Indian Mafia's Obsession

Chapter 1: flight -Rhea

Rhea POV:
I struggled with my seatbelt, trying to figure out how this darn thing worked without looking like a total goofball. Seriously, why do they make it so complicated? As I squeezed into my seat, I couldn't help but notice this super hot guy wrestling with his massive carry-on bag. I mean, we've all been there, right?

But guess what? The universe must have had a good laugh that day because the only empty seat left was the one next to me. Talk about heart racing and palms sweating!.

I tried to act cool and calm as the handsome stranger made his way toward me.

Finally, he plopped down in the seat next to me, giving a nod that was more like a polite "sup." His expression was serious, almost like he was pondering the meaning of life or something.

He is so handsome, my heart was doing somersaults and my brain was racing with a million thoughts. Should I say something? Should I pretend to be super engrossed in this magazine I picked up from the seat pocket?

Summoning all my courage, I decided to break the ice. "Dude, those overhead compartments are the absolute worst. It's like they're designed to torture us!"

He glanced at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and replied, "No kidding. They seriously need to get their act together and make some changes."

Phew! He didn't think I was a complete weirdo. I mentally patted myself on the back for a successful icebreaker.

I pretended to be engrossed in my novel, but truth be told, my heart was doing somersaults. My mind couldn't help but wander, appreciating his handsome features and the way his smile reached his eyes. Talk about a major swoon fest happening in my head.

While the plane prepared for takeoff, I realized with horror that I had been holding my book upside down the entire time. Smooth move, Rhea. I quickly flipped it around, hoping he hadn't noticed my little reading mishap. But of course, he couldn't resist teasing me.

"Hey, just a heads up, reading that book right side up might actually make it more enjoyable," he said, trying to hide his laughter.

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, but I joined in the laughter, relieved that he had taken it in good humour. "Thanks for the tip. Guess I should work on my reading skills, huh?"

With a warm smile, he replied, "Hey, we all have our moments. No judgment here. By the way, I'm Arjun."

Arjun. The name rolled off his tongue with a certain charm, and it left me slightly breathless.

With a warm smile, I replied, "Rhea. Nice to meet you, Arjun." I let his name sink in, and suddenly, the flight felt a whole lot less ordinary.

As the flight continued, a comfortable silence settled between Arjun and me.

He appeared lost in his thoughts, his eyes fixed on the world outside the window. I, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a nagging desire to fill the silence with chatter.

I reached for my headphones and plugged them into the in-flight entertainment system, immersing myself in a playlist of soulful melodies. The music flowed through me, allowing me to be present in the moment, even without exchanging words with Arjun.

When the flight attendants served dinner, let's just say it left a lot to be desired in terms of culinary satisfaction. So, I decided to unwrap a small pack of Indian sweets I had brought along, filling the air with their delicious aroma. I unwrapped the small pack of Indian sweets I had brought along, their aroma filling the air.

"Hey, want some?" I offered, extending the pack toward Arjun.

He looked at me, surprise evident in his eyes, but a small smile formed on his lips. He took a piece and savoured it slowly, as if relishing the taste of nostalgia.

As Arjun enjoyed the Indian sweets, a wave of nostalgia washed over his face, and it got me all curious. I mean, who doesn't love a good trip down memory lane? But then, I thought to myself, "Hey, Rhea, don't go prying into his personal memories." So, I just let it be, figuring that some things are meant to stay private.

But then, Arjun spoke up. "These sweets remind me of my childhood," he said, his eyes faraway. "My grandmother used to make them all the time. She was a wonderful cook, and I loved spending time in her kitchen."

I smiled, imagining Arjun as a young boy, helping his grandmother in the kitchen. "That sounds like a lovely memory," I said.

"It was," he said, his smile widening. "She was a very special woman."

As the sun set outside the window, the cabin of the plane grew dark and quiet. I couldn't sleep. I had a bad habit of not being able to fall asleep while travelling, and I was starting to feel restless. I looked over at Arjun, who was sleeping soundly next to me. He looked so peaceful, with his head tilted back and his lips slightly parted. I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for him.

After a while, I started to feel tired. I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep.

I was dreaming about noodles when I felt a soft weight on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and saw that Arjun's head was resting on my shoulder. He was still asleep, and his breathing was slow and steady.

I felt a warm feeling spread through my chest. I didn't want to move, for fear of waking him up. I just sat there, enjoying the feeling of his head on my shoulder.

After a while, Arjun stirred. I panicked and closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep. I could feel his eyes on me as he withdrew his head from my shoulder. My heart was pounding as he looked at me. I couldn't hold still for long, so I pretended to open my eyes as if I had just woken up. Arjun immediately moved his gaze away from me.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I didn't want him to know that I had been awake the whole time. I just wanted to enjoy the moment, even if it was just for a little while.

I closed my eyes again and pretended to go back to sleep. I could feel Arjun's warmth next to me, and I knew that I would never forget this night.

As the plane rumbled through turbulence, jostling us in our seats, I instinctively gripped the armrest, my knuckles turning white. Arjun's eyes met mine, and there was a spark of empathy that shimmered within them.

"Don't worry, it's just a bit of turbulence. We're perfectly safe," he said, his voice calm and comforting.

I nodded, grateful for his words. "I know, but it still makes me a little nervous. I guess I'm not the biggest fan of flying."

You're not alone." It was such a simple gesture, but it spoke volume and it made me feel instantly at ease.

He reached out and gently placed his hand on top of mine, offering a silent reassurance that sent a jolt of electricity through me.

As the plane touched down and the cabin doors opened, Arjun and I gathered our belongings, preparing to disembark. The shared moments we had experienced during the flight lingered in the air, but the reality of our separate lives loomed before us.

With a final glance, our eyes met, and I offered a warm smile. Arjun nodded in acknowledgment, his expression hinting at a mixture of gratitude and longing. We exchanged no words, but the unspoken connection between us was palpable.

Stepping off the plane, I watched as Arjun melted into the bustling crowd, his presence fading like a distant memory. The world beyond the airport called out to me, and our paths diverged, each leading us to our own adventures.

But as I turned to walk away, a mischievous thought crossed my mind. I couldn't resist looking back one last time, catching Arjun's eye amidst the chaos. With a cheeky grin, I playfully waved goodbye, causing him to chuckle and wave back.