The Darker Side

Chapter-14

After everyone was done with their food Ashkira went on to collect the dishes one by one from everyone and when the time came to take it from Ashwin, she saw her dad was constantly staring at his dish but his mind was somewhere else. He looked tensed.
"Dad are you done? Can I take it?"
Ashkira bent down a little to ask him.

Ashwin didn't say anything he just noded and when she bent further to take his dish trying to balance rest of the dishes with her another hand, she saw that her dad's eyes were filled with tears, tears of hopelessness, guilt. She could see how hopeless her father face looked.
When Ashkira took his plate and was about to leave Ashwin called her in a low voice,"Ashu!"
"Yes Pa."
"Sorry! I hope you will forgive me one day." Trying hard to bring his words from epiglottis to his mouth.

She wanted to ask,"Why are you sorry Papa? What have you done that you are doubting your Ashu that after knowing the truth she will find it hard to forgive you." But she decided to keep quiet for the moment. Mary called her for the dishes so without replying Ashwin she went back to kitchen.

After Mary and Ashkira washed off the utensils they went to the drawing room to join them. Everyone was sitting on their places but none of them took the initiative to speak which made Ashkira impatient, she was moving her eyeballs from Sameer to her mum and then to her dad trying to read their expressionless faces and the next moment she stood up urgently making a loud noise from her feet to get everyone's attention.

"You know what I don't want to know anything about the love triangle. I'm so done with you people. In one day..in one day, I see my mom in someone's else arm, someone else is caressing my mum but my dad is totally fine with it. And all of a sudden my dad becomes Rowdy making my sweet home into a wrestling ring."

Sameer interrupted her by clearing his throat in order to say something but Ashkira didn't give him a chance to speak. She points on him," You spoiler not a single word from you and by tomorrow morning I want you to be out my house."

"Ashkira!" Her mum calls her

"What? Felt bad? Do one thing you are allowed to go with him Maa."

" Ashu!" Her mum calls her again

"Yes! And one more thing I'll be leaving next week." Ashu announces

"But, but your college is going to start from last week of January and this is December. And no one would be in your hostel." Her mum trying to clear out.

"Yes! Thank God atleast you are aware of something. But I don't want to stay. I will go to Shweta's house or Nibidita or anyone's house but not here." Ashkira says in a irritated manner.

"Stay with me till New year Eve." Her dad says in a disappointment.

She gives her a dad narrow look which indicates that she is glued with her decision and heads towards her room without saying anything.