Destined To Be

Chapter 18

Aditi's POV

Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.

Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.

I groan as I turn to my stomach, on my bed, listening to my phone ringing on the side table. I open my eyes slowly and grab my phone.

Rose it read.

I quickly sit up on my knees and curse as I feel dizzy for sitting up too fast. I take in a deep breath and slide the green icon.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you?" I ask, my voice groggy.

"I'm fine.... I miss you." I hear her cute voice and my heart melts.

"I miss you too, Rose. I'll be coming back by tomorrow, sweetheart." I say as I rub my eyes with my other hand.

"Come soon!" she says happily and I smile.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to play with my Elsa and Anna. I'm going to give them breakfast." she says.

"That's good. Did you have breakfast?" I ask.

"Yes, I did. Uncle Ayaan gave me Frosties!" she exclaims, making me chuckle.

"Is grandpa there?" I ask, knowing that she wouldn't have been able to call me by herself and someone must have helped her.

"Yes, he is talking to some lady." she says in an absentminded tone.

"A lady?" I ask in confusion.

"Yes, she used to live with you and uncle Harry."

My heart stops. Used to live with me and Harry?

"What....Are you sure she used to live with us?" I ask again, my heart thumping hard in my chest.

"Yes." she replies in the same tone.

"Rose, give me the phone." I hear Ayaan's voice.

"Bye Aditi. Please come soon." she says, but I'm too numb to reply.

I hear shuffling on the other side of the phone and a second later Ayaan says, "Hi."

"Ayaan... Who is Pops talking to?" I ask in a rush. My breathing has become erratic. My palms starting to sweat.

"Uh.... Di..." I hear hesitance in his tone.

"Ayaan... Tell me. Who is it?" I ask more firmly this time.

"Aliya Di."

The phone slips out of my hands. My body going numb as it slouches down to my bottom.

This can't be happening. Why is Aliya at home? What is she doing here? Did Pops call her? She better not be here for the wedding.

"Hey, baby." I hear Harry's voice from behind me.

"Aditi, I'm so sorry... Please don't be mad. I have to leave to London. I had this important paper work that I had to sign for the tour this year and I completely forgot. Jeff's gonna have my ass if I don't get it signed on time. I'll have to go back to Mumbai though, I left some of the related paper work at your place. Need to collect them before I go." he talks quickly as I hear him scurry around the room.

My mind is too preoccupied. I can't believe Aliya is at home... Our home. And how could Pops let her? I feel like I've just been stabbed in the back by my own father.

"Hey? You okay?" I didn't even notice Harry sitting in front of me. His hands in my shoulders.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" he asks softly.