Chapter 25

Chapter 24

"She was a storm

not the kind 

you run from

the kind

you chase"

Sejal was feeling vexed. Aaryan was dancing with yet another girl but not her. They had finished their work earlier than expected and decided to enjoy the remaining day. She was shocked at first when she got a seat in business class with Aryan whereas three others were given an economic class on the airplane. Others gave her a judgmental look when they saw her next, but she could care less. She was happy with the way things were, maybe Aaryan likes her was her immediate thought. It was not a new thing for her. 

Many boys liked her looks, dressing sense and they gave her the gifts as per their budget. She had to agree this was the best gift she received till now. Aryan did not treat her like an employee. He treated her as if she was the most important person. She received the best room in this big luxurious hotel. Another one of VR hotels. 

The first two days they were busy with meeting clients. On the third day, Aaryan announced they had finished their work here. Since return tickets were already booked. They still had one and a half-day. Her colleagues decided to go on sightseeing. Sejal on the other hand decided to accept Aaryan's request and spend the day with him. 

This is it she thought he will make his move today. Today came to an end now but aside from being polite and friendly, he didn't hint at having any feelings for her. Right now, she was sitting in a bar glaring around. He was dancing with other girls but did not look at her even once. She danced with other boys but that was of no use. She wore the sexiest dress she owns. Boys asked her out so she knew she was looking fab so what was his problem. Finishing her drink, she stormed out.

"Hey, leaving already. You could have told me" Aryan followed her

"You were pretty busy. Didn't want to disturb you" Sejal tried to keep her voice under control. Whatever happens but he was her boss, and she did not want to lose her job. She entered the elevator and once again Aaryan followed her

"What disturbance are you talking about? You are the most important person; I have to care for"

"Why?" Sejal lost her cool finally "If I am important then why didn't you ask me out. Why did you dance with those girls and not me? Don't you like me? I thought you are doing this because..."

"Woah lady hold your horses. You have got it all wrong" Elevator opened and quickly he made an exit. 

"Let's speak in here shall we?" He took her room card from her

"What do you mean?" This time she followed him

"Look, I am sorry if my actions said otherwise but I am not interested in you, I mean you are a nice girl but not my type"

"Then what is all this" Sejal gestured around her "why the special treatment?"

"Because of Vansh Bhai obviously" Aryan spoke as if she should know this.

"For Vansh Bha.." Sejal looked confused for a moment which immediately turned to shock and then she was happy. Doesn't matter if Aryan does not like her because Vansh likes her. She felt like dancing. Still, to confirm her suspicion she asked him 

"You mean to say Vansh Raisinghania? Did he ask you to? But why?"

Aryan saw through her; though she was trying to act coy and look confused, she was dying to celebrate this news. He particularly felt evil but happy for what he was going to say next

"No. he did not ask me to give you any special treatment. But I did anyway. I know you are important and would not want you to complain against me to Vansh Bhai. Afterall he will get angry if he gets to know that I did not treat his fiancé’s sister well"

It took a whole minute for her to understand what he was trying to say. But when she did the color drained from her face...

*****

It had been four days since Vansh let her go. Four days since her life got back to normal. Well as normal as it can go with that monster included in her life. Her morning schedule remained the same, aside from a daily morning call from Vansh. Asking her random questions, how are you? Did you sleep well? Did you dream about me? Riddhima rolled her eyes, this particular thing was present in his good night calls as well, he always finished his calls with I love you. Do not forget to dream about me. God such a cheesy line! She thought

Other than that, now she had her lunch as well as dinner with him. He personally dropped her off near her building. He demanded that she should take his car in the morning while traveling to the hospital. She fought this was not normal, she always traveled with Nia. She reminded him about his promise. Begrudgingly he agreed, letting her breathe a sigh of relief. As it is some prying aunties from society had already questioned her on her change of transport. She gave them some lame excuse she was getting late for work, so her hospital arranged this for her. 

“Your hospital is very generous, they offered you such a big car. Even my daughter's office drops her off, but the car is a simple one” one of the gossip ladies took a dig at her. 

“Yeah, it is” she gave her a tight smile. 

The only relief was Vansh never came out of the car and car windows were dark tinted. Nobody could see anything that was going on inside. 

The day she returned she wanted to tell everything to Nia and Sahil first and then Sejal because she knew Sejal was not going to take this news lightly. Nia and Sahil will surely help her. Before she could tell them anything, they asked her if she looked for another home? She was confused at first, when Sahil reminded her, only 20 days are left. How can she forget this she cursed herself? The homeowner had asked them to vacate the place in a month.

She called Sejal and they decided that Riddhima will shortlist a few places and then they will finalize once she returns. 

She had her doubts about Vansh. Did he do something with her home? She decided to ask him indirectly

“We have been told to vacate our place due to some legal issue”

“Is it? I didn’t know that. You can stay here. Or do you want me to investigate this matter? Do you need my help?” Vansh looked genuinely concerned

“No…No, that’s fine I can manage. I am already looking for a new home. I just need some time off in the evening to go and look for new places. Nia can help me”

“Sure” he shrugged “You can always ping me your location. I will pick you and we can go for our dinner date” he looked least interested in her home situation. 

Riddhima felt relieved at least he was not involved in this matter. Still, it bothered her somewhere that the person who tried to know and interfere in everything that was related to her is not interested to know about it? She decided to question him directly about it

“Sweetheart, I am not bothering you with this is because if you have only 20 days left to look for your new home then you are forgetting that only 28 days are left before you become my wife and stay with me. 28 days including all the rituals.” He smirked at her pale face 

“But I understand you want to search a home for your sister. Do that. I am not interested in this”

One thing at a time, she needed to focus on home hunting first. Riddhima checked her watch, Sejal must have returned by now...

*****

“You said it’s urgent, what is it?” Kabir asked her impatiently 

“Offo, what’s the rush? We will speak about it. First, tell me what you will have? Coffee, tea, juice, or maybe something to eat?” Ahana scanned the menu “I will have fruit punch…”

“Ahana…” Kabir looked frustrated

“We are in a restaurant, at least order something” Ahana stopped him

They placed their orders 

“Now can you please tell me what was so important that you called me in the middle of my duty hours?” 

“I want you to come with me to a party obviously as my date. My dad is giving this party. You know right he recently got re-elected as a deputy mayour of our area.”

“Ahana” he stopped as the waiter placed their orders “I can’t. I am busy. I have work”

“We can manage your work. I can speak with my dad” Ahana dismissed his concern 

“I don’t like it if someone interferes in my work,” he told her sharply

“You are misunderstanding. What I am trying to say is if you attend these parties with me it will be beneficial for you. There will be politicians and many VIP’s will be there. It is good for the field you are in if you mingle with them.” She smiled at him suggestively 

“Ahana. You told me that it was a one-time thing and that your date ditched you last-minute hence I went to that party with you last Sunday. This can’t happen again. And I don’t need to visit any VIPs or take help from them for anything. Till now I have managed everything on my own and will manage that in future as well” Disapproval laced his tone. Though his tongue burned he drank his coffee in one go. Dropped his few notes

“Please don’t get offended but I need to leave. Duty calls” he explained trying to be as polite as possible and left leaving angry and hurt Ahana behind

*****

“…now I am planning to shift my focus on a more unique variety of plants, maybe ayurvedic, I mean I have already planted a variety of roses, or do you think I should try different types of flowers like lily? Ridhhima? Hey, I am speaking to you, are you listening?” Sia shook her

“Ha? Sorry I was thinking about something else” Riddhima said sheepishly 

“Are you alright? you are feeling well right? I have observed for the past few days you look troubled. If you are still feeling unwell, you can take the day off” 

“Nope, I am completely fine” Riddhima smiled at her and continued to massage her feet 

“Something’s bothering you” Sia declared “Anything I can help you with”

Riddhima looked at Sia. Can she tell her the truth? Will she help her. Riddhima did not know if Sia and Vansh were close. Did she hold that kind of power over Vansh? Can Sia influence Vansh to let her go? She never saw Vansh interact with Sia. So, she was not sure if she can confide in her

“Nothing just stressed with the home search” Riddhima lied to her

I can lie better than that, Sia thought. Riddhima once again looked deep in thought? This has been going on for the last few days. Sia was almost sure this had something to do with Vansh Bhai. Whatever it is she hoped he was not troubling her much. Because as far as she knew her Vansh Bhai, he was a difficult person to cope up with…

*****

“Riddhima beta, come. Have something” Riddhima was leaving for her home when Dadi stopped her. She still had a few hours before having dinner with Vansh. Today there was no scheduled visit for any home. She had already selected a few places. Sejal must have returned by now, she needs to finish this home search soon to focus on her escape plan.

“No Dadi, I need to leave. Maybe some other time”

“At least have tea and biscuits before you leave. Come” Dadi grabbed hold of her arm and directed her to the Dining room. Sia, and her mother were sitting at the dining table. As soon as Anupriya Raisinghania saw her she made a face and left the dining room ordering servant to send some snacks to her room

They were having tea. Sia kept talking about some new plant. 

“Seriously?” They heard a rude voice. Riddhima closed her eyes. She can’t tolerate her today. 

“Trust Sia to invite classless people to eat with us” Ishani glared at Riddhima 

“Ishani, is this the way to speak with our guests?” Dadi scolded her

“Guest? She is just an employee and Sia’s doctor. She should know her place” 

“Ishani, please. She is my friend” Sia tried to stop her

Aangre entered the dining room. He was going out to check if Riddhima left or not when one of the servants informed him that she is in the dining room with Dadi. He informed Vansh.

“Friend? And her? You can do better Sia” Ishani mocked

Aangre shook his head in negation indicating her to stop this. Vansh was coming downstairs, he will be livid if he hears this, and then no one can save Ishani. Riddhima’s back was facing him so he could not see if she was crying or not. Ishani smirked at him

“I mean look at her she does not have any class. She does not deserve to sit with us. I know these kinds of gold diggers. When she could not capture my Vansh Bhai’s attention. She is trying to be in your and Dadi’s good book’s”

“Ishani stop” Aangre warned her

“I mean first your sister and then you. Don’t you have any shame? You both were always like this? Did your mother teach you how to be a gold digger before she died? It’s what poor people like you are good at” Ishani frowned. 

She expected Riddhima to get angry, cry and run away. Instead, Riddhima was calmly seeping her tea and kept checking her mobile ignoring her presence 

Getting angry Ishani slapped a hand on the table before her making Riddhima look at her “Don’t you have any shame?”

Riddhima indicated towards herself and asked, “Were you speaking with me?”

Ishani narrowed her eyes “Of course you idiot”

“What?” Riddhima asked and then held up a finger indicating her to stop. Then slowly she moved her hair behind her ear and removed wireless Bluetooth headphones from her ear

“Yes, now tell me” Riddhima smiled at her

All looked shocked. Ishani was embarrassed and angry. Involuntarily a giggle escaped from Sia

Dadi was the first one to recover from the shock. “Beta whatever Ishani said…”

“Oh, that it’s nothing” Riddhima dismissed her concern “I did not hear a word of what she said” Riddhima grinned at Sia 

“Were you listening to what I said or…” Sia looked at her with wide eyed

“Of course, I did. I only started songs when she entered” Riddhima pointed her thumb at Ishani

“I will tell you a story. When I was little and if anyone would tease me for something I used to cry. So, one day my Ma asked me ‘Riddhima, what will you do if you come across a person who is mentally ill? If he keeps calling you names and keeps talking shit about you? Will you answer them back? No right. You should ignore them.’ That is what I did today” she shrugged

“How dare you?” Ishani started

“Thanks for the tea Dadi. I will take your leave now” Riddhima ignored her and left

*****

Vansh came back from his dinner date with Riddhima. He was proud of her. He was there when Ishani was insulting her. He was about to enter the room when he heard her voice. She sounded calm. Surprised he halted and his surprise turned to a full-blown smile when he heard her reply. 

He hid in a corner when she left. He was expecting her to complain about Ishani to him, but she once again surprised him. She did not utter a single word of what happed this evening. He was sure, this was not the first time Riddhima had such an encounter with Ishani. The more time he spent with her, he felt more confidant about his choice. She was perfect for him

 Vansh entered his study and settled on his chair. Angre was already present there.

“I think you know why I did not do anything to Ishani today. Not because she is my sister but because you like her. This is my first and last warning Aangre. Handle her the way you want. If I step into this matter; I will not spare her” Vansh warned him

“Yes, Boss. I will speak with Ishani” He assured Vansh

“One more thing, I have told Riddhima that we are leaving for Dubai this weekend and will be back in 4 or 5 days. Since you are accompanying me on this trip make sure the security around her home is tight”

Aangre nodded “Aryan is back. He said she looked furious the entire return journey. And kept asking about you and Riddhima. I think we rushed with this. She will fight with Riddhima.”

Vansh smirked, “I know. why do you think I did this?”

“Because you don’t want to give her time to think about escape?” Aangre questioned

Vansh gave a wicked smile

“Do you think she will think about escape, even after your warnings?” Aangre looked at him unsure

“Did you think she would answer back to Ishani in this manner?” Vansh counter questioned him

This time a laugh escaped from Aangre “This is the first time I have seen someone make Ishani speechless other than you of course”

Vansh smiled “Tell Mrs. D'souza to keep an eye on Ishani. She should not hurt Riddhima in my absence.”

“Already did” Aangre left

*****

Vansh stared at the ceiling as he laid down on the bed. He finished his call with Riddhima a while ago. She sounded tense. It seems Sejal Shastri had managed to hold her tongue for tonight. If there had been a fight, then Riddhima would have blasted at him.

He saw the gleam in her eyes when he mentioned his business trip. Maybe she did not know this but the time they spent together, made him understand things about her which maybe even she was not aware of. He did this Sejal thing intentionally. He knew between her home search, work, and Sejal she would not get time to think about escaping at all, and then he would be back…

*****

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