A GIRL LIKE YOU

44

Ansh, I think she has it handled you are going to ruin it!"
Preeti's words filtered through the door moments before the door swung open. I looked up to find a very disheveled Ansh standing there.
"Kiara!" As soon as he said, dad turned around to see him.
God, Preeti tried to stop him. Why didn't he listen. I owe Preeti one. But Ansh, you are going to ruin the little connection I just found with my dad after 23 years of existence.
Of course I would've told my dad about his and mine relationship eventually. But not now. Not so soon.
"Ansh."
"Ansh."
Dad and I said simultaneously as we stood up. I was right, dad knew Ansh.
Ansh ignored my dad and searched my face.
"Are you okay?" He asked me.
I wanted to run into his arms. This is the first time I'm seeing him after the confession that we love each other. And I can't even kiss him.
"I'm-I'm-" I stuttered.
"Ansh, let them be alone." Preeti chimed in from behind.
"You were staying with him?!" Dad's voiced dialed up a notch as he looked repeatedly from me to Ansh and then back again.
"Dad..I can explain." I started.
I'm always explaining. Ugh. I hate it. Hate it. Hhhhaaaaatttteeeeeeee iiiiittttttttt.
"You ran away from home to be with the best friend of the guy you were supposed to be married to?!"
Didn't I already know that?!
"It's not what you think dad!"
God, I don't want dad to think that Ansh and I were involved from the very beginning. Even though it seems that way. I don't have a clue how to proof the truth to him this time.
"Why don't you come inside now?" Ansh's mom walked out trailed by his dad and sister.
I hate drawing people into my drama. I gulped and tried to think of the right words to say.
I can't tell dad that I'm involved with Ansh now. He would start assuming stuff. And yeah, he told me that we would work on our relationship but it's still fragile. I can't afford to break it now.
God, but I can't lie to dad either. I can't say that Ansh is not the love of my life after what happened between us last night. It would hurt his feelings.

But guess what? I didn't have to say anything.
"Just tell me one thing Kiara!" Dad shouted. I shivered and took a step bacl from him. Ansh tried to move towards me, but Preeti held on to his arm.
"Are you involved with him?! Is this what it looks like?!"
Truth or lie? Truth or lie? Truth or lie? What sould I do? Then in a moment of courage, I straightened my back and made my decision.
No lies anymore. Truth it is.
"Yes I love him."
The words were only above a whisper with my shaky voice.
Dad's face turned red. His palms curled into fists and I knew he was going to punch something. He would never hit me. Dad turned to look at Ansh. Oh no! Not him. It's not his fault. He has done enough for me. He doen't deserve this.
It all happened so quick. Dad lunged for Ansh's face and I lunged in front of them. I heard voices but they didn't really registered.
The hard fist of my dad met my jaw, my eyes blackened out with the force of it and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor.
"Kiara!" Ansh's voice.
"Are you fucking stupid?!" Ansh's dad.
"Oh my god!" Preeti followed by Ansh's mom and sister's gasps.
I slightly opened my eyes to see the panic on Ansh's face as he crouched down to look at my face.
"Shit!" That's dad "Kiara? Why did you-"
The words drained out as my eyes closed down and then blank.

***

I opened my eyes to face the ceiling of Ansh's room I recognise it from last night. The first thing that registered after that is the throb of pain on the right side of my face. I hope I didn't break my jaw. I hope I don't look ugly. Can't be good for my ego.
I squinted a little, raising a little on my elbows. The room was empty. I sighed and collapaed back on the bed.
I remeber everything in vivid detail. And I don't have a single clue as to what I would do when I go out of this room to face them all.
Before I could contemplate anymore, the door opened and shut with a click. I sat up slowly. I thought it would be Ansh. But instead it was his mom.
She came and put a few tablets and a glass of water on the night stand. Then she took a seat on the bed.
Uh-oh. Seems like I'm going to have a 'stay away from my son' conversation. I gulped.
"Take these medicines. You'll feel better." She smiled. That's creepy. Just tell me already, that I don't deserve your son.
"I will." My voice is hoarse. What the fuck?
Ansh's mom took my right hand in between the palm of her both hands and looked at me sincerely.
"Kiara, I really like you. I love how much you make Ansh happy. I don't know how long has it been since I'd seen that gleamed look in his eyes until you. And to know that you love him makes me so happy."
Totally weird conversation. Was not expecting that.
"But-" I saw the but coming, "-you need to make things right with your dad. Look I know everything about your situation and the differences. But as a parent I understand where your dad is coming from. I understand why he tried to hit Ansh. This world, society would give you a hard time about your relationship. As much as I want to say that don't give a hoot about the people, that is not possible when you live in a world filled with people. They are going to have opinions and they are going to say shit. And as a parent I know how hard it is to hear shit about your children. I won't be able to hear if somebody say that my son cheated on his best friend, that he betrayed him, and all of those things. I'm sure your parents wouldn't be thrilled either to hear people call you- what they call every girl when she does somthing different."
God, this woman. She is a real mother.
"So I think you should give your dad some time but, please make things right with him. Don't let this ruin your chance. Slowly, gradually everybody would have to be okay about your relationship with Ansh."
I sighed. She is right. I have to make things right with mom and dad.
"Where is dad?" I asked her.
"As soon as you fainted, he tried to take you to the hospital. But Ansh didn't let him. God, you should've seen how he stood up covering over you. Telling your dad to back off. Ansh was so mad that he hit you."
I smiled a small smile. I sure missed that heroic moment.
"Your dad kind of got the hint that Ansh was not letting you go with him. So your dad backed off. Ansh brought you here. He sat with you but then your dad came and asked him to talk. I think they are in the garden still talking."
Oh god! I don't know what they must be talking about.
"Don't worry. My Ansh is very charming. His love for you was very evident today. I think he'll win your dad over easily."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh."
"He won't hit him?"
"He seemed regretful as soon as you fell. So I think he got his lesson."
"I've never seen my dad lose his cool like that."
"There is always a first time for everything."

The door opened and Preeti came in. I have to thank her.
"Kiara..."
"Preeti.."
We both said simultanoeusly. We both smiled. And I realised that no matter what history Ansh had with her, I would never hate this girl. She is not fake. She is not playing games. She is a really nice girl who made a mistake in her relationship with Ansh. That doesn't make her a bad person, that makes her a real person to me. As real as me.

I might get jealous of her, but now that I know Ansh loves me, I would try my best to not let the jelousy bother me.
It was destined. She was destined to end it with Ansh. I was destined to find Ansh. And I am sure she is destined to meet the love of her life sooner or later.
"I'm sorry for letting your dad come here. I-"
I cut her off. "Thanks for everything Preeti. If it weren't for you, I might never had a chance to confront my dad."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
Preeti beamed and left. Ansh's mom looked at me like I grew another head.
"What?" I asked, suddenly very conscious of my face.
"I would've never said such nice things to my boyfriend's ex."
She did not just say that. My eyes widened.
"Oh my god! Please don't tell me you didn't know." She looked pained.
"No! I mean I know. And I still think Preeti is pretty great."
Ansh's mom smiled so wide, her bright teeth blinded me a little. Okay, that was a bit exageration.
"I knew Ansh liked you for a reason." She stood up and ruffled my hair affectionatly. I love this woman. Period.

...