Arya's POV:

" Mom, what are you doing here?"

She gave me a look as if to say ' How dare you ask me such a question in my own house?'

" Well, we decided to return few days in advance since your dad had some work in the clinic."

" Oh.."

I stood there nervously, fiddling with my fingers. I knew what her next question was going to be.

" Who's the girl behind you?"

" Umm...a friend," I stammered nervously.

" What is she doing in our house? And why are you both carrying travel bags?"

Her endless questions were causing me to panic. I couldn't come up with lies so fast. But before I could open my mouth to say anything, Dad entered the room, behind mom.

" Riya Krishnan, what a pleasure. What's the occasion?" He asked smiling.

Phew. Saved atleast for a moment.

Mom turned to him with an eyebrow raised.

" You know this girl?"

" Of course, she's the intern who was assigned to work under Arya in our clinic. She's going to 3rd year in dentistry. Remember I told you she is an excellent student?" He said.

Mom turned around and observed Riya.

" I still don't understand what she's doing here." My mom said rudely.

" There must be an explanation. Arya?"

This was the moment to reveal the truth. I didn't know how my parents would take it. But I couldn't lie.

" Mom, Dad, could we sit down? There's something we need to talk to you about..."

" We?" Mom asked with a suspicious look.

" Yes, we," I said boldly.

We all took our seats on the sofa in the living room.

Dad looked at me to start. I suddenly felt like my throat was choked with soot. Mom's eyes were completely directed at me and I was scared.

Riya, who was sitting right next to me squeezed my hand for reassurance. Dad noticed it and smiled. I had a feeling he had caught on to what I was about to say. He was known to be very perceptive. Mom still had a frown on her face though. It was hard to please her.

I took a deep breath before beginning.

" Mom, this is Riya Krishnan. Dad, I know you already know her."

" And I really really like her. Infact I think I may be in love with her. I want your permission to marry her. Not that I am going to marry her now, since she still has to finish her studies. But I wanted to tell you in advance before getting into a relationship." I said.

Mom's jaw dropped in shock and she placed one hand over her mouth.

" Ayyoo rama rama, what is happening to my son?" She began.

Dad looked at me. " Why didn't you tell us earlier?" He asked.

" Dad, I only asked her out two days back," I said, blushing.

" Okay," he chuckled.

" You're okay with this?" mom screamed at dad. " You're okay with him having a girlfriend?"

" Calm down Radhika, he's 24 now, he has the right to make his own decisions. Riya is very talented and excels in whatever she does. Also, I know her uncle well and they are from a reputed family. She's a Tamil Brahmin too. What problem do you have?"

" Everything!"

" Be reasonable Radhika! So many children these days are choosing their own life partners. Also, it's not like he chose a girl from another caste or religion."

" So what? I still won't agree!"

" What problem do you have now?" He asked her, getting fed up.

" What about their horoscopes? We need to check if they are compatible."

I sighed. Mom was too much into all this.

" Okay, if that's what will make you happy. I will call the Panditji and ask him to come over. Are you happy now?" Dad asked.

" Let's talk about this after we check their compatibility," she said.

" Mom, is this seriously necessary?" I asked, getting frustrated. " I love her, she loves me, who cares about horoscopes?"

She glared at me and dad signalled me to shut my mouth. He knew how mom got when we questioned her beliefs.

" Do you not have any faith in our customs and beliefs?" She began. " Pah, you don't believe in anything, both of you!"

" Calm down Radhika. We will call the astrologer and settle this the way you want," dad said.

I smiled at Riya, who was sitting on the sofa, looking terrified. Her eyes were frantically moving from dad to mom and then to dad. Now they were looking at me. They held a feeling of doubt. Doubt whether things will work out in the end.

" Everything will be fine," I whispered into her ear, when mom and dad were engrossed in conversation.

She smiled at me, but I knew she was still tensed inside.

" I hope so, " she said.

" I will call Panditji now and see if he can come," Dad said, taking out his phone from his pocket.

"What?" I could hear him saying. "He's not there?....Ohh he's out of town?....When will he return from his trip? Tomorrow? Okay thanks." He cut the call.

" Panditji has gone on some pilgrimage," he informed us. " He will be back only tomorrow."

" Okay," mom said. " But I still need an explanation for why you both have your bags with you. Arya, weren't you supposed to return yesterday according to plan?" She asked.

" Yes mom. But I decided to surprise Riya. She was in Bangalore visiting her parents. I went there directly from New York since it was her birthday on 8th and I wanted to see her face to face."

" I see." Mom said, without any expression on her face.

" And I thought I would just spend a little time here before dropping her off at her hostel."

" Hmm.."

" Sooo Arya. I take it Riya's parents know about your relationship?"

"Yeah."

" What did they say?"

" They were surprisingly pretty accepting. The only condition Mr. Krishnan gave me was that Riya could get into a serious relationship only after she finishes her BDS."

" That's reasonable." dad said. " I like the man already."

I chuckled and a grin automatically came onto my face.

Riya was too quiet the entire time and I was wondering why she wasn't talking. Even my dad noticed it.

" Riya, what happened to you? Why are you so quiet?"

" I just didn't really have any valuable input to give Sir," she said.

" Don't call me sir. You're not going to be calling me that after you get married are you?" He asked and she blushed.

" If they get married," mom said interrupting our peaceful conversation.

" No of course not. I will call you Appa then."

" You can start practicing from now," he said with a warm smile.

" Okay Appa," she said shyly.

Mom got up and left the room.

" Dad, how was the case you were called in for?" I asked him.

" It went alright." He replied.

Then he turned to Riya with a cheeky grin.

" So do you really love my son Riya?" He asked her.

" Yes," she said with a demure smile.

" Do you promise to love him and only him, and no one else?"

" Dad what are you doing?" I exclaimed. " This sounds like some church vow!"

" I am just playing around. Don't take me seriously Riya," he said winking. " I can see the love for each other in both of your eyes, I don't need anymore proof."

" Dad, have you been reading any romance books recently?" I teased.

" Maybe," he said winking at me. " But don't tell your mom that okay? She will kill me."

I chuckled.

" Soo Riya," I turned to her. " What's the plan now?"

" I think you should drop me to my hostel. You need to go console your mom. I don't want to be a disturbance here."

" You're not a disturbance child," dad said, before I could speak to reassure her.

" And Arya's mom will come around soon. She just needs some time. She also needs to get used to modern traditions. What if our Aaru brings a boyfriend home suddenly? She needs to be ready for all possibilities."

Riya just smiled in return.

" Okay Riya, we will leave. I will come pick you tomorrow when the Panditji arrives."

" Okay, bye Appa," she said and Dad grinned.

" Bye."

I took my bike keys from the counter and put it in in the front pocket of my jeans. Then I held Riya's hand and guided her out of my house to our garage.

" Hop on," I said, once I started the bike.

I wore my helmet and made her wear the spare one I had. She climbed on to the bike and put both her arms around my waist. The familiar feeling of her body pressed against my back made me smile.

" Hold on tightly," I said, as I zoomed my way to her hostel.

Once we reached, she got off slowly and looked at me. It was as if she was contemplating about whether she should do something. Her eyes darted here and there all around us. Then, she quickly leaned over, pecked my lips and ran away.

I laughed and watched her retreating back. She turned around to look at me with a shy smile. I blew her a flying kiss. She pretended to catch it and pocketed it in her cheeks.
I grinned as I drove away.

I was getting too addicted to her. I had to somehow convince my mom about agreeing to our relationship. She was a part of me now and I definitely couldn't live without her.

___________x____________________

Heyyy,

So what do you think about Arya's mom? Do you think their horoscopes will match?

What about Arya's dad? Isn't he amazing?

And finally our ship Ariya is sailing with full force ;)

Hope you liked it.

Do vote and comment.

Adios amigos,

:) harshini :)