Riya's POV

I walked into the house with a smile and saw dad having his coffee.

"Papa" I walked to dad and kept my head on his lap sitting on my knees.

He gently ruffled my head and looked into my eyes cupping my face.

I felt ashamed of myself for choosing Arjun despite my dad's warning.

I should've waited for dad's acceptance.

He was never against love but he had a problem with my choice.

I always tried different ways to stay away from my parents and hook up with Arjun.

I searched for several ways to stay connected to him and even started living with him not paying heed to my parent's pride.

For that, I chose a lame excuse, Job.

In the name of the job, I stayed away from them and deceived them.

But what did I get in return?

Break up and pain.

How can I forget parents' love is so pure and divine?

I felt a pang of guilt and a tear escaped from my eyes.

"You look so happy," Dad asked me, making me sit beside him on the couch.

"Yes" I smiled nervously looking at mom approaching both of us.

I am thankful to God for making dad normal, I realized how much he loves me when he shed a few tears for Arjun.

He even accepted my love, Arjun for my happiness, How lucky I am?

How selfless he is?

Mom smiled at us and pinched my cheek.

Though Diya hates me my parents never differentiated between Diya and me.

Mom, my darling raised her brow and looked at me suspiciously.

How can I forget she can read my every expression?

But somewhere I know they will accept my words and Shanti aunty's offer.

"Papa, I went to meet Ayush and Shanti Aunty after a long time," I said slowly peeping into dad's eyes.

"Good," Dad said smiling a bit, giving some hope, I know Dad adores Shanti aunty as a sister.

"How are they? It's been a long time we meet them, I miss my friend."Mom said collecting the empty coffee cup from dad.

"They are fine mom and Aunty send your favorite sweets, She said she too misses her friend a lot."I forwarded the box Shanti aunty gave to my mom.

Mom grinned at it and took it from my hand happily.

They are best friends and mom always listens to her friend's words.

Aunty actually solved half my problem.

Though mom and dad didn't accept my love, they never stopped me from doing my dream job.

They never know that I was living with Arjun but they have a clue about my relationship with him.

They gave me freedom and I feel ashamed of myself for misusing it.

I lowered my head at the thought and felt dying at the moment.

"Dad, Shanti aunty wants me to work For Rishi uncle's cafe," I said at a stretch closing my eyes tightly, I know I can't ask them more they have given me enough.

"No" Mom's voice became course and this time it's hard to stop my tears.

"Neelima" Dad looked at dad a bit angrily still Mom didn't bother to glare at me for asking this.

"We have allowed you to work Riya but you didn't keep up the trust we had on you." She stood up and took two steps ahead.

"Sit, Neelima, Sit."This time dad ordered her.

She muttered something under breath and sat glaring at me.

"Why?" I begged my mom.

"You still want to do a job? you still want our parents to allow you to step out?"

"How could you expect it? You lost your fidelity my dear Riya"

"You tarnished their dignity"

"Is anything left?"She asked entering the hall and throwing away her handbag on the couch.

"Diya" I shouted blinking my eyes to stop my tears. I have promised Ayush that I won't cry and I will stick to it.

"Stop it Diya" This time dad shouted at Diya fuming at her.

Mom walked to dad and caught his hand, gently squeezing it to relax.

She looked at Diya furiously asking her to go to her room.

I still can't believe despite knowing dad's situation how can she talk so rubbish?

"Diya, you too loved Viraj why are you questioning her now?"

"We were never against love, but we were against her choice. Arjun is the son of a politician and his behavior troubled me."

"He had many relationships in his past life," Dad explained her with so much of patience.

I hugged dad instantly, I hurt him so much, Where did I fail to see the depth behind his words, He was never against my wishes, my goals, Why will he stop me from choosing my partner.

I am truly ashamed of myself now.

He hugged me back.

"Who will protect their children if not parents?"

"Who will forgive their children's mistake except us, parents?"He said confidently.

Diya's face fell and I smiled at dad clasping his hand tightly.

Mom looked at us with a stern expression, her single glance is enough for us sisters both to shut our mouths.

Diya walked into her room hastily throwing some death glares at me.

I looked at dad and he nodded agreeing my proposal.

"But on one condition."Mom looked at dad and my heart stopped listening to her words.

"This time it's our choice." She mumbled making me gulp down in pain.

Overwhelming guilt and pain occupied my heart, I know I deserve this.

"Promise you won't date or fell in love with someone at the workplace, unlike last time."

Her words killed me.

"Mom, is that what you think about me?"I cried out in pain.

"We believe you Riya but your age is something which we can't take the risk." She spoke curtly

Dad blinked at me to stay quiet, he stood to hug me patting me to calm down and relax.

"Okay mom" I caught dad's expressions and nodded at mom speaking slowly.

Dad came to my room my behind

"Just listen to your mom's words and say yes, Don't take them to heart."

"What all she needs is your safety." He said caressing my hair.

I nodded hiding my tears and went back to bed thanking God and my parents.

To be continued...