Chapter 15

Chapter 14

"You don't really understand

An Antagonist

until you understand why

he's A Protagonist

in his own version of the world"

"Only on one condition" Sejal's eyes twinkling

Though Riddhima dreaded the answer she asked "what?"

"I want to see VR Mansion" declared Sejal

"But that is my workplace it's not right..." She saw Sejal's face change rapidly. She just patched up with her and didn't intend to fight again "alright, I will see what can be done..." Sejal gave her a bone-crushing hug.

Finally, she managed to pacify her sister. She spent her complete evening preparing Sejal's favorite food in hopes of ending this feud between them. Riddhima knew her sister can be childish and selfish sometimes but she was her sister nonetheless, her only living family.

Sister, her mind drifted to Sia. She could not believe Vansh, Ishani and Sia could be related. The girl was too sweet whereas Ishani looked too haughty and Vansh was too sour, bitter and the list is unending. What surprised her though was Sia looked nervous around Vansh and even during the family introductions it felt as if he was speaking about strangers and the family was weird as well...

***

“Are you toying with her or have you really lost your interest?” Ishani questioned Aaryan. They left the pub a while ago without informing Sunny and Ragini. 

Even though Aaryan is not related to her by blood they shared a good bond. He always helped her with whatever things she wanted to do. Aaryan was her great support system. Not that she minded this change, she was glad he lost interest in that gold digger.

Did Ragini think of her like a fool? She very well knew her type. It was funny watching her roam around her to gain Vansh’s attention as if she will let that happen...

“Yes, she is a gone case. Someone else grabbed my attention now”

“Alright…and may I know who the hapless victim is?” Ishani was curious

Aaryan turned to her and smiled “Who else but, Dr. Riddhima”

“What that trash can? Don’t you have anyone better in mind? Gosh, Aaryan what happened to your choice?’

“Why what’s wrong with her? she is Cute, Hot, and Intelligent. Beauty plus brain wholesome package.”

“Hot, intelligent, and her please tell me we are speaking about the same person.”

Aaryan tut-tutted at Ishani “Jealousy doesn't suit you Ish. And only if you had paid attention you would have noticed the way bhai was standing beside her. The way he tried to shield her from me and the way his gaze was focused on her the entire time”

“You mean her and Vansh bhai? That’s impossible…”

“That is what I need to know, but somethings fishy for sure. He personally introduced her to us that is a first.”

“Okay so let’s just say what you are saying is true and Bhai really has some ulterior motive. But I don’t think you should interfere; you know his temper…” Ishani told him reasonably

“Now What is the fun in that! And anyways our house is joyless; some drama will be good for us.”

*****

"Out. I want to speak to you.” Vansh barged in Sia’s exercise room like an angry bull.

As she followed him out Riddhima took a deep breath and prayed to God to give her the strength to endure this torture. 

“Mrs. D’souza told me you refused to have lunch” glowered Vansh

“I already had my lunch in the hospital canteen” she informed him brightly

“I think I told you yesterday that you will have your lunch here, and you agreed. did you forget?” he fumed

“I think you are mistaken, Mr. Singhania. You told me to eat here but, I never agreed”

“Don’t lie RIddhima, you said okay yesterday, or you want to deny that as well?” Vansh scowled

“Oh, that I think you misunderstood Mr. Rai Singhania, you told me not to argue and to that, I said Okay. I never agreed to have lunch here. Now if you don’t mind Sia is waiting for me” She had a grin on her face like a Cheshire cat.

So that was her ingenious plan, he smiled looking at her retreating figure. Well done Sweetheart….

*****

"Hey, Sia, how is my sister?" Aaryan entered Sia's room.

Riddhima was exasperated will anyone let her work in peace what is wrong with these people.

"Oh I am sorry, did I disturb you Riddhima? I just wanted to speak with my baby sister" he spoke as he came to sit beside her.

"Doctor" 

"excuse me" Aaryan was confused

"It's Dr. Riddhima or Dr. Shastri for you. I don't think we know each other well enough to be on a first-name basis" Riddhima could see this man was up to no good.

"A situation we need to rectify, how about I take you out for dinner tonight?" He finished with a mischievous smile. She was right in thinking he was a well-certified flirt. Before she could retort

"You are not allowed here. Boss strictly ordered everyone to stay away from this room till Sia's session is finished" 

Aangre took Iin the scene in front of him. Aaryan was sitting beside Riddhima. "Boss wants to speak with you follow me, and take Sia's file with you." He nodded at Riddhima who got up wordlessly and started following him.

"Where are we going? Mrs. D'Souza told me that is a restricted area..." Riddhima trailed. They are going to the 4th floor

"Restricted unless informed otherwise" was his reply

*****

There were 3 men guarding the floor. She did not get to look around as Aangre took her to an outdoor dining room. Food was laden on the table and Vansh was sitting in one of the chairs.

"I think I already told you I had my lunch. I don't want to eat" Riddhima started

"Who said anything about lunch?" Vansh raised his brow "Have a seat. I want to speak to you about Sia. Give me the file." She took a sit opposite him with a doubtful look on her face.

He opened the first page and pointed at the specific word and said "explain this"

"That is a medical term" what did he want to know she was more confused now.

"Yes and the reason why I am asking you to explain. And there are different kinds of juice if you want anything else let me know. Now go on" So she started explaining. 

Vansh smiled as he looked at her explaining different medical terms. The moment she finished with one explanation he will ask her another question. Unconsciously she took a sip from watermelon juice as he made her speak continuously. This went on for an hour before he finished his lunch they were on the 3rd page of the file and she was talking about some complicated term when he closed the file and stood up "That is enough for today. We can continue tomorrow"

"Tomorrow?" she looked around and then it clicked the nerve of this man. She gaped at him. Because she refused to eat here he made her sit throughout his lunch. 

A lazy smile appeared on his face as he saw her put two and two together.

"You made me sit here for an hour for your entertainment when I could have used that time in my session?"

"I gave you an option, you choose the hard way." he shrugged "now please I have some work to do" he gestured towards the door.

Fuming Riddhima left a still smiling Vansh.

*****

"Aaryan was in Sia's room today" Aangre informed making Vansh turn sharply 

"I heard him ask her out for dinner..."

"Where is he now?" asked Vansh furious beyond belief.

Aangre enquired about Aaryan's location on the intercom

"He is downstairs with Riddhima nearby exit..."

*****

"You did not answer my question? Can we go out tonight?"

Riddhima was annoyed she was about to leave when Aaryan stopped her.

"Look, I am not interested."She told him in a no-nonsense voice and turned to leave when he held her wrist 

"oh come on just a friendly dinner, if not today then maybe tomorrow?"

Suddenly Aaryan felt a hand on his shoulder he turned his head sideways to see Vansh applying too much pressure digging his fingers on his shoulder making him wince

 "Come Aaryan let's have dinner tonight. We have lots to catch up on. You can leave Dr. Riddhima" he inclined his head towards the door.

*****

All in all, it was a bad day for her. Nia left, Aaryan's flirting, Vansh's dominating behavior. Just when she closed her eyes she woke up with a phone ring and a broad smile lit her face.

"Kabir!"

"Hey sorry I called you this late were you sleeping?" Kabir could not wait till tomorrow

"Not at all you tell me? How are you? When are you coming back?"

"I am back already" he grinned satisfied with the fact that she was waiting for him.

Riddhima was happy as she finished her call with Kabir. He was back and they are going to meet on Sunday. Finally, something good happened at the end of the day...

*****

The basement contained a soundproof sealed room. The reason why no one could hear the man cry at the top of his voice. Groaning and screaming he was neither willing nor able to verbalize the terror that seized him. He looked on terrified as Vansh stood there smirking at him with a knife in his hand.

Aaryan never thought his actions were going to bring Vansh's wrath on him. All he wanted to see was what is so special about Riddhima? Vansh never brought his flings home. So he was curious. Aaryan bedded many girls after Vansh was done with them. He knew Vansh was aware of this but never objected. 

Vansh looked at Aaryan, he was bound to the chair. His left arm dislocated, lip bleeding. He presented a pathetic sight. He moved forward grabbed his hand and sliced his palm watching in satisfaction at the dripping blood. This was the same hand that touched his Riddhima.

"Now this will remind you not to look at my girl with the wrong intention." he threw the knife aside ordered Aangre to take him to the hospital and left...

*****

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