Part 10
After attending the dinner at Bajaj House, Niharika became even more determined about her Mission PRB. Rishabh and Prerna, along with their bunch of 8-10 kids and grandkids made such a perfect family picture..Prerna was such a good wife and mother..Niharika was getting more and more annoyed with Rishabh these days- Just how can he be so insensitive and emotionless towards the woman who stood by him all these years, accepted him with all his flaws, and raised her stepchildren as her own..
Niharika and Prerna had become very good friends. Rishabh on the other hand was spending more and more time locked up in his cabin, working hard. For last many yrs, he had neglected business due to family problems, but now he needed to focus on his business. He was always in the office since early morning till late at night. Prerna was finding Rishabh quite detached and cold towards her, he would speak to her only when absolutely required, and ignored her otherwise. But he was always very polite and respectful of her, and hence she could not even fight or argue with him.
Niharika had started avoiding Rishabh. She didn't want to be the 'other woman' or 'home breaker'. She would usually contact Rishabh only when required for her project.
Niharika went to Rishabh's cabin.
"Are u busy?"
"come in! how are u?"
"fine..just needed to discuss this problem.."
Rishabh looked at the watch.
"Niharika..can we take this up later? I am very busy at the moment."
"But this is kinda urgent."
"Let me decide that. Urs is not the only project in my company..I have to look after several projects.."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Alrite. Let me know when u have some time."
Rishabh went to Niharika's cabin in the evening. She was about to leave. Just looking at her beautiful face made him forget all the stress and tension of work..even though she had put in good 8 hours in the office since morning, she was looking perfect fresh and pretty in her pastel pink churidar kurta..
"Hey..sorry I could not speak to u in the afternoon..so tell me now, what's the problem?"
"It's ok. I spoke to Tushar n he sorted it out. You don't bother abt it now."
"Well, you can still tell me. Lets go out for coffee, discuss ur problems, and then I will drop u home."
"There is no need, the problem is solved."
"Ok so cant we just go out for coffee without any reason?" Rishabh was getting irritated now.
"NO."
"Why not???"
"Becoz I don't want to come between you and ur wife."
"This is ridiculous. Get those stupid ideas out of ur head."
Her phone rang. "Hi Prerna! Yeah..just abt to leave..uumm ok...lets meet near my car outside..in 10 minutes? ok bye." She disconnected the phone, looked at Rishabh and said-"Prerna and I are going for shopping. do u want to come with us? The three of us can have coffee too."
"No thanks. I have no interest in watching yet another episode of 'Sautan Bani Saheli'." Rishabh said.
"RISHABH!"
He just smirked and left her cabin.
Niharika shook her head. He is just SO stubborn...
After they finished shopping, Niharika talked Prerna into going for a short holiday just with Rishabh- without any other family members. She even offered her own bunglow at Himachal for the Bajaj couple to stay. Prerna opposed the idea saying- "The kids are all messed up. If we go, pata nahi yahan kya kya hoga.."
"Prerna,ur kids are not small babies.I think you and Mr Bajaj need a break from the kids and the business."
Prerna agreed. Niharika volunteered to make all the arrangements.
Next day, while Niharika was on her way to work, she stopped by at the jewelry shop 'Jevar' to collect some jewelry that Priydarshan's sister had asked her to collect. While she was leaving the shop, she saw Rishabh entering the shop. Rishabh didn't see her. Niharika smiled to herself. Slowly but surely, PRB were coming closer....
In the afternoon, she had to attend a meeting conducted by Rishabh. While she watched Rishabh address his managers in his typical business-like , no-emotions-allowed style, she suddenly remembered that today was THE day when they had expressed their feelings for each other..several years ago. She wondered if he remembered..but romance was certainly not his cup of tea.
After the meeting, they met in the lobby. Everyone had left, and the lobby was very quiet. She smiled at him.
"How's the day going Rishabh?"
"Just like all other days...hectic. Why?"
"Aise hi...anyways, did Prerna tell u abt the vacation plan?"
"What plan? She didn't tell me anything."
"oohh..well I just suggested that u guys can go to Himachal Pradesh..I have some property there at just the right location..its such a romantic place.."
"Niharika..why dont u just mind ur own business?Why are u pushing me forcibly towards Prerna?" Rishabh said..trying very hard to control his temper.
"Because that's how it should be. You and Prerna belong together-"
"Please stop interfering in my marriage."
"No I won't."
"You MUST." He raised his voice.
"Rishabh please..speak softly. Agar koi sun lega to-"
He smirked-"Yeh mera office hain. I own this damn building and every person inside it. I dont care if anyone listens-"
"Rishabh..calm down. Agar Prerna ne sun liya to-"
"Mujhe kuch farq nahi padta." Rishabh said rudely.
Niharika stared at him helplessly. Seeing her worried so much, he felt guilty.
"I am sorry.." He said earnestly.
"It's ok..but I wish we hadnt fought at least today.." she said.
"Kyun aaj kya hain?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Ok." He didnt quiz her further.
"I have to go..need to finish some urgent reports before leaving.." She went to her cabin.
Late night, after finishing some grueling reports, she reached home. She was completely exhausted. She had worked really hard. Rishabh had not bothered to even call her once after their fight in the lobby.
Niharika sat on the couch and sighed. Then she noticed a bouquet of very beautiful red roses on the table. Next to the roses, there were two boxes..one yellow box was full of assorted swiss chocolates. and there was a red velvet box with the tag 'jevar'. She opened it...a beautiful tiny heart shaped gold pendant in a delicate gold chain..along with matching pair of earrings and a beautiful ring..and there was a small note on a crisp white paper..written in Rishabh's own elegant yet rude handwriting- "Happy Anniversary Sweetheart."
Niharika's smiled to herself and whispered wistfully..'unhe yaad tha..'
Then she started feeling guilty. Wasnt she betraying Prerna's trust in a way?
"Today was just an exception. But this doesn't mean anything. I will ensure that mission PRB succeeds." She renewed her resolve.
At Bajaj House, Rishabh was about to sleep in his bedroom when Prerna said "Mr Bajaj, let's go for a short holiday to Himachal. Niharika has made all the arrangements."
"No Prerna. I am too busy these days. It is not possible for me to take a break in the near future."
"Lekin Mr Bajaj-"
"Prerna- maine kahan na, mujhe waqt nahi hain, aur shauk bhi nahi hain."
"But it's been a long time since we went anywhere. Even I need a break."
"To main tumhe kahan rok raha hu?Tum jao agar jana hain to. Kisi ko bhi saath lekar jao. Bacche hain, Niharika hain, Anurag hain- ask if anyone is willing to accompany u. Waise bhi, tumhe jo karna hota hain, tum karti ho. jahan jaana hota hain, tum jaati ho. Ya to mere saath, ya mere begair." Rishabh said calmly. Then he pulled up the blanket, adjusted the AC and fell alseep.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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