CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Alia is getting ready, when Aayan knocks on her door,"you ready?"

"Almost.." she says and hurriedly ties a messy bun,"I think I am forgetting something."

"Stop it Lia. You're not forgetting anything. You're just paranoid."

"A, what if I forget something or do something wrong?" She asks him taking her handbag and stuffing her phone and her cards inside.

"Lia, you are cooking and baking since you're seven. Get your butt out and get in the car. You'll be late otherwise. " He drags her out of her room and pushes her towards the car.

"You kept all the bags I gave you?"

"Ohh wait, I had to keep all the bags in the car? I thought it was to keep in the kitchen.." he sarcastically asks then when she starts to get upset smiles at her,"I kept everything you asked me too."

"Thank you.. "she sighs taking the seat in front Then she gets down,"give me a moment."

He rushes behind her and she walks to her parent's photo,"mom dad, you're both closer to God then me. Please pray that I do my best. Okay?"

She has been paranoid and freaked from the night she got the call from her friend and since then all she's been doing is having episodes of meltdowns. So much so that Aayan had to call Riddhima and Armaan in the middle of the night on monday. She was breathless and so worried that couldn't sleep and she woke him up and asked to taste all the pastries, doughnuts, puddings croissants, brownies and cookies she made at three in the morning. He finally had enough and called Armaan and asked him and Riddhima to come straight away.

She calmed down after Riddhima made her understand that no matter what she makes it will be good and she don't have to freak out. Riddhima had to stay with them and make the girl to go to sleep herself.

It took him two days and for their Riddhi maa just few minutes to calm her down. She even made Alia promise not to worry alot and just make what she always makes and knows, it's best.

And today, when he woke up, he found her sleeping on the couch with a new dessert recipe book on her stomach. He was sure she was up the whole night again so he picking her up, put her on her bed. Her workshop doesn't start till the evening, so he called Riddhima and asked all the stuff she'll need to take with her.He took a day off from going to the hotel. Javed can manage for a day.

Making a list, he arranged everything in a big box letting Alia have some good sleep. He even cleaned the house and ordered food for them both from out. Around 12 he woke her up and gave her a cup of coffee. She had it and had her bath then gave her the food he ordered and till then he made sure she doesn't check on the time.

But when she was done with all of that and she checked her phone, she again freaked out. But this time he was prepared. He learned from Riddhima how to calm Alia down. She is very low maintenance. So he made her promise he will be right there standing outside for her the whole time while she is inside and if she'll need anything he will do whatever is in his hands and make sure nothing bad happens.

"Lia, you trust me, everything will be just fine." He assures her holding her sweating hands. She nods nervously but doesn't say anything.

After thirty five minutes of drive, they both reach to the venue. Riddhima and Meher are already waiting for them. She rushes to them and hugs Riddhima tightly. Aayan smiles and taking the bags she has packed gives to the helper telling the details.

"A, where are the bags?"

"Lia, I am so sorry.. I forgot.."

"You what?" She looks at him with wide eyes," how did you forget. I told you umpteen times and you still forgot?"

Riddhima rushes to them and slaps him,"stop troubling her."

"He forgot.."

"Aalu, he's being an asshole again." Meher pinches Aayan who's grinning and in return she gets a slap from Riddhima and Aayan pushes her away.

"He already gave your bags inside. Now, just calm down." Riddhima says then hugs her tightly, "you will do just fine. I will be right here for you, okay?" She feeds her curd as an auspicious blessing then gives her a kiss.

She nods then hugs Meher who Pats on her back,"go break a leg and get me whatever you make.."

She walks in with Aayan right behind her. She stops and turns,"hey, you don't have to wait you know. Go back to work."

"I promised!"

"That's okay A, I know you have work to do and Riddhi maa is.."

He cuts her off putting his finger on her lips,"I am not going anywhere, now go inside and knock'em dead!" He winks at her and bending, drops a kiss on her head.

For a moment, she just stands looking at him but he pushes her so she moves going inside.

"Hey, Lia.."he calls her.

She turns and raises her brow at him. He smiles,"I'll be right here waiting for you."

She nods and smiling walks inside.

"Sir, ma'am you all can sit inside. We have beverages arranged with seats." The helper there shows them the way. Riddhima and Aayan walks inside and Meher leaves them telling she's going to work.

"How come you are not at the hotel today?" Riddhima asks him sitting on their given table.

"I took off today."

"Wow!! You took off. that's something new."

"Riddhi maa..."

"What? I didn't say anything. Just stating the obvious."

"Please don't.. it's already weird now that you're staying and.."

"And what?" She asks when she sees him looking at Alia. Her smile widens when she sees he's staring at her longingly.

"Nothing. I am just...confused." he says still looking at Alia. These past few days have been different.

He missed having breakfast with her because she's been busy and when he came home, he found her either busy in the kitchen or asleep. They didn't get time to talk or to sit and enjoy themselves together. She didn't even offer him any desserts to taste after monday.

He dreamt of her a few times. Dreams which he shouldn't have and things that he shouldn't see. But after that little incident, he's been feeling weird. His way of seeing her changed in a matter of day. Whatever she wears and however she looks, he find it interesting.

Riddhima smiles and then turns to look in front at her daughter who's so passionately working on her dessert. She joins her hands and silently prays so that her daughter gets whatever she deserves.

After two hours, the buzzer hit off and Aayan looks at Alia who sighs and keeps the fruit plate aside and smiles at her presentable dessert. Whatever she made, he is sure, is very delicious. The presentation itself looks heavenly.

The judges starts commenting on all the contestants. When they reach at Alia's counter, she nervously looks at them. Riddhima gives her thumbs up and Aayan just smiles.

"As they say 'desserts are the fairytales of the kitchen, happily-ever-after to supper' and I am a girl who believe in fairytales. My maa, who's sitting there in audience with her hands joined praying, told me that everyone deserves a fairytale. This dessert is a fusion recipe of Portuguese with a twist of indian takda. It's called, 'MAA-KI TART'. Portuguese fruit tart with rasmalai on topping."

The judges tastes the dish one by one and all look at each other. Alia nervously looks at them. Aayan for a moment, closes his eyes praying for her. He opens his eyes, looking at Alia who has her eyes stuck on him. She looks at him in wonder.

"Alia Joshi, the presentation and introduction was very unique and clean." The judge who tasted the dish first says.

"I loved the unique idea of fusion. It's very hard yet you managed something which will mix well." Another judge says and smiles,"I liked the hard and soft combination of it. It's crispy and still soft enough."

"Thank you Miss. Joshi. The winner will be announced after a short break." The last judge says who's been saying the same thing to all the contestants.

Alia drinks a glass full of water then she rushes to where Aayan and Riddhima are sitting," Riddhi maa, how was I?"

"You were perfect." Riddhima taking her hand pulls her down and gives a kiss on her head. Alia shakes her head,"you always find us all perfect," she turns to Aayan, "tell me how did I do?"

"As Riddhi maa said, you are perfect. " he says lost.

She looks at him then raising her eyebrows she pats on his hand,"A, tell me.."

"You were really good. I liked the introduction. Actually, loved it." He says coming out of the trance he was in.

Shaking his head, he tries to concentrate yet he finds himself drawn toward what she said,' everyone deserves a fairytale.'

What about him? Does he deserves a fairytale? Does believe in fairytale? What are fairytales? Can Alia be the one to complete his?

"A?"

"Huh?"

"I will meet you outside once the announcement is done!"

"Sure." Still lost in his thoughts he says.

Riddhima notices his weirdness and Pats on his arm,"you alright Aayan?"

"Yes!" He nods.

Riddhima just shakes her head and calls Armaan," they are going to announce the winner. Keep the call on."

"Third place goes to- Mr. Tanuj Patel."

"Second place goes to- Ms. Alia Joshi."

Aayan whistles and Armaan cheers from the phone. Riddhima and others claps hand loudly. Alia waves her certificate and medal from her counter grinning.

After the certification process, the contestants are called to celebrate all their desserts together.

"Aayan, you both get done from here and come home, I will go prepare for a small celebration for Alia." Riddhima states walks out.

Aayan waits for Alia so he calls Aarul, "where are you?"

"What do you want?"

"Asshole, your sister came second in her workshop slash competition."

"Good." Aarul says not intresested which doesn't go well with Aayan.

"Dude, Riddhi maa is planning for a small celebration. Come home." Aayan orders but he knows Aarul too well.

"You know I do..."

He cuts Aarul," I know you don't like to come home but it's for Alia. She was there for your exhibition. Atleast come for some time. It would make her really happy."

"Since when do you care about her happiness?" Aarul's words comes more like a swear to him hitting bad.

He sighs,"Since doesn't bother me as much as she use to. She doesn't run behind me like she use to and living with her is actually better than I thought."

Aarul is silent so Aayan continues," maybe I was wrong all along. She wasn't as annoying as I made her appear in my head. So get your ass down here and wish her.."

"Maybe.." Aarul replies.

Shaking the trance again, which he appears to go into every now and then, he asks,"so you coming?"

"I guess."

Aayan smiles then disconnecting the call he waits for Alia to meet him.

She comes out searching for him when her eyes meets his in the crowd.

"where's Riddhi maa?" She asks as she comes closer to him.

"She went home early. She wants to prepare for a small celebration for you." He says and looks at her from top to bottom as she walks closer.

"A.." she grins.

"Yes.." he grins too.

"I won.." she jumps as she comes right in front of him. He holds his arms open for her and she rushes to him, hugging him tightly.

"You won."

"I won." She says looking into his eyes.

He smiles looking in her eyes then bending down he pecks her lips and whispers, "congratulations."

Forgetting the rest of the world, they stare into each other's eyes holding each other and their smile bright and content. Not even realizing that they just shared a kiss, a small peck, they just stare each other with their eyes shining.

Someone bumps into Aayan so he takes her hand,"you have to get anything?"

"Yes. I have some tarts for all of us at my counter."

"I can't wait to taste them. It looks so delicious from there of that screen." He praises her, as they both walk hand in hand to her counter.

Collecting whatever she has to, she keeps everything in the bags and filling the tarts she made to takeover, she turns to him,"all done!"

***********

"I am so proud of you, Aalu.." Riddhima takes her in a tight hug kissing her head,"you made all of us so proud. "

"Where's dad? And Rahul pa?" She asks looking around.

"They are not here yet." Muskaan walks from the kitchen with a glass of water and a plate of sandwiches, "here, eat this. I know you haven't had anything with all the worries."

"I had actually.." she says then looks at Aayan," A fed me before we left the house."

"Wow Aayan, you're growing up already." Muskaan praises, " not even a month with our Aalu and you're a grown man already. "

"As if I never take care of anything." He takes the sandwich," she didn't even make breakfast today."

"You do not make my little girl work, do you?" Rahul walks in with Armaan and Meher behind them.

"He so does. I saw him asking to make whatever he wishes. He treats Aalu like his slave.." Meher says taking the sandwich from his hand and start eating.

Muskaan walks upto her snatching the sandwich, "go freshen up first.."

Meher Pouts then open her mouth, so Muskaan feeds her. Rahul and Armaan both gives a tight hug to Alia.

"We all are so happy for you Aalu." Armaan kisses her cheeks,"Proud of you, baby."

Rahul sits next to Aayan,"so?"

"So what?" He asks.

"Do you make her work?"

"Ohh, come on dad, that brat just babbles anything..." he points at Meher who glares at him.

"You didn't ask her to make breakfast for you everyday.."

"Shut up or I will ban you from my house.." he glares at her.

"Try me..." Meher challenges Aayan," that's not even your house. It's aalu's house."

"And I am your Aalu's husband. So technically it's mine too." He says not even realizing what he said and walks to Muskaan who's holding the sandwich. Taking a bite then hitting Meher on her head he walks to get fresh.

Alia looks at his back as he walks away whistling. He never claimed himself as her husband or anything about their marriage for the Matter of fact. This is the first time he has actually agreed and acknowledged saying it out loud about the marriage.

She looks at Meher who's oblivious about whatever is going on and comes to hug Alia.

Armaan and Riddhima share a look of approval then looks at Muskaan and Rahul who are looking at their son.

"Riddhi maa, Riddhan is coming, right?"

"Yes. He has some work to finish then he'll be here too."

"How much does he have to work?" She shakes her head keeping her bags and the box of tarts on the kitchen platform,"all he does is work.."

"Well, I guess we have to get him married too.." muskaan says walking in the kitchen following Riddhima.

"What do you mean?" Riddhima asks so Muskaan turns to her and whispers, "look at Aayan. He looks different and happier than ever." She looks at Alia who's pouring juice in a glass," she is really good for him. I hope he sees that soon."

"I hope so too. I saw the way he looked at her during the workshop."

"I pray to God for their happiness every day!"

"What are you both whispering?" Alia asks them and they both shake their head. She spis from her glass,"what are we making?"

"Armaan and Rahul are barbecuing." Riddhima answers.

They all hear the commotion from the living room and rushes out of the kitchen.

Meher is standing with her hands on her hips growling at an angry looking Aarul.

"You didn't just come here to wish Aalu, that never happened and I know it will never happen."

"Shut up and move aside Meher..."

"You better tell me why are you here?"

"Weren't you supposed to not talk to me? Didn't you swear to never talk to me again?"

"What's going on here.. Aarul..." Armaan comes out of his room.

Aarul pushes Meher away,"so sorry sir, I didn't mean to create a scene. "

"That's okay.. and if you don't want to make another scene, leave the sir and ma'am outside. Start calling us like family." Armaan warns him.

"Sorry... uncle.." he says hesitantly.

Riddhima walks to him pulling him inside,"make yourself at home. I will get you something to drink..

"No need aunty.. I just want to wish Alia then I will leave.." he says

"Nonsense.." Rahul sits next to him and pats on his back,"we are having barbecue celebration. You must stay." When he nods. Everyone looks at him surprised.

Alia stares at him too shocked and stunned to see him here. This is like the first time in 12 years that he came back home willingly. He moved out as soon as he turned eighteen and he never called himself nor did he ever visit, be it any celebrations or anything bad. He came for the wedding that never happened but that is all.

She called him time and again to come back and be with her but he never bothered. And today suddenly, he's here to wish her that reason seems unfair and highly unlikely of him.

"Alia.." he calls her.

She walks to him and gives him a side hug as he gets up to wish her. He hands her a box wrapped and passes her a halfhearted smile.

Alia looks at Riddhima raising her brow who shakes her head to not say anything. She murmurs a thank you and walks away.

When she sees Aayan smiling at them she walks up to him," did you call him?"

"Yes.. I thought you'd like it."

"I liked it.." she whispers and walks to Meher who's growling and glaring at Aarul.

**********

"Riddhan.." she runs to him and he takes her in a hug and twirls her,"congratulations sisi.."

"I am so happy you came.."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world.. tell me what do you want?" He asks and with his hand around her shoulder, they both walk to join the group.

"You seems jolly today.." Meher points out,"what's up?"

"I might have a good news for all of us but I will discuss it with dad before.." he says and pulls her ponytail, "you're growling, what's up?"

She points at Aarul who's sitting with Aayan sipping his beer. He raises his brow looking at Alia who shakes her head,"don't look at me.. I have no idea how come he's here..."

"Maybe he finally realized we are worthy of him?" Riddhan says and walks to talk to the boys.

"Stop pouting Mahi.. " alia warns Meher,"where's Amy?"

"She had a meeting. But it's quite late."

They hear soft music from the box Aayan has put. Looking behind, Alia smiles when Armaan takes Riddhima's hand and they both start dancing. Meher pulls her and they both join the couple with Rahul and Muskaan. Riddhan takes Alia's hand and twirls her making her laugh.

Rahul takes her from Riddhan as the song changes,"I am so happy today potato.. your parents will be so proud and happy for you, you know that, right?"

She nods," I know.. staying at their house, it feels I am so close to them.. why didn't you sent me before?"

"You know we don't force you all to do anything you all don't want.." he says looking at Aarul who looks utterly uncomfortable dancing with Riddhima making them laugh.

She nods again," thank you for letting me stay there.."

"That's legally yours and Aarul's. You can stay there forever, you know.."

They dance slowly and once the song ends, Rahul takes Meher and she is pulled by Aayan in his arms.

She smiles at him,"hey.."

"Hey.."

"Thank you for asking him to be here..."

"Anytime.." he whispers staring in her eyes.

She looks at him confused,"what?"

"What?" He asks her back.

"You're staring..." she states.

"Yes, I am.." he exclaims smiling. She raises her head so he grins," you look happiest.."

"I feel... happiest." She leans closer to him still in his arms as they slowly move lost in their own world.

"Your eyes..." he moves his hand to her cheeks brushing the hair from her face,"...it's shining.."

She laughs," careful, A.. you are noticing way to much and.....your actions may seem that you're in love with me..." she states as the song ends she walks out of his arm, Armaan takes her hand and they start dancing together while he is left alone, standing and staring nowhere as her words echoes in his mind.

To be continued