Dawn of Spring

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"It's good to see you after so long."

The chubby man, who looked to be in his late fifties, seemed almost to flaunt himself at them. That was Ahana's impression of him, anyway. He barely acknowledged the presence of her Papa and herself.

When the man opened his arms for a hug, that gesture was instantly aborted when Neal Arya gave him an icy stare. Instead, he awkwardly offered his hand for a handshake. It must have given him a good squeeze because the man's expression faded a moment before he recovered. Ahana noticed this despite her racing heartbeat.

"Hey, Ahana!"

"Hi," she mumbled in a small voice, feeling all eyes on her, her mother's curious gaze, and her Papa's narrowed glare.

She ducked her head further in embarrassment, avoiding their looks.

"I hope you had good... err, three months since I last saw you." He smiled politely, unaffected by the observing gazes on them.

"This is Mohit. He was my senior in college." Ahana shook her head slightly, licking her lips, still avoiding the looks her parents were throwing.

'It's not my fault, you know,' the inside of her mind yelled.

Every step towards the house made her stomach twist into a tighter knot. Nervously, she clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to give off the appearance of calmness. She had to remain composed. Though she was almost over the heartache he unknowingly caused, if her Papa knew who this visitor was, he would surely come down harshly on him. On top of all that embarrassment she felt, she discovered that the guy she had a huge crush on and the one who sister-zoned her was none other than the son of her mother's ex-admirer. Who could have guessed it?

Speak of the small world.

"So Mita and-"

"Neal," Her Papa was not even attempting to hide the scowl off his face.

"Really?" The guest smirked and peeked at his son to confirm his doubt, leaving the rest of them bewildered. "What is it that you young couples do nowadays? Merge names? What would that make you? Mita and Neal? Meal?"

The man laughed out loud at his joke.

Mohit widened his eyes at the reaction but otherwise stayed quiet. He is certainly more mature. Ahana thought inwardly.

Recomposing himself and unaware of the glowering stare at him, Mohit's father asked, "No offense, Mita!"

Ahana did not fail to notice how casually he ignored the presence of her father and herself once again. She sat there stiffly, well aware of the shift in the atmosphere.

"So, how have you been?"

"Good." Her mother spoke sincerely, dismissing the joke. "I am very happily married."

Her Papa nodded proudly, jutting his chin out and pulling his wife's chair closer to his.

Ahana stared at the trio awkwardly, frowning a bit. Why can't anybody act their age?

Neither wanting to hear their conversation nor willing to stay at the same place with Mohit, Ahana shifted nervously on her seat. For all she knew, she was desperately wishing for her best friend by her side. However, she was miles away, and abandoning the table would only show the height of impoliteness.

"If you guys don't mind, can we both head out? You can all continue your conversation. Catch up with old times and all." Mohit offered. Ahana jerked her head around so fast it almost sounded like the muscles in her neck had made a clicking noise.