Teenage Dream

Chapter 24 : Meeting dad

A few months later...

"You excited, Aiden?" asked Aru, smiling.

Aiden sighed, "Shah, how in the world am I going to impress your dad to the point he's going to let me date you?"

"That's exactly what I've been saying to Kara," said Rithik.

Apparently, the family was meeting both Aiden and Rithik on the same day so that they could get it over with.

Aiden found Rithik to be a good person who really enjoyed football. He had a skin tone similar to bronze and his eyes were a very dark brown, almost black. Rithik was the same age as Aiden, standing at around 5 '11-6' 0, meaning he was a bit shorter then Aiden, but you couldn't really tell.

"Oh, please," said Kara.

Aru rolled her eyes, "Our dad is so sweet. He'd never hurt a fly and he doesn't look it either-"

Aiden knew better than to trust Aru's words, but he did just this once.

And swore he would never do it again.

Suyodhana Shah was a big man, standing at around 6 '4, with skin that resembled dark amber, and heterochronic eyes in brown and blue, and he had a tuft of black hair that sat nicely on his head.

He was terrifying.

And judging by Rithik's face, he thought the same.

"Suyodhana, please don't keep them waiting!" exclaimed a woman from inside the house.

Out emerged Krithika Shah, dressed in a crisp scarlet vest and black wide-legged pants. Her glossy, curly hair fell down to her waist and she had arched, delicate eyebrows. Her honey-brown skin glowed in the evening sun and her eyes were warm.

Aiden noticed that Kara didn't look like Suyodhana at all, which made sense because Aru and Kara were only half-sisters with different dads. And, Kara and Krithika didn't look alike besides the skin tone and hair, but Aru took all the rest of her features, like her face shape, eyes, lips, and smile.

"Come in, please," said Krithika, smiling at the lot.

"Thanks for having us," said Aiden.

"No worries!" exclaimed Krithika. "It's so nice to see you again, Aiden. You've grown so much! Send my greetings and wishes to Malini."

Aiden smiled, "It's nice to see you too, aunty."

"How do you know him?" asked Suyodhana.

"Love, don't you remember? Aiden and his family lived in front of us for two years before they moved. Isn't that right?" said Krithika, looking at Aiden.

"That's where I recognise you from!" exclaimed Suyodhana, a bright smile on his face. "I remember you! You always took out the garbage and waved to me."

Aiden smiled awkwardly, "That's me,"

Suyodhana laughed and clapped him on the back, "How have you been, beta?"

"Dad," warned Aru.

Suyodhana stepped away and cleared his throat. "Right." he turned to Rithik. "Do I know you from somewhere too?"

"I don't think so," said Rithik.

"Please, take a seat," said Krithika, pointing at the couches.

Aiden, Aru, Rithik and Kara took a seat on the blue couch.

The Shah residence was humble and cozy. The walls were a cream colour, and the L shaped couch matched the "blue" theme of the living room. One of the walls was flooded with photos of the family and trophies.