chapter 16

Aditya and Aashi were having the dinner, As they savored each bite, Aashi's father, Mr. Triparty, observed them with a curious gaze.Mr Triparty: So Aditya, how's the food? am sure you're loving it (Mr. Triparty questioned with a hint of superiority) Aditya, trying to be polite, replied...Aditya: Oh yes sir. The food is absolutely delicious. It's been a while since I've had such a tasty meal. Hearing Aditya's response, Mr. Triparty let out a laugh. Mr Triparty: HAHA HAHA! I know, middle-class people like you don't get to taste such lavish and tasty food every day. But we... we have this kind of food every single day. In fact, the dishes you've been served tonight are nothing compared to what we eat daily. We have even more delicious food than this. Aashi didn't appreciate her father's reply at all. She felt a pang of anger rising within her. Aashi: Dad, there are no small or big categories in food. Food is just food. You can't judge a person's status based on what they eat. And please, Aditya is a guest in our house tonight, so please respect him (Aashi replied with her voice filled with disappointment) Mr. Triparty smirked, trying to insult Aditya indirectly. Mr Triparty: Beta Aashi, respect is given to the people who have the capacity to earn it. I run a huge business empire, but what about him? He doesn't even have his own house. That's the reason he's using your apartment. And you expect me to respect such a person? Aditya's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing such insulting words. He remained silent, not uttering a word, but Aashi's temper flared even more.Aashi: That's enough Dad! If you don't like Aditya, then why did you even invite him to our house? (Aashi questioned, her anger evident) Mr. Triparty scoffed, his anger rising. Mr Triparty: What did you think ha? That I invited Aditya here to honor him? No, not at all. I invited him here to make this piece of trash realize his position compared to us. I wanted to show him that if we are the sky, then he is not even the dust of the land. Aditya's heart ached from the hurtful words, but he remained silent. Aashi, however, couldn't bear it any longer.Aashi: Now, that's too much! By speaking such insulting words against Aditya, you've gone too far Dad. I won't tolerate it anymore (Aashi declared, her voice filled with determination. She turned towards Aditya, her eyes filled with empathy) Come Aditya. Let's go from here. My heart can't bear any more insults of yours. Come, let's leave (Aashi said emotionally) But Mr. Triparty wasn't finished. He tightened his grip on the spoon in his hand and angrily retorted Mr Triparty: I have not done yet. You guys are not going anywhere. This is my mansion, and without my permission, no one can leave. Aashi stood her ground, her voice unwavering. Aashi: Don't you forget Dad, that this house also belongs to me. I won't let you forcefully make someone sit here whom I love and continue insulting him. I'm taking him away from here. Do what you want. With that, Aashi turned towards Aditya, her eyes filled with determination and love. Aashi: Come Aditya. You've stayed here long enough. Now Let's go from here. Aditya nodded, his heart touched by Aashi's unwavering support. They both walked out of the mansion, leaving Mr. Triparty fuming with anger.As they walked away, hand in hand, Aditya couldn't help but feel grateful for Aashi's love and strength. She took Aditya into their locality, where his bike was parked. Aashi couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Aditya: Hey Aashi, why are you crying yaar? Aashi: am...am sorry Aditya. If I had even the slightest hint that my dad had invited you for dinner just to insult you, I would have never let you come in here. (Aashi sniffled and replied) Aditya: Hey, there's no fault of yours okay? Why are you blaming yourself? (Aditya placed his hands on her cheeks and replied) Aashi: I thought that my dad would accept you, but I was wrong. I was totally wrong (Aashi looked into Adityas eyes and replied) Aditya: Hey Aashi, stop it yaar. Haven't I told you that I hate tears in your eyes? And by the way, if we try to think from your dad's perspective, then even he is not entirely wrong. I don't belong to your status, so as a father, his hatred towards me is justified. Aashi: No Aditya, not at all. What he said to you in there... none of it can be justified. He is wrong, and this is the truth (Aashi replied with her voice filled with determination) Aditya: But Aashi...(Aditya began, but Aashi interrupted him) Aashi: Please Aditya, don't try to prove that my dad is right. Now come on, let's go to the apartment. After the things that happened inside the house, I don't feel like staying in there. I'm coming along with you (Aashi replied, wiping away her tears) Aditya looked at her with concern Aditya: Hey, don't act crazy like that. If you come with me tonight to the apartment, it will only ruin things even more. You go inside your house now. and don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Aashi: No Aditya. I don't want to stay in there. I want to come with you (Aashi insisted, her voice filled with determination) Aditya: Please Aashi, try to understand. No matter what he said to me, he is elder to us, and you are his daughter. Don't leave him like this. Go inside now. I'll be fine and see you tomorrow (Aditya replied, trying to convince Aashi) Aashi: Are you sure that you will be alright? (Aashi asked with curosity and concern) Aditya: Yes my dear. I'll be alright. And don't worry. If you want, then after reaching the apartment, I'll give you a call (Aditya assured her) Aashi: Alright then, if you say so, I won't come with you. But please don't forget to call me as soon as you reach, alright?" (Aashi requested) Aditya: Uff! Yes ma'am. Don't worry about it. I'll call you the moment I step inside the apartment. Now come on. You go in now Finally after convincing Aashi, Aditya left the place with his bike. Aashi watched him until he disappeared from sight. to be continued in next chapter