Melting Hearts

Part 80 - Red-handed

***Sahana's P. O. V***

Gulping in anticipation and fear, I made my way to the living room sofa, with papa right at my heels.

Sitting down in the sofa and unable to meet Papa's gaze, I looked into my fidgeting hands, waiting for the volcano to explode.

But when nothing happened, I looked up to realize that papa wasn't in front of me. Frowning, I looked around to find him pacing the length of the living room... the area behind the sofa.

Biting my lip, I turned to the backrest of the sofa and knelt, putting my hands on the backrest and observing my father.

Usually as calm as a frozen lake, I had never know papa to even have a temper, let alone such a nasty one! I'd never seen papa look so agitated and angry! Oh God how much had he seen?

Does this mean he's not going to accept Arush? My already gloomy heart felt more heavy and gloomy at this thought and tears welled my eyes - I can't stay away from Arush... Not now, not ever!

I'm going to have to persuade papa that's all... But how?

"How can this happen?" Papa's hiss made me jump, and I looked around to find papa sitting at the dining table and gulping down a glass of water. His hand shook a little and he was heaving for breath.

Though in his late 50s, my father was never one to look or feel weak or vulnerable! He may not have the gym body like Bhai or Arush, but papa is a physically strong man, standing at 5'11 ft tall and a good strong pair of biceps that always made me safe since I was a little girl and slept in his arms.

"What.... What... H... H... Happened... P.. p.. papa?" I stuttered, looking at him in shock.

"This is my house! How can I not know that my child is doing all this... behind my back?" he hissed angrily, making me jump again.

Oh God!! Does he know what happened... between me and Arush?!

"Is this how I have brought you up?! To do... all this?" he barked, making me shiver under my skin!

"Am I not trust worthy enough for you kids?" papa asked in a hurt voice, making me look guiltily up at him. His eyes shone with tears and his usually calm face was streaked with hurt and disappointment.

"You're the best papa in the world" I said honestly, looking into his eyes to which he gave a weak smile.

"Achcha beta? I am the best papa you say, and yet you hide such a big issue from me?" papa asked sadly, making tears pool in my eyes.

"Sorry papa" I whispered, walking to him and into his arms.

"My own son lied to me and you... his laadli... you took his side!" papa sighed in defeat, making me choke and look up at him.

What was he talking about?

"Papa? What did you see?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

"I had gone to Star mall today for lunch with a few of my colleagues.... Rathan uncle hai na? Unka treat tha... there I saw Reyansh... with a girl.... they were.... uh....well.. " papa trailed off uncomfortably, and though I felt bad for papa and pitied bhai at the tornado that awaited him when he eventually would come home, I couldn't help sigh in relief at the thought that at least papa hadn't seen Arush going out of the house!

So my secret was good... for now!

"Anyway, he had told me in the morning that he'd be busy all day with back to back meetings, and so, when I called him to just test if he'd tell me the truth, your dear bhai lied to me!! He was sitting a couple of tables away from me, lost to the girl in his arms, and lying to me that he's busy in a meeting!" papa said, half chuckling, half sighing in agony.