Siddharth's pov!

Without speaking a word, I moved her long tresses onto one side of my shoulder. My breathing wavered when I saw the satin soft skin of her back visible through the low cut blouse. I wanted to explore every inch of her skin with my lips and tongue. But I had to control that urge.

I took the chain and pendant that, for some inexplicable reasons, I have been carrying around for a few months with me now.

It was only recently I came to know how much the chain meant to her.

'Nidhi, why aren't you wearing anything around your neck? You have long slender neck. A chain would lay beautifully against it.' Jeevika di had said and Nidhi shot a sad smile at her.

'I used to have one around my neck Jeevika ji. It was my favourite chain. I lost it. After losing it, I couldn't bring myself to wear something else.' Parinidhi had replied sadly.

"Come on, don't be silly. The new chain could be your new favourite one.' Jeevika di said with a chuckle.

'My Divya Maa gave me that chain many years ago. She is just like my Mama. She was my Mama's bestfriend. She also gave birth to a daughter, the same day I was born. But her baby was stillborn. And my Mama didn't have enough milk. It was Divya Maa who breastfed me and raised me until I was ten. I lived more in her home than mine. We have a very special and strong bond. She had given me that chain when they moved abroad nine years ago. When I had that chain around me, it felt like Divya Maa was with me.' Nidhi had said, her eyes filling with tears.

I had accidentally overheard their conversation. And that was when I decided to give this back. I have been carrying it with me ever since, not finding a chance to give it to her until now.

I fastened the hook of the chain around her neck.

"Where did you get this from?" She asked as she turned around in my arms.

I looked into her hazel eyes and felt as if I could drown in it and even die.

I couldn't take my eyes off her beautiful face. She took a step back and I took another step towards her. This happened a few times and I ended up cornering her against the wall.

My hand cupped her jaws and I looked into her eyes passionately. I wanted to kiss her. I don't think I can hold back anymore. I have been fighting this urge for a while now.

My head bent down gently and we were a breath apart when my phone rang.

It was like pouring cold water all over me.

The passionate haze was broken and I cursed myself for my lack of self control.

How could I?

Damn!

When I stepped back, Parinidhi ran out of the pool side and I stared at her retreating back.

No! This cannot happen again.

I cannot let a woman and her beauty control me.

This has to end today.

For that, I have to take a definite step towards Bhavna! Bhavna is safe. She doesn't have the power to control any aspect of my life. And I cannot have anybody in my life who has even the slightest power over me.

Parinidhi Vyas has to be kicked out of my life forever!

For that to happen, I have to embrace Bhavna completely.

Bhavna is safe. Bhavna is a practical option. And Bhavna can be an on paper partner.

She doesn't set me on fire. She doesn't distract me from my work. She doesn't get under my skin, making me think of her day and night.

Bhavna is convenient.

The fact that I haven't once kissed or even touched Bhavna since the moment my eyes fell on Parinidhi, all those days ago when she came to my house with the sweets for the pooja, is totally irrelevant at the moment. It will change soon.

The scent of Parinidhi's presence still lingered around me as I locked the door to my study, a temporary refuge from the chaos of the party downstairs.

My heart raced, haunted by the unexpected intimacy we had shared just moments ago. I shook my head, attempting to dispel the intoxicating thoughts that threatened to consume me.

I have more than kissed other women. But nothing has ever shook me like the way the almost kiss with Parinidhi had.

If I let it happen, I will be completely lost. I cannot let that happen. I will not become another Yash Raichand whose life completely revolved around the love of his life.

I opened the locker in the study and took out my mother's jewel box. I took out the emerald studded solitaire ring which my mother wanted my bride to have.

As I stared at it, I realised I cannot give this ring to Bhavna. My mother wanted the woman I love to have this ring and I am not in love with Bhavna. And there is no chance of me ever falling in love with any woman.

I hate the mere concept of love.

Love destroys people. Just like how my father destroyed his own life after cancer took my mom away. If he hadn't been so much in love with Mama, he would have survived after her death. But he couldn't. A part of him died along with Mama and the rest of him died a slow death.

I closed the jewel box and locked it away in the locker.

I took my phone and dialled a number of a discreet jeweller, urgently demanding the delivery of a ring - for Bhavna. The logical choice, the safe choice.

"Shall I send you the catalogue, Mr Raichand? You can choose the ring and let me know. I will send them right away." The jeweller said.

"No need. Just send me the most expensive one." I said and hung up once the jeweller assured me it would be delivered within half an hour.

I don't know how much time passed. As I heard the knock on the study door, signalling the arrival of the ring, I felt the weight of my decision pressing down on me.

The velvet box held a symbol of commitment, a shield against the magnetic pull of Parinidhi Vyas.

I opened the box and found a flashy diamond solitaire ring nestled in the box. I quickly shut it and pocketed it before walking downstairs.

The guests gradually departed, leaving the Raichand family in the quiet aftermath of the celebration.

I found Bhavna standing next to di who was having an animated conversation about something with Parinidhi. Well, it was Parinidhi who was having the animated conversation. Di must be trying hard to put in a word or two, waiting for the chatterbox to take a break. The mere thought made a smile make its way to my mouth, but I was quick to suppress it.

"Bhavna.." I called out as I approached them, my eyes fixed on Parinidhi, though I was talking to Bhavna.

"Yes, Sid?" Bhavna asked with a bright smile, her eyes shining with happiness. I took the velvet box out of my pockets and Bhavna's eyes widened seeing that.

"Sid, what's going on?" Bhavna asked, her voice a mere whisper.

The ring box felt like a lead weight in my hand as I opened it, revealing the diamond ring that symbolises a future I was determined to embrace.

I had told Bhavna that this was a mere act. And now I am proposing to her. She must probably be confused. But I will explain it to her later the terms and conditions of this arrangement.

My gaze drifted to Parinidhi, a silent acknowledgment of the twisted satisfaction I felt at her visible confusion and pain.

"Bhavna, will you marry me?" I asked, my eyes never leaving Parinidhi's.

Her discomfort was palpable, but I pushed the guilt aside, sealing my commitment not only to Bhavna but to the convenient path I had chosen.

Bhavna gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she nodded. I slid the ring onto her finger, forcing a smile that masked the internal conflict raging within me.

The congratulations from family members felt like a distant echo as I grappled with the consequences of my decision.

"Oh Sid!" Bhavna gushed, looking at the flashy ring on her finger, but my eyes were still fixated on Parinidhi.

I could see her forcing a smile on her face, congratulating Bhavna as Bhavna hugged everyone of my family members in happiness.

Parinidhi Vyas! This is where your part in my story ends!!

A/N

Here goes the next shot..

The blurb part will come soon..

There are some things that happened during the one month when Jeevika had taken Nidhi away from Sid. That will be shown as flashbacks in the upcoming chapters..

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Love,

SF❤️