𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 [𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡]

ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ 105

"There are two major topics that I want to discuss with you," he raised his index and middle finger gesturing the number two, "and I would prefer if you listen and follow through immediately."

Immediately? It must be important then. Alia nodded with a small gulp, urging the man to continue talking.

"Number one," her Father-in-law began, "I would like you to acknowledge the fact that Laksha and I are your parent in laws by calling us by the respective names."

"What?" She frowned.

"Mumma-papa, mom-dad, mummy-baba," he waved his hand in nonchalance, "I do not care how you mean to address but make sure it's in a language I know."

What? "You," she pointed at him but awkwardly put her finger down, "you just want that?'

"Yes," Siddharth deadpanned. "Your mother in law, my wife has been quite upset about your lack of proper addressing us. One thing she wanted was to gain a daughter and you have been giving us anything but that."

Shit, she did not care much about anyone in the house except for a few people and Laksha was after Armaan and her brother.

"I did not know," she blurted out in a hurry, "I had no idea that it was upsetting her. Otherwise I would have done it long ago."

"I understand that." Siddharth smiled slightly before he returned to his grim looking expression. "Now comes the second part, Alia no matter what you will not leave the house without informing anyone of us and if none of us are available, you will inform the butler."

She did not have a chance to intervene because he continued, "I hope that your parents or anyone in your family taught you informing at least one person before going outside the house given the conditions of the country and thoughts of men," he spat in disgust before shaking his head to himself.

"I do you understand that the society has gone more modern but I would appreciate if you continue to talk with the staff while having a respectful distance in between. Clear?"

"What?" She exclaimed at the last part. When had she done that?

Siddharth sighed before pinching his nose, "listen to me child, you do not know how the world works. So how about you let me handle it and just you as I say? That is the very least I'm asking with you."

Very least was alright, but when did she cross her limits and step into someone's personal space?

"Also," he snapped his fingers, "next time when if one of the servants tell you that they have a command that cannot be overridden, you stop. Alright?"

It was something about his expressions that made her nod in acceptance almost immediately.

Just similar stony expression but the wrinkles and grimness only adding to it. He definitely look like the older version of Armaan but someone that would not stop as her husband would. 

"Alright then," he nodded and a small smile crept to his face, "I believe you have a lot of things to do."

Did she?

Nevertheless, she left his office and headed for the kitchen. Ice-cream would do her good at the moment.

On entering the kitchen, she found laksha there, standing near the stove and cooking something.

"Wha—" the smell of the dish wafted into her nose and she grinned, "really? Mong dal ka halwa?"

"Hmmm," Laksha gave one last stir before pulling out the table spoon, "yes, i thought of making it—"

"When I leaving?!" Jagriti shrieked and walked in quietly quickly than expected.  Nearing laksha, the women raised her stick and was about to hit Laksha's behind when Alia pulled the stick away from her.

"What are you doing?" Alia asked incredulously. She still had the other end of the stick in her hand while the handle was still in Jagriti's.

Jagriti scowled. "Hitting her, why?"

"You tell me, why?"

Jagriti's glare turned to laksha. "You choose to cook it today when you knew I was leaving. Celebrating quiet soon, aren't you?"

"No," Laksha sighed, "Alia had a bad day."

"This one always has a bad day, so there is nothing new to it." Jagriti clicked her tongue. "What more do you have an excuse?"

"Hey!" Alia protested, "that's not true!"

"Uh huh," Jagriti ignored her and focused on her daughter in law. "Pack it all up. I am taking it with me."

"What?" Alia gasped. "But she is making it for me!"

"Don't care."

"You should," Alia replied. "You should careful. You are old and you must have diabetes!"

"You will have diabetes before you have wrinkles your face by the way you eat!" Jagriti snapped back. "You are here for an ice cream, aren't you?"

Damn her to hell if she agreed.

"No," Alia replied, her voice clipped and utterly defensive.

"Sure, hm," the grandmother looked away, "want some salad then?"

"Ew, no." Alia srunched up her face. "What— Why do you want to eat so much of sweets? Do you want your teeth to rot?"

Jagriti scoffed, "Asif I have any teeth left. Don't be concerned about me kid, I hardly have much time left."

Alia didn't even bother to reply or say anything else to contradict her words. The old women hardly had any time left and Alia was not going to Jinx it.

Her eyes moved to the clock and it was fifteen minutes past five in the evening. She had no idea where the time had gone and how quickly too.

If he was not working late and it meant Armaan was going to be here soon maybe he was already here. She sighed before squaring her shoulders and straightening up. There was something she had to do.