Roop's POV
After Moon's class, Parth sir dropped us at a restaurant to eat lunch. He said he will come back as he will buy something somewhere.
"Roop-ah, when will you be my papa?" Moon was so insistent about this. I'm starting to get peeved. I know she's just a kid but this time, I think I'm going to blow up.
"Moon listens, I can't be your papa okay? I can't. Roop-ah is not your papa. Your father will find your future papa. And that's not me." Am I too much? I saw her facial expression and I think she was about to cry.
"Why? You don't like my father? You don't like me? You called me Moon, not princess. Are you angry?" I breathe out, I suddenly felt guilty.
"Princess I'm sorry if Roop-ah sounded angry but you're too young to understand. Okay, if your father tells you to eat mint chocolate ice cream, will you eat it?" She shook her head. "No Roop-ah. I don't like that. It tastes awful."
"But he wants you to eat that because he likes that flavor. Will you eat it now?" She thinks for a while. "No, I don't really like it. I'd rather not eat ice cream than eat it."
"Just like you and your father. If you like me, it doesn't mean your father should like me too. I cannot be your papa just because you like me. You want father to be sad?" I asked.
"No Roop-ah. I want father to be always happy."
"See? So from now on, don't insist on that with your father. Now you understand what I mean Princess?" Don't know why I found it painful to explain the bitter truth to Moon, but she has to understand that this pair will never happen. But why am I feeling so sad?
Then I heard a faint knock on the glass wall of the restaurant. When I looked to the side, it was Hrithik waving hi. I was surprised to see him here. I mouthed 'Come in' and he went inside the restaurant.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. He sat across me and Moon.
"My car was parked nearby. I asked my driver to buy our lunch and he said he saw you here. So I went to check. I replied to your message but no words from you." He said while side-glancing at Moon.
I just remember my cell phone now. I forgot that I've got a message from him. "Sorry, I forgot to reply but yes let's meet up tonight."
"I haven't heard from you. You haven't called or texted. It's been months. Then I got a message that you want to meet up. There must be something bad happened?" He said but before I can even speak, Moon butts in.
"Who are you?" Moon asked. Exactly the same tone when she asked for my name when we first saw each other.
"Hi, little girl. My name is Hrithik." He smiled at Moon.
"Is he the reason why you don't like my father? You like him better Roop-ah?" Oh my god. Where did Moon have all these words?
"No princess. He's Roop-ah's bestfriend. So be nice to him." I said to Moon. I'm so embarrassed at Hrithik. This kid is so chatty. She can't keep her mouth shut.
Hrithik looked at me, confused. Like asking who's the little girl beside me calling me Roop-ah. "I'll explain to you later okay? I'll be out at 9 pm."
"Do you want me to pick you up at PTH or at Auntie's house?" Hrithik asked. He doesn't know yet that I don't work there anymore.
I shook my head. "No. Let's just meet up somewhere."
I noticed Hrithik glanced at the entrance door and he stood up immediately, "I'll go now. See you later." He said while patting my shoulder.
"Nice to see you here Mr. Omkar." I heard Hrithik talk. I looked behind and I saw Hrithik bowed at Parth sir then they shook hands. "Same here Hrithik." Parth sir looked at me. "You must have a very important business to be here Mr. Hrithik?"
"I'm just passing by and I saw Roopeshwar so I went in to say hi. I can't see anything wrong with that." Wait, are they arguing?
"Why are you so defensive? Did I say there's something wrong with that?" Parth sir glared at Hrithik.
Hrithik chuckled, "The heard says are real after all. I thought it was not true. But you proved me wrong. Indeed, Parth Omkar is an arrogant heartless man."
I saw Parth sir's reaction. He was ready to knock Hrithik down. "What did you say?" Parth moved forward. Moon is here, she should not witness something like this. I stepped in and hold Hrithik's arm, "Hrithik let's just talk later okay? Don't start. His daughter is here." I whispered looking at Moon.
Hrithik looked at Moon who is currently busy eating her pasta. Hrithik glared at Parth sir before going out of the restaurant. I sighed in relief
"Moon gets up. We will go home ". Parth sir ordered.
"But father I'm not yet done eating." Said, Moon.
"I said let's go."
"But Roop-ah and I will eat ice cream father."
"No more ice cream. Stand up there before I get angry Moon." Parth sir grit his teeth and Moon looked terrified.
"Roop-ah will buy later okay?" I whispered as I held her hand. Moon just nods still looking scared.
When we got inside the car. Parth sir accelerates. I grasped my seat and looked at Moon who seemed to not care at all.
"What are you saying about me to Hrithik?" He asked. His eyes were on the road. His jaw clenched. His knuckles are white due to the tight grip on the steering wheel.
"Sir?" I'm actually confused.
"Don't act like you didn't know. I know you're the one who said that I am heartless and arrogant." It's true, I thought but it's not me who said that. I can never spread bad words about anyone.
"Sir I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I apologize for my friend's behavior. And I swear to God, I never said anything bad about you to anyone," I said, that's the truth.
"Is he your boyfriend? Or trying to be your boyfriend?" Parth sir asked as he looked at me. I think the speed of his car was faster than earlier.
"N-no, sir. We are best friends. He won't try sir. We are good friends." I said holding on to my dear life. How can he drive this fast?
"You will not go out tonight. I want you to stay with Moon." Is he even serious?
"But sir Mamma's expecting me to be home tonight. She already bought something to cook for dinner." I lied. I need to see Hrithik.
"Make sure you're going home. Once I heard that you're going out with that Hrithik, you'll regret it. You know how much I hate liars. Understood?"
I just nod. What's going on with this Cold Monster? I sometimes wonder how this cold man even survived in this new world. But you cannot stop me from seeing Hrithik. I'm not your prisoner Mr. Parth Omkar.