Chapter 17

Chapter 16

"With The Right Music,

You Either Forget Everything,

Or You Remember Everything."

"What were you doing here?" asked Riddhima as soon as the car started moving

"Why? is there any rule that states I can't be here? his tone was sarcastic

"I thought your home is in opposite direction.."

"I was nearby for work purpose. Thought will grab a bite when I saw you. So who is Kabir? your boyfriend?" asked Vansh in a dour voice.

She hesitated they were not official yet, what was their relationship status? "We are friends," she concluded finally.

Vansh nodded before telling her to guide them to her home...

*****

Kabir was worried and angry, what was wrong with Riddhima? She never behaves like this but he could not forget what he saw on the CCTV camera. 

When he could not find his phone and Riddhima he demanded that he needs to see CCTV footage. Being a police officer has its perk, he immediately got access to the cafeteria's CCTV room, but 2 Cctv cameras were not working and those happened to be cameras exactly around their table. So he checked the CCTV on the front door. There he saw Riddhima going with Vansh RaiSinghania in his car.

He called his junior and told him to trace his number, whoever dared to steal his phone will get caught surely but what about VR and Riddhima? She never mentioned anything about knowing VR personally. Why would she hide something like this? He needed to meet her to clear his doubts...

*****

Life was a day-to-day struggle and nothing was easy for her since the day her parents had died. Now that she has a stable job, she hoped everything will fall into its place. Of course since when had luck ever been on her side? The moment Riddhima stepped in, the room fell silent. She saw her sister and house owner sitting there.

"What happened uncle? Everything alright?" She asked noticing her sister's expression

"I was just now telling your sister but she insisted that you be present for this discussion. You need to vacate this place. I know this is sudden, I don't expect you to leave right away. But I can only give you a month, not more."

Her head was reeling "but what happened? We pay rent on time? We never let boys stay overnight. We follow all the rules" she could not see what could have gone wrong

"It is not about you. I know you are well-mannered girls. In fact, society is going to ask every tenant to vacate this place. I don't even know if I will have flat myself. It's the builder's fault" He told her solemnly 

"I gave your sister a brief idea about it a few days ago. The builder who developed this society has done this illegally. He used some extra area which was not sanctioned and our building comes under that area. We are going to file a case in court but we don't even have an occupancy certificate. There is a very high chance we may lose this case."

*****

Burning rage hissed through his body like poison. It was like a volcano erupting. It churned within, hungry for destruction. He knew if he didn't control his anger, it would force him to do something which will misfire his well-orchestrated plan. 

Kabir was a roadblock on his path. And he planned to remove this obstacle between him and Riddhima. He can't see them together. 

Today with his quick thinking he did manage to avoid their meeting but, she will want to meet him in the future. Kabir needed to be taken care of. As per the information received Kabir did see him with Riddhima. He hoped it will create a necessary doubt in his mind. 

His only solace was Riddhima mentioned him as a friend and not a boyfriend or fiance. That means their relationship is not official yet...

*****

VR Mansion was deathly silent. Not that it was a lively place before but today there was an ominous silence. Vansh's mood was at it's worst. Even Ishani did not dare to say anything. They did not celebrate Aaryan's arrival, nobody commented on his fractured hand till they were safely inside the confines of his room.

*****

Riddhima finished her call with Nia informing her about the house hunting. Nia insisted that they should look for a place near her home and her current location, she will help her... For once Sejal agreed with Nia. The area was a prime location with good connectivity.

At first, Riddhima was angry with Sejal, if the house owner did inform her before, why did she hide such information. But looking at her sad face, she decided to let it slide. After such a long time Sejal and Riddhima sat and discussed the alternative solution for their problem.

Riddhima didn't tell Nia and Sahil about VR and his antics. She did not think them to be important. Right now the pressing matter was her home search.

She once again called Kabir his phone was switched off. What was wrong with him. He did not call her and is not replying to her texts since yesterday. Was he angry because she left without informing? Did he not get her note? She decided if he doesn't answer by tomorrow she will visit him at the police station after Sia's session.

Today was very weird. When she went for Sia's therapy, she was waiting for her usual lunch call. Mrs. D'Souza informed her that Vansh was out for a meeting. Riddhima was relieved. She started the session when suddenly the maid called her. VR is back and is calling her for lunch.

They ate in silence. For once Vansh did not ask her anything. He sat in brooding silence. It was as if he was angry at her and she didn't even know the reason. After lunch, he took his leave without saying anything...

When it was time to leave she looked for her bag and found it on the table near the door, she never keeps her bag there, maybe someone moved it.

As she descended the stairs, she came face to face with four others. She knew two of them. Aaryan and Ishani. She didn't know if she imagined it but when Aaryan saw her he left the place almost hurriedly. His hand was in a sling.

Then there was Ishani who taunted her if she needs a house tour? She must have never been to a house like this and won't ever be even if she tries to sell herself. Her friends sniggered in the background.

Riddhima didn't respond and started to leave when Ishani stopped her and introduced her to her friend Ragini. Vansh's would-be fiance.

She congratulated her and left.

*****

Something suspicious was going on around her. She could not exactly point a finger at it, regardless she was sure about one thing Aaryan and Aangre were hiding something from her. She did not expect Aangre to tell her anything but Aaryan he has been acting weird since he returned from Lonavala Farmhouse.

Vansh Bhai allowed him to work on the Iris project. Chanchal Mami was on cloud nine. When she asked him about his injury, he told her he was driving a car when he hit the tree, he was drunk after the party...

Ishani paced her room, she had her doubts that it has something to do with the physiotherapist, hence she introduced her to Ragini today as Vansh's would be. She thought if something is going on between her and Vansh Bhai then she will react but instead the girl gave an uncertain smile saying that's good? and congratulated Ragini...

Ragini was very happy till the time Ishani announced not to get her hopes high, she was just kidding.

Then there was Vansh Bhai, she did see him angry before but this was something different...

*****

"They changed my shift from tomorrow onwards, I will work in the second half of the day," said Sahil. The memory of this conversation with HOD still vexed him.

"What? Why the sudden change?"

"Apparently, the hospital needs a few more psychologists to work in the second half. How are things going on at VR Mansion? You never speak much about it? And did you look for any properties? If you want I can ask dad he knows many brokers..."

"Things are fine at VR Mansion." Riddhima didn't want to tell him about the circus that is VR Mansion and it's people. Not wanting to end her good mood.

" and for house hunting, Nia already said she will speak with the broker and also we are searching online. Rents are pretty high in this area." 

"Oh by the way I almost forgot, Kabir came by yesterday. He wanted to meet you. I told him you are at VR Mansion for Sia's treatment."

"And? Did he say anything else?" Riddhima was miffed here she was calling him and his phone is switched off.

"Nothing, he left after that. Everything alright?"

Riddhima exhaled "yes, everything is fine" she murmured, "I guess."

*****

"Boss, everything is in place. We have installed a tracker and her phone is hacked. Now you can access her phone"

"Yes, I can see that. I have promoted Sejal as Manager. She will be working under Aaryan..."Vansh informed Aangre

"Don't you think it's risky? I mean Aaryan and Sejal can join hands..." doubted perplexed Aangre

The smile Vansh gave him was very cunning as if he has planned something. Now it remains to be seen who will get the brunt of this Aaryan or Sejal...

*****

"I have been promoted as Manager with extra hike and everything..." gleefully Sejal called Riddhima.

Riddhima was at VR Mansion and just came back from her lunch with Vansh when she received Sejal's call.

"Congratulations Sejal. I am so happy for you. I want to party tonight" demanded Riddhima. She felt odd how can Sejal get promoted so soon. Maybe she is excellent at her work.

"Oh not tonight, I have already promised my friends. I won't be home today. I promise tomorrow we will party for sure."

After finishing her call with Sejal she once again tried to call Kabir.

"I don't pay you to speak on phone. You are here for my sister's treatment. Concentrate on that" She heard Vansh. 

"Sorry, it was my sister...Hey!" She exclaimed when Vansh snatched her phone. "Give me my phone back."

Vansh pocketed her phone before saying "It will help you to concentrate on your work. Once you are done. Come upstairs. You will get it back." He left.

Cursing him she went into Sia's room.

*****

Vansh went through her photos, and text to other friends. He saved her photos. Her content was pretty normal. Yesterday Aangre hacked her phone on his orders. He wanted to check her old data. He smirked as he came across sites bookmarked for a rented home.

Then he read her message to that vermin. Since Sunday evening she had messaged and called him at least a dozen times. 'Kabir where are you? What happened? Are you angry? and so on...He made sure that Kabir's phone won't be traced and destroyed his sim. He will have to buy not just a new phone but a new number as well.

 His eyes narrowed as he read her last message, it seems she messaged him just before he snatched her phone. It read 'Sahil told me you came to meet me at the hospital yesterday? If you do not answer by today evening then I am coming to visit you at the police station...'

This has to stop...

*****

Now, where was she supposed to look for him? Vansh said upstairs...did that mean the same place where they have lunch? must be. With that thought, she got down on the 4th floor.

"You are not supposed to be here." It was Aangre

"Umm...Mr. RaiSingania called me upstairs, I thought..." she looked at him unsure

"You have to be on the 5th floor. Follow me"

*****

What is this room Riddhima looked around, Music room? There in the middle of the room was a large Red and White Piano. Bose speakers can be seen near two corners. There was a large TV placed on the right wall facing Piano. A small bar opposite to TV where different types of liquor were present. In a corner, a loveseat was present with a small table at the front.

The room was splendid. She has to agree his taste was very good and royal. Where was he? She once again looked around when she found a package on the table. Automatically she went near and took a sit on the loveseat as she looked at the package. It was a gift-wrapped. The gift paper was shiny dark blue in color and a silver ribbon was placed around the gift.

Gift card placed on the top. The writing was neat and cursive. It read her eyes widened From-Vansh To-Riddhima...

What is this? She looked at the door no one was coming. She took the package in her hand it was a large rectangular-shaped box. She jiggled the box. Something was inside. Did he keep her phone inside this? Is he mad? who gift wraps a mobile phone. 

She again glanced at the door. It was open and no one was coming. Should she open this? She was getting late. Can't he keep a more elaborative note...

What the heck. She gave a little tug to the ribbon and started unwrapping the box. Indeed, her phone was in the box she quickly put it in the bag and got up to leave before noticing the other contents.

There was a red rose and are they...with trembling hands she picked them up. She couldn't breathe. Her heart was racing, all she wanted to do was run away but she felt herself freeze. She dropped it and backed away.

She again looked at the things she dropped, they were the same masks no doubt about it. One was dark blue in color which the masked man used on the day of the masquerade ball and another was silver in color her mask. 

Suddenly music flitted the room, it was the same song "Ab Mujhe Raat Din..."

That means the masked man is Vansh and he didn't forget anything. He knew her all along...

*****

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