AARZOO

Chapter 1

"LJSP party has won this election with record breaking votes. Analysts give the credit to Ranbir Raghuvanshi and his craze in the youth. At such a young age he has achieved a successful political career. He has proven himself as the son Simarjeet Raghuvanshi-"
Finally the reporter's annoying voice was cut off by mom switching off the TV.

"What happened Bina? It was an important news." Dad said, with an annoying look on his face. News was the one thing he loved the most. He wakes up, he watches news, he comes from work he watches news. Everything else comes later for him. If not my grandparents had stopped him, he would have become a politician himself.

I watched from the dining room as my mom said with folded hands, "Thapar sahab, zara politics se bahar aaye aur ghar me kya ho raha hai dekhiye."

(Mr. Thapar come out of politics and see what is happening in your house.)

Dad sighed and kept the remote away.

"Kya hua hai ab?" He asked folding his hands in front of his chest.

(What happened now?)

"It's 9:30 in the night. Your prince is yet to arrive." Mom said and her tone was enough to show her anger.

She was angry because my second oldest brother, Karan had not come home yet. He was participating in the college elections and that is why he was very busy these days. He would come late and go early. We hadn't even spoken properly since last week.

Mom was against his decision of contesting the election. She wanted him to focus only on his studies like my eldest brother and me. But Karan was the rebellious one. And dad was on his side this time. Ofcourse because of his interest in politics.

"It's the last few days of campaign Bina. Don't worry about him. He is an adult and he can take care of himself." Dad said, taking Karan's side.

"I am an adult too. And I can also take care of myself." I said, running towards my dad.

My mom narrowed her eyes at me while dad smiled.

"You young lady will always be our little girl." Dad said, caressing my hair.

I huffed and turned my face away from him.
"All my friends are coming to the college on their own. And you don't send me anywhere without a driver. I bet he is your informer."

Both mom and dad laughed at my words but it only annoyed me more.

My family was very protective of me. My dad was a businessman and Karan was in politics now. We weren't the safest family in the city. And that is why they had always kept me under their shell.

I went to an all girls school, in which my dad was one of the trustee. I had a home tutor so that I don't have to go out for tuition.

Going out with friends? Go with the driver.
Trip? Big no.
Friendship with boys? Hell no.

They had given me everything but with some conditions. I know they loved me and that is why all this protection. But sometimes I wish I could be like normal girls.

"Bacche we care for you. And now that you have finished your 12th standard you will get to go to any college you want. We won't be stopping you. Even if you choose a college in a different city we are always going to support you." Mom said, sitting beside dad while I stood in front of them.

"Wait what? Different city?" Dad asked mom with shock.

"Yes she can go to a different city too. We trust our daughter and I think she will be fine by herself." Mom said, surprising both dad and me. I thought she would be against me going away.