𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 [𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡]

ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ 87

"What?" Siddharth muttered and his eyes turned to Alia. "Why did you know tell us when you first came here?"

"Uh. ." Alia gaped at him. However she supposed to tell it to him that she had not planned on telling them anything.

"She must be waiting for Arman!" Laksha sequealed soflty. " She did not want to give us the news just by herself. Of course the both of them had to be present."

Jagriti's eyebrows had gained height by the unexpected news that she had received. "Well, that is likely an expected," she shook her head and huge smile came to her face, "I can't believe it."

Alia gave a her weary smile. What now?

Jagriti grinned. "I am going to have a granddaughter in-law."

"When did you decide?" Siddharth turned to them.

"He proposed at the hospital." Alia contributed to the situation. "I said yes."

Siddharth nodded and even his eyes twinkled in delight. "Not the ideal location but I think we could make do with it." He laughed slightly. "Not at all, I can not believe it. What made you propose Alia in a hospital?"

Alia smiled too. Siddharth's hand covered Laksha's. He was smiling very much and perhaps it was the first time she had seen him smile so much after casper.

The dinner was a happy event. Before any one of them could get back to eating Siddharth ordered a cake for celebration.

Alia laughed and smiled with everyone birthday was this feeling in her mind that made it all seem cagey to her.

She felt cornered slightly.

********

She woke up early. She had to start early for this too. She had the newspaper in her hand along with a highlighter and a red pen.

"No. ." She muttered as she read the opportunities. None of the suited her. The line of field that she had gone in was selective.

The next one had to less of a pay scale and early and knew her worth especially when she was no longer a fresher. Casper was on her lap.

"What are you doing?" Alia heard Siddharth who stood beside the couch next to the one she was sitting on. Siddharth then moved around the couch and sat there.

"Um . ." She folded the newspaper and gave him her full attention respectfully. "I was looking for the listings of jobs." She pointed to the newspaper.

Siddharth frowned, "Jobs? Why in the world are you looking for those?"

Alia was slightly taken aback. How could he out of all not know why. "Um, I need to find one to pay the bills. I can't stay here forever and be unemployed."

That had a shift in the air. Siddharth's eyes changed. Alia didn't know how but she could notice the change in the air.

"Alia," she gulped slightly, "you are going to be living here forever, as the daughter-in-law. You must remember that." Siddharth said.

He paused for a few seconds. His mind worked up with a few calculations. "Also, you want to have a job? Would be able to do that when you brother is going to be recovering?"

She blinked in shock. She had completely forgotten about that! Shaan would be recovering and she would have to oversee it even if there was a trained nurse with him.

"You forgot about it, did you not?" He accused.

"I. ." Alia stammered.

Siddharth sighed and shook his head slightly. "I understand that you are overwhelmed child. Anyone would be, with the given conditions but you have help. You have to appreciate that."

"I do." Alia told him immediately. "I live that u have your support but—" I can't keep on living here forever. . . She had stopped herself just in time.

Of course she was going to love here. Forever might be the best word for this too. She was going to be married into this house and family.

". . Alia?" Siddharth's concerned vocie made her jerk out of her thoughts.

"I Mean," she cleared her throat, "I have to get a job to pay the money back. I know that too much has been spent and—"

"Do not worry about money or paying it back." Siddharth waved it off. "I do not car about that."

"But it's in lakhs!"

"So?" He merely muttered the word. "I do not care. What I care for is how you are faring. Concentrate on your brother and wedding first, then on something else, understood?"

Alia felt intimidated under his penetrating eyes. He was clearly Armaan's father. She nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Good," he held his hand out, "now hurry, I have to take Casper out on a walk."

Casper's head snapped up immediately. His ears stood up. He was ready.

******

"What do you think so this?" Jagriti held out a necklace in front of her. "I think on sangeet it would be good."

Alia had tuned her out. The entire bed was filled with jewellery ans she could tell that all of this was real, very real. She felt afraid to touch it.

"Where did you get this from?" Alia asked no one in particular. No shopkeeper would give them all of his sets. But then again, these people were filthy Rich.

"What?" Jagriti exclaimed, almost in disbelief. "This is ours. We own it." She pointed to the bed. "This is what I keep with me. The rest is in bank."

Alia now watched everything with wide eyes. How fucking Rich was this family?!  What had she gotten herself into?!