Hey Ariyans, I am back with an update.
Finally my exams are over. And as promised I am here with a longer update for you. Please forgive me about the late update , and I hope this one is long enough to make it up to you guys.

But first Wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS...!!!

Enjoy reading...!!

Chapter 4

Arjun's SUV zoomed towards Riya's home to drop Aaliya. On the way he bought Aaliya her favorite chocolate ice cream. He watched her enjoying her ice cream, smiled and turned his attention towards the road again. They reached her house within few minutes. He got down from the car and opened the passenger door for Aaliya. She jumped down and practically flew towards the house. As he started to walk towards the house, he felt a mix of emotions in his heart. He was a little upset, hurt, and at the same time a bit excited and curious. He was excited cause he was gonna step into Riya's house after five years. He didn't know why he was curious though? May be to see who was Riya's husband, to see the guy who succeeded in stealing his Riya away.

He reached the door of the house. He was about to knock when he noticed that, it was locked. Of course! Her husband must be in office right! He didn't thought about the possibility. He looked at Aaliya.

'Yeh to locked hai?', he asked her giving a confused look. She smiled, opened her schoolbag and started rummaging in it.

'Don't worry Arjun uncle, mom mere pass hamesha extra key rakhti hai', She said showing him the key and gave her dimpled smile, that again reminded him of Riya. She opened the door and invited him in. He smiled at her and got in.

'Uncle aap baithiye, main aapke liye paani lati hu', Aaliya said as she kicked her shoes near the shoe rack, dropped her school bag on the sofa and ran towards the kitchen. He couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.

Meanwhile Arjun looked around the house. It was sweet and gave the impression of Riya's persona. It was simple with minimal furniture, yet attractive and stylish. He looked at the wall behind the sofa and saw a big photo of Riya and Aaliya both with their dimpled smiles. Automatically a smile crept up on his face. He wondered why was her husband not in that photo. But brushed the thought away as Aaliya came back with a glass of water. He smiled at her, sat on the sofa and took the glass from her hand.

'Thanks', he said after he gulped down the water and handed the glass back to her.

'You're welcome!', she said and went to keep the glass back in kitchen.

Arjun saw a photo on the side table which caught his attention. He extended his hand and picked it up. It showed five people, two of them he recognized immediately. There was Riya in the photo, and a baby Aaliya in another woman's hand who he didn't know. There was an American guy beside the woman with his hands on her shoulder. So Arjun assumed him to be her husband by the looks of it. And behind them was an elderly man smiling. Looking at the photo, Arjun knew in an instant that Aaliya was not Riya's daughter. But then who was she?

'Bohot acchi photo hai na?', Aaliya asked. Arjun snapped out of his thoughts hearing her voice. He was so engrossed in the photo that he didn't realize when she came and stood next to him.

'Ha bohot acchi hai', Arjun replied smiling.

'Main kitni cute lag rahi hu na isme?', she asked sweetly pointing at her smaller self in the image. Arjun was amused and chuckled to himself.

'Cute toh aap ho hi', he replied pulling her towards himself and made her sit in his lap. She took the photo from his hand and smiled.

'Waise yeh kaun hai?', Arjun asked Aaliya pointing in the photo.

'Yeh mumma papa', she answered pointing towards the lady and the man beside her. So she was their daughter. That explains her American features. She inherited them from her father. 'Aur yeh Nanu', she said showing him the elderly man in the photo.

'Aapke mumma papa...'

'Woh toh God ke pass hai', Aaliya answered innocently even before he finished his question. Arjun felt a pang of pain in his heart hearing that. He looked at Aaliya's innocent lovely face who was looking at the photo. He instantly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her from back. He held her in his embrace, somehow he felt the need to protect her. She turned to him and smiled. He smiled lightly and kissed her forehead.

'Aap unhe bohot miss karte honge na?', he asked, but instantly felt stupid for asking such a question. Of curse she must miss her parents.

'Ha, but I know wo log mujhe dekh rahe hai, aur wo hamesha mere sath hai. Aur Riya mumma toh hai na mere sath', she answered sweetly.

'Riya aapki..?', he asked.

'Maasi ma.', she answered with a big smile. 'But maasi bhi toh mom jaisi hi hoti hai na. Toh wo meri mumma hi hai'. Arjun couldn't help but smile at her. She was so sweet. And her simple statement told him the depth of their relationship. Riya was her mother.

Aaliya placed the photo back on the side table and turned to face him.

'Arjun uncle aap pehle bohot strict the na? Par mujhe toh nahi lagta?', she asked looking at him. Arjun was amused by her comment.

'Aapko kisne bataya ki main strict hu?', he asked her raising his eyebrows.

'Mumma ne', she answered nonchalantly. 'Aap unke boss the na?', she asked.

'Ha main aapki mumma ka boss tha', he answered her. 'Aur ha, main kam mein thoda strict tha', he added remembering the days when he used to scold Riya for even her minute mistakes. He smiled at the memory.

'Par mujhe nahi lagta ki aap strict ho. Aap toh bohot sweet ho. Meri aur aapki khub banegi', Aaliya said.

'Ha bilkul', he said and gave her a hi- five.

Just then the main door banged open and both of them turned to look at the door. There stood Riya looking angry. No!! Angry would be an understatement. She was furious. She marched inside towards where Arjun and Aaliya sat. She still looked stunning in her formal attire, black trousers and white long sleeved shirt. Even though she looked as if she will blast, Arjun couldn't help but admire her.

Aaliya jumped off from his lap and he stood up as Riya came and stood in front of him.

'Aap', Riya said pointing a finger towards him. 'Aapki himmat kaise hui Aaliya ko aise school se lekar aane ki?', she asked angrily. Arjun was shocked seeing her like this. She had never talked to him like this before.

'Main..', he was about to say but she cut him off.

'Aur agar aap le aaye bhi, toh aapne mujhe inform karna jaruri nahi samjha? Aapko pata hai main kitni pareshaan ho gayi thi Aaliya ko school mein na dekh kar?', she asked even more angrily.

'Par maine..', he tried to say but she again cut him off.

'School mein inform kiya tha, yahi na??', she asked almost shouting now. 'Ha. Par aap MERI beti ko ghar laa rahe the, aapko nahi lagta ki aapko MUJHE batana chahiye tha??', she asked stressing on the words. She was right, he didn't think like that. He should have informed HER. 'Jab tak uski teacher ne mujhe bataya, tab tak meri kya halath thi yeh aap kaise samajh payenge Mr. Rawte? Aap samajhte kya hai apne aap ko? Aapko kya lagta hai ki aap ACP Arjun Rawte hai, toh aap kuch bi kar sakte hai? But let me remind you sir, ab aap mere boss nahi hai, toh aap meri personal life mein...' but she stopped mid sentence as she felt Aaliya held her hand.

'Mumma', Aaliya called out to her sweetly. She looked down at her daughter's face, who looked a little scared because of her anger. Riya sighed audibly and knelt down on her knees in front of Aaliya. She took her daughter in her arms, feeling relieved.

Arjun was baffled by Riya's outburst. But then he understood, it was a mother's concern. She was really worried for Aaliya. And it must be for the first time, he didn't feel angry even if Riya shouted on him.

'Mumma aap please gussa mat ho. Arjun uncle ki koi galti nahi hai, man hi unke sath aa gayi. Wo bohot acche hai, unhone mera bohot khayal rakha aur mujhe ice cream bhi khilayi', Aaliya explained. Riya couldn't help but smile at her innocence. She melted by her words and kissed her forehead.

'Dobara kabhi mumma ko aise mat darana, okay', Riya said and she nodded. She hugged Riya tightly and Riya smiled. Arjun smiled witnessing the mother and daughter's sweet moment.

After a moment Riya broke the hug and stood up to face Arjun. She was now feeling embarrassed by her outburst. She looked at him apologetically.

'Sir I'm... I am sorry. Main gusse mein najane kya kya keh gayi. Mujhe aapse aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi. I am sorry sir', Riya apologized.

'Its ok Riya. Main samajhta hu', he said. 'Ab mujhe chalna chahiye'

'Aap itni jaldi ja rahe ho? Par hum toh khelne wale the na?', Aaliya asked pouting.

'Ha par..'

'Par var kuch nahi, aapne mujhse promise kiya tha ki ghar aakar aap mere sath khelenge. Toh aap itni jaldi nahi ja sakte hai!', she said walking towards him.

Arjun looked at her helplessly. He knew he promised. And in fact he also wanted to be with her.

'Okay Princess', he said and she smiled widely.

Riya felt happy looking at their bonding.

'Aap baithiye main aapke liye chai laati hu', Riya said to Arjun. She turned to Aaliya and continued 'Aur Aaliya tumne ab tak uniform change nahi kiya? Jao pehle change karke aao fir aaram se khelna ok!', she ordered her. Aaliya nodded and ran to her room to get changed.

Arjun watched Riya as she walked towards the kitchen. He didn't know why, he felt a sudden warmth of happiness in his heart. He felt that he belonged there, with Riya, with Aaliya. The fact that Riya was still single gave him immense happiness. He wanted to tell her that he love her. And he decided to do that soon. After waiting for her all these years, it was about time now that he tells Riya about his feelings. That his heart belongs to her. And Aaliya, he had been right about her. He felt a connection towards her and now he knew why. She was an important part of Riya's life. She was a part of Riya and now his too. It was because of her that he met Riya again, it was through her he got his happiness again. He was already feeling her to be his own daughter. And she is. If not now, she will soon be. He smiled at the thought.

Arjun was brought out of his thoughts as Aaliya came running towards him. She asked him to play carrom with her. Arjun happily obliged her wish and brought the carrom board out of her room. They set the carrom on the table and sat down to play. Meanwhile Riya made tea for Arjun, some Pakoras, Chocolate milk for Aaliya and coffee for herself.

Riya sat there in the hall sipping her coffee and watching the two most important people of her life. She was damn happy watching the two people together who had become the reason of her beating heart. She looked at Arjun. He was so happy seeing him smile and enjoy with Aaliya. She had always wanted to see him like this, living his life happily.

Arjun sir, main aapko hamesha aise hi toh dekhna chahti thi. Haste huye, muskuraate huye. Main aapse dur bhi toh isiliye gayi thi, ki mere aas paas hone se aapko jo takleef, jo guilt tha, wo na rahe. Main janti hu Roshni ji se bohot pyaar karte hai aur shayad kisi aur ko apne kareeb aane dena aapke liye bohot mushkil hai. Aur isiliye mera aapke paas hona aapko pasand nahi tha. Main aapki pareshani ki wajah nahi banna chahti thi. Isiliye aap se dur chali gayi. Par aaj bohot khush hu, aapko aise dekh kar. Yeh jankar accha laga ki inn kuch saalon ki duriyon ke baad, ab shayad mera hona aapko utni takleef nahi deta. She thought and a small smile graced her lips.

She was brought out of her thoughts as she heard Arjun's and Aaliya's laughter. She looked at them and smiled at sight in front. Aaliya was in Arjun's arms playing and laughing.

After a while Aaliya started yawning. She was sleepy and Riya noticed it. She picked her in her arms and walked towards her bedroom. Arjun followed them. Riya placed Aaliya on the bed and patted her forehead to make her sleep, while Arjun watched this from the door. In a few minutes Aaliya was fast asleep. Riya covered her with the duvet and walked out of the room. She saw Arjun standing there looking at Aaliya.

'Bohot cute hai!', Arjun said looking at her. Riya smiled at him and both walked out of the room.

'Waise, wo tumhare sath...?', Arjun asked unsure. Riya realized that he knew Aaliya was not her daughter.

'Aaliya was just 10 months old, jab uske parents ka car accident hua tha', Riya said taking the cups and plates and walked towards the kitchen. Arjun followed her.

'Priya Di ka birthday tha uss din. Aur Alex jiju unke liye kuch special karna chahte the.', Riya continued speaking while she started to clean the plates. 'Toh unhone sham ko kuch der ke liye Aaliya ki zimmedari papa aur mujhe de di, aur wo dono dinner ke liye chale gaye. Jab wo log dinner karke vapas aa rahe the, toh raste mein...', she couldn't continue ahead, but he understood. She wiped the lone tear that escaped her eye. He could feel her pain. He wanted to comfort her, hold her in his arms and say that he was here. But he controlled himself.

'Uske baad se Aaliya ko maine hi sambhala. Papa aur maine use kabhi uske parents ki kami mehsus nahi hone di. Par maine usse aaj tak kuch nahi chupaya. Wo meri zindagi ban gayi aur maine use adopt kar liya.', she smiled. 'Par do mahine pehle papa ki death ke baad, hum dono India vapas aa gaye', she finished her story. He listened to her patiently and realized that she had gone through another loss. She lost her father two months back. He felt even more guilty now that he wasn't there when she needed him the most. But he silently promised himself to be there for her to be there for her always now.

[Some background information: Riya's father and sister lived in USA while she was in India to fulfill her dream of becoming a police officer. Her father had his business there and he never let Riya and Priya feel their mother's absence after her death. He loved both his daughters and fulfilled their every dream. Riya wanted to become a police officer so he let her come to India and pursue her dream. Riya's sister Priya and Alex studied in the same college and gradually fell in love. They got married and had a daughter named Aaliya. When Riya went back to USA after leaving ETF, they lived there as a happy family. But when Aaliya was just 10 months old her parents died in a car accident. And the rest you know..]

'Umm... Tumne shaadi nahi ki?', Ajun asked to make the atmosphere casual. She smiled her dimpled smile hearing his question.

'Nahi. Kyunki shaadi karne ke liye kisise pyaar karna jaruri hota hai', she answered still washing the dishes.

'Toh kya tum kisise pyaar karti ho?', Arjun asked. He didn't show it, but he was nervous. He crossed his fingers behind his back and waited for her answer. He didn't know what he wanted to hear, but he was nervous.

She looked at him and their eyes locked.

'Ha', she answered looking straight into his eyes and he knew she still loved him. 'Par hum jise chahe, wo hume mile, jaruri toh nahi', she added sadly looking the sink again. He knew she was hurt because of him, and mentally smacked himself. He had been a jerk not to realize his love sooner. But he promised himself to tell her soon.

'Anyways, kafi der ho gayi hai sir. Toh ab aap dinner karke hi jaaiye', she said turning to him with a smile.

'Nahi Riya, ab mujhe chalna chahiye', he said.

'Please sir, I insist', she said looking at him. He looked at her smiling face and couldn't resist himself from obliging.

'Thik hai', he said.

She smiled happily. But next second Arjun's mobile rang. He picked up the call.

'Ha Rathore', he answered. Within minutes he finished the call and turned to Riya with a apologetic look.

'Sorry Riya, ek naya case aaya hai. Dinner fir kabhi kar lenge', he said with a smirk and left bidding her a bye. She just stood there unable to believe her ears. Did he just said that he wish to have dinner with her! She smiled widely.

Phew... done. So how was it? Did I bore you? or you loved it?

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PS: Ignore any grammatical errors.