Riya's POV

What did Ayush say?

I can't stand for myself.

How dare he is to say that?

How dare he is? How the hell he can say it?

Today I will prove he is wrong, I will prove him I will stand for myself.

For me what matters is my self-respect.

I know I did a few mistakes in my past but I always stuck to my words and stayed responsible.

I may not be perfect but I am not naive.

But today Ayush accused me that I am incapable of judging things.

Why did you say that Ayush?

How could you?

You are my friend, my best friend, you supporting me through my thick and thin but today you thrashed my self-respect.

I walked into my house with a sad face and searched for my dad.

There he is, in his room, sitting on his rocker, rocking it gently.

"Dad!" I walked to his room hugged him tightly and cried my heart out.

He is holding me protectively, Caressing my hair looking at my face.

I know I am crying profusing, sorry I can't help it.

"Dad, Peeyush is not a good guy" I looked into his eyes and he nodded trying to digest the fact I told him.

He.....He harassed me dad....." I told him in between hiccups.

He hugged me closing his eyes tightly.

"He is a womanizer dad. He sexually assaulted me. He talked utter rubbish....." I collapsed on the floor holding dad's leg like a kid.

"What?" Dad held my shoulders and made me sit on the chair.

He walked to kitchen hastily while I sat crying bitterly staring at black, blaming my fate.

Dad brought me a glass of water and made me drank it slowly.

He sat beside me patting my back gently.

"Riya, Relax dear"

"Calm down," He said in a composed tone trying to solace my pondering heart.

"Dad is with you, shhh!" He kissed my head.

"Dad..." I cried again, holding him.

"I am sorry dad, I am sorry, I never lived up to your expectations. I am sorry " I stammered.

"Riya, Baby.." He hugged me from the side.

"Never think such, you are my daughter and I am proud of my daughter." He said with gleam and pride in his eyes

I instantly placed my head on her shoulder squeezing his arm firmly.

My dad believes me, he still loves me, my heart fluttered in joy.

Don't know how much time I stayed there like it, but I felt secured and protected in dad's presence.

Now I am relieved, dad will stay beside me.

He will protect me.

I lifted my head and looked at his face.

He looked dangerously calm.

I never saw him like this, for a second I am frightened to see his anger, fuming face.

He clenched his hand and sat gritting his teeth, Now what did I do?

"Dad" I shook him gently.

He tried to smile at me a bit forcefully.

I smiled trying to ease his pain.

Why? Why I give him pain always.

"Dad, Look what did we bring from you?" Diya came shouting happily along with mom.

They both went shopping and had lunch in the restaurant.

Dad didn't answer anything but lifted his head up to catch a glimpse of Diya.

Mom and Diya froze at the entrance looking at Dad's outrageous face.

I know how dangerous his outrage is?

"Dad, Are you okay?"Diya gulped down in fear.

"I will kill that b*sta*d." He shouted making me flinch.

"What happened....?" Mom stammered trying to get dad's attention.

"Peeyush, that j*rk harassed Riya"

"How dare he is to assault her verbally and phy..." He stopped.

I saw a lone tear escaping from his eyes.

I quickly caught his hand and gently squeezed it trying to control his anger.

He stared at me to stay calm and let him talk.

"What?" Diya looked at me in shock.

"Who? Who assaulted you?Peeyush?"

"Is that Peeyush?"She asked me and marched towards me hastily.

"Yes," I stood up and looked into her eyes.

"Don't bluff Riya, Don't" She warned me in a serious tone catching my shoulder.

"Why the hell I would?" I shouted.

Yes, I shouted on my sister probably for the first time.

I am angry, I am angry with Peeyush, for his actions and words.

At the same time, Ayush's words hurt me too much, I can't depend on him anymore.

Enough, I need to deal with my sister myself.

"Riya?" Diya shocked at the raise in my tone and raised her hand.

"Stop it Diya" I caught her hand in time and pushed it away.

"I am a girl Diya, I know you hate me as your sister but I am a girl, Think like a girl, What would I gain by blaming Peeyush?" I cried.

"Hu....girl.." Diya stuttered.

"You never wanted my happiness Riya, never I saw jealous in your eyes looking at us both me and viral."

"You chose Arjun and lost him, now you want to snatch away my happiness too."

"It's simple by blaming Peeyush, you antw to snatch away Viraj from me."She declared.

"Diya!"Dad slapped Diya.

Diya slumped there in the chair holding her cheek, shedding few tears.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself Diya for saying those words."

"I am ashamed of my upbringing."

"How can my daughter talk like this, How can?" He shouted.

"Don't blame me, don't.."

"Ask her where has she gone?"

"Where was she all the time?"

"With whom?" Diya asked gritting her teeth, clenching her jaw.

I looked into her eyes in surprise.

"With your secret lover Ayush."

"In his bed...." She chuckled looked at dad raising her brow.

My mouth dried and lips trembled in despair.

My heart sank listening to her words.

I wish I die at this moment to embrace some peace.

To be continued...