Mysterious Oberoi

12

I had spent the whole night staring at the white ceiling of the room while laying on the soft mattress. Sleep wasn't able to reach me. My mind was offered with flashes of Mr. Oberoi. It was getting difficult to wrap my mind from it. A yawn escaped from my mouth as I strolled out of the room, anticipating to meet the guard from last night, but sighed in relief at not finding any clue about him.

Though a fresh day had started but I was in need of rest. I walked downstairs to the restaurant. Diya was waiting for me to have breakfast. As I reached the location, my mood had a sudden shift upon finding Diya was having a conversation with Riddhi. She was like an angel in my life, pulling me away from the worries hovering around me. Suddenly, the notion of a wedding got into my mind.

I was so wrapped up in everything that I didn't have a conversation about the wedding with Mr. Oberoi. But I no longer considered it a safe option. He wasn't just a businessman there was much in his life and maybe Riddhi wasn't safe with him. I shook my head and walked towards them.

"Good morning, Angel." I greeted her taking a seat next to her.

She beamed in delight as she reached to wrap her hands around my elbow to pull me into a hug. "Good morning, Mumma..." She made me aware of a different side that I wasn't aware existed. A motherly side! Need I felt towards protecting her, saving her from all the evils even if it was to safeguard her from her father.

"What are you eating?" I glared at the plate before her and scowled at Diya. "You are spoiling the kid, Diya. Mornings aren't for junk food!" Diya was staring at me with an amused expression.

"I am not the one to blame, her nanny had ordered it." Diya defended herself but that amusing smile wasn't leaving her. I rolled my eyes at her, reaching for the menu book on the table. "Riddhi, you aren't going to eat it. Let's order something healthy for you."

"But Mumma, pizza is my favorite." Riddhi pouted, staring at the pizza with love. I was going to melt with her puppy orbs but I acted firm.

"Baby, it's not good for your health." I tried to reason out, "let's have something tasty as well as healthy, what say?" I attempted to cheer her up. "Something that we will call our dish?"

Riddhi's orbs sparkled with enthusiasm, she nodded her head vigorously in approval. Soon the waiter walked towards our table and we placed our orders. Riddhi was blabbering that how much she had enjoyed the previous day. She had spent the whole day along with the nanny, having a tour of the hill station. "You know, Mumma I missed you and Dada the whole day... I wanted you both with me on the train. The girl next to me was having so much fun with her parents."

Silence prevailed around us at that moment. Diya and I exchanged a look, a look that said we were raising her hope. Pretty soon, Riddhi would have to consider Anaya as her mother and she would be heartbroken but I wasn't able to must up the courage and tell her the truth. I couldn't hurt her!

"Why didn't you attend last night's event?" Diya inquired getting curious about the matter. Maybe it wasn't only me who had lots of doubts about Mr. Oberoi's life.

"Event?" Riddhi sounded confused, "I was so tired that Dada didn't want me to attend. Was it fun?" Her eyes again found me and I gave a slight nod. Soon the orders arrived and I got busy making Riddhi have her breakfast without spoiling her dress.

"Angel, keep the fork aside I will help you with it." I offered as I saw her trying hard to set the broccoli on the fork.

"No, dada says that I am old enough to have my food by myself." I groaned listening to Mr. Oberoi commanding his four-year daughter.

"He isn't aware that you shouldn't have junk food for breakfast but want you to eat by yourself." I rolled my eyes, "you should stop listening to that annoying father of yours." I grumbled while Riddhi stared at me with confusion written on her face. I could hear giggles escaping from Diya but I ignored her presence. "Let's allow you to be spoiled a little. I am going to make you eat your breakfast."