Page 23 of She will Always be Mine

I notice the missing tension and scowl on my mom’s face as she wheels the suitcases inside. It could be because of coming home or she’s just that good an actress.

Maybe it’s a little bit of both. Whatever the reason, I’m just relieved and praying for things to be smooth sailing from now on. Pri and I take the remaining bags and walk side by side.

“Where’s Dad?” I ask.

“He decided to cook for you both.” The worried expression on my face must be comical because she laughs loudly. “Relax, it’s just noodles since it’s the only dish he doesn’t burn.”

“Thank God! I love his enthusiasm but we cannot afford to have another fiasco like the last time,” I reminisce.

Our dad is a hopeless romantic at heart and loves the ground that my mother walks on. He’s all about extravagant gestures and surprise date nights, but on one Valentine’s Day, he decided to take it up a notch, planning something he usually doesn’t do, and it was to cook a special candlelit dinner for Mom.

Even Pri and I encouraged him and offered to help, which he refused and proceeded to almost burn down our kitchen right before our very wide eyes. Mom was super pissed and Dad’s only saving grace was that he wanted to surprise her. It has now become a common joke among us.

Stepping inside the threshold, I walk down the short hallway, past the living room, and go straight toward the kitchen. The second my gaze lands on Dad with his back turned while cooking on the stove, I call out, “Papa!”

“My sweetheart! Come here,” he says lovingly, twisting around to face me.

I don’t waste a second running into his open arms and inhaling his familiar scent while immediately feeling protected, like nothing could touch me as long as he’s here.

I can proudly say that I’m my daddy’s little girl while Priyanka is closer to Mom. Something they always tease me about.

When I pull away, he stares down at me while his hands cup my cheek like he always does whenever he’s worried about me. “Bacha, why didn’t you tell me you felt homesick? I could have brought you back on the next flight.”

Tears gather in my eyes at the concern in his voice and words get stuck in my throat. Shame and guilt burn in my lungs for having hurt him even though he doesn’t know.

What if it was him who caught me with Riaan on the terrace? Would he still love me? Be proud of me? I don’t even want to imagine what he’d do.

“I thought I could handle it.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Always talk to me if something is upsetting you, Nyra,” he says while rubbing my tears away. “Never be afraid to ask for help, even when you’re older. Okay?”

I nod and then with a mischievous and confident smile, he points at the stove. “I cooked your favorite soupy noodles. Want some?”

“Sure, Dad.”

“Where’s your mom and little sister?” he asks while serving me a bowl. “Priyanka is always glued to her phone these days. Maybe now that you’re here, she’ll stop.”

“Don’t know about Mom but Pri just went to my room to drop off the suitcase.”

Just then, Mom steps into the kitchen and walks over to my dad to kiss his cheek while he wraps his arm around her shoulder, keeping her glued to his side. “Missed you, love.”

“I was only gone for a day,” she reminds him with a laugh and he shrugs.

“Doesn’t matter.”

Riaan used to stare at me the same way and butterflies would take flight in my stomach.

It’s hard not to imagine our love getting stronger and more possessive the older we got, just like my parents, who I can’t help but gaze at in envy.

It’s always been my dream to get married one day with the man of my dreams and spend the rest of my life with him while growing older together.

My heart always knew Riaan was the one and I felt lucky to have found him, just not lucky enough to keep him.

Aren’t we supposed to have the same happily ever after?

I always said our love is written in the stars… but will they ever align?

Chapter Nine

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