Originally posted by: Abhyudaya
Chapter 18
“Sometimes distance is the only way to find peace.
So you can heal your wound.”
At Marine Drive
Sitting here at this time of the night when it’s almost empty is peaceful. The lightings provide a beautiful view. Turning around she saw Sejal sprawled on the floor with one arm under her head facing upwards with eyes-closed while Sia was sitting on her wheelchair looking towards the sea with a smile on her face. Then turning on the other side she saw the same two men a little further all alert and rolled her eyes. Seeing them now she remembered how scared she got when she saw them in The Quarter.
Flashback
At The Quarter
The night was in its full swing. The girls were having a gala time. It was after god knows how long it had been since she has enjoyed herself this much. Riddhima was having a time of her life. Though initially, she wasn’t really up for it now she was glad that she did agree to Sejal’s crazy plan. This night-out was a much-needed break that even she did not realize that somewhere she wanted it “But my Seju baby realized it awww” Riddhima thought musingly and with goggle eyes looked at Sejal exhibiting a wide smile showing her teeth visibly pretty much drunk.
Sejal who was enjoying the music played by a famous band turned on her side at the seat next to her on the left with a huge grin and looked at Riddhima feeling her gaze upon herself. One look at her and she quickly turned around. Then with a side glance, she peeked at her and then once again turned towards her slowly and with a nervous voice said
“Babes you are scaring me with that look on your face. You know I am a tomboy but do not sway the other way round. I understand after everything you must feel like there aren’t any nice men out there and suddenly you might have felt like changing your orientation and swing the other way.
I am sorry but I am pretty much straight. Even if I wouldn’t have been one or for your sake turned to the other side for you it still wouldn’t have worked between us for the other obvious reasons. Sorry babes.”
and finished with a sorrowful voice looking down. Riddhima who looked on confused at her all this while then widened her eyes as realization sunk in and flushed up with embarrassment.
“Trust this screwball to come up with the most outlandish conclusions. Good thing it’s too noisy for anyone to hear this psycho.” Riddhima thought gritting her teeth and glaring at her.
“Listen you wacko and put it in the peasized brain of yours. I was thinking of no such thing. Even if both of are the last people alive on this planet and pretty much single with broken hearts I will never think or want such a thing you daft.”
Riddhima hissed at Sejal going towards her with each word with a vein-popping on her side of the head and making Sejal back up getting scared. Then backing away from her with a frown on her face Riddhima said
“I am going to the loo to freshen up feeling a bit woozy.”
then turning towards her with narrowed eyes asked in a threatening voice
“Did you do something or have any hand in it?”
Wide-eyed Sejal shook her head furiously and with a nervous laugh, a
“No”
escaped her mouth confirming Riddhima’s doubts on her and making a snarl escape her mouth with malign. Then giving the last of her death glares to Sejal she left for the washroom.
Coming out of the washroom she saw one of those two men whom she saw before and doubted of following her. If she had any doubts before it was gone and now she was pretty sure they were being followed. The realization sent a shiver down her body with fear gripping her heart.
She started walking faster to reach her seat maybe in between people and crowd she'll be safe only then man increased their pace in coordination with hers. Sweating and terrified she started running and hid behind a wall and peeked from there and looked for him only to find the other guy had joined him too. The men were standing there right in front of there looking on either side searching for her for sure.
What if they were some kind of hired goons or worse some perverts out there to have their ways with them and waiting for the right opportunity? All kinds of thoughts started whirling in her head and suddenly returning to her seat and going back to girls did not seem like a nice idea. What if they harmed Sia and Sejal. Sejal is a strong, tough, and courageous girl but what can she do if the time arises and these two men are huge and well-built not to mention both she and Sejal both of them are slightly drunk too thanks to Sej not in the best condition to fight. Then Sia that poor sweet girl is too delicate though she is strong but still in a wheelchair. She is the most vulnerable ones among them and won’t be able to defend herself with her full potential and power. If something happened to her what and how would she answer Dadi and the rest of the family?
What should she do there was no one near as well. Whom should she call for help? Had it been a few months before it would have been Kabir or a little recent too it would have been Vansh but now she doesn’t trust either of them. She also doubts either of them would care as well. Then a name came to her mind one person she could trust blindly no matter what part of the world he might be would always come to her rescue and protect her Ridhay. Even if he wouldn’t be there physically himself but for him, nothing is impossible he will for sure protect them.
Quickly fishing out her mobile she dialled his number as soon as he picked up his phone she relayed her situation and everything to him.
“Just give me a moment and stay hidden.”
She heard him say with a concern that he was trying to hide hard and somewhat furious too. She can sense his anger from there and be sure a vein might just burst inside him sensing his anger. She heard a little shuffling and his voice murmuring and some threatening to someone something in the background. Then he came back and said
“Alright, I am right now with one of my men he along with another man is searching for you they are present there only. Put your phone for a conference call. I am dialling his number tell him your exact location and don’t worry.”
Ridhay instructed her and she did exactly that while the phone was ringing in the meantime she peeped and saw one of the men was talking on the phone and looked a little tense.
Then the phone was picked up and she saw the other man picking up his phone who was standing in front of her and whose mobile was ringing.
That’s strange Riddhima thought with a frown on her face. Turning back she saw a rod on the floor a little further from her. Holding it she sat straighter and a little more confident now while she communicated with the guy on the phone about her location and situation.
“That’s weird we are standing right on the spot but can’t see anyone neither ma’am nor any guys.”
The man said sounding confused and the men standing in front of her started looking around more fervently after exchanging few words with each other which were inaudible to her.
Riddhima stood upholding the rod a little tighter in her hand and charged headfast towards the men. Noticing her men head back nearly escaping a hit from her and shouted
“It’s us”
together making her stop with hands raised in mid-air to take a swing at them again.
For a moment everything and everyone went still and a pin drop silence took place.
“What”
Riddhima and Ridhay shouted together realization sinking into all the 4 people that the men that Riddhima mentioned and got scared were none other than Ridhay’s men? Feeling annoyed she asked
“Ridhay Singh Randhawa what’s going on here? Why are your men following us from the time we left home?”
while her temper rising up with thought what’s up with people all she wanted was a night of relaxation and enjoyment away from everyone can’t she have that without people keeping a tab on her.
“Listen relax okay Sejal messaged me about your guy's plan and I just want to keep you guys safe and out of trouble. Hence asked my men to keep an eye on you guys and interfere only if needed otherwise leave you guys alone. I asked them to be discreet fools scared you instead.”
Ridhay tried to explain knowing very well Riddhima was angry and if his men were right probably somewhat tipsy too not too much will be fine by morning.
“Relax listen we were doing just fine alright and what were you exactly trying to protect us with? It was rather your men that freaked me out. Do you have any idea how scared no terrified I got? How many terrible thoughts were coming into my mind? We would have asked for your help had something wrong would have gone there was no need for you to make your people shadow around with us.”
Riddhima shouted feeling frustrated.
“Do you even realize how unsafe it is to go out at night for three young girls? Anything could happen and not to mention it's Sejal there with you who tends to go wild and how quickly things go downwards from there. Do I need to remind you about the past incidents whenever you two have landed yourselves in trouble and/or had created a mess out there? I am sorry but unlike that husband, of yours I won’t wait for another mishap to happen with you, I would take action in the first situation itself to put a full stop to it so that it doesn’t occur again. In fact, I won’t give chance for the first instance to occur I will take actions beforehand itself to prevent anything unfortunate to take place with you. So forgive me if I went a little overboard in my quest to keep you and those two girls you are out with safety.”
Ridhay ranted out feeling pissed and making Riddhima feel a little guilty as well for shouting at him thinking to say sorry she began.
Then before she could apologize he cut the call. She stared at her phone for a few seconds then turning around towards the men and said in her deadpan voice
“At least be discreet now. He sent you two to protect us not scare us off. The other two girls don’t know about you both though not much sure about Sejal the other girl doesn’t. Whatever just make sure to stay low-key.”
Flashback Ends
She got scared and that too for no reason. Then again it wasn’t her fault it’s the man who sent them behind us to be blamed. Thinking about him she felt upset. She hated fighting with him but then they never really fight much. This was the first time they have fought.
Unknown to her on the other side of the world the said man’s condition was no better.
He hated shouting at her but what to do he was shit scared when she called him and asked for his help saying some men are following. He feared for her and Sejal and the very reason he sent his two men with them. He was annoyed to think that the men failed the very reason they were sent there and could not do it. He leaned on his chair closing his eyes.
********
Laying there on the ground feeling the sea breeze it was peaceful a certain kind of calmness engulfed her. She felt bad for engaging in an argument with Ridhay. Eventually, she will apologize to him but for now, she doesn’t want to think about anyone else or anything else. For now, she just wants to live in the moment. Hence that what she is going to do live in the moment.
*********
The Oberoi Mumbai
Today it was a huge moment for every person present in the hall there. It wasn’t just the most prestigious project of their life that they are here for which will give them international exposure in the global market. It was also the first time they’ll be seeing the mighty Sakshi Randhawa Shergill. The woman in question was seated at the centre stage with her business executives seated on either side of her engrossed in a conversation with them.
A huge screen was present at the back. It was known that her nephew Ridhay Singh Randhawa was the CEO of Randhawa and Shergill Groups and hence he was the one who was expected to be here. It wasn’t much known to people that the lady herself was the very much active part of the businesses owned by the family. Hence it came as a surprise for everyone present there when they saw the woman walk in there clad in an expensive saree with her men in business suits. There was an aura surrounding her that commands respect.
The elegance and grace with which she was carrying herself could put top models to the shame. There were tables and chairs set and the majority of it was occupied. On the back of the hall on one side was a buffet and on the other was a bar set for after drinks. Besides the lady herself, the other person who was the centre of attention was Vansh Rai Singhania. Looking at him with the man himself present there to compete put every other person down in dejection. The mere presence of him made everyone sure of the result and to whom the contract will go.
After the initial presentation and giving a general introduction about the project and few announcements the lady stood up and went to the podium to announce the receiver of the tender and company who is going to sign the prestigious contract.
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen it's so good to have all you people here. This project as you all might realize is going to be huge and is also very important for my son Ridhay and our family. Hence whichever one of you is going to work with us in the future we had to be sure are the best of the bests. Hence we personally selected the companies and people who could apply for this contract. Everyone who is present here is the bests at what they do may the best man win. So without wasting time any further let’s make the announcement you all have been waiting for. So the contract goes to Singhal Groups. Please join us here.”
Hearing her stunned silence took place no one was prepared for it. Everyone was sure the project will go to Rai Singhanias so how come this? They wondered then coming back to senses sounds of claps rang in the hall.
The man in his late 50’s Mr Singhal went on the stage and shook his hands with the lady. The happiness was evident on his face that was beaming with the kind eyes of the old man.
“Congratulations,”
Sakshi said with a smile congratulating with a handshake.
Then turning forwards continued
“All of you were pretty good but one of you was quite interesting. One company instead of presenting their proposal for an aerospace project felt like submitted a school project. I must say I am impressed shows how sincere they were with this. Some VR Industries it was.”
Any sensible present there could detect the underline sarcasm that was present there in the woman's statement. Some chuckles were heard and some side glances were thrown in the direction of the might Rai Singhanias.
Never in his life had he felt this kind of humiliation before. Today not he just lost the deal with Randhawas but also felt insulted and embarrassed for what happened in the hall. In front of all huge business mongrels that were present and competing with each other for the aerospace project with the Randhawa's.
First, he wasn’t able to come to terms that he lost the contract to Mr Singhal. No, he wasn’t the sore loser Mr Singhal was the kind man and the leader of this field in his motherland and continent. He was the only man he wouldn’t have minded losing this contract to though that does not mean he isn’t extremely disappointed. What shocked him was Mrs Shergill’s statement regarding his project. What does she meant by it felt like some child's school project work? He along with Angre, Chachu, and Aryan had worked hard for this deal. He was pretty confident about his win though losing was a faint possibility but this? He looked beside him to his side at Angre, Chachu, and Aryan who were looking back at him looking as confused, shocked, and embarrassed.
He knew this kind of statement could and is going to cost him in the future. Their proposal had not been just rejected but also was termed as childish. It could possibly mean that in the future no company would like to work with them and the chances of making it big in the international market and in this field are slimmer.
He left from there and was marching back and forth agitated outside of the hall agitated.
After a while, he saw Sakshi Shergill leaving from the other side and back of the hall. Approaching her, he said
“Excuse me”
making her turn around towards him.
“Mrs Shergill hello, I am Vansh RaiSinghania. I am the owner of the VR Industries you mentioned in there. May I know why you have thought of it as some child’s play? Agreed it may not have been the best one out there but definitely not the worst and for sure not some child's project for school had been submitted to you. Don’t you feel you had been rather harsh than necessary?”
Vansh said with confidence and the self-assurance that was oozing out of him did make a smile escape on Sakshi’s lips.
The lady was no fool though she can sense and like the confidence and self-assurance displayed by the man standing in front of her she could also sense the arrogance and ego held by the man.
“Are you sure about it?”
the woman asked in a calm and composed voice with a raised eye-brows and a mysterious smirk displaying on her face as if she was amused at what she was seeing.
Vansh would be lying if he said he didn’t felt a bit intimidated by the woman. Her eyes were knowing as if she knew a lot more than she was letting on.
Still looking at him she without saying a word held her hand out and a file was handed over to her than forwarding it towards him and handing it to him continued saying
“Please have a look at it yourself and tell me does it look like a proposal from a top business house for a prestigious project or rather some joke?”
Confused he looked at it and was shocked to realize it wasn’t the file and proposal he along with the men of his family prepared. It indeed looked like some child’s school project for holiday homework. “But how is it possible. It could only mean they have been sabotaged by someone deliberately” he thought realization sinking in he was seething in anger but composed himself in front of the woman. Looking up towards her, he said
“I apologize it seems the file has been exchanged.”
an edge in his voice could be heard making Sakshi realize the situation.
“Well, you should be. You should have been more careful. One should always be careful often betrayal comes from the places we don’t expect and in the ways, we never thought of possible.”
Sakshi said though Vansh assumed she understood his situation but why doit felt like it was also directed towards him and was not just a piece of advice given to him. As if he did something wrong in her eyes then she continued
“And no Mr Rai Singhania I wasn’t even half harsh as I should have been. A message needed to be sent that no matter whom no one will be spared if they as much as dared mess with what is/are important for us, for me, my family and most importantly my kids.”
with something, Vansh could not understand but it for sure sent a red alert in his head like as if he crossed a line. Not saying a word further she left from there leaving him tensed. He would deal with everything else later, for now, he needs to find the person responsible for this he thought raging from inside. God save the person whoever it might be from his wrath.
Written by: @BhataktiAtma
Contributed by: @Abhyudaya
Until next update, be safe, kind and courageous :)
