Against what Arna had thought, the pinch on her cheek increased causing her to feel the stinging of pain. "You are truly dumb." Ivan promptly said what he felt and stood from his chair.

Arna: "..."

​​

She had expected him to say something sweet if not accepting her feelings. 'You are a dumb man. Humph.' She puffed her pink cheeks.

Ivan grabbed her hand and pulled her away to leave the cafe. Sulking Arna followed him and she was quick to cheer herself up and start speaking again. She knew things would have been different if she hadn't left her parents.

She was totally spoiled when she was a child, she learned from her mistake and earned everyone's love and appreciation. Just when everyone would be proud of her, she made a grave mistake.

Just because her family wholeheartedly accepted her back, 'Why will others trust me so easily?' Her hurtful thoughts.

At this rate, she doubted if she was going to accept if one day she hears Ivan was set up in an arranged marriage or he falls for a beautiful, obedient girl.

With all the complex thoughts, she could only take things as they come. But she really wanted to ask Ivan if she should give up because the longer she keeps her hopes, she will be hurt more.

Ivan rubbed her head when she was lost in thoughts, looking outside the window without realizing he had stopped the car. "Where have you lost?"

Arna jerked at his touch and looked where they were. She involuntarily smiled looking at the place still well maintained. It was restructured and the new development had just increased the charm of the place.

Ivan had taken her to her and her mother's favorite place, the musical water fountain. She turned to Ivan and asked in surprise, "I had heard the water fountain park was destroyed in flood five years back."

Ivan hummed before pointing his chin at the logos not far away. "Your Dad bought the place as soon as he heard the park will permanently close. And..."

"And Momma took charge of reconstruction." She completed with a smile looking at two logos of both the companies.

Aria and Alan.

What Arsh and Arna wished after looking at their parents was a life partner who they could love without bounds.

Arna really wanted to have an unbreakable and everlasting bond based on love just like her parents. She also knows it wasn't so easy to make it possible and it's impossible to keep love ahead of everything, every time.

Ivan, who had alighted the car, opened the car door for her when she was zoned out. Shaking her head, she got out of her wishful hopes.

She alighted the car and flashed a heartwarming smile at Ivan, "Thank you for bringing me here."

Ivan closed the door and took her inside hoping she wouldn't get too excited when he let her know about his feelings. There would be many couples and kids, he didn't want unnecessary attention and disturbance.

The musical water fountain park's main attraction was the fountain. There were many changes inside which would attract kids and also lots of couples.

With the soft river breeze, the atmosphere was cool. Arna excitedly checked many shops which had toys, snacks. For adults, there were cafes and mini restaurants.

Arna saw a candy shop and got excited looking at the little candies she used to eat during school days. She held Ivan's hand and ran towards it, "Let's try that Ivan…"

Ivan didn't mind. He knew she was enjoying the place and that's exactly why he had brought her there.

Anyway, before they could step inside, Ivan felt another tug and Arna lost her hold on his hands.

Confused, Arna balanced herself and turned around thinking she might have made Ivan uncomfortable. Anyway, her eyes landed on the dark frowns of Eva. Behind her was tall Isaac who was pinching his nose bridge. Ivan looked troubled.

Ivan wanted to speak with his mother after he confessed to Arna. But he didn't expect his mother and father to be at the same place. He was sure his mother watched them for a while.

He looked at Isaac and sighed. He could guess Eva didn't let Isaac alert him.

Arna bit her lip. Eva used to be the coolest one among the Fourie. She used to love each one of them unconditionally irrespective of if they were talented or talentless. But from the time Arna left the country, Eva never appeared in front of Arna and the latter knew Eva was very angry at her.

Even at her homecoming dinner, Arna had noticed Eva purposefully avoiding her or ignoring her. Arna had thought Eva would soon be fine to her cool self but she was wrong. From the looks, Eva even hated to see her with Ivan.

"Aunt Eva, Uncle Issac." She greeted them respectfully. She didn't know she was tightly clutching her dress looking at Eva.

Ivan tried to divert his mother's attention before she harshly spoke anything and hurt Arna who was still guilt-ridden, extremely emotional but pretending to be strong to face everything and everyone.

"Mom, Dad, you are here too. Are you guys having dinner on the cruise?"

Eva shot daggers at her son. Her smiling face was dark, filled with chillness. One could see she was trying her best to control herself but she couldn't.

It wasn't because Arna was with Ivan. It was because of her protectiveness towards Aria. Over time, her protectiveness and care towards Aria never lowered but increased. So whoever hurts Aria won't be spared by her either.

"Oh yeah, I am here with my husband. And what about you two?" She was sarcastic trying to know what they were up to in the out-of-the-city vicinity where usually families, couples, and a group of friends hang out.

"Oh, Arsh and Naira are around?" She pulled out a random reason and let them know, she won't get fooled, "I didn't see them so long when you were dragging him around."

"Mom..." Ivan tried to cut in to calm his mother. Anyway, Eva shot a deadly glance at him.

Arna bit her lips and spoke, "Aunt Eva, Bro, and Naira aren't here. It's only us, I mean me and Ivan." She politely responded looking at the accusing gaze of Eva.

Arna had thought she was prepared to face everyone. Now she understood preparation does nothing, she was trembling. It wasn't fear but remorse remembering everything.