Against all odds
Aimlessly, staring into the dark, she sat on the bench in the garden, mustering courage to return to her room. It was the exact same spot where it all started, on that perfectly moonlit evening. She was not able to see it then, but it was perfect. She could not deny it, the chemistry between the two of them had been there from the very beginning. Today though, she saw no moonlight, no stars, no sparks. Just empty hollow darkness.
Lost in her world of thoughts, she pondered on where, when and how her night had turned into an absolute nightmare. What were the odds of this happening? And that too, again?! Painfully aware of the fact that she had to handle this by herself, she closed her eyes.
Priyanka prayed in silence for strength and wisdom. Only the good Lord could help her out of this predicament. This time, she could not rely on anybody else. No brothers, no father nor a dashing ACP, albeit a tad cocky one, by her side.
There was nobody else to turn to, nor to blame for this mess other than herself. This was one battle she had to fight alone. But who exactly was she up against? Who was her opponent? What was her game plan? Was she even ready to handle all this by herself? She could feel a panic rise up.
Relax Prinku.. Breath in and out.. Slowly.. Inhale.. Exhale..' Priyanka managed to stay quite calm. All thanks to the lessons she had been taught by her therapist. To overcome her panic attacks she took deep breaths, to avoid severe hyperventilation. She wiped away the sweat of her face and neck with her dupatta.
Face your demons Prinku!' She could here Rudra's voice echo in her head. Words which were once spoken by him to coach her during boxing workouts, seem to fit this situation well. He was right. She had to face her demons head on!
Perhaps she had to face her worst demon first. The one holding her back in life the most. Herself. Fight her inner demon. Again, it were Rudra's words she thought of. Prinku, you can do anything you want to do. The only one who can stop you is you...' At the time she had smiled sweetly when Rudra had spoken these kind words to make her feel better. But now, his advice started to make sense to her and even coach and encourage her.
Svetlana was the root cause of her misery. An awful mean witch and the actual culprit of the crime she and Omkara were accused of. It was her Priyanka had to expose and take down. But how would she proof that it was not her and O bhaiya who were at fault here? Where should she start to collect proof?
As much as she wanted Svetlana behind bars and get proof against her, more so she wanted proof which showed her innocence and to clear the Oberoi name. Proof she could present to Ranveer. It was Svetlana's defeat she was after. And if she was lucky, she could win back his trust and perhaps.. Even his heart.. Somehow, she longed for his care and affection, the sort of which she knew he was capable of. She knew this, since she had seen it in his eyes and felt it in his touch.
Too many thoughts ran through her mind. Unwillingly, Ranveer's face was the one she could see clearly, even with her eyes wide open. His eyes filled with anger, disbelief and disappointment haunted her. Quite the opposite of the glances he had given her a few hours ago in the car, which had pleasantly surprised her.
Flashbacks of memories of Ranveer passed her by. Their somewhat magical encounter in the garden. In his eyes she had seen the reflection of a perfect round full moon. His peaceful face during meditation at the ashram, which she had carefully sneak peaked on. What a contrast with the sharpness he usually showed the world. She felt privileged to have witnessed this, up close and personal. She smiled faintly, thinking of his shocked and surprised facial expressions when she had kicked him. She had not only surprised him, but also herself. Her brothers would have been very proud of her, knowing the self defense lessons did not go to waste.
She wondered how it would feel to not fight Ranveer but to love him. To be loved by him. Love.. The thought of love and Ranveer in one sentence startled her. Did she love him? Could he possibly love her back? She looked up to the sky, expecting answers to be given to her. Why did she think of love? Clearly, he had offered her his hand in friendship. Friendship! The gift was a beautiful piece of jewelry, and proof of this new phase of their relationship.
She closed her eyes as she imagined his warm breath against her neck. Just like that day when she was handcuffed in his bedroom in the ashram and that bizarre evening in that haunted house. She sniffed her nose and tried to recall his scent.
Friendship? Such intimacy between just friends? She did not have that many friends, but she knew he was her only friend she felt for this strongly. Whatever it was, love or friendship, she knew she did not want to loose him.
Priyanka looked at the broche once more. A single tear escaped her eye and found its way down her cheek. She felt a stinging pain rise up through her chest. Literally, she could empathize with every brokenhearted soul or love song writer.
They have been through so much together in a short amount of time. The wild car chase and accident, suddenly reminded her of Svetlana and Dev again, which made her comeback to reality.
As clueless as she was about the time, she did realise she could not stay out in the garden much longer. The guards would make their rounds soon and spot her. Surely, that would get back to Shivaay bhaya and raise questions which was certainly not what she needed right now.
She got up to go back to her room. Still thinking of Ranveer's harsh words and the looks he gave her, Priyanka knew she had to convince him of her innocence and arrange Dev's release. Her priority was O bhaya, without a doubt. He had been through enough. He had sacrificed too much for her sake already. No more now! It was up to her to protect him. She had to make sure this all stopped. But how? She needed more time to think of a plan.
~~
Priyanka was not the only one who was having a sleepless night. After Ranveer left the Oberoi Mansion, he sat in his car for quite a while, barely being able to control his anger. Even more than anger it was disappointment he felt.
What the hell was I thinking? Was I even thinking? How could I allow myself to forget that this snob was involved in a crime, murdering my darling sister?'
He could not understand where and when exactly he let go of the idea that she was involved in this matter. All he knew now, is that he could not ignore the images he had seen on that TV screen! He could feel his blood boiling!
Disgusted by the idea of him wanting to play house with her! Get married and have babies with her! That stone cold hearted murderer! And a bloody good liar as well!! She tricked him. She tricked him well. Him! ACP Ranveer Singh Randhawa! He had fallen prey in her net of deceit.
Wake up Ranveer!! You allowed her to trick you! There is no one other than yourself to blame for this mess you are in!'
He slammed his hands on the steering wheel in anger. He leaned back with a deep sigh, coming from the depth of his soul. With his eyes closed, he tried to comprehend what exactly had happened in the past 24 hours.
After 2 years, he had finally allowed himself to enjoy the party and have fun again. All because of that beautiful enchanting creature, Priyanka Singh Oberoi.
Flashes of her lovable innocent face quickly ran through his mind. Her beautiful big wide eyes, surrounded by dark long lashes. Her thick long silky soft hair. She did look absolutely amazing tonight.
He did not allow himself to think of her. Not anymore. Not with the proof he was presented with this evening. He could not allow that.
Instead, fragments of the video popped up very clearly. He could see his sister, covered in blood, lying on the dark cold pavement, completely still. The brother - sister duo driving away after the accident. A typical hit-and-run case of which The Oberoi's thought to buy their way out!!
His hands held on to the steering wheel tightly. His jaws clenched together firmly. Clear signs of him trying to control the feeling of grief and rage. He started the car and raced off, with squealing tyres, leaving a trace of black tyre trails behind.
At home, Ranveer had too much adrenaline pumping through his blood, which he thought to punch out of his system on the boxing ball. There were just too many thoughts going through his mind. Questions. Questions. And more questions. Things didn't add up. There were still pieces of the puzzle missing.
Why didn't Priyanka tell the truth about her involvement in the car accident? Who is this Svetlana and why is she writing threat notes? If she is Dev's sister, why would she threaten her sister in law? Why does nobody have a picture of this woman? Priyanka reacted so surprised on Svetlana being Dev's sister. And then.. There is the mystery about the tapes.
Ah.. The tapes.. God, who knew little miss Oberoi would turn out to be such a great actress! With ease, he could recall her face, her expressions when she mentioned Dev did not steal the tapes. If he didn't know better, he probably would have believed her. Ranveer wondered whether he was angry with Priyanka or with himself for allowing himself to be tricked so easily by her.
It is not too late yet! I will get every detail out in the open. I will make Her Royal Highness confess! And then she can rot in jail for all I care!
Out of breath, with sweat drops glistening on his face and body
from his exercise on his punch bag to let go of steam, Ranveer called Shinde.
"Sir?
Shinde, I need you to arrange eyes and ears on Miss Oberoi until further notice. I want to know every little detail! Who she meets with, whom she speaks to, what she had for dinner, everything! Do you hear me?!'
~~~~
Without waiting for Shinde's affirmative reply, Ranveer hung up the phone and hit the showers, expecting the water to wash away and purify all the bad memories and images.
A deep sigh escaped his mouth, while he put away his phone. Sushanth knew the ACP had too much on his mind right now. He also knew that Ranveer's instincts about following (and protecting) Miss Oberoi were spot on. There was something peculiar about this case.
Sushanth requested a copy of the tape which had magically turned up today. Something just didn't feel right to Sushanth, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He figured he could investigate further at home.
While he waited, he reviewed the events of the past few hours. Literally, too much had happened! After two long years, finally proof was found on what happened to the ACP's sister. And of all people, Miss Oberoi turned out to be the culprit! What are the odds?'
Miss Oberoi had been his date for the evening. She is so friendly, so polite. Somehow I just cannot imagine her hurting anyone.'
His phone buzzed. It was a text from Nisha. He could not help it, but a smile appeared on his face.
Good night Sushanth. Thanks for the ride home and for being a perfect gentleman.'
Without hesitation he replied back to her:
Thought you were asleep already. Good night and sweet dreams, Miss Nisha.'
Nisha. He had to talk to here in the morning about Dev and Neha's friendship, Dev and Priyanka's engagement. Dev and Svetlana brother-sister jodi. Dev seemed to play a key role in this case.
Miss Oberoi trusts him. He would take it upon himself to stay close to her and try and get any leads. With a copy of the tape he left the police station. Considering the time, he would not get much sleep at all. He could better make himself useful and study the tape better for any clues.
~~~~
Ranveer entered the police station full fury. He had not slept much but that was not the reason for his bad mood. Shinde had notified him early morning that Priyanka had left the Oberoi Mansion and was headed towards the police station.
If she was going to meet Dev, he had to be there as well. How dare she? This was his turf! His domain! Not some fancy mansion you could walk in and out for a tea party! What was she thinking?
Sushanth followed his fast pace and walked beside him, to inform him of what had happened.
Sir, I arrived at 6 a.m. at the Oberoi Mansion only to find Miss Oberoi leave at 6.15 a.m. with her driver Anand. She met with Mr. Patel, who joined her to the police station.'
Ranveer looked annoyed yet surprised at Sushanth. Mr. Patel?' he asked, as he lifted an eyebrow.
Yes sir. Mr. Patel. Mr. Tushar Patel..' Sushanth paused briefly, but resumed after no reaction was given by Ranveer. Mr. Patel is the Oberoi's business lawyer. Quite notorious not to lose any case he puts his hands on.'
Ranveer felt his blood boiling again. He continued the last few steps towards the Commissioner's office, which he entered not so quietly.
Thank you Commissioner. I am glad you agreed that this was all based on a misunderstanding. I will make sure to get the rest of the paperwork processed and get Mr. Dev Chhabra home, safe and sound, where he belongs.'
Sir! What's going on here?!' Randhawa demanded an explanation. Did I hear this correctly? Is Dev Chhabra going home?'
Randhawa! Mind your tone please! Now sit down and I will explain to you what we have discussed!'
Mr. Patel and Priyanka left the Commissioner's office, without even once looking at Ranveer.
Ranveer, you know I like you but you have to mind your temper. I am afraid your emotions are clouding your judgment in this case. I have been informed that a tape has surfaced with incriminating proof in one of the older cases you are working on. That's amazing of course. Especially, if this is your sister's murder case, you are secretly working on..'
Ranveer remained silent for a change. The Commissioner continued:
I will ignore the fact that you disobeyed my orders Ranveer. Because I do understand you, trust me.. Still, you cannot hold Dev Chhabra in custody for a crime he technically did not commit. He is the co-owner of the Oberoi Grand Hotel. Why would he steal his own security tapes? It makes no sense, does it? So unless you come up with some other proof, we have to let him go.. For now..'
Ranveer had no other choice than to let Dev go. Sushanth joined Ranveer. They both watched them finalising the last formalities.
Miss Oberoi has proven herself to be a true Oberoi after all. Who would have thought she would win this round? Clever of her to involve Mr. Patel to free her loving caring cheating fiance from jail. I wonder whether her precious obnoxious brother knows about this. I know he is not a big fan of the Chhabra's.. I am serious Shinde. I need someone to keep an eye on her. She will not get away this time! She will have to pay for what she has done!'
~~~~
Flashback, Priyanka's bedroom.
Priyanka had returned to her room, after snooping around in Shivaay's study room. She had convinced herself this was the only way and she called the number which she had copied from Shivaay's phone book.
H-h-hello.. Mr. Patel?'
Yes? Who is this?'
(After taking a deep breath, she continued)
Mr Patel, this is P-p-priyanka.. Priyanka Oberoi.. I am very s-s-sorry to disturb you at this hour. But I had no other choice. P-p-please help me..'
She informed Tushar about Dev's situation, the blackmail and the consequences Omkara would face if Dev would remain in jail. Tushar agreed to help Priyanka and to meet her early morning.
Mr Patel, Shivaay bhaiya should not be informed. In fact, nobody can ever know..'
Back to the present.
Priyanka could feel his eyes following her. She tried her very best to ignore him but his hateful gaze pierced right through her. He would not understand her. She had no other choice than to resort to hiring fancy lawyers who could release clients from jail based on technicality issues. Something she despised, to misuse power and money. But her love for her O bhaya has no boundaries. He should not get hurt in any way. Omkara lied for her. Took the full blame and responsibility on him. Surely, she could do this much for him.
Dev gave Priyanka a big hug, which seemed to be a very intimate hug. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so happy you came to bail me out Priyanka.'
Dev.. I got you out of jail today. But you owe me some answers!' Priyanka whispered. I suggest you start with your sister!'
~~~~
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