Khwahish

Twenty five

               Three months later

The stylist puffed up her hair for more volume and she then walked out towards the ramp. This was her in her element. Riya loved her job, well apart from the restricted diet part. She walked on the ramp with her shoulders pulled back and her chin up high. She was wearing a beautiful red dress that the designer has done all the justice to. She turned around at the end of the ramp and walked back behind the stage.

The lights around her had blinded her, she couldn't see a person in the audience. The show was finally over and the designer gave a little speech about her work and the inspiration behind it. Before Riya could leave and mingle with the crowd the designer herself stopped her. She was a woman in her mid twenties with beautiful brown eyes and long curly black hair. People would mistake her for the model themselves. She was just few inches shorter than Riya.

"Thank you so much Riya. You're the highest paid model in the world and you agreeing to do the show on such short notice means a lot to me. I am very new at this work and you as our lead model and ambassador are a lucky charm. I personally wanted to thank you once again." Riya smiled at the girl kindly. She is much younger than Riya but has the very same ambition.

"I just did my job Amaira. Your work speaks for itself. The Malhotra's are lucky to have you as their head designer. Besides don't mention it. I would've taken out time for a friend anyway. I know you're actually Mahira's friend, but I fell in love with you and your designs the second I saw them. I am honored to be a part of this show. Being a model for the biggest fashion brand of the continent and the second biggest in the world is a boost to my career. So consider it a selfish work." Amaira smiled at Riya.

"Well then Riya, I think I should leave or your husband is going to drill a hole in my head with all the staring." Riya turned around to see Ishaan doing just that and laughed. She bid her goodbye to the designer and walked to her husband. "Did you like the show?"

"I don't know I didn't watch. I just looked when you were walking." Her jaw dropped. "Ishaan!" He chuckled. "I am kidding. I know the efforts that go into organizing a show. I watched all of it. And it was amazing. But you, looked the best." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

She pushed at his chest. "We are in public, behave!"

"Well, if it isn't the lovebirds." They both turned at the voice and their expressions fell. Ishaan's parents stood infront of them, looking every inch of prim and proper that money could buy. "Great show. You did good Riya." His mother continued.

Riya raised an eyebrow. Why was his mother being nice to her? Ishaan's body was as rigid as a stone. He still looked after the business so he met his father often, but he hasn't seen his mother in months. And the woman in question sighed at the hostility the two showed her. She knew she deserved it.

"Can we talk? Just once. Come to dinner. We will talk over food. Please." Ishaan wanted to downright reject the offer but Riya knew this was important. "Yes, we will come. Saturday?" The elder couple heaved a sigh and agreed to it.

                               🦋

Saturday arrived way before they anticipated. Ishaan still didn't want to go, he didn't know what to expect, and Riya had to drag him till his parent's house. Even though Mumbai was pretty warm in July, but the estate they were at was covered with trees and so the weather was comparatively colder. "It's not because of the trees, it's the hearts of the people that live here. They're frozen." Ishaan bit out.

Riya rolled her eyes.

The door opened and a lady worker welcomed them in warmly. Aarti and Veer Kashyap looked as regal as they could when they welcomed the two inside. For the first time Ishaan did not see his parents guarded or uninterested but he saw the warmth in his mother's eyes.

What the fuck is happening?

"Come children, sit. Dinner is all set. Ishaan, I've made all your favorites on my own." Aarti served her son and daughter in law herself, and settled down on the table. Ishaan had never in his entire life been this confused. They ate their dinner silently while his mother kept on giving him more of his favorite dishes.

"Okay, that's enough! Why are you doing this mom?" Ishaan's father sighed. "Riya? Would you like to take a walk, child? Let the mother- son talk. I don't think you've had the chance to look around the estate yet." Riya and her father in law, walked away, to look at the estate.

Aarti sighed. "I know, I haven't been a good mother to you Ishaan. You deserved better and I failed you." Her voice cracked and his eyes softened. She was his mother afterall. No matter what. "I....... I am sorry. For everything. I actually didn't want children. Neither did your father, but your grandfather wanted to have a secure future for his company and so we needed an heir. It's not your fault. It's ours. And I cannot apologize enough for all that we have put you through because of our own issues. I was angry and a rebellious woman so I refused to be the caring mother that you needed. And my walls just kept building up."

"And why are you telling me this now? Why suddenly the mood change?" She went ahead and took hold of his hands over the table. "It's not a mood change. I really want a chance. I want to be the mother that you deserve. And I know that all I've done is hurt you, and it's okay if you don't forgive me, but I would really- really want a chance to mend my relationship with you. And your father feels the very same." Ishaan squeezed her hand.

"You weren't there, when I needed you or when I wanted you to be, and now, if I am not there, when you want me, then I'll just become you. And I don't want that. You are my mother, and no matter how much you hurt me, I am always going to love you."

"I love you too."

"Yeah, well, it's time we both show each other that we actually mean it, mom." She nodded and got up from her seat. She rounded the table and hugged her son. They pulled away and found the other two standing a little far away.

Veer walked forward and hugged his son as well. "I am sorry for not being the father that I should've been."

"It's okay dad." Aarti walked towards Riya. "I am sorry for everything I said to you that day." Riya shook her head. "Don't be. I said much worse."

"Yeah, but I deserved it." Riya squeezed her mother in law's hands. "Trust me, I did too." Aarti smiled. "I am glad you're in his life. You're the best partner he could've had. And....... I am sorry Riya. I heard about your grandmother. I am sorry for your loss."

Her expression went solemn but she managed a half smile, "thank you for saying that."

"Well, I think it's time for us to leave. We will see you soon mom, dad. Sweetheart, let's go." They bid their goodbye to the elder couple and settled in their car to go back home. "Well that was unexpected and very peaceful too. I expected knives to come out on a day this conversation would happen."

Riya turned to smile at Ishaan. They were seated in the back seat as their driver drove them back into the main city. "And its a good thing that it didn't Ishaan. Sometimes all we need to do, is forgive so we can move on peacefully."

"You've gotten wise."

"I've always been wise."

"Not always."

"Fuck you!"

                               🦋

Not gonna lie, this one made me cry a little. What did you guys think of it? Things are getting on track in here. Let me know your thoughts.

I am feeling generous about double updates. Jk, if I am done writing, I just update, coz I am impatient.

And chill people, these are chapters, I will write an epilogue with all of them together. They are still a family, even if some have moved away. I just wanted to give an individual chapter for each couple. They will meet.

See ya🦋