NEVER FORGOT. chapter 22 on pg 42. - Page 8

Chapter 6

Riya stares mesmerized at a pair of black eyes staring back at her. Those black eyes conveyed everything yet nothing to her. for a moment she felt that she knows him but that moment went as soon as it came. Riya gathers all her resolve to maintain a smile on her face. She cannot lose her composure in this party. The calmness she had worked on for as long as she can remember cannot be wasted. She maintains a smile on the face breaking her gaze from the person and said "and I see that you have become well adjusted with the party." Anjali folds her hands a smirk hidden. Riya's face grew soft. They came a long way from 8 months. At first riya did'nt know whether anjali would be able to handle her but anjali turned out to be stronger and wiser. Riya came and stood besides the person feeling his gaze still on her. To break his gaze she said "anjali, at least introduce me." anjali came and held the person's hand and said "mom, this is mr arjun." Riya put her hand out and said "hi, riya kashyap." She noticed how he looks the one thing she did'nt expect from him, unsurprised. But as anjali made the introductions, she sensed his withdrawal. She gives a peek at him from the corner of her eye. Arjun suryankant rawte was a name which itself had a force to reckon with. When anjali started helping him in his cases, riya had made sure to have this person thoroughly investigated. She knew everyone who was in contact with him and their histories. She felt grief at the thought of him losing his wife but at the same time happy that he was able to rally about it. but judging from his stiff stance and his stone expression he had, he never seemed to have gotten over his wife's death. Yet somewhere she knew that he is'nt like this. somewhere she feels that he has the feeling of being happy, the charm of being a gentlemen. Looking at him anyone would say that he is hurt person who has built a wall of stone around him. She saw a person who has just lost the reason of being happy.

Sameer notices both of them discreetly over the glass he is drinking. Riya has a smile on her face yet her smile showed a strain on itself, a fact that he is sure is not lost upon any of them. And the reason of the strain is the person standing behind her. Arjun is staring at her and sameer could see the hurt and anger reflecting in his eyes. He was this close to dragging her out of the room and demanding an explanation. He went beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder said "arjun, this is raghu sir's party and today is sheena's day. Don't ruin it." arjun looked at him and the mask is back on his face. He nodded his head and left. looking at Riya, he saw her visibly relax as soon as she sensed that he is gone. The eagle glances everyone is giving at her made him sure that riya has now got the suspicions of everyone in arjun's former and present team except anjali. He could see how anjali is holding riya's hand and could see the deep bond of trust that they both share. When riya turns to look at him she gives him a genuine dimple smile with curiosity in her expression. When sameer saw her in the beach, he had thought that she had all the happiness in the world. Now he is thinking whether there is more to her smile and or had she done something which left arjun hurt. He smiles back determined to find out.

Everyone is called to attention by raghu sir. Arjun is standing at the corner. He couldn't believe that she is here. After all these years when he considered her as dead, she is actually here. But why did she not come before? And how could he not recognize his own daughter, anjali? He couldn't believe that he missed 8 years of her life. That was not part of the deal they made. His eyes narrow in determination to find out the answers. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see simran who immediately removed her hand seeing his gaze. Riya wouldn't have removed her hand from his shoulder. In fact she would have tightened the hold on his shoulder just to challenge him. Simran asks breaking his trance "you know riya?" Arjun is going to lie to her but seeing the trust in her expression he knew that whatever is there he could never break the relationship of friendship he shares with simran.

He nods his head just in time for karan to see when he came to stand near them. But before karan could ask any more question everyone clapped signaling that sheena and her fianc had exchanged the rings. All 3 of them clapped politely. After the exchange of rings the floor is cleared for the recently engaged couple to dance. Arjun sees anjali coming towards him with a solemn expression. Wondering what happened arjun went to her. Anjali put her hand out and asks "mr arjun would you care for a dance?" Arjun smiles and putting his hand on anjali's said "I would love to."

Riya smiles seeing both arjun and anjali dance. A person in his place would have balked at the prospect of dancing with a 9 year old yet riya never detected a discomfort in arjun on dancing with anjali. She felt someone come beside her and turned to see aisha standing near her. Her expression on watching both of them dance is neutral yet she could see a sense of tenderness in her eyes. Noticing the flare of jealousy in expression riya follows the direction of her gaze only to see a tall woman wearing a dress with a slit on the side which relieves her leg dancing with sameer. Riya smirks and mentally rubs her hands but before she could say anything, aisha asks "do you know arjun sir?" Aisha turns to see riya's eyes fill with confusion. Her gaze shifts to arjun dancing with anjali and her confusion slowly deepens. Aisha understands that riya herself doesn't understand this and riya answers confirming her suspicion "I don't know." Aisha said "riya, is there something bothering you?" The moment aisha said the question she regretted it. If the person in front of her had brushed her off with a scowl and saying mind your own business, she would'nt have minded it. but riya did the opposite here. She smiles at aisha hiding all her emotions and said "no, nothing is bothering me." She looks at sameer and then at aisha and said "you know aisha, not all people get love so easily. Sometimes also when people get it they lose it because of their foolishness." Aisha looks at sameer a tender expression on her face. She understood what riya is trying to say and her heart ache not because of riya's words but because those were the exact words sakshi had said to her while telling her to take a chance with sameer. She drifts into the memory of a coffee, take out food and late night workout on papers

Flashback

They had just solved a case and had returned back to the office. Sameer told that they could have the next day holiday but they had to complete the paperwork regarding the case. Although everyone groaned hearing this but they sat down to complete the paperwork. Aisha is trying to complete the paperwork but her mind is stuck on the question on whether she should go on a date with sameer. He had asked her out of the blue and although her first reaction is to say yes but the idea of him being her boss forced her to ask for more time to consider the question. sakshi noticed that aisha is occupied in her thoughts. When aisha went to get coffee for herself, sakshi excuses herself and follows her. she found her in the pantry room so lost in thoughts that she is keeping on adding sugar to her coffee.

Sak: aisha, are you planning to have coffee or sugar?

Ais: coffee

Sak: well judging by the amount of sugar you are adding into the coffee you will definitely be having sugar not coffee.

Aisha realizes what she has done and throws the coffee away. Sakshi leans against the counter and folds her hands and looks at aisha. Aisha did'nt say anything just made her coffee. Unable to bear the silence anymore, sakshi asks "aisha, is there any problem at home?"

Aisha looks at her in shock and shook her head.

Sak: then why are you so much lost in thoughts?

Aisha did'nt say anything. She then said " I have this friend of mine. She has this really great job which keeps her busy. She then meets this guy. At first she respected him and then she became attracted to him. although she had never verbalized anything but later on she found out that he is also attracted to her. she is happy regarding this but scared whether she can act on the attraction. She is afraid whether she id doing a mistake or not. So what should she do?"

Sak: if your friend is really attracted to this guy, then she should act on the attraction.

Ais: but what if it turns out to be a mistake.

Sak: if it's a mistake, then it's a mistake but at least she will know. if she does'nt try then she will never find out. and not knowing is the worst. Trust me. take a chance. Go out on a date with him. very few people get the chance to fall in love. And sometimes when they do then they lose it because of their foolishness.

Aisha smiles and nods her head. Sakshi goes and stands at the door. She turns and said "aisha".

Aisha turns and sakshi said "I hope this friend of yours really enjoys her date with our handsome boss. At least one of the bosses will be smitten then. Their akdu attitude will also lessen and it will be easier to breath in the office." She winks and goes causing aisha to smile and shake her head. She decided to take a chance.

Flashback ends

Aisha's thought snaps when riya shook her saying "earth to aisha."aisha's gaze returns to riya and riya sees the tormented look in her eyes. That look conveyed a thousand words about her hurt and how it is still paining. Riya holds aisha's hands and said "shhh, its okay. Its okay." Aisha holds her hands tightly but the next second withdraws it the stone expression back on her face not relieving anything. She then turns and goes away not looking back. Riya stands over there feeling frustrated and helpless, a feeling which she had'nt encountered for the last 8 years. this feeling is making her angry. She heard a voice behind her say "don't worry, aisha will be fine." Riya turned to see arjun standing behind her. From the corner of her eye she saw sameer going in the direction aisha has gone. Relieved seeing this, she focused her attention on arjun. Seeing his arms folded across his chest she knew that arjun is seeking answers to the questions. She asked "anjali?". Arjun replies "karan and simran are taking care of her."

Riya nods her head. Arjun put his arm out and after hesitating for a moment riya put her hand on arjun. Riya expected him to take her to one of the empty rooms but instead arjun took her to the terrace. As they reached the terrace, riya sees that the sky is clear and the moon is out. usually she rarely saw stars in the sky but from here she could see stars twinkling as if assuring her to take the step she thought out. riya turns to see arjun with his hands in his pockets looking at her with an expression which said she could have all the time in the world yet she would have to tell him what happened. Riya takes a deep breath and asked "arjun do you know me?"

The question surprises arjun but the imploring expression on her face told him that she is not kidding. He slowly nods his head bracing himself for the news to come.

Riya said "I know this question is kind of stupid but the truth is this. I don't know you because I can't remember you. I had an accident 8 years ago due to which I have permanent memory loss. Arjun, I can't remember anything except the past 8 years. Nothing at all."

Riya stares at arjun but arjun is unable to say anything.

Arjun's POV

She remembers nothing. Oh my god!. I should never have left her alone. How could this happen? Should I tell her the truth. No I can't. anjali is also involved in this and if they find out then they will be devastated. No I can't.

POV ends

Riya: arjun, what is your relationship with anjali?

Arjun stares at riya's confused eyes and takes a decision. He said " I am her father."

Precap: think about it.

hope you like the update. please comment or hit the like button.