Kabhi kud pe kabhi halat pe rona aaya
Baat nikli toh har baat pe rona aaya

★★★★★

"What are you looking for?" Ajay asked his son, who just came inside the study minutes ago and was throwing files and books, messing everything up. He rolled his eyed when he didn't receive an answer.

Vansh had a meeting and he wasn't able to remember where he placed the file he was reading yesterday night so it's nothing big when he turned the study upside down.

He moved to go when he finally got his hands on the blue file. But he couldn't move when he heard his father again.

"When will you stop this drama?"
Vansh turned facing his father for the first time since his entry in the study room. He glanced at him for a minute with a look one can't decipher.

"Drama?" He snorted

"Well what is it then? "

He snickered "You know what dad? I am not at all surprised when you call your son's emotions a drama."

"Vansh why don't you move on beta?" He asked  his eyes showing the wariness and care.

"How could you do this Papa? " He counter questioned instead of answering. He didn't expect that, not from his superhero atleast. For the first time he showed his father, how vulnerable he is feeling.

"I did it for you, for your happiness" He moved slowly toward his son placing a hand on his shoulder, looked straight at him and tried to convey his worries.

"You don't force someone to marry for happiness for God sake" He yelled at his father pushing his hand away. "You knew I never wanted this. Still you fixed all this up even without telling me and when I still didn't budge you used maa as a weapon. You knew I would never say no to ma. You knew. So low of you papa so low."

"For how long will you stick to the past? You need to move on and i just gave a push. Riddhima is genuinely best for you."

"I know who is best for me, you don't need to tell me. And for me my Ragini was, is and will be the best for me. No one can come close to her not even that girl. "

"She has a name Vansh and she is your wife. "

"She isn't my wife. " He screamed "And why are you taking her side so much? She could be a gold digger who is just after my money who knows?"

The crashing of the mugs grabbed their attention and they both turned to the voice. There she was, standing like a statue and when the tray crash landed on the floor she took a step back. Her eyes were filled to the brim and tears rolled down one by one.

"Sorry"  They heard her whisper, she bend down  wiping her tears and tried to pick up the broken pieces. Her eyes blurred and the pain emerged as if she was picking up the broken pieces of her own heart.

"Sorry" She was chanting sorries simultaneously  picking up the pieces. But her blurred vision didn't help much and the next second the blood oozed out. She didn't react maybe because these small cuts were nothing compared to the stab she got right there in her heart.

"Riddhima beta...

Ajay tried to say something but before he could complete his sentence she again said

"Sorry"

Blood drops were touching the floor one by one but she was still picking up the broken pieces in a hurry. Tears were still running out without her permission. Finally when she was done placing the pieces in the tray she stood up, said "Sorry" and went out without looking at anyone.

Riddhima didn't remember when she placed the tray on the kitchen counter or when she climbed the stairs, everything went in a daze. When her room's door made the noise of opening and closing she looked up and realised where she was. She was sitting on the floor, beside the bed , her head resting on her knees and hands coiled around them. She blinked her eyes to get the look of the person who just entered inside her room.

Uma sat beside her daughter in law. Taking her injured hand in hers she did her dressing without saying anything and for the first time Riddhima was thankful for the silence. She knew if she tried to say something she will break down and she didn't want to do that in front of her even though she loves her. The river of tears was still flowing. The pain in the hand was Subsiding but what about the pain she was feeling in her heart?

Uma caressed her hair, crying at the fate. She was so happy when her son said yes to the marriage. She didn't know he was forced. She would haven't asked him if she knew what was happening. Riddhima had a special place in her heart. Even though she has a daughter but even she couldn't see through her like Riddhima does.

When Uma called out her name. Riddhima sobbed a little more and Uma didn't waste a second to embrace her broken daughter.

"I want to *hiccup* go home ma. " Riddhima stuttered while weeping.

"This is the least I can do for you right now Riddhu. "  She nodded and cried with her daughter.

°°°°°°°°°°

Riddhima was sure her fate was playing games with her. To start from the harsh reality of her married life to coming back to Singhania mansion. Yesterday she came face to face to all the answers she had questions for. Yesterday she came to know what he thinks of her.

Yeah right a gold digger!

She wanted to go to her home. To her place where she feels wanted, to her Mumma Papa. But her destiny has other plans. She went to her home with Uma who forced that she will  drop her home. Everything was okay. She hugged her Papa to seek the peace. She had masked her agony. Her family welcomed them. Riddhima's mother didn't let Uma go without having lunch.

When they were having the lunch. Her mother got a call. Her nani's health was under the weather for a few days but it was deteriorating now and she got hospitalized. Her mother panicked and wanted to go to her mother. Rehaan and her father was making the arrangement. Riddhima wanted to go with them but her mother denied.

She was already depressed, Riddhima didn't want to rile her up now. Then she said she will stay here and wait for them. This time her father said no. They told her to go with Uma and promised her to keep her updated. Riddhima felt dejected but didn't say anything.

No one wants her!

So she was back to the place she didn't want to go. She didn't come out of her room the whole day. Even refused politely to have dinner when servant came to her room. But at night Uma came inside her room with the food and forcefully fed her. Even though she had few spoons but it was better than nothing right? Uma thought.

In the morning, Riddhima came out of her room all ready to go for the college. Her phone beeped with the message your ride is here. Closing her room she sprinted down the stairs. She sighed when the living room was silent no one was there. Without wasting a second, she strode to the main gate. She knew Uma won't let her go without having food so it was better to run.

The day at the college was usual, packed up with classes. She was grateful as it kept her away from thinking about certain someone.

She came to a conclusion that he will never be hers. And now she was trying to live with that. She had lost all her hopes or you can say there was nothing left to hold on. She wouldn't have married him if she knew he was not happy. She thought he wasn't ready and was giving him time. But now she knows, this is not about time. When someone doesn't want you in their life you should let them me.

The days were going like this, her leaving for college without having breakfast, eating lunch in the college, refusing to have dinner as she had a big meal in the college. Uma was aware what Riddhima was doing and she was really concerned about her health. Her long lectures and force feeding were not lasting long.

Riddhima was happy at least one thing right happened. Her nani was recovering and will be home soon.

Riddhima sighed looking at the moon. Lately she wasn't able to sleep. It's like even her sleep didn't want to be with her. She was sitting in the lawn comfortably on the chair, her head resting backwards when she heard the car screeching.

Vansh came out of the car and his eyes landed on the small figure in the lawn. It didn't take him seconds to figure out who she was. He stood there, contemplating, for few minutes looking at her side view. Took a couple of steps toward her but stopped in the middle, turned around and he went inside.

She knew he was there but she didn't move. She knew he took steps toward her but what's the point when he backed away in no time? She had no energy to barge in people's life now. The after effects are too much to take a step further.

Her thoughts went back to the Vansh she used to love.

"Riddhima" She turned when she heard someone calling her name. Her eyes brows almost touched her hair when she saw him jogging toward her.

They were working on the quiz together since a month and many things had changed since then like she didn't have to gaze at him from afar because she can do it sitting next to him now.

Things like he was not oblivious to her existence now. Things like he passes her heart melting smile whenever he sees her outside the class. But they didn't talk outside the classroom. This is the first time.

"Hey!" He chirped with a smile and she reciprocated with the same intensity.

"Hi"

"I won't be able to attend this week's quiz classes. My cousin is getting married so won't be able to attend college for a couple of days."  Her smiled flattened within seconds thinking she won't be able to see him for two freaking days. "Oh" Was only she could mutter.

"Don't worry you don't need to do all the work. I will help you." Vansh snorted at her face expression thinking she was unhappy because she will have to do not only her work but his share also. He took her phone from her hand and typed something she could  not see and was confused what he was doing.

"Here is my number. Whatever assignment we will get just send me on whatsap Okay? " He said giving her cell phone back to which she just nodded her head.

"You are waiting for someone? " He asked when she looked out of the gates and then her wrist watch.

"Yeah my father was supposed to take me home. I don't know why he isn't here. " She huffed. The sun was about to set.

"I can drop you if you want. " He offered. Her phone  almost dropped but she catched it on time when his words reached her ears.

"No .. No.. I.. It's fine. He will come. " She stuttered embarrassingly. "You should go it's getting late." She reminded

"No it's okay I will wait with you." He shrugged and stood beside her looking around. She couldn't stop herself looking at him. He gives her a reason everyday to like him more.

Her phone buzzed and her father told her that he was on the way but the tyre was punctured. She told him not to worry she will go home by bus and joked that she will reach before him.

She cut the call and saw him looking at her, she almost forgot he was standing beside her all the time she was talking to her father.

"He won't be able to come. I should go now it's already getting late." She said and he shook his head.

"Come with me" He ordered and took her hand taking her toward his car. "We are friends Riddhima. You can come with me without being scared." He chuckles looking at her frightened face.

"Friends? " She questioned

"Yeah! Are not we? " He asked raising his one eye brow

"Yes yes. Friends. We are friends." She said more like reminded herself.

The ride was a silent one. He didn't say anything and she was too embarrassed to say anything other then telling him the route to her home.

His car stopped in front of her house and he smiled " You are home"

"Thank you so much." She was genuinely thankful.

"My pleasure."

Getting out of the car she was going toward the main gate but turned and said "Have a gala of time with your fam."

He gave her his that heart melting smile which she loves so much. "Thank you and you take care."

She saw his car till it got blurred from her view with a happy smile and raising heart beats.

Riddhima opened her eyes when the chilly breeze made her shiver. Her eyes again went to the moon. She sighed, they were friends, right? Does a friend calls his friend a gold digger? Her eyes again got blurred because of the unshed tears.

★★★★★★

Tuesday is here and so is the chapter ;)

Who wants to read Vansh's POV in the next chapter? *wink*

What Vansh said was really not acceptable.

Not editted so bear all those spelling and grammar mistakes 🙈

Until next time

Love love ❤