RiKara SS - You and I Collide [COMPLETE] pg 63(19/4) - Page 23

So here begins a new page of the story. But our two leads still have the same old problem; egos!

I'm apologizing in advance for the dialogs in Hindi, from those who do not understand the language. These are some lines, I could not imagine being spoken in any other tongue. But hopefully they are understandable from the context they appear.

Please enjoy reading!

Chapter 11

Ties that bind

A week later, Mumbai

It had been a while since he had a spell of panic. Everything had been going smooth. Yes, that hag of a woman still trailed his brother like a leech; yes, his dad was threatening his mom with divorce on every turn; but those had never been enough to break the crust of indifference Rudra had build around him. One blow at Shivay Bhaiyya was.

He felt cold fear grip his heart like a vice, tightening around him, clawing him down, his vision was going blurry. He clumped a sweaty palm over his mouth, fisting in a scream that strangled his throat. No, no, this cannot be happening! He leaned against the pristine wall of the hospital's VIP section. The sound of the media mob was hushed up by the glass doors creating an illusion of isolation. Annkia Bhabi leaned against the opposite wall, down on her knees, her tear strained face buried in her hands. There was no comfort he could offer her, no reassurance she had for him, they continued to suffer in their own personal hells.

Throwing the doors open, O walked in, closely followed by Khanna who had his head bowed like a puppy.

"Fire them! Fire the whole damn set of fools who dare to call themselves security!" He roared as he rounded up on Khanna, who took a surprised step back. O was not himself these days, still it was astounding to see him losing his temper. "Not one of those imbecilic idiots knows what happened back at Bareilly. Someone kidnapped my brother, held him hostage, tried to kill him all under their noses - and what were they doing - they were pampering an imposter!"

He closed his eyes, pinching his nose and inhaling deeply.

"I want that man locked up," he said finally in a low dangerous tone. "And make sure, he talks."

Omkara drew in another breath, trying to control his frustration. It had became a practice these days, switching seamlessly from fear to anger. The more he focused on how frustrated he was, the less opportunity his fears had to raise their heads. Losing Shivay was a scenario he did not want to dwell upon. It cannot happen. Shivay was the only constant in their lives, the shield, the shelter, the unacknowledged parent. He knew very well it was a loss he would not survive.

Everything is allowed, leaving each other is not.

His brother had said. His eyes started to burn, blurring his vision. His brother...who was ten times the man his father could ever be. How is it possible that someone managed to hurt him, wrench him so far from them that they could hardly reach out to him? If something happens to Shivay, everything would be lost, gone, vanished.

"Rudra..." He muttered to himself, eyes seeking out his brother. The sight of him made Omkara's heart contradict with a fresh wave of pain. Where was he, when his brother needed him? Cursing his own lack of attention he went to his youngest brother, wordlessly pulling him into a bone crushing hug. Rudra was muttering something incoherent, clutching to him for life. "He'll be alright," he muttered pressing his lips to his brother's brow. "He's going to wake up soon...I promise!"

"I should have been there," Rudra muttered against him. "I should have gone with him. I should have known - I - sab meri galati hai, sab -"

"Galati teri nahi hai," Omkara told him vehemently. "If anyone's at fault that should be me. I shouldn't have wasted my time in Delhi, it should have been I going to Bareilly, instead of Shivay. Had I not been distracted, he would be alright now." Distracted, was one way to put it. If it was not for the reality that came knocking on his door, she had made him senseless. All he could think of was her, her eyes, her smile, the way her words always twisted themselves to win an argument. Omkara shook his head, that manic desire had almost cost him his brother; no more, he had absolutely no more time to dwell upon her.

They both slumped on the bench, still clasping into each other, tears freely running down their faces.

"But I'm going to rectify everything now."

"No!" Rudra said at once. "Aap waha nahi jaayenge O! Aap - main yaha - no, no, no!"

"Rudra, try to understand. It's important to know what happened there, who did this, we owe that to Shivay right? We need to find out waha aisa kya hua, that someone tried to kill our brother! And these people, we call security, don't forget there was a time when Svetlana used to boss them. They can't be trusted - you get me? At least not while she is still here. I have to go."

"Then take me with you!" He sounded desperate.

Omkara grabbed his brother's shoulders, making the younger man look into his eyes.

"You're the only one I can trust here. The only one to whom I can entrust my family, especially Shivay. It's not safe Rudra, we can't take anymore risks. He had shielded us all these times right? Shouldn't we do something in return? Shouldn't this be our all for one?" The phrase brought a life time worth of memories with it. Rudra squared his shoulders, wiping his eyes determinedly.

"For Shivay," he said nodding.

"For Shivay," Omkara agreed.

**

In the outskirts of Bareilly

Ri fixed her jacket and dug her hands deep in her trouser pockets. The fabric felt warm against the Bareilly heat, she puffed an exhale, but kept the jacket on. This place, in spite of being home at one point of her life, now felt alien to her. The memory of her last conversation with Jai replayed in her mind.

Watching Jai leave had always been difficult, but nevertheless they continued with their tradition. She was the one who accompanied him to airport, watched him board his flight and returned to an empty house, or went to party hard with her friends until intoxication blurred away the gap her brother always left behind. This time was different, around them hung the knowledge that this could possibly be the last time they were doing it, the next time Jai returns would be Ri's wedding; if Ragav had his way.

They hugged briefly, but Jai held on to his sister. His usually carefree face serious, as his eyes took her in. Ri attempted a smile, half - heartedly knowing it made her look like she had a stomachache.

"The offer still stands you know," he said with a tilt of his head. "Ditch this drama and come with me."

"No!" She shook her head, biting her lip. "I've done running away Bhai, this perhaps was the fate I was born for..." Or perhaps I was left alive for...she left the words unsaid.

"Fate?" Jai rolled his eyes. "Tu kab se yeh sab maan ne lagi?"

She dismissed his words, not ready to accept some beliefs have changed inside her, squeezing his arm.

"I'm alright Bhai, I promise."

Jai held her wrist, his eyes suspicious.

"Tu kiss se badhla le rahi hai?"

"From no one." But myself and someone who decided we don't deserve a chance. Ri raised an eyebrow. "You know Bhai, I really thought love made people do stupid things. But now I realize, hatred makes people do stupider things. Kher, there's no point in talking in circles. Ragav won't listen to you, and I have already agreed. Let's just," she shrugged. "Go with the flow!"

In reality, driver Gopal had not left. The old man was the only remaining member of her parents' original staff, and had taken it upon himself to make sure the little girl left behind did not suffer her loneliness too much. Ri squared her shoulders and turned to him, there was a certain limit of time one could spend on a hotel parking, scowling at the lavish building ahead.

"You may leave Gopal, I can manage from here." Her voice had no hint of how small she felt. Gopal watched her, his peppery gray brows knitted together.

"Aap oo sahab ji se baat kahe nahi kar rahi hai?" The man wondered suddenly, and Ri frowned.

"Who Ragav?" She snorted in disbelief. "What more is there to talk?"

"Maalik nahi, oo chote malik ke dost the na oo lambhe baal wala -"

"Enough Gopal," Ri snapped, clutching her handbag with a grip that almost strangled it. Why everybody was hell bent on reminding her of that - long haired hippie? "Mujhe kissi se koi baat nahi karni, aap jao ab!"

Gopal scratched his head, still looking unconvinced.

"Avi ji hoti toh app ko ee shaaddi kabhi nahi karne deti," he added, and Ri laughed humorlessly.

"If mom was here, none of this would have happened Gopal. But she is not, it's better we accept it now."

She turned her back to the faithful driver, and inhaled deeply.

She was alone and it was high time she accepted it. No one was going to ride in and save the day, no swish of wands and everything would go back to normal. There were no dreams she could wake up from and sigh that it was all in her head. Inside that lavish building the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with was waiting to meet her. She must go.

"Here goes nothing!" she muttered to herself, before briskly walking out of the parking lot.

**

Every Arthur needs his Merlin, similarly every Duryodana needs his Shakuni and Ragav Khanna needed Kali Takur.

"Your secret's getting expensive Khanna Sahab," he said slowly, wondering what the man would offer in exchange of his silence now. Ragav smiled slowly. "I can't guarantee how long I'd hold on to that document. Especially when there are people who might offer me more."

"Still, there are things only I can offer you Kali," Ragav said slowly. "Only you need to ask wisely."

Kali Takur frowned. He did not like the tone Ragav employed, which suggested he knew something Kali did not. As if Kali had become too predictable to him. After all what did this man have, that he would want so much? He had not been convinced about this bargain until the moment that girl stepped inside. The first glimpse of her, had set him ablaze. It was a feeling he had not felt in a long while. He watched her, waiting at the reception and then talking to someone, her eyes held an untamable fire that seemed to heat his blood. He yearned to taste it, tame it in his way. Ragav knew exactly what tempted him, he thought with a faint smile and darkened eyes. Of cause he still had things that could make him go crazy with want. After all the man needed his good will, he had one of his deepest secrets in his pocket.

"So, have you thought what you needed in return Kali?" Speak of the devil, thought Kali Takur as he heard Ragav Khanna speak. "After all you had to tackle a very powerful man, just for the sake of keeping my secret."

Ragav watched the man carefully, knowing exactly where his eyes were. He was nothing if not for his skill with people. He could tell exactly what bought whom. His relation with Kali had gone beyond the realms of money. But he was not yet ready to let the man have the upper hand. Gauri's ego had irritated him to no end - but perhaps - he thought with a slight smile. That dark cloud also had a silver line.

"Wo aap ki beti hai?" When Kali spoke next, the lust in his voice was unmistakable.

Ragav grinned inwardly. The deal was sealed.

**

Open for your verdict.

Sorry for any disappointments and thanks a ton for reading!

Love,

Sakura