First Impressions

Chapter-12

Later at night, Saasha goes to her Dad who is sitting alone in lawn lost in some deep thoughts. She gives him tea, he smiles at her and gestures her to sit beside him. She smiles.

After few minutes of silence she says
"Dad, I feel you shouldn't think about this matter much. Let's ask Ashu, how does she feel, Whether she is willing to go with them or not.. Don't you think she has the right to take decisions in her life"

"Hmmm.. I understand Saasha but I'm just worried about her. You know she is so innocent and sensitive. Your mother never allowed her to face this world, she was always been pushed to some fantasy world where nothing except happiness was present"
He looks at her "May be if you were in her place, I wouldn't have bothered so much. I know you would handle anything including pain in life.. But she is like a child. I can't see her crying"
Saasha taps his hand

"Dad, think it in a positive way. I'm sure Vikram is in love with Ashu. Even if he isn't, then this could be the better opportunity for her to gain more confidence.. Yes, she'll have a heartbreak and she may cry for few weeks.. But, then she'll learn to come out of the situation and face the real world. I think we should give her a chance".

"May be you're right honey. I'll let her go, only if she agrees" He nods and smiles.

Saasha and Amar knocks Ashu's door.
"Saasha?" they hear her voice
"Yeah! Even Amar is with me" Saasha replies
"Give me 2 minutes"
"OK"

She opens the door after 2 minutes and smiles at them drying her hair.

"Ashu, you know.. Why we're here.."
She nods

"So.. You like to visit his parents?" Amar asks

"Yes and No. I'm confused" she hits her head

"because of mom and dad?"

"Hmmm. I don't want to be the reason for their arguments"

"You're not honey" her dad enters

"Dad.."

He gestures her to stop
"I and your mom are concerned for you.. So, it all happened. We didn't even ask what you wanted and argued like fools"

She looks down.
"Tell me? You want to go?" she doesn't reply and just looks at him. He adds "if it's a yes, then I won't object"

She nods her head. "Dad.. I really Love him and I feel the same from him. He wants me to meet his parents, how can I deny that?"

"Hmm"

"Dad, only if you agree whole heartedly"

"Ashu.. I'll never agree whole heartedly until I'm sure. But as you wish to go, I'll not deny it. As a father, it's my responsibility to take care of you and even to fulfil your wishes." he caresses her hair.

She hugs him.
They wishes goodnight and everyone disperses to their rooms except Saasha whom Ashu asked to stay back.

" Saasha... I'm scared to meet them. What if they don't like me? or if they think I'm imperfect to be their DIL??"

"Then, I say no one would be more stupid than them to loose you" Ashu smiles

"They'll definitely like you. You are Saasha's sister, never forget that" she winks at her

Ashu laughs and they continues their casual talks until they fall asleep.

Saasha goes for a morning walk to get some fresh air.
"Good morning Pretty Lady" she blushes and turns around to find the person she expected

"Good morning Raj"

"May I have the honour to join you?"  he asks in a dramatic way
She snaps his hand saying "Sure. I would love to"

He starts flirting with her, to which she blushes. He goes to get water when she bumps into Ashmith. He is surprised seeing her.

"Hey.. Good morning" he smiles widely
She turns back confused and finds him.

"Oh!! Mr. Pride" she says slowly

"What?" he asks shocked

She stares at him, "Erm nothing, Good morning"

"came for a walk?"

"No, I came to clean the roads" she replies and he checks the road

"But, the roads are already cleaned" he shrugs

She hits her forehead "Of course, I came for a walk. Who will ask such stupid questions?"

He laughs "Erm.. I know it was stupid. But I asked you as I never saw you here in the mornings"

"Oh! I don't come regularly. Today I needed some fresh air, so.."

"Hmm. As you are here. Can we walk together?" he finally asks and gulps down

"I think I'm not even the last choice for you to walk with ... You know I'm not beautiful and you can't..." he stops her by placing his palm on her lips, remembering his words from the party
"What I meant that day was.." she stops him

"No. No. Its not about that day. I truly feel, I don't deserve this" she shrugs

"Who said you? You are the only one who deserves to be by my side" he smiles while she raises her eyebrow. "I mean we can walk together, I have no issues.. If you don't"

"Even I don't have. My friend is with me. If you like, you may join us"

"Who?"

"Raj"

"What?" 

"Yeah My lady. I'm here" Raj replies thinking she called him.

Ashmith looks at him. Raj drops his water bottle. Ashmith leaves the place.

Saasha is confused seeing them

"Raj, if you don't mind.. Can you tell me what's going on between you both?"