• Rim-jhim gire saavan,
Sulag sulag jaae man...
Bhiige aaj is mausam me,
Lagii kaisii ye lagan •

"Riddhima ye dekh to kaisa lagrha hai?"

Chanchal asked turning towards Riddhima, holding a yellow coloured kurti in front of her body. She smiled at Chanchal and gave her thumbs up.

"Bohot pyara dikhrha hai Chachi. Aap ye wala le lijiye"

She said to Chanchal who frowned and kept the kurti back on the counter

"Umm.. Ye utna bhi kuch khaas nahi hai. Chal dusre counter pe dekhte hai"

Chanchal replied and dragged Riddhima with her. Riddhima looked at the equally irritated salesman and mouthed a sorry before pushing the trolley towards the other counter.

It is believed that women loves shopping. But Riddhima never liked it. In fact she hardly ever shopped anything for herself. Whatever she needed was either provided to her by Anupriya or gifted by her Rudra Chachu or Aryan. They always took care of her every small need... Right from her books, stationeries, scrunchies to her favorite pink teddy bears... Everything was bought for her by them.

The few occasions she accompanied the RaiSinghania ladies for shopping, she found it very boring. Not her fault.... You can't expect everyone to be like Ishani who goes on shopping on all the days that ends with "Y"...

Today when Chanchal asked to accompany her for shopping, Riddhima just couldn't say No. How could she? After all, Her Chachi was going to attend an award ceremony with Rudra Chachu at a Bussiness meet in Delhi for the first time. Chanchal wanted to look best in the award ceremony. Riddhima didn't had the heart to refuse her for shopping after seeing the happiness in her eyes.

So here is Riddhima, doing what bores her to death... That is shopping.

"Riddhima, ye wala kaisa lagega?"

Chachiji asked pointing towards the mannequin that was wearing a shimmering Red Kurta.

"Accha lagega Chachiji"

She replied quickly. She just wanted to get done with this shopping as soon as possible. While Chanchal was busy selecting which Kurti would look best on her, Riddhima roamed her eyes around.

The mall was very luxurious and full of very good shops. . She giggled seeing people walking from one counter to another even when they don't have anything to buy.

"Riddhima... Yeh dekh toh. Kitna pyara haina... Umm... Tujpe bohot jachega. Try karke dekh to"

Chanchal said turning towards Riddhima and holding a navy blue Kurti in front of her. Riddhima widened her eyes and immediately nodded a No.

"Chachi mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Aap apne liye kuch select karlijiye. Phir hum chalte hai . Anu Maa intezaar karrhi hogi naa"

She replied making Chanchal frown. Chanchal always yearned for a daughter. She dreamt of buying cute little frocks, hairbands, belts, scrunchies for her little princess and then dolling her up with her own hands. But after Aaryan birth's, she never conceived again. Chanchal never said it to anyone, but her desire for having a daughter was so strong that she started seeing a daughter in the little Aaryan. 5 years old Aaryan would cry inconsolably when his mom would put rubber band to tie his little hairs. When Anupriya brought Riddhima to VR mansion, Chanchal developed a motherly feeling for her. All the things that Chanchal ever dreamt of doing for her daughter, she did it for Riddhima.... And wanted to do much more.

"Tu pehen ke to Dekh ye... Pasand nahi aaya to mat lena. "

Chanchal insisted, and again Riddhima couldn't say No. Though the dress was really pretty, but Riddhima was one of them who believed in saving money rather than wasting them by shopping unnecessary things.

Passing the trolley to Chanchal, she took the kurti from her hand and looked around to see the trial room.

"Ma'am there..."

The salesgirl said indicating the direction. Riddhima mouthed a thank you and walked towards the trial room....
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Vansh walked inside the mall and roamed his hawked eyes around. The mall had three floors. And He had no idea where would he find his sweetheart. Heck, he didn't even know what she wanted to shop? On the First and second floor, there were shops and boutiques of all famous brands. On the third floor was a salon and a Cinema hall. The fourth floor had electronic shops, TV showroom and fast food restaurants.

Taking out his mobile from the pocket, he dialled her number from the recent call log. After few rings, his call was answered.

"Hello ....Kaun?"

He heard her sweet voice. The soft music in the background from her end made her voice sound even sweeter to him. Oh God, if just her voice is making his heart thump wildly against his ribcage, he wondered what her beautiful smile would do.

"Where are you Riddhima?"

He asked, only to receive a gasp in reply. It irked him. For God sake he is calling his lawfully wedded wife, and not a stranger.. What's so shocking in it? From when is calling your wife criminalized in India?

"Wrong... Wrong Number"

Before he could say a word, the call was cut. Once again.... Fine, now that he is here, he would sort this wrong number issue with her today itself.... He thought and kept back his mobile in the pocket, getting into his thinking mode.

"If Riddhima has come with Chanchal Chanchi, then there are high possibilities of them being either on first or second floor"

Vansh thought as he knew how much Chanchal loved shopping dresses. He took the lift to the second floor. The moment he stepped out of the lift, he was greeted by a blast of cool air and the blare of music from a music shop.... It was the same kind of music he heard over the call.

After wandering around in the mall, he spotted her. Though he couldn't see her face as her back was facing him. But Her short stature, long tresses reaching loosely below her waist, and the red chuda in her hand was more than enough for him to identify his little wife.... She was walking somewhere, he followed her. But before he could call her by name, pushing the door, she disappeared into a room.

Through the crowd, Vansh walked towards the room where his sweetheart was. Pushing  the door thrice, he entered into the room and closed it from inside.

"Rid...."

Words died down in his throat seeing the sight in front of him.

A girl was standing infront of him. He couldn't see anything except for her two hands above her head that were coming out from the Kurti.

"Chachi, ye to atak gyi hai. Nikal hi nahi rahi. Aap help Karo na ..."

She said waiving one of her hand. Vansh was  rooted at his spot. How did his sweetheart end up like this? Perhaps, she was trying to remove this extra small Kurti when it got stuck around her bust.

His eyes darted when he roamed them on her body checking her out.... White legging below... that perfectly fitted her thighs and curves, the small yet deep belly button on the her creamy skin of navel, her flat tummy that would put any model to shame, hour glass figure that could give any actress run of their money, the bottom band of her black bra that was making his palm itch... If she wanted him to, he would have fucked her right here in the changing room against the hard wall.

Unaware of the fact the the person whom she thought to be Chanchal Chachiji was none other than her so called husband, Riddhima moved closer to him. That's when she felt the air around her changing.

Taking a step near her, he stood exactly in front of her. His mind wanted to take her in so many different ways and positions right now, yet he closed his fist and controlled his feelings because scaring her with his dark desires was the last thing on his mind.

Raising his hand he held the sides of Kurti stuck around her chest. Pulling the Kurti above, he tried to remove it.

Riddhima's breath hitched when she felt cold hands on her arms. Her instinct told her it was Him. But How could he be in London and India at same time? Jerking her thoughts, she instructed to Chachiji.

"Niche ki tarafse nikaliye Chachi. Uparse nahi nikalne wala. Atakgya hai"

She whined and tried to pull the Kurti by herself. Vansh brought her hands down and then put his thumb under the sides of her Kurti and tried to lift it up from her chest. In the process, the back of his thumb grazed over the sides of her bra claded breast making him release the breath he was holding from God knows when.

That was it. She was sure it was Him. His audible gasp removed all her doubts. Riddhima stirred trying to move away from him. It irked Vansh. Here he was trying to help her, but how could he forget ... She has an old habit of making things difficult for him.

"Hilo mat. Sidhi khadi raho..."

He ordered. His baritone sent shivers down her spine. What was he doing here? That too in Girl's changing room. No he shouldn't be here.

Taking a step backward, she kept the distance between them. Due the the Kurti around her head, she couldn't even see anything. She had no idea where she was moving, until the cold surface of the hard wall pasted against her back.

Vansh watched her as her legs walked back and she tried to go as far as possible from him. How much he wanted to tell that her attempts are futile. She can't go outside the changing room as he had locked the door from inside....

"Tum nikalo bahar"

She shouted when she realized she can't escape from here. At least not in this condition.... His scrutinizing eyes were following her every move. He was calm, like a hunter who knows that he will catch the prey in the end.

"Out...."

Mustaring courage, She shouted once again after receiving no reply from him.

Despite her shoutings, he walked towards her. Yanking her close to his chest, he wrapped his hand around her buttery smooth waist.

Riddhima gasped as she felt his cold strong hands on her bare waist. Heck, she couldn't even remove them as her hands were stuck in the kurti. Though she couldn't see him, but she could feel him scanning her sole boring his gaze.

On the other hand, Vansh couldn't take his eyes off his wife. For a moment, he wanted to laugh at her condition. She was looking so funny standing in front of him with hand raised and  hidden in a skin tight Kurti stuck in her upper body, especially around her busts.

"Stand still"

He ordered turning her around by shoulder so that her back was now facing him. When he couldn't remove the kurti from her body, he found other way. Leaning, he pulled down her Kurti from the sides. The cloth was stuck around her bust region making it difficult for him to do his work without hurting her.

"Aahh"

A soft moan escaped her lips as he tried to pull down the Kurti roughly. It's skin tight material added extra pressure on her tender nipple making her clench her eyes in pain.

"Vansh mere baaalllll.....Ouchhh"

She screamed when by mistake he pulled some of her hair tresses along the cloth.

"Hogya Sweetheart....."

He said in a husky tone, making Riddhima open her eyes. Her mouth open agape realizing the Kurti was no more stuck around her chest. In fact she was wearing the same kurti now. Riddhima felt like banging her head on the hardest wall. What the heck had he done? Now how is she going to remove it? What will she return to the counter?

She looked at him flaring her nose. Instead of reducing her work, he increased it... Who the hell told him to help her? After struggling so much, atleast she succeeded in removing half of the Kurti earlier. Only one half of the portion was stuck. But now due to him, she was back to square one.....

Riddhima looked at her uprooted hair sticking to the cloth of the Kurti.  If her glares could kill , he would have been dead by now. Riddhima loved her long silky hair too much. But just because of him four hair lost their life today. And their murderer was standing right in front of her. How much she wanted to take revenge by plucking all his hair and making him bald.... And she is going to do exactly same in her dreams.

Vansh was amused seeing a furious Riddhima. He understood that she might be miffed off as she had a real struggle with her Kurti today. But the way she was looking at him flaring her nose with tear film in her eyes made him think if that was the only reason..

She started to move, when he held her by elbow and yanked her back to his chest.

"Ruko......"

He whispered standing behind her. Her lips quivered and hands clutched the material of Kurti in the fist as his warm breath fanned over her shoulder blade. The hair around her nape straightened as his breath touched the skin of her nape.

Looking straight into the mirror in front of them, he held her waist. What he did next make her feel like her heart would come of her chest... He leaned and took the zip of her Kurti in his mouth leaving her shock. She trembled as his teeth touched the skin of her back making her form the fist. She wondered why she wasn't turning around and pushing him away from her.... Why her body freezes in his proximity?

Before she knew, Vansh pulled down the slider of the zip halfway with his teeth. Leaving the slider from his teeth, he looked at Riddhima and his reflection in the mirror of the changing room.

She bit her lower lip cursing herself in her mind for being so silly. Why won't the kurti stuck in her bust if she tries to remove it without unzipping? But what could she do? All the dresses she wore before didn't have zip in the back region, except for few which she doesn't even remember wearing.

She gasped seeing him leaning close to her ears in the mirror.

"Ridddhima Agar Agli baar phir zip kholni ho to bulaalena"

He said before unzipping the remaining part by pulling down the slider with his hands. Riddhima was dumbfounded at his words. Her eyes widened and mouth parted. She could feel blood rushing to her veins making her body flush.

Seeing her flushed state gave him another kind of kick. Reddish hue could look so beautiful on a girl's cheek, he never knew. All the previous ladies he was with in London were Bold and Wild just like him.... Blushing was simply not their thing.

Though his eyes wanted to roam on the forbidden areas of her back visible due to her unzipped kurti, He averted his gaze and moved out before he lose the every ounce of self control that he has on himself.

He did hear few gasps from here and there as people spotted the popular face of the bussiness page, The Vansh RaiSinghania walking out of Girl's changing room, But he chose to ignore. After he left, Riddhima closed the door of changing room and rested her back against it.

"Phew..."

She sighed and took deep breathes to calm her racing heart.
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"Accha hua to aagyi Riddhima. Ye dekh to Vansh ne mereliye kitni acchi dress select karke di haina. Tujhe pasand aayi?"

Chachi asked, showing the dress to Riddhima. Even without seeing the dress, Riddhima nodded her head not wanting to spend even a single second more in that crowded mall.

"Fir to ye fix hai"

Chachi said smiling Looking at the dress and then put it in the trolley. All this while, Riddhima's attention was on Vansh who was standing behind Chachiji , pocketing his hand..and not to forget... with his signature smirk playing on his face.

"Ye Anu Didi bhi na, Mai aur Riddhima bus abhi yahase nikal hi rahe the. Bataya to tha unhe. Phirbhi Vansh, tumhe bhej diya... Har pal Riddhima nazro ke samne hi chahiye hoti hai unhe.."

Chachi chided, looking at Vansh, very well aware of the fact that her Anu didi starts getting restless if Riddhima is out of house for more than an hour.

Giving a pointed look to Riddhima, Vansh averted his gaze to Chachi. His little sweetheart deserves a sweet punishment for ignoring his call, He thought.

"Mom ne nahi Chachi, mujhe Riddhima ne bulaya hai...."

Riddhima almost jump hearing his word. What the fuck was he saying? When did she call him?

"Maine???"

She asked, startled. Her eyes squinted towards the Devil who seemed to enjoy the this situation very much. As Chachi looked between Vansh and Riddhima, He took a step forward and  stood beside her. Snaking his arm around her waist, he pulled her closer.

"Oh Come on Riddhu. Don't feel shy. Tum hi to kehrahi thi na kuch private shopping karni hai"

He said, making her eyes widen more if that was even possible. What rubbish....Riddhima felt like her eyeball would pop out from its socket. Somebody please stop him. What the Halloween was he saying? That too in front of Chachi? What would she think about them? Chii Chii.

And what Riddhu, Huh? What Riddhu? She is Riddhima for him, Nothing less and Nothing more.

One look at him, and she understood he was doing it intentionally to embarrass her. She didn't miss the naughty glint in his eyes. Such a big fat lied he is.

"Maine kab kaha aisa... Jhoot hai ye Chachi."

Shoving his hand from her waist, She took a step toward chachi and held the trolley from her hand. But before she could say anything, Chachijj cut her off. 

"Isme sharmaane wali kaunsi baat hai Riddhu. Couples ke liye normal hai ye. Chal jaldi jaa ke aa Vansh ke saath..."

Satyaanash!

Riddhima looked at Vansh and saw him pressing his lips together to suppress his laughter. Daat naa tod du mai iske, she murmured under her breath.

Vansh smirked, looking at his sweetheart going all read hearing about private shopping. Serves you right for lying to me sweetheart. Aur bolo Sorry, wrong number....He thought and chuckled looking at her pale face.

"Come Riddhu, private shopping karte hai"

Taking her hand in his, he dragged her with him while Riddhima kept slapping his hand.

"Chhodo mera hath"

She shouted, making the saleswoman turn their head and look at them. Vansh signalled her to keep quite.

"Ghoom jaaogi"

He replied, and looking around.

"There ..."

He said as he spotted what they he was looking for.

Riddhima's eyes widened as they walked through the lingerie section. Her cheeks heated up when they passed few mannequin who were dressed in semi translucent and netted one pieces leaving nothing for imagination. How does women even wear these kinda cloth, she thought and felt embarrassed when her eyes laid on more of them as they passed through the lingerie section.

Even after being a girl, she was feeling shy but Vansh was so cool about it. Pervert, she said in her mind and followed him.

"Ummm...So, what would you like to buy Riddhima? These Lingeries, bras or panties?...."

Vansh asked as he stopped he front of one of the counter and turned towards Riddhima.  She gasped at his shameless. My my. Why didn't his tongue melt before asking such question to me? She thought.

"Ye kya bolrhe ho....Chii. Tumhe chahiye to tum lelo. Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Let Me Go."

Riddhima said, trying to remove her hand from his grip. Vansh tightened his hold and called the salesgirl.

"Pink color night suits please"

Vansh said to the salesgirl who nodded her head and turned to take out the packs of night suits from the rack.

"I don't have problem if you wear anything or nothing at all.... But trust me these night suits will look super cute on you."

Vansh whispered in her ears, making her clench her eyes in embarrassment. She has never felt so embarrassed in front of anyone before. 

She opened her eyes, and her lips immediately curved to form a smile as she saw pink coloured night suit and pant with strawberry print on it. It was just like the ones she used to wear at night.

"Sachme Cute hai"

She said in daze, picking the night suit in her hands and pasting it to her body for checking the size.

"And if you want to surprise me, buy that nighty. It's so sexy. "

The night suit dropped from her hand, seeing the nighty he was pointing at. Even wearing nothing seemed to be a much better option than wearing that peach colored semi -transparent strapless nightly with no robe. Fuck. What did her juvenile see? She would have to sanitize her eyes after going home. 
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Chachijii already left after dropping a message for Riddhima to come home with Vansh.
Vansh and Riddhima were walking out of the mall when all of sudden a man bump into him, making the bags from his hand fall down.

"What the"

Vansh shrieked and leaned down to pick up the bags when the man with whom he collided a moment ago called him widening his eyes.

"Arey Sahab...Aap? "

Vansh looked up and saw the man in checks print shirt, ripped jeans and a scarf around his neck. Vansh furrowed his brows? Sahab? Was that man referring to him?

"Arey Chamatkar hogya. Apun to is badi-si dukaan me chhotisi naukri dhunde maafik aaya tha. Lekin bhagwaan ne yaha aapse mila diya. Chaylaa, lagta hai wo uparwala chahta hich nahi apun koi imaandaari ka kaam kare"

The man went on saying.. Vansh neither had time, nor patience to talk with that man, whosoever he was. Ignoring him, Vansh picked up the fallen bag from the ground and caught Riddhima's hand who was feeling uncomfortable around that Rowdy man.

"Arey Sahab... Lagta hai aapne apunko pehchana nahi. Apun Babloo... Babloo Bhai"

The man said walking behind Vansh who neither paid any heed nor exchanged any word. But from inside, Vansh was burning. What a stupid decision it was to walk in the crowded mall without his bodyguards lingering around.... If his bodyguards were here, they wouldn't have taken a second before smashing this man's face who was now following him and his sweetheart.

"Aapka kaam kiya tha na apunne. Yaad hai, wo inispector ki dulaai karne ke liye rokda diya tha aapne. Kya naam tha uska... Shabir..... Arey, Haan Kabir.. "

Vansh rooted in his track hearing the name of Kabir. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth cursing himself. So, this man was the same local goon whom Aangre hired on his orders for attacking Kabir. He did come to take his remaining dues next morning. But Vansh forgot his face.

Vansh was taken aback seeing Riddhima freeze on the spot.

Fuckkk. He murmured under his breath. Riddhima heard what she wasn't suppose to. Now he didn't know how to cover it up. He observed her hands that were clutching the dupatta tightly. Tear film was forming in her eyes as she tried to process what she just heard.

It was Vansh. It was Vansh who planned the attack. It was Vansh who hired goons to attack Kabir.

"Chayla....Kya hi lula pucha inispector tha wo
.... Chhe.... Jyada nahi bus do danda Mara... Sala, wo to do dande me hi thanda hogya. Thoda aur Haath saaf karne bhi nahi diya"

The man said rubbing his palm. Vansh had a tough time stopping himself from throttling that man who was uttering bullshit in front of  his wifey. Turning towards the man, Vansh gave him a deadly glare that was enough to shut him up.

Riddhima, looked between Vansh and that man. Her eyes were brimming with tears. Dropping the bags from her hand, she was running God knows where. Vansh called her thrice but her legs refused to stop. She just wanted to go as far as possible from him.

"Ye Bhabhijii ko kya hogya sahab?"

That man asked looking at the retreating figure of Riddhima. Vansh gritted his teeth. Taking out the watch from his hand, he rolled his sleeves.

"Batata hun"

Vansh said in a dangerous tone. And before that man could utter another word from his filthy mouth, Vansh slapped him so hard that for five second the poor person went black and was trying to process what just happened with him.

With a hand on his cheek, the man looked at Vansh scared and wondered if his hands are made up of Iron or what.... Being a local goon, he was punched and injured many times by the goons of other party, But never.... Never ever he has been slapped so hard that all the five fingers imprinted on his cheeks.

"Marta kayko hai sahab. Jaa hi to raha tha apun"

He whined and went rubbing his palm over his clean shaved cheeks that now had reddish impression of Vansh's long fingers.

Swearing the bastard who just spilled the beans in front of his sweetheart, Vansh picked up the shopping bags fallen on the floor and  moved out of the mall to look for Riddhima....
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"Riddhima...."

Vansh shouted as he saw Riddhima running on the road between the moving vehicles. She turned behind and saw him following her. Looking around, she signalled a Auto that was coming in her direction. As the auto rickshaw shopped just in front of her, with a lightening speed she got inside the auto.

"Auto stophhh...."

Vansh shouted from behind. Before he could cross the road, the auto rickshaw started. From the Auto Rickshaw , Riddhima turned back and saw him giving her a deadly glare. He clenched his teeth and seethed in anger as the auto disappeared in the crowd in front of his eyes....

"Bhaiyaa jaldi chaliye"

Clutching the dupatta around her neck, Riddhima requested the auto driver to drive fast. She just wanted to go as far as possible from him. Till now, she use to think he is a personal with short temperament. Never in her dreams she thought he'd do something like hiring Goons. He was more dangerous than she knew. And this thought itself sent shivers down her spine.

"Lekin jana kaha hai madam...."

The auto rickshaw driver asked. For a second, Riddhima was mum. She didn't know where to go. Heck, she didn't have anywhere to go except for VR mansion.

"Kahi bhi le chaliye bus chaliye"

She pleaded wiping the tears in her eyes. She was ready to go anywhere.... Anywhere where she could cry her heart out and no one could hear her sobs and judge her.

"Madam, baarish horhi hai. Parde niche karlijiye warna seat gili hojayegi"

Riddhima jerked out of her thoughts when the auto rickshaw driver called her. Rain drops pattered as they hitted the seat cover, thus wettening the seat. Moving aside, Riddhima pulled down the black curtains rolled above on both the sides. The pitter patter of the raindrops increased as they now hitted the black curtains.

As the unseasonal drops descended down, gently patting the rooftop of the autorickshaw and sliding down the glass window of the auto, Riddhima was again lost in her chain of thoughts.

He was an unseasonal rain in her otherwise sunny life. Everytime she tried to take shelter to save herself, he'd end up drenching her even more.

Riddhima came out of her thought as she felt a sudden push on her body. Holding the iron rod for support, Riddhima looked up and through the wet glass window of the auto,  she saw blurry visual of a black car crossing their path.

She clutched the iron rod tightly as the auto driver applied break when the same black car stood across, blocking the pathway.

"Ye kaun marne ke liye gaadi aage khada kardiya.... Oh hello bhaisahab, hato raste se.... "

The auto driver yelled peeping his head from the auto. The door of car opened. She saw a charcoal black umbrella coming out from the door n finally a Man getting out of the car holding it above his head.

As the man walked towards them holding the umbrella above his head, Riddhima gulped Looking at his face....

"What the fuck Riddhima. Get off from the Auto"

She flinched in her place hearing his voice. Sliding the black curtain of one side, he leaned to reach her height.

"Out, Riddhima"

He ordered, his eyes dangerously glaring at her. Jaw clenched, hands fisted and eyes spitting fire....She gulped looking at him. Everytime, Every fucking time she bent down in front of him. She kept on bearing everything without uttering even a single word.   But now, it wasn't now about her. It was about her people. If she didn't stood for her friend today, Vansh would never let her take any stand...for anyone.

Sliding the curtain of the other side, she leapt from the auto quickly and was running in the opposite direction. She has made her mind. She was so done with his marriage sham. No way she was going to stay with his man. Not even for a second....

"What the...."

Vansh sweared under his breath seeing her again running away from him that too in rain.  He was about to follow her, when he felt a pull on his sleeves. Vansh turned and glared at the auto driver who was now pulling him holding his sleeves.

"Oh bhaiSaab, wo madam ko to bhaga diya aapne. Ab meri sawari ka paisa kaun dega? Pura dedso rupaya hua hai."

The auto driver said annoyed. Putting his hand in his pocket, Vansh took out his wallet.  After taking out the cards from the wallet, he threw the wallet inside on the auto driver's lap without even counting the money. 
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Her legs clicked against the standing water as she ran on the raining road. Her steps came to halt when she felt someone pulling her wrist from behind and before she knew,  her front crushed against a hard chest. She raised her head, her lips quivered as her eyes met his.

The umbrella was long gone. Rainwater pelt down his hairs, rolling down his body before running into the water on the road.

Giving her a deadly glare, he dragged her to the side of road even after her resistance. She tried to remove his grip from her hand, but failed. Pulling her with him to the shade that was made on the side of road for the travelers, he turned towards her.

"Are you fucking mad or what? What do you think you were doing? Do you even know how much I was worried about your safety?"

She flinched as he began shouting on her face. He was acting as if he cared which wasn't true. All Vansh RaiSinghania cares is about himself.

Vansh was infuriated seeing Riddhima standing blank in front of him. Did she really lost her sanity or what, he wondered....

"What the heck is your problem, huh? Aise bich raste me bhaag rahi thi, kuch ho jaata to...."

His voice reach octave. Riddhima shoved his hand that was on her wrist. Taking a step back, she pointed a finger at him.

"To hone dete.... Vansh RaiSinghania ko kabse kisiki jaan ki fikar hone lagi."

She taunted, her voice cracked as she tried harder to control her tears. Her friend was beaten, Why? Because of her. His only fault was that he was her friend. Riddhima knew, She was the one to be blamed for the attack on Kabir.

Vansh saw her counting numbers to control her anger. Keeping both of her hands on her waist, she huffed and raised her head to take deep breath. When she calmed down, Vansh took a step close to her and held her both the hand.

She looked at him with serious eyes, making him wonder what wrong he had done. Was interlocking your fingers with your wife a crime?

"Mere sawaal ka jawaab nahi diya tumne. Bhaag kyu rahi thi?"

He asked holding her captive with his eyes. As she took her own time to answer, his eyes took in her wet form. Her hairs, that he often found flying with the wind were now flatten by the rain. Water rolled down her scalp to her forehead, travelling down her chin before disappearing into the neckline of her cloth from the crevice of her neck...

The wet whitish cotton salwaar was sticking to her body like a second skin..As she gently tucked the hair behind her ear, he fisted his hand to control himself.

"Tumse bhaag rahi hun kyuki tumhare paas honese bhi ab dar lagne laga hai mujhe."

Riddhima confessed, closing her eyes. Vansh was quite amused hearing her answer. She was his wife, and not a employee who should be afraid of him.

"So you think I mean any harm to you."

He said in a husky voice, that was enough to make shivers run down her spine. Her eyes shut open as he took a step close to her. Before she realized, he snaked his arm around her waist and yanked her to his chest.

"Tumhe maara, peeta ya jala diya. Batao kya kiya maine tumhare saath?"

He talked through his closed teeth. Did she really think that low of him? He might be a man with anger issues, but he is definitely not a woman beater. Only if he knew, Physical abuse is not the only abuse a girl goes through.

As her hands held the sleeves of his wet coat in their grip, she raised her head and looked at him.. His eyes were glowering her, the vein in middle of his forehead started to throb, and his jaw was tightly clenched.

He was looking at her like he is going to throttle her, and then he has audacity to ask her why is she afraid of him...

"Kabir... Kabir par attack karwaya. Tumhare wajahse wo....."

Riddhima tried to answer but stopped when she felt his finger pressed against her lips. Squinting eyes, she looked at his finger and then at him. He signalled her not to utter a word.

Everytime Kabir's name roll of out Riddhima's tongue, Vansh feel blood gushing to his veins. He had every damn reason to feel jealous of Kabir, out of which one of the reason was the ease with which Kabir's name roll out of Riddhima's mouth, as if his name was some kind of prayer to her.

Pulling her closer to him if that was even possible, he held her chin with other hand and made her look at him.

"Haan, karwaya Maine attack. You know why? Because he was trying to get close to you. And anybody who dares to get close to my wife will meet same fate as Kabir"

He said, not a bit guilty of his act. For Vansh, he just taught a good lesson to a moron who was trying to get close to his girl. But for Riddhima, that moron was her friend whom she knew since ages. Kabir wasn't a random stranger to be hounded upon. Morever, She trusted him.

Riddhima was scared because of Vansh's intensions which she knew were not pure. When she saw the glint of madness in his eyes, her heart thumped in fear. 

"Kabir mera dost hai Vansh. Tum use aise hurt nahi karsakte. Suna tumne....Tum mere kisi bhi dost ko hurt nahi karsakte. Meri jaan basti hai unme"

She shrieked holding the lapel of his coat. Just because she bear every fucking thing he did with her doesn't mean that she'd do same when he roam around hurting her friends. Her family and friends are off limit. She wouldn't ever want her friends to suffer because of her.

Riddhima didn't know which language Vansh understands. In whichever language he does, he has to get it straight into his head that he can't go on hurting her friends and disturbing their lives. This behavior is totally unacceptable.

Vansh glared at her hand that were grabbing the lapel of his coat. No one has ever dared to reach his hand till Vansh RaiSinghania's blazer. The girl standing in front of him is getting away with it just because she is his wife whom he fucking likes.

"Dost hai, to dosti ke had me rahe Riddhima. Har rishte ki ek maryada hoti hai."

Vansh said through his closed teeth as he remembered the night he saw them dancing hands in hands. Till date, he remembers how many time Kabir's hand settled on the small of her back.

Riddhima couldn't help but roll her eyes. Says the one who had crossed limits right from Day One. Atleast Kabir was her friend. But Vansh... He was a complete stranger to her, yet he kept behaving like he owned her. And Today he has the audacity to talk about limits in relations to her. Did he forget that he is the one who has crossed his limits the maximum number of times...

"Chhodo... Tumse baat karna hi bekaar hai kyuki tum kabhi kisiki sunne ke liye ready hi nahi hote ho."

Distancing herself from him, She muttered closing her eyes taking deep breathes to calm herself. Talking with him is like hitting your own head on the hardest wall. Every time she tries to raise her point, he is always ready to counter answer.

"Fine. Bolo jo bolna hai..... Lekin uske baad mai bolunga aur tum sunogi ..... Sunogi aur samjhogi bhi"

Vansh said, his voice more of a warning. Riddhima looked up and gulped seeing him seething in anger. Though it was not new for her, yet she felt a twinge in her heart every time he looked at her like that, like he is going to pounce on her if she utters even a single word more.

Now that he gave her chance to speak, she didn't know what to say. Heck she forgot what she was going to say. She felt like someone was asking her to speak on gunpoint and if by mistake she uttered even a single wrong word, the trigger would be pressed and bullet would leave the muzzle to enter her skull. She stared at him as more tears accumulated in her eyes....

As if rain pounding on the roof of the shade wasn't enough....Suddenly, a flash of light hit a little close and Riddhima almost jumped on her place. Eyes closed, she ran to Vansh who took her in his arms and patted her back to calm her. As she hugged him tight, he ran his fingertips through her wet hairs and waited for her to calm down in his arms... As the thunder again boomed, she hid her face his chest and hugged him as if her life was dependent on it.

"Shhhh..... Relax. Bijli hi to hai"

He cooed in her ears, and felt her body relaxing a bit in his embrace. Opening her eyes, she looked at his face. He was already staring at her.

"Mujhe... Mujhe bohot dar lagta hai.....bijli se"

She confessed, still holding the back of his blazer in her fist. She herself didn't know what has gotten into her. Why did she share one of her biggest fear with him?

Her eyes widened as she realized their position. Distancing herself from him, she looked at her toe, clearly embarrassed of her action. How could she even seek comfort in a person who has created havoc in her life.... How could she find equanimity in the arms of the person she feared most?

"Nothing to be embarrassed Riddhima. You are my wife. Haq hai tumhara mujhpar...."

Her head jolted to look at him as he spoke, his eyes not leaving her face even for a second. Averting her gaze, she looked everywhere but him.

"Koi haq nahi hai Vansh. Na mera tumpar, naa tumhara mujhpar"

Riddhima completed, not even looking at him. Though she might have married him due to circumstances, but in no way it meant she gave him rights over her. They might be husband and wife for others, but for Riddhima they were just strangers. And strangers don't talk about having rights on each other.

Vansh closed his eyes in frustration. The girl in front of him was expert in ruining their moment. Everytime he tries to engage in some hubby talking with her, she goes in denial mode. And this really irritated him.

Turning around, Riddhima looked at the rainwater pouring down from the roof of the shade under which they were standing....

"Tum bilkul bhi khush nahi ho is shadi se?"

She looked over her shoulder and saw him standing just behind her. Crossing her hand around her waist, she looked up at the rainwater falling mercilessly on the trees on the other side of road as they whipped and bend in the wind. Vansh was just like this unseasonal rain in her life.

"Aapko mai bilkul bhi khush lagti hun?"

Riddhima asked, gazing at the raindrops bouncing off the pavement. Her voice was soft, yet it sounded as a taunt to him. He was tongue tied. True, he haven't seen her smiling or laughing properly since the day their wedding ritual started.

A part of him was yearning to see her giggling with him just like she was doing with Kabir in the restaurant last time. How could Kabir manage to make her laugh just by looking at her whereas for Vansh, making her look at him was itself a huge task.... He too wanted to make her smile, he too wanted to keep her happy. But his actions were always contrary to his intentions.

"Kyun Riddhima? Khush kyu nahi ho tum?"

Vansh dared to ask. He knew he was a man with endless flaws, but he was afraid of accepting his flaws as he always felt it would lower his confidence.

His question made Riddhima snap her head at him. She lost the count of the number of times she cried ever since he entered her life. He insulted her, scared her, threatened her, beated her friend. If that wasn't enough, he married her against her will and now he is asking why isn't she happy? What did he even do to make her happy?

"Aapko sachme abtak ye samajh nahi aaya?"

She asked, still reeling from his words.

Vansh had enough of her twisted replies. He wanted a direct answer of his direct question. He didn't know How the fuck she expects him to understand her when she hardly even speaks to him.

Turning her towards him, he pinned her to the rusted pole of the shade. Riddhima shivered as the wet gritty pole frictioned against the soft skin of her back, sending sensations down her spine. As the cold pole pressed more against her skin, her hand clasped his sleeves in reflex.

As she tugged her wet hair strand behind her ears, demon inside him flared. His finger itched to run through her wet silky hair.

"Problem kya hai Riddhima? You said you don't have someone in your life, right? To fir humare rishte se problem kya hai tumhe..."

His nose tip almost touched her as the words left his mouth. She wanted to push him, but couldn't. Everytime he pulls her close to himself, Riddhima has no idea what the F happenes to her body...

She raised her head and looked at him. He was gazing at her just like she would gaze at the moon in the full moon night.

Her eyes closed and mouth parted as she felt the water drop falling from his wet hairs on her bossom..

"Problem ye hai Vansh ki meri shadi naa insaan se nahi patthar se huyi hai...."

She said, after a pause. Taking deep breath she opened her eyes and looked at him. He wanted to snap back but stopped himself because he promised her he'd let her speak.

"Us patthar ko naa kisike emotions samajh aate hai na kisike intentions."

She continued after getting no response from him. Her eyes were now accusing him.

True. He wasn't good in understanding other people's emotions. Heck, He never cared about anyone's feelings. It simply didn't mattered to him. He was always self centered and even now he is. But in no way it meant she could compare him with a stone... Stone, like seriously? He was a living person for God sake.

Though they were standing close, Vansh could feel that the distance in between their heart was in miles. As much as he was deparate to reduce this distance, he also wanted her to take few steps towards him.

" Tumhe pata hai Vansh, wo patthar mujhe ghaav bhi deta hai aur marham bhi lagata hai.... Mai to muskuraake sab bhul jaati hun, Lekin mera dil saare ghaav ka hisaab rakhta hai. Woh kabhi kuch nahi bhulta hai"

As in daze, she continued further making him tongue tied. It was her nature to forgive easily but she couldn't forget anything even after forgiving. Her brain always kept a record of people who hurted her. It never allowed her to forget any bad memory.

Her every word was pricking his heart. What was she trying to convey? Was she saying that she'd never forget anything? For how long was she going to hold the grudges against him, he wondered.

"Saath zindagi guzaarani hai Riddhima. Aise guzaarenge? "

He asked, she looked at him curtly. What was he even suggesting? Was he expecting her to forget everything just because now they were married, so they'll have to spend remaining years of their lives together? How could he even expect her to forget everything easily when he himself is holdling grudges against her from God knows how many years....

"Tumhare liye kehna aasan hai Vansh kyuki tumhe wo sab nahi sunna pada jo maine suna hai"

Riddhima taunted, her eyes accusing him. He had no idea what she had to go through because of him. The words which he used for her, still resonates in her ears making her feel like bile rise up in her throat.

"Tumhe kisine low standard, gand ya charity case nhi kaha.... Tumhara kisine gala pakadke pani me nahi dubaya...  Tumhari parvarish ko kisine zaleel nahi kiya. Tumhari Maa par kisine ungliyaa nahi uthaayi. Tumhe pareshaan karke ke liye tumhare sath kisine jabardasti shadi nahi ki ".

She completed in a breath, her voice reaching octave. She herself didn't realize when the fresh tears started brimming from her eyes. When you constantly hear bad about yourself, it does break your self confidence at some point of time. Riddhima was no exception to this.
He had given her so many bad memories, which she won't ever be able to forget. It will keep haunting her until her last breath and sadly he can't do anything about that. Nobody can.

Vansh felt like somebody threw a boiling water from the kettle on his face. He was always open and direct in speech. He never thought even for once before speaking up his mind. Whenever he was blinded by rage, he'd utter whatever was coming in his mouth. Whenever people hurted him by their action, It was his natural tendency to hurt them by his words. It was his nature, a part of him. And he couldn't change that even if he wanted to.

What he never realized was how much his words hurted others, especially his loved ones... One look at her quivering lips and trembling body, and he realized what impact his words might have had on her fragile self...

Not wanting to see his face anymore, she was about to pass him. He grabbed her wrist and stood in front of her holding her shoulder. Riddhima was about to shove off his hands but froze hearing his next words....

"Tum Pasand ho mujhe Riddhima, isliye shaadi ki hai. Koi badla lene ya pareshan karne ke liye nahi if that's what you think. "

He said looking straight into her eyes, that were staring him back. He saw the bewildered look on her face. For a second, it did amused him. She had him wrapped around her little finger, Wasn't it pretty much obvious? Or else why would he even go to the extend of marrying her.... Vansh RaiSinghania won't ruin his own life for a petty revenge, If that's what she feels.

"And secondly, I'm really sorry for saying those things about your mother. Us raat Mai nashe me tha aur... I don't even remember properly what I said to you."

Clenching his eyes, he spoke holding her arms tightly in his grip. He always found it difficult to accept his mistake in front of others. And apology... It was always out of question.

But today, he did both. Accepted his mistake and apologized. Now that he reminiscence his words, he felt ashamed of himself. The alcohol running in his veins that night flared his demons. Vansh released her hand, and turned his back to her. Whatever he did to her was wrong. Wrong on every level. And he knew that. If it was his mother who was verbally abused, he wouldn't have wasted even a minute in plunging out that person's tongue from his throat.

Riddhima glanced at him as he pulled his hair in frustration. She just couldn't believe his words. He like her? Did he even knew the meaning of that word?

Even his apology didn't sound genuine to her. And even if it was genuine, it wouldn't change a thing. Words shot from the tongue are like arrows shot from the bow. Once loosened, you cannot call them back.

Turning around, Riddhima looked up at the grey sky above. It was still raining. The dark clouds clearly indicating that the Water God was in no mood to stop today. As she saw water running on the road, Riddhima was reminisced of her childhood memory.

"I know it won't change...... Riddhima....."

Turning back, Vansh paused to look what Riddhima was doing. He stood beside her and scrunched his eyebrows seeing her folding a yellow paper. He looked around, where did she get the paper from? His eyes settled upon the similar yellow pamphlet pasted on the poles and the only wall of the shade.

"What you doing?"

He asked, looking at her. Riddhima didn't reply, instead continued to flip and fold the page. Vansh didn't fail to notice the smile of her face as she pulled apart the two sides of folded paper. It opened up into a boat.

A paper boat ! Vansh felt like laughing on himself. He never knew he was married to a kid until today.

Her eyes desparetely looked for something around, and a smile broke her face as she found what she was looking for. Bending down, she picked up the small piece of a charcoal lying near his leg while he looked at her surprised. Who would believe this madame was on the verge of crying a minute ago....

Pressing the paper boat against the iron pole of the shade, Riddhima wrote someting on it, he wasn't aware of. Curiosity rose in him, and his gaze followed her as she threw the charcoal on the floor, and took of her heels. Walking barefooted up to the edge of the shade, She set her foot down on the road.

Vansh flared his nose. What the fuck was wrong with this woman? Her clothes were already wet, but looked liked madame didn't had enough. Now she wanted to shower in rain. He took rapid steps to pull her back to shade but stopped seeing her lips curve into the prettiest smile he had ever seen. It was the kind of smile that could make you feel butterflies in your stomach.

Immersing her foot in the running water on the road, she bent down. Tugging her wet hair fringe behing her ear, she left the paper boat in the moving water on the road. As the paper boat sailed on the water amidst the drizzle from above, Vansh read the message written on it. "MISS YOU MAA" it was, written in bolds on the middle of the paper boat.

"Maa aur Mai bachpan me aise Papa se baat karte the. Kabhi socha nahi tha ek din Maa se bhi aise......"

Riddhima swallowed down the lump that formed in her throat. She didn't know why she was sharing this with him, but for some unknown reasons, it just felt right to her at that moment. She knew he won't understand. Nobody would. But still, for at least a day of her life, she wanted to speak about her pain instead of hiding it from everyone for their happiness...

Vansh saw Riddhima looking at the paper boat sailing in the running water amidst the grasses and pebbles. She had a smile plastered on her face, but he could see through the facade that she was wearing.

Pulling one of the pamphlet pasted loosely on the wall of the shade, Vansh walked towards Riddhima while folding the paper in his hand.

Riddhima startled feeling someone beside her. She turned her neck and saw Vansh standing near her under the open sky that was drizzling from quite a long time now. He bent forward and dropped a similiar paper boat in the running muddy water. Copycat! She scoffed.

Riddhima gasped reading the lines written on his paper boat. "I'M SORRY PRIYA AUNTY"... It read. She looked at him, shocked.

She averted her gaze when he caught her redhanded staring at him. As the paper boat he made chased her paper boat in the running water, Vansh turned his neck and gazed at her. Her cheeks were begging for his attention.

He looked at the raindrops falling on the ground. That's how he was falling for her too. Quickly and unapologetically.

He came out of his trace hearing her giggles. It was then that he looked at the road and found his boat sinking in the water.

"Lo tumhari naav to dub gyi. Maa ne bhi tumhe maaf nahi kiya"

She said, still giggling. He looked with a sulken face at his waterlogged boat submerging slowly under the muddy water and then sinked in.

"Fine. Tumhari Maa se mai maafi leke rahunga"

He said, determined. If her mother's apology mattered so much to her, he would get it for her. Making a dead person to forgive you,  seemed a practically impossible task. He don't know how he was going to do what he wanted to do. All he knew was, he is going to  leave no stone unturned to make her late mother forgive him.

A city bus stopped right in front of the shade and passengers got out of bus one by one and stood under the shade.

"Baarish ruk gyi. Come, let's go. Everybody must be waiting for us"

Vansh said looking at Riddhima and walked outside the shade. He turned back and saw Riddhima still rooted at the spot.

"Mujhe thodi der akele rehna hai"

She said. Vansh wanted to argue but deciding against it. If he kept imposing his decisions on her, she will become rebel. And that's the last thing he want her to be....

"Fine. I'm sending Aangre. Uske saath aajana. "

He said, before walking towards his car. Riddhima looked at his retreating figure sadly. What's exactly why she could never like him... She asked him to leave, and he just left.

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Riddhima's POV:-

"Hayo rabba. Riddhima itni bheeg kaise gyi tu. "

Chanchal Chachi exclaimed, seeing me standing outside the door totally drenched in water. Hearing her loud voice, Anupriya Maa came  out of the kitchen and was shocked to see me like this.

"Riddhu, andar aajao beta. Hey bhagwaan, kitni bheeg gyi ho tum. "

Worried,  Anupriya Maa walked towards me... She signalled D'Souza aunty through her eyes. Aunty nodded her head understanding the unsaid words, and went upstairs.

"Tum pehle baitho yaha."

Anu Maa made me sit on a sofa and wiped my face with the free end of her Saree. What did I even do to deserve her? I watched her, as she removed the wet dupatta from my Kurti and threw it on floor. Wiping my hands with the material of her Saree, she shouted D'Souza Aunty's name.

The concern that reflected in her eyes, touched my heart. I wondered if my own mother would have loved me as much as Anu Maa does.

D'Souza Aunty brought towels and napkins and handed it to Chachi who picked up the towel and started wiping my hairs whereas Anu Maa was instructing the servants how to make "kadha" for me.

"Pagal ladki. Kuch bhi karti rehti hai. Ye kya teri barish me khelne ki umar rehgyi hai. Bimaar padgyi toh? "

Chachi chided while wiping my hairs. I lowered my head like a kid who is scolded by his teacher. What else would I have done, I knew if I opened my mouth she'd scold me more.

"Riddhima, pagal hogyi haikya. Ye kya bheeg ke aayi hai tu. Janti haina asthma hai. Sardi hogyi to? Ruko mai abhi doctor ko phone karta hu"

As if Chanchal chachi wasn't enough, her suputra Mr. MonkeyMan I mean Aryan started scolding me. I narrowed my eyes at him. Bandar kahika....

"Haa Aryan ye sahi rahega. Doctor Ko call karo. Nahi to ek kaam karte hai Anu didi,  ambulance bulwaalete hai.."

Chachi suggested making me widen my eyes. What Doctor??? No. A big No. What if he gives me injection? It's more painful than a bee's sting. Wait a minute, Why to call doctor. I'm not sick....

"Chachi nahi. Doctor Ko bulaaneki koi jarurat nahi.... Aaaaaaacchiiiiii"

Covering my mouth with both of my hands, I sneezed. Anu Maa sat beside me and checked my temperature with the back of her hand.

" Bukhaar chadgya haina didi. Mai janti thi.... Oye Khotte, Tu khade khade baate kya sunrha hai. Bula na ambulance ko...."

She whacked Aaryan's arm who took out his phone from his pocket. God, please please help. Chachiji ka bus chale to mujhe ICU me admit karwaade....
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Vansh saw the entire drama from the railing above. He scoffed as he saw Chachiji suggesting his Mom to call ambulance. God.  His entire family was behaving as if Riddhima was suffering from a major disease. She is just wet and needs to dry herself. That would be enough.

What kind of circus he lives in, he thought when he saw Aryan really dialing the ambulance number... Who the fuck calls an ambulance for the complaints of running nose and sneezing? Have they gone crazy?

Walking towards the living, He moved Aryan aside and stood in front of Riddhima. Her head raised as she saw Vansh in front of her. Bending down to her level, He tugged the hair strand falling on her face behind her ear. She closed her eyes momentarily. The next moment, he put his hand beneath her thigh and another hand around her waist.

Audible gasps were heard and the RaiSinghanias saw Vansh carrying Riddhima in his arm. 

"Vansh... Kaha lejarhe ho use.? Doctor bus....."

Anupriya asked as she saw her son walking with Riddhima in his arms.

Turning his neck, Vansh looked at his mother.

"Apne kamre me. "

As the words left his mouth, Riddhima felt her heart beat fast. More than the doctor and his painful injection, she was scared of Vansh now.

"Aur haan. Doctor ko bulaane ki koi jarurat nahi hai. She isn't sick. So it would be better Aryan if you stop overeacting and concentrate on the files that I gave you"

Vansh said, with a stern face directing his gaze at Aryan who nodded his head and kept back his phone in his pocket.
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Precap-- "Vansh Baba, niche inspector Kabir aur unke kuch officials aaye hai. Aapse milna chahte hai"

Mrs. D'Souza said, making Vansh glare at Riddhima who was equally shocked hearing this. So, it means Riddhima has told her best friend about the attack he did on Kabir... Vansh concluded and left the room in fit of anger.
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A/N - Those who were asking for long update, happy now? The longest update I wrote till date . Word count- 10 K plus. (10158 exact)

So, how was the chapter? If you talk about me, I loved writing some scenes but some scenes were boring. Overall, I enjoyed writing this chapter. Hope you loved reading it.

And about next update... I'll update in next month. Next two weeks are going to be really hectic for me. Har alternate day meri night duty lagai hai and I really donno how I'm going to manage with very less sleep.

Anyways, Goodnight. My eyes r aching. I need to sleep. Kal subah 9 bje duty pe bhi janahai.