Riya's POV.

I walked into my house with a pale face but amused to see so many unknown people in the hall talking to my parents with bright faces.

The atmosphere hinted me something good, something special.

Who are they? and why are they here?

I smiled at them weirdly and walked to my room to change into a salwar suit.

Mom dragged me to the kitchen soon I go freshen up and changed into Salwar.

"I am happy" She gave me a hug and fed me Kheer.

I smiled at her happiness and looked into her eyes for the reason.

"Viraj came with his parents and asked Diya's hand for marriage"

"Your dad accepted the proposal gladly and they are discussing betrothal and marriage arrangements and dates." She said happily like a kid.

I can see her happiness in her eyes.

I hugged her back and kissed her cheek.

She is busy arranging things and I took the pleasure to help her.

I glanced at dad though the half ajar door of the kitchen and his face looks so priceless.

I never gave him this happiness.

Why I always hurt people with my choices and words.

I thought about Ayush and badly wanted to talk to him once.

Quickly shunning that thought I walked into the hall with a tray of bowls filled with Kheer and looked at Viraj whom I failed to notice amid these new faces.

He smiled back at me took the bowl of Kheer with a bit of excitement.

Diya is sitting opposite him, stealing a few glances at him occasionally.

This scene made my heart flutter with happiness.

I offered the others Kheer and glanced at everyone to catch a glimpse of their happy faces.

Diya is sitting quietly and feeling shy.

This is so new to us, especially me.

I smiled at her but she shunned my presence.

I thought about Ayush for a second, I too have this bad habit. Today I hurt him more than this.

I felt a pang of guilt and wanted to talk to him once.

Without taking her actions to my heart, I walked to her side and stood to look at Viraj.

It has been a year almost, I didn't see a glance of him.

He hasn't changed much.

Everyone looked so happy and my heart fluttered for a second.

Diya always makes my parents proud, she is a good child. I truly felt happy for her.

"This month 22.." I heard them mentioning a date for engagement and I looked at the calendar for a fraction of the moment.

"It's Ayush's birthday." I quickly shut my eyes thinking about him.

A tear escaped from my eyes and I quickly wiped it off, walking away from there not to disturb their happy mood.

Why? Why do I hurt him always? Why?

I can clearly see the pain in his eyes still he never avoided me.

He is rich, well educated, and powerful. He is better than me in all ways.

Why did he choose me? Why me?

I walked to my room and searched for my phone.

My eyes brimmed with tears soon I saw a message from Ayush.

He asked me to stay calm and don't think much.

How can he love me to this extent?How?Why? I quickly made a call to him.

He didn't lift the call, might be he is busy.

I sat on the bed dragging my legs to me and hugging them tightly.

Another half an hour passed, People started leaving our house slowly.

Viraj shared a small chat with me but Diya looks angry, Why?

I didn't pay attention to her and talked to her to be in-laws and felt happy to know they like us and our family.

I learned to know many things about Viraj and his family. Viraj has an elder brother Peeyush and he is an Anesthetist.

His father is a Businessman and his mother is a housewife.

Everyone in our family assembled in our hall after their departure.

Dad looked pleased and mom is extremely happy.

Things looked so calm and serene.

Dad talked with us about the engagement date, Venue, and other arrangements.

I felt truly happy for Diya and my elder sister deserves this happiness.

We had dinner talking about Viraj, his family, and some more random things.

This was what I missed in this one year.

My parents and their love.

Dad kissed my forehead after finishing dinner and asked me about my job.

I felt happy to share things about Rishi's uncle and the new deal.

Don't know why? I badly wanted to talk to dad about Ayush.

I did a big mistake by choosing Arjun despite my dad's warning but now I want Dad to know about Ayush and his feelings towards me.

I think he is the only one who can give me the piece of advice which I greatly need at this moment.

But I am afraid what if dad things wrong about me? though he never questions his upbringing.

Mom is happy for Diya, She was praising Viraj and his parents.

Finally, I laid on bed thinking about Ayush and his word.

I quickly gazed at the clock and rang his phone thinking he will be free.

He lifted my call after a few rings.

None of us talked for a second.

Thick silence in the air and it made me tense.

"Riya!" He initiated the conversation and I am listening to his words holding my breath.

"I am...am...sorry Ayush." I stammered but he didn't answer anything.

"I am sorry Ayush, your silence frightens me, "I spoke talking a brief pause.

"Your ignorance and distrust kill me always." He spoke a bit harshly.

This is so new, he never spoke to me in this tone.

"Are you drunk?" I asked a bit slowly, gulping down in fear.

If yes this is not the correct time to talk to him, unknowingly I might trigger his ego.

"Why do you care actually?Why?"He chuckled making my heart stop for a second.

I didn't speak anything.

"Don't worry, Not much? I am deprived of sleep. I took it" He mumbled on the other side of the phone.

"You asked me to stay away from you but now why did you take the pleasure to call me." He mocked me.

"Sleep Riya, it's too late."He cut the call abruptly.

I stood there in a shock looking at my phone with a pale face.

I realized that he never scolded me not talked harshly with me and I took it granted all the time.

How lame I am?

"Riya, open the door."I heard Diya shouting outside of my room, banging the door with her fist repeatedly.

Why is she shouting at me now?

Why the hell is she angry with me?

What did I do?

I walked towards the door to open the bolt, inviting the storm into my room.

She came in and stood fuming with her fierce red eyes.

To be continued...