Part 1
Setting the deal
The best formals were on with the best dresses as it was once again party time for the cream of Mumbai. All big socialites and VIPs had gathered around to gossip about who had an affair with whom and who got dumped by whom. Leading onto how many times one slept with another and simply ready to make the other a super cheap s**t. Of course on the face everyone was a friend due to appearances yet in reality all knew that they had competition in order to stay at their high position. There was the motto, keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer.
There were many appetitizing personalities present and where there was such scope then the media couldn't have been left behind. It was the best place for the entire page 3 and gossip column reporters. They had already flooded the entrance blinding half of the public with their constant flashes and clicks. Many roamed around the hall eavesdropping on people's conversations for any juicy news to type down.
Mostly everyone there was of the same type except for one who had only come with one motive, to find herself a decent job. It wasn't like she had been jobless since now yet she had constantly jumped from one to another from the past few months as there was always one thing at question ' her dignity and humility. She had become her own enemy or more like it her beauty had become her enemy. There was no way to escape from the hungry eyes of the vultures out there in the big bad world who always wanted one thing from her eventually. It was true that she was desperate for money yet she wasn't ready to sell herself. If that would have been the deal then she would have just become a prostitute. That would have given her instant cash overnight yet that was not her last resort. She was never going to succumb to it. At least that had been her principal till then. If only she had known that the world only ran on two things, money and beauty.
"As I'd told you, there is this great opportunity available in this party for sure." A young girl dressed up to match up to the party yet was working only as a repoter stood beside her. She had brought her friend who was in need by convincing her that she would find the right scapegoat. "I know it's very difficult for you to fight against this but you've got to admit that you've got to bend in order to get what you want." She was very genuine to her friend. "Kabhi na kabhi, kahi na kahi tujhe samjhota karna hee parega or paiso ke liye kisee or ka bistar garam karna hee parega," she continued to keep an eye on others for anything eye catching as well as giving her friend the attention. "aise hee dunya chalti hain, ek saude ki tarha." After that she left as this rich and famous entity had just entered.
Now the woman continued to go around yet didn't feel she fit in the place that much. It wasn't like it was a new place for her as she had been to similar parties yet it was true that she had ran out of practice of course so it felt all fresh once again.
Still looking she couldn't decide whom to pick as there was this terrible glitch about the notion that she really was selling herself. Whatever it was she didn't have a choice. Her mind was turmoiled with all those thoughts that she lost concentration and her foot tripped on a hanging wire on the floor.
It looked as if she would have had a very embarrassing fall yet she hadn't yet recovered from the shock of the fall, she got into another shock of falling into the arms of someone she had never expected to meet again in life. Her mind became numb and her body limb as she most comfortably lay in the soft bed of his arms.
On the other hand the man who held her had similar reactions as he had expected to meet her again surely yet not like that. There were several reasons for why he had anticipated the meet and he was going to fulfil them on his terms but right then after seeing her he seemed to have forgotten everything.
It sure was a blast from the past for both of them and where a small part in both their hearts there was overwhelment; the rest was full of anger and hatred. Many things ran in both their heads as many things had taken place between them. Some which they wanted to remember and some which they totally wanted to forget.
Soon she realized what just happened and the recovery made her push him back slightly so she could get up. And then she composed herself to make sure her flushed cheeks had become invisible. Then without turning back towards him she walked forward yet his voice prevented such an act.
"So Miss Sheena Khanna," there was this slight sarcasm evident in his tone, "I could see you still haven't changed." She turned towards him with a sharp look. "Still selling yourself to the highest bidder."
Obviously she was appalled by that yet she knew not to react to such things. "I'm not surprised that you think such a way. Otherwise you wouldn't really be Sujal Garewal." She said his name as if it was a taunt.
In return he smirked, "its amazing how you still remember my traits, yet you've always appeared a mystery to me." He stood with his hands in his pockets. "I'd never thought I'll find you again in such an elite party."
For some reason she found that amusing. "I'm sorry for have disappointed you Mr. Garewal yet if I would have had the slightest clue that you'd also be here then I would have changed my schedule."
Sujal knew she was mocking him yet he also knew how to play cool and low. He always had things under his control so this was no different. "As I'd said, still haven't changed. Per tum jo dhundh rahi ho wo tumhe yaha nahi milega."
"I appreaciate the advice Mr. Garewal yet I don't require it." she quickly handled herself and held the tears behind her eyes. "Now if you'll please excuse me, I've got important work to do." She turned on her heels and had just taken the intial few steps when his voice was heard from the back once again.
He remained behind her, "I heard you were looking for a job, but I truly don't think you'll get your type of a job amongst this high society crowd." Of course his intention was to put her down. "Unless of course you find someone that generous to make you such an offer."
Sheena was hurt by the meaning of that and she knew it was true to some extent yet what hurt the most that it came out of someone whom she had held quite close once upon a time. She ignored him and walked further reaching near the crowd.
He followed her as he hadn't finished yet, "I'm ready to make such arrangements for you Sheena."
She stopped and wondered what he was up to, "I don't need your help as I said."
"Apparently you do because I know very well how desperately you're looking for money right now and without it you won't be able to treat your ailing mother." She was certainly surprised that he knew so much about her. "And right now I'm ready to give you the help you want."
It certainly made Sheena think what made him so soft hearted for a change. Then again she had to understand that the whole world could change but Mr. Sujal Garewal could never change. His arrogance had done a lot of damage before and it certainly hadn't gone till date. Yet she still wanted to hear what he wanted to say. "What do you have in mind?"
He walked up towards her and stood in front of her so there was proper eye to eye contact. "A proposal, which will solve all of your problems." The look on his face really told Sheena that the man was prepared with something nasty. "I'm ready to give you the money and help with the treatment yet in return you've got to pay a big price."
Of course she knew this and had waited for him to get to the main point. "And what is that?"
"Since I'll be giving you this money as a loan so it's obvious you've got to return it back to me. Yet I don't require the money as you can see I can rule the whole world with my palm." She always had hated this arrogance of his and she just twitched waiting impatiently for his condition. "In order for you to pay off the loan you've got to spend 10 nights with me."
That condition was certainly something Sheena hadn't expected and was stunned. Her eyes went wide as she stared at him, the anger evident in them. "What?"
Sujal looked unperturbed and totally confident, "Yes now things don't come so cheap now do they. Yet this is the best proposal you would ever get so think about it."
It was as if Sheena couldn't think anymore. Her mind had totally gone numb as she just went into trauma of how the world worked. There simply wasn't any escape from this cruel notion of the world. Her friend was right that at some time or place you would have to sell yourself, your dignity and most importantly your self respect. There was no way she wanted to accept his proposal yet right then there were many other things to think about. Her mother lied in the hospital who needed immediate treatment and that only could come with the money which at the moment only Sujal was willing to give her. But how could she just give herself away to him? To the man who had ruined everything for her and had never turned back even once to find out what happened in her life?
It took some time and Sujal checked his watch. "I'm not that cruel to not give you time to think. You've got ten minutes to make your decision." He straightened his coat. "I'm waiting in my car" and then he left from there.
She was left totally helpless and even when she wanted to cry, the tears didn't drop. They were terribly trapped inside her and that tortured her the most. What was she do? She couldn't understand. All voices became mute and the only she heard was the loud tick of the second hand in the clock. It went 'click', 'click' and 'click'. It felt as if she was loosing the seconds of her life with each click.
However ten mintues were over and her decision had been made. It was the thing which she believed was the right thing so she walked outside and looked around. Many things had changed yet Sujal Garewal's class hadn't. He still had to have the best so how could his car be any less then classy. It didn't take her much time but to recognize it and she opened the door and sat inside. Then the car drove off.
No words were spoken as it was all understood by her actions. It was true she had agreed to his deal yet it was done after putting a very heavy burden on her heart.
The drive was certainly silent yet their minds spoke out loud. He sat there thinking about how much he had anticipated meeting her again and now when he did his hatred and anger had reached its peak. She had made the biggest mistake of dejecting and insulting him and Sujal Garewal just couldn't tolerate that. Now he was going to get his worth and make her bow down on his terms. His revenge was going to be very sweet and very sour.
Sheena sat and thought about what she had just done eventhough she no longer wanted to think about it. If it had to be done then it had to be done. She would just accept it as her fate and let it take her away.
A jolt broke them out of their thoughts and Sujal looked outside to see his house had arrived. He opened the door and stepped out, expecting her to follow.
Of course she knew where they were as she remembered his house but she hadn't thought the deal had to be followed out from that night. Yes she had agreed with full fledge yet now she hesitated to take that step when she was actually there. "Why are we here?" yes indeed that was a very stupid question yet she just had to ask.
It was quite clear that he also found that rather daught. "To fulfil the deal my dear." On purpose he sweet talked with her to put her down further. "Unless of course you've changed your mind again but that would just increase your problems further."
"No." she said most adamantly, "I haven't changed anything yet I do require one thing from you."
He raised his eyebrow at her, "and what is that?" he checked his watch again. "It's getting late and you know how I don't like sleeping late. So hurry up as we've got a lot of work to do."
Sheena gulped at the thought of sharing a bed with him again. It was something she just couldn't make herself agree with no matter what happened. "It's about that. I have agreed to your deal yet I'd like to have the allowance of choosing these most profound nights."
He seemed agitated, "you're in no position to bargain with me Miss Sheena Khanna." He had this dangerous look. "I make all the rules."
"I'd always believed you had a charitable heart somewhere but I guess your arrogance has killed that too. And by the way the contract doesn't say anything about force."
Sujal thought over that and yes he was really disappointed and wanted to disagree with that yet he knew he couldn't let this moment slip out of his hands. "Fine." He said with a lot of force and just when Sheena was relieved the devil hadn't quite finished bugging her. "Then you'll just have to work with me in my office as my PA until your loan is taken care of and until you give me the nights I want." She tried to disagree yet he just didn't allow it. "I expect you to be in office at sharp 8 tomorrow morning. Now you shall leave." He left without allowing her to say anything.
All she had got left was simply nothing but a whole lot of humiliation. The one person whom she had loved was the one who had humiliated her in the most disgusting way there could have been.
Cricket
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