Enchanted melody of our hearts

👀UNEXPECTED VISITORS-CHAPTER-19

Meera pov:

The blood drained from my face as I saw Appa standing there, arms folded like a barricade in my path. His familiar scowl deepened as he approached. "So, my dear daughter," he began, his voice a low rumble that sent a tremor through me. Panic clawed at my throat. Was he upset about Adrian? What if he didn't like him? The thought sent a wave of nausea washing over me. I stammered, desperately searching for the right words, "Appa, I can explain! I just wanted to..."

He cut me off mid-sentence, a familiar tactic. "How many times, Meera ma? Whenever you take your two-wheeler, you need to have either me or Naveen with you!"

I let out a frustrated sigh. "But Appa, you only told me that about the scooter, not the cycle!" Seriously, why were men so overprotective? Here I was, a grown woman, and Appa still treated me like a little kid. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adrian struggling to hold back a laugh. 

"Bicycle or bike, da!" Appa boomed, his voice echoing in the quiet street. "It doesn't matter! Your safety is what matters most!" His tone softened slightly as he turned to Adrian. "Thank goodness Adrian was with you today. It's much safer with two people on the road, wouldn't you agree?"

"Han," Adrian replied, his smile widening. "Mr. Kumaran, the pleasure was all mine, how are you doing? " Appa chuckled a warm sound. "I'm doing well, young man, thank you for asking." Then, with a flourish that surprised even me, Appa extended an invitation. "By the way, Adrian, join us for dinner tomorrow night? I already invited your grandmother, and I expecting you"

"Sure, Mr. Kumaran," Adrian agreed, offering a small smile. "Thank you for the invitation."

As Appa continued to chat with Adrian, I stood there stunned. My overprotective father, the one who worried about my every move, was inviting Adrian to dinner. And Adrian, the usually stoic Adrian, was actually accepting?

Finally, it was time for Adrian to leave. He turned to my father, said his goodbyes, and then winked at me – a playful, knowing wink that sent a shiver down my spine. As he walked away, I couldn't help but grin.

Me and appa went inside and Appa plopped down on the couch beside me, letting out a dramatic sigh. "So, princess," he rumbled, his voice thick with mock exhaustion, "how was your day?"

 I launched into the day's events at school, peppering him with details about classes and friends.

When I finished, I playfully mirrored his sigh. "So, Appa, how was your day ruling the kingdom?"

He feigned a deep frown. "Ah, your mother! Torturing me with orders to rest all day. Honestly, Meera, an energetic man like me can only take so much relaxation!"

Despite his grumbling, I knew better. Appa was a walking whirlwind of energy, throwing himself into every task with enthusiasm. Seeing him play the part of a weary was both amusing and a little worrying.

I scooted closer and pinched his cheek, a playful gesture I'd used since I was a kid. "Aww, daddy, you know it's for your own good. Don't be such a child and listen to what Mom says." A mischievous glint entered my eye. "Besides, who's the real boss in this house?"

Appa widened his eyes in mock fear. "Of course, it's Mrs. Anjali Kumaran!" he declared, raising his hands in surrender.

The sound of our laughter echoed through the room, a melody I hadn't heard in a long time. It felt like forever since I'd been able to share such carefree joy with Appa. Dinner that night was a delightful affair. But the real surprise came the next day when Appa announced his grand plan – a dinner party! Not just for Adrian, but for everyone! He'd invited Dahlia and Elena, my closest friends, and even Adrian's buddies, Luis and Diego. Granny Evelyn was coming too, of course.