chapter 20

The next day had arrived, the sun shining brightly in the sky as Aashi returned to her home along with Aditya, hand in hand. As they entered the main hall, they were met by Aashi's father, Mr. Triparty, who had stopped on his way to the office.Mr. Triparty noticed their intertwined hands and opened his mouth to speak, but Aashi quickly intervened. Aashi: Dad please. Let's not start the day with an argument (Aashi said, trying to avoid any confrontation) To their surprise, Mr. Triparty spoke calmly Mr Triparty: Don't worry beta. I'm not here to scold you. In fact, I have no problem with your relationship with Aditya from now on. Aashi and Aditya were taken aback by his sudden change of heart. they looked at eachother with confusion. Mr Triparty noticed the expressions on both their faces. Mr Triparty: don't bring such confusing expressions on your faces. what I said just now is true. Aashi couldn't help but question her father's new found acceptance. Aashi: I...i still can't believe you Dad. Just last night, you were completely against us being together, so what made you change your mind today? Mr. Triparty: it's true beta, till last night I was completely against on the relationship of yours with Aditya...infact, I went away from the party in anger...but later at late night I was not able to sleep properly. the whole night I kept on thinking about everything, and finally I came up to the conclusion that if people present at the party can clap and applause your love, then why can't I except it from my side as well? and hence, I decided that I will accept your relationship with Aditya. Aashi: are you...are you really speaking the truth dad? Mr Triparty: yes Aashi beta, it's the truth...I accept Aditya in your life. Getting acceptance for her relationship with Aditya by her dad was like a dream come true for Aashi. her heart was filled with joy and happimess. Overwhelmed with emotion, Aashi ran towards her father and hugged him tightly Aashi: oh dad am so happy today...thank you so much for understanding me and Aditya...Mr Triparty: no need to Thank me beta...A good person like Aditya does deserve a girl like you...and a lovely girl like you does deserve a guy like Aditya...you guys are really made for eachother...Aashi: dad...I really never imagined that I'll ever be able to hear such words from your mouth...am so glad to get your approval...momemts later, after breaking the hug...Mr Triparty looked at Aditya...Mr Triparty: why are you standing there alone Aditya? you are a family now, you too come here my boy and give me a hug... Aditya too couldn't believe Mr Tripartys kind words...he didn't waste a single moment ..he went and hugged him As they stood there, embracing each other, Aashi couldn't help but shed tears of happiness at the sight of her father finally accepting Aditya as a part of their family. It was a moment she had never thought she would see, but one that filled her heart with joy and gratitude. LATER THAT SAME EVENING Aashi received a call from her best friend Tashu, who was waiting for her at the institute. Excitedly, Aashi rushed to the institute with Aditya by her side. As they entered Aashi's cabin, Tashu was already there, waiting for her. The moment they laid eyes on each other, a bright smile lit up their faces.Aashi: Heyyy! Tashu, how are you? (Aashi exclaimed with joy) Tashu: Aashi! I'm fine my dear (Tashu replied, returning the smile) Aashi walked closer to Tashu, They embraced each other tightly, while Aditya watched with a smile and curiosity. As they hugged, Tashu noticed Aditya standing there and walked over to him.Tashu: Well, well, well, so you're the one who stole my best friend's heart huh? Hmmmm Not bad ha, I must say you're quite handsome (Tashu teased) Aditya looked at Tashu nervously, not knowing who she was. Aditya: Ah sorry I...I don't know you (he stammered) Aashi joined them and introduced Tashu and Aditya to eachother. Aashi: well Aditya let me introduce you to Tashu. She is like a sister to me...we have been friends since school days, and currently along with me, even Tashu holds the responsibilities of the institute, though most of the time she is out of town. actually she lives in Australia at her cousins house, but she does Visits India 2-3 times a year. after introducing Tashu to Aditya, Aashi turned her face towards Tashu. Aashi: and Tashu, I no need to introduce Aditya to you...you have clearly understood who he is...Tashu: oh yes yes yes...ofcourse. I might have not seen him ever before...but I recognised him instantly. Aditya: it's really nice meeting you Tashu (Aditya took his hand forward towards Tashu to do a handshake) Tashu: nice to meet you too Aditya (Tashu did the handshake) Aashi: alright then...you guys talk...since I have come to the institute after almost a week, I'll take a round and will do few check ups about the day today activities happening here...you guys sit here in the cabin...I'll see you soon Aditya: alright Aashi...As Aashi left the room...Tashu kept looking at Aditya...he noticed it. Aditya: Ah what happened Tashu? why are you looking at me like this? Tashu: nothing much Aditya. actually I was thinking that the girl who didn't show any interest in any guy till now finally ended up falling in love with you...I mean it's really amazing. Aditya: what do you exactly mean Tashu? Tashu: Aashi was a very popular girl in school and collage days due to her beauty. there were several guys who had crush on her, but she never ever gave attention to any of them. infact, in our friend circle we all had partners...but inspite of being the most beautiful girl in our group...Aashi was the only one who was single. and whenever we use to ask her that why she never thinks of dating someone, she always use to tell us that she doesn't want to go in a relationship just for the sake of going. in today's times when love has become a joke and people end up having several breakups ...in such times she wants to find a partner who will be the first and the last for her. she was in search of a long lasting love. and today as I look at you ...I can say that she has really found her true soul mate in the form of you...you are the right choice for my friend. Aditya: well how can you be so sure that am the right one? Tashu: it's because Aashi has told me everything about you whenever we use to talk on calls, and by the way, my sixth sense is very strong ha.....by just seeing a person I can tell what kind of a human being he is, and looking at you, I can feel the positivity ...your a true and real person that Aashi deserves. As they talked, Aditya felt a sense of reassurance and gratitude for having Tadhus approval. days pass...one fine day, Aditya gets a call from Mr Triparty to come and meet him at his office. Aditya doesn't waste time ...he immidiately goes to meet him. as he reaches there...he sees a young lady in her early 30s sitting at the reception...he walks towards her. Aditya: ah hello, Triparty Sir had called me to meet ...Lady: are you Mr Aditya? Aditya: yes I am...Lady: ohh...Mr Aditya....Triparty Sir is expecting you...you can directly go to his cabin. it's in the right direction (the woman gives a very gentle reply with a smile) Aditya: Thank You So Much (saying this, Aditya walks towards the cabin...he was bit nervous) after reaching at the cabin, he opens the door...it was a huge cabin and Mr Triparty was sitting on his seat. Aditya: ah..May I come in Sir? Mr Triparty: Hey Aditya...ofcourse you can come in, and please...you no need to take permissions like the staff of my company...you are a family now...come and sit...Aditya smiles and walks inside and sits on the chair. he still looked nervous... Aditya: Sir...you called me all of a sudden? what happened? Mr Triparty: actually Aditya since you and Aashi are in a relationship now...so I wanted to discuss something with you...Aditya: what is it Sir? (Aditya question with expressions of worriedness) Mr Triparty noticed the expressions on Adityas face. Mr Triparty: Hey hey...don't be so much tensed Aditya...all am saying is that you are part of the family and so...now the time has come to make you part of my bussiness as well...Aditya was all surprised and stunned hearing Mr Tripartys reply...Aditya: Sir...what...what do you mean? Mr Triparty: look Aditya, whatever I have earned all my life...its all for my daughter. and now since you are the most special person in her life...all this now belongs to you as well...and that's the reason I want you to enter my bussiness world...i want you to be part of it. Aditya: but....but I have just met your daughter months back Sir...how can you put so much trust in me? Mr Triparty: I have seen goodness in your eyes Aditya...you are worth trusting. Hearing Mr Tripartys reply, Aditya felt a sense of reassurance and gratitude, he was overwhelmed with the kind of trust Mr Triparty has put in him. Aditya: it's your humbleness and greatness Sir for offering me to be part of your bussiness world...but trust me Sir...neither am worthy and neither I want any of this. I want to gain wealth on my own by doing real hard work. Aashi has seen a person within me who is capable of achieving something in life on my own, and I don't want to dissspoint her. I want to gain wealth for sure ...but I want to do it on my own. if I accept your offer then ofcourse I'll be gaining a lot of wealth...but there won't be any kind of my hard work involved in achieving it...so am sorry Sir, but I can't accept your offer. Mr Triparty: all right Aditya...I respect your decision...Aditya: and there's one more thing that I would like to tell you Sir...I'll marry Aashi for sure, but I'll marry her when I have achieved something in life...I want to make myself capable and deserving enough to ask her hand from you.....I want to be the person of whom she always dreamt of me to become, a person having identity of his own. Mr Triparty: ok Aditya...i have no problem with your decision ...infact I appreciate it...Good luck by boy...Aditya felt happy knowing that Mr Triparty supported him in his decisionAditya: Thank You So Much for understanding my perspective Sir...Thank you...after having the conversation as Aditya came out of the cabin. he was carrying mixed emotions in his mind, As he stepped out into the hallway, he was surprised to see Aashi standing there, her eyes filled with love and admiration.Aditya: Ah Aashi you? I had no idea you would be here (Aditya said, a hint of surprise in his voice) Aashi: Well, I just came to meet my dad casually, but I'm so glad I did. Aditya: what...what do you mean by that? Aashi: I overheard your conversation with my dad Aditya Aditya: so are you...are you upset on me for rejecting your dad's offer? Aashi shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. Aashi: not at all my love, am not upset at all. In fact, after hearing your conversation with my dad, am even more in love with you now. You could have easily accepted the offer and taken the easy way out to gain wealth, but you chose to follow your own path and work hard to achieve success. yes it's true that I would have been happy if you accepted my dad's offer...but the reason who gave for not accepting it, that reason has made me even more happy, infact am feeling so proud of you and am glad that I choosed you as my life partner...I support your decision (Aashi replied emotionally with pride and happiness) Aditya felt a lump form in his throat as he listened to Aashi's words. He was filled with a sense of gratitude and love.Aditya: if you are proud of me and my decision than nothing can stop me from achieving something in life. you onced promised me being a pillar of strength in my life...just stay like this with me forever Aashi. I need nothing but only your support and love. Aashi: I'll always be there for you Aditya. Together, we can conquer the world. They embraced each other, their hearts filled with love and determination. As they stood there in the hallway, they knew that as long as they had each other, they could overcome any obstacle that came their way. Their love was their strength, their bond unbreakable. to be continued in next chapter