Chapter 10 - Knock down

Aria is on phone with toby since 1 hour, no one is at home, she is having her dad's phone since she doesn't have her own. Call ends she keeps the phone in hall and goes to her room. Dad: Aria did you call someone from this phone. Aria: Yes daddy, I called Alison, we were discussing some chapter. Dad: But she lives the next door you could always go there. Aria: Yes, but i was with her whole day and I got a doubt just now. Dad: You better focus on studies and not indulge in phone calls all the time. Aria: I will not repeat this. Dad: okay! go to bed now. Aria: Good night daddy. What Aria thought was end of her problems, was just the beginning. The very next day she went to attend classes and when she came back she was called in the dining room to have a round table discussion with her Mom and Dad sitting right in front of her. Aria is scared, very scared. Mom:Your dad and I know that you were talking to Toby last night that too for an hour. Aria:Yes I did, but I was writing physics record and I had some doubts, I didn't realize how long it's been. He is just a friend, more like a brother. Mom: You can't lie when we already know the truth, we called that number and we got the call recordings as well. So we know what did you talk to him about. Aria is confused and scared not because what she spoke to Toby was personal but she was talking about her family on phone that her Mom and Dad are putting pressure on her for entrance exams, how they are comparing her with other students and how badly they want her to score well. Mom: Aria.. say something. Dad:Aria if you are distracted and you need a counsellor let us know. This is the age where you easily get off track. Aria: I have not done anything whatever you people are accusing me of. I don't like him, if u say I will not even look at him ever. Mom:Aria, I am worried I dont know if I can even let you go to school tomorrow or not, because I think your performance is getting low because of Toby. Aria: Mom I am studying well don't do this. The discussion was longer than this and Aria is in fear of loosing everything. She promised her Mom that she won't talk to Toby. Her Mom is convinced but it was very tough time for her. Aria was not given dinner on that day. Next day Aria had chemistry practicals and she went to her father and he denies to give her blessings. Aria is in tears but she plucked up courage to handle it and got ready for test. While, she was wearing her shoes some romantic song was playing on TV and by listening to it she ends up shedding tears thinking that this romance is the only reason she is drifted apart from her parents.Now that no one at home is talking to Aria, she spends most of her time studying in her room. She is not just scared but horrified to talk to Toby or for that matter to any other guy. For two weeks her dad didn't speak to her but eventually things got normal at home. Everyone has forgotten the incidence. Still Aria and Toby are not talking to each other and when Toby tries, Aria runs away. Aria thought she would keep things at same pace but no matter what, love finds it way.