Chapter-24

Suraj's Ferrari stopped a few meters away from Navya's house. Navya glanced around, worried that the shiny luxury car would attract too much attention from the neighbours. Fortunately the atmosphere around the house was quiet.

"You want to get off here, Navya?" asked Suraj with a confused look on his face.

"Yes, Suraj" said Navya as she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt. "Sorry, Suraj. But people at my house like to report to my papa when I come home with a guy I don't know. Instead of not being allowed to go out with you again, I'd better get down a bit further, so they don't see," Navya lied.

"Then introduce me to the people in your house. If necessary introduce me to your Papa," continued Suraj in a firm voice. His face looks serious.

Navya smiled wryly. She didn't dare to do it. She imagined if Suraj's wish came true. Maybe her dad will explode like an atomic bomb, and all her plays with Mohit are in vain. There was nothing Navya could say other than, "Not yet, Suraj... Someday, huh."

Suraj obviously didn't realize he had been lied to. His eyes were still warm. Slowly, he brought his face closer to Navya's face.

Navya's heart skipped a beat. She knew what Suraj was about to do. Hastily she opened the car door and got out of the car.

"Sorry, Suraj. I have to go into the house now, it's almost nine o'clock," said Navya, while positioned her shoulder bag between her and Suraj. "Thanks a lot for today, Suraj!" She thanked him.

Suraj looked disappointed, but he forced a smile. "Bye, Navya. See you soon." Suraj said to her.

Navya waved goodbye, got out of Suraj's car, then hurriedly walked towards the house. It's still fifteen minutes remains to nine. Previously, she had sent a message to Mohit that she would be home after six o'clock in the afternoon, but did not specify her destination.

Arriving in the dining room, Navya was surprised to see that Miss Padma was cleaning the dining table.

Since Navya saw Miss Padma, she always rested around eight o'clock at night, because the next day the woman would wake up early before four o'clock.

"Miss Navya... Have you eaten, mam?" Asked Miss Padma in a low voice.

"Yes, Miss Padma" Navya replied.

"Now-a-days you rarely eat with Mohit sir. Your driver also rarely picks up you home from campus. He said you went straight with your friends," said Miss Padma. She looked at Navya with a gloomy face. "In the beginning of marriage, it takes a lot of adjustment, Miss Navya. You must learn to be patient and always prays, okay? If there's a problem, talk about it. Don't use emotions..." She continued her advice.

Navya immediately gasped at Miss Padma's advice. "Is this the reason Miss Padma is waiting for me till now." Navya thought in her mind. The faithful housekeeper must have guessed the trouble between her and Mohit, perhaps even overheard their quarrel last week. Navya wanted to answer, but her tongue felt numb.

"I'm going to my room first, Miss Padma" That was all that came out of Navya's mouth. Then she rushes walk to the master bedroom.

Navya's steps stopped as soon as she opened the bedroom door. It turned out that Mohit was sitting at the desk across from the bed with the laptop on. Navya hastily ran to the door that connected Mohit's room to her own room.

"Navya...." Mohit suddenly spoke.

Navya's hand that turned the door lock stopped suddenly. Her heart was beating fast. She could hear Mohit's footsteps approaching towards her. Navya couldn't help but turn around, putting on an indifferent face.

Mohit is looking at her. Navya didn't know how to interpret those eyes.

"Navya are you mad at me?" Unexpectedly, Mohit's voice sounded soft.

Navya swallowed hard, trying to harden her heart so as not to melt by Mohit's soft voice. "No!" She replied curtly.

"Don't lie anymore, Navya. Obviously you're angry. You've been avoiding me this week on purpose. You never leave your room when I'm in home, do you? You also often go out with your boyfriend, that Suraj and only come home late at night. ." Mohit's expression looks sad.

"If I upset you, I'm sorry, Navya. Is it because I restricted your curfew?" Mohit asked her.

Navya's heart thumped even more. All Mohit had in mind were those ridiculous rules and agreements!

"Navya, please... Tell me, what made you angry? I don't want us to continue like this. Previously we could have good conversations, could joke, even go together. Now we are like enemies. Hurting each other's heart, Navya" Mohit keeps talking in a soft and calm voice.

"I just don't want you to meddle in my affairs, control me! I'm not a kid anymore! I'M AN ADULT GIRL!" said Navya in a high tone. She deliberately emphasized the word 'adult girl'.

For a moment Mohit was stunned. "I know you're an adult, not a child anymore, Navya. Please don't misunderstand. I'm not forbidding you to go out with Suraj. I've said before, you are free, but you have to be responsible. And I made all these rules for the sake of your kindness. I just want to protect you, Navya. Because you are my responsibility now." Mohit said her in a soft voice.

Navya quickly looked away. She didn't want Mohit to see her eyes starting to feel misty.

"Okay, now you just take a shower and rest. Once again, I'm sorry.... Please don't be angry anymore, Navya" Mohit ended the conversation.

Navya hastily turned around, opened the connecting door, and closed it again with a loud thud. She leaned her back against the door. Her tears started to flow.

Deep in her heart, Navya felt like screaming loudly and crying uncontrollably. She knew exactly what made her angry at Mohit. She was angry that Mohit never saw her as a grown up girl. She was never in Mohit's heart. "What should I do when I realise that I have already fallen in love with Mohit?" Navya said to herself and felt hopeless.

(Next morning in college)

"Eh, Navya! Yesterday I saw you being picked up by a Ferrari! That's your boyfriend, the Australian guy?" The next morning, Shraddha immediately strafed Navya with questions as soon as she arrived on campus.

"It's Suraj, and we're not dating, Shraddha" said Navya casually. She was used to Shraddha's rambunctious nature.

"Not dating, how about going out together? Almost every day you are picked up by him, really you are not dating him?" protested Sanjana, who joined in the conversation.

"But we're not dating," Navya insisted.

"Okay then give him to me...." Sanjana teased. "Just leave him for me then, while I'm still single." She continued smilingly.

Navya smiled faintly. "Do you want me to introduce you to him?" Navya asked her.

"Oh, no, no!" Sanjana dodged hastily. "I prefer gentle and local guys. If someone like Mr. Mohit Chouhan, then it's fine!" Sanjana grinned widely.

Suddenly Navya felt a tightness in her chest when Sanjana said Mohit's name, as if opening her heart again. She put her hand on her chest, trying to contain her excitement. Luckily her friends didn't notice that.

"Huh...! You're just day dreaming!" Shraddha scolded while half pushing Sanjana's head. "What do you think that Mr. Mohit want to be with a silly girl like you? Boys like him, finds a girl who is elegant, mature, smart, highly educated and these type of girls also suits their personality." Shraddha continued.

"Eh, I'm smart, highly educated!" Sanjana protested fiercely.

"But not graceful and mature, right?" Shraddha taunted again.

Shraddha and Sanjana were still teasing each other, but Navya was just pensive. "Is it true what Shraddha said, that Mohit wanted a girl who was elegant, mature, smart, and highly educated? Can I be that kind of girl in Mohit's eyes?" Navya thought in her mind.