"Atleast tell me where we are going Vivaan!" Kruthi asked him for the third time. They were already in their room. Kruthi was focused on the suitcase on the bed, while her hands were busy to ensure she had all the things and clothes needed.
"You won't need that much." Vivaan said while typing a mail on the laptop, settled on the armchair, sleeved rolled. He fixed his specs absent handedly, before working his fingers on laptop again.
"Then how much?" Her hands stopped. She looked at him with confused eyes before keeping another pant in the suitcase. Her almond shaped eyes were widened slightly, enough to enhance her double eyelids and lashes.
"A month."
She blinked twice looking at him.
"A....MONTH?"
He nodded.
She sat on the bed exhausted and held her head with her one hand.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I planned it today only."
"Why today, Vivaan?"
He sighed. Finally, his eyes moved up from the laptop to her- who was sitting on the bed, holding her head as if she was enough in tension and his words were ultimatum.
"I had to. Urgently."
She didn't respond. Just nodded.
"Just promise me that you won't make me regret for trusting you."
He paused his fingers on the keyboard.
Again.
Instinctive.
Involuntary.
"I won't. Not ever."
"It's 'Never', Vivaan." She corrected him.
He glared at her for a moment before nodding.
"Vivaan... is it because of skyline crest?" She asked him softly.
His hands stopped on the keyboard again. He finally exhaled heavily before closing the laptop with a force more than needed and ran his hand through his hair.
Another sigh.
He moved his hands to his specs and removed it.
"It's... not."
She noticed his physical response. The way he closed the laptop, running his hands in his hair. She stood up and started packing her back, continuing to put the essentials.
A comb, five upper tops, three jeans of different style, a pant, a coat, two sarees, two dresses, toothbrush, a pack of cookies, her favourite blueberry filled bites....
"I repeat, we do not need all this Kruthi."
She nodded.
"I know. But since you are so adamant to hide things for me, I have to be prepared for the worst na? So, saree if its traditional, western is casual, coat if professional..."
"Fine." He spoke, cutting her words in between.
"So, you still won't tell me?"
He stood up and went towards her, keeping the clothes in the suitcase which she kept aside to pack.
The help wasn't involuntary.
"Remember, the day when that issue happened? Where was I initially?"
Kruthi thought for a moment.
"You left for the meeting that day earlier, abroad."
He nodded.
"I need to attend that meeting Kruthi. It's urgent. I never left any of my meeting in between. That meeting is the result of hard work of many people, many employees, including me. But I can't leave you alone here."
"V-Vivaan..." She stared at him for a moment.
He took up his blueberry bites and kept it aside.
"Avoid packing snacks. There will be plenty there."
But she didn't forward her hand to take the box from him.
"And you?" She asked him in low tone, her eyes moistened. "I-I am sorry..."
His eyes snapped at her. Did he say something that terrible to make her feel guilty? make her feel sorry?
"Sorry for?"
"I am sorry for the things that happened..."
"It wasn't your fault, Kruthi. And this is the last time I am saying this."
"T-then whose? It was because of me only that you had to leave a meeting... your reputation, your commitment...kept aside."
He stepped closer to her, invading her personal space before offering his handkerchief to her.
"We're finding that faulty person. Don't expect me to stay nonchalant when you are in danger."
Kruthi took the handkerchief and started dabbing at her eyes to avoid the tears.
She responded by a light nod instead.
"I...know. Responsibilities." She chuckled lightly, between her tears hoping to ease the environment ever so slightly.
But her words, delivered with an intention of improvement, resulted in a dread to Vivaan. He felt as if his entire thinking, entire ability of categorise was shot by innumerous arrows.
Was he here because of responsibility?
Perhaps.
Did he stay because of responsibility?
Maybe.
But did he take care of her out of responsibility?
He gulped lightly, enough for her to not notice.
"Pack soon Kruthi. We'll be leaving tonight."
Kruthi nodded.
"Don't worry we'll reach the airline soon, how far is the airport? This is my first time in the airplane."
He stared at her for a moment.
First time in airplane?
A small, perceptible smirk formed on his face, his face looked away thinking something almost to himself.
"Not airport. I have my own private jet. Congratulations on experiencing your first time flight solely with me."
She squinted her eyes at his jab and mumbled to herself.
"Congrats, my foot. I'd be blessed if my flight goes peacefully."
Vivaan tilted his head lightly. Amused. Usually, people would be thrilled at an hour with him, women would be fawning over him to have his precious time. But here was the chaos who managed to disrupt his existence and act as nonchalant as if being with him was no less than trouble.
It should have offended him.
But in a strange way, it pleased him.
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After the packing, Kruthi and Vivaan informed Dadi, Badi Dadi and Naina for their departure. At present they were sitting in the car, driving towards the location where Vivaan has secured his private jet.
"Why can't you keep the jet near mansion?" She asked him, breaking the thick air of silence in the car.
"Not enough area."
She nodded.
"How many snacks are there in the plane?"
He ducked his head towards a side before responding.
"Enough for your cravings."
She nodded again.
"How long will..."
"Kruthi, silence for a moment. We'll converse in the plane itself."
She pressed her lips in a thin line and nodded.
Soon, they reached the location of the private jet. It was near his company. And the company where Kruthi used to work as a manager for Mr.Rushaan Amogh.
The drivers helped them with the luggage before leaving from there.
"We are leaving for France, Kruthi."
He forwarded his hand to her hoping that she'll take it.
To depart with him, away from the chaos.
For a month...