02

I slowly looked up into those ocean-blue eyes that glared at me. And at that moment, I wished that the ground had swallowed me. I gulped and looked around for help but found none.

My grandmother departed while I was preoccupied with making coffee. She mentioned she was feeling unwell and advised me to be cautious and avoid any fights.

Like I was going---

"What." His voice broke the silence. "Is. This." He asked, pointing towards his laptop.

Calm down, Ria.

It's not as if you killed anyone.

Everyone makes mistakes.

I agreed with my inner voice and forced a fake smile on my face.

"I'm sorry, Sir. It was an unintentional mistake," I said, maintaining a steady voice.

"Sorry?" He replied, his tone grave and unyielding, sending a chill down my spine.

"An apology won't undo the damage. Miss..." He paused, looking for my name tag. "Where is your name tag?" he inquired, locking eyes with me.

I didn't wear a nametag because it's my grandma's cafe. I didn't need one since I don't work here; I just come to help sometimes.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Mark, one of the waiters, came rushing towards me, holding my phone in one hand. His eyes filled with worries. Sweat has started forming on his forehead. I furrowed my eyebrows as he reached.

"Aaron called... Your grandma had a heart attack. She's in the hospital," he said. As the words escaped his lips, my world began to sway. I grasped the chair next to me for support. Tears welled up in my eyes, clouding my sight.

What?

Gathering my remaining strength, I stood up and grasped my phone with trembling hands.

I dialed Aaron's number, my impatience growing with each ring that went unanswered.

On the second attempt, he picked up immediately. His voice shivered as he spoke. "D...Di...Grandma."

"I know. Where are you?" I asked.

"City Hospital," he replied.

"I'm on my way." After ending the call, I exchanged a knowing look with Mark and left the cafe.

After exiting the cafe, I realized that I didn't have any vehicle with me as I walked there because our house was only a few blocks away.

The city hospital is half an hour away means I can't walk. My car is also in the garage for service.

I opened my phone to book an Uber, but it showed only 1% battery, and soon the screen went black.

I groaned and started walking. Maybe I will find a cab on the main road. I hope--

My thoughts broke as a car pulled up beside me. As the windows rolled down, an unfamiliar face came into view.

"Hey, I heard about what happened. Do you want a ride?" the man offered. I stared at him, recognizing him as the man who had been sitting next to Mr. Rude in the cafe. What was he doing here, and why was he offering help?

"Well..." he said, his gaze fixed on me.

Should I trust him?

Stranger Danger, My brain said.

You don't have any other option other than this. My inner voice said.

Opening the door, I sat, and he started the car. I gave him the hospital address and looked out the window, silently praying for my grandma.

When Aaron's and my parents died, our uncles and aunts were going to adopt us, but grandma denied it, saying she would take us with her. Then, from India, She brought us here. She knew that they all were only after our money and properties.

"I apologize for my brother's earlier actions," the man said, gazing at the road while I looked at him with confusion.

"Brother?"

"Yes, the man you had dispute with recently."

"Oh, you mean Mr. Rude," I remarked, frowning at the memory. Then, suddenly it dawned upon me. "Wait...He's your brother? You both are so different in behaviour."

He chuckled and nodded. I looked at him and noticed that they both had the same eyes. Ocean Blue.

"He's not that bad. He sometimes hates people." He expressed and stopped as the red lights came.

"By the way, I'm Aarav." He said, smiling brightly at me, which made me smile.

"Ria."

Aarav seems like a nice guy.

After some talk, we both fell into silence.

I looked outside the window and noticed we were almost near the hospital. As the car stopped, I thanked him and got out.

×

As the lift door of the seventh floor opened, I saw Aaron standing outside the room.

I rushed towards him, and saw that his eyes were puffy, probably due to crying.

Wrapping my arm around him, I embraced him. Tears began to stream down my face. Grandma is the only family we have left after our parents passed away. We can't bear the thought of losing her as well.

Sometime later, a nurse approached us.

"Ms. Ria Mehra?"

"Yes?" I said, looking at her with my blurry vision.

"You can see the patient now." After saying that, she left, and we made our way toward the room.

Taking a deep breath, I turned the doorknob and entered.

Tears welled up in my eyes once more as I saw my grandmother lying in the hospital bed, her hands connected to tubes. Her eyes were shut as I took a seat beside her.

"Grandma?" I called out, my voice quivering. Aaron rested his hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Her eyes fluttered open gradually, and a faint smile graced her face upon seeing us.

"You scared us," Aaron murmured.

"Don't cry. I'm still alive," she said with a grin, gently brushing away our tears.

×

It's been one week since that incident happened. Everything was going fine.

We were spending a lot of time with grandma. Realising the importance she hold in our life.

I sighed and started my car. I needed to get a job. It's been four days since I gave an interview with a company. But they haven't responded yet. I think they had rejected me.

I should try in some other company.

Parking my car, I got out and entered the house only to see guests in the living room. Their gazes turned to me. My eyes widened, and a nervous smile spread across my face.

I cleared my throat and stepped into the room, receiving a 'Behave properly' glance from Grandma.

Swallowing hard, I took a seat next to her. A man and a woman, who appeared to be in their fifties, were seated across from us.

"Ria, Meet Dhruv. Your father's best friend." A lump formed in my throat at the mention of my parents.

Tears started to build in my eyes, but I blinked and smiled at them. "And She's his wife, Manvi," Grandma said, motioning towards the woman. The woman smiled sweetly at me, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Ria, you've grown up. The last time we saw you, you were eighteen. After that, we moved abroad and lost contact," said Dhruv Uncle, smiling at me, and continued, I'm so sorry about what happened." He spoke, saddness clouding his eyes. I smiled at them and looked into the distance.

"She's my daughter, Natasha," Dhruv Uncle said, gesturing towards the girl I hadn't noticed earlier. My gaze shifted to the girl sitting opposite me.

She had ocean-blue eyes and brown hair, appearing to be about my age.

She greeted me with a smile, "Hey, Ria."

"Hi," I replied.

"It's so nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you," she said.

Me?

I smiled at her, a little perplexed.

She glanced at her ringing phone and picked it up, offering me an apologetic look.

I looked at them, and a strange feeling settled in my heart telling me that there is a reason behind there unexpected visit to us.

I turned to Aaron, who was engrossed in his phone. Clearing my throat, I caught his attention. He raised his eyes to mine, a frown creasing his forehead. Standing up, I motioned for him to come with me. As I headed to the kitchen, I paused and faced him.

"What's happening?" I inquired folding my hands. He passed me a confused look.

"What do you mean by that?" His avoidance of eye contact did not go unnoticed by me.

"Aaron. Tell me. Everyone's acting so oddly."

"It's nothing. You're just overthinking it. They are just here to check upon us."

With that, he left the kitchen, and I was left feeling uncertain.

Something is definitely fishy here!

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