My Angel in Disguise

Chapter 16

Day 5:

Today Raj’s mom had invited us to dinner. Every morning I used to call my mom and tell her about the previous day’s events. Mom used to always tell me that she was going crazy having the home all to herself. I felt so sorry for her. I also pitched in an idea of a family trip since it was a long time that we had gone anywhere as a family.

Suraj used to call me in alternate days. He said that his inplant training was very interesting and it kept him busy. So I used to keep the calls short.

Vihaan and Ruhi wanted to spend a day alone. So Vihaan came to pick her up by 8 in the morn. I had just woken up.

Ruhi was getting dressed.

“Is it not too early for you?”, I enquired.

I was walking in my pajamas and directly went to drink coffee after brushing.

“Well, today is the last day I can spend quality time with Vihaan. After this, I can go out with him only after a month”, she replied.

She looked so pretty. She had a lengthy hair which was straight and silky which she had let  open. She had curves in the right places which could make any guy drool. She wore a simple tee and a pair of black jeans. She could bring sexy in simplicity. She wore an eyeliner which highlighted her eyes.

“Vihaan has a bomb of a girlfriend”, I said.

“Thanks babe!”, she said winking.

Just then the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it”, I ran towards the door.

A towering figure of Vihaan stood before me. He wore a white t-shirt with a black jacket on top and blue jeans. His hair had a messy look to it which made him look hot.

“Hi Ridhz!”, he greeted me with a smile. His dimples were shown clearly which made him look cute.

“Hey!”, I said as I tip toed and pinched his cheeks.

“Arghh! Don’t do that”, he exclaimed.

“Where is Ruhi? Is she ready yet.. Or as usual is she … Oh my god!”, he was cut by Ruhi making her entrance.

“How do I look?”, she asked him

“Ravishing as ever!”, he said as he took her hands and kissed it. This made her blush.

“Ok , you two! Please get out”, I said pushing them out of the door.

“Bye Ridhz!”, they said together.

“Bye!”, I said and closed the door.

I prepared a toast for myself. As soon as finished my breakfast, someone knocked the door.

I opened the door to find Raj with ice cream and chocolates.

I snatched them from him and proceeded to the refrigerator.

“Hi to you too!”, he said rolling his eyes.

I stuck my tongue at him.

“So since we are left alone with each other, what should we do?”, I asked.

“Let’s watch some movies”, he said.

He opened a closet , which to my astonishment, contained hundreds of cds.

“Why didn’t I notice this before?”, as I looked at the closet with a shocked expression.

“Cause.. you are a lazy ass who doesn’t explore the house”, he said with a playful smile.”So you want to watch a horror movie or you want to watch some chick flick?”

“I hate chick flick. “, I said with a disgusted face.

“Horror it is then!”, said an amused Raj.

We ended up watch three back to back horror movies. We used just make fun of the gullible girls in the movie and the main ghost who looked ridiculous.

In the evening , we each took a bowl of ice cream and sat in the garden looking at the sunset. God it was so beautiful.

“So. Can I ask you something?”, I asked.

Raj’s Pov

Even in simple t-shirt and pajama she looked so pretty. Her medium length raven black hair was tied up in a messy pony tail.

She turns her hazel eyes at me and asks,”Can I ask you something?”

I smile and reply,”Anything.”

“Why is your dad so rude to you?”, she enquires.

I closed my eyes and remember all the mean and hurtful words he spoke to me throughout my life. As I opened my eyes, I saw a worried look on her face.

“Since my birth, my parents have made it sure  that I get all the best things in the world. But everything comes with a price. As I was the only son, they expected me to ace in everything. During my school days, it was easy for me to score marks and make them happy in the beginning but as I reached my middle school, they transferred me to a boarding school so that I become independent in life. Initially I refused,but my dad said, ”Khandelwals are brave and independent people. You should learn to be one too”.

“Well, I can become one even if I still stay here with you guys!”, I said.

“Raghavendra ! please listen to the boy once”, my mom said

“Radhika! Boys in my family go to boarding school as soon as they reach middle school. I went, my dad went, grandfather went too. Raj has to go.”

“But dad…”, tears started to roll out.

“I never knew that you were a scared little kitten raj. Please grow some courage in you”, saying this he stormed out.

I wiped my tears. My mom came to comfort me but I said, ”Mom! I will prove to dad that I am worthy of being a Khandelwal”.

“From then on, I did everything that I could to please my dad but nothing I did was enough for him.He always wanted me to be a ruthless businessman like him.I finally decided to put my foot down on the day when I decided which college to join. My dad wanted me to go to the top college through management but I wanted to join IDE since I got it on my own”.

“IDE comes in the top 5 colleges in India!”, she exclaimed.

“I know”, I replied,” But that wasn’t enough for my dad. So after lots of heated discussions and my mom’s help, I joined IDE. From then on, I do whatever I want to and not care what my dad wants”.

Riddhima looked at me with appreciation, a way in which no one has ever looked. She then held my hands and placed her head on my shoulder.

“I am so proud of you. People need guts to do what you did”, she said.

I felt so worthy after listening to her words. It increased my self confidence.

After a while , I reminded her,”Please get ready for the dinner. It is is an hour. And please take bath ,cause you stink”.

“You are an asshole, you know that?”, she said getting up and going inside the guest house.

I stayed in the garden for a while. It was hard remembering all the harsh words said by my father. It was like reopening an old wound. I had told no one about my past, not even Vihaan. I don’t know why Riddhima had this effect on me. The words that she said seemed to erase all the pain that I felt throughout my childhood. She was like a pain killer. Being with her made all my sorrows disappear. I become carefree and enjoy.

I guess I am falling for Riddhima Khanna.