chapter 22

Mr. Triparty: As you know, I have never been able to give enough time for my daughter. But in the past few months, I have been trying to strengthen our relationship. And for her happiness, I have accepted you with all my heart. and Now, I want to make her even more happier by arranging her engagement with you. Aditya was taken aback by the unexpected proposal. Aditya: What...what are you saying Sir? Mr Triparty: yes son...once you return back from Banglore, I want you to get engaged with my daughterAditya: but Sir...as I told you earlier...am not ready to marry Aashi yet, I want to make myself capable before asking her hand from you...I need some timeMr. Triparty: I know you may not be ready to marry Aashi yet, and that's okay. for now, I just want you to get engaged with her when you return from Bangalore. am sure she will be thrilled to know that am considering you both to get engaged as soon as possible. Aditya: so you have not yet talked with Aashi about it? Mr Triparty: not yet son...in fact, I want to surprise her by giving this news all of a sudden...but I'll do this when you return back from Banglore Aditya was touched by Mr. Triparty's words. He felt a surge of emotions Aditya: I...i don't know what to say Sir. to be honest with you ...I love Aashi so much that I wanted to marry her as soon as possible, but as I said earlier, I decided that I'll become something in my life first and than I'll marry her....but somewhere, I too had the wish of atleast getting engaged with her. and today after knowing that even you to wants us to get engaged as soon as possible...i feel so happy Mr Triparty smiled hearing Adityas reply. Mr. Triparty: So It's settled then. After you return from Bangalore, we both will surprise Aashi together with this news. Aditya: Yes, definitely Sir. I am on board with this plan. Mr Triparty: but I have one small request Aditya, I had buyed a gift for Aashi which I actually wanted to present her on her birthday Party...but as you know how the party ended up that evening...hence, I didn't get chance to give the gift to herAditya: what gift is it Sir? (questioned Aditya with curosity) Mr Triparty takes his right hand forward in which he was holding a box. Mr Triparty: here Aditya ...this is the gift, it's a dress-set which Aashi had admired a lot during her holiday trip at Italy. it's a very costly dress...somehow at that time Aashi was not able to buy it...but I made it sure that I manage to find that dress-set and gift it to her on her birthday. but now since I was not able to give the gift on her birthday...I want to gift it now on the engagement day ...but there's a problem Aditya: what problem Sir? Mr Triparty: if I keep this present at the mansion than there are chances that it might catch Aashis attention...and I don't want that to happen. I want to gift this dress-set only on the day when she will be getting engaged to you...Aditya: so now what you have decided to do Sir? Mr Triparty: well...Aditya I want you to hide this dress here in the apartment....if the dress is kept here than it would never come up in Aashis attention. this is all that am asking you ...Aditya: don't worry Sir...I'll do as you say...I'll hide the gift here in the apartment ...I won't let her know about this. Mr Triparty: Thanks Aditya. alright now, I'll leave...Aashi might be reaching here at any moment ...you have a safe journey. Aditya: Thank You Sir Mr Triparty handovers the box to Aditya and goes from there. Later, Aashi came to meet Aditya to drop him at the airport....and so, finally he left for Bangalore. After reaching, Aditya booked a room for himself in a hotel to stay. LATER ON THAT SAME DAY It was a warm evening when Aashi and Aditya were talking on the phone. Aashi: so tomorrow finally one of your painting will get sold out, aren't you excited my love? (Aashi asked eagerly) Aditya: Yes, am definately excited about it, but there's something else that I'm even more excited about (Aditya replied mysteriously) Aashi: What is it? (Aashi asked with curiosity) Aditya: well well well! I wish I could tell you, but I can't reveal it until I return back to Chawanpur (Aditya teased) Aashi: Uff! Don't put me in a suspense Aditya. Please tell me what it is Aditya: am sorry my love. I won't tell you until I come back (Aditya said playfully) Aashi was frustrated. Aashi: Come on Aditya. What could be more exciting than your painting getting sold? Aditya: There is something Aashi...there is something that is much more exciting. It's something that involves both of us. But I'll tell you only when I returnAashi's heart raced with curiosity. Aashi: Yaar! Your words are driving me crazy now Aditya: Have patience my love. I'll reveal everything when I come back (Aditya reassured her) Aashi: Hmmmm! Alright idiot, I'll wait for that day.......... Acha listen, I have to go now. Take care. Aditya: You too take care (Aditya replied as they ended the call) After talking to Aditya as Aashi was sitting on the bed in her room, she heard her father's loud voice coming from the main hall. Curious and concerned, she quickly made her way to the hall to see what was going on.Aashi: Dad, what's wrong? Why are you shouting? (Aashi asked, her brow furrowed with worry) Mr Triparty: Something terrible has happened Aashi (Mr. Triparty replied with a tense expression) Aashi: Something terrible? What is it Dad? (Aashi pressed, her heart racing) Mr Triparty: do you remember the bag that was brought in our mansion last nigh? Aashi: Yes, the bag containing amount of 50 lakhs right? What about it? Mr Triparty: It's gone Aashi. The bag is not in my room. I've searched everywhere, but it's nowhere to be found (Mr. Triparty explained, his voice filled with worry) Aashi was shocked Aashi: What??? How could it just get disappear like that? Mr Triparty: I don't know beta, I even had Shamlal search for it, but it's gone. I think....I think someome has stolen it. Aashi: Stolen? But how is that possible dad? No one has been in or out of the mansion since last evening (Aashi pointed out, puzzled) Mr Triparty: well when it comes to our servants, they are all loyal and i trust them. But yes, there was one outsider present in our mansion when the bag was brought in (Mr. Triparty hesitated) Aashi's eyes widened in realization. Aashi: dad....you mean...you mean Aditya ? You think he took the money? Mr. Triparty: beta try to undertand, I'm not accusing him, but he is a middle-class man. The temptation of such a large sum of money might have been too much for him to resist. Hearing Mr Tripartys reply, Aashi's anger flared. Aashi: How dare you accuse Aditya! He's a good person, and don't you forget that he is the same person who rejected your offer to join your business. How could you think that he would do something like this dad? I think....I think you are going back to your cheap mentality. Mr Triparty: come on Aashi...please try to understand my point....Aashi: stop it dad...just stop it! from last few months I had started feeling that your perspective towards Aditya had changed...I was so happy...but today after hearing your talks...I feel...I feel that somewhere you have not yet accepted him....anyways dad, after hearing such nonsense talk of yours towards Aditya...my mind is feeling disturbed...I can't stay here tonight..Mr Triparty: but beta....Aashi: please Dad...I need some time alone. I'll go and spent the night at the apartment. and don't you dare to stop me...As she stormed out of the mansion, Aashi couldn't believe her father's accusations towards Aditya. she was hurt by his words and also felt anger at the same time. in the coming days the things that were about to happen in Aditya and Aashis life ....non of them had ever imagined about it even in their dreams. to be continued in next chapter