The Fallen Queen~[✓]

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 16

'Riya, bonjour! Bonjour Appy!' Dad and Prateek walked out of the airport with their trolleys. Dad and Prateek gave me a hug and Prateek almost clutched mom off her life. She hugged him back. Dad held her by the waist and smooched her. Mom hesitated and fumbled, given that some desi strangers eyed both of them, but she anyways kissed him back.

I wondered and blushed as it could be me and Ryan twenty years later, in that very position, but then I shrugged it off because my image flickered.

Prateek smiled affectionately. My dad was fair, light-skinned, and Mom was wheatish. They looked like vanilla & coffee ice cream. And it was beautiful. Prateek was green in color. (kidding. His eyes.)

'How are both of these pretty women in my life doing? I missed you guys. And Raj! Bela! My friends!! Look at Abhiraaj, such a grown-up man!' Dad walked towards them, who'd also come to pick brother and father up. We were to chill at Novotel for some time, where we'd go directly from the airport.

After the reunion of both our families, we all sat in Raj uncle's seven-seater and drove for the luxury resort. We always did that whenever dad and Prateek came from France, it was a tradition that both our families followed. This time mom, Bela aunty, and Raj uncle had organized a surprise party for them, where almost all of their batchmates arrived.

Meanwhile, all four adults in the car couldn't stop chatting about their medical school days. They talked about everything from dorm food to their internship programs. They had had a really interesting life and I so wish college would be this way for me.

Prateek fist-bumped Abhiraaj and they totally forgot about me as they talked about their Avengers stuff and I kept texting Ryan. Ryan asked me to tell him my decision after school the next day if I wanted to leave for Etis or not.

It was a big commitment and I did want a fresh perspective in my life, but I also really loved the small moments of my life, like the one going on.

I decided to think about it later.

Also, Abhiraaj included me in their team as he saw me pouting, all annoyed. They started discussing my school, and by the time we reached Novotel, Raj uncle had to scold Abhiraaj and Prateek to keep quiet as they ganged up on me too badly.

'Maaaaa. Both these boys are saying my school is a place for dons.' I strained as I cried without tears.

I loved it when mom threatened Prateek about grounding him on his vacations.

The party went really great. Everyone enjoyed to their fullest. As Prateek left for a prolonged call with his girlfriend Madina, I and Ayum decided to get a good dose of entertainment in the gaming arena. We played Injustice 2.0 and although Ayum won every single time, I loved it.

I loved Ayum's company anyway.

But then I'd moved on. I loved Ryan, and he was the right guy.

I had to make a choice and I knew what I had to do.

But usual anxiety crept in like it always does.