Ariya FF : Ajeeb Dastan. CHAPTER 21 UPDATED 21/02/15 - Page 35

Nearly everything was done at the Mansion. It looked livelier then before. I wished i could have a house like that but my financial crisis always pushed the thought at the back of my mind.

I was startled by a touch on my shoulder

"Riya, honey I have to go now and you should leave as well. Tomorrow will be a long day for you with party preparations? Mark said with a warm smile.

"Yeah, I'm done for today" I agreed. "Hang on a sec, how you know about party, it was meant to be a surprise." I asked in utter confusion.

He laughed. " A surprise, but not for me. Remember I'm Mrs Rose assistant and she told me about this long time before you."

I just nodded my head in understanding. "You've been with Malik for a long time right?"

"Yes" he said proudly.

I chewed my lip before speaking further, "Then you should know about Mrs Malik, Arjun's wife?"

"Riya... I don't know much about this case. This couple was happily married, things changed when they moved in city after marriage. Arjun returned but she never did. Only Arjun knows what the real story is." He hesitated and i could read his eyes that what he was about to say was not what i want to hear.

"Is that why he hate city people?" I asked, remembering how he detested about city folks.

"I don't see why he should hate city people. If he does then there should be something bitter he experienced." He paused and looking at my lost mind, added ahead, "and you my dear, no one will have a heart to hate a lady like you."

I blushed adoring his kind words and hugged him in gratitude.

"You need any help; I'm just a call away." He touched my head and left.

"Hmm, a happy married couple, everything went well until upon returning to the city ... something happened there? What may have had happened? And only Arjun alone returned from the city. Very strange, only Arjun can give answers to my questions."

I started my walk down the hill not realising i was alone, talking in the air.

"It won't be right to ask Arjun about this. He went crazy when i spoke to him about this last time. No Riya, stay away."

I stopped in between my hand caressing my chin, "but we are friends now. He will tell me right? But what if I lose his friendship after asking about his wife?. No no, may be I should wait for the day he will volunteer to tell me."

I walked down the hill and reached outside Matty cottage.

"Oh fish!" I quickly reached my phone.

"You need to start eating almonds Riya, you are forgetting things."

I scrolled across the message Mrs Rose had sent me long time back. I dialled the number she messaged me.

"Hello Arora estates, Felix speaking." A woman mouthed the words like a parrot.

I frowned, hearing the familiar surname. "Hi there, I'm calling on behalf of Malik's. Can I speak to Mr Arora please.?"

She transferred the call to her boss office.

"Hello, Arora speaking.", answered a very familiar voice. I choked a bit of air around me. It can't be him. Riya, focus! My brains shouted. But my heart kept on repeating it was him.

I heard him repeat, "Are you there Mrs Malik?"

"Uh yes, sorry for the void. We are looking forward to see you on Wednesday Mr Arora. I called to invite you for dinner, on the following day of your mansion visit. Malik's would like to see you there."

I could feel him smile over in excitement, "Yes. I'm happy to be part of your dinner Mrs Malik."

I was about to object when he thought I was Mrs Malik but my mind and heart had fallen numb to think of anything else.

"Thanks. See you Mr Arora." And i disconnected the phone.

"Riya" I startled yet again by Josh call. I turned around the porch; he was lazily lying on the bonnet of his red car.

"Uh-oh hi, sorry it was a phone call." I couldn't explain properly. My mind was filled with memories and what ifs.

"Are you okay Ri " he set back sensing tension from me.

"Yes" i nodded.

"Okay good, so don't you think you're forgetting something?" He asked jumping from the car.

"Again? What am I forgetting now? I asked.
He held my hand and spins me around.

"Josh! What was that for?" I asked.

He made a sad face, "you don't remember right? Remember we had won tickets to Ice Rink." He looked at me in hope.

A realisation struck me. "oh. I'm so sorry"

"Don't tell me you were planning to go with someone else, and without me?" He seemed hurt about it.

"No. I didn't even know I had them. I'm sorry again." I held my ears apologetically

He flashed a cute smile pulling my hands away.

"So name a day and I will join you" I said in excitement.

"O-kayyy" he stretched the word.
"Tomorrow?" He asked.

I had to do a lot of preperation for tomorrow. So it wasn't possible to go out. And i can't tell him about the birthday surprise yet.

"How about Wednesday?" I asked. I knew people were coming to see the Mansion but Mark can handle that. They wouldn't need me there.

"Wednesday it is!" He agreed.

I spent the night thinking about the man on the phone. He can't come here, that's all my heart repeated before falling asleep.

It was already Tuesday morning, and it was raining outside. I looked at my phone and it flashed 3 missed calls from an unknown number. I pulled my butt out and walked beside the window. Fluffy was sleeping in his new dog house.

I opened the window and dialled, waiting for the receiver.

"RIYAAA!!!!!" She shouted.
"Ambi, you bitch. Where on earth did you go? Or did Paris hijack you huh?" I recognised her voice and screamed back to her and then realised I'm living in a quiet neighbourhood.

Shit!

"Babe, you are so right, I was hijacked in love. I met him, my dream boy." She squealed at the end

I laughed and my anger was washed away and we started talking about the guy called Jo, whom she met.

"I'm coming to Cornwall Ri, I miss you a lot." She announced.

"What? You and in Cornwall, no way. You can't stand this place right? But let me tell you, you are wrong. This is the best place I've been to, and I feel I belong here." I closed my eyes breathing the fresh air.

"Someone seems very well adjusted. Anyways I will clear the work here and I'll see you soon Ri" and she hurried her words and disconnected her phone.

" Hey, wait.. but when..?" And i looked down on my phone which had already gone blank.

"Argh! Ambs." I frowned at the phone.

After a quick breakfast with Duggan's, I made my way back to my room.

"Riya, this is yours?" Patrick walked towards me with some Cornish money in his hand.

I looked at the money and back at his face wondering why am I being given money, for nothing as far as I remember.

"This belongs to you. Your paintings were sold remember? One kind man had bid the highest money on your painting compared to Josh." He explained.

Josh returned his attention to us, "This is totally cool." He exclaimed.

I laughed, "You should be jealous Josh and not praising me. I wonder why so much on my mediocre paintings." I was lost doubting the money in my hand.

"Who was it?" I asked Patrick.

"Ryes Morgan." Matty walked in from the kitchen. Quiet certain she was listening to our conversation.

"One of the young vets from this village. Quite a guy I tell you." She chimed and went on speaking about how he saved the stray dogs in the village.

When it comes to dogs, I'm the one who can easily get impressed. Which i totally was! I made a mental note to thank this guy when i meet him one day.

"Invest this money in the charity. After all the paintings I'd done was to support the good cause Matty. Please." I handed the money to Matty, who accepted it with a bit of hesitation.

"Bless you my child." He placed her hand and moved it over my head. Josh and Pat adored us with a warm smile.

"Thank you."

"I got to go now." I quickly ran over the stairs and zoomed out of the house.

With quick strides I was already in the Manor house. Mrs Rose and Arjun were yet to finish their breakfast. Wishing the two mornings, I winked at Mrs Rose to keep the birthday boy away from the surprise and she gestured to me with a choke in her throat.
"Mum, are you okay?"Arjun quickly fetched her water.

"I'm fine." Mrs Rose said, adding further a code message for me to understand, "I'll take care of it."

I smiled and walked back to the place where the huge ballroom existed, not realising that I was being followed.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!!

Sorry!!!

And wishing you all compliments of the season. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. And thank you once again on reading the update and commenting on it earlier. love you all. Enjoy!!