Himani was very happy. She was going on her first solo trip. Her parents and elder brother have always guarded like a precious treasure and she wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone.

But this time, she has managed to convince her brother. More than her father, he behaved like one.

“Raat ko bahar mat nikalna. Eat food at the hotel only. Maine with breakfast, lunch and dinner book krwaya hai. Bahar ka khaana pata nhi sahi quality ka hoga ya nhi. Don't talk to strangers if not required. Waha ek travelling agency hai, unka number de raha hu. Kahi bhi jaana ho, call a cab from the agency…”

(Don’t go out at night. Eat food at the hotel only. I have booked breakfast, lunch and dinner. We don’t know what quality food will be there outside. Don’t talk to strangers if not required. There is a travel agency there, I am giving you the number. Wherever you want to go, call a cab from the agency…)

The instructions went on for about 15 minutes. See! This was what she was talking about. Her brother, sorry scratch that! Her self-proclaimed father was just too protective of her.

God save the man she ever falls in love with.

“Bhaiya! Ab chale? Late ho jaaungi mai. Flight miss ho jaayegi.”

(Can we leave now? I will be late. I will miss my flight.)

Himani whined and pleaded with her brother, who still looked sceptical about sending her alone.

“Ek bodyguard bhej du saath mai papa? Safe rahegi.”

(Should I send a bodyguard along papa? She will be safe.)

“Nhi! Mai nhi jaaungi!”

(No! I will not go!)

“Ye toh aur bhi achha hai.”

(This is even better.)

“Bhaiya! Papa dekho na! Aapne promise kia tha.”

(Papa look at him! You promised.)

She was indeed promised a solo trip before her marriage. Not that she was engaged or something, but coming back home, her parents would start looking for suitable alliances.

“Rihaan! Bas kr ab! Let her go and let her enjoy it!”

(Stop it now!)

Her mother quipped because her brother and father shared the same brain cells and if it was in their control, they would keep her hidden from the world.

Her brother sighed and nodded.

“Fine! But she'll call in every two hours so that I can make sure she's fine.”

“Stop it Rihaan! Jang ladne nhi jaa rhi hai wo. Na wo tujhe call kregi, na tu usse. Jo baat hogi mujhse hogi. Tum dono baap beta meri beti ko pagal kr doge warna.”

(She is not going to fight a battle. Neither will she call you, nor will you. Whatever talk will happen will happen with me. You both father son will make my daughter crazy.)

Himani grinned wide and hugged her mother. She kissed her cheek and squeezed her father and brother in her arms playfully before rushing out towards the car before they could start another lecture session.

Rihaan took a deep breath and left the bag he was holding in his hands. He was still very reluctant to send her alone. They had an age gap of 7 years and he had always been very protective of her.

“Bhaiya! Bag chhodo na!”

(Leave my bag!)

“Mai abhi bhi ek bodyguard arrange kr skta hu…”

(I can still arrange a bodyguard…)

“Mai na bhabhi se aapki complaint lagaungi. Bag chhodo mera!”

(I will complain about you to Bhabhi. Leave my bag!)

She scolded and snatched her bag from him.  He opened his mouth to counter but her phone rang. A wide smile formed on her face and she showed him the id. A smile formed on his too.

“Hello bhabhi!”

She greeted excitedly. Her Ahana bhabhi was super cool and she was the only one after her mother who could control Rihaan.

“Hello baby! Pahuch gye airport?”

(Reached the airport?)

“Haan bhabhi, just abhi. Lekin bhai ko dekho na, he's being weird again.”

(Yes Bhabhi, just now. But look at bhai.)

She pouted and eyed her brother in annoyance.

“I'll deal with him, tum apni trip enjoy kro. Don't worry about him. And get me what I asked for.”

(You enjoy your trip.)

She teased and Himani grinned wide.

“Aye aye captain!”

She disconnected the call and Rihaan cleared his throat.

“Kya zarurat thi usse ye bolne ki? Maine kuch kaha thodi na hai tujhe. Jaa rhi hai na.”

(What was the need to tell her? I am not saying anything to you. You are going.)

“Huh! Seedha seedha bolo na bhabhi se darte ho.”

(Say it directly that you are scared of Bhabhi.)

Himani pursed her lips to control her giggles making Rihaan roll his eyes.

“Kya mangwaya hai? Mai hi laa deta.”

(What did she ask for? I would have got it.)

He mumbled the last sentence and Himani got an idea.

“Aap nhi laa paate jo mangwaya hai.”

(You couldn’t have got what she asked for.)

“Achha? Aisa kya hai?”

(Really? What is it?)

He challenged and she shrugged.

“Ek hot ladka ka number mangwaya hai.”

(She asked for the number of a hot man.)

“What?!”

He exclaimed in shock and looked at her wide eyed.

“Haan. Ab bhabhi ki ki bachelor's hogi toh strippers chahiyenge na. Isliye.”

(Yes. Now Bhabhi will have her bachelor’s so she will require strippers. That’s why.)

“Himani! You're not getting her any such thing aur Ahana se toh mai baat krta hu. What is she even thinking about?”

(I will talk to Ahana.)

She clutched her bag tightly, ready to flight and quickly spoke.

“Mai mazak kr rhi thi! Bye!”

(I will joking!)

With that she ran towards the checking area while waving at him.

As soon as she landed at Bali’s airport, she took a deep breath. Finally, she was on her own.

She quickly called her mother to inform her that she had landed safely and was proceeding towards her hotel.

“Apni location on kr Himani. I can't see you here.”

(Switch on your location, Himani.)

She heard her brother's voice over the call and rolled her eyes. Her brother had her location with him all the time and kept checking it from time to time.

“I'm not doing any such thing. Mai aapko update kr rhi hu na khud. Aap bhabhi ko tang kro na.”

(I am updating you myself. You annoy Bhabhi.)

Rihaan started to say something but her mother stopped him and blinked her eyes in reassurance.

“Thik hai wo. And I know you. Koi toh bheja hai tune uske peeche. Tu itni asaani se usse akele jaane de, ye possible hi nhi hai.”

(She is fine. And I know you. You have sent someone behind her. You are not going to let her go alone so easily.)

Rihaan looked away embarrassed at being caught and left the place. His mother was right.

He did send a bodyguard who would keep following her shadows. He just needed to know that she was safe at all times.

He would never make the same mistake he made as a child.

Himani was roaming around the city with a big grin on her face. Everything felt so different when she was alone. Free. Nobody's looming presence around her.

It was not like she didn't love her brother. But sometimes, his protective streak got too much for her to bear.

She was still surprised that he allowed her to come here alone. And even more surprised that he wasn't calling or messaging her every few minutes.

She suddenly stopped as if realising something and turned sharply. She narrowed her eyes and moved her gaze around. Did he send someone behind her?

She tried to see someone suspicious but found no one. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Maybe her brother had genuinely agreed to send her alone.