Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"Walk with me...We'll figure out

where we're going later"

She needs to speak but she could not, her throat felt dry, she was thirsty, she needed water. She let the minute or two pass by thinking how to wake him up. She again looked at him and with all the strength she could muster she again tried to speak

"V..."

He was an incurable insomniac so he could get a lot of work done while the world sleeps. Sleep did not come easily to him and whenever it did he could wake up at the slightest of sound. That came in handy when he was directly working in the underworld...He was awake, he immediately got up intending to lash out at whoever dared to disturb his time with his love. He frowned when he found no one in the room.

"Va.."

His eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat...

"Van.."

Before even a second could tick by, he was beside her. And then he saw them. Those two beautiful eyes that he longed to see. She was staring back at him softly...

"sh.." she finally whispered his name. 

Oh, how he missed her voice! a huge smile lit his face.

"Sweetheart" he half lifted her off the bed and took her in his arms carefully, aware of the fact that some of her injuries were yet to be healed completely. 

"You are back...I can't tell you how happy I am..." he kissed at the top of her head repeatedly. The relief and elation he felt right now could not be described in words...

He felt a little tug at the back of his shirt. She was tugging his shirt with her left hand. 

"What sweetheart? Does it hurt?" He immediately laid her on the bed again worrying that he may have hurt her.

She blinked a few times before turning her head to the left and looking at the water jug.

Realization dawned on him she needs water. He quickly grabbed the glass and took a spoon filled with water and brought it near her lips.

Her brows furrowed a little, but she drank what was offered...

Why was he making her drink with a spoon? She can hold the glass with her left hand and what has happened to his hand? 

This went on for some time. Once Riddhima was sure she was not thirsty anymore. Vansh kept the glass aside and before she could ask anything he pressed the bedside bell. Within a few seconds, doctors and nurses rushed in to check her vitals...

*****

Finally, she was awake and alone in the room. It's been three days since she gained complete consciousness. Three days of being in and out of heavy sleep. Whenever she opened her eyes, she was never alone. Vansh was always by her side. Caring for her. Looking after her needs. She was bewildered by this change in his personality. His behavior has taken a complete 360-degree turn. She could not deny that it warmed her heart.

Then came a very happy Nia whose happiness soon turned to tears asking for apologies. She mumbled many more things, but nothing was clear. Riddhima looked at Sahil helplessly. He just shrugged and moved away from her

"She has become unstable like that in the past few days" he informed her making a face that made Riddhima smile at him. 

But no amount of reassurance can stop her tears.

Sahil, on the other hand, was extremely happy to see his friend but Riddhima had a feeling that he too like Nia shared the same guilt.

Riddhima looked at Vansh exasperated. How can he work so calmly with all this going around him? He was working on his laptop. That's what he did whenever someone came to visit her. And there had been so many of them. Doctor Batra, her whole physiotherapy department, Mr. Yash, Dean, etc. Few of them were there for Vansh and not her...She was surprised he was not interfering in who will speak to her and who will not...

She could feel her headache returning...

"If you want to wail like banshee leave the room," Vansh ordered. Riddhima looked at him to see that he was already staring at her

Nia glared at him. Looked at Riddhima and left the room still crying. Riddhima looked at Sahil helplessly. 

"I will look for her. Take rest." He hurried after her.

"Was that necessary?" Riddhima asked Vansh

"You mean to say you wanted to hear some more of that?" He raised his brows "I didn't know you were enjoying it. Wait, I will call her back."

"No need" Riddhima spoke hurriedly "I mean she has other patients to look after..."

A slow smile spread across his face. A shy embarrassed smile appeared on her face.

*****

Sejal was another surprise for her. The day she came to meet she cried some. She asked about her health. Bought fruits for her. Made her eat them with her own hands. Sat with her, told her all that she missed. It made Riddhima happy. Finally, her sister was connecting with her, the same way they were before her parents' death. Riddhima was shocked to know that they had changed the home but relieved nonetheless that Sejal liked it and that was enough she will adjust anywhere...

Her parents, she gulped a little. Still unable to comprehend the meaning of the dream, she was so happy to see her parents in her dream...

That's all she remembered the day she ran away and took a stop at a restaurant and the dream of everything in between was blank. She just assumed considering she was in a hospital for more than a month now she imagined it to be bad. But who would do this to her? And why?

The doctor told her that she will remember everything slowly and not to take the stress. After all, she was unconscious for more than 23 days. she was not raped, that was a relief. 

Police came the next day to take her statement not that she had anything to give them as a statement. She was informed that the case will be handled secretly, and all the others know it to be an accident. 

She wished to remember that the people who were responsible for this needed to get punished.

"So, what exactly happened to me during that time?" She asked Vansh

Vansh looked at her "I have been asking you the same question. How will I know? I was not there. You ran away on your own remember?" She glanced at his face, but it betrayed no emotion.

"Well, I thought since you seem to know everything about me. Maybe you are aware of who did this?" 

Her eyes locked with Vansh's in a staring contest which was broken by the nurse who came to give her medicine.

There it was the elephant in the room. The one both were avoiding for their own reasons. She knew hers. It all boiled down to one thing. She was not ready to marry him and become his. She did not agree with his methods, and he was not ready to let go. But what about him? Why was he avoiding this topic? What worried her the most was his counter move...

*****

The crimson liquid spewed from his cut dripping to the floor below staining the carpet with blood.

"Boss!" Angre worried as he tried to maintain his composure. Once again Vansh made a deep cut this time to his palm.

He never saw Vansh like this, this was more serious than what he thought it to be. Vansh kept injuring himself since Riddhima's been in hospital. He had made sure to make cuts on his own body for each day Riddhima spent in that hospital...

Vansh gave him a chilling smile which was enough to frighten living daylights out of anyone. Even Aangre who was accustomed to his ways felt frightened today.

"Update?" Vansh questioned Pasha as he saw a puddle of his own blood.

Pasha gulped before continuing "The three of them are a bloody mess. We have not stopped with our torture. A doctor treated them for their injuries yesterday. We will again start the process from tomorrow."

Vansh nodded "Good. Make sure they don't die. At least not till I have Sunny and Ragini with them. You can leave" Pasha nodded in understanding and left Aangre and Vansh to discuss the further plan.

"You need to stop that. She is fine now and will get discharged soon" Aangre once again tried to make Vansh understand.

"And I will when she is with me at my home. Update?"

Aangre knew he was not supposed to speak anymore on the matter. But he is going to try and stop this madness if he could...

"We have complete ownership of that building now, including their home. The owner was a little reluctant, but we made an offer he can't refuse.

Agrawal's company is forced into bankruptcy. They are facing various penalties for bribery and corruption offenses. All their assets have been seized. Mr. and Mrs. Agrawal may face jail for up to 7 years. It's a matter of time that Sunny and Ragini will have to vacate their current home and start begging.

I have offered Ishani one of my apartments in Goa and a maid from VR Mansion in exchange for the video she shared with us about Sunny and Sejal's recent meeting in the cafe. She is yet to accept the proposal but there is no other option left for her anymore.

Aryan has been prepared for the next actions to be taken against Sejal. He has started involving her in necessary projects" Aangre hesitated

"What?" Vansh questioned as he wrapped a bandage around his hand

"Why won't you tell her about her sister's involvement? If she gets to about, it from someone else..." Aangre left the rest unsaid

"Doctor has strictly told Riddhima not to take the stress. And even if she gets to know about it what is she going to do about it? Stay away from Sejal? Won't speak to her? That's it? Now that is not a punishment enough, is it? Riddhima is a kind soul I am not. Do you think she will agree with what I have planned for her sister?"\

Aangre inclined his head in agreement and continued 

"Nothing odd is noted from Anupriya, Rudra, and Chanchal. Sia keeps insisting that she wants to visit Riddhima. I told her that she can meet her soon. Dadi had a blood pressure problem yesterday. Mostly after she had a call with Ishani and got the news that we are moving her to Goa. 5th floor of the house has been redecorated as per your instructions" 

"I will give a small visit to those new pests, till then keep an eye on Riddhima" Vansh left the room

*****

"So, you ready for this?"

"Do I have any other choice?" Ishani made a face

"No, you don't" Aryan Agreed "Remember be polite with her. Apologize to her. This is your last chance otherwise we can meet for holidays if Vansh allows"

"Do you think she can do it?" Ishani looked doubtful

"You won't know until you try..."

*****

"I can walk on my own. You don't have to sister" Riddhima started to protest. So much so for an alone time, she thought ruefully. She could stay on her own for just 10 mins or so and the nurse came into her room to keep watch on her. 

"You are not completely steady on your feet yet. I am here to help" sister told her softly

Well, she can't argue with that. She was improving with her physiotherapy sessions but being on a bed for many days and with weakness, she felt made her dizzy sometimes. But that did not mean she was okay with it, she hated it that she required help for just a trip to the restroom...

"Leave. I will take it from here"

Startled Riddhima looked back to see Vansh removing his coat and keeping it on the couch. When did he come? She didn't even hear him.

"Yes sir"

"It's alright she can help..." 

Vansh looked at the nurse pointedly as he moved forward

She quietly placed her hand in his.

"I will bring Dinner in half an hour" nurse hurriedly informed and left the room.

Before Riddhima could utter a word, he picked her up. Riddhima gasped as her hands went around his neck at the sudden movement

"Really now?" She looked at him annoyed "I can walk just fine and why are you going that way. Bed is here" she felt irritated when he deliberately took a long route to reach the bed. 

Vansh smiled at her softly. The last time he had her like this was when she was bleeding and unconscious, his worst nightmare...Today...

"I am speaking with you" Riddhima poked his chest lightly. He was staring at her, his eyes glazed, a soft smile on his lips. His expressions made her uncomfortable

"Put me down" she repeated

He placed her on the bed carefully.

He cleared his throat "Hungry?"

She shook her head and quickly grabbed his hand as he was about to put them in his pant pocket. 

"What happened to your hand again?" She frowned observing the bandage

"Nothing" he tried to take his hand back, but she held his hand firmly.

"It doesn't look like nothing. A few days back I saw the bandage on your right forearm now this" her eyes moved to his right forearm from left palm, he was wearing a full hand shirt she could not see it now...

Vansh smirked "I didn't know you observe me this much"

Riddhima blushed "I...I don't. It's just something I saw. I mean you keep sitting here day and night. It is bound to come to my notice. I can't keep watching TV all day that's boring or keep reading books all day"

"You mean to say that you like watching me" his smile widened as he sat beside her on the bed

"Yes...no... no…absolutely not. Look you got it all wrong. Why would I watch you? All I want to say is that you need to leave this room more often. I mean not because I watch you... which I don't..." 

Riddhima kept on rambling not sure what she was speaking at this point because truth to be told she did look at him nowadays more frequently. It was involuntary, but somehow her eyes would move to Vansh so often...it was because she was in the hospital with nothing much to do plus, he saved her so she wanted to thank him that’s what she told herself but that does not mean she wanted him to know that whatever may be the case

"Shhh.." he placed a finger on her lips silencing her "it's alright" 

Vansh knew nowadays Riddhima looked at him more often when she thought he was not looking. What she didn't know was where she was concerned, he will always have one eye on her. He was beyond happy with this progress. It was a step in the right direction for him. 

"It's alright" he repeated as he moved closer to her 

"you know why? Because as much as you are mine, I am yours." 

Riddhima kept a hand on his chest to stop him not that it was of any use. The first two buttons of his shirt were open where she touched him. His eyes darkened. He was impossibly close to her face. She could feel his breath. 

"Vansh" she whispered and lowered her eyes. Her heart pounding harder

"And the most important thing is you are going to be MRS VRS"

Her eyes flew to his face…those words...Mrs vrs...mine... Riddhima closed her eyes as words started to echo in her mind.

"Riddhima?" Vansh gave a low chuckle 

She opened her eyes and looked at him with fear in her eyes. 

"Riddhima?" Vansh frowned "what's wrong sweetheart?"

"You," she said ever so softly

"What?" Vansh questioned he realized their moment was broken and something else was going on in her mind now

"It happened because of you" she whispered her hand fell from his chest

"I was kidnapped because of you" she leaned her face away from him

Vansh moved away from her slowly. His face held a dark expression waiting for her to elaborate 

"I remember everything..."

*****

Note:

I know you all were waiting for the update. I was down with covid last month. Even though I am online on forum, with all the office work and home responsibilities I hardly get the time to write the story.  Sorry for the delay but as I informed earlier updates won't be frequent.

Hope you enjoy this chapter