Riansh FF, ZEAL OF LOVE. THREAD-2, Chap 11,12 up pg3, 5th Jul 2022 - Page 2

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Chapter- 9

Third Person's Point of View

"Press conference? Not bad, Siya!" His chuckle reached out to Rudra who was standing next to him.

"Aren't you shocked, Vansh? She is planning it since we don't know when and you are having fun? What if-" His voice interrupted.

"Come on, Rudra uncle! Whats the benefit of having spies on her then? Keeping a track is all we need and have to. Don't you think?" Vansh grinned looking at Rudra's understanding face.

"So, what's next?" Rudra's face lit up with Vansh's grin.

"Well, spoiling it. Of course!" His eyes were on his uncle, who was smiling satisfactorily and gazing outside the window.

The night of outside world was getting deeper and darker along with Vansh's cynical eyes.

*********

"You have to come, Mr. Rai Singhania." The man in his black outfits, standing near him said in cold voice.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" Kabir asked perplexedly, seeing these men blocking his apartment entrance.

"Mr. Rai Singhania has asked for your presence by any means. He even allowed us to use physical force on you." Another man replied with same voice and expression.

"Vansh?" He murmured under his breath, while observing his surroundings.

Everyone was looking at them with curious eyes. Couldn't letting anyone creating a scene, he kept his cool demeanour while answering the men.

"Let me gather my things." Seeing their nodding heads, he went inside his room to collect.

Afterwards he found himself sitting on the backseat of a white, luxurious car along with those men. He looked at his phone. Morning 7 o'clock of Sunday. The car started its engine leaving the place smoothly.

May be it is the beginning.

His eyes were on the road; mind was in deeper thoughts.

********

"Aren't you going home today?" Angre said drinking the last peg of champagne.

"No. I need some relaxation." Vansh replied sitting next to his best friend.

"Hah! Got rejected? Good for you." His sarcastic voice grabbed Vansh's attention.

"I didn't even confess." He voiced out his thought.

"Oh! It's even Better!" Angre rolled his eyes, making Vansh more confused and annoyed.

"Hey! Did I cross something to you?" He almost yelled, but Angre didn't even give him a glance of pity.

Because of you I can't even let my angel know...

Angre's thought in his head was getting wilder.

"Fine! I'm leaving. I can't lose my brain cells being next to you." Vansh got up from his chair, preparing himself to leave this bar.

"Confess! It's better regretting things after doing, rather than never doing at all." Angre's statement left Vansh speechless.

This guy surprisingly could be smart sometimes!

Vansh smiled gazing at his best friend who was ordering another peg for tonight.

********

Vansh's Point Of View

I came back to my warehouse at 3 o'clock of dawn. I didn't want to go home tonight after it. Angre was still at our regular bar, not wanting me to bother him more. For a week mainly, he was behaving weirdly with me. Being rude and sardonic for literally no reason.

What's wrong with this nutcase?

"Confess! It's better regretting things after doing rather than never doing at all."

"Well, he helped me too!" I murmured remembering his advice.

To be honest, I was really upset after meeting her blind date, Manash Kudra. However, not anymore. It was her 'blind' date. As expected, it was blind in information, not in love. Then why wouldn't I take my chance with her? I smirked thanking my dear nutjob, Angre for being wise out of the blue.

"I'm going to confess today, my dear Riddhima Kapoor!" I was dancing in my mind, thinking about the event today morning.

°°°°°°°°

Sunday, 2 o'clock. The weather was clean and pleasant. I was waiting for Riddhima at that café. Even though I was confident before, I had started feeling a bit tense afterwards. It would be just like a proposal of deal right?

JINGLE.

I looked up to the entrance and found my heart robber in a peach, floral, long dress entering the café. My eyes got stucked in her angelic face; her brown eyes found me; lips turned upwards.

"Hello, Mr. Singhania! Good afternoon! So, what were you talking about on phone?" Her bariton voice broke my trance; I found my heart beating faster.

Yes, I'm telling you, Angel.

"Is there anything about our company's-"

"I love you!" Interrupting her, I blurted out loudly.

A brief moment passed. Her eyes turned wider. I tooked the lead again.

"I have fallen in love with you, Riddhima. Love at first sight it is and there is no turning back for me." I finished my confession gazing at her shocked eyes.

********

Riddhima's Point Of View

"So, that's it? You ate, talked random banking stuffs and came back? How boring! Are you even my sister?" Sejal's voice cracked me up.

"Then what should I suppose do? Making out with him at the restroom?" I smirked, while organising my stuffs.

The files were everywhere on my bed. Saturday, the weekend was always a busy day for us. Just for one weekly holiday, we had to work overnight sometimes.

"No! That's not what I meant. I'm saying, whatever you have done is talk. Have you even asked about his life?" Sejal sat on my bed, holding her phone.

"Not too much personal stuffs, but yeah, I did." I replied, while placing the files together.

"Oh this file.." I whispered looking at the green file.

"Please forward this file to Ms. Ishani Rai Singhania. She may need it in her workplace."

I have to give it to her.

I looked for my bag and put it inside. She wouldn't be free tomorrow. I would give it to her on Monday.

"Hello! Are you listening to me, di?" Sejal was irritated.

This impatient brat!

"Yep. What's up?" I finally sat down beside her on the bed.

"Good! Okay tell me. Did you find him interesting? Through talk, I mean." Sejal's eyes were on me.

"Umm! Not bad. Workable." I replied and got her eye roll.

"Workable? That's it?" Her deadpan face was treat to watch sometimes.

I hold my chuckle.

"Why? Is it supposed to be something else?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Well.."

"Okay tell me, how did you find your love in Kabir? What made you believe that you had fallen for him?" I gazed at her wondering eyes which turned into adoring within seconds.

Typical lover Sejal!

"Well, I can't pin point it. Ummm... Oh yes! I realised something later on." She was smiling.

"What?"

"That even in the crowd, Kabir stands out brightly in my eyes. My eyes find him instantly, everytime." She finished with dreamy eyes.

My face frowned.

"What? What kind of stupidity is this?" I couldn't hold my disagreement.

"Uff! Whom am I talking to? We will never understand unless you fall in love. I'm going inside my room. I need to check on Kabir. He was ridiculously busy since morning." Sejal moved from my room leaving a laughing me.

"This girl.." I murmured while laughing.

However, about having interesting conversation then..

Talking with Mr. Rai Singhania was quite fun, actually.

°°°°°°°°°

"I have fallen in love with you, Riddhima. Love at first sight it is and there is no turning back for me." He ended his speech leaving me dumbfounded.

It took me a few minutes to reply. I gulped my saliva and cleared my throat.

"Sorry Mr. Rai Singhania. But, I don't share mutual emotions for you." My statement changed his eyes expression a bit; however, it turned back to normal again.

"Do you like him, Manash Kudra?" He enquired.

What? Why should I tell you?

"Excuse me, Mr. Singhania. It's not something I want to reveal." I kept my cool demeanour.

His smirk widened.

What's wrong with him?

"No right? An intellectual person like you would never get pleasure talking to him." His statement made my head boil.

"Pardon?" I couldn't stand his arrogance.

"It's about partner of equals. You may not have feelings for me now. But eventually you'll do only if you had given me chance. I'm quite confident." His words left me angry yet dumbstruck.

What the hell?

°°°°°°°°°

"The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try-" I cut the connection.

Ishani wasn't picking up her phone and I didn't want to create problems regarding this file. What if she had already needed it? I turned the pages of it and going through the file to check emergency contacts. Since yesterday afternoon, meeting with Vansh Rai Singhania, my mood was spoilt. What kind of attitude was that?

"...eventually you'll do.."

Seriously? This much arrogance?

I needed to calm myself down.

"Uff! Forget about, Riddhima! Let's see.." I found the contact column.

There were two phone numbers. One of those was known to me. It was mine. A small smile broke amidst of my frustration.

How sweet of you, Ishu!

I dialed the other number and caught its ringing on the other side.

"Hello! Rai Singhania residence." An unknown female answered; I was prepared.

"Yes. I'm Riddhima Kapoor, Ishani's friend. Can I talk to her for awhile?" I requested.

"May I know your purpose for reaching Ishani didi?"

It was indeed her residential phone number. I stated my purpose and our conversation continued for a brief moment, when she shared the address for sending it.

"Thank you for you help, Ma'am." I hung up the phone, looking at the written address on my note book.

It looks familiar for some reason.

°°°°°°°°°

"I'm not thinking too much, right?" I was bemused.

Should I have trusted my gut feeling sometimes when she was..

"..Ishani di has same surname, 'Rai Singhania' and the party you two are going to attend is also under the name of 'Rai Singhania'..."

I reached the doorknob of the entrance door of my house and pushed it inside.

"..Are they related, by chance? Even Kabir has 'Singhania' surname.."

Is it just a mere coincidence or Sejal's speculation was correct?

"I came back." Saying it, I was about to claim the staircase before me.

"Di! Please come here. You need to see it urgently." Sejal's astonished voice caught my attention.

I walked up to her; she was watching TV along with our parents. All of them were stucked into it.

"What are you-"

"Finally, it's a big day to announce to the world about my twin sister and younger brother, who are also going to join our family business officially from this moment." Vansh Rai Singhania's voice rang in my ears.

I blinked my eyes; couldn't believe the faces that I just witnessed.

"Please welcome, Ishani Rai Singhania and Kabir Rai Singhania with full care and respect to Rai Singhania's!"

**********

Third Person's Point of View

"Please welcome, Ishani Rai Singhania and Kabir Rai Singhania with full care and respect to Rai Singhania's!" A smile had formed on his face hearing out the person on his phone.

"The flight 2×××× from Goa to Delhi will departure within 20 minutes. All passengers are requested to come to the counter for final checking." He put down his ear buds into his pocket, before placing his green framed power glasses.

He started walking towards the counter of busy Dabolim International Airport, holding his luggage with him, wearing same smirk on his lips.

The time that I was waiting for has come. Finally!

***********

9/20 is updated!

Please let me know in the comment section if you are liking the story or not.

With Love

Sumi.

❤❤❤

Chapter - 10

Third Person's Point Of View

The hall was full of people; staffs from different news channels had already arrived. With white wall and grey floor, it was decorated with fancy lights. The chairs were on the stage along with audience area. One after another one journalists were asking questions to the people seated on those.

"..and just like that I finally came to India." Wearing a fine, pastel yellow, long dress, Siya was answering each to them.

"So, what's the reason of inviting us today, Ms. Rai Singhania?" The much awaited question was finally shot at her.

She smirked.

"Well, the thing i-"

"Official Announcement of their debut in Singhania's." Siya's voice got interrupted, replaced by a male voice with gravity.

Her eyes turned wide witnessing everything. From the entrance, behind seated journalists a man in white formal outfits entered along with two other humans, another two men and a woman. Vansh Rai Singhania along with his uncle Rudra came on stage bringing his twin sister, Ishani Rai Singhania and youngest brother, Kabir Rai Singhania, near his youngest sister, Siya Rai Singhania, gracefully.

*********

Monday evening, the Rai Singhania residence was messed up hearing the news of sudden debut of their children. Indrani was glued to TV, anticipating things from now on. Whereas, Chanchal and Anupriya were stunned beyond limits. Aryan was having his evening meal after coming from his hospital duty. Learning the news, he stopped his action for awhile.

Meanwhile amidst of the disturbance, a man in his late 40's wearing regular casual clothings, entered the house, walking towards the drawing room, holding his luggage and placing his green framed power glasses on his face. Eyes fell on him, broadening in realisation, shock to happiness. Indrani got up from her chair, with her trumbling legs she was heading towards him. The man came closer to her faster than she could. Touching her feet, he hugged her tightly. She reacted to it quietly, weeping her tears.

"It has been almost 10 years, maa (mother)." He spoke up in yearning.

"Welcome back home, my child Chitwan." Her voice radiated longing for her youngest son.

********

Riddhima's Point Of View

"So, that's how you got suspicious of them." Sejal said, sitting next to me looking at the computer.

"Yes. Google was showing me this after I typed the address of her residence. I didn't why but your words from that day hit my mind suddenly. What if they were really siblings." I replied searching on Internet.

"Come to think of it, might be it wasn't completely out of the context that time. I might have subconsciously figured it out. Kabir and Ishani di have same food habits and mannerisms. They may look different. But their eye structure is same. The odd part is, they never initiate conversation with each other in public. Don't you find it weird too?" Sejal reasoned her thoughts.

I nodded my head.

"Not only that. After this event in morning, I was thinking about certain incidents in my head and only your conclusion of that day was making sense to me. Now that we have known, they are actually siblings." I responded.

Coming to think of it, Ishani was absent from the whole charity function of Rai Singhania's excusing herself for having repeatedly phone calls. Now I felt it that she was avoiding the event deliberately. In the end, I discovered her running down from the staircase, weeping her tears.

It can't be just a mere coincidence.

"What incidents, di?" Sejal's voice broke my trance.

"I'll tell after finding out completely. Now look what I have found." I pointed out Wikipedia to her.

After telecasting of Rai Singhania's announcement this evening, Wikipedia page had updated its data. The family tree was astonishingly big for thie generation these days.

"I'm not going through the history and all. Let's jump to the main part." I said and Sejal nodded her head in agreement.

"Indrani Rai Singhania and Manav Rai Singhania have three sons. Ajay, Rudra and Chitwan, age accordingly from oldest to youngest. After Manav's death, three sons got equal shares in property. Among them Ajay used to handle everything in business. In the age of 28 Ajay married to Uma Chadurvedi, the daughter of Singhania's closest family friend and within one year they expected their first twins, Vansh and Ishani. Meanwhile, Rudra married to Chanchal Bedi. Two years later two couples welcomed their new borns. Uma gave birth to another twins, Kabir and Siya. Chanchal was blessed with a baby boy, Aryan." I stopped mumbling gazing at Sejal's face.

"Wow! Do they have kinks for twins? The household must be on fire that time." Her statement made me chuckle.

"Okay, now next. Chitwan the youngest son never married and never had any interest in family business. However, his artistic skill was well known that brought fame to him. Later on when the children were near the age of 10, Vansh and his sibling's lost their mother Uma and after 3 months Ajay got married to his secretary, Anupriya. However, they never had any children. Similarly, within 2 years Ajay was found dead in his room suffering from heart attack. Anupriya reared the children afterwards. The cause of death was supposedly over dose." Sejal finished I looked at her.

"Losing their parents in young age, it must be a hard childhood." I murmured.

Ishani's smiling face came before my eyes. I felt my heart dropped.

How much pain have you kept in those smile, Isshu?

"Di, you met most of them in that charity event, right? Let's check the photos." Sejal spoke up.

I nodded. That charity event, Ishani, her sibling's and Vansh.

"I have fallen in love with you, Riddhima..."

His confession...

"Hey di! Are you listening to me?" Sejal voice broke the train of thoughts.

"He confessed to me." I blurted out.

"Confessed? Who? Manash?" Sejal enquired.

"No. Vansh." I gazed at her.

"Vansh? You mean, Vansh Rai Singhania? The Vansh Rai Singhania?" She pointed her index fingers on the computer screen.

"Yes." I nodded my head.

"What was your reply?" Her focus was all on me.

"I refused. But he has kind of challenged me that I would fall for him if I had given him any chance." I stated, her face was blank.

"Wait, what? What kind of people have this much confidence?" Sejal said in bemused.

"Exactly." I replied in same.

"Then what did you do?" She asked.

"Nothing. I didn't reply him since then." I shrugged my shoulders.

"If you meet him again, tell him to donate me some self confidence. I really need it for upcoming exam." Sejal said in her most serious face.

"Hmm, sure!" I murmured with a chuckle.

°°°°°°°°°°

The room was quite spacious; decorated with light blue clothing wall. Bookshelf was seemingly old fashioned with the books of modern world ideology.

"It's beautiful, Isshu." I said glancing everywhere.

We met after two days of that news. She was the one who called me. I was hesitant a bit, knowing her family problems and all, that she had told me once in our student life.

"Thanks, Riddhu. I wasn't sure whether you would accept me or not after it." Her eyes showed relief.

Awww, Isshu! I love you too much to leave you!

"How couldn't I? Your treat is still pending. Don't tell me you have forgotten it!" I made a face; she bursted in laughter.

"Yeah right! So, KFC when?" She asked controlling laughter.

"This weekend?" I replied smilingly.

"Deal!" She smiled along with me.

"Riddhu, let me show you the books I was talking about on phone." She responded and I nodded my head in agreement.

°°°°°°°°°°°

The staircase was confusing. The house was too big to remember it at once. Ishani got a call from her current office and suddenly became busy in online conference meeting. I didn't want to bother her; I came out of my own. Ishani had brought me with her the time I had arrived in morning. However, I couldn't find my way and lost it in midway.

"Shit! What should I do now?" I started walking on the straight direction following the staircase.

"May I help you, Ms. Kapoor?" A familiar voice spoke up from my behind; I turned my face and found the person I didn't want to meet.

"Mr. Rai Singhania." I murmured under my breath.

"May I?" He asked again putting his signature smirk on his face.

I guess, I don't have any other option...

"It will be helpful." I replied putting a force smile.

"Please follow me." He began to move forward; I was next to him.

Within 2 minutes I found myself in a familiar place. The exit door was just before my eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Singhania." I was actually grateful to him.

I walked forward, about to leave him behind.

"It's understandable for first visitors. It will eventually improve." He replied putting a knowing smile.

Is he..

"Mr. Singhania, I have already told my-"

"We can't deny fate, right, Riddhima?" His voice suppressed mine.

"I never thought, we would meet like that. It was predestined. Don't you think?" He grinned; I made a frown.

What rubbish?

I kept quiet; he chuckled lowly. He came closer to out of the blue keeping his face near my right ear. I didn't back off, holding myself completely.

"Oneday, oneday you will fall for me, Riddhima. Trust me, that fall will be hard one just like I do!" Vansh's warm breath was hitting my earlobe making my body shiver; I smirked.

He was behind me, standing few inches away from my spot. This time I fully turned my face towards him; my grin widened. He was flashing his signature smirk as usual on his face.

"In your dream, Vansh Rai Singhania!" I replied with my full confidence, remembering our places.

"Only time will tell." His grin broadened; eyes began to spark.

Let's see, Mr. Businessman!

A silence fell between us, our eyes were interlocked with one another; thinking about the possible consequences of us in future. Eventually, I left this mansion, leaving him behind.

°°°°°°°°°°°

"This guy is really getting into my nerves!" I almost yelled; Sejal bursted in laughter.

"Damn this businessman! Is he in madly love with you or showing a business deal to you? Hahahaha!" Sejal kept laughing; I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Shit this unnecessary drama!" I glanced at the empty road of nightfall.

The gentle breeze was touching my face, gradually healing my workplace tiredness. We were at balcony of Sejal's room. Morning incident was kept repeating in my mind.

"I decided to forgive Kabir. I understood his situation of not telling me. In addition to that, I missed him to death." Sejal confessed; I smiled.

"We should. There must be a reason for them to behave like strangers in public and not telling us too." I replied.

"So, what do you think about Manash? Did he seem to be interesting? You guys are talking on phone in daily basis, right?" Her question put me on a hot stove.

"Well. Not bad! But..." I was shuttering.

Conversation with Vansh was more interesting and refreshing that day... Wait! What am I thinking?

"Still not sure? Okay. Meet him once again then." Sejal replied peering at the sky of quarter moon.

"Umm..hmm." I hummed.

"What you gonna do with him now? the Vansh Rai Singhania, I meant." I couldn't reply her simultaneously.

"Obviously, rejection. But didn't know how to." I was quite annoyed.

"Do it faster. Otherwise, it will creat more problems." Sejal's reply made sense to me.

"Yep. I need to." I responded staring at the moon.

°°°°°°°°°°°

The park was quite clean and pleasant to be visited. It was near my office, yet I didn't come here often. Ishani and I visited here once in first year of our service. The water fountain was still there along with much greenery. It was 3:45 of afternoon, when I was waiting for Mr. Vansh Rai Singhania to arrive here. It was Saturday and the work was done for this week. Next week we had state holidays for two days. We sisters had already made plans for it.

I was looking at the parking lot, waiting for his white car to come. The Sun was sitting before my eyes. People were jogging; children were playing around the area. It was weekend. The place was already crowded from usual. Sitting on the bench, I was looking at my call log.

"Di, don't hesitate. Just say 'no' directly on his face if you were wanting to reject him."

Umm... reject him..

I felt a tug in my stomach out of the blue. That was kind of unusual.

"...if you were wanting to reject him."

"Yes I want to. I'm sure of it." I murmured.

Don't think about anything else let's do it, Riddhima.

RING. RING.

Speaking of devil, I picked up the phone.

"Where are you, Riddhima?" His voice reached into my ear.

"In the park, near the second bench. I'm holding the call. Find me." I replied looking at the path.

The park had a stony path, dividing it into two parts. I was sitting near the big tress. After a few minutes, I spotted a man in his casual white shirt and blue jeans coming near me. Setting fiery sunbeams were kissing his face. Glorifying his sharp features neatly. The fountain water behind him was sparkling under the sun rays.

"Ah! I found you." His voice came from the other side.

Cutting the call, he made direct eye contact with me from a distance. I couldn't do anything; I wasn't able to move my body further. A strong compelling charm gripped me within it.

"...Oh yes! I realised something later on..."

I blinked my eyes; he kept coming closer to me, putting the same smile.

"..My eyes find him instantly, everytime."

The place was full of people. Then why?

"That even in the crowd, Kabir stands out brightly in my eyes.."

The distance between us was gradually fading.

..Why is he standing out in the crowd suddenly?

**********

10/10 is updated!
[We have reached to half way of this book.]

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Sumi96

♡♡♡

Glad to see you continuing. Really enjoyed reading.

Originally posted by: Anupa1902

Glad to see you continuing. Really enjoyed reading.

Thank you so much, dear! I'm uploading the new chapters now!💜

Chapter-11

Third Person's Point Of View

Soothing breeze was blowing her long, black hair, kissing her cheeks softly. His hands were on her and head was on her shoulder. The rays of setting Sun was marvellously glowing on their faces. Peaceful and serene atmosphere had wrapped them in it.

"How is your mother?" He asked while keeping his head at same.

"Better than before. This secretarial job is paying me well. I'm dreaming of bringing her to Benaras after her full recovery." She replied smilingly staring at the sunset.

"Let's go together. I need to impress my would be mother-in-law too." He replied with same sweetness in his voice.

Giggling she hold their hands tightly altogether.

******************

"How can I stay here? I have my own life!" Kabir shouted his lungs out.

Vansh's face was poker yet a smirk was placed on his face. Rudra was beside him along with their other minors. Siya was fuming in anger, looking at them. Ishani's expression was darker too. The elders of the house alongside Aryan were witnessing a battle between own siblings before them.

"I can say same thing. Why do I need to be here?" Ishani spoke up aloud this time.

Vansh's eyes were on her too before he stated his speech.

"If you had wanted to have a part of the property, you all would be working under my eyes, in the office. Don't you all want it?" He smirked lifting an eyebrow.

"Office? I'm having my final year of internship!" Kabir shouted.

"Don't worry. We can manage it well." Vansh replied and Rudra nodded his head in agreement.

"Kabir would be working under legal department. Siya would be in finance. And Ishani is already occupied the post of HR head. It wouldn't be a problem. Last but not the least, you all have to stay under same roof, in the Singhania residence." Vansh stated making Rudra a bit perplexed; however, he recovered it quickly.

"The discussion dismissed here." They left without giving the shocked ones time to recover.

**********

Vansh's Point Of View

"So, by doing this you were keeping our enemies closer. Is it working?" Rudra uncle's voice broke the silence of my office.

They would join the office from tomorrow, tuesday. I had already planned out their office, filling with cameras and other equipments. Rudra uncle's question let me out a chuckle.

"Any doubt, uncle?" I replied looking at him with a darker expression; he was looking at the window gulping alcohol.

"You're the best, Vansh. You are the best!" He murmured when I kept my eyes on him.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

It had been more than 10 days since she called me at the park yet said nothing. Riddhima was quite silent that day. Might be resolving thoughts in her mind. I didn't disturb her rather kept walking alongside her. While keeping the conversation alive, I had diverted the topic the few times. Our unplanned 'Date' was well spent.

I opened my laptop while searching for the files that I had to prepare for our next deal. Keeping everything aside, her smile was visiting before my eyes often. I let out a chuckle humorously.

"Riddhima! Riddhima! Riddhima! How dare you to make me insane for you! You sinner, I would never leave you for your crime." I murmured under my breath starting at the phone screen which was flashing her photo from my secret gallery.

You're mine and I'll ensure you to make you only mine!

**************

Riddhima's Point Of View

"Are you listening to me? Di?" I was. However, my mind was stucked in that Sunday afternoon.

That day, under the setting sunrays, the way he was coming towards me. That walk, that background of sparkling water of the fountain, his white dress, everything was so aesthetically pleasing.

"I'm, Sejal. That's why I don't know what to do next. How the hell did I.." My voice died; head was full of his thoughts.

"This is called infatuation. It's normal to have, di." She assured.

"But, why him out of everyone?" I almost shouted.

Sejal kept her hands on my shoulders, patting it a bit.

"Relax, di. He's handsome, from a well off family and lastly retuning the same feeling to you. So, it's very obvious to have such emotions in you too." She said.

"But, it's only infatuation. It would be over in no time, right? I can suppress it well." I mumbled.

Sejal laughed out aloud. I shot her a sharp digger. Seeing me,, she tried controlling it.

"Okay, di. As you wish. But remember, infatuation is a beginning of love. It may not go over time. Who knows?" Sejal reasoned.

I went silent.

She's not wrong.

"Then how would I know if it's fragile or not?" I was bemused.

"Not sure. There is no text book definition. But.." She glanced at me directly; I was doing the same.

"But?" I responded.

"If you can see future with that person or may be.. have the fear of losing him in your heart in this short time, it can be called more than infatuation, I suppose." She replied.

Seeing future with that person, fear of loss?

"Okay.." I murmured lowly.

"Who had ever thought to see 'The Riddhima Kapoor' in this condition, being wet in love virus! Hahaha!" Sejal laughed out.

"Hey!" I threw a pillow at her.

But she dodged it finely.

"I'm going to mark this day in history..." Sejal ran out from my room before I could beat her up.

"This girl!" I whispered.

"..He's handsome, from a well off family.."

Yes, he's handsome. Specially those veins going down from his neck to..how would be feel like to touch..

"WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING!?" I almost yelled, before screaming on the pillow.

"Sejal! You culprit!"

************

Third Person's Point of View

It was the time when he would be busy at hospital and wouldn't be getting time to eat anything. He was coming down from the staircase just when his grandmother, Indrani called out his name lovingly.

"Aryan beta, come and see who has visited our house." Her response that he could never ignore.

"Okay, Dadi." He replied coming near her.

His grandmother was talking to someone who seemed quite familiar yet unknown at the same time. Wearing a long red skirt and a tang top of white, her long black was loosely bun on her head.

"Oh Aryan is here. See, if you can remember this lady." Indrani said looking at him; this time the girl looked at him smilingly too.

Brown, round eyes, with hazel tint and a smile having cute dimples on both sides, he had seen this human, yet couldn't remember her. However, she must be a close one to him.

"See, dadi. I told you, he wouldn't recognise me." Her enchanting voice was a music to his ears.

He was quite concerned and perplexed for the reason why his heart was reaching like that.

"Ahana Srivastava. Remember that name?" Her reply put him a troll.

Slowly slowly the memories of his school days were rushing back to him. Ahana Srivastava, Sunny Srivastava, Kabir bhai and Siya, they all used to be a gang since their 6th standard. It was the time he fortunately learnt how to make friends with the help of Ahana and unfortunately he..

"As Kabir is residing here, I had some work to complete. And guess what? I came running!" She smiled the same that he had seen her in those days.

He needed to go before it's too late, again.

"It's good. I had to go now." He was about to leave, but got caught by her.

"At least, share your phone number with me. Don't disappear like last time." There was something in her eyes, that he couldn't recognise yet followed her words quietly.

Yes, that last time...

**********

It was a sunny day when she saw him heading towards her, holding a coffee cup in both hands. His green eyes were looking at her smilingly. She couldn't take off her eyes from him too. It became a regular thing for them to share; a talk in coffee. He tried to crake his jokes which weren't so funny as his regular antics. Over all she enjoyed moments with him.

"So, have you got the file yesterday?" Angre said while observing the surroundings.

"Yes. I did." She smiled replied him.

"You must be careful with that psycho. He is just weird." He replied making faces that only he could make in this whole world.

"Weirder than you?" She said grinning slightly.

He let out a dumbfounded chuckle not knowing how to respond. She hold her laughter in her lips. Angre being Angre just was trying to cheer her up in the amidst of this tension. He was always like that since the day they had met.

"Let's go inside then." He practically ran away out of embarrassment, leaving her utterly joyous.

She stood there watching him vanishing from her eyes. It was the time reality had hit her hard.

I can't pull you into the darkness knowing the danger awaiting. You'll despise me...

Her blue eyes painted in grey, a shade of sorrow.

***********

11/20 is updated.

Chapter-12

Third Person's Point of View

Morning it was, a regular day of week. Singhania residence was quite peaceful compared to previous weeks. The settlement between the siblings wasn't a pleasant one to begin with, yet the proceeding was favorable to the family. The deals were being reviewed, cracked and organised. Board of directors weren't bothered as long as they were being in the constant profit. The elders were all having a sigh of relief, seeing their children under one roof.

Meanwhile, Rudra went out for breakfast table from his room. Whereas, Chitwan was crossing the front of his room. They had to go down via same staircase, no other alternatives.

"It must be felt good to stay in shelter, eating free food, right Chote?" Rudra spilled sneer of mockery.

Chitwan let himself put a smile of wisdom.

"It must be hard to memorise details while aging rapidly, right bhai?" His smile broke the confidence in his elder brother, though Rudra didn't stop.

"Respect brother. Respect. How many times do we have to teach you? Your artistic nature is killing your manners, I suppose. Wanna need my assistance?" Rudra's eyes were darker alongside his grin.

Chitwan's face shaped same as his elder brother. He continued whatever his brother started first.

"Standards brother, standards. How many times do I have to show you? Something that you can never meet with." His left Rudra burning in his own fire.

************

"That's shady. Why is he.." Ishani's voice died in her throat, looking at the computer screen.

Being HR head compelled one to check wellbeing of every working employee in an organisation. She was no exception. However, her findings and the data written on the computer screen weren't matching with each other. More precisely, the activity of a certain person was making her suspicion clearer. She was keeping an eye on this man for awhile now. She needed to present it before her boss, Vansh Rai Singhania AKA her twin brother on time now.

Getting up from her chair, she rushed out from her cabin.

***********

Kabir being a meritorious student and great observant was going through the document and other legal activities in his current workplace. It didn't take him long to blend with this ambience. After taking up the role, he had started work on next day. However, something kept bugging him from the 4th day of his work. There was something going on under the nose of the company. Legal document and the activities weren't matching with one another in any aspect. On the top of that, none was giving a single attention on it.

"I need to prepare a report on it." He murmured before putting another file on former one.

***********

Vansh's Point Of View

I kept staring at Ishani's face, who wore an face of worry and annoyance on it.

"Srinath Singh was never regular yet he is getting full payment every month. On the top of that he wasn't being charged for it. Why? The reason is unknown." She presented her statement before me.

"Are you sure of it? Any evidence to prove your allegations?" Rudra uncle's voice reached into my ears.

"I never speak nonsense. On the contrary, I don't allow me to accuse anyone without any proof." Her voice was cold and filled with rage.

I smirked at her. She was looking at uncle who was sitting before me on a chair. Ishani's standing posture was creating an intimidation over him.

"Interesting, very interesting! However, I would like to enlighten you with the fact, that I would only listen to the judgement of our board members. Do you have enough courage to show it before them?" I asked directly; Rudra uncle was eying me.

"Certainly." She replied.

"Great! Then see you there only after a thorough investigation." I replied.

"Okay. I may go now." I nodded and she went out from my cabin.

"Vansh, don't you think they are plotting against us? Shady and Srinath? He is one of the most trustworthy persons we have since the very beginning." Rudra uncle replied.

"I know. That's why I don't believe her, uncle. Let's see what she can do." I smiled; he joined me alongside.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Afternoon Sun was always favourite to me. Yellowish fiery tail with orange beams falling on the nature, it excited me; gave me a sense of bliss.

I was looking at my phone. The chartroom of us was almost empty. She was avoiding me since that day. The reason was still unclear. Whenever, I said something, she put a dead end on it.

"Umm, this is very unlike of her." I twisted my lips.

Nevertheless, I missed her badly.

Having few glances while visiting her office, having small talk during those visits and just having eye contacts weren't something that could help me with my longing for her. Without wasting any more moment, I called her. She picked it up quickly.

"Hello!" The voice I was yearning for.

"I'm waiting at our regular place. Please come after your office. Otherwise, I would come to you." I said in one breath.

My heart was beating faster than usual.

Say 'yes'! Say 'yes'...

"Okay." She cut the call after a response; I cheered.

I looked at my watch. It was 4:45pm. Her shift would be over within 15 minutes approximately. I was having a look at everything that surrounded me. At that time a familiar, female figure caught my attention. Her face lit up recognising me. Waving her hand, she came near me. She was holding a shopping bad in her other hand.

"Long time, Vansh! How are you?" She asked with a smile.

"I'm fine. How about you?" I responded with a casual smile.

Ragini, my 3rd ex girlfriend, who was married and happily living her life with her husband.

*************

Riddhima's Point Of View

"I need to stop!" I said it aloud.

"Stop what?" Sejal was searching for her new top in her closet.

"Thinking about him and being infatuated all the time." I spoke it up.

"Yeah..yeah..sure. As if you could.." Her mumbling sparked anger in me.

"Hey!" I shouted, however she didn't even flinch.

"Listen, di. Suppressing your emotions would never help you in any way. Accept it." She went out of her room before I could react.

°°°°°°°°°°

How to accept such silly thoughts of mine? It was just infatuation. That was it. Final! Terminal!

But those veins going down from his neck to the chest...those ripped arm muscles...his posture.. He must work out a lot, right?

The ringing of the phone, brought my senses back.

What the hell was I thinking? In the middle of the working day I was having daydream about him, that Vansh Rai Singhania?

It's not supposed to happen...

I picked up the call and got busy with my work schedule, while having an image of him in my mind.

°°°°°°°°

It wasn't kind of surprising to me to get his random calls these days. Most of the time I dodged it. However, when I was asked for another coffee out of the blue, it somehow lit my mind a bit, after a long working hour on Wednesday. I stepped on the premises of our usual café, when I spotted him with another lady beside him. They were having a good talk together. He was gleefully saying something before his eyes caught mine. His smile grew up more, which gave me a sense of happiness somehow.

Stupid infatuation!

"Hey, Riddhima!" He called out my name that made the other human looking at my direction.

"Hello, Vansh! Hello, Good afternoon!" I greeted that woman too.

"Hello! So you're waiting for her, huh? Okay! Not going to waste your precious time more. But girl, I would suggest you to waste his money more! Hahaha, see ya, ex!" She bidded adios smilingly, alongside him.

Ex?

"Ex?" I couldn't hold myself.

He looked at me while having the last glance at her moving figure.

"Yes. College time, girlfriend. Well, let's go inside." He replied with a grin opening the doorknob for me.

But something inside me began to twist, not in a good way.

°°°°°°°°°

"The weather forecast was saying about a light shower. Have you seen it?" Vansh's voice reached my ears.

However, I couldn't utter a single word. My mood was off; a fear of disappointment and rage were growing inside me. Walking on the sidewalk, we came across the nearby park now. He was looking at the skyscrapers next to me. The Sun had set; nightfall fell on us. Gradually the city was beginning its journey towards night.

Why am I feeling like this?

"....have the fear of losing him in your heart in this short time, it can be called more than infatuation.."

Why am I having this fear? Why these feelings of unknown and inability to express myself are reaching beyond my sanity? Why am I feeling sick? Why am I feeling like...

"...losing something precious?" I whispered.

"Pardon?" Vansh's confused eyes looked at mine.

I kept my eyes on him. I felt growing tears in them.

"Are you okay?" His was worried, reaching for me.

"No! I'm not." I murmured.

"What-"

"I'm not okay! Seeing you with her didn't make me joyous at all!" I almost yelled staring at his eyes.

He was visibly perplexed.

"Riddhima, what-"

"You told me that you loved me and there was no coming back for you. Then, then where is it now? WHERE?" I shouted reaching my lungs out.

Vansh's eyes were on me, anticipating something more.

"YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU WOULD LOVE ME! THEN WHAT NOW? FOR WEEKS, DAYS I'M THINKING ABOUT NONE BUT YOU, LIKE SOME STUPIDEST PERSON! BUT YOU-" I grabbed his collars; pulled his towards me.

Our eyes were on each other; breath was hitching together; my tears were flowing; his eyes were widened in realisation.

"HOW COULD YOU! HOW COULD YOU TALKING TO HER? HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT MY GROWING EMOTIONS FOR YOU? DID YOU? TELL ME!" My clutch got tightened.

He didn't say anything.

"I'M FU*KING FALLING FOR YOU! I STARTED LOVING YOU, VANSH RAI SINGHANIA! DID YOU GET THAT? TELL ME RIGHT NOW!" I pushed out all my heart before him, not knowing rationality or calmness.

However, one thing was absolute.

There is no turning back for me either....

*************

12/20 is updated.

Please share your thoughts!

With Love

Sumi

♥︎