Chapter 18: chapter 18

As I parted my eye lids, I couldn't believe what I discerned. The entire flight was void and the only person I could see was DAD?! How? He was sitting beside me holding my hand with his usual smile. "Missing us all?", he caressed my hands. I nodded a YES. Tears accumulated at the cusp of my eyes making its way down to my cheeks."We too", he smiled. "Honey, we are just miles away and aren't going anywhere. It's the time to focus on your career for which you have worked so hard, didn't you?", he fondled my head. I acknowledged him with a smile holding back a sob. "Alright my tigress, time to show the world, who Aashika Rao is", he smiled. And, he vanished the next split-second. "Dad", I yelled and felt an involuntary myoclonic jerk, which had me meet the reality. My head triggered a mild migraine.What was that? I noticed a bunch of sights gazing at me with a question mark on almost all of their faces with a blurry vision.I tried to comprehend the situation in which I was presently surveying around steadily.I found myself in the flight seat beside Mr. Hoodie, who was studying me with a concerned face.I processed everything in my mind and the realisation whacked me. It was a DREAM! *face palm*The conversation between me and dad was just a dream."Child, I assume you saw a dream. Are you okay now?", an old man sitting in the next slot of my seat questioned. "I am fine, uncle, thank you", I was sure-shot embarrassed. The people who were staring at me went back to their respective seats pulling back everything to normal.Shucks!*self-ridiculed*"Water?", a familiar voice came.Of course, it was him. I nodded NO!"At least wipe your tears, DADDY'S Li'l GIRL", he offered me his handkerchief. Tears?I touched my eyes to find tears rolling down from the corner of my eyes."Thanks, I appreciate it. But, I have mine", I pulled out mine from my hand bag and dried them up. *thought clicked*Wait, what?Daddy's little girl?My head shot up at him only to find him eyeing me already."What did you say?", I queried, dubiously. "Yup! DADDY'S LI'L GIRL", he shrugged. I raised a brow!"What else do you want the reality to be, by the way you jolted awake saying 'dad', daddy's little girl?", he explained with an iconic forbearing smile.I was unable to react to his true words."Away from family to another country for the first time?", he added shifting his view back to his laptop screen.I was about to say YES. However, I realised disclosing so much to a stranger and moreover, to this man is a big NO. It might not be safe.In fact, why am I entertaining him so much?Yash and Ayu were right!I am a duffer!"You got nothing to do with it", I looked away from him to the window. "Glad that you are back to your own self", he chuckled. He is so annoying. Ignore him, Aashi. I struggled to sleep further.How could I after such a fazing instance?Don't think much about it. Anyhow, you're never gonna bump into any of these faces, once you reach your destination. Or will I?Never! *praying*I brushed the thought off. Reminiscing about the dream I saw brought an immediate smile on my face.Whatever it might be  The dream was worth a cherish. *ease*After a couple of hours, the final announcement was initiated including local timing and temperature at the destination airport followed by the landing one.Finally, the flight landed. I was so excited and normally shifted my view towards my left and saw Mr. Hoodie putting his hood on and adding those expensive glares to his almost covered face.Is he trying to hide his identity again?But why? *suspicious*He caught me inspecting him."Interested in me?", he teased.I narrowed my brows. "Not even if you will be the last man on this planet", I retorted.He laughed.How can he be so cool as a cucumber?"Calm down, daddy's little girl", he added serenely.Again? "Mind your.." I was about to complete."Excuse me, Sir", his guard interrupted, who went unnoticed the entire journey."Hmm", he gestured to him. "I just got a message that your car broke down. It will take around two hours for another one to arrive", the guard divulged. "No issues, I will take a cab", he responded and got up to leave."Cab? But Sir...", the guard continued."Don't worry. It's dark already, I will manage", he replied adjusting his hood. "First this economy seat and now cab. Are you sure, Sir?", the guard seemed uncomfortable. "Don't make me repeat myself. You just catch the ruptured vehicle and reach residence", he cleared sternly.The guard bobbed and collected the laptop case from his hands.I was waiting for them to move out, so that I could descend. And hence, I was forced to be an onlooker of their conversation.God! When will they leave? *impatient*They both stepped ahead towards the exit. I sighed. Not for long though. Mr. Hoodie's footsteps ceased and he turned towards me again as I was just 4-5 steps away from him.What the heck? "BTW, it was nice meeting you, daddy's li'l girl. Awaiting the opportunity to meet you again", he threw a genuine smile.Ugh!"BTW, I am not!", I countered back with a sarcastic smile. "Take care", he expressed with a suppressed laugh.I reciprocated with a frown. He left. *huff*He is strenuous. I waited for sometime as I was in no mood to collide with him again.I deplaned myself, collected my luggage and headed towards the exit."Welcome to London Aashika Rao", I murmured to myself. Meanwhile, I felt a hand on my right shoulder. I twitched likewise and was glad to see that old lady from the Bangalore airport's gatehouse."Here, you are my child?", she initiated."Hello aunty. How did you travel? I couldn't find you in the entire cabin", I was still addled. "I came in the same flight but in business class cabin", she replied."Oh! I didn't know you were to travel in business class", I smiled."Even I didn't know", she laughed."Haan?", I didn't get her point. "Actually, one person swapped his ticket with my economy class one", she said."I see", I nodded."And, I guess even you might have seen that person", she added."Me?", I asked. "Yes, child! You remember the boy seated across from me in the gatehouse, the one who helped me with the medicine?", she questioned. I thought for a while and recalled the entire scenario.The boy... opposite... aunty... medicine?Is she talking about that hoodie guy?I doubt!"The one with a black hoodie on?", I was dubious. "You get it right, child. He exchanged his ticket with mine, just because I have a comfortable journey", she grinned.What?He helped her again?Might have. Never mind. "Such a sweet boy", she added.Sweet boy? Ask me! *rolling eyes*Well, why to disappoint someone? So, I didn't burst her bubble. "I should leave now aunty, it's getting late", I smiled. "Sure, my child. Take care", she waved at me. I waved back and paced towards the Heath Row road to catch a taxi for further journey.I need to travel further towards London's main city.The flats provided by Oberoi's for the accommodation of their employees were in the main city.I was busy in search of my phone in my bag. Meanwhile, I quivered due to a harsh screech. I was caught off guard. I perceived a four-wheeler, which made a grinding halt in front of me all of a sudden. Shit! **********************************Okay! Aashi is in London, finally. See you in the next chapter. Till then stay tuned and miss me.😉#KeepReading #KeepLoving❤️❤️