Chapter 21

Chapter 20

“I crave fiery passion.

I don't need

a person as a filler.

I need a person

who is a firecracker

that makes me feel alive.

She is my firecracker.”

“No” Ridhhima stared at him in incredulity.

“What no?” though Vansh knew what she was talking about, he feigned innocence

“No…No…No I can’t marry you.”

“You can’t or you won’t?” he counter questioned her

“What is the difference? Does it matter? and for your information, I can’t and I won’t” then taking a deep breath she continued 

“Listen I think you don’t know but I like someone else. This won’t work” she gestured between them, first pointing at him and then her.

Vansh who was amused till now suddenly became rigid. “This will work” he copied her gesture and asked “Did anything I said gave you the impression that I was asking for your permission? You were getting desperate to know what I want from you, so I answered.”

“You can’t force me to marry you. Did you not hear what I said I like someone and that is not you” Riddhima replied angrily

she was trying to remove the ring when he placed his hand on her “Don’t” he bit out.

He was angry now. He expected her to refuse his proposal, he was ready for that but, what he was not ready for is to hear her say that she has feelings for someone else. He will not have it that way. She needs to understand this.

“I don’t want to force you for marriage Riddhima but I will if I have to” He was dead serious which was scaring her a lot.

“I like…”

“Yeah, I know that hawaladar right?” Vansh mocked

Hawaladar? Riddhima was confused for a moment then it clicked “Kabir is a police officer, not hawaladar.” she said forcefully “How do you know about him?”

“I make it my business to know all ins and outs about the person I am dealing with. Even so, you need to understand one thing about me Riddhima, I don’t take No for an answer. People don’t refuse me and if they try to, they pay a heavy price for it”

“You psycho, you have been spying on me” she raised her hand to slap him which he easily twisted behind her back and pulled her close.

“I will be very careful about how I speak and act if I were you”

“Why? What are you going to do? Throw me in this water? kill me?” They were floating above the sea now and were losing height. Riddhima was angry now. Damn the consequences, she will not listen to this beast

“Now why would I do that? We are going to get married, remember. But I can surely kill someone else. Tell me Riddhima who do you want to see die first. Sejal? Nia? Sahil? Kabir? Dr. Batra? or wait maybe, Mr. and Mrs. Mishra? Your neighbors. I hear you have good relations with them. What about Sahil or Nia’s parents? The list can go on.”

Petrified she stuttered “You…You won’t, You can’t, D... Don’t…Don’t you dare.”

“Actually, sweetheart I can, and I will. Now standstill. The landing will be a little bumpy” he turned her back to his front”

*****

She did not reply to him. Kabir once again checked his messages. What went wrong, everything was on track a few days back. He was this close to proposing Riddhima and she seemed happy about it. Unbidden to him the image of Vansh and Riddhima came to his mind. He clutched his phone tightly

“No. They are not together. She is not with him” He shook his head

His phone ringed, and he signed looking at the caller

“Hi Ahana”  

“Hey Kabir, how are you?”

“I am fine. Do you need anything?” He had no desire to speak with her

“Wow, that was harsh.”

Kabir closed his eyes, he should keep his temper in check, it was not Ahana’s fault that Riddhima is not speaking with him…

“I’m sorry just stressed about some work, but that’s fine it’s nothing new. You say”

“Okay” Aahana replied unsure “I need your help. Please don’t say no”

“Sure, what is it?”

*****

The scene before her was breath-taking. She stopped short. The air was turning cold. There was a raised platform and a milk-white fog blew around it. Four poles decorated with fairy lights. On one side there was a small white table with a candle in the middle. One can see the sea from the distance and can even hear the waves crashing the shore. The way till the platform was laden with rose petals.

“Glad you like the setting” Vansh grinned at her, forgetting his earlier anger.

He did not need her words for confirmation. She was spellbound. He should give a hefty amount to the person who decorated it. Everything was just like her, simple yet elegant and beautiful

“You did this?” Riddhima questioned as they started to walk again.

“I paid for this so technically yes”

“Of course, you did” she rolled her eyes “This is beautiful” she continued to look around. Even though she was angry at Vansh, it would be an injustice to not complement such a wonderful surrounding. She has always been a fan of the simple beautiful setting around nature.

He helped her sit on the chair, his actions were of a thorough gentleman, which he was not. A waiter came around and poured the wine into their glasses.

“I do not drink.”

“This is non-alcoholic wine. Try it you will like it” begrudgingly she took a sip.

He was not going to let her go anywhere, that much was clear to her now. He needs medical attention, she concluded.  I mean what person randomly kidnaps a girl, keeps a tab on her and gifts her a variety of clothes, threatens her and speaks about marrying her. For god's sake, they do not even know each other that well. He looked normal to her aside from arrogance which is bound to come with the amount of power and money he holds.

Sad he was very handsome to be mentally ill. This must-have happened because of all the pressure he has to handle. She must tread carefully around him and try to make him understand that this is not the correct path. That is what Sahil would have done. She understood that much from whatever stories Sahil told her and Nia about such people. These types of people need patience. If only she had Sahil with her the day, Vansh kidnapped her. This was his department.

“What are you thinking?” She looked deep in thought and had not spoken a word for the last 10 minutes.

“I think you need a good psychiatrist. I have a friend, Sahil, he can help you with this problem” misinterpreting his look, thinking him to be scared, she quickly continued “Don’t worry we keep a high level of confidentiality. No one will know. If you are still uncomfortable you can have one on one session with Sahil first. I can vouch for him” she finished professionally

Vansh sat in stunned silence for a minute or two and then started laughing. He laughed hard. He didn’t remember if he had ever laughed so much in his entire life span till now. She thought he needed a psychiatrist. God, she was adorable.

“What? Did I say something wrong?” She asked defensively despite that she could not help but feel herself smile. His laugh was truly contagious.

“Hmm, I will think about it,” he said, entertaining her idea as his laughter subsided.  “may I have this dance?”

‘Patience’ she reminded herself while placing her hand in his

*****

“Hey, did you get the news? Aaryan is heading the Iris project now. He got the team to handle and all.” Sunny informed Ragini conversationally.

“What Aaryan?” Ragini was shocked “How did this happen?”

“I don’t know. I am sure about one thing though he is going to fail miserably. I will start handing out gold to everyone if that boy knows anything besides girls and parties. News is that Vansh gave him that position” Sunny sneered

“Vansh?” this was more shocking. Whatever visits she paid to the VR mansion she never saw Aaryan with Vansh.

“I know it's more shocking right? I feel the guy has lost his marbles. Anyway, I must give this news to my uncle. He may still have a chance to turn around the situation. Uncle is going to be so happy.” Chortling he left the room leaving Ragini to her thoughts.

She should have entertained Aaryan properly. This will give her a chance to get closer to Vansh if not at home then office maybe and if not Vansh she could at least capture Aaryan's attention now that he is working with Vansh. She picked her call and dialed Aaryan’s number…

*****

They were dancing in a similar fashion; they danced at that cursed ball only difference was Vansh held her closer than ever. Her body was plastered to him. Whenever she tried to maintain the distance, he would pull her close. Can’t he see she was feeling uncomfortable? She had never been this close to any man before and he was practically a stranger…

This was heaven and hell thought Vansh. Both hands went around her hips as he picked her up and twirled around. He brought her down in a traitorously slow manner. His breath hit her stomach first, then her chest came to his eye level, a little bit of cleavage was visible to his naked eyes. He brought her down completely, finally coming face to face with her. This was the torture he was willing to take any time of the day. She was red in the face and uncomfortable. He could feel the oncoming demand to stop the dance. He twirled her as if nothing happened and took her once again in his arms

“Suppose I visit your psychiatrist friend…” he chuckled, gaining her attention

She looked at him and was alert “Yes?” She knew he was not serious but she was willing to ignore that just to get him to see a doctor and most importantly have contact with at least one of her friends

“Let’s say I went to visit the psychiatrist to cure my problem, and they say that my one and the only medicine is you. You must be with me to cure my mental illness. You are the only solution for that. Will you stay with me then? You know as a medicine” His eyes twinkled

Riddhima was flustered “Rubbish, no doctor will say something like that. They will give you counseling session and medicines.”

“Yes, but consider for once the doctor said this is one of the solutions then? I can’t be cured without you. You are my most essential medicine. And you must be with me, or I may never get cured. Will you stay with me then?”

They stopped dancing as the song came to an end, he directed her to their table

Riddhima gaped at him; she did not know what to say anymore. “Doctor’s won’t say anything like that” she concluded lamely

They were silent as waiters served them dinner and left.

“I have not kept a four-course dinner because I have noticed you don’t eat much.” He said disapproval lacing his voice “Hope the food is to your liking if you want anything else let me know”

They ate in silence for a while before Vansh continued their last conversation “You know I may get them to say exactly that. then what will you do?”

“What?” Riddhima was startled and she was thinking of a way to escape.

“Who will you get to say what?”

“Doctors” he clarified “I can make them say that you are my medicine and you have to be with me. Then what will you do?”

“But that is blackmail”

“Yes, it is. So what?” he shrugged casually

“Just for clarification, I don’t have any mental illness. I know what is wrong and what is right. I know that taking you against your will is wrong and I know forcing you for marriage is wrong in the world's eye. But I don’t go by other's definitions of right and wrong. I create my own wrong and right. In my world what I say wrong is wrong and what I say right is right.”

“This is not the correct path” Her voice broke

“I know and I don’t care. You know why?” He took her hand in his “Because you are mine. I can’t live without you. I love you Riddhima.”

“This is not loving, this is an unhealthy obsession. I am not ready for this. I don’t love you.” Her voice raised now.

“It is love; you may not understand it now. I won’t call it an obsession. I call it mad love. You will love me in near future, it will take time. I am ready to wait. You have to love me” He explained calmly as if they were discussing the weather

They were going in circles. There is no point in discussing it with him. “I want to go back to the room” her voice shook…

*****

When he came back to the room Riddhima was already asleep. After her dinner, he walked her back to the room. She was unusually quiet and sad. Yesterday he could sleep beside her since she was under the influence of chloroform. If he slept beside her now, she would fight him. He prepared himself for war because he was going to sleep with her in his arms and not anywhere else, even if he must force her.

He took the showpiece on the table and dropped it. She did not stir. Slowly climbing the bed, he turned her to him and draped his arm around her. She still did not wake. Smiling in satisfaction he kissed her lips. She is a heavy sleeper it seems.

He was checking her messages in his study. Her friends were becoming a headache. They had messaged her that Sahil was going to visit her home tomorrow if she did not call back. If he does then that would arise an unnecessary situation. Not that he cares if they get to know about her being kidnapped. He can shut them up right now in his way, but it will hurt Riddhima and he did not wish to bring tears to her eyes anymore at least for today. He will handle them tomorrow right now he would like to look at her to his heart’s content.

She was small in height. He never dated anyone like her before. His types of girls were tall, leggy with models’ figures, who would enjoy his monetary gifts and pleasure each other before they parted ways.

Whereas Riddhima hardly reached his chest that too with heals without them she may go down a few more inches but, that enticed him more to her in an erotic way.  She was delicate with a fiery attitude. She did not care for his richness and power. She was perfect for him. He would not let her go his hold tightened on her…

*****

“Where are you going Ishani, at this hour?” Aangre questioned her and glared at Sunny

“You don’t have any rights to question me Aangre. I can go wherever I want.” Then she smirked “Let’s go Sunny” . She deliberately looped her arm around him

Aangre called one of the security guards to keep watch on Ishani…

*****

Riddhima woke up early in the morning. Since her hospital shift started from 8. She made it her habit to get up early. She breathed in relief. She was alone in bed. So, he did not sleep here last night. At least the man has some manners.

Last night she stayed awake for a long hours fearing he might come to this room and she would not know. Sejal and Nia always blamed her because she was a heavy sleeper. It took many efforts to wake her up. When he did not return to the room by midnight, she concluded he would not come and finally was able to sleep.

She needs to make an escape. How? If only she could reach the main road she would ask for a lift or mobile and call someone. Though it was risky she had to try. What other option does she have?

She paced the room as she went over the house rooms in her mind for a possible escape.

‘Eureka’ she thought. His study, how can she forget his study? She distinctly remembers looking at an open window there before he pulled her away. What if he is in his study. Well, she won’t know till she tries.

She quickly opened the cupboard and pulled out one of his shirts. She was not going to go out in sleeveless pajamas. Everything in women's wardrobe was either strapless or sleeveless.

There was a remote on the bedside table. She opened the door and tiptoed towards the study.

The study room was open even the window was open. Her happiness knew no bounds. The window was high. She took the chair and climbed out.

There was the sea at her right side and trees lay ahead of her. She saw a two men guarding the area. She quickly hid behind a tree. Men discussed something and went away. She quickly darted past the next tree. She can see no one present there. She ran through maze of trees. The distance was all that mattered. She wanted to be away from that blasted house and that man as soon as possible.

After the considerate time has passed, she slowed down a little. She could see the road ahead. This was simple. Luck was on her side today. But even as she thought this, doubt plagued her mind it was way too easy. How can he forget the remote? How can he keep the window open? She slipped on a rock and before she could fall someone steadied her from behind. It was the guard from before.

“Done with the adventure sweetheart?” Her worst nightmare was standing before her.

His gaze was fixed on her hand that was held by the guard, who quickly snatched his hand back.

“No, leave me. I want to go.” She started to run without looking where she was going. This time it was Vansh who held her by the waist.

“I like you in my clothes” before she could even comprehend what was happening he tossed her over his shoulder like she weighted nothing and took her back home away from her freedom...

*****

Note:

May you find great success and happiness in this new year. Happy New Year 2021 to you and your loved one