28

"I understand that you hate this." He told her.

"Then why are you still here?" she asked him.

"Because I have learned to accept the reality."

She wanted to cry. But she controlled her feelings. "I just came home after sleeping with the guy I love. But he is not like you and me."

Edgar didn't seem to have been shocked. "I even slept with my ex-girlfriend yesterday. But would it matter?"

"Have you ever truly care for her since you say this so casually?" Edgar didn't expect Dariya to ask this. He looked hurt but Dariya didn't care. "Say let's get married. You like another woman and I, another man. Let's say we spend time with them. Let's say we both keep extramarital affair but also because both our families force us for children, we give birth to one and the people we love, fight with us since we had children. Let's say the public finds out. What will happen then? What happens to that child growing up with people like us?" she asked everything to his face. He said nothing.

They both didn't notice that Heiden was standing there listening to everything. Edgar said nothing. He understood it was all her fears in the world that holds power against these two. But he also didn't know how to answer them. Because she was right. He wouldn't be able to give his heart ever so will she be able to never give hers to him. But he felt a respect for her. Dariya stood still and Edgar gave her a quick hug and released her.

"You are right, I'm sorry. But its fate." And Edgar returned to leave. They both saw Heiden standing there. He nodded at Heiden and left exchanging glances with Dariya.

They all wished again and the guests left. Edgar's mother hugged her before she left. Dariya pretended well and looked at Edgar. He nodded and took his leave with them. Heiden stood unsure of what to do. Dariya went upstairs silently.

"Devon" Kiara called her son. "You father in law is not the one who should have decided about my daughter." She shouted. And they began to quarrel.

Heiden knocked on Dariay's door. She knew it was her father. Heiden shut the door behind and slapped across her face. Tears poured down her face but she remained silent. "You were with Lu Han. Were you.." he stopped understanding from Dariya's silence. "What have you done? We just fixed your engagement."

"Did anyone ask me? Devon knew well I don't like it. We even had a fight."

"How could you do it?" her father broke.

"How could you not say a word against this but do as Devon asked." Heiden didn't say a word back.

"Nara's father decided everything here and you sit like you don't care. How could you?" she asked back what she thought is right. She knew she shouldn't say such things to her father. But she couldn't care. Dariya sat down crying. Her father stood watching her and silently left the room thinking hard. She tried to stop crying. She took her phone and dialed Lu Han. But he didn't pick up. He was already asleep. She cried all night and woke up late the next day. She got ready and went straight to college. she texted Lu Han to come to her college behind the botanical garden.