Chapter 50

LadyMeringue

@LadyMeringue

A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D

Here's wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous Diwali filled with love, lights and laughter, hoping it brings a lot of positivity and good luck as well! :D :D

Happy Reading! :D :D

The next day broke across with yet another promise of glory as Ishaani made her way down the steps at six forty five in the morning. She felt disoriented as images from her nightmare kept flashing across her mind, the sickening sight firmly implanted in her mind from the time she woke up shouting at the top of her voice.

The cold, cutting air from her nightmare had changed into the sultry air of the room when Ishaani's head shot up from her pillow, perspiring profusely. Her vision blurred and she fell back moments later, breaking into another bout of shivers with tears leaving her eyes unrestrained and Ranveer's name falling from her lips in a continuous mantra. It had been days after which she'd seen the nightmare and it was an unwelcome sight; an ill omen that couldn't mean anything good. 

Her heart pounded frantically against her chest like a trapped mouse.

It had been with great difficulty that Ishaani had curbed the urge of throwing up, pushing herself out from the bed and controlling her breathing as she made her way to the washroom. Her hands continued to shiver until she slapped some cold water upon her face, relieved that the images grew blurred until they were washed away with yet another splash of water. 

But the anxiety in her heart didn't lessen. 

If anything, it only grew worse by the time she changed into a fresh pair of clothes. And on her way down the stairs the images had forced their way back into her mind again. The disgust of it almost made her lose her balance upon the steps before she held on to the railing as a saving grace, her mind finally snapping out from the shock of her nightmare. It always left an ill-boding in her heart every single time it appeared in the nineteen years she'd been having them for.

And having them at a time when things were getting better put her at even more unease.

She made the rest of her way down the steps with her eyes scanning for Ranveer after seeing that he wasn't in his room. Her thoughts were brought to an abrupt end, however, when a delicious waft of traditional Gujrati food hit her senses, the aroma making her take a detour towards the kitchen. It took her back to the days when she'd enter Ranveer's room to find his mother cooking some delicacy or the other, more often than not just sufficient enough for Ranveer to have with his stomach full.

She'd seen them live through days where adjustment, compromise, sacrifice and an empty-stomach were four prime attributes of the life they were leading. And then there was today where Ishaani stood by the door of the kitchen watching Amba instruct the helpers how to go about with the dishes that had to be coked for the day, a relaxed look upon her face. This was exactly what Ranveer had wanted to achieve in life - to be capable enough to make his parents lead a comfortable and respectable life. And so they did today, Ishaani noted with satisfaction.

She snapped out from her thoughts when Amba turned behind to notice her presence.

"Ishaani, how come you are up so early?"

"I'm used to getting up this early, Kaki," replied Ishaani as she smiled at the older woman, who in turn did the same even though she noticed the former's slightly perturbed features. Ishaani let her eyes dart around the generous kitchen before she noticed the extent of the activities going on within, wondering whether all the food being cooked was supposed to be for them.

"How come you're cooking so much though?" questioned Ishaani as Amba wiped her hands clean. She led her towards the dining room, the aroma of the exotic Indian spices only growing stronger.

"Preparations. All our relatives will be coming over by today afternoon since we have a function tomorrow," replied Amba once both of them sat across each other at the table, Ishaani's eyes still scanning the house. Amba smiled.

"Ranveer's father is in the garden. He loves spending his mornings there. Finds its peaceful and refreshing. He should be back in sometime. Ranveer's gone for a run," replied Amba without even having to know what question was upon Ishaani's lips. Both the women shared a look of understanding before one of the helpers brought over two steaming mugs of tea, Ishaani accepting upon hers appreciatively. She suddenly realized that Amba had been saying something about a function.

"Function? Is there anything special?" asked Ishaani innocently. Amba relaxed back into her chair, eyeing her keenly now.

"It's Karva Chauth tomorrow."

"Oh, I didn't realize..." began Ishaani awkwardly, her eyes suddenly finding the mug a lot more interesting. The nightmare had stopped flashing across her mind even though the taste it left behind remained stagnantly bitter.

"That's alright. I assume you've not kept a fast since your divorce?" questioned Amba, her voice gentle.

The thought of keeping a fast for Chirag seemed to run like a dagger through Ishaani's heart in the light of her nightmare. His face remained as menacing as always, if not more so in the moment he pulled the trigger with his smile growing broader with evil, derisive pleasure. He had definitely killed her, she knew. She had watched the life seep out from the person in who her heart and soul resided in as he lay upon her lap bleeding copiously. Amba patted her hand from across the table, the touch enough to snap her out from her stupor even though her face had grown red with rage. 

Ishaani confessed, her voice heavy.

"I haven't kept a fast till date. Even for the year I was married, I didn't. Chirag asked me not to even though I did get up for the sargi. Maa had just passed away around then and I was too distraught to really concentrate upon anything else. His parents were in New York with his sister and they weren't too into traditions, so I had no pressure from their end as well. Both of us had a secluded life. Chirag told me to take it easy and reasoned that I could perhaps fast the next year. I would prefer dying than to fast for a satan's longevity in health and age."

Amba remained silent for some time, seeing the tears of rage brim into Ishaani's eyes. The moment Ishaani raised her head up after forcefully bringing the turmoil in her heart to a stop, Amba gave her a strong motherly look.

"The fast of Karva Chaut is a very pious and powerful one, Ishaani. Your generation obviously sees this as a superstition like several other things, but they don't understand the real importance behind it."

"How did it originate?" 

Amba took another sip from her own mug, noticing the same genuine interest to learn something new upon Ishaani's face that she would have as a child whenever she would hear her telling any folklore to Ranveer. She smiled, sharing her knowledge on the version her family believed from generations, passing the story ahead to the next one.

"There's several tales related to it, both traditional and folklore. But most people believe that the tradition of observing the fast of Karva Chauth originated from Queen Veeravati. She was the only sister of seven loving brothers, a very beautiful woman. She spent her first Karva Chauth as a married woman at her parents' house. She began a strict fast after sunrise but, by evening, was desperately waiting for the moon rise as she suffered severe thirst and hunger. Her seven brothers couldn't bear to see their sister in such distress and created a mirror in a pipal tree that made it look as though the moon had risen."

"What happened next?"

"The sister mistook it for the moon and broke her fast. The moment she ate, word arrived that her husband, the king, was dead. Heartbroken, she wept through the night until her shakti compelled a Goddess to appear and ask why she cried. When the queen explained her distress, the Goddess revealed how she had been tricked by her brothers and instructed her to repeat the fast with complete devotion. When Veervati did so, Yamaraj was forced to restore her husband to life. The versions keep differing, but this is the basic gist of it."

"And that's how it began?" asked Ishaani, her lips parted in wonder. The panic was beginning to abate, giving her a new sense of security. 

Amba nodded her head, amused by Ishaani's reaction.

"That's what folklore says. But time and again, it's been proved that the fast of Karva Chaut has had the power to snatch back the husband's life from the claws of death or Yamaraj, to be more specific. Whether you take Savitri's story after this who won back her husband's life from Yamaraj after keeping the fast of Karva Chauth or several other lores where wives have managed to secure their husbands lives on the basis of this fast, it holds true. Any woman who keeps this fast with all her faith and devotion will find this to be true, be it for her husband, fiance or her lover."

"So this fast is like a shield that a wife creates for her husband?" asked Ishaani further, her interest now piqued.

"No, she stands as shield between her husband and whatever ill may await him," corrected Amba, noticing the instant change in Ishaani's expression that had turned blank. She continued.

"The fast in general is to pray to God for the longevity and prosperity of his life. And mind you, this is very hard to keep. From sunrise to sunset without water and food. It takes a lot of devotion and faith to pull through it. The further the moonrise, the more the pain of wait. And Karva Chauth is popularly reputed for the moon to never rise on time, being a true test of patience for a woman to see how long she's willing to remain the same way for her husband."

"Do you still have to keep it? asked Ishaani as she drained her cup of the remaining tea, feeling strangely rejuvenated. 

The scenic beauty outside the house made itself more than welcome through the windows, the lazy clouds across the sky creating a calm, cool atmosphere that was only too welcome after the sweltering summer that came with the month of October. The horror of her nightmare faded away finally and she heaved a sigh of relief mentally.

"Until either I am alive, or your Kaka is, yes" replied Amba with a gentle smile while looking in the direction of the garden, sighing softly. Ishaani could suddenly feel the aura of the room change as though a fresh gust of air had entered into the room, bringing along with it the warmth of love. 

It made Ishaani smile in spite of herself.

"Does Kaka keep a fast for you?" question Ishaani suddenly. Amba looked at Ishaani, blushing slightly when she caught her eye. The colour in her cheeks intensified upon the question.

"He does. Men don't have to, but he does. He's always kept one for me ever since we were married," responded Amba, the love and pride in her voice not gone amiss by Ishaani. She suddenly felt a strange jitter in her heart, something that she couldn't explain even though it made her anxious, the sensation not entirely pleasant.

"Would... would it be okay if I kept one tomorrow?" asked Ishaani on impulse, the question leaving her lips even before she'd consciously framed it in her mind, taking both of them by surprise. Amba eyed her quietly for a few minutes, her expression unfathomable to Ishaani even though she met eyes with her firmly this time, her gaze not shaking once. 

After a myriad of minutes, Amba nodded her head in some unknown satisfaction.

"They say that if an unmarried woman keeps a fast, she usually finds her desired groom soon. But you already know who you want to keep the fast for, so that's one thing less to worry about. If you want to keep one for Ranveer, you certainly can." 

Ishaani gave her a flustered look even though the smile upon her lips remained gentle. Before she could reply, the echoes of voices entered the room like a wave of life as Ranveer laughed wholeheartedly upon something his father spoke, both entering the dining room with their arms around the others shoulders. Kailash laughed upon something that Ranveer said in response.

Ishaani felt a powerful rush of emotion upon Ranveer's sight; an emotion so strong that it tugged at her heart violently. She wanted nothing more than to protect him from all evil eyes by shielding away her life's greatest treasure and making sure nothing ever happened to him, and more importantly, to his smile ever again.

Both women wondered when they'd last seen their better halves laugh so freely just as they stood up together, shooting each other a warm glance. Ishaani walked around the table and ahead just as Ranveer and Kailash spotted them, their smiles broadening. Before she could walk shorten the distance, Amba held Ishaani back by catching hold of her arm gently, whispering a word of advice to her.

"Don't tell him about it though. He'll get hyper."

Ishaani entered Kailash's room as he sat near the window, staring at the view of the beach that lay outside. He turned behind and his features softened upon her sight, calling her into the room. The first thing that caught her attention was the abstract painting that Ranveer had created along with her own painting that now rested peacefully back at the Parekh Mansion, its companion here at the Vaghela Mansion. Kailash followed her gaze until it landed upon the painting in question, his face brightening up instantly.

"We made sure to have it up in the room since Ranveer didn't want it anyway. It gives us hope that there's always hope even when it seems like there isn't. And this painting is proof," spoke Kailash, more to himself than to Ishaani even though he was audible enough to her. Taking a seat by the coffee table, she sighed tiredly.

"Hope is a very funny thing indeed." Kailash took a seat beside her and both of them stared at the beach.

"How did it all go?" asked Kailash after some time once Ishaani's train of thoughts drew to an abrupt end.

She'd gone along with Ranveer at eight in the morning to the port and had authorized the consignment, making sure that everything was up to the mark. The two of them had then shopped around the place before returning back home, Ranveer heading to his room to complete sketching out the agenda for the meeting supposed to be held tomorrow while Ishaani headed to meet his father.

"It went well. Got everything authorized and under personal scrutiny."

"Good. It's been so long since we last got to sit together and talk," reminisced Kailash suddenly. Both of them continued to look at each other, remembering times when life was much simpler than this. Money, fame, stature and success had made life easier in several ways and yet it had made both herself and Ranveer brutally oblivious to the little pleasures of life, she realized bitterly.

"I know... I still remember how you would get Ranveer and myself samosas with that tasty green chutney. Ranveer and I would relish it so much in the rains," added Ishaani as the old man shut his eyes, his heart fondly remembering the sheer happiness upon the faces of the two children.

He wondered why life had to be so harsh upon them when their childhoods had not been too benevolent either. All they had was each other and perhaps it was why they lost everything when they lost each other the night they parted ways. Ranveer had not gone to Surat after that incident, but had instead taken the first flight back to Sydney without an explanation until Finch called up his parents and told them about everything that had happened.

"Those were the days..." whispered Kailash as he snapped his eyes open, noticing how tired and strained Ishaani's eyes was where once there only resided love and innocence. Like everyone, life had definitely taken its toll upon her afyer being pushed into the war-zone that her father and his son had tried to protect her from all her life. Perhaps even more so than necessary. But nobody was spared from the battle of life.

"How have you been, Kaka?" asked Ishaani, now noting Kailash's ageing features. It was something she did as a reflex even though the first fact she observed was not something that left her entirely at ease. He was content with what life had given him, not with what life had taken away from him. And her observation stood true in the light of what Kailash spoke next.

"I've been doing okay. Got a decent house, a filling meal thrice a day, an easier life with good clothes to wear, a grocery store to run, a respectable life and a driver to take us around in a comfortable car. And most importantly, watching our son scale the highest peak of success all on his own... that's what every parent hopes to see in his or her life - their sacrifices and hardwork paying off and reflecting in their children. It's more than what we could ever ask for or even dream about, what Ranveer has given us in all these years."

"And yet you were genuinely happy when Ranveer returned home yesterday night," remarked Ishaani and the reaction was instantaneous. Kailash's face paled as he shuddered involuntarily, stunned disbelief now etched upon his face. Ishaani gave him a rueful smile.

"I watched your expressions as well as Kaki's. The two of you could have sold away all of this as long as it got you back Ranveer's happiness."

Kailash shook his head, his smile sagacious.

"Happiness cannot be bought, my child. That's the only condition of happiness. And even if we tried, we couldn't. His happiness has only ever been in you. Nothing else can beat it because it's all secondary."

"You've not changed at all in all these years, Kaka. You're still the same," confessed Ishaani, a touched look upon her face with the genuineness with which he'd just spoken.

The love and affection in his voice for her remained as fatherly as it would be all those years ago. It made her wonder how it was that they could be so warm towards her even after so much had happened, no matter whether or not they knew the extent to which she'd destroyed things that night. Perhaps they were simply gifted people who could look beyond grudges and biases held. It was not necessary that everyone in this world were like Chirag Mehta who knew nothing but revenge and hatred.

"Everything changes, Ishaani. Change is the law of the nature."

"And yet there are exceptions to the law," countered Ishaani and Kailash nodded his head in agreement.

"One of which is the love between the two of you. You're willing to give life a second chance, he isn't. He is willing to let go of the past, you aren't. You both have your issues to sort out."

Ishaani marvelled at the way the crux of their problem was explained in a single sentence.

"What do you think about this?" asked Ishaani, interested to know what he thought about it. If there was anyone who she believed to be the perfect voice of reason after her father and Ranveer, it was him. 

Kailash pondered upon her question for some time before giving her a truthful answer.

"After what Ranveer has told me, it would be stupid if you let go of each other at this point of time now that the two of you have faced so much together and have taken half a jump together. You can't trace your steps back from something irrevocable like that, so you either take the leap willingly or else you'll fall flat upon your face if you keep dangling mid-air."

"Is it that easy?" asked Ishaani, realizing that he knew about everything that'd happened between herself and Ranveer just like old times where he would never keep anything from his father. And yet there was acceptance in his eyes, not admonition.

"It's easier than you think it is. Nothing comes easy in life, Ishaani. Remember that. Everything that you truly want to achieve is always something you'll have to fight tooth and nail for because it's not unattainable. It's simple testing your grit to see how much you really want it and how much you're willing to persevere for it."

"What if it's not meant to be yours?"

"Life makes the decision easier upon you then. You pick up on the hints," advised Kailash, his eyes scrutinizing her carefully even though her gaze remained as firm as ever. She no longer shied away from facing reality.

"What if the hints are read wrongly?" she asked and Kailash was unable to control the chuckle that left his lips. Birds of the same feather flock together.

"What has to happen will happen. Nothing you say or do changes the ultimate course of your life. You get what's written in your destiny at the end of the day. You just go about it in different ways, perhaps." 

Ishaani sighed, the sight of the beach across suddenly captivating her attention. It reminded her of the painting that had become the center of her life.

"Do you believe in second chances?" The question tumbled away from upon her lips even without any conscious effort. The answer was just as instantaneous.

"After last night, yes I do. Stay firm on your love, child. It's what will guide the two of your through this storm. You have our blessings," he added as Ishaani tore her gaze away from the magnificent sight before her eyes, looking at the man closest to her father-figure now. Her eyes pooled with tears of despondence and desperation alike at the complexity of their situation.

"I want this to work between us, Kaka. I don't want to live this kind of life anymore where there's just loneliness. Where my only companions are pain and guilt, and the only passion I can channel my life towards being my work. I'm tired of this grey life, Kaka. I'm tired of being lonely. But I'm afraid."

Kailash gave her a woeful smile, now choosing to talk her through her greatest fear that she'd been forced to live through in those years of abandonment - loneliness.

"Being alone is your choice, but loneliness is often an unwanted accompaniment that latches itself on to you until you're locked within yourself. You so desperately want to step out into the light but you're so bound by the iron prison that loneliness has created around you that you cannot do anything about it. The light's right there, and yet you're so used to the darkness that light hurts. So you accept darkness as your fate because the light frightens you, eventually succumbing to it because you can neither bear the dark, nor the light."

"How would you step out of it?" asked Ishaani, her voice a little stronger this time as she sensed the power of wisdom exude from the man in front of her.

"Find someone who's willing to bring you out into the light and never let go of him. In this world, nobody will ever walk you towards the light because everybody is in the pursuit for it. So you must find someone who's willing to walk you through the night so that when dawn breaks out, you can find your way to your light then, never letting go of the person who helped you through it in the first place. It's easy to find darkness, not light. And it's even harder to find someone willing to give you their light when their lives are shrouded in darkness in the first place."

"Fight through it?" asked Ishaani, her heart feeling a little stronger. He patted her hand in assurance.

"Fight through it. Don't feel afraid of light or dark, Ishaani. They're both a part of our lives, so accept it with grace. When you find light, grasp it. When there is dark, use that light as your strength and shield. Stop trying to hide in a darkness that no longer exists for you'll miss the light that's entered your life. Let love and hope break through and embrace it with all your might. It will take time to get used to the light after years of darkness, but eventually the warmth will penetrate and take away all the cold. And if life is giving you a second chance, accept it with both arms. Especially if it means having Ranveer back in your life and living the love that the two of you have desired all along. Nobody has seen tomorrow, so atleast live today."

Ishaani nodded her head and stood up, absorbing what Kailash told her. Her eyes remained drowned in the intoxicating sight of the beach that seemed to be calling her towards it, the waters sparkling not unlike diamonds under the benevolent sun overhead.

"It's beautiful, the scene out here," whispered Ishaani in reverence as Kailash stood up alongside, folding his hands across his chest.

"Ranveer wanted a beach-facing house. Anything that would remind him of you, I guess. You can go have a stroll around. You have some time before you need to get ready and leave," he suggested but Ishaani gave him an uncertain.

Her heart longed for the solace of the waters that glittered along the tranquil grains of sand, the winds gently caressing her hair along with the white foam kissing her feet time and again. Kailash gave her a reassuring nod, years of experience and knowledge sufficient for his memory to serve him right about how much she loved the beach. Perhaps she did need some quiet time to herself after all.

"Go along, I'll let Ranveer know where you are if he asks for you."

"You can never let her away from your sight even for a minute now, can you?"

Ranveer tore away his gaze from upon the window and turned to find his mother standing by the doorpost, staring at him quietly. Ranveer gave her a flustered look as she closed the distance between them, coming to standing beside him. Her gaze found what he was staring away at in reverent silence - Ishaani sitting upon the beach, staring away at the horizon.

"Maa, I didn't realize..." began Ranveer even though he gave up on the sentence. Both mother and son remained silent as they watched Ishaani sit upon the secluded beach, lost in thought.

"How have you been?" asked Ranveer at length, never tiring of the view before his eyes. Amba sighed, looking at him pensively.

"Happy, now."

"You were right. She did seek for me, after all," he whispered, shooting his mother an unfathomable look. Snippets from their last conversation in the exact same room rung in their ears.

He pulled his mother into a resigned hug and let her caress his hair softly, holding on to her as though he was hugging her after years and years of loneliness. Somewhere through the embrace flowed tears unabashedly that her saree soaked away, her own getting soaked into his blazer before she kissed his forehead lovingly. For how she'd longed to feel her son's warmth in an embrace like this, she'd lost count upon. Perhaps even hope somewhere down the line. 

And yet it was all there in her arms today as Ranveer kissed her forehead lovingly and smiled against the wrinkles upon her head. They separated from the embrace after some time, Amba's eyes falling upon the source of this unimaginable change in their lives. Her face softened.

"Never let go of that girl, Ranveer. Nobody can love you the way she does."

Amba felt her heart spring alive in joy as she saw an electrifying twinkle of life sparkle in Ranveer's eyes where exactly three weeks ago remained the ruins of a withered soul who was an inch away from giving up on his life. Sensing what was going on in his mother's mind, Ranveer took her hands into his own and kissed them softly.

"Thank you, Maa. For never giving up on me."

Amba freed her hand from Ranveer's own and cupped his cheek, the warmth of his eyes heightened by the sun. It seemed to bring her a strange peace of mind even though her heart only yearned for the well-being of her son to continue this way. His happiness had always been short-lived even as a child, she knew.

Now that he'd found happiness in the cruel world after years and years of pain and misery, she only shut her eyes and prayed deeply in her heart that his happiness remained the way it was, the Almighty to always keep him safe and sound from the world's woes and evil eyes. Her heart had remained anxious for so long about her son that it had forgotten to sense premonition anymore.

Opening her eyes again, she smiled tiredly.

"You are a warrior, Ranveer. Not just by name, but by your spirit. There was a time years ago when you father and I had given up hope on you because he doctors were certain that you wouldn't make it seeing the way you were sinking every single day for three months. But you proved all of us wrong. You didn't just only fight back and come out of it, but you turned your entire life around."

"Hope is certainly a very funny thing," replied Ranveer cheekily, getting a chuckle out from his mother before she sobered.

"And that is something you and Ishaani have today."

"Is it that easy to let go?" asked Ranveer as he looked ahead to stare at the beach again, Ishaani still staring away at the waters. He let out a troubled sigh, his shoulders sagging underneath the weight of the impending decision upon him.

"It's easier than it looks.

"That's always been the trick behind it," remarked Ranveer bitterly, the resentment in his tone making Amba hiss. Something about the way he'd just spoken stung her heart painfully. She forced his shoulders in her direction, pulling his chin up as their eyes met in sudden urgency.

"Nobody knows what's in store for us tomorrow. There is no point in holding back because you are worried about what if there's no future for you and Ishaani, or what if something happens in the future and this doesn't work out between the two of you. That is not how life works. Life is not about happy endings, son. You live each day to the fullest and make every single day of your life a happy ending, both for yourself as well as Ishaani. That's where the real victory is because life is all about how you live today, not yesterday or tomorrow."

"You're right, Maa. You are right..." whispered Ranveer as his eyes lowered against the burning ones of his mother, realizing that was she was saying was right. What his father was saying was right. What Finch and Monica were saying was right. What Ishaani was saying was right.

But what would push him off the cliff to accept what was right even though it was nowhere nearly as easily done as said?

While Ranveer pondered upon this, Amba continued.

"I know I am. Don't give up on this, Ranveer. Don't give up on your love now that you've actually attained the moon. She was what your heart deeply desired all along. And now that you know how much she loves you too, fight for her against all odds and keep her in your life like both of you deserve. Help each other through your fears and insecurities and walk through it together. Love is easy to fall into, fighting for it is much harder."

"Tell me about it," muttered Ranveer under his breath. Amba ploughed on as though there hadn't been any interruption in the first place.

"Love is not about simply attraction or passion and its not even about attaining someone. Love is something you lose yourself into without any expectations or hope. Live today and cherish the love the two of you share between yourselves. An unspoken trust was what brought the two of you together and made the two of you the best of friends as kids. The only friends the two of you had - each other. So trust life now to take its own course and do what's best for the two of you rather than try to predict what life has in store for you because you won't just lose your future, but your present as well."

"Love can't overrule destiny; destiny can't overrule love," whispered Ranveer in a cautious word of advice. But this time she remained firm on her approach.

"And what if both of them are in the same direction? Everything happens for a reason, like you always tell me. If the two of you were not meant to be, why would you meet again after all these years?" asked Amba as she pulled out the ace of spades, leaving Ranveer bamboozled. He tried to think of an answer good enough even though he came up with none. And so he raised the white flag, resigning to his mother's superior argumentative skills.

"You are impossible to beat, Maa."

Amba gave him a a strong look, speaking the last bit of what she wanted to tell him.

"All your life, you've done the impossible. This is what you've striven day and night for, paid every penny of pain and heartbreak as a price of. If you won't seize the chance now, what good has all of this been then? Seize the day and live each day as it comes. Planning is good, but it is just to give direction to your life. Not to overpower it."

"I guess you're right," agreed Ranveer, giving his mother a calm look. She gave him a nod of her head before making her way towards the door, Ranveer returning back to stare at Ishaani, who still remained seated upon the spot with her back towards him. Stopping for one last question, Amba turned behind to find Ranveer lost in his own train of thoughts, oblivious about everything else.

"So what have decided then, for tomorrow? Are you going to give this a second chance?" asked Amba, her voice cutting through Ranveer's thoughts. He sighed, the question overrun by his brain to the extent of exhaustion. But this time, he found an alternate answer readily upon his lips. He looked at his mother, an ironic smile upon his face.

"Why don't we let tomorrow give us an answer to that when it comes?"

Farewells had been made with a mixture of warmth and sadness as Ranveer and Ishaani boarded the train back to Mumbai, taking the blessings of both Amba and Kailash. The overwhelmed parents had pulled Ishaani into a warm hug as they whispered their gratitude and happiness for bringing back their son from the dead, kissing her away goodbye and reminding her that if she were ever in the need of parents, she could always count upon them.

Ishaani had a hard time controlling her emotions as she separated herself from them, touching their feet. She had then stepped aside and let Ranveer have a moment with his parents that went on for more than five minutes, by the end of which the small family looked distraught at having to leave each other so soon again.

That was the thing about emotions - one you let go, there was no stopping them again.

And so it was with a heavy heart and teary eyes that Ranveer and Ishaani finally bid the former's parents goodbye, lending a shoulder to each other as they consoled their hearts to have a grip upon their messily spilling emotions that were all over the place. 

It took them a couple of minutes of catch hold of themselves as they wiped away their tears, feeling embarrassed about the kind of outburst they'd had although they instantly knew that their reactions were not entirely based upon the farewell they'd just bid his parents. It was upon the farewell that awaited them the next day while the world's impending doom closed around them with just one question. 

Were they willing to let go of the past and give their nameless relationship a second chance?

It was a question neither of them voiced throughout their journey although it remained between them like a thick veil. Stepping into the life and hustle-bustle of Mumbai again had brought no change as Ranveer and Ishaani made their way towards the latter's house in silence, both of them too preoccupied with their own set of thoughts. The taxi drove them to the Parekh Mansion first where the helpers freed them away of their luggage, both of them quickly getting the car keys from the watchman before heading towards the Parekh Business Complex.

But when RV and Miss Parekh finally entered the premises of the Parekh Empire, there was no trace of a prolonged silence anymore. Discussions broke free in the car and they discussed several agendas upon the list, she making quick notes on the same while he continued to drive smoothly, adding another item to his multi-tasking list. He called Rishi up and informed him that they'd be reaching the office in another fifteen minutes.

Walking into the building in quick, long strides, RV and Miss Parekh made their way up to the tenth floor of the complex, the latter making extra last minute notes in her to-do diary. She noted to herself that she'd get enough time to go through the day's worth of transactions of the intra-trading at the markets now that the BSE had just closed for the day. She also made a mental note to ask Rishi to make her a trend analysis for the portfolios managed by their company.

Leaving the lift and walking along the corridor, RV and Miss Parekh had barely entered the office when they were greeted with a thunderous round of applause that took both of them by surprise. Puneet and Rishi stood at the fore as the task force behind continued to cheer for the King and Queen, everybody looking nothing short of thrilled at the fact that the Parekh Diamond Trading Co. had not just achieved its first major legacy, but had also entered into a merger with the reputed RV Group of Companies.

A triad of confettis flew around the air as RV and Miss Parekh let the staff grace them with congratulatory praises and applause, both of them smiling softly. The staff stared at their boss in surprise, wondering whether they'd ever seen her smile like that before in their living memory. The two victors quietly asked the peons to buy all their employees a free late lunch at the cafeteria, leaving everyone bamboozled. They all wondered where the cold, manipulative bitch had disappeared in the light of her more than gracious approach.

The moment the small party and its celebration drew to an end, all staff returned to their work tables while RV and Miss Parekh redirected their steps towards the conference room, Rishi Puneet and Piyush (who'd arrived just then) following suit. Seating the three men down, RV and Miss Parekh first asked for a full-length report regarding the running of the empire that they discussed in length until the two of them were satisfied with the way things were going.

The two of them then ran the three men through all the developments in the last few days about the professional triumphs and the much proclaimed merger of the two firms, leaving the three men in awe by the end of the discussion. RV officially handed over the documents citing Rishi and Puneet as the respective heads of the Singhania Financing Solutions, surprising both Rishi and Puneet into being tongue-tied for a few minutes before they finally found their voices again.

During that time inputs were taken from Piyush, who gave them a detailed idea about the legal proceedings and technical know-hows of the merger and the projects taken on henceforth if undertaken in India, all the four of them making notes upon the same. Miss Parekh asked Piyush to make her a report on the same and submit it to them first thing the next morning so that it could be discussed in the special board meeting.

RV and Miss Parekh further explained the manifold increase of responsibilities upon all of them and how they had to work with even more grit and dedication now that their empires had multiplied by twice its sizes, their activities now interlinked. At one point of time, Rishi and Puneet couldn't help but wonder whether it was a boon that they had two of the most wanted entrepreneurs and personalities working under one roof that only meant that the empires together were to touch even greater heights, especially since both of them had such a strong rapport between them.

But then again, knowing exactly how demented the two of them could get after having watched them at their best and at their worst respectively, they knew that they were in for even more brain-numbing challenges in the future. Even though two tyrants were to work together, the fact was made clear that they would be handling their respective empires and would not interfere with the other's way of working.

At quarter to five, Mr. Sengupta entered the cabin, all of them standing up for the older man. His eyes fell upon RV at long last and his jaw dropped, whether in shock or surprise, nobody could say. Sharing a quick round of reminiscent memories and summing up how life had been in the last couple of years, Mr. Sengupta got back to business. RV sat down and patiently explained everything out to him, right from the logic behind the merger to the construction plans of the resort to its execution.

Like anticipated, Mr. Sengupta's strong-headedness was evident from his questions and so was his resistance, but by the end of the discussion, Ishaani couldn't believe that RV had actually managed to turn Mr. Sengupta in his favour in the matter of an hour and a half. By the time he left, he had assured both RV as well as Miss Parekh that he would undertake the responsibility of convincing the rest of the board members at the meeting tomorrow so that they could smoothly begin carrying out the construction work by the end of next month.

RV and Miss Parekh managed to give Rishi and Puneet even further insight into the kind of expansion their empires were into etting, both the associates taking rigorous notes. RV then asked them to get in touch with Jameson for the final draft of the changes in the portfolio policy of the Singhania Financing Solutions, both of them nodding their heads. But before any of them could leave, Miss Parekh spoke aloud.

"Tomorrow morning at around ten, there is going to be a Ganesh pooja in the office after the meeting for good luck and a new start. Inform all the employees before they leave and tell them to have their best clothes on."

"Alright, ma'am. Anything else to be noted?"

"Nothing," replied Miss Parekh briskly and everyone left the conference room one by one, not before being told by RV that they needed to be at their best tomorrow.

The moment everybody left, Ishaani quickly called the shop from where she'd always buy the Ganpati idols, asking him to deliver the order she'd placed a month in advance for tomorrow morning by exactly nine-thirty. She then called the florist to arrange for the flowers alongside before calling the panditji and inviting him to lead the pooja to be held. RV's poker face faded away, leaving Ranveer with a knowing smile plastered upon his face. This used to be his work once upon a time. This was Harshad Parekh's tradition that the man in question followed religiously before every new business he started.

The moment Ishaani was done with the arrangements for the next day, she caught the look upon Ranveer's face and smiled.

"This is the first time in eight years that bappa will be coming to our office."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Ranveer, letting his expression change into one of bewilderment.

"Bappa left this office last eight years ago on your shoulders before you left for Sydney. Since then, we've not had him return to this office. So I want him to come here upon your shoulders again. Papa always believed that what you touched became gold, and where you went, bappa followed," replied Ishaani. Ranveer heard her in silence, wondering what bappa did really have in store for them tomorrow.

"Bappa is always going to be with us, Ishaani. The night has nearly drawn to an end. Dawn will break soon," he assured Ishaani.

"I hope so."

"I know so. Go home and freshen up. I'll finish up what remaining work is pending and join you soon, alright?" he suggested. Ishaani instantly shook her head, the Miss Parekh in her springing to life momentarily.

"I'll stay back with you."

"You don't really have to. You look tired. Why don't you work on the meeting agendas and the way they are to be presented instead? We've discussed and penned them for tomorrow so that's one thing off the list." 

Ishaani gave his point a good thought before nodding her head in agreement. She stood up and kissing his forehead lovingly.

"Fine, I'll do that but come home fast. I'll be waiting for you."

Ishaani sat in her room as she worked upon the agendas listed for the meeting, her mind completely occupied with the task. She neatly segregated her notes for the next day, arranging them in the file with order and method until she heaved a sigh at long last. She was about to stand up and keep away the file in her bureau drawer when her phone buzzed noisily, breaking the silence of tonight.

Seeing that the caller id was merely a number when she had hoped for it to be Ranveer deep down in her heart, she didn't bother hiding her disappointment when she spoke into the phone.

"Hello?"

"You sound disappointed... Expecting the servant?" came the voice from across in a leer that snapped Ishaani out from her stupor. 

The voice made a shiver run down Ishaani's spine as her head parted away from the bedrest suddenly, her voice dying away in her throat. Her nightmare flashed across her mind violently, leaving her perspiring yet again. Through the haze of fear and shock, she found her voice albeit weak.

"You! How did you-" she began, her voice slightly unsteady. Chirag laughed humourlessly, making her teeth stand of edge.

"Out on a 24-hour bail, sweetheart. What's the use of having such a beautiful wife if all the money behind her can't get me out of jail for a day on bail?

"What do you want?" spat Ishaani as she felt the blood rise in her head, dispelling away the crude images of the nightmare abruptly as her hands curled into fists. The disgust in her voice evoking a satisfied purr from Chirag thay ackoneldged the fact that he knew his call had unsettled her, something he'd been unable to do since ages now.

"So many things... But what tops my list is Ranveer," came back the slick answer, Ishaani temper getting the better of her. She didn't bother keeping the ire in her voice in control anymore.

"Don't take his name!"

Chirag laughed rather immoderately before taking relish in every syllable he spoke next.

"I was just giving you an honest answer. But to be more specific, I want to see him suffer. And you die," he added, enjoying the gasp that left Ishaani's lips when he spoke about Ranveer.

"In your dreams, Chirag. As long as I'm with Ranveer, I won't let you-" began Ishaani, her voice suddenly stony. Her fear gave birth to Miss Parekh's practicality, the sudden change in her tone putting Chirag back on guard.

"Chivalrous as that may be, how long is he here for anyway? Just tonight..." he whispered in the same snake-like hiss. Ishaani felt her blood go cold, her mind suddenly darting back to Ranveer, who was all alone in the office. When Ishaani remained silent, body shivering in sudden ill-boding while her eyes shut in desperate prayer for Ranveer to return back home soon and unscathed, Chirag continued.

"Who will protect you once he's no more?"

"Give it your best shot. You won't be able to touch either one of us. That's my promise," added Ishaani as she snapped opened her eyes, the fear engrained in her soul now departing. She felt the same powerful emotion gush into her heart that obliterated all sense of anxiety.

"Who said anything about touching you?" exclaimed Chirag suddenly, taking Ishaani off-guard. She spoke sharply.

"What do you mean?"

"Tch, tch, tch, Ishaani," replied Chirag in a mock sing-song that only made Ishaani want to throw away the phone from her hand even though she knew that she couldn't let Chirag win. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that he could still rile her up like that. Before she could say anything, Chirag continued, his tone ominous.

"You make my heart sad with your thick-headedness. Who ever said that I wanted to physically kill you? There's a lot of ways to kill a person, love. I'm sure you agree with me on this, for both you and the servant have seen quite a few ways. Some from your end, some from mine."

"What are you-" began Ishaani, but Chirag cut her across rudely as he threatened coldly.

"I'm going to watch you die bit by bit in excruciating agony every second as you weep tears of blood. But not by killing you. By killing Ranveer in front of your eyes slowly and painfully. And boy, are you going to watch," he added with relish as Ishaani grit her teeth, trying hard not to throw up. 

The images of the nightmare hit her mind with razor-sharp clarity, her mind begging for the freak show to stop. It was only when she dug her nails into her skin violently that she suddenly gained her command back.

"If you mean to threaten me, this was a very poor try," she breathed out through heaves. Chirag hissed, the sudden ice in her tone pushing him off the edge even though Ishaani could still feel the horror in her guts. When he spoke next though, gone was the mischief from it. He meant business.

"Not unlike your Ranveer, I'm a man of my words. The last time he stood in between the two of us, you know the price he had to pay. He repeated the same mistake again, so its time I finished what I started the previous time. The two of us are a lot more common that you'd like you believe... it's why you fell for me so soon. But then again, that's always been my charm. No girl's ever been able to resist me," boasted Chirag. 

All Ishaani did was snort at him dispassionately.

The kind of strength it was taking her to talk like that was shredding every strain of will power she said, but the kind of power it gave her upon Chirag in that moment was worth it.

"If you want to come after me, bring it on. I'm not afraid," she spoke with bravado. The cutting chill in Chirag's tone made her cringe when he spoke again, this time in ultimatum.

"You should be. If not for yourself then for your living soul. Because he is going to suffer what the agony and humiliation he's brought upon me and there is no escaping that this time."

"You are on a twenty-four hour parole, Chirag. You won't be able to do anything," jested Ishaani even though she didn't quite believe what she spoke. Chirag laughed menacingly, the tremors of fear that making her hands shake again.

"Twenty-fours is all I need, darling. And the clock is ticking. Tick tock, tick tock. You won't even see me coming," he whispered dangerously. 

"If you want a war, I'll bring you a war. Right at your doorstep. And you won't be able to touch Ranveer, mark my words. I swear to the Universe, try touching him and I'll rip you apart. I won't let you even lay eyes upon him, not without dying trying and taking you along with me," Ishaani spoke in the same cold demeanor even though she could no longer silence the distress of her heart anymore.

All Chirag did was laugh at her before continuing in a blank monotone, his voice thick with hatred.

"I would have tried manipulating your better half but I know that he is a thick skull even when he was a stupid servant. Money really doesn't change a servant's mentality. Such a pity. We could have been great friends, influential powers... But he chose to chase his love rather than invest his power in a revenge for what you did to him all those years ago."

It was Ishaani's turn to let out a mirth less ring of laughter, her nails digging in deeper.

"And that's why you could never truly win my trust in spite of everything. You may have copied every single nuance of Ranveer's brilliant except that you lacked the one thing I loved about him the most - his essence. You could never give me that essence and that lack of essence made me keep the story of the painting from you. And you know what that cost you in the end," she spoke darkly, reminding him of the painting that cost him everything.

"And so you have to pay for it now. Chirag Mehta never loses. Never," he whispered theatrically, his voice reflecting the bitter resentment he felt at being outsmarted by his more precious victim. Ishaani smiled to herself insolently, noting with satisfaction that her obstinacy to back down was beginning to get to him now.

"The art of manipulation is always the most complex yet simple source of destruction," was all she said in response and Chirag gasping in surprise, feeling the power with which Ishaani had spoken the sentence take him off guard. The effect was temporary for the moment he spoke again, the derision continued.

"He's trying to buy your life against his own. You're trying to buy his life against your own. A match made in heaven. Perhaps I could send the two of you up first class if you try to kill me again like the way you did twice," he reminded as his tone turned venomous, Ishaani smiling with glee. She felt her heart gush with futile pride, her laughter so dead it made her wonder whether she was the one who'd laughed in the first place. 

Her retort, however, held no form of humour. It was a challenge.

"I will not try to kill you anymore, Chirag. Because your arrogance is what will kill you. Not me, not Ranveer. But you... You will kill yourself."

"Charming," shot back Chirag, the displeasure at being beaten at his own game evident. Ishaani was halfway through speaking another retort when Chirag beat her to it, his tone suddenly amused.

"By the way, I hope you know that it's Karva Chauth tomorrow. Who knows, maybe that's what will save your true love. Or not. Even God cannot save him tomorrow. I'm still giving you a chance - walk away from him and none of this has to happen. I won't hurt either one of you as long as you leave him again. That'll be enough to kill him, and by extension, you."

This time, Ishaani didn't bother laughing. Her tone only held the deepest hatred she could muster.

"I'd shoot myself in my guts rather than trust you, Chirag. You have until seven tomorrow. Let me see whether a coward like you would have the spine to pull off his bluff. If you were intending to do anything like this, you wouldn't have spent time chit-chatting with me right now."

"Over-confident, eh?" asked Chirag, his tone now challenging. Ishaani begged to differ.

"Just stating the facts."

"Even after everything I've done in all these years?" questioned Chirag and Ishaani shut her eyes. 

The three years of her life with him passied in a flash until it landed upon the bit of sickening inhumanity he'd dared to show her when he'd pinned her against the wall and forced himself upon her lips brutally, choking the life out of her alongside.

"You're a sick, twisted psycho, Chirag. Revenge is something you settle with mental manipulation, torture and oppression. Not physical violence," she whispered in confidence, feeling the disgust resonate in every pore of her skin. 

Chirag sneered.

"Then I think it's about time you went back to the servant's ragging memories, Miss Parekh. You'll know what I'm talking about." Ishaani felt a rage fuel even more before she snapped back into her senses. 

No! She couldn't give up in front of him. Not now.

"You won't risk something like this when you're bankrupt and are facing time in jail for atleast 10-15 years at stretch. You won't pull an attempt for something that would cost you spending the rest of your life in jail-"

"-and you've said it," cut Chirag snidely. "I have nothing to lose anymore. You, on the other hand, do. Besides, you know the Indian judiciary... Everything is to my advantage. And even if what you say so is correct, it'll be worth every single bit of it."

Wiping her tears of anger away, Ishaani sprung up from the bed and walked towards the mirror, her skin glowing against the black of her satin nightie. She stared at her reflection, her eyes now diluted in fear while her features had gone red. Talking to her reflection more than to Chirag, her voice now no longer held a shred of paranoia for she didn't have a care about the world anymore. She knew what the purpose of her life was after a never-ending fire of revenge.

"Give it your best shot, Chirag. You had your luck when Ranveer was away all those years ago and I was vulnerable and lonely. But not anymore. Those days of yours have drawn to a close."

"Really? Why?" asked Chirag, suddenly intrigued by the change of tone. Ishaani continued to smile sardonically at the mirror, her voice deathly still. She'd meant every single word she'd spoken tonight. But the ones she spoke next were more a promise to herself than to him.

"Because my shield is back, and the power of that shield has given me enough strength to be his shield in return. I won't let you even as much as lay an eye upon him, far more touch him or harm him, either physically, mentally or emotionally. I'm standing in between this time. Mark my words."

"Then get ready to find see your world fallen upon your feet, destroyed," challenged Chirag angrily, his tone betrayed the uncontrollable rage he felt. And yet the storm reflected through her eyes as she cut the call, but not without a final warning that knocked Chirag's retort out from the window.

"Not before I snuff your last breath out for even trying."

Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D

Next chapter:
Chapter 27