Chapter 14
Our wounds are often the openings
into the best and most beautiful part of us.
“So, what genre?”
asked Sejal munching on a handful of popcorns.
“I don’t know horror, thriller, and comedy or… wait I got it. Let's watch the Sherlock Holmes series. What say?”
Riddhima said with a beaming face.
With a smirk, Sejal replied
“Good choice babes. Let’s go to Netflix.”
********
“Welcome, Mr Rai Singhania.”
The manager said forwarding his hands for the handshake towards Vansh.
Taking his hand for a shake Vansh asked:
“Did you do the arrangements I asked for?”
“Yes sir, please come in as you asked for complete privacy. We booked the entire lounge for you and the beautiful lady. We have set the table for two if you could follow us.”
Saying so manager directed the couple to the lounge.
“Wow, this is gorgeous,”
Ragini said amazed looking at the beautiful decorations.
“You liked it?”
Vansh asked Ragini expectantly.
“Of course I loved it. It is exactly my taste. Wait you did it right?”
with a smile on her face, Ragini asked concluding.
“Let’s go,”
Vansh said and moving towards their table moved a chair for Ragini who with a smile accepted it.
******
“No no no noooooooooo. Come on you loser.”
Shouting at the screen Sejal threw popcorns that she held in her fist at the screen.
“You know what let’s take a break. I am so pissed right now.”
Riddhima said with annoyance in her voice. Things were not going so well for her not Sejal but her. Sejal was enjoying to the fullest and was engrossed in the basketball match entirely.
How did they end up watching a basketball match from the Sherlock Holmes series you may ask? Well, you see when you have Sejal Shergill as your all-night binge-watching partner don’t be surprised if things go off as you planned. So just when they started to watch the series Ms Shergill remembered about a basketball match that she was to come and Sejal wanted to watch it live.
Riddhima was fine by that it anyway wasn’t going to go on for long so she was cool. The problem itself wasn’t watching the match; the problem was while Sejal was watching the match Riddhima decided to had a face mask on, pamper herself up and relax for a while, and that would have been the case had not every two minutes popcorns would come flying at her with a loud shout from her companion.
Finally getting irked Riddhima switched off the TV making Sejalsat up alert and before she can argue and say anything to oppose Sejal’s cellphone rang halting her.
Without looking at the call and still glaring at Riddhima who looked like she doesn’t give a damn Sejal picked it up and said
“Yo wassup?”
Hearing the person on the other side was enough to bring her out of her glaring session and sit straight.
“All right here she is.”
Saying so Sejal forwarded the phone towards Riddhima and said:
“Bro wants to talk to you.”
Taking the cell from her while still shaking her head at Sejal, Riddhima putting the mobile near her ears said
“Hi, What’s wrong? You are calling so late. Is everything okay? Are you okay?"
inquiringly earning an eye roll from Sejal.
A rare smile adored Ridhay’s face on the other side hearing her concern for him.
“Shouldn’t I ask that question from you that are you okay? Sejal called me before and told me what happened. So tell me are you okay?”
Ridhay asked while barely keeping his own concern for Riddhima hidden from her not wanting to trouble her more than she already is.
“I am fine don’t worry. This was supposed to be a fun night when this brat here ruined it.”
Riddhima said complainingly sounding adorable and bringing a smile on Ridhay’s face and peace to his heart.
“Do you want me to straighten her up? I can do that. Isn’t that is what big brothers are for? Small, little perks of being one.”
he asked her with a light-hearted chuckle.
“Naah brat is annoying but lovable one none the less. I’ll handle her.”
Riddhima replied with a fun and light-hearted, voice and smile of her own.
“So how’s the weather in the US? Are you free now?”
asked Riddhima with a smile.
“It’s cold. The weather here is freezing. The winter has arrived here and I just finished up a meeting and got a break before the next one begins in 10 minutes, and before you ask yes I had my lunch and did not miss my meals.”
Ridhay said informingly and getting a
“Good”
in reply.
“Okay, listen I’ll have to go now. I will call you later but if you need anything just give me a call. No matter how busy I get I will always have time for you so don’t hesitate all right? Enjoy your fun night with the she-devil.”
Said Ridhay getting a
“Yeah, all right. Bye,”
and with his own
“Bye,”
he cuts the call.
Throwing the phone at Sejal, turning around, and looking in the mirror of vanity Riddhima said:
“He is far nicer than you and so not annoying.”
But before Sejal can come up with her own comeback they heard a voice and came out of the room.
Standing at the railing of the upper floor where Sejal’s room was situated both girls looked down. And saw a very much haggard, dishevelled, and pissed off looking Vansh come in. Followed by Ragini who though looked a little pale but overall fine exhibited an equally annoyed look on her face marched in and without saying a word she went straight to her room.
Turning around Riddhima saw a devilish smile on Sejal’s face. Narrowing her eyes at her in a suspicious voice she asked
“What did you do?”
making Sejal’s devilish smile even broad and getting a
“Let’s go inside the room first.”
Following her inside unsure and dreading Riddhimaasked once again
“So what exactly did you do?”
only to get a diabolical laugh in return making her own eyes widen in return.
********
“Disaster was a complete disaster. The date that was supposed to be a romantic getaway and a new beginning ended up in a complete disaster to an extent that he wouldn’t go for an outing so forget about a date anytime soon. Who knows who he might end up meeting there to ruin everything next time?”
Vansh thought with dismay and then remembered the array of misfortunes that took place not long ago.
For starters just when he and Ragini took their seats, Mr Ahuja, an old business associate entered there and mind you not alone but with his huge family of 10 people.
Apparently, he saw him entering and followed him till here. Then for the next four hours, Vansh was stuck in between Mr Ahuja and his widowed, over-weighted, and pretty much sexually starved daughter-in-law who was eyeing Vansh making him uncomfortable and mind you who was his mother's age, and Mr Ahuja’s 8 months great-grandchild in Vansh’s lap who for some godforsaken reason cannot stop crying.
Ragini you may ask well she was pushed to the other end of the table with Mr Ahuja’s grandson who was continuously flirting with Ragini. The table that was supposed to be for two of them alone was moved and the date turned into a full family dinner of Ahujas with him and Ragini as the guest????
Now one must wonder how come all of it was possible with Vansh Rai Singhania. Well, you see Mr Ahuja was an old friend of his grandfather and a close family friend besides being his one of the most important business associate. So he can’t really do anything here also since his wedding news was on papers on people knew Riddhima was his wife so he can’t stop Mr Ahuja’s grandson from flirting with Ragini as well. Since according to them Ragini was an old friend with whom he was meeting after ages and needed to catch up and hence was here with her also very much single much to the delight of Mr Ahuja’s grandson at least that what he was told by both him and Ragini.
Then once dinner was over and the family left, not before the grandson giving his number to Ragini; and daughter-in-law giving a hug to Vansh being too touchy making him uncomfortable.
After they left Vansh decided to at least cut a cake and have a dance with Ragini. Make the best out of whatever time they have left.
But alas the music which was supposed to be a romantic number by Beethoven ended up being mixed up with other music. Which music you may ask? Well instead of playing Beethoven they ended up playing Darth Vader Imperial March.
Then came the cake which let’s say seeing Ragini ended up vomiting and getting sick. It was a cake made for a Halloween party going down and by mistake got exchanged. By the time their own cake came, they didn't felt like eating it. Since Ragini did not felt very nice and was feeling slightly sick they decided to head back home.
Then the final calamity happened the route which they had to take to reach home was blocked because of some accident occurred there. So they had to take another route which was longer and more isolated not much problem normally only if his car hadn’t broken down in the middle of anywhere and with no mobile signals. It’s not easy to push your car for 25kms alone to reach your home.
Vansh thought with exasperated and helpless.
********
Eyes popped out, jaws touching the floor and with disbelief written on her face, Riddhima stared at Sejal. For a moment she felt it wasn’t her friend but a demon who was sitting in front of her.
“She would never want to be on her bad books.”
Riddhima thought with a shudder.
“So, how did you exactly managed it, and did he really pushed his car for 25kms and came here?”
Riddhima asked with incredulity in her voice and face clearly visible also depicting her state.
“Wasn’t tough especially when the restaurant they went to was from one of the branches of Shergill Restaurant Chains. Little instructions to the manager from upper management to become blind and deaf for today to a few mishaps that were to occur and also one of my friends work therein staff. So pretty easy though I agree Ahujas was a pleasant surprise for me as well that is also why Vanshi boy got saved from the other surprises that I planned for him. Then the valet was also instructed to misguide him and sent him in another direction.”
Sejal said laughing maniacally.
Though Vansh did not have the date he planned for but Riddhima and Sejal went for a double date with Sherlock and Watson. It was pretty fun from thereon.
*******
Next day at the dining table
Everyone was gathered there when Riddhima and Ragini came there together. Vansh seeing Ragini offered her the seat beside him ignoring Riddhima. Giving a bright smile to him, Ragini accepted the seat while Riddhima felt a little hurt but not much went to the other side and sat beside Sejal who was sitting in the furthest end and was glaring unabashedly to Vansh. Then turning towards Riddhima, Sejal gave her a huge smile almost looking lunatic making Riddhima pause in the process blinking her eyes and give an unsure smile back to her.
“Why is she so weird?”
Riddhima thought sceptically.
He was always the sensible one among all her grandkids and at times even in comparison to her kids. Though looking at him these days she had started to doubt everything she had ever thought about him. Heck, she has started questioning even his upbringing now. What has gotten into her eldest grandchild she wondered? Chandrika Rai Singhania did not like what was going on one bit and one of these days she is going to burst up at him.
Irked at her grandson she continued to have her meal.
“So Vansh we have to be very prepared for the Randhawa deal. We are comparatively new in this field compared to our competitors. Everyone will try to give their best and will aim for it nothing less.”
Rudra chachu said grabbing everyone’s attention successfully.
“Also I have heard Ridhay is not going to make things easy this time for anyone.”
Rudra continued making Sejal and Riddhima share a look with each other at the mention of the Ridhay Singh Randhawa.
“Yes, Chachu this is going to be a multibillion-dollar project, and also if we succeeded it will give us international exposure and will also broaden our reach in the global market. You are right about Ridhaythough. He is a tough nut to crack. It won’t be easy but we can pull this off I am sure of it. How far have we reached though?”
“Who are you talking about Bhai? Who is this RidhayRandhawa you are talking about? Wait, is it that Ridhay Randhawa the world-famous one?”
asked Ishani all excited.
“Yes, Ishani the very same one,”
answered Vansh with a half-smile.
“Well, I must say he is pretty hot. I wish I could have ended up marrying him or someone like him but here I am.”
Ishani commented with a smirk and then giving once over to Angre putting him down making him look down feeling bad.
“But it wasn’t new Ishani was like that he knew. He wasn’t expecting any better so shouldn’t be surprised and he wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean that her snide remarks don't hurt.”
thought Angre playing with his food and eating slowly.
Sejal on the other hand cough and then gag in disgust. Since no one really cares much so no one really noticed the disgust on Sejal’s face and thought it to be the normal case of food getting stuck.
Thank god for that but it’s not very easy to hear something like that about your brother from someone like Ishani. Normal bimbos, she can handle it’s nothing new, in fact, she had heard far more crude comments about her brother but Ishani? Just imagining her with her brother was enough to give her nightmares while Riddhima didn’t know how to react.
One thing though she was sure she did not like it one bit. Sitting like a statue for a minute wide-eyed still processing what she heard she was glad for the people here being so ignorant for once.
“So you guys going to work with him?”
Ishani asked enthusiastically and then continued wishfully and daydreamingly
“I wish I could meet him someday.”
Hearing Ishani, Sejal scoffed with a wave of her hand. Thank goodness that at that very exact moment Vansh started talking and no one heard or saw Sejal.
“If we managed to get this deal then yes maybe your wish will come true to meet him,”
Vansh said with a smile at her.
******
This cannot happen first Riddhima now Ragini. How can both his pawns go out of his hands and against him? No no no he has worked too hard for years to lose now. He can’t, he can’t lose like this. He has to do something and fast. Riddhima he has not many hopes regarding her so Ragini it would have to be. Riddhima two years he had spent after her. He wouldn’t have let her go had Ragini not showed up but for now, he has to for his plans to work.
He still remembered how things went down from the day he came to arrest Vansh for Ragini’s murder charges. The confrontation they had and then finally break up. Oh, he remembered.
Flashback
He was pissed hell at as he was furious to be precise at Riddhima. How dare she ruin his plans? He was sure to protect Ragini, Vansh would not bring her out in the open but not for once he thought what if Riddhima end up bringing her?
Wanting to give her a piece of his mind he called her. Once she picked up the call he asked her a little impatient
“What was that Riddhima? What were you thinking about bringing Ragini and why did you not informed me about her whereabouts before? If you knew where she was why you did not inform me? When yesterday I asked you if you got to know anything you denied it and said if you get to know anything you’ll let me know. You lied to me.”
By the end, he snarled at her.
“Don’t you dare use that tone on me, Kabir? Forget about me and let’s talk about you. You very well knew that Ragini was alive and do not try to deny it. I myself informed you. So on what grounds did, you came to arrest Vansh when you very well knew he was innocent. I did not lie to you but you?? What games are you playing? One night I talk to you and the next day you come to my home to arrest my husband on false charges? Thank god while Sia called me and while returning home I got to know Ragini’s location and brought her there.”
Riddhima disconnected the call after that and from there on started his and her relations downfall. She did not pick up any of his calls or tried to contact him for the next few days. Then one fine day she came to him and severed all the ties with him and broke up with him. She confessed her feelings for Vansh. Since there wasn’t anything illegal about his work she decided to discontinue all her spying and doubting and expressed her desire to start afresh with Vansh.
Flashback ends
“Ragini now all my dreams are dependent on you. Now anyhow I need to bring those feelings back for me which you held three years ago. The obsession you had for me needs to waken up once more.”
Kabir said to himself determined.
******
Lying on the bed beside Sejal in her room, remembering everything that happened today at the dining table and that has been going on all this while Riddhima came to decision. Turning towards Sejal she decided to relay about it to her.
“Sejal?”
“Hmm”
“I have decided something. I mean sooner or later it is bound to happen so why not now?”
Riddhima informed her and mumbled the last part a bit to her but was loud enough for Sejal to hear it.
“What?”
“I am divorcing Vansh”
Riddhima dropped the bomb-making Sejal jump up and sit straight on the bed.
Written by: @BhataktiAtma
Contributed by: @Abhyudaya
Until next update - be safe, kind and courageous :)
Chapter 15 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5187277?pn=103#155055297
Edited by Abhyudaya - 4 years ago
