Opposites Attract

Chapter 12

Riya's POV:

What did I involve myself?
I'm trembling with fear. What does it mean 'we will see.' I don't know when tears started flowing, not until Arjun's hand came to caress it.
Instinctively I was repulsed from his touch. Bitting my lips, "Ple..a.se sl.ow.. do.wn." I tried to say it as loudly as I can around all the vehicle's sound and the speed.
He stared at me while driving.
Shutting my eyes tightly, holding the seat belt, I try to calm my breath.
Just a few more mins Riya. You will be safe from him in your cocoon.
He shifted his hand and gripped mine.
I struggled to retrieve my hand from his hold but it's of no use.

Don't fear him Riya it shows your weakness. Be brave.
After motivating myself I stopped struggling to show it did not affect me.
But God knows how I'm trying not to be affected by it.
He rubbed my hand soothingly on the backside with his thumb.
His hand is so warm. My hand fitted perfectly in his, it's like a couple of goals, but here we are not a couple and never would be.

Huh! What are his intentions with me?
Whatever it is I'm not gonna fall for it. How dare he say that I'm his. I'm not an object to be claimed by whoever wants and not especially by him.
I turned towards the window, gazing at the familiar surroundings.
Wait a minute. I did not tell him my address then how did he know?
"How do you know my address?" I said without showing any emotions.
"I can say I have my ways but it is way more cliche but, as you know my father is a politician and owns half of the city so it's very easy to find." He said smugly.
I gave a sarcastic laugh, "Don't you have shame, always getting your way using your father's name."
"Princess why to feel shame. Whatever belongs to him belongs to me also."
I huffed with annoyance and resumed with gazing outside, waiting for my house to come at sight.
Finally, my house came, I tried to unlock the door but Arjun beat me and opened my door.
Oh, the gentleman is here note the sarcasm.
Muttering a small thank you for the sake of formalities.
He walked with me till the door. I turned towards him and raised my eyebrow.
He ignored me and rang the bell.
What the heck!
"What are you doing? You should go. I don't want my parents to see me with you." I whispered- yelled.
Before he can react my mother opened the door.
She hugged me tightly, "Riya beta where were you. I was so worried. Your phone is switched off."
"Aunty sorry we had an extra class. They informed us lately." Arjun lied.
Feeling it is safe I nodded agreeing with him.
She turned her attention towards Arjun, "Oh okay. But you should have informed me about it beta."
"I'm so sorry Mumma. I did not see my phone."
Nodding her head she let it slide this time.
I was thanking my stars, "What's your name beta?" My mother asked Arjun.
"I'm Arjun aunty." He bent to touch my mother's feet.
Abba what an actor. He should receive Oscar.
"Bless you." My mom said with her hands on his head, caressing it.
"Come inside." My mom invited him.
Please say no. Please say no. I'm mentally praying.
"Maybe next time aunty. My father is waiting for me."
I released my breath.
"Ohh who is your father?" My mom questioned him.
"Ji aunty, Vikram Kandenwala. He is a politician." He informed her.
Oh God is it necessary to add that his father is a politician.
Show off, candidate.
Suddenly my mom's eyes widened.
"Oh my God, your father is... The.. One who recruited my son."
Realization dawned on me.
So Mr kandenwala is his father. I thought his father is a good man.
Or maybe he is still.
"Oh maybe. What's his name?"
"Aryan." I tried to stop my mother saying it but it's of no use.
She can't reveal things to strangers.
Technically he is not a stranger according to your mother as he dropped you. My brain reminded me.
He nodded, "Okay aunty I will leave. Bye aunty. Bye Riya."
Hush! Thank God.

I went to my room and kept my phone on charge and went to freshen up.
I gazed at my face, there are traces of tears but not too clear, can be observed with a close look.
Thank goodness my mom did not notice.
I took a long shower to relax.
I wrapped my towel and sat in front of the A/C
I feel so sweaty. Maybe because of the sun or the encounter with Arjun.
To satisfy my ego I will choose it's because of the sun as it is 45°.
After some time I went to the cupboard.
I took soft cotton Kurti with half sleeves a sleek design near the neck and paired it with yellow Patiala.
I was brushing my hair with a thick round brush, I don't know why my hair gets easily knotted.
It gets really annoying in times of urgency.
Someone knocked on my room door.
"Come in," I said.
My mom's head popped from the door.
She seems to be excited.
She entered with some big packet in her hands, her eyes are twinkling with happiness.
She kept the package on my bed and came towards me.
She took my brush and started combing it. I sighed with delight. Mother's magic. Her mere touch can soothe my soul.
After braiding my hair she kissed my hair. She took me near the mirror and made me sit on the chair in front of it.
Bringing the package, she opened, it revealed a beautiful peach color saree with a thin gold border with an embodiment of silver stones.
"Wow Mumma it's so pretty." I gushed over the saree. It's so elegant and simple.
"Right. Cause it's my selection." My mom said with proudness.
"Of course your selection is extraordinary. See me only I'm your selection which means I'm very handsome till age." My father came out of nowhere and said.
"Oh shut it. You are my father's selection which I just agreed."
I giggled at my mother's counter to papa.
He gave a fake sad look to my mom and pouted.
"Oh please this will not work now. It's been 25 years we married, now these tricks are nothing but to show your wrinkles." Mom sassed.
"That hurts Mrs. Aggarwal."
"Well get used to it."
I'm loving their banter. I wish I have popcorn to eat and watch it.
"Actually why did you come, we were having fun," Mom told.
"It's my Princess room. I don't need your permission." My father came to my left.
Mom pulled on the right and came between Papa and me.
"We are having a mother-daughter time. Now if you excuse us we have a lot to do." Mom gestured her hands for Papa to go.
Papa scowled at mom not liking to be sent out.
Now if I don't interfere this banter will continue till midnight, which I don't want to happen.
"Ok guys relax we all can spend time together. No quarreling."
Mom frowned at the idea of spending together. Maybe she really wanted to spend some quality of time with me.
But alas! She nodded.
"Don't worry Mumma we will have a mother-daughter time some other time," I assured my mom.
My father smirked at my mom, showing that he won.

I rolled my eyes at them.
My phone started ringing, it's Aryan.

"Riya are you ok? Why did you call me?? Is something wrong?..."
"Wait Aryan, let me answer first. I'm ok. I just called so you could pick me but it's ok I reached home anyway. And you should stop being worried about me all the time."

I can feel him rolling his eyes at my last sentence🤭
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Did karan dropped you?"
Now this was the question I have been dreading. If I lie Aryan somehow can find the truth and it will be more dangerous.

He took months to accept Karan and Rahul only, that too when they proved they treat me like their own sisters.
Typical brother.
"Hello Riya?" Snapping out I answered.
"One of my classmates Arjun dropped me."
"Hmm." He replied.
What just 'hmm' not any more questions?
Strange.
"Alright Riya I will see you later. Bye."
"Bye."
I hang up and turned back to my parents but they are not here.
I think they went downstairs.
Plunging charger to my phone, I also went down.
They both were sitting on the couch, there back facing me.
Mom's head resting on dad's shoulder and dad wrapped his hand on top of the couch,
What a scene.
I giggled lowly and went silently upstairs not wanting to disturb them.
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A/n: Thank you guys for your support. I hope you all liked this chapter.
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