Chapter 1 ~ "Home Sweet Home"

EDITED.  

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Akira's POV

I think I'd lie for you,

I think I'd die for you,

Jodeci "Cry For You,"

Do things when you want me to,

Like controlla, controlla

Yeah, like contro—

 I felt a tap on my shoulder, and twisted to face who acknowledged me. "Excuse me mam- can you please turn off your phone, we are about to land" quickly informed an air hostess. I nodded and she scurried off to her own seat. The seat belt sign, then was turned on. I took my headphones off and promptly buckled my seat belt. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking,we have landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The temperature outside is 19*C and the local time is 8:30 pm. Hope you all had a safe and pleasant journey from Los Angeles to Toronto. Thank you." After that announcement, I felt relieved and a sudden jolt of excitement. 

Finally off that plane, I stretched my muscles. Walking through the familiar airport, I smiled to myself, while quickly picking up my bags from the conveyor belt.

"Oh God, where is he?" I moaned to myself while waiting with my luggage at the arrival lounge.

"Akira! Over here!" I snapped my head towards the direction of the voice as he came running towards me.

" Kabira! hey..." before I could continue he cut me off with a hug and his complaining.

"God, it's been so long. Missed you and that idiotic nickname." he grinned, pulling away and grabbing my suitcases and leading out the door.

He gave me a cheeky side grin, pushing us to his parking lot, "so...kiddan?" 

"Dipper." I rolled my eyes as he let out a short laugh.

"Please. I'm classy."

"Sure you are, dipper." Just as we reached, my eyes widened at the beauty in front of us. 

"Damn Kabir. You sure this is you're car? Stealing a car is a federal offence." I smirked pointing towards the fancy, grey Porshe Cayman.

"It's actually a provincial felony. Forgot that I'm a lawyer?" he replied, with a smirk. "And just got this baby two months ago."

I rolled my eyes once again, before seating myself into the luxurious passenger seat.

"Ok, now lets go." he hollered, after putting my luggage into the car and jumping into the driver's seat.

"You didn't tell anyone I was coming right? Because I really want it to be a surprise." I asked, checking through my email.

"No I didn't tell anyone that you're coming so, shanti."

"Fine" I let out a breath, realizing that I was meeting my family after three years abroad. A frown slipped itself onto my face as I remembered the time after graduation when I had moved to California to complete my education and get a degree in business at Stanford. I shook my head slightly to clear away the depressing thoughts that were breaking their way to the surface.

"So how is the company coming along?" My brother questioned, shaking me from my thoughts.

"Great, I got a promotion! Moving to the London firm now."

His eyebrows shot up and he glanced over at me with a smile. "That's amazing Akira! Three years of working with one of the top firms in the continent, and you've already got a stellar position. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend my wedding, dear sister." He teased with a grin.

"How could I miss my own brother's—oh! And my best friend's wedding?" He grimaced at that. 

"Still weird?"

"It will always be weird." I replied. Back in the old days, my older—only by two years—player of a brother ended up falling for the good girl who just so happened to be my best friend. Yes it was definitely one of those cliché stereotypical love stories. I didn't have any problem with it, yet seeing them all lovey-dovey made me uncomfortable in more than one situation. But I was glad that if their was one person who was to be my sister-in-law, it would be my best friend.

We talked a bit, until he pulled up into the driveway of our sweet, and warm house. Home Sweet Home. I could see the living room's light on. "I guess mom and dad are still up. They waiting for you?" I asked, facing Kabir.

"Probably not, I told them I was going out with the guys." he said hopping out of the car. "Lets go."

I quickly got out of the car, and grabbed the bags from his hand, "Hey, I'll follow you in, in a bit."

"Yeah okay." He sprinted inside. I could here my mom asking why he came back so early. I took deep breaths, trying to forget everything else expect my brother and parents happiness.

"Mom, dad, aapke liye surprise hai." I have a surprise for you.

 As soon as he said that, I walked in through the doors. I could noticed my parents mouth drop open, so it's clear that they had no idea I was coming. Mom walked towards me and gave me a warm and tight hug.

"Beta, tum yahan, kaise?"(You're here, how?) my mom questioned.

I faked a sigh, "that's the first thing I'd like to hear when I step into our house after years." 

She smiled, "Nahi beta. I'm very happy, but surprised." she said, pulling me into a tight hug, while bringing me into the living room.

"Beta, I'm so glad that you could make it here for your brother's wedding. At least this will calm your mamma down. She's been on my back complaining about the amount of work left." My dad hugged and softly kissed my cheek, as the three of us chuckle 

"Well of course! Mein dulhe ki Ma hoon.(I'm the groom's mother) And Akira, I thought you were going to come two weeks later." 

"Actually, I got a promotion as the new manager of our new London branch. So they're moving my office to London." I repeated what I had told KAbir before, as my mom started squealing. "But that's not part...well actually it is." I rumble of laughter echoed through the room. "While I was asking if I could take a break for a while, you know for Kabira's wedding. And since a great amount of paper work is still left with my visa and all, I get two to three months off! Of course, I would have to work at home during those times and drop into the office every now and then, but at least I'm free for now!" I finished with a big smile.

 "Aren't we all proud of our Aku?" Kabir smirked while messing with my hair.

I smacked his hand away, "why you call Aku?" I asked flatly.

"Why you call me Kabira?" he said in the same tone.

"Touche." We all laughed and talked, remiscining old memories, skirting around the incident. I couldn't remember the last time I had stayed up throughout the night, simply talking to someone dear.

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I scowled sleepily at my pillow, as my mom kept calling me. No matter how old the daughter is, moms have to holler our names so it can be heard by the entire DAMN neighbourhood. Not even back a day, and everything was almost back to old routines. I sighed, making my way to the bathroom. " Han ma, mein ah rahi hoon!"(Yeah mom, I'm coming!)

After I was ready, I made my way downstairs to see what my dear mother wanted. "Kya hua ma?". She was sitting in the living room with papers all over the coffee table. I walked into the kitchen and made myself some toast and coffee.

"Tere bhai ke shaadi ka invitation list likh rahi hoon. Tu jaldi kah kai, mujhe help kar."(I'm writing invitation cards for your brother's wedding. Eat fast and come help me.) I quickly ate the delicious aloo paratha that was already waiting for me on the countertop. I smiled at that. I couldn't remember the last time I had mamma's paratha. I loved being home. 

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Kabir's POV

I woke up to the ringing of my phone. Abhi. I groaned, instantly ignoring the call.

Five ignored calls later, I finally  sighed and answered.

"What do you want? And why did you call me so early in the morning." I scowled into my phone.

"Stop ignoring my call then, and it's ten."

"Seriously Abhi, what do you want?" 

He answered, "Uh so my car's stuck in the garage."

"When is it not?"

"Don't talk about Reemu like that."

I groaned aloud, "Abhi."

"Anyways, Ayan's landing tonight and I can't pick him up. You gotta go."

"What? Dude I'm not going. Plus I just went to the airport yesterday. I'm tired." 

"Wait, why did you go to the airport yesterday?"

"Oh. Akira came back from California last night, and her flight got delayed, so I had to sit in those uncomfortable chairs for two hours." I could hear him chuckling from the other end. "Take a taxi."

"No man. I'll take your car then."

"Fine, I'll go pick him up, what time?" I could practically imagine him grinning from the other end.

"His flight's going land at seven pm. Oh, pick me up on the way." 

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I'm coming. Don't disagree. For old times sake." We both chuckled.

"When will you grow up? I'll pick you up at six. Bye."

"Okay see ya then. Tell your Akira and aunty I said 'Hi'". I cut the phone and went straight to the bathroom. I pursed my lips, as my thoughts went to Ayan's arrival. 

Ayan was coming. And Akira was already home. I sighed, splashing water onto my face, and quickly brushing my teeth.

I made my way downstairs, and found Akira and mom in the living room. "You're up early." Akira snickered before returning to her work.

"Acha hua tum agaya, ok kise aur ko bulana hai jisko meh bhul gayi?"(Good thing you're here, ok is there anyone else you need to invite that I'm forgetting?) my mom asked finally looking up at me and handing me the list.

"Um...nope. That's good." I said after examining the list quickly. "Oh, and Abhi said hi."

"Abhimanyu?" Akira inquired looking up again. 

Which other Abhi does she know? "Yeah." I answered, running my fingers through my hair.

"Akira, you're a big part of this wedding. As the sister—" she coughed, and then rubbed her eyes—"you have many important roles that need to be carried out. Yeh bhoodu ko ready be karna, teri responsibility hai."(Get this idiot ready, is also your responsibility.) Mom told her, as I went and sat down on the sofa opposite to them.

"Yeah, yeah mamma. I also have other things I need to do ma. So getting bhaiya ready should not only be my responsibility." she said apologetically. I furrowed my eyebrows as I stared at my sister in confusion.

"What?" mom asked, at the same time as I muttered a small "ouch."

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So guys this is the First chapter of my first novel!

Please vote if you guys liked it 

Kabir above ^

Edited btw.