rate that seems unattainable even in dreams, and most significantly, the ability to dominate and control any situation to his advantage. I hated him, his cockiness, and his attitude. And in return, he despised me for refusing to treat him like the demi-god he believed himself to be. He can go to hell for all I care. Anshika will never bow to him. He'll get back what he gives to me, that's for sure.

I looked heavenward and prayed, "Dear God, grant me the patience to endure his presence tonight." I murmured before heading into the washroom to take a shower.

***

I was chatting with Radha aunty and Vishwa uncle when Tripti's voice rang out, "Mom, Rishi Bhaiya is here!" I turned to the entrance and saw him hugging Tripti warmly. He was wearing this sleek blue suit that fit him perfectly. I gotta admit, he looked pretty hot in it. Okay, okay, I know I said I hated him. But hey, gotta give credit where it's due; he does look sexy even if he's the most annoying man in my life, and I can't stand him.

He walked towards me with a smirk and casually said, "Hi Anshika."

Hey, Rishi," I replied, my tone casual yet guarded, masking the turmoil his presence stirred in me.

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Thanks For reading! see you in the next part.