Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"When Something

Goes Wrong In Your 

Life, Just Yell

PLOT TWIST!

And Move On"

Riddhima wrapped her scarf around her neck as she stood before a mirror. She wore a long red skirt and a top. She can change in a more professional attire later once they reach their hotel room. This is a very important trip. She was scared as well as excited. To discuss a few more details, they had decided that they will not go on a common bus arranged for everyone. They will be traveling in Sahil’s car.

Riddhima looked at her hand. Once again, he made her wear the ring yesterday, the VR Ring which she threw away in anger when he kidnapped her. Just for one more day, she consoled herself.

“Sejal” Riddhima called “I am leaving”

“Hmm” Sejal replied, her gaze glued to the TV.

“Bye Sejal” Riddhima hugged her. She didn’t know now when they will meet again. She was feeling emotional.

“Geez, why are you getting emotional. It’s not like we are never going to meet again” Sejal hugged her back

“I know” Riddhima gave a watery smile

“This came for you” Sejal nodded towards a table. There was a huge bouquet of red roses.

“Who sent it?” Riddhima frowned and picked it up

“Who else obviously it will be from your would-be” Sejal looked away uninterestedly

There was a card which read, “Congratulations. From Kabir” The doorbell rang. Riddhima quickly moved it to her room and kept a note under her pillow, in case if it’s Vansh and he sees this...

It is Vansh. She quickly took her backpack and hurriedly closed her bedroom door behind her.

“All ready?” he smiled at her

“Yes. I can go on my own, you don’t have to…”

“I wanted to wish you a happy journey” He glanced at her backpack “Allow me”

Riddhima gave it to him quietly and turned to Sejal. “Bye. I will miss you” she once again hugged her sister and picked up her purse.

*****

“She is coming with us” Nia stood there rigidly glaring at Vansh and two other men.

“Riddhima will travel in this car” Vansh declared

“Let Riddhima decide who she wants to travel with” Sahil interrupted them “Look here she comes”

“Riddhz, tell him. You are coming with us” Nia reached her first

“Riddhima you will be traveling with them” Vansh announced ready to fight with her if required

“Alright”

“What?” everyone looked at her surprised

“I think Vansh is right. They are here for me. It will be unfair if I go with you two” Riddhima silently pressed Nia’s arm. This action did not go unnoticed by Vansh.

“Okay” Nia agreed

“Pasha start the car. Aangre” Vansh called him and they moved away from them at a distance.

“Keep an eye on her. Something big is cooking in her mind. I will be there by tomorrow morning”

“Sure Boss”

“And tell Pasha that he is dealing with future MRS. VRS. I don’t want a single scratch on her, even if she attempts to hurt you while escaping”

*****

“Sunny? What are you doing here? Did something happen to Ishani? Is she alright?” Aaryan hurled questions at him

“Yes, she is alright. I mean as alright as a person can get after being thrown out of their own house” Sunny sighed

“Then why are you here?” Aaryan frowned at him

“I wanted to visit you my friend and wanted an update if Vansh is ready to take her in? The doors of the VR Mansion are closed for us forever since that day hence I visit your office”

“Well don’t let Vansh bhai catch you here too frequently or else you won’t be allowed here as well. And no-till now there is no improvement in Ishani’s department”

“I saw that girl. She works for you. How can you let her work here after what happened with Ishani?” Sunny asked him angrily

“Who?’

“That Doctor’s sister”

“Look Sunny, it’s Vansh’s decision don’t get into all of this and I think you should leave now” Aaryan gestured at the door…

*****

Aangre observed her through the rear-view mirror. He was surprised that she agreed to ride with him. Now he knows why? She was keenly observing them. He and Pasha, and the car interior. What she planned to achieve by this he did not know. He was sure she wouldn't jump from the car. Maybe she was gauging her enemy. Measuring their strength. Whatever it was, her efforts were conspicuous even though she was trying to act otherwise with headphones plugged in her ear pretending to listen to songs…

“Can we please take a stop here? Nia and Sahil are stopping for tea and coffee” she requested in a very soft voice.

“Sure. Pasha...” Aangre nodded at him

He parked the car near the small restaurant nearby highway.

“Why is she observing us?” Pasha asked him confused

Aangre laughed and patted his back “I guess we will find out soon enough”

Maybe this trip was not so bad. After many days he felt truly refreshed…

*****

“I have your 2 extra cell phones, extra clothes, and debit card with me. I will give it to you once we reach the hotel room” They were talking in a low voice since Aangre and Pasha were sitting at a nearby table

“Can you tell us why you are riding with them?” Sahil asked her quietly

“Just wanted to observe them. They look sharp. I am damn sure they must have realized that I was trying to spy on them. We need to be very careful”

“How are we going to distract them?” Nia looked doubtful

“I don’t think we can distract them”

“Then?”

“Later…” she mouthed at them as she saw Aangre approach their table…

*****

“Don’t you ever try to manipulate her ever again” Vansh had an awful glower on his face as he stared down at his grandmother

“She is going to be my future daughter-in-law. I can very well…”

“No. She is not going to be anyone’s anything. She will be my wife, MRS. VRS and nothing else” he stormed out of her room.

He was peeved. Aangre called a while back to give an hourly update on Riddhima. And Vansh was not happy with his last phone call.

From what he got to know, aside from her little observation here and there she was behaving completely normal. She attended the seminar. For a safer side, he had made sure that the hotel locks its back exit and a few hotel staff were tipped off to keep an eye on them. Now if she wants to run then she will have to do it from the front gate. That will be impossible since Aangre and Pasha were sitting in a car.

There was no escape; he knew that. He was upset about the party and that Riddhima is dancing with her fellow doctors. The group of doctors held a bunch of male doctors as well. How did he not know about this? Maybe he should leave immediately…

*****

“Boss is serious about her”

“Are you asking me or…” Aangre looked at him

“Just made an observation”

Before Aangre could reply they saw Riddhima, but she was not trying to run. If anything, they saw her walk towards them. She had changed into jeans and a top now but had the same scarf wrapped around her.

Aangre got down from the car. “Do you need something?”

“I think I dropped my purse in the car. May I?”

“Sure” Aangre opened the car door for her.

“Thank god. I thought I misplaced it” she smiled relived

“Can you please pass me that water bottle?” she smiled at Pasha gratefully

Riddhima drank the water and returned the bottle “Thank you. I will take your leave now. Good night.” She waved at them

Both looked at her departing figure.

*****

“Done?” Nia and Sahil were waiting for her

“Yes. I have added the sleeping pills to the water. Now I just hope they will drink it soon, because the pills will take some time to kick in, right?”

“yes, approximately an hour from the time they drink the water”

“From what I have observed, the man Pasha drinks water every half an hour and Aangre, I think he will drink water whenever he feels thirsty or maybe after every hour because I saw him drink 2 times in our whole journey. What if they do not drink or what if Pasha drinks this water and Aangre gets to know about it?” Riddhima panicked

“Hey, don’t worry. Everything will work out just fine. Now I am going to keep watch on them. Don’t worry I will pretend to speak on phone” Sahil reassured her “Till then you guys pack the bag for one final time”

*****

Aangre quickly drank the water. Pasha was looking at the gate like a hawk. They were alert. But he had one extra job giving his boss hourly updates on this. He was sure Vansh was going to turn up soon. He was not happy about the party and dancing news.

He was going to sit in the car again when his phone rang. It was Ishani…

*****

“It’s done. Are you ready?” Sahil poked his head into the room

“Okay now listen. I have written a letter stating that I am going away of my own free will. So, there will not be any police case. 

This is his ring. Give it back to him plus I have written this letter for him. This is my original phone plus the phone I used to call a cab. I am keeping it here, so they can’t track. 

It’s almost 2 AM now. I will change the car after an hour or so because this car will be captured in CCTV footage on the front gate. Once I reach the place safely, I will call you but not today by tomorrow morning or evening. Just give me a missed call when you reach the hospital. 

Remember we can speak only when you guys are in hospital” Riddhima instructed them

“Riddz, I have added a little extra cash in that account. Just in case…Come back soon” Nia was teary-eyed

Riddhima wiped her tears and hugged her “I will”

She turned to Sahil hugged him “I will miss you”

“You will be back before you know it Riddhz and keep in touch” Sahil hugged her back. 

Riddhima nodded her head

“Let’s go, we will drop you”

“No. Don’t. This is my journey. And I don’t want you guys to get captured in the hotel CCTV. Vansh won’t leave you then. This is my journey now and I have to do it alone”

“Take care” Nia and Sahil wished her and Riddhima left…

*****

Vansh woke up suddenly. He had dozed off in his study room after his meeting with some international clients. He had planned to leave early but the meeting was important. He quickly checked the time. It was 4 AM. If he leaves right now, he can reach the hotel in the next one and a half hour. He can surprise his sweetheart.

He quickly went to take the shower. He smiled as water cascaded down his body, he felt refreshed. He dreamt of Riddhima in her wedding attire. What a dream! His neck felt stiff. Probably Riddhima can give him a massage…

The last he spoke with Aangre was around 1.30 when he informed him that after her last trip to the car for her forgotten purse, he had not seen Riddhima, and hotel staff had confirmed that she was in her room. Vansh frowned he slept for almost 3 hours how come Aangre did not call him. Maybe he must have dropped a message.

Vansh wrapped a towel around his midsection and went to check his phone. No message, no call. Vansh felt unsettled. He called Aangre and Pasha while getting ready hurriedly. No answer…

*****

Finally, free! Riddhima felt cheerful. She successfully changed the cab. It took some time for the arrival of her new cab since it was an odd hour, but she paid the extra cash to the driver to wait till her next car comes…

Her plan is simple. She will reach Mahabaleshwar and will lay low for 2 days then she will take a train from Pune to Delhi. And then taking a car from Delhi she will reach Kasauli, her final destination. No one can guess she is headed there, not even Sejal. This was the place her mother wanted to visit. They had planned this trip, but the accident…

*****

Aangre and Pasha could not meet his gaze. For the first time, they had failed in their duty. Vansh was livid when he found them sleeping in the car.

“Boss, she mixed something in the water” Pasha began

“Of course, she did. She was trying to run away” He once again checked his phone she was on the highway.

“Boss give us some time. We will find her immediately” Aangre said determinedly. He was highly embarrassed. For him, it was a simple task. He never thought he would fail at it. He was fooled by a chit of a girl. But what astounded him the most was Vansh was calm. He expected a severe punishment after such a big blunder.

“No need. I have already sent a team to bring her back. Come, let’s meet her friends and that incompetent hotel staff”

“How do you know…” They started to walk towards the hotel

“Well, I have one good habit. I don’t rely on anyone entirely. I had placed an extra tracker in her backpack.” Vansh was seething. He wanted to punish them. He will punish them but before that, he will secure his love with him…

*****

“What happened, why did you stop the car?” Riddhima panicked

“Petrol Mam. And I want to drink tea.” The driver replied as he turned the car towards the petrol pump.

“Oh. Fine. Even I would like a cup of tea.” Riddhima wanted to use the restroom as well. This will hardly take 10-15 minutes. Vansh cannot catch her at this time. She was well away from Khandala now. She got down from the car.

“Sure mam”

Riddhima came out of the washroom and was about to head towards the small restaurant when she heard a shout. A man was shouting for help. She looked around the washroom was situated at the backside of the restaurant. Without a second thought, she ran towards him

“What happened? Are you alright?” Riddhima asked him worriedly

“My wife, the man cried out. She fainted there. Can you please help me carry her?”

“Yes sure, where is she? I have a car we can take her to the hospital” Riddhima followed the man

After a minute or two, the man stopped. Riddhima looked around there was no one. She turned to the man with a glare and at the same time, someone hit her on the back of her head…

*****

Vansh read her letters. One letter stated that she is going away of her own free will since she needed some time off and another one which was addressed to him had just three sentences.

“I kept my part of the deal. Don’t forget yours. Don’t hurt anyone.”

He clenched his hand and held a ring tightly. Two cell phones were placed before him. She called a cab from the new phone that is why he did not know about it. Gritting his teeth, he looked at her friends. Both were looking back at him with beaming faces. They were already sitting in a hotel restaurant when he entered.

Pasha went to check their rooms. And came back with these things.

Aangre was interrogating hotel staff. Aangre was pissed at the hotel staff. They did not inform him when he gave them a clear instruction to do so if she leaves the hotel. They had already checked the CCTV at the front and called the cab driver. Who told them that the girl went away in another car from the middle of the road it’s been more than an hour now…

The lady who saw Riddhima leaving told them that she tried to stop her, but she already sat in the car and left without listening to her.

“Then why did you not tell me?” Aangre yelled at her

“Sir, we had instructions that if we see the girl leaving the hotel we have to inform at the reception. But there was no one at the reception. I did not know who to tell…” the lady was beyond scared.

“Sir, our receptionist left early today and the other one whose shift started at around 10 at night is on leave today. And I reached just a while ago when I received the news of your arrival” the Hotel manager stammered.

Vansh closed his eyes listening to their excuses. He checked his mobile. It’s been more than half-hour now. The tracker showed Riddhima was stationary at the restaurant, nearby petrol pump on the highway. His team will reach there in few minutes

He won’t let her leave his sight once he finds her…

“Where is she heading to? I know even if you say you did not help her. You did.” Vansh glared at them

“We don’t know where she is headed to and won’t tell you even if we knew” Nia answered back smugly

“We just gave her the things she required. It was all her plan. We did not help her as such” Sahil agreed enthusiastically.

“You won’t tell me then? That’s fine, once I have her with me, and I will. I will make sure you won’t get to see her face.” Vansh replied with a deadly calm voice

Both looked at each other nervously before Sahil gathered the courage to speak back.

“If you find her. Because I am sure, you won’t”

“Is that so?” Vansh gave a harsh laugh “Then I think you should take a look at this” He turned his phone towards them.

“I have placed a tracker in her bag. And right now, my team will reach that place in few minutes. I will have her with me in the next three hours. I hope you have bid her a farewell properly because that was your last one”

Nia and Sahil were shocked

“You can’t do that” Nia cried out

Vansh ignored them and got up. “I want you to suspend all the staff who was present when Riddhima left”

“I am calling Riddhima. We have to tell her” Nia whispered in panic.

“No stop” Sahil stopped her. “Maybe he is bluffing. We can’t risk her location and if he really has placed the tracker in her bag then, it is just a matter of time before they get her. Keep quiet. We will find another way”

Vansh answered his phone. “What do you mean she is not there?” he yelled at whoever was on the line

“Bring it back” He cut the call.

“Boss?” Pasha asked him tentatively. In a flash, Vansh punched him and glared at Aangre. “They found her bag. But she is not there”

Nia and Sahil were relieved.

“I think she got to know that there is a tracker in her bag” Nia whispered gleefully...

*****

Riddhima woke up. Her head throbbed. She was tied to the chair. Her hand tied behind her back and her legs tied together. She looked around. It looked like a construction site. She struggled to free herself. Tears burned her eyes. Vansh got her again but why did he keep her in such a place

“Help…Help…Anyone there?” she screamed

“Aye, stop screaming” one man shouted at her. He looked rowdy.

“Tell Vansh to release me now” Riddhima yelled at him

“Vansh who Vansh? Is she mad? Did you hit her so hard that she is taking some random names” he asked another man

“You are not Vansh,” she asked them shocked

“Again Vansh” The men laughed at her

Riddhima looked around horrified. She was kidnapped and it is not Vansh

“Help…Help…Can anyone hear me?” She started screaming frantically. Suddenly she felt someone slap her. Her cheek throbbed

“Stop screaming” He was a new man. He looked to be their leader. He quickly tied her mouth.

“Now listen to me carefully. I don't know who Vansh is. But we have received money to kidnap you. We have yet to get the next instructions about what to do with you. Till then keep quiet. If you keep quiet and listen to us. Your days here will be less painful, if not…” he threatened and left with three other men.

Riddhima looked at them horrified and for the first time, she wished that Vansh finds her soon...

*****

Note

Thank you for all your wishes. I am fine now. 

Phew wrote a really long chapter, wanted to wrap it up soon but got into details as usual...

Hope you like this chapter Next one will be in the month of April now.