Chapter 24:- First Face Off!

Aarohi was serving lunch to everyone when Priya's words took everyone's attention, "Aarohi beta, where is your ring!?" Aarohi's hand halted as she looked up at Priya with wide eyes before looking at Advaith, who was already looking at him. "Mom, actually--", even before Aarohi can come up with a proper reply, Advaith said, "The ring is lost." Aarohi looked at Advaith thinking about how easily he said this and others first look at Advaith and then Aarohi. "Aarohi, dear it was a family ring. How did it get lost??", Priya asked worriedly, as it was not just a ring but also the souvenir of Abhiraj's mother. " Mom, it is not Aarohi's fault. She gave me the ring to me in Delhi but I lost it.", Advaith said with an expressionless face and Priya frowned at him. "Advaith, it was your grandmother's last sign. How can you lose that ring! ", Priya scolded Advaith for being so much careless while Advaith continued having his lunch without any reply. Aarohi looked at how Priya scolded Advaith even though the ring was lost by her, and felt sad for Advaith. "Mom, actually the ring--", Aarohi again tried to say something but was interrupted by Advaith, " Mom I will get a new one for Aarohi. And about that ring-- I will talk to dad." Aarohi looked at Advaith with frowns who looked back at her and slightly nodded his head in no, asking her not to say anything. Aashi frowned at this silent conversation going on between the couple but didn't say anything. "It is not that simple, Advaith. You know your father. I do not understand what has happened to you. You were never like this before.", Priya exclaimed frustrated while Advaith first looked at his Aarohi for a moment before looking back at his mother and said, "Mom, even dad was not like this before. But now he has a problem with my everything, every habit of mine.. You know what I mean!" It was more like a statement than a question and Priya sighed tiredly, while Aarohi frowned not understanding that exactly what has happened between Advaith and his father. ~~~~~ From the moment they entered their bedroom, Advaith was waiting for her to at least ask something about whatever happened downstairs. He wanted her to ask that why he took the blame for the lost ring when in reality she was the one who lost the ring. Somewhere he wanted to talk to her! But to his dismay, Aarohi didn't say anything regarding the conversation down there. Infact, since the moment they entered the room, she didn't even spare a glance at him even for once, as if he is not even present there in the room. Sighing he sat on the couch with his laptop and started working on a project, again and again glancing at the closet door from where Aarohi went inside a few minutes back. He looked up at her who came out after five minutes with a bag full of gifts they bought from Delhi for the family members. "You are going to give gifts to everyone? Wait, even I am also coming.", Advaith said and keep the laptop back on the couch, before following Aarohi who ignored him and already left the room. "Wow bhabhi (sister-in-law), this anklet is so beautiful. You have bought this for whom, for me?", Aashi asked picking up the anklet which Aarohi had first choosen for Aashi but then kept for herself when Advaith told her that it will look good on her instead of Aashi. " That one is for Aarohi. This another one is for you.", even before Aarohi can say something, Advaith replied to Aashi while passing the anklet which they bought for her. " No Aashi, actually I had taken both of these for you. I was not sure of what is your style so I bought two different anklets for you. Infact you can keep both of them.", Aarohi said passing the one she bought for herself, while Advaith looked at her blankly. Aarohi looked up at him feeling his intense gaze, and saw something was evident in his eyes just for mere seconds, before they again turned stoned. Hurt!! Aarohi frowned in dilemma regarding what she saw. Was it really hurt reflecting from his eye, or she was just imagining the things. " I will come attending a call.", Advaith excused himself, not before casting a glance at Aarohi who kept looking at his retreating figure. " Thank you so much, bhabhi (sister-in-laws)! This both are so beautiful.", Aashi's words got Aarohi to look at her and she gave a small smile to her before saying, "I knew that you will love it for sure. Mom, did you like Aashi's gift?" "It is really beautiful dear.", Priya said with a small smile while Aarohi frowned a little before asking, " Mom, are you still angry about the ring thing?" " I am not angry. I am just upset thinking that when Abhiraj comes to know that Advaith has lost his mother's ring, he will be very angry.", Priya said with a tensed lines forming on her forehead. " Mom, Since the day I have came to this house, there is something wrong between Dad and Advaith. I mean they behave very much formally with each other.", Aarohi finally asked, not before battling with herself about whether to interfere in their matter or not. "Bhabhi (sister-in-law), actually--", Aashi tried saying something but Priya intervened saying, "Oh Aarohi where are my gifts?" This divert Aarohi's attention and she immediately started finding Priya's gift, while Aashi looked at Priya with frowns who nodded in no asking her not to say anything. "Mom, I guess your gifts are in other bag. I will go and get it for you.", Aarohi said and went upstairs to get Priya's gift. " Mom, why did you not let me say anything to bhabhi (sister-in-law)?", Aashi asked Priya who looked at her and sighed heavily. "Don't you know that Advaith already don't like Aarohi's interference in his life. And now if by mistake Aarohi said something in front of Advaith about his and Abhiraj's problem, and if Advaith said something in reverse to that poor girl, then she would feel very bad. That is why it is better that whenever all is well between Advaith and Aarohi, then Advaith himself should tell Aarohi every secret related to his life.", Priya said and Aashi nodded agreeing to her. ~~~~~ "Advaith, please come home. dad wants to meet you.", Aamira said to Advaith on call, while Advaith sighed tiredly before replying, "Aamira, not now. Already I am having one more problem. I have lost my grandmother's ring and -" "And what about us, Advaith? Neither you are doing anything nor you are letting me do anything in this matter. You just have to come here and talk to my dad about us and in this also--", Aamira said crying which irritated Advaith more. "I AM ALSO TRYING AAMIRA. BUT WHAT CAN I DO, WHEN THE SITUATION IS NOT IN OUR FAVOUR. YOU KNOW WHAT, I AM FED UP!", Advaith shouted massaging his right temple and throw the cellphone on bed. It was first time he shouted on Aamira in this two years, and somewhere he was feeling bad as well. But currently he was not going to call her and explain her when he himself was so confused about his feelings. Feeling someone's gaze upon him, he looked up and saw Aarohi at the threshold of their bedroom, looking at bit nervous. "You need something?", His voice was nothing like few minutes ago, rather he was calm. "Mom's gift is in another bag. I have to take it.", Aarohi replied and Advaith nodded in understanding. Few seconds later, he got startled hearing Aarohi's loud shriek and he immediately ran to the closet. He was shocked seeing a scared Aarohi standing on the couch kept just beside the door, with eyes closed and face scrunched into disgust. And Advaith couldn't help but chuckle at the way she was looking cute. He stood there with the support of door frame, his legs crossed and hands folded, he kept on admiring her scared yet cute expressions. Feeling someone's constant gaze, Aarohi slightly open her one eye and first looked at the floor and immediately made face, before looking at Advaith who was still admiring her without even blinking. "Whdt are you looking at!? Do something!!", Aarohi said once again looking at the floor with disgust and Advaith followed her gaze before his eyes also widen in shock. Five minutes later, both Aarohi and Advaith were on couch, clutching each others' hands, and trying to drive away the rat on the floor. "Why isn't it going? And how did it entered the closet!?", Advaith asked making bad face looking at the creature. "How would I know this. It is your closet and you should better know about it.", Aarohi said clutching more on his shirt and Advaith continued trying to shoo away the rat. "Wait, you stay here. I will go and call some butler.", Advaith said but Aarohi's hold didn't let him climb down the couch. " No, what if you go and it comes up here. No, you stay here... near me!", Aarohi said scaredly and clutched on his hand. Advaith first looked at her scared face and then at her hands which were clutching on his hands, and a small smile made its way on his lips. He was liking their closeness!! "Let me at least call Aashi.", Advaith said lovingly and she nodded before letting go off his hand. Advaith immediately called Aashi and asked her to send a butler to catch the rat, and within few minutes butler caught the rat. "Come.", Advaith forward his hand to help her climb down the couch, but to his dismay, Aarohi herself got down from the couch. "Oh god Bhabhi (sister-in-law), you look too cute when you are scared.", Aashi said and Aarohi bit her lower lip in embarrassment. Moments from few minutes back flashed in both their minds and they immediately looked at each other and had a beautiful eye lock. Aashi smiled and fake coughed, breaking the cute eye lock of the couple. "Uhh—bhabhi (sister-in-law), I am going for shopping. You want to join?", Aashi asked after remembering for what she came here. "Yes. I have to go to my home as well to give gifts. We can go for shopping after that, ok?", Aarohi asked and Aashi immediately nodded in agreement. "I can drop you guys if you want.", Advaith said, even before realizing. "No bhai (brother), driver is coming with us.", Aashi said with a smile and Advaith nodded-- reluctantly. ~~~~~ "This is getting out of control. Now you have to do something, Aamira.", Moloy said frustrated as he was also there when Aamira was asking Advaith to come home to meet him and how he for first time shouted at her. "But--", Aamira tried saying something but stopped immediately when Moloy looked at her with sharp glare. "Now you will only do what I will ask you to do.", Moloy said with a smirk and Aamira looked at her father with scared look. But Moloy's next words shocked Aamira as she looked as tears burnt her eyes and she looked at her father with hurt. "Dad, how can you say something like this.", Aamira said as she looked at her father with disgust, but it didn't affect Moloy. Rather he got angry and slapped her before clutching her jaws in his tight grip and dangerously whispered, "Do as I say or trust me it won't be good for you, your little brother and that useless boyfriend of yours, understood." Aamira nodded in agreement and Moloy pushed her on floor before going out of the room and locking it from outside, leaving a shattered Aamira behind. ~~~~~ "Wow bhabhi (sister-in-law), Your room is so beautiful.", Aashi said as soon as they entered the Aarohi's room and saw a small yet cozy pink themed bedroom. It was first time Aashi was coming Aarohi's place and she was amazed and happy to see the hospitality of Basu family. The way they welcomed her lovingly made her believe the roots of Aarohi's soft and tender nature. "Thank you.", Aarohi said with a small smile as they sat on the bed and same time Mishti entered with two mug of hot coffee. "M, In this bag there are gifts for you all.", Aarohi said while passing the bag full of gifts for her own family. "Wow bhabhi (sister-in-law), is this you?", Aashi asked pointing at the small girl in the album, and Mishti widen her eyes in shock. There was an album kept at the end of the Aarohi's bed and being curious cat, Aashi couldn't stop but look into it and the first photo was of a small girl of one and half year with a small boy of same age standing beside her. Aarohi looked at the photo and frowned as this album was unknown to her. "Mom, Which album is this? This is not my album", Aarohi asked Mishti who looked here and there, not knowing what to answer. "And this is bhai (brother), right mom?", Aarohi asked frowning and Mishti nodded with a fake smile. "Then who is this girl, aunty?", Aashi asked and Aarohi as well look at her mother for answers while Mishti kept looking at them without blinking. Mishti was about to say something when the doorbell rang and Mishti sighed in relief. Mishti went downstairs and opened the door and let Abhoy entered the house. "Bhai (brother)!", Aarohi climb down the stairs followed by Aashi, and ran to her brother who was surprised to see her there. "Aarohi, you here?", Abhoy asked taking her into a brotherly hug and Aarohi immediately gave in. Aashi smiled sadly looking at the bother-sister duo, remembering her time with Advaith before Aamira entered his life and he changed into a rebellious towards his own family. Abhoy then looked at Aashi behind Aarohi and gave a small genuine smile with a nod and Aashi smiled back at him. "Bhabhi (sister-in-law), I guess we should leave now.", Aashi said as they were here for almost half and hour, and she need to do her project work as well after going back to home. Aarohi hugged her mother and brother while Aashi went up to get Aarohi and her handbag. "Careful!", Abhoy immediately hold her from her waist when Aashi was about to slip on the last step while coming down the stairs. A small eye lock was shared between the duo and they immediately felt a shiver down their spine. "Are you ok, Aashi?", Aarohi immediately came to her and asked her worriedly. Aarohi's words broke the mini eye lock and Abhoy immediately made Aashi stand properly who in return shyly tuck her hair strands behind her ears and whisper a 'Thank You'. ~~~~~ "Bhabhi (sister-in-law), look at this one piece. This will look good on you.", Aashi said showing a green colored one piece to Aarohi who nodded with a small smile. "Then try it, Bhabhi (sister-in-law)!", Aashi said thrusting the cloth in Aarohi's hands and even before she can protest, she was already in trial room. Aarohi came out trying a knee length frowk and roam her eyes to find Aashi but she was nowhere to be find. She was about to go back into the trial room to get change, but turned abruptly feeling someone's intense gaze on herself. She looked here and there but didn't find anyone suspicious. Shrugging she went into trial room but something was disturbing her. She was feeling as if someone is following her since few days and this was worrying her. She knew her intuitions can not be wrong every time. "Bhabhi (sister-in-law), where are you lost?", Aashi asked as she saw Aarohi lost in her own world. "Uhh--nothing. You do one thing, you go and order food. I'll come after using washroom.", Aarohi said passing the bags to Aashi who nodded agreeing her. Aarohi, after using washroom came out and was walking to food court where Aashi was waiting for her, when she collide with someone and closed her eyes tightly waiting to fall on the ground but instead found herself securely hold in someone's arms. "Hey, are you ok?", Aarohi got drown in his hazel brown eyes and found herself lost in them. "Are you ok?", The person again asked and Aarohi immediately got out of trance before distancing herself a little away from him. "Ye--yes, thank you.", Aarohi replied with a small smile. She was getting some different vibes around this person. Good or bad... Don't know!! But Aarohi felt something different in his hazel brown eyes, and once again she felt herself captive towards them. Aarohi excused herself after thanking him one more time and left from there. She could easily feel his gaze on her back and turned around to look at him who was already looking at her with passionate eyes. "Beautiful!", Asad whispered as soon as Aarohi was out of his sight and a smirk made its way on his lips. "This will be the sign of our first meeting, Mrs. Aarohi Advaith Singh Khurana!", Asad said with a smirk as he slowly raised his right hand and look at her beautiful crystal earring in his hand. ~~~~~ "Bhabhi (sister-in-law), what happen? I am seeing you lost since we are in the shopping mall.", Aashi asked as she once again found Aarohi lost in her thoughts. "No--- I mean, I don't know I feel someone watching me continuously.", Aarohi said looking at Aashi who at first frowned but then chuckled saying, "Haha -- I guess you are imagining things. It sometimes happen when we are stressed. You are stressed about your and bhai's (brother's) relationship and may be that is why you are imagining things." "I think you are right. I am just imagining things.", Aarohi said with a small nod agreeing to Aashi's words. But an odd feeling was not leaving her mind as she was still feeling that someone is watching her... --right now, right here!! ___________________________________ Aarohi and Asad's first face-off! The story will be interesting from now on! -Aayrah.