Seducing the professor

Chapter 11: Home sweet home

I knock on the front door, turning the knob to find it open. I pray that they don't create a scene in front of Mahir. I was a bit skeptical of what they would think of him but I love him and it's all that matters. Mom sits in the dining room, reading a book.

Aasha: Rita!!! Oh my God...my baby. How you doing? (She pulls me in a hug)

Ritasha: Hi mamma. I'm good and you?

Aasha: Now that you're here I feel so much better, sweety.

Ritasha: Mamma, this is Mahir.

Mahir: Hi aunty.

Aasha: Hey, handsome. Rita's boyfriend....?

Ritasha: Mamma!!

Mahir: Yes, I am. And I'm proud of it.

Oh really, Mahir??

Aasha: It's so nice to meet you, dear.

Mahir: My pleasure.

Ritwik: Ritasha!!! (Dad exclaims running down the stairs)

Ritasha: Dad!!

I give him a long embrace. I missed him so much and somehow being here felt heartwarming.

Ritwik: Everytime I see you, you look so mature. And beautiful like your mother...

Ritasha: Oh I know!! Dad, Mahir.

Aasha: (whispers to dad) He's the boyfriend.

Ritwik: Hi there, young man.

Mahir: Hello sir.

Ritwik: What do you do?

Ritasha: Can we not talk about this now?! We've had a long flight, like cut us some slack!!

Aasha: She's right, hun. You guys should get some rest. We'll talk at dinner.

Mom was being nice for a change. Ugh, my parents should be actors instead of business people.

"They seem like nice people. I think they like me!!"

"Don't be so overconfident Mr Seghal. They're the worst people you'd meet. Just wait for their big talks to start."

"I want to disagree so badly. Your mom is the sweetest."

"She can be when she wants to but she flips a lot and...you don't want to know the rest."

"Why not? I'll prove it."

"Oh, please Mahir!! It's not like you tell me anything about your family so why should I tell you about mine? You'll find out for yourself sooner or later, either way!!!"

"Babe..."

I leave the room, taking a walk in the garden. This house has so much memories. The garden still had it's poise and beauty in the roses. The tree house that Natasha and I built was still in the backyard collecting dust. I felt a tear run down my cheek, thinking of how Natasha and I used to run around the garden and play games with mom and dad.

Everyday I pray that I find her. Somehow I feel if Natasha returns, mom and dad will be like how they were. No necessarily so soon because ego bruises don't heal so quick.

Dinner time we sat at the table. Mom cooked roasted chicken and veggies. I missed the taste of her food so much that I didn't waste any time gobbling down the food. I still avoided Mahir from our earlier encounter.

Ritwik: Now you can tell us what you do.

Mahir: I'm the economics professor at RoseWood.

Ritwik: Wait a minute....Mahir Seghal?

Mahir: That's right. How'd you know?

Ritwik: Don't you both know how unprofessional that is? I expected a lot more from you Ritasha! Soon you'll be entering the corporate world. You do not mix your personal life with your professional life!!!

Ritasha: Dad, please!! I love Mahir, and he loves me. So I really don't care about all that!

Ritwik: Mahir, do you understand the dangers of what you're doing?

Mahir: Yes, I do. We're very careful about our relationship though.

Ritwik: If I knew this would happen I wouldn't have accepted you into RoseWood!!

Aasha: Ritwik, stop it. It's their personal life-

Ritasha: It's not your job to do that, father! I know you fund RoseWood but ultimately it's uncle Karan's decision. Why can't you just mind your own business!!?

Ritwik: All I'm saying is that I'm looking out for the both of you!!

Ritasha: No, you're not!! Just leave me alone.

Aasha: Rita, wait!!!

I leave the table, running upstairs. I didn't know whether I was more angry or sad that my father didn't trust me. Leaving Mahir alone with them was wrong but they always make me feel uncomfortable. I knew when he comes to know about Mahir it would be a huge slap on his face. He needed to know anyways that I won't be with anyone but Mahir.

"Ritasha." He called but I look at him and ignore. "What you said wasn't right."

"Oh really? And what he said was right?? How can you support that man when he insulted you left, right and centre and you didn't say crap about it."

"Because I understand where he's coming from."

"No you don't!! You don't know anything!!"

Mother knocks on the door and enters.

Aasha: I made dessert for you guys. Please have it before sleeping.

Mahir: Thank you, aunty.

Aasha: Oh no problem, dear. Come take your bedding from downstairs.

Ritasha: What? No. Mahir will sleep here.

Aasha: Don't be stupid Rita! Your father is already pissed, if he finds out he won't be pleased.

Ritasha: We already-

Mahir: It's okay, aunty. I'll sleep downstairs.

Ritasha: I have an idea! He can sleep in Natasha's room.

Mahir: Why should I sleep with her? And who's Natasha?

Mom leaves the room without protesting any further. Now I'll have to explain it to him since I broke it out.

"Do I have to repeat my question?"

"No. It's okay. There's no Natasha here."

"That doesn't answer my question!! What's going on here, Ritasha!?"

"The day you choose to tell me about your life is the day I'll reveal all the gaps about my life that you don't understand."

I dash to the bathroom to take a hot soak. It soothes my skin and mind. I wasn't being mean to Mahir. I was just telling him the gospel truth. I didn't care anymore. And if he really cares, he'll know how to handle it.

I go down to fetch the trifle mom made for dessert. It was so delicious as usual. I slept with my back faced to Mahir and we didn't talk for the rest of the night.