THE RUNAWAY BRIDE (1ST BOOK IN BRIDE SERIES)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Alia is pacing in the living area waiting for Armaan and Riddhima, ready for their bashing. She knows Armaan will just try to make her understand but she's afraid of Riddhima.

Her Riddhi maa would never approve of this. Other than finding Ryna - their lost daughter, all she ever cared and put her life is in was raising them. Especially her. Riddhima made sure to give everything to her

It'd break her heart when Alia will tell her that she doesn't want the money they have for her. It'd break her heart when she'll tell her Riddhima that she wants to do it on her own. Because when her Aarul bhai did it, it broke her Riddhi maa's heart.

"Stop pacing... my brain is spinning looking at you.." Meher growls at Alia.

"Shut up Meher.." Aayan, sitting on the kitchen bar, glares at her.

"Why are you still here?" Meher gives him attentive stare then turns to Riddhan who's sitting on the couch with his legs on the coffee table and working on his laptop,"tell him to go.."

Riddhan gives her a look then gets back to his work.

"Why don't you go?" Aayan asks her glaring, "anyways, all you're doing here is eating those damn popcorn. Fatso.."

She takes a handful of popcorn and dumps at him making a mess non the floor. She turns to look at Riddhan who's still busy working. She gets up and keeping the bowl on the couch, she picks up her bag and moves.

"Clean the mess before you go." Riddhan orders. She turns to him but he is still looking at the screen of his laptop, and sinks back on the couch.

Aayan chuckles. Alia stops and looks at him with narrow eyes. He stops and makes a sad face.

"What are you doing here, A? Don't you have to be at work?"

He looks at her as if she's kidding, "I am here to support you.. I know Riddhi maa and mama will understand if I tell them.."

"And you think I can't?"

"That's not what I meant, Lia." He says and sips the water he took an hour ago.

"Yes he means it Aalu." Meher says. She's back on the couch with the bowl of popcorn again in her hand. Alia frowns at her.

Both the brother and sister have gone crazy. Everyone knows about Meher but maybe now even Aayan has lost his mind.

She again looks at the elevator door as she start pacing in the living area. When the intercom pings, Riddhan gets up and walks to punch the pin, waiting for his parents.

After a few minutes, Armaan and Riddhima both comes inside. Alia stand there looking at them, ready for them to be upset on her and tell her how disappointed they are.

"Aalu.." Riddhima calls and she rushes to her and hug her.

She looking into Riddhima's eye,"Riddhi maa please listen to me first..."

"Riddhima frowns then nods,"okay.."

She peeks a look at Armaan and his eyes are soft. She smiles at him nervously then hugs him sideways, circling her hands on both their arms she takes them to the couch.

"Meher what are you doing here?" Riddhima asks.

She looks up at them still lying on the couch like a very exhausted panda,"I came to make Aalu understand. She is so naive I tell you.. "

Armaan raise a brow at her,"didn't you have a meeting this afternoon?"

"I work when I please. I don't take orders from your arrogant business partner.." she retorts back.