Chapter 06
Vardan Raisinghania was no fool. He looked at the contract paper and sighed. He never really wanted to get involved in another woman after Uma but seems like fate has some different plan. Vardan closed his eyes and thought about his wife, Uma. He loved her. He might have not been emotionally available to her always, but he did care. He loved her when he saw her for the very first time. Since then this woman holds a place in his heart that no one will ever will. She was a dream to achieve. But as soon as reality came into picture everything changed. He moved on but Uma lived in that fairytale. He got busy with work, making a name out of them but in the process he lost Uma. Uma kept demanding time from him which he was unable to give. But never he thought Uma would find happiness somewhere outside. Yes, it was Uma who did infidelity in the relationship but not him. This truth is known to only his mother and him. Something his children, specially Vansh would never know. Vansh worshipped his mother and to let him know this truth means to break him down to ashes and Vardan would never do that. Vansh always was bit aloof from him, why take the ideal parent from him. Vardan smiled in sadness. He loved his son to death. Something Vansh would never know or understand. And whatever he is doing now is only because he can give a stable family to Vansh. He knew Vansh was capable of handling himself. But he needs to grow more. He is needed to be pushed. To be the protector of this family. And that would only happen when he wouldn’t stay as the mamma’s boy anymore. Vardan hated for being this way with his own son, but he faced the same cruelty from his father and this is the only way he knows.
Vardan took a final look at the pre-nuptial paper in his hand. He cursed himself for getting involved with Anupriya. Now that she is pregnant, he had to marry her. He would have asked to abort the kid if only his mother didn’t intervene. But Vardan was no fool. He was very well aware of the son Anupriya has and how he could be a threat to Vansh. So he drew up this nuptial. According to this contract, Anupriya will be his wife and heir to his property. But her son Kabir wouldn’t be a part of the family, neither he would receive the family name. He would transfer money in Anupriya’s account for Kabir’s upbringing. He would face no problem in his life financially and visit them occasionally but he would never be a Raisingania or a direct heir to the estate. He had to set the limit. His Vansh would rise above all and Vardan would ensure no one comes in the way.
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Riddhima looked impatiently at the calendar. It has been two weeks since she received a letter. Though they have been exchanging letters only for two months now, but it never happened that she didn’t receive a weekly letter. It surprises Riddhima how i na short span of time she got so used to talking to him. She waits the entire week to receive a letter and can’t wait enough to write him back. But for the first time she didn’t receive any letter last week. She brushed it off thinking might be delayed due to transportation or any other reason. But when it was more than 15 days, her patience was hitting a new low.
Is he okay ? Riddhima thought.
Should I write him again ? But won’t I look desperate ?
Riddhima’s chain of thought came to a halt when mami called her. Taking a deep sigh, she went back to inside home.
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Vansh looked at the letter one more time. Should he post it ? When he wrote the letter he was in a huge emotional turmoil. Not that he isn’t now. But then again, should he put his heart open like this to a stranger ? Then again, isn’t it the first rule of their friendship ?
Vansh groaned in frustration. Why this is so difficult? Why things had to get so difficult? Why things could never go peacefully. He still couldn’t believe his father married Anupriya aunty. She is officially their mother now. The moment he was getting settled in his life, a life without his mother is the moment it went into a toss again. He was angry at his mother , but that doesn’t mean he would give her place to anyone else. Vansh wasn’t a kid not to understand why his fathermarried Anupriya aunty and for that he could never forgive his father. If Vansh hated his father earlier, he now loathes him. His father would pay for this. Vansh could only see red. Whatever attachment he had for his father was gone. Now it's time for him to rise above him.
Vansh looked at the letter at his hand again. Among all these, could he really afford to be this vulnerable to anyone? Would it be a wise decision? But could he live without it? Is this is the only ally he is left with?
Vansh closed his eyes for a minute. The decision had to be made, and it was needed to be made now.
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RIddhima stood in front of the post office again. It has been three weeks she didn’t receive any letter. She came almost everyday to check but returned with disappointment. She was hesitating whether she should enter or not. She had initially thought not to visit the post office today as she was sure to get disappointed again.
May be Mr. Odvhut doesn’t want to continue their interaction any more.
But wasn’t she really getting a new friend with whom she could talk about anything and everything ?
But when was luck in favor of hers?
But there was something that was pulling her towards the same destination she had decided to avoid. May be she should take another chance.
And Riddhima wasn’t disappointed. The moment she opened her box, there laid a brown envelope containing his name. A handwriting she is now absolutely familiar with. Riddhima couldn’t help but have a full blown smile on her face. She was about to sprint off the post office when someone from the back called her.
Riddhima beta !
Aree, Ramesh uncle, how are you? Riddhima gleefully looked at the middle aged man.
Ramesh Kaka was not only an officer at the post office, he was also a family friend to them. Often being seen with her Mama, Riddhima was really dear to him.
I am fine. Looks like Animesh's letter has arrived.
Riddhima bit inside her mouth not to give away her expression. She just couldn’t tell Ramesh uncle that she was receiving letter from a stranger.
Yes, I was just about to go.
Wait, you have something else to collect.
What ? Riddhima confusingly asked.
Well, you have a parcel…
Ramesh stopped and took a deep breathe before continuing
It’s from Rajshathan.
All the smiles Riddhima had wiped out of her face at once.
Mr. Rajvansh !
Riddhima clutched the side of her dress too tightly and muttered mutely.
She was too happy for past two months. It was time for coming back to reality
The reality of her parents. The reality of her existence. The reality of her very being.
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Here goes chapter 6. Didn't include the letter in here as it would have a long continuation and didn't want to break it in between.
Do let me know if I am wasting too much time in build up. Looks like I am unable to relate the story with its essence as my version of Riddhima and Vansh is really young and absolutely away from each other. So readers are unable to connect😭
But I promise they will grow up soon. May be by chapter 12/13.
Kindly be patient will then 😭
Do let me know about your views.