Hello All!!
Had a plot bunny and thought to plant it for you all.
Enjoy!!!!!
OS: Of Plots and Plans
The coffin was gently lifted and taken away by the attendants. The atmosphere was silent and morose as all the Raisinghanias stood quietly to pay their respect at the final departure of one of their most loyal servants.
After all, Mrs. D'Souza had been there with them for decades now.
Angre carefully looked at all the family members. Not many were genuinely mourning for the servant but then again that was to be expected. Some like Dadi and Sia were upset at her death but Ishani and Aryan did not care even for a second.
His boss too stood aloof and stoic but he knew that behind that façade was a man mourning one of his most loyal people.
And then there was Riddhima.
The moment his eyes fell on her, a phantom headache erupted at the back of his head. It was a knee-jerk reaction now, that whenever he thought of her or saw her, he could never imagine her as a simple, stupid, and helpless girl; not after the way she had happily knocked him down with a vase, without any apology till date.
But today, there was none of that bravery or that willful stubbornness. She looked pale and almost weary as her gaze followed the coffin’s procession. There was a sense of grief around her and loneliness that almost struck him as he watched her hug herself with her hands as if trying to tightly hold herself together. Her fearful eyes turned to look at his Boss, who, he realized was already looking at her. The moment their eyes met, he could see her stiffening and then relaxing as if her fears had taken a back seat. Her spine straightened and he could see the colour returning on her face as she took strength from her husband’s gaze.
It appeared as if Riddhima Bhabi was slowly becoming dependant on his Boss.
Angre would have almost pitied her if he had not known that she was a spy. But now he only watched as the poor little fly that was forever creating a nuisance was being slowly made to dance to the rhythm of the spider.
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In a secret room right next to his study, Vansh Raisinghania sat on the ornate armchair with a glass of the finest brandy in his hands. After all, a well-woven plan deserved a celebration.
His most loyal sat in front of him, their hands busy with drinks of their choice.
Angre sat quietly, almost brooding and Vansh looked at him fondly.
“Go on Angre! I can hear you thinking from right here. Ask and I might just answer today.”
Angre immediately sat up in interest. “What I don’t understand is that why are you confirming Riddhima Bhabi’s delusions? What was the need of the entire drama?” he questioned gesturing to the person next to him.
“I agree, sir,” Mrs. D'Souza nodded. “I still don’t understand the need for my pretend-death. Riddhima madam was beyond terrified. I thought the scaring madam episode was over after the attack on you.”
Vansh stared at the bubbles in the liquid. The dim light gave his eyes a dark and foreboding look. “Who is saying that I am confirming Riddhima’s delusions?”
“But sir,” Angre hastened to answer, “we all know that she was hallucinating due to the attack or maybe she is making it up to distract us so that she can spy on us.”
“And do you take me to be a fool to have not thought about that?” Vansh enquired as he stared at them expectantly. After they continued to look at him blankly, he gave a derisive chuckle, “Riddhimais a pawn and the specialty of pawns is that,” he paused, “they can be played by both sides.”
Angre and Mrs. D'Souza gave him blank looks.
“It all began the day she burnt the portrait and I, in turn, burnt her belongings,” Vansh said, his face twisting at the memories. “I was furious at her, and wanting to hurt her where it felt the most, I burnt her things. And that was where I saw that chain. That blasted chain that she had always kept away from my reach and so how could I not have a look.”
“And then sir?” Angre asked histone barely able to suppress the excitement.
“And then Angre, that one decision gave me the upper hand in this entire game for I found out the missing link in Riddhima’s apparent hatred for me, who is none other than my famous old rival.”
“Who sir?”
Vansh smirked slightly as his eyes gleamed dangerously. “Inspector Kabir!”
Angre felt his jaw drop. MrsDisouza looked at him worriedly. “He is the one with Riddhima madam?”
“Oh yes,” Vansh leaned back, amused at their reactions. “My old fellow Kabir has sent me a gift after so many years. How could I not keep her! And then, my long planning began. At first, I wanted to make sure she fears for her life and invites him so that he comes here and I can catch him red-handed. But naaah, he did not do it. Instead, someone tried to shoot me and Riddhima took the bullet to save me. It might sound cliché but at that moment I realized that she too was a played character, not a player. In fact, Kabir might have been using her all along but I doubt she knows it.”
“So sir,” Angre began, “Riddhima Bhabi is innocent?”
“Innocent?” Vansh gave a harsh laugh. “If you keep confusing stupidity with innocence, I might just have to let you go and hire a better bodyguard.” Angre went quiet, his ears turning red.
“’But sir, what use was my death act then?” Mrs Disouza questioned.
“Sometimes you have to let yourself play to the rhythm of your enemy and this is one of them. Riddhima has become obsessed about the yellow gloved person and whether it is all an act or the truth, I do not know,” Vansh admitted. “So the best way to know this is to trap both Riddhima and the yellow gloved intruder if they exist. With your supposed death, we have successfully framed the yellow gloved person. If they really exist, they will get horribly confused about getting blamed for something they have not even thought of. This will lead to them making mistakes which will be our biggest clue to catch them. Secondly, if these are all Riddhima’s delusions or an act, this sudden death of Mrs. D'Souza by the Yellow gloved person will make her hysterical for in her case, her imagination or lies would have supposedly taken the form of grotesque reality. This will make her blurt out the truth soon and in her confusion, she will give us the key to catch Kabir.”
“Wow Boss,” Angre muttered awed at the long planning that had gone into these actions.
“Why, thank you Angre,” Vansh drawled and shared an amused look with Mrs. D'Souza. He looked at his watch and straightened. “All right, let us come to the most important things. MrsDisouza, you will use my personal secret route and remain hidden while keeping a 24/7 eye on Riddhima when I am not near her. If Kabir comes to meet her or someone tries to harm her, you know the signal.”
Mrs. D'Souza nodded.
“Be very careful Mrs. Disouza. I don't want Riddhima harmed….yet,” he added as an afterthought.
“Angre,” Vansh looked at him sternly, “this time stay alert.”
Angre immediately flushed. “Yes sir.”
“Good. I want you to shadow three people. Aryan, Ishani and----”
“And sir?”
Vansh pursed his lips. “Maa! Keep an eye on her too.”
Angre nodded, trying his best to keep the shock away from his face. Next to him, Mrs. D'Souza sat as still as a statue.
Vansh went on uncaring of the repercussions of his words. “While you both do that, I will play my part.”
As he left the room, his thoughts revolved around the tiny woman who had attached herself to his life. Apparently, she was unfazed by anger, had no fear of danger even to her life, and was not at all enchanted by greed. He really wanted to know what Kabir had used to get her to do this for it was clear how unwilling she was to let alone stay near him, forget marrying him.
But marry him, she did and it had Kabir written on all of it. But enough of this cat and mouse game. She was foolish to think that she could come to his world and leave unscathed.
Anger, hatred, fear, and danger might not have deceived her, he thought, but there was one thing she had no defense to – his love.
He had known enough about women to understand the shuddering breaths, the heaving chest, the sweat on her brows, and her eyes blinking rapidly whenever he came near her. She could deny it outright and avoid him all she wanted but the attraction she had towards him was not an act. Her frightened reactions were enough proof of her inexperience.
The game had already started and he had begun his move.
In fact, Riddhima was already starting to react positively. The perfect husband persona he was wearing these days was already having an effect on her and the moment he would be able to fully capture her trust; he would unravel the cards for the beginning of the end.
Oh Kabir, he mused darkly, you have sent me a little weapon dear brother. Just wait for your house of cards to fall because Vansh Raisinghania’s webs are only felt, never seen.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
Kumkum Bhagya
