"Ha ma, I will," Rudra spoke, putting his phone on the table beside his bed, putting his call on the speaker while his mother continued, "And also give her separate gifts from us," she sounded stern which made him chuckle, "Ma, she is getting married and she will receive many gifts already," and he knew he messed up and he immediately regretted it, "Ma, I mean-..."

"Yeah yeah, lazy man. You are just like your father. Both are useless in family things," he hissed at his mother's comment but she ignored it, "Rudra Kulkarni, do as I say. Give two good gifts to her on your parents' behalf separately or else, you will be welcome with my slipper in this house."

"Ma, why me? Khushi di will join me there, ask her to bring gifts and all on your behalf," His previously irritated and agitated tone came to an abrupt halt as he caught the sound of his mother's low, threatening growl. His body froze in place and a lump formed in his throat, causing him to swallow nervously in anticipation of what was to come.

"I mean I don't have enough idea abou-..." He was interrupted by his mother again, "Stop making excuses, Rudra. Do what I said, okay, my baby?"As she politely made her request, he couldn't help but sense an underlying danger. Despite his previous attempts to save himself, he knew they had all been unsuccessful.

"Yeah, sure," He hesitantly chuckled, putting the last pair of his clothing inside the bag. "Very good," she sounded happy, that's when he mumbled, "Now I know why dad says no one can beat you," poor boy, he forgot that the call was on speaker and his voice was loud enough to hit his mom's ears. "What did you say, Rudra?" She asked with a hint of improbableness in her voice, pretending.

"Oh shit," he whispered as soon as the realisation hit his mind, "Ah, nothing mom, I was just blabbering business stuff," He closed his luggage, finalizing his packing while his mother hummed. "When is your flight?"

"Tomorrow morning. Around 11," he sighed, feeling tired after completing his every meeting in this whole week, yet he was late by two days. It was more than a week since he and Yash had a talk and eventually, Rudra did make a tight schedule to finish his meetings and other works in that week but he was stuck when one of his partners had asked him for another meeting and that was how he was late.

"Yash called me yesterday and said, you are late, man," he sighed and laid down, taking his phone and switching off the speaker and attached the phone to his ear while his mom chuckled, "Like yeah I'm 3 days late apparently but I informed him," he chuckled but ended up yawning which indicated his mom that he needed sleep.

"You should sleep, beta," his mother politely muttered while he sighed, humming in response but then suddenly asked, "How is papa doing? And I haven't talked to Khushi di as well. Did you have a talk with her?"

"Your father is doing fine, he is super busy with his London deal, I guess,"she chuckled, "And Khushi, she is in Bhopal, busy with her events. I talked to her yesterday, she said she will join you the next week," she added and he hummed.

"Rukmini," both heard his father's voice. "It seems, he's here, I'll go now, beta," she said in an apologetically tone which made him smile unknowingly smile. "Sure, ma, give my greetings to him. Bye," she hummed at his response and cut the call after bidding a bye to him.

As he put his phone on the table and connected it to the charger before lying down on his bed, a thought lingered in his mind. Someone's thought. A small smile crept over his lips and became wide as a few flashes were running in his mind.

"I hope we meet soon," he mumbled, shifting his gaze towards the window. The glass windows showed him the crescent moon.

The next morning, he left his apartment with his luggage for the flight. After presenting his ticket to the courteous air hostess, he made his way to his designated seat on the aircraft. Carefully hoisting his backpack onto the overhead compartment, he took a comfortable seat by the window. His attention was soon captured by the breathtaking view of the runway, visible through the porthole next to him.

The announcement happened and he fastened his seatbelt before resting his head on his seat while his hand went inside his right pocket and took out an earring. The shiny jhumka in his hand reminded him of someone. The person he loved a lot.

Closing his eyes as he recalled the moments when he had visited his best friend, Yash Agnihotri. Four years back. The phase that changed his life permanently.