The Man of my Life

Chapter 15

Naina reached Singhaniya Mansion and saw Arjun and Aditi sitting and talking to Radhika and Arvind. She felt a surge of happiness and excitement. She ran towards Arjun and hugged him tightly. She said, "Papa, I missed you so much. I'm so happy to see you."

Arjun said, "I missed you too baccha. You look so beautiful and radiant. I'm so proud of you." He kissed her forehead and smiled. Reyansh said, "Chachi, I will change and come." He said it in a polite but distant tone.

Radhika nodded and said, "Okay beta, take your time. We'll wait for you." Reyansh went towards his room and changed into a T-shirt and track pants. He felt more comfortable and relaxed. He came down and sat next to Naina and put his arm around her waist. He did it as a gesture of fake affection. He wanted to avoid any suspicion or questions.

Arjun said, "Ansh, Naina, today you will come to our house and stay there for a week. That's the ritual." He said it with enthusiasm and hope. He wanted to spend some quality time with his daughter and son-in-law. He wanted to make them feel at home and pamper them.

Reyansh was shocked and so was Naina. He said, "I am sorry uncle, but I have office and so does Naina. We cannot skip it." He said it with regret and frustration. He didn't want to go to their house and stay there for a week. He didn't want to leave his comfort zone and his routine.

Naina was cursing him in her mind as he was not ready to come with her which meant cancel of plans and she could not spend some time with her parents. She wanted to go to their house and stay there for a week. She wanted to be with her papa and mama and feel their love and care. She wanted to have some fun and laughter with them. She wanted to forget about her problems and worries for a while.

Riya said, "Chote, you can go to office from there only. Please chote." She said it with a pleading and convincing tone. She wanted Reyansh to agree to go to their house and stay there for a week.

Reyansh could not disagree to his di's words. He nodded and said, "Okay di. I will go. Naina come let's pack." He said it with a resigned and reluctant tone. He knew it would be a difficult and uncomfortable experience. He knew he would have to act and lie a lot.

Naina nodded and followed him. Naina said, "Thank you Reyansh, for agreeing." She said it with a grateful and hopeful tone. She thanked Reyansh for agreeing to go to their house and stay there for a week, even though he didn't want to.

Reyansh said, "I only agreed for di's sake." He said it with a cold and bitter tone.

Naina said, "I know Mr, but I have some eticates to thank someone. Now let's pack." She said it with a sarcastic and annoyed tone. She mocked Reyansh for his lack of manners and gratitude.

Naina packed her clothes and picked up her art supplies and laptop bag. She packed them quickly and neatly. She was excited and eager to go to her parents' house. She wanted to show them her work and share her ideas. She wanted to impress them and make them happy.

She went to the living room and said, "I am ready!" She said it with a cheerful and energetic tone. She announced that she was ready to go and showed her enthusiasm.

Reyansh came down with his suitcase and laptop bag and said, "Uncle, Aunty, you go in your car. I will bring mine because me and Naina will need to go to office." He said it with a practical and professional tone.

Aditi nodded and hugged Radhika and left towards their car. She said, "Okay beta, we'll see you there. Drive safely and take care of Naina." She said it with a loving and caring tone. 

Naina went behind Reyansh and sat next to him. She said, "Reyansh, please drive carefully. The roads are not good and there is a lot of traffic."

Reyansh said, "Tomorrow, we have a client meeting and you are presenting the presentation." He said it with a serious and authoritative tone. He wanted her to be prepared and confident. He wanted her to do a good job and impress the client.