Chapter 8

Chapter 7

“I’m not the jealous type,

But what’s mine is mine.

End of Story.”

“Who was he?” Sejal probed as soon as Riddhima got down from the dance floor.

“I don’t know”

“You danced with him and you don’t know? I saw you two talk and you say you don’t know?”

“Oh god! Sejal what is wrong with you? the man did not say who he was and left. Why would I hide something like that?” Ridhhima questioned her. As it is she was already little irritated that man tricked her, he asked her name but did not give his name in return.

“Okayyy. Chill, It’s just that I am just curious, don’t I have the right to know who my baby sister was dancing with, maybe I know him. I can introduce you two if you like him…” Sejal suggested.

“Gee no thanks, not interested. Anyways let me collect my purse.” Saying so Riddhima moved towards the bar.

Sejal was not convinced something was odd, the man came out of nowhere danced with her sister, did not dance with anyone else and left so odd. Riddhima may not have realised it but the moment their dance started they were centre of attention. Some couples got down from the dance floor to watch them and some who stayed on the dance floor were slowed their dance and kept stealing glances at them. And the mask he wore that was the unique one as well. What if Riddhima is lying…

*****

“Did you see her?” Kabir asked Sawant his junior.

“No Sir” Sawant replied.

“okay. I will go look for her. You just hold the fort here.” Saying so Kabir left in search of Riddhima.

When Riddhima informed Kabir about attending VR’s party and cancelling their dinner date he was surprised because prior to that he had received an order to set up extra security around Vansh Rai Singhania’s party. He decided to surprise her and for that he kept aloof from her whole week by not attending her calls or not explain his absence, thinking it will irritate her and he would love to see the look on her face when he will surprise her. But it seems his plan had backfired. Now with so many people and with all the masks how was he going to find her? He did tell his junior to keep an eye out if he sees Riddhima pass in any of the cars. But looks like the fool did not pay attention.

“Damn it!” he cursed himself as once again her phone went unanswered. It looks like she was angry at him now and was giving him the taste of his own medicine and boy it was bitter. What if she did not attend the party, he doubted but shook his head immediately not possible with that sister of hers….

*****

Aangrey was surprised to see his boss at the party. It was not possible for his boss to change his decision; he never did that and if he did, he has solid reasons for it. But here he came danced with a girl and left that too without her. Not only he but Vansh’s family members noticed it as well and he was sure if he did not high tail from here soon, someone is going to question him. As if on cue Ishani and Aaryan came to him.

“Who was she? And why did bhai danced with her?” Ishani questioned Aangrey

“I don’t know”

“Oh really, you don’t know or hiding your boss’s secret?” Ishani glared at him.

“who are you asking Ishani? Do you really think this whelp will give us any information? He will only do as his Master says” Aaryan commented enjoying the insults he threw at Aangrey.

Aangre took a menacing step towards him as he said in a cold voice “Don’t forget you place Aaryan. It won’t take a minute for me to end your game and trust me my master would enjoy it. Want to wager?” Aaryan's face paled a little at that.

“maybe you need to remember your place Aangrey, you are just a servant and I am his sister.” Ishani replied seeing Aaryan backing out.”

“Then please go and ask your brother dearest. I am sure he loves you so much he will definitely give you all the information” Aangrey countered sarcastically and gave her a challenging look.

Both glared at each other before Ishani huffed “Whatever I don’t need to know about any trash, I am sure she is his flavour of the night. Did you ask Bhai about the night out?”

Aangre sighed “No, but you will receive an update by tomorrow.”

“Whatever do it soon. Let’s go Aaryan” saying so Ishani left with Aaryan.

Aangre loved his job a lot and Vansh was his friend though their friendship was weird, but who was normal here. 

The major drawback of his job was Vansh never conversed with his family so whenever anyone wanted to convey anything it will go through him first and so he had to deal with the family non-sense sometimes. He never put up with them much but sometimes it was unavoidable. His phone ringed, his boss was calling him. Let’s get finished with Ishani’s work as well….

*****

Food was amazing, Riddhima tried every starter available but by the time she reached the main course, she was full. 

Her sister and her friends' group went to a big bar which was placed at the backside of the dining room to enjoy the variety of alcohol leaving her alone once again as she was non-drinker. 

The Food was kept in an adjoining room, considering half the crowd was here, the ballroom will be a little less crowded. She decided to explore a little as she re-entered the ballroom.

There was an open door at the back of the hall she decided to go there….

*****

“Many people noticed you dancing with someone” Aangrey informed Vansh.

Vansh simply said “correct but no one knew it was me”.

“Ishani and Aaryan…”

Vansh stopped walking and said “The girl is small in stature they won’t find her. There are so many people and both are lazy. just make sure, they do not get their hands-on CCTV. Our security teams…”

“are under my control, and so is CCTV”

“Good” saying so they started walking again.

Aangre again started "Ishani wanted to invite Ragini for.." 

"No." before he could complete his sentence Vansh gave his decision.

"Okay" he nodded

“We will close the deal with Agrawal's tomorrow…” Vansh suddenly came to a halt…..

*****

It was a big, beautiful garden, with well-trimmed bushes, different colour of rose plants was lined. Fountain with lights at the middle. Even though this garden was adjacent to Ballroom, it had a different glow. With few couples roaming here and there it was not crowded at all. The lights the exact amount not too bright but not to dull. It gave a serene feeling to her.

“Surprise!” someone said making Riddhima startled.

She turned around and could not believe her eyes. There stood Kabir with a smile on his face.

“Kabir! What…How?”

*****

Kabir smiled and stepped forward as he asked, “How do you like my surprise?”

Kabir had been looking for her when he spotted Sejal near the big bar with her group of friends on asking about Riddhima she said that she went to the ballroom. He could not find her there and he decided to check the garden one last time and it was purely out of luck he found standing in the garden staring her surroundings. She looked exquisite. He crept up on her and surprised her.

“Well, I am arranging the extra security around here.” He replied to speechless Riddhima.

“So that’s why you were not responding to my calls and here I thought you were angry because I cancelled our plans…” she replied with outraged internally she was happy. She did not say dinner date because when he invited her for dinner, he never said anything about it being a date.

Both suddenly became quite not knowing how to proceed. For her, it was rather unexpected. Kabir looked at her and suddenly felt insecure, she looked so beautiful what if someone else asks her out and she says yes. No, he must not make any delay.

“Riddhima, I have been meaning to tell you for a long time now. I like you and would like to take you out on a date someday” he said in one breath and looked at her.

She did not expect it so suddenly, but this is what she wanted to hear for a long time. She gave him a shy smile as she said “I would like that too”

He was beyond happy she reciprocated his feelings “okay then I will..” His phone rang, it was a call from Sawant. “I would have asked you for dance but I am on duty…”

“that’s fine” she smiled in understanding.

Both stood there looking at each other.

*****

Aangre could not understand why his boss suddenly stopped walking but it seems his attention was riveted on someone. He followed his gaze and saw the girl from before, but she was not alone, there stood a man. The girl was looking at the boy with a smile as if she is mesmerised by him. And the boy was looking at her very lovingly.

They were standing in the garden separated by a mere line of bushes. If the girl or boy moved to their left, they could easily see them.

He looked at his boss again to see that he had a murderous expression on his face as he glared at the pair. He had his hands behind his back. The mask was still in his hand, he had been holding that since after the dance.

The boy left and the girl turned to venture more into the garden

“Get me the information on both of them” Vansh snapped

“Sure boss”

His eyes followed the girl’s departing figure and said in a clipped tone “You can leave and make sure the garden is empty in next 5 minutes”

He saw his boss stalking the girl…..

*****

Note:

1. Thank you all for your encouraging comments and likes.

2. Update got delayed since I was swamped with work. Just finished writing. Please let me know if there are any errors.

3.Do like and comment