Hello, Beautiful ! - Chapter 1 - 6 (of 12)

Preface

This entire story, characters, places, events in the story are fictitious. Readers should read this story as a work of art only. This is not intended to hurt anyone's feelings. Introducing my first love story with the name 'Arjun Kumar'. Romantic flavour in writing has also been strictly used while telling this love story; Although this love story of a young woman entering adulthood is fictional, it has actually tried to capture the emotions of the human mind. Hope readers will like this love story!

Chapter 1

I was then eighteen years old and happy with my life. I was living with my dad and with us was Rima, who was my dad's partner for a while. My dad was in his forties and a widower for the past ten years. Looking at him, no one would have thought that he had an eighteen-year-old daughter. He was so fit that he was obsessed with exercise in his youth. He admitted me to college in Pune. When I came back to Mumbai with him during the holidays after my 12th exams, I soon noticed that he was spending time with a woman. Rima was that woman. But later I noticed that he was also hanging out with other women. I did not like his behaviour at first. He used to go around with those women leaving me alone at home. But I ignored it. Gradually he started bringing Rima home. She used to talk to me very lovingly. I became her friend within two days due to her friendly nature. We used to chat a lot; She was very beautiful looking and much younger than my dad. She was only 28 years old. Looking at her, sometimes I admired Dad that Dad attracted her. Although Dad was good to me, others called him a wasteful man with a penchant for money. Maybe it was because they were jealous of Dad's cool life. Dad used to do fish business. He had a fishing company with his friends. By now he had earned a lot of money. He was not a man of much thought; all he knew was that he wanted to spend the coming day. He once asked me about Rima. I told him openly that I have no problem with her. Then he was happy and planned to visit Goa.

He used to go to Goa. There he had rented a nice bungalow near the beach. Me, Rima and Dad came there for vacation. The bungalow was next to a small man-made forest. We went there in early April. I had so much fun boating in the sea water, getting wet and then sunbathing in a bikini on the comfortable chairs. Rima and I used to come to the beach after finishing breakfast during the week. In those days, boating, playing in the sand, sunbathing were our daily routine. Looking at Rima, I used to envy her graceful beauty. A twenty-five-year-old man was coming there for sailing for two or three days. That day I, Dad and Rima were rolling in the sand watching him sailing. Dad asked me,

“Riya, do you want to try it once?”

I was also curious about that. I agreed. Then as the young man came ashore, Dad called him and asked for his sailing board. I tried sailing with Dad; but I couldn't. We gave him back his board. I shook hands with him saying thank you. He had a fit body, a fair complexion, reddened by the sun. I was a little embarrassed to see that his eyes were starring at me. After that he started sailing again. I was surprised to see him confidently playing on the ocean waves. After that day we met two or three times. Dad took his board and sailed for a long time. We got to know him. He said that he had come for holidays with his parents in a nearby bungalow. In college in Pune, I didn't interact much with boys. I never even felt attracted to any boy; but watching Rihan sailing the waves without any hesitation made me attracted to him. He offered to teach me sailing. Dad refused before I could say anything. Then I was very angry with Dad. After dinner that day, we reclined in comfortable chairs on the terrace as usual. The sky was studded with stars. I was looking upwards. It was as if I was seeing a scene of Rihan sailing before my eyes. Suddenly Dad coughed and sat up. I woke up from those beautiful thoughts.

"Someone's coming to live here," he said lazily.

"Who's coming?" Rima said eagerly.

“Manisha” Dad said looking at her.

I couldn't believe my ears. She was my mother's friend but had little contact with my father. She was a bit of a mom type; I mean she always treated me like she was my mom. She didn't like me going out, wearing short dresses. But she had not seen much of me for the past two years; she used to meet me once in six-seven months. She was recently divorced; I thought she might have changed now. She was a very attractive woman of forty-two, with a beautiful face, haughty, and indifferent. I didn't like this depression, otherwise she was nice. Since her divorce, she seems to have no attachment whatsoever. She was smart and intelligent but ignoring these qualities, Dad only praised her beauty. But why was she coming here now? Maybe Dad and her had developed a relationship when I was in Pune? So how will she react seeing Rima here now? Just imagining it scared me. Rima knew nothing about her; she questioned about her a lot and then went downstairs saying she was going to bed. I was alone with dad, he came near me and put his hand on my shoulder and said,

“Why are you so silent? Don't you like Manisha coming here?”

“Dad! What a great time we are enjoying here. Then what was the need to call her?” I said a little annoyed.

"She's coming herself; maybe she wants to see me," said Dad.

I shouted at Dad and said, “Then why did you call her here? You are with Rima and then have you thought about what will happen when they both come face to face? Why you are meeting her here?”

“You Don't Think About It. I will handle it my dear” 

he said with a smile and told me to come down quickly and went downstairs. It was clear from the look on his face that he had some strange ideas going on in his mind.

----------✽----------

Chapter 2

Manisha was coming in a week. It was certain that she would start restricting me after coming. So I spent the three-four days before her arrival having fun with Rima at the beach. Finally the day dawned for her arrival. She was coming to the airport in the afternoon, Dad and Rima went to fetch her. I was spending time at the beach alone since morning. I was rolling on a chair in a bikini to sunbathe. Meanwhile Rihan's voice came to my ears. I got up a little and looked over there. He was in the water on a small boat and was calling me to come on it. But I didn't want to get up so I ignored him and closed my eyes and lay back on the chair. His voice did not come for five minutes. I thought he was gone. Suddenly his voice came from near me. I was shocked. He was standing next to my chair calling me. My heart rate was automatically increasing. I smiled cheekily at him. We both looked at each other. I was biting my bottom lip and smiling from time to time. He slowly came closer to me; Leaning down he gently kissed me on the lips as my heart pounded harder. I felt electricity go through my whole body and I lost myself in those moments. For next three-four minutes we were enjoying those moments. Someone deliberately honked a car horn and we were quickly separated. I got up in a mess, put on t-shirt and shorts and headed home without saying anything. Rihan stood looking at me.

I reached home; Manisha had come. I smiled at her. It was not even a minute since she saw me and she asked a question,

“Riya, why are you looking so scared? And look how red you are!”

“I was on the beach and taking sunbath. I will take a bath and come”

After saying this, I entered the bathroom from there. I calmed down and took off my t-shirt and shorts and started looking at myself in the mirror. I remembered the touch of Rihan's lips and automatically a soft smile spread across my cheeks. After finishing my bath I was chatting with Manisha. Was showing her our bungalow. When I got to my room, I opened the window and showed her how great the sea view was from here, while my eyes were searching for where Rihan's boat could be seen in the water. Even after such a long time, she was not talking to Rima. Mostly she didn't like Rima. Whenever Rima came in front of her that day, it was easy to see her face turning red with anger that she didn't want Rima here. But I don't know what was going on in Dad's head; May be he wanted both at the same time. And anyone who knew her would have said on a bet that a woman like Manisha would never be ready for that. It was more likely that Dad would lose both of them in this situation. Seeing him think about doing things like this while I was home made me realize that Dad was into it all. Dad was very happy that day. Although I didn't like her very much, I felt a little better when I met Manisha after many days. Dad was praising her as if to please her. She looked better than before. She had lost weight; she must be working hard to stay fit. That night we went to a big bar. It was my first time to have a drink. Dad encouraged me by saying that you have grown up now. Manisha did not like this; she didn't let me drink properly. Dad, however, drank a lot. Rima was also completely drunk. Rima and Dad started dancing as soon as the song started. I was smiling at them. After dancing for some time, Manisha and I sat watching everyone dancing. Manisha must have been angry seeing the two of them together; she started taking more drinks. After a while, she got up and took Dad outside. Rima thought nothing of it; she was completely drunk. A foreign youth started dancing with her. I followed Manisha outside to see where she had taken Dad. She got into our car in the parking lot with Dad. I thought she would take him home now. But seeing that the car didn't start even after five minutes, I came after the car. Peeking in through the back window, I was surprised to see the scene inside that Manisha could even behave like this. She was sitting on Dad's lap facing him. The t-shirt was lifted around her and she was kissing Dad like crazy. I stood like that for two minutes and then without thinking I went ahead and opened the door.

“Dad! Manisha! What's going on with you?" I screamed.

Manisha looked at me startled and next moment slapped me. She was looking at me very angry. Seeing that avatar of her, I felt scared and cried. Dad was just looking at me; Manisha arranged her clothes. She got up and came to me.

“Riya! You shouldn't have been here at this time” she shouted

I nervously moved back and sat down there, leaning against a car behind. I did not know why I was crying. Seeing my condition, Manisha must have felt bad for her action. Coming near me, she started moving her hand on my back to calm me down. She gently asked me to sit in the car. I sat next to Dad on the back seat. He felt nothing for me. He was drunk but not too drunk to don’t understand what has happened. Still he didn't say anything to me. Manisha drove and brought the car in front of the bungalow. We three came home. Manisha took dad to his room and I came to my room and fell on the bed crying profusely. I don't know when I fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, it was ten o'clock. When I came out of the room, I saw Rima having breakfast there. Then I remembered that we left her alone at the bar at night and came home. I went to the bathroom to say hello to her. Rima was putting her things in her bag when I came out after taking a bath. When I asked her about it, she said that she will not be staying here anymore. I was surprised to hear that she was leaving. I wanted to know the real reason why she left Dad. After I begged her a lot, she told me that when she came home in the morning, Dad and Manisha were with each other. Manisha asked her to leave the house in front of him and Dad did not say anything to her. I got angry with Dad hearing Rima saying this. Because what I didn't want was happening. He was dancing to Manisha's beat. I did not know how this man became so attached to her in a single day. Or was he already under her? Then why did he let Rima stay here in front of her? I didn't understand anything. May be he didn't even know how he was acting. I felt bad for Rima. I took the address of her new place and told her goodbye.

After breakfast I went to the beach. My eyes were looking for Rihan. I saw him boating. I was silent for a while wondering whether to call him or not. My heart was saying yes and no at same time. His boat passed in front of me and he saw me. He brought it close to me.

“Riya, let's have a ride. Come on”, he said beckoning to him with very enthusiastic gestures.

As soon as he said this, I don't know what happened, I went straight into the water and climbed into the boat taking his hand. He quickly steered the boat deep into the water. I felt great speeding with him. He slowed down after coming in long.

“Riya, now you take control. You will enjoy it come here.” He asked me to drive the boat.

“But I don't know anything about it” I said with a smile and pulled my hair back.

“Don't worry. I am with you. Come.” Saying this, he stepped aside from the handle and motioned for me to come.

I took control. Accelerating like driving a bike, I increased the speed of the boat. Rihan was standing behind me. I could accelerate but could not turn & reverse the boat properly. Rihan approached from behind and put his hands on my hands and turned the boat. His touch made my heart beat faster with the speed of the boat. My hairs was blowing in the wind on his face. He again turned the boat into the deep water. After a while he slowed down it. I stood there with my eyes closed since he put his hands on my hands. I felt the touch of his lips on my bare shoulders. I abandoned myself to him. Turning me towards him he slowly started kissing me. I stood silent for some time. Then automatically my hands went around his neck and I started kissing him. We were just stopping to catch our breath. For those ten minutes we were just enjoying each other's lips. Realizing that he was now looking to go further, I pushed him away and asked to take the boat back to the shore. I had my hand in his as I got down. He kissed my hand. I smiled and looked at him and lay down in the sand. Meanwhile, a voice came from behind,

“Riya! Riya!” The voice sounded familiar. I looked back and was shocked. Dad and Manisha were rolling on the chair there.

----------✽----------

Chapter 3

It was a great morning and I was feeling even better today. The change in my body language was easily noticeable. I was in a daze reminiscing about the moments I spent on the boat with Rihan. Dad and Manisha were having breakfast on the terrace. I came to them and bid them good morning and sat drinking orange juice. I did not pay attention to either of them. After drinking a glass of juice, I took the juice again. 

“Riya, are you going to drink only juice?” Manisha said looking at me.

I didn't listen what she said. “Ah! Did you say anything?” I asked her placing the glass on the table.

“Oh! Did I speak too softly?” She asked me back, she looked at Dad and shrugged, waiting for him to speak.

“Riya, where is your attention?” Dad said in a normal tone. Then he started looking at me, raising his eyebrows with a cheeky smile.

Why is dad smiling like that? I started thinking. Seeing that I did not say anything, he pinched me.

"Hahaha! We know where your attention is!” Dad teased me like a little boy.

“What? What do you know?” I spoke nervously.

“Rihan! Rihan!” He said jokingly again.

“Dad! Stop this" I said loudly. “I just went boating with him”

“Really? So how did you feel after just boating?” He said in the same joking tone.

"I don't want to talk about this" I said angrily.

“Ok ok dear fine! Let’s have a good breakfast” he said moving his hand from my back.

We were silent for some time. I was eating a sandwich with my head down. Dad was smiling at me from time to time. But Manisha was very serious. I was avoiding looking at her.

Saying "Ok dad, I will talk to you later" I started to get up.

Dad looked at me and said, “By the way, Riya, Rihan is a handsome boy.” And he smiled again seeing me angry.

He was deliberately teasing me. I looked at him and came down from there wrinkling my nose. Dad's words were stirring in my mind. So dad saw me and Rihan together yesterday? That is why he was teasing me! But he was not angry at all! So he has no problem with both of us? I was very happy with this idea. I opened the window and was looking at the sea outside. I don't know when an hour passed by the window reminiscing about the moments of yesterday. Meanwhile, Manisha came to my room.

“Riya” she said and was waiting for my reaction.

I just looked back at her and sat looking out the window again.

“Riya, when is your result?” she suddenly asked.

“What? Which result?” I replied without looking at her and confused.

“Oh! Have you given your 12th exam?” She said in surprise raising her voice a little.

“Oh! That result...I think next week...” I said looking at her.

“I think means? So you don't even know when it is? You are awesome!"

She must have been surprised by my answer and must have known from my answer that I didn't know when the result was. I turned my face to window again without saying anything.

"Have you decided what to do next?" she asked coming closer.

She had broken the chain of my nice thoughts and now was asking question after question. What does she want to do with my results and education? Why is she trying to be my mom? Such questions were coming to my mind.

I angrily replied, “What next? I Don't Want To Join College Again”

“What? Why are you talking like that? I think you should take admission in a law college in Mumbai” she said the last sentence a little sternly.

I didn't answer her. She stood waiting for my reply for a few moments. May be she got angry with my behaviour.

“I don't want you to see with Rihan anymore” she said angrily.

“Dad and I will decide that” I replied getting up looking at her angrily.

She widened her eyes and raised her eyebrows as if to question me, "Really?"

Seeing her expression like this made me even more annoyed.

“You got what I said? I'm not a child anymore; I will take my decision. In my case, I and my dad will decide.” I looked into her eyes and said.

She went out without saying anything except a sigh. After two minutes Dad and Manisha came back to my room. I was sitting by the window and muttering bad words to her.

When I saw Dad, I shouted, “Dad! What is this? Explain to this woman."

“Ok dear, calm down, calm down! What she says is right. You have to complete your education first. The rest will happen later!” He spoke in a very calm tone.

“Dad! What nonsense are you talking?” I shouted at him raising my voice even more.

Dad, who had been silent for so long, became very serious and said in a loud voice,

“Is this nonsense? Is this nonsense?”

I was horrified to see this avatar of him, he had never spoken to me in such a tone. My belief that he would take my side and listen to what I had to say disappeared in an instant. I had no idea what to say next. I looked at him questioningly.

Meanwhile, he continued in the same tone, "Now listen to what Manisha has to say."

After saying this he looked at Manisha. She came forward and said in a normal tone

“Rishi and I have decided to take you to Mumbai. You will be there with me. And Rishi will also keep coming there” she came closer to me.

“And this is how it will be” Dad said seriously looking at me.

"What?" 

That was the only word that came out of my mouth. My feelings changed in an instant. Manisha wanted to be my mom? Just imagining being with her made my eyes water. It felt like my freedom was being taken away and I was being imprisoned. My throat tightened. I sat on the support of the bed looking at Dad with a lonely look. Tears started flowing from my eyes.

Dad came close and put his hand on my head and said, “It is important for your bright future daughter, don't cry now. Let's talk about it later."

I was crying with my head down, I didn't even look up at him. He went out saying that he would come back in the evening. Manisha came near me. She put her hand on my shoulder and tried to hold me to her stomach. I shook her hands and looked up at her and spoke in a trembling sobbing voice

"Don't Touch Me"

She paused for a moment and moved forward to hold me close again. I shook her hands again. But she sat quietly beside me. She was just looking at me without saying anything. After six-seven minutes I wiped my eyes and lay down on the bed. The grief was washed away in tears. The only question that came to my mind was why this woman is not leaving here. Don’t know how she realised this, she got up, closed the window, turned on the fan and then I felt like she had gone out. I turned my face to see if she was really gone. She was not in the room. I got up and went to the bathroom of my room. I came out with water on my face. Opened the window again and stood looking outside. A boat was moving near the shore. Just like what Rihan brought yesterday. Will it be Rihan? A thought came to my mind. Just thinking about him made me happy. I came out of the house without thinking and started walking towards the beach.

----------✽----------

Chapter 4

Rihan wasn't in the boat; but the boat was the one Rihan used to bring. I had come with so much anticipation. I wanted to talk to him so much, needed him so much at that moment. I sat in the sand waiting for him to come in despair. Every young man who looked like him had my attention; but he was not visible. The heat of the sun increased; gradually the crowd on the beach decreased. A few people were lounging under umbrellas. I started walking back towards the house. I remember Rihan pointing to a beautiful bungalow near the beach and saying that he lives there. While walking, my eyes started looking for that bungalow. Within five-seven minutes of walking along the main road, I had come a long way. A little inland from the road, about 1500 feet, the same bungalow came into view. Sitting on a bench by the road, I started thinking; could this be Rihan's house? Will he be home this time? How can I meet him though? I didn't know anything. Finally I decided to go outside that bungalow and wait there for Rihan. I stopped outside the house under a tree and waited for him. I have never waited for anyone so eagerly before; I did not know why I was behaving like this. I just wanted to meet him. Half an hour passed, I got up and angrily kicked the empty beer bottle lying next to me. The bottle hit the gate of the bungalow and burst. There was a loud noise. I started walking back in anger. The sound of whistling was heard from behind. I looked back; the watchman standing near the gate was looking at me and blowing the whistle that was stuck around his neck.

“Oh no!” I remembered what I had done.

I increased the speed and started walking. The whistle had stopped. Slowly looked back. The watchman was not visible. I felt good. I bought a coconut from a nearby vendor and started drinking water through a straw. Meanwhile, a two-wheeler stopped coming behind me.

“Hello, beautiful!” A familiar voice rang out.

Rihan? I was surprised and I quickly looked back. Rihan was sitting on the bike smiling.

“Oh! Rihan!” I hugged him as soon as I saw him.

“Hey beautiful, let's go home” he motioned to get on the bike.

I nodded and sat on the bike holding him tightly from behind. He reversed the bike and brought it in front of the same bungalow; the gate was open. We came in. I turned my face to other side seeing the watchman. Pulling my hair over my face, I got down from the bike hiding behind Rihan. He started laughing at this.

“Don't worry Riya, I know you are the one who broke that bottle at the gate”

I looked at him questioningly. We started walking towards the back of the bungalow. He said that the watchman saw the CCTV and asked him to come and see it. Rihan saw it and he saw me in footage. That's why he followed me with his bike. We both started laughing as I told him how scared I was. I held his hand tightly and came with him to the back of the bungalow. There was a small but beautiful swimming pool.

“Wow! What a great pool!” came out of my mouth.

“Okay, is that good?” So laughing at me the next moment he pushed me; I grabbed his hand and pulled him, afraid of falling due to a sudden push. We both fell into the water together. He was laughing loudly seeing my condition. Then we started throwing water on each other while laughing.

The wet clothes were sticking to the body. I knew what he was looking at. I removed the t-shirt to excite him more. He was getting mad seeing me in undergarments. He also removed his shirt. How hot he looked! I deliberately started swimming away from him. He started swimming after me. I was enjoying watching him follow me. I tormented him a lot. Now I didn't want to run away from him. His strong arm wrapped around my waist and held me tight. He pressed his lips to my forehead as I approached his chin while my lips dripping water from his bare wet body. Standing on tiptoe, I captured his lips with mine. After a minute he lifted me up and brought me to the side of the pool and took me out of the pool. He also came up.

“Let's go inside,” he said, holding out his hand. 

I stood up, supporting his hand; we took his shirt and mine lying on the pool side and entered the bungalow through the back door. Climbing the stairs, we came to his bedroom on the upper floor. I went to the bathroom and removed my wet clothes. Squeezed it and put it to dry in the gallery and wrapped a towel around my body. Then I wiped my wet hair and stood in front of the mirror drying it with a hair dryer. Rihan was lying on the bed looking at me and he was wrapped in a towel around his waist. I dried my hair and sat beside him. Turning on his left side and supporting his head with his hand, he looked at me and said in a low voice

“You looked so hot in the pool!”

He started moving the fingers of his right hand on my bare feet.

“But not as much as you” I whispered in his ear.

He quickly put his lips on my right cheek. Smiling back, I looked at him lovingly.

“I love you Rihan” automatically came out of my mouth.

“Love you too beautiful”

He spoke in a soft voice, pulling me closer to him and placing his forehead against mine. Our lips intertwined. I was kissing him unconsciously. His hands were coming to my chest to loosen my towel; I clung tightly to his chest to prevent him from doing so. He was trying to push me aside. But I hugged tighter. He paused, his lips now moving over bare shoulders to chest. Grasping it in his teeth, he freed the towel from my chest. I didn't want to stop him; in those moments, I felt like giving myself away. I closed my eyes and submitted myself to him. I enjoyed those moments without any resistance for two minutes. He pushed me on my back and kissed me unconscious for a long time. After my fake attempts to stop him, we became one. I was feeling him inside me for next six minutes. Felt like having reached a high point of bliss, the next moment someone pushed me away from there and we fell into each other's arms, calming down. He was playing with my hair.

“Rihan” I said running my fingers over his chest.

“Hmm,” he responded.

"I want to tell you something" I said sitting up.

Turning on the right side, he held my hand as if to reassure me.

“Dad and Manisha know about us” I said looking at him.

“So what? Did dad say anything to you?” He questioned the opposite.

Then I told him everything that happened. But he didn't seem to mind. I wanted his sympathy and he was smiling.

“Rihan! How come you don't feel anything?" I angrily shook his hand and spoke in a rising tone.

“You going to Mumbai, So what is there to feel bad about?” He said deliberately.

“Rihan! uhh!” I gritted my teeth and slapped his bare arm.

“Mommy! How hard your hand is!"

He began to rub his arm with a crooked face. My fingers outstretched on his white arm.

“What happened to make you feel so bad? I also live in Mumbai” he said looking at the outstretched fingers.

“What! Really?” I asked excitedly.

“Yes! Our home and business is there” he said and smiled at me.

I now started hitting him with a pillow. He was laughing. I also smiled and started beating him more. He grabbed both my hands and threw the pillow aside. I was trying to free myself.

"Please leave me" I said in a gentle tone.

He moved my hands aside and pulled me closer.

“Please leave...” My voice trailed off and I closed my eyes and stopped.

He let go of my hands; we hugged each other again and fell on the bed. After that we chatted a lot. What does Rihan do; He told me everything about his father, mother and his business. His father was an architect. He had a big company in Mumbai. His mother was an accountant in the same company and Rihan also helping his father with his architecture degree. He had come to Goa for a project. I was very happy to know about him. Rihan told me that I should complete my degree; until then we will continue to meet in Mumbai. We took each other's mobile numbers. It was three o'clock in the afternoon. I felt good with him. He dropped me with the bike near my house even though he didn't want to leave. I came out without telling Manisha; her eight-ten missed calls were visible on my mobile phone. So he told me to go home. He left me near the house and started going back. I kept looking at him. When he disappeared, I started walking towards the house; I was a bit afraid of what Manisha would say. I came home. As I came up the stairs to the living room, Manisha was sitting on the sofa. I looked at her and said nothing.

"Where have you been Riya?" She spoke in a delicate tone.

"I don't want to talk to you" I said sounding annoyed.

Saying "OK" she got up and came closer.

“I am sorry Riya. Everything is happening against your mind; but there are still many things you have to know. You are still young, Riya. Do you think you will be happy with your dad? Will he care about you? You have seen him living with Rima in front of you. You must have seen other women with him. He is always in his own world. It doesn't matter whether you are with him or not. Please Riya, don't think that I am bad woman. I have promised your mother to take care of you. I haven't been able to see you much in the last two years because of my husband. I felt like a criminal then. But now we are divorced. Now you can stay with me as you want. I am taking you with me for your sake. Please Riya, don't treat me with such contempt”

She was speaking in a sobbing voice. Her words showed concern for me. Her eyes were watering. She was looking at me expectantly. Seeing that face of hers did not stop me; I don't know when my eyes watered. I hugged her. I was feeling a mother’s love in her embrace.

----------✽----------

Chapter 5

In the next two days we returned to Mumbai. Manisha had rented a new 2bhk house on the fifth floor in a building. After coming to Mumbai, within a week I went to stay with Manisha with all my belongings. A few days later I was admitted to the law college. My college was going to start in the month of July; had fifteen more days left. I had been talking to Rihan on the phone for the past few days. I really wanted to meet him. But what to tell Manisha? She did not leave me alone for long. Once college started, we could easily meet during college time; but waiting for another fifteen days was unbearable for me. I needed money for college essentials. Manisha would have given it to me; but I didn't want to ask her for money. I called dad and told him I need money. He immediately sent it to my account. Seeing Dad's message, I started talking to myself. Oh yes! Why didn't I think of this before? I can go to Dad alone! Manisha will never say no to that! I planned to visit Dad for a few days and told Manisha about it. I called Rihan

“Hello! Handsome! There is good news for you”

"What do you mean?" He said in a confused tone.

“Hahaha! Oh man! I have come to Dad” I said excitedly.

“Good! So you won't stay with Manisha now?" he questioned.

“Oh no man! Not so! I mean, I'm at my home for a few days so we can meet now!”

“Oh really? This is really good news! I can meet you in the afternoon.” He spoke happily.

“You're welcome handsome!” I spoke lovingly.

I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. A small smile bloomed on my cheeks. Fixing my hair, I gave my reflection in the mirror a flying kiss and fell on the bed laughing, patting my head. After five to ten minutes, my attention went to the clock; it was eleven o'clock. Dad was not at home. I called him and asked when he would come and also asked him to send some money. As expected, Dad would come at night. I immediately messaged Rihan

"I Can't Wait For You"

Within a minute he replied, “Me too”.

“Will you come to the signal near my house in half an hour?” I asked him

“Half an hour? Why so long? I will be there in twenty minutes”

Happy with his reply, I sent him a kiss emoji and he sent the same two emoji in reply. I quickly got up and got ready and walked out of the house towards the signal. Within five minutes, I saw Rihan coming from the front on a bike. He stopped the bike approaching me; I was very happy and well dressed. He was shocked to see my look like a deep neck sleeveless t-shirt, fitted jeans, hair tied back, pink color lipstick. He was wearing a grey colour polo shirt and blue jeans. Clean shaven face, his fit and fair body made him look even better. As soon as his car stopped we both gave each other a small hug and I clung to him on the bike behind him. Who knows what perfume he wore; I craved that scent. We went to a big mall. I felt so good walking hand in hand with him. Iron Man was playing in the movie theatre there. 

"Beautiful, look Iron Man is running here, let's get the tickets" Rihan said showing me the poster of the movie.

"Oh but this is such an old movie, and I've seen it so many times"

"But not with me! Let's get a ticket" 

He took me to the ticket window and bought two tickets. The next show was going to start in half an hour, so we kept walking around the mall till then. After half an hour we reached the theatre. He had taken the very last tickets. And the theatre was only 25% full. Most of them were couples. We sat in our seats. After five minutes a third couple left four seats in our row and sat down. The movie had started. After fifteen to twenty minutes Rihan, who was sitting on my right side, whispered in my right ear

"Ria, look to your left" and he smiled softly.

I looked back there, I didn't feel anything special at first as it was dark, and it just felt like the couple was sitting. But as the next scene got a little light I saw the couple kissing casually. I was shocked to see that, looking at Rihan with a fainted smile I slapped on his left arm.

"Uh! Don’t show me like this again" I showed fake anger.

Even though I was telling him that, I didn't feel bad at the sight. On the contrary, libido feelings started arising in my mind. I looked in front again and started watching the movie. Rihan's hand was touching mine for so long; but now I started to realize it. He rested his head on my shoulder after two minutes and continued watching the movie. I shook my shoulder a couple of times but he kept his head still. In between, he began to move my shoulder length hair behind my ears one by one, and as he did so, his fingers ran over my cheeks, I was having goose bumps. I bit my lip. My breathing quickened, I wanted him to hold me close. But I was waiting for his initiative. I was looking at him expectantly. We were looking at each other. He must have understood my feelings. Slowly he pressed his lips on my cheek, I closed my eyes and waited for the next moment. He pulled my head towards him with both his hands and locked his lips with mine. I don't know how long it went on like this. After the interval we came to our senses. I said after coming out of the theatre

"Rihan, let's go home"

I had said in such a tone that he could not oppose me. We immediately left for my house. As soon as we reached home, I dragged him to my room. And we started loving each other abundantly. That afternoon we were lying in each other's arms. After many days we were meeting like this. It felt like nothing else to be in his arms. I hugged him and took his hand in mine and said,

"Rihan, I want you for the rest of my life"

"And me you" - said Rihan.

"I want to marry you dear, I want you as husband" I said.

"Yes, I want you as my wife too" - Rihan said kissing my forehead.

"When are we going to get married?" - I said looking up at him.

"Umm...you say it" – Rihan

"Let's do it now" - Me

"Ha! Ha! how crazy! I think we should wait until you get your law degree" - Rihanna

"Oh! Three more years! I can't wait that long" - Me

"Three years will fly by" – Rihan

"But what's the problem with getting married now?" - I

"You tell me how to get married now" - Rihan

"What do you mean? Like everyone else!" - I

"You mean by telling our parents?" - Rihan

"Yes! What's the matter! Dad won't say no to me" - Me

"And what about Manisha?" - Rihan

"Oh! She must listen to me too" – Me

"Well, I don't think it's the right time anyway. You're only nineteen now." - Rihan

"So what? I'm legally of marriageable age, right?" - I

"That's ok Riya. But I think you need to grow up and be more mature. Then you'll think properly and make your decisions." - Rihan

"So? Do you mean that I should think about you again?" - I sat up and spoke to him with a little anger.

"All I want to say is you should to think properly and make any decision. And I think now you don't have the ability to think properly about marriage." - Rihan

"Are you ok? What are you talking about? What do you think my love is just childish? My love has no meaning?" - I screamed and the next moment my voice broke into tears.

"Riya, please understand what I mean. I am not raising questions about your love. I just want you to make a decision when you are fully aware." - Saying this, he sat up and pulled me closer. I looked at him questioningly.

"Tell me you're not going to leave me, Rihan?" - I said again in a tearful voice. Immediately he hugged me and kissed my head and said,

"I promise you, I won't leave you alone until I die"

His answer filled my eyes with tears. I hugged him tightly. After two minutes he stepped aside. He wiped my eyes and said with a smile,

"You look so cute when you cry"

I laughed too, "What the heck, does anyone look cute when they cry?"

"Yes, the girl sitting in front of me looks cute" - he said, hitting my nose with his finger.

I smiled. I felt better when I pulled him closer and hugged him again. Then Rihan started getting ready to go out.

"O Mister, where to go?" - I

"Dear, I remembered an errand, I'll be there in half an hour. By then you should be ready. We'll go out for dinner later." He said

"Well, fine. Come quickly." – I

Rihan got ready and went out on his bike. I showered and got ready. It was half past five in the evening. I called Dad. He said that he will come home by 9 pm. I told him I was going out for dinner. He thought I was going alone. So he didn't ask anything. However, as Manisha had said, he seemed to have no idea what I was doing. He lived in his own world. Sometimes I liked Manish's words. Anyway Dad was a long time coming, until then I was going to have a great time with Rihan. While I was thinking about him, I got his call,

"Oh beautiful, I have come down, come down if you are ready, otherwise I will come up."

I was ready so I went down. He was waiting outside the house with a bike. He winked at me. I felt very good because of his reaction. I sat behind him. In a few minutes we arrived at a large beachside restaurant. I felt great coming here. Like Rihan was smiling cheek to cheek at me. I knew he was hiding something from me. I was curious to know, so I asked him without hesitation,

"Rihan, why are you smiling like that at me? You are hiding something. Tell me what it is."

"What's wrong? It's nothing! I remember you were crying, so I smiled," he said again with a cheeky smile.

I remained silent, feigning anger. After that we filled each other with grass and had a delicious meal. Even though the meal was over, the table was empty, Rihan did not say anything about leaving. He ordered a small cake. The cake came to the table.

"Beautiful, there's a surprise for you!" - Rihanna

"What! I was saying that you are hiding something. Now tell me quickly" - Me

"Close your eyes first"

I closed my eyes anxiously. After a few moments, his voice faded

"I love you beautiful!"

I slowly opened my eyes, he held in front of me a beautiful gold ring in a velvet box. My happiness is beyond measure!

"Thank you so much dear!" - I

So I extended my right hand. He placed the box on the table and took my hand in his left hand and kissed it with his lips. And picking up the ring with his right hand, he looked into my eyes and put it on the ring finger near the little finger. I was very happy. I stood up and gave him a small kiss.

"I love you too Rihan" - Me

"Beautiful, now we're engaged! I'll never leave you." - Rihanna

"Thank you dear! I'm so lucky to get you" - Me

Then he dropped me home. From that day my love for Rihan increased even more. I was very happy to have him. I felt like I didn't want anything else in life.

----------✽----------

Chapter 6

I stayed with dad for a week. During that time every day Rihan used to visit me at home. We became one many times that week. I started considering Rihan as my husband. He also jokingly called me wife sometimes. I enjoyed hearing that from his mouth. I came back to Manisha. My college had started. Rihan used to visit me in college two days a week. Then the girls with me used to wrinkle their noses seeing us together. I enjoyed asserting my authority over him in front of them. He also used to fulfill all my insistences, treated me very lovingly. Three or four months have been a lot of fun. I was happy. I was used to his company. I used to start the day by talking to him on the phone. There wasn't a day without chatting with him. In all these days, I have never hurt Manisha. Our relationship was becoming like Mother-Daughter. I had stopped calling her by her singular name now. I started calling her Manisha aunty. Whenever she got time, she used to sit with me and explain many things to me. I once asked her about dad.

"Aunty, I know how careless dad is. Then with such a man you…" I stopped speaking.

"I know what you mean. Once you've got your heart set on a man, he's the one you want. I know he only loves my body. That's just the way he is. I've learned to accept him the way he is. He's careless; but he never hurts me on purpose. He never questions me; imposes no constraints." She said getting a bit emotional.

"Yes aunty, he never put any restrictions on me either. Never let anything slip. Dad is really different from others in this regard." I also got emotional and said.

We both were silent for a few moments. Manisha got up and started folding clothes on bed. I also started helping her. A thought crossed my mind,

"Aunty, should we go to stay with dad?" I asked.

She smiled forcefully and said, "No. He's used to being alone. Anyway, he's less at home and more outside. So what's the point of going there? We're better off here. You won't be disturbed in your studies either."

I also smiled and said yes. Because by the time she was talking I had realized my mistake. Lately I realized that if I stayed at dad's with Manisha aunty then it was not possible for Rihan to come there. I thought it was good that she avoided going there. I folded my clothes and returned to my room. Rihan's missed call was visible on the phone. I quickly called him.

"Hi, dear!" - I

"Hi, Beautiful! Where have you been?" - Rihan

"I was with Manisha aunty. Now I have come to my room. Speak then" - Me

"Ah...I am going to Nagpur for work tomorrow. We have got a new project there. Will be back in two days. But I think right after that dad is going to send me there for two months. So I want to meet you before"- Rihan

"What? Oh no! I can't live without you dear. Please don't go." - I

"Really? Then I must go to Nagpur!" - Rihan laughed. I knew he was persecuting me on purpose.

"You don't like me now. You'll find some new girl over there. You don't like me anymore." I said with fake displeasure in my voice.

"Oh Riya! What is it? Don't say that. Even I can't live without seeing you. But it's just two months work. How can we earn without work? Please beautiful, try to understand." - he said pleadingly.

"Okay fine. But promise me, you'll video call me everyday." - I

"Why not beautiful? Seeing you will brighten my day. Love you! I'll meet you at your dad's house when I come back in two days. Please make sure he's not at home. Otherwise I'll book a hotel room." - Rihan

"Oho! Hotel room? You're too much excited! There's no need of that. We'll meet outside the college." - Me

"But why? I don't understand your behavior. Please don't joke" - he said in a serious tone.

"Dear, I'm on my period right." - I

"Oh God! Ok. Then I'll meet you outside the college. Ok bye, mom is calling me." - Rihan

"Bye dear, I will call at night." - I said lovingly.

I couldn't fathom that he was going away from me for two months. But I was helpless. With everything going so well, the mere thought of being without him made me uneasy. When I called him at night, we decided the time to meet outside the college. Ever since I woke up the next day, I felt like I need him with me. When I reached the gate of the college, I did not want to enter. I called him,

"Dear, what are you doing now?" - I spoke in a serious tone

"Nothing special. I am packing my bag. There is a night flight to Nagpur. You know it" - Rihan

"Leave it and meet me out of college right now" - I said a bit annoyed

"But we have decided to meet in the afternoon?" - Rihan

"Are you coming or not?" - I said raising my voice

"Hey! Calm down beautiful! I'll be there in half an hour" - Rihan

"Come soon." - I

"Yes beautiful! I'm leaving right away" - Rihanna

"Listen. I'll wait. Come slowly." - I said worriedly as the thought came in my head that he can ride the bike fast.

"Ok! Don't worry wife!" - Rihanna

I laughed when he called me wife. "Okay hubby" - I hung up the phone laughing. With a happy face I sat on a bench under a tree outside the college and waited for him. The girls in my class came and sat near me. As soon as it was time for the lecture to start, they went inside. I told them that I was going back home because of sudden stomach pain due to my periods. After five minutes I saw Rihan coming on the bike. I got up and came to the road. As he came closer and stopped the bike, I hugged him and then sat behind him on the bike.

"Where to go?" - he asked.

"I want to see a movie with you again" - I said softly bringing my lips to his ear and lightly kissed his cheek from behind.

He looked back and smiled cheekily and within few minutes we reached the mall. I kept my bag outside. I was wearing a light brown plain t-shirt and black jeans. He was wearing a dark violet shirt and formal but fit light gray color pants. He looked very nice. I used to look at him while walking in the mall. He asked me

"O beautiful, why do you look like that?" - He smiled cheekily

Me too blushed and said in a soft voice, "You are looking so handsome."

We walked hand in hand for a long time. Since it was a weekday and early morning, there were very few people in the mall. Some of those shops were opening now and then. We had breakfast there. The show of the movie was coming to an end. We stopped outside the theater with tickets and started taking selfies with the posters. At that time, the movie Zero was released there. The first show ended and we entered. People were slowly coming to the theater. Even ten to twelve percent seats were not filled. We could sit anywhere. People were sitting in the front two-three rows on the seats on the left side. After that two rows were empty and a couple was sitting in the middle row. We sat in the back row against the wall. There was no one behind us. The show started. We watched the movie attentively for half an hour and then our attention slowly shifted towards each other. I was kissing him unconsciously. Half of the people left after the interval. We kissed again for some time. After that we watched the remaining movie and came out.

"Dear, I want to give you something" - Me

"What?" - Rihanna

"Let's go there" - I brought him to the jewelry shop. I bought him a beautiful gold ring and we came out of the mall. From there on the bike, I stopped at a road with less traffic.

"Put your hand forward" - I knelt down in front of him.

He extended his right hand with a smile. I took it in my hand and kissed it and looked into his eyes and put the ring on his finger.

"Now we are completely engaged" - I said with a cheeky smile.

"He grabbed my hand and lifted me up and pulled me close. The next moment our lips were locked. I hugged him tightly.

"I love you so much Riya" - he said kissing my head.

"Love you to Rihan. Please don't leave me" - I said emotionally. He felt the emotion in my voice.

"Relax Riya. I have to go for work. Please don't cry like that." - He wiped my eyes with both hands and put his lips on my lips once again.

I nodded and stood with my head on his shoulder. For the next long time we stood there hugging each other. It was four o'clock. He dropped me near my house and I started walking towards home even though I didn't want to.

----------✽----------