Part 7
She opened her eyes only to close it quickly as the white light was making it difficult for her to focus. Focusing her eyes to adjust to the room- light, she opened them and found herself in the room- whose room? She had no idea. As she tried getting up, she fell back as she felt her head throbbing in pain.
"Hello, somebody please help me..." she shouted, holding her head as she heard some footsteps nearby. Seeing the door slowly open, she opened her mouth to speak but words stopped as she saw the person standing at the door.
"you.." she whispered, surprisingly looking at the person in horror.
"Hello sweetheart...Missed me" he said holding the door knob, looking at her smirking.
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"Do you have any picture of your wife" the police officer asked looking at Armaan.
"yes officer" he showed the picture he had in the cell which he had taken few days back. He was sitting on the couch, looking forlorn with Abhi beside him talking to the police officer.
Few hours back
Riddhima on the pretence of going to the washroom left them, leaving them alone.
"So finally you came. I was waiting for you" Armaan said taking a sip, looking at him.
"I had to, after all, my friend needs me" abhi replied as a mysterious smile played on his lips.
"And has he arrived?" Armaan asked.
"He must be. Last time I checked his flight was an hour before my flight" Armaan nodded looking around. "Armaan, can I ask you something?" He asked as Armaan nodded signalling him to continue "Are you sure about this? I mean, keeping her in dark. You know how scared she was sounding on the phone. I hope you know what you are doing."
"Don't go by her looks Abhi. She is not what she looks like. " Armaan replied finishing the last sip of his drink as he looked around waiting for her to join them.
"Armaan….but"
"Leave it Abhi, just do as I say. I'll take care of the rest."
Abhi was still not satisfied; he knew there is still more to the story. Riddhima didn't look like what they thought about her. He never knew that a simple game could turn into a fatal one, coz of one mistake.
Flashback
"Are you sure about her?" Abhi asked. Riddhima Gupta was selected as a trainee in the Malik Empire and Abhi was looking at her profile.
"yes Abhi, she is the perfect one or I should say perfect for him" Rahul replied. "We just have to make sure that Riddhima stays in front of his eyes." Rahul clearly stated as a matter of fact. And then started the whole Armaan- Riddhima set up. Although rahul knew what they were doing wasn't right. They were playing with two lives. If Armaan come to know about their plan, he didn't know about Abhi but he was sure that his big bro won't leave him. And on the other side was the love of his life Muskaan who meant the world to him. He was ready to go to any extreme just to be with her.
As soon as he looked at her profile he had this feeling that Riddhima is the one they were looking for and after meeting her for the first time, he knew that his instinct was right. Riddhima would be the ideal choice for his brother.
When muskaan told him about her parents talking about her marriage, the first thing he wanted was- go to his home and talk to his parents about Muskaan. Muskaan Khanna, the daughter of their rival company wouldn't have gone down well with them especially with Armaan. He just couldn't stand the Khanna's. He had a history with the Khanna's which wasn't so good.
Even if they agree which was next to impossible in his case, his parents won't let them marry before settling Armaan as he was the older child. He had heard his parents wanting to see Armaan married by now. May be getting Armaan married would help him in convincing his parents. He knew it was just based on assumptions. What if his parents won't agree but he was ready to do anything to be with Muskaan. For him it was their last chance. That didn't meant he never cared about his brother. He cared for him and that's why after going through a hell no. of profiles, his search finally ended on Riddhima.
If he failed, eloping was the only option left. He never wanted to leave his family and neither she. So they came up with this idea of setting Armaan- Riddhima which was next to impossible knowing his brother's opinion about love.
They did everything possible to bring them closer. Starting with, making him notice her presence. Riddhima was made to work under him. As the saying goes "fight is the first step towards love". Here too, it started with fight, better to say- made to start with a fight as they knew there is no other way Armaan would notice her.
It was Rahul who took the file from her desk when she was called with the file. To their bad luck, Armaan didn't need the file. They created every possible situation to bring them together and for the first time they felt something from Armaan's side was during one party hosted for the successful completion of the project.
The project Armaan and his team were working was completed successfully and to celebrate the occasion, the clients had hosted a party. Riddhima had never been to an official party before and she wasn't interested either. Seeing her backing off, Rahul promised to be there with her as it was a golden opportunity for them. Armaan too wasn't much of a party person and his party side was limited to official parties something he attended occasionally.
"But rahul, I have never been to this kind of party before. What if something wrong happens? i don't want to make him angry anymore. You tell me, he is always like this or I am the 'lucky one'?" she asked rolling her eyes.
Riddhima had cited her reasons of not going which had made him laugh. Working under Armaan was no less then living in hell for her. She didn't know why her colleagues called her lucky? Well she was lucky in the department of getting the maximum no. of angry glares and wrath from him. If this is what her colleagues termed as "lucky", she was more than happy to give it to them. But the problem was, Rahul wasn't allowing her. Every time she had talked on this topic, rahul would come up with some reason, forcing her to continue with the work for some more months, till they don't find a replacement. If this wasn't enough, the constant glares, she used to get from her colleagues, starting from the time she enters the office till her stay, especially from other female colleague, worked in favour of making up her mind of not working under him. What was more surprising for her was the fact that she was just a fresher, and the mgmt had decided to make her work under him, when a lot of her seniors were waiting for this opportunity. To her doubts, rahul's had told her "there must be something the mgmt. saw in you" which made her feel proud of herself, not knowing it was all Rahul's plan in the first place.
"There's always a first time for something Riddhima and don't worry, we will be there" Riddhima was still in a dilemma about going or not. But knowing that she'll have to attend these kinds of parties in future too, she finally agreed.
She reached the party venue, looking around for any familiar face but all she saw were unfamiliar faces. There was no sight of Rahul or Abhi and Armaan, his presence didn't matter to her as she saw him, talking to someone few metres away from her.
"I am sure, he doesn't even know that I am here" she thought looking at him.
"hey beautiful" hearing someone's whisper from behind she turned, only to bump into a handsome man. The drink in his hand spilled on his shirt, making everyone turn their attention towards them, including Armaan.
"Oh! I am so sorry" she apologized trying to wipe the stain off his shirt with the tissue but it was too late as the drink had already showed its colour.
"it's okay. I know it wasn't your fault" he said, taking the tissue from her hand.
"Is everything okay?"Armaan asked looking at them. Seeing the person in front of him, his jaw clenched as now he knew what would have happened. This wasn't the first time he had seen this incident happening in front of his eyes.
"yes Armaan.. it was just an accident." he replied. Armaan noticed his lustful eyes on her, she was totally unaware off as she was looking at Armaan apologetically. More than the guy, she was scared of facing him as she noticed him looking at her angrily.
"Riddhima, I need to...."
"Hey riddhima.."Armaan was cut off by rahul who came few moments back and noticing the tension, interrupted as he looked at her flushed face. Hearing his voice, she sighed and thanked him with his eyes for saving her.
"hey..Rahul.." the guy greeted him.
"Hey Sahil.."With a forced smile, he smiled back. Rahul noticed the tension surrounding them as he saw his bro expression and he was actually enjoying it. Everything was happening on its own and he didn't have to do anything. His plan was nothing as compared to what was happening on its own. Armaan and Sahil were no less then "Best enemies" and this was a golden opportunity to bring them closer.
"what are you doing here?" Rahul asked, breaking their eye contact.
"the same thing you are doing here" Sahil replied, eyeing at riddhima. Riddhima looked at them having no idea as to where this conversation was heading. Not waiting for any more second, Armaan quickly grabbed her hand and took her away, surprising himself as everyone in the hall looked at them.
"Sir what are you doing, leave my hand" Riddhima twisted her hand in his hold, feeling his grip getting tighter. Taking her outside the hall with no one to disturb, he let go of her hand and grabbed her by her arms.
"You stay away from him" he said, the tone of authority clearly visible in his voice. Riddhima frowned looking at him. She had seen him getting angry on her but not to this extent. Anybody can guess, he was literally boiling with anger.
"you get that." He said pulling her closer to himself. With their faces just inches apart, letting only air pass through them, Riddhima looked in his eyes. The anger in his eyes was scaring her and all she wanted was to run away from him as far as possible.
"Sir, you are hurting me" she whispered, flinching in pain pleading him to leave her. Hearing the pain in her voice, he noticed her watery eyes and quickly let go of her and turned his back to her. Moving his hand in his hair, he sighed to compose himself. Looking at him she took back steps, rubbing her arms where he had held her few seconds back as she saw the marks of his fingers on her skin.
Realizing what he did a moment back he turned around and apologized "I am sorry" taking steps towards her only to see her retreating back. He himself didn't know what came over him. He had never behaved in this way before. Why was he angry? Coz he couldn't stand Sahil or the closeness between them. And Riddhima, she had no idea what she did to make him angry. What was her fault? Nothing she could come up with. It would have been better if she had never agreed to this party. Passersby were looking at them especially her accusingly as if she is at fault. Everyone knew Armaan, so thinking about him doing a mistake wouldn't have crossed their mind.
Not able to take this anymore, she moved back and ran out towards the exit. Armaan stood at the spot for few seconds and ran after her to apologize. Rahul was standing few metres away watching everything. The moment Riddhima ran, Rahul wanted to go after her but going by his bro looks he stopped and walked back into the hall.
Armaan ran after her and got hold of her before she could cross the road. He turned her around and her tear-stained face made him feel guilty of his actions.
"Sir please let me go. I am sorry for being the cause of your embarrassment. This won't happen again. You'll get my resignation tomorrow" she said without turning around wiping her tears off her face roughly as she tried to free her hold from his grip.
"Riddhima atleast listen to me. It was my fault, I overreacted and I am..." Armaan said.
"Leave it Sir, it can never be your fault. I shouldn't have come to this party. I spoiled your party and I am sorry." Saying she released herself and ran away as Armaan stood dumbstruck at the spot watching her sit in the cab and leave.
Back to Present
Riddhima tried getting up as she saw him coming closer to her. Feeling his finger moving on her cheek, she closed her eyes distraught at his touch. She hated it and he knew that.
"Don't worry Riddhima, I won't do anything without your consent" he said moving closer to her, blowing away the strand of her hair from her face. Lying on the bed with hands tied she couldn't do much so she shut her eyes tightly, hoping for someone to break open the door and took her away from the monster. Not feeling him close anymore, she opened her eyes and saw her talking to someone on the phone. Cutting the call, he walked up to her and sat beside her on the bed.
"sorry honey as much as I don't want to leave you, I have too. So be a good girl and go back to sleep" Taking out the tape from his coat pocket, he taped her mouth and after making that all the ropes are tied, he left the room.
Armaan and Abhi were sitting on the couch, waiting for any info about Riddhima. Police had taken all the information and left the room. It had been more than 6 hours and there was no phone call or any information about her.
"What do you think?" Armaan asked looking at the floor. Although he was trying to stay calm, he couldn't. With the time passing by, all his fears were coming true. It wouldn't be wrong to say he was scared- yes he was. He didn't know himself from when but he did care for her and her sudden disappearance was scaring her. Her phone was switched off and as much as he never wanted to think in that direction, the more he tried, the more his mind was forcing him to believe what he was thinking was right.
"Armaan..." hearing her voice, he looked at the door and sight in front of her, pierced his heart.
Riddhima was standing at the door, with tears rolling down her eyes, the black mascara smudged, hair all over her face and she was literally shaking out of fear. He ran towards her and held her in his arms before her body could hit the ground.
"Riddhima..Riddhima..." he slapped her cheeks lightly but got no response.
End Of Part 7
Part finished..and yeahhhh. I know, took a hell lot of time to update so let me pat my back for going back to my original self of taking my own sweet time...lol.. and everyone who were waiting for the part, I updated in two months, kind of a achievement for me looking at my schedule.
Too much happened in the past one month, few things I don't want to remember at all and then I had my exams. So really wasn't in the mindset to write anything. After that I started with the next part and it's so stupid of me, I had this part almost written one month back and I totally forgot. So quickly finished the part with few changes and added some more suspense, I hope it's still suspenseful or did you guys get the whole storyline, I hope not.
Okay so i know a lot of questions will be coming in your minds and many of you must be like "yeh kya ho raha hai?" lol...tension nahin lene kaa.. answers will be out in the upcoming parts. I am thinking of making one of them a –ve character. Let see how the story shapes up and to those who think it will most probably be Abhi—Are you sure?😉
Thanks to everyone for pressing the like button.
Next part ...hmmm will try to update soon.
Loads of love..
Mel..
PS: Pm list updated on Page 26. New readers can check their names. If somebody's name is missing, do remind me.
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