Ayush's POV

"Why are you doing all these, mom?"I asked her walking towards the hall, looking at her preparations.

"It's Riya, not any other guest."I embraced my hand over her shoulder.

Mom lifted her head and glared at me, preparing Riya's favorite dishes.

I told her that Riya will come to the home to meet her today.

She got excited like a child and immersed herself in preparations.

Truly I can't stop myself from laughing at her openly for her nervousness.

Such a pure innocent soul my mom is?

"You woke up and got, ready even." She asked and smiled at me with bright eyes.

"Yes," I smiled back and walked to the couch taking the newspaper into my hands.

"Seem's you are too eager to meet her" she teased me remembering our old days in which Riya used to meet me daily at home.

"Yes, yes, I can see who is so eager," I muttered and kept keeping my focus back to the news.

We both know how happy she is to meet Riya?

"I know, It's Riya but I am seeing her after a year, I am really happy to meet my kid."She said sitting beside me and I kissed her head.

"When will be she coming?" She asked me looking at me with utmost excitement.

I chuckled at her reaction and She kept a sulky face, Faking anger.

"Sorry, "I said smiled trying to pamper my mom, my angel and quickly called Riya again to confirm her visit.

Some times my mom really behaves like a child.

Mom was looking at me eagerly till I finished the call and felt relaxed confirming her arrival.

"I can't take all this, Why is she suffering so much?"Out of a blue, her voice became serious and her mood turned gloomy.

I felt sad to see my mom's grumpy face.

I know she truly worried about Riya though she is smiling at me in excitement

"Mom" I asked her to relax.

I know my mom, She is an angel.

"Everything will be fine mom, I assure you. It was a normal investigation and Riya won't be bothered anymore." I tried to assure her.

"She will be free soon?" She asked to which I nodded.

She smiled but why does she look dissatisfied.

"It's not about the case and investigation. I believe you but..."She paused and continued.

"It's about Diya and her family, You know how her family treats her," She spoke meekly looking here and there.

"They are so insane sometimes, Diya is so heartless, she is blaming Riya for her dad's ill health." She mumbled.

"Mom, Don't take too much stress."That's what I could say.

"How can't I? Riya just came back to her house and living with her family for a month hardly."

"She has lost her job and in immense pain now"

"What I heard is so devastating."

"They are planning to give her hand to one of their relatives. Diya is pressuring her parents." She stopped and looked into my eyes anticipating a favorable answer from me.

I sat pursing my lips, I don't think Riya is ready for these things

She needs time for marriage and all.

How can I force her to love me or get married to me?

"Everything will be fine Mom, Riya can defend herself well."

"I believe her, Don't worry, "I said smiling a bit.

"Aunty, Ayush.." Riya came smiling at mom meekly.

I felt happy, it's proved again her smile makes me happy.

"Speak of the devil, She is!."I mumbled.

"Devil," She pouted and walked to mom.

Everything seemed to be so normal.

I used to have a doubt, Where it's possible for us both to recreate our memories but just in a second all my doubts got wiped off.

Nothing has changed, neither our friendship not my love for her.

I felt a bit relaxed.

Mom got back to the kitchen leaving both of us purposefully alone.

I looked at Riya and she heaved a sigh.

"Is everything fine? Mom told me Diya is troubling you?" I asked her peeping into her eyes.

"What is there to hide from Ayush, She feels I am a stain and burden to the family." She chuckled.

I can't see the sadness in her eyes.

"Viraj wants to marry her as soon as possible and now she feels his parents will question my presence back into my family."She stopped and looked at me.

"I don't know what to say Riya?"I kept staring into her eyes.

She gave a wane smile.

Just a small smile Riya, a mere " yes" I am waiting for you to make you my wife, my life I closed my eyes.

But I can't force her, I will wait till she feels my love and accepts it heartily.

"Don't worry Ayush, I am habituated to Diya's taunts. But to my surprise Dad is so supportive."

"He wants me to go back to work."

"He wants me to be back to my bubbly self."

"Now I feel I have failed to understand him well, He didn't like Arjun Ayush, but was never against my wishes"She looked at me asking me to say something in return.

I kept quiet not averting my gaze from her.

"Where is Vidhya?"She asked me about my sister looking around.

"She went to Chennai for a project, will be back tomorrow," I answered.

"Riya!"Mom called her name aloud.

Riya excused herself and walked to mom.

I sat there looking at her, She became lean and looks so stressful.

Mom and Riya set the breakfast on the table and called me.

I joined them the next second and started eating our breakfast talking about random things.

"Why can't you join with Rishi?" Mom asked Riya shocking us.

"Aunty?" Riya looked at me quickly.

"I know Riya, you are working for a job and Rishi needs someone who takes care of his cafe properly," She said finishing the last morsel of food.

Riya didn't answer and she didn't say no either.

"I think she needs sometime Mom"This time I talked on behalf of Riya.

Mom nodded looking at Riya.

"I can understand Riya this is too small compared to your previous job but..." Mom trailed off looking at Riya's reaction.

"Don't say that Aunty, you don't know how much it means to me."

"I am ready to accept this offer."She said after a second.

We both smiled at her and I thanked mom inwardly.

To be continued.....