Aryan's Lethal Obsession

Adah

When I woke up the next day, the other side of the bed was cold, and Aryan's familiar warmth was missing. I made my way to the kitchen after freshening up. How many days have I been living here?

I was still counting the days when my steps faltered seeing Aryan in the kitchen, and there was no sign of Matt or June. His back was towards me, stirring something on the stove.

"It's their anniversary. I gave them a day off to enjoy the nearby port," he said, startling me.

How did he know I came?

"And Osama?" I asked hesitantly. That mammoth was avoiding me like a plague, or was it just my illusion.

"He went out with them. I had my breakfast; yours is on the table," he still didn't turn around.

"Ok," a weak mumble, I said on my chair and ate without paying much attention to the food.

A steaming cup of tea came into view before I raised my head to see Aryan sitting across me with his cup.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"That's an awful lot of thanks coming from you," he replied.

"I can't thank you enough for saving my father, though."

A heavy silence fell between us, and I shifted in my chair, aware of his scrutinizing gaze.

"Why do you love your father?" his question made my hand stop mid-air.

"I don't know," I wanted to say everyone loves their father, but I remember what he said last time.

"Maybe because he protected me, cared for me, and treated me as if I'm his world," I answered genuinely.

How can anyone answer why they love their parents? We just do.

I kept my eyes on my food instead of locking them with his, knowing well they would be swirling with intense emotions.

"If someone does the same, will you love that person too?" His next question caught me off guard.

I raised my eyes in bafflement. I was speechless for a long time, but looking at him waiting expectantly, I murmured, "I don't know. I've never thought about it."

He leaned forward before arresting me with his gaze, "What do you want in life, Adah?"

"I want my parents to be happy," and that was nothing but the truth.

"Will you go to any extent to make them happy?" he asked to which my reply came instantly, "Yes. My happiness resides in theirs."

I expected him to probe more, but instead, he finished his tea and excused himself to his study. I sat there contemplating what had just happened between us. Although I'm embarrassed to face Aryan after what happened at the pond, I couldn't be more grateful to him for his restraint. I don't know if he slept in the study again last night, and I feel awful about the same.

I sat there for a long time before what Aryan said earlier rang in my ears.

Matt and June's anniversary!

It was thanks to the couple that my stay here was comfortable. If not for Matt easing me in the initial days of the week, I don't know how I would have come out of the room only. June treated me like her own and bestowed me with so much love that sometimes she didn't feel like a stranger to me.

After this month, I don't know if I ever be able to meet them again, and that very thought made up my mind. Even if it means approaching Aryan, I will execute my plan to celebrate Matt and June's special moment.

Hesitantly I stood out his study, contemplating how to proceed. Sucking a inhale, I knocked and waited until I heard his voice to come in. I kept my eyes trained on the floor while walking towards the desk, aware of his complete attention on my smallest move.