"Addy..." whispered Riddhima as she watched his tall muscular figure stalking into the room taking small, predatory steps. His eyes were dark. His hairs dishevelled, though gave him a handsome appearance anyways. He wasn't wearing his favourite spider man T-shirt today but was actually wearing a casual baggy T-shirt (which wasn't baggy at all since Addy was way too well built for the shirt she bought him) which had an Om pained on it in bold saffron letters. Anurag and Natasha looked at him in confusion. How the fuck did he climbed that big staircase when he had successfully installed a fear in him about stairs, quoting their mother's words!!! This was a serious question. Riddhima was flummoxed. She had this recurring feeling inside of her that that guy prowling into the room was a complete stranger, even though she'd known that face for months now. There was something different about his appearance today. His personality today spoke of dominance.
"How the fuck you came down here?? C'mon go up again you idiot...." Anurag spat, gnashing his teeth. Natasha casted a deadly glare at him.
"No. Finish them both right now. We won't get this golden chance again and again. Just do it." she said darkly. Riddhima gasped loudly. She wasn't willing to jeopardize Addy's life. She was ready to sacrifice her own life for the sake of Addy. Addy was her responsibility. He couldn't help himself and it would be extremely selfish of her if she leaves him to die at the hands of these ghouls. She made a dash towards him. Hitherto Addy's eyes were glaring coldly at the two perpetrators but once Riddhima ran and stopped in front of him, she was certain she saw his eyes softened a bit before they were again glaring daggers at both Anurag and Natasha.
"Addy.... Addy run....run away quickly...." she said breathlessly. However, it actually took her by surprise to see Addy so calm and composed as if this wasn't something of a big deal. Nor was he, even a bit, intimidated at the sight of that sleek, shiny pistol. He looked coldly at the perpetrators and then looked back at Riddhima. His eyes now softened. And even if there was any other emotion, Riddhima simply didn't acknowledge that.
"Go upstairs. I'll be back soon." he said, his voice low yet firm and commanding. Riddhima was literally seeing stars and moon all around her, like what the hell.....since when did Addy started talking like a sane man. His voice was 100% masculine and actually complemented his physical age. But Riddhima had always been an innocent girl, not always does realisation comes easy to her. But that doesn't mean everyone was a 'tubelight' like her. The two standing behind had literally started trembling. Anurag was ready to pee in his pants. And because Riddhima's face was facing Addy, she sadly couldn't see it for herself. Though she heard the sound of the pistol plunging to the floor, but because she was so staggered by Addy's sudden change in behaviour that she didn't wheel around and look at what had became of the pistol. She still decided to give another try.
"Addy listen they're dangerous....just go back right now." she said holding his hand. There was a sudden change in his personality when she kept her hand on his. A girl like Riddhima didn't found it weird but a much saner woman would've understood the signs his body was giving. Gently he took hold of her hand before letting it go. It was relatively hard for him to let go of her hand since those eyes of his told that he wanted her hand over his but........ Sometimes 'sighs'. Drawing in a breath he looked at her. Millions of emotions swimming in those dark, unforgiving eyes.
"Vandana.." he shouted authoritatively. Vandana at once rushed into the room, startled by hearing her Lord's voice after freaking 6 long months.
"Thakur ji..." she whispered out of breath. Riddhima was looking at Vandana's panting figure in shock. But when she casually turned to look at Addy, she was literally surprised to find him watching her in...... adoration. Ofcourse not she was just assuming, and she decided to think of it no more.
"Take her upstairs safely." he ordered Vandana who quickly came towards Riddhima. Riddhima was still not sure what was happening.
"Addy but....."
"I'll meet you in the room. Go." he told her softly. And before she could ask anymore, Vandana started dragging her outside the room.
"Addy no they're dangerous..... Vandana tell him to come outside...." Riddhima yelled as Vandana dragged her upstairs.
"Thakurani Thakur ji is back..." she told her gladly. Riddhima looked down at her in incredulity.
"What!!!" exclaimed she. Vandana smiled and continued.
"Yes Thakurani ji.... it's just all by Mahadev's grace." she said happily. But perhaps Riddhima wasn't so glad at this news.

Upstairs inside the room, Riddhima was throwing her clothes inside the suitcase she bought with her.
"You don't have to go..." Vandana said, teary eyed. Riddhima looked at her sadly.
"On what grounds should I stay here Vandana?? I was married to Addy not Aditya. And now when he's got his memories back, he would see this bond between us as a burden. I know that he is aware of all the sacrifices that I've given for Addy and perhaps just to not look selfish and opportunistic he would still continue to contribute to this relationship even though he doesn't want to from inside. I don't want to be a burden on him and I certainly don't want to make him feel sorry for me by staying here. The day I entered this mansion, I just knew I didn't belong here. I just stayed for Addy....but he no longer needs me now and trust me I am glad to part ways with this mansion and Aditya. I am sure both of us have a bright future ahead. And now that I am no longer bound to a mentally retarded man, I can literally achieve whatever I want and so can he after getting his sanity back." she told her softly. Vandana was crying. She didn't wanted her to leave.
"Don't cry Vandana. You should be happy that you finally have your Lord back. Trust me this is what is good for both of us." she told Vandana politely. Vandana wiped her tears.
"If that's what you choose. Do you have money??" she asked heartbroken. Riddhima shook her head. All the money she had had ran out on refilling supplies and buying Addy some of his clothes coz the old ones were starting to get a bit too tight for him. Vandana fished out the tiny wallet from inside her bra. From inside the wallet she grabbed two nearly crumpled 500 rupee notes.
"That's all this poor Vandana has. I hope they help you." she told her, keeping the money in her hands. Riddhima gasped loudly.
"No Vandana I can't...."
"Please for me..... You've done so much for me and Thakur ji..... this money is nothing in front of your efforts. It's because of you that Thakur ji has recovered. I can't thank you enough." she said, holding back her tears. Riddhima hugged her tightly. Surely she wouldn't forget the days she spent here with Addy and Vandana. But all good things come to an end one day. That's life folks.

The taxi screeched to halt near Riddhima's parents house. She paid the driver and nervously walked towards the door. She rang the doorbell. Within a minute her mother answered the door. Her face contorted into a frown at the sight of Riddhima.
"What are you doing here??" she asked rudely. Riddhima was heartbroken. She never really understood why her parents hated her so much just because she was a girl.
"I've left the home...."
"So what should we do?? We got rid of you the day we married you off to that man. Now for what have you came here??? Go back....we don't need you. This house has no place for you." her mother told her insolently, her eyes looking her up and down in disdain. Riddhima was on the verge of breaking down.
"This is enough Poonam." she heard a voice coming from the next door. Looking at her side she saw Mr. and Mrs. Rautela marching angrily into their direction.
"I hope your daughter-in-law starves you and your husband to death because that's what a witch like you deserve. You are literally disowning this poor girl just because you don't want to pay for dowry. You're hideous. Absolutely hideous." Mrs. Rautela yelled at her mother. The neighbours were literally peeping from their windows at the altercation between her mother and Rautelas.
"Mrs. Rautela if you care about her so much than why don't you adopt her. Huh!!!!" her mother spat hatefully. Mr. Rautela glared at her.
"Ofcourse we will. Come on Riddhima beti, from now on you are our daughter. You have no connection with this pathetic family." Mr. Rautela said. Her mother was shocked. She never thought anyone would be so interested in keeping her useless daughter.
"Yes Riddhima. You will live in our house from now on. You are our responsibility now. And Poonam you can eat the mud." Mrs. Rautela cursed her in front of the gawping neighbours before taking Riddhima into their house. Mrs. Dhami was crossed and even humiliating, especially when the entire neighborhood was eyeing her in disdain.
"Huh Dusht......" she muttered incensed and slammed her front door shut.

In the Rautelas Residence, Riddhima was welcomed warmly. The eldest son of the house quickly ran and fetched a cake from the nearby confectionery just to cheer her up. Mrs. Rautela made a delicious dinner for them all and refused to let Riddhima participate in the cooking since she had to teach online. Mr. Rautela gave her his personal laptop and even arranged a seperate laptop just for Riddhima, the laptop will arrive tomorrow. Nobody disturbed Riddhima while she was teaching and not only that, the boys actually vacated the room just so she could teach in peace. The Rautelas, while she was teaching, quickly transformed their guest room into her room. Her classes ended at 9:30 and nobody of them touched the food until she had done teaching. And Rautelas usually had their dinner at 8:45 or 9:00 in the night. Long story short, the entire Rautela family was exhilarated with Riddhima's arrival. Riddhima distinctly remembered how many times the Rautelas actually asked her to start living with them, but she always refused since she wanted to live with her parents. However, when today her mother had clearly said on her face that she doesn't want her, Riddhima had decided that she won't ever step into that home. Enough is Enough. Besides she now earns, so she can manage to live on her own.
"Riddhima beta, I've talked to my friend in Pashupatinath University, and he says that he will be glad to have you as one of their teachers. You can give the demo tomorrow or day after tomorrow." Mr. Rautela broke the news to her. Mrs. Rautela clapped from the kitchen.
"Thank you so much uncle....I....I promise once I get the job I'll find a new house. I won't be a burden on you." she told him softly.
"Why don't you like it here??" asked Mrs. Rautela, wiping her hands on her pallu.
"No it's not like that..."
"Keep quiet, you are going nowhere. After so long my prayers have been answered, I've found a daughter. You are going nowhere now." said Mr. Rautela proudly. Riddhima smiled broadly. Finally happiness was coming her way. In the midst of the conversation, the landline rang. Riddhima was sitting near the landline so she picked up the phone immediately.
"Hello." she spoke. Mr. and Mrs. Rautela watched her attentively. Riddhima's Hello was met with silence.
"Hello. Who's there??" she asked once again. Nothing was heard from the other end. Frustrated she put down the reciever.
"Who was it??" Mrs. Rautela asked curiously. Riddhima underlined some important lines in her book.
"Probably a fake call. Nothing so serious." said Riddhima casually. Mrs. Rautela smiled and went back into the kitchen.

In the darkness sat a man whose muscular back was all we saw. He was probably dressed up in a suit, but it can be just an assumption since we didn't see him from the front. His finger drew circles on his expensive iPhone's screen. For a moment his fingers danced and tried to unlock the phone but some inherent thing, supposedly, refrained him from unlocking his phone again. Throwing his head back he stared up at the dark ceiling, perhaps deep in thought. Again his fingers danced and reached the phone, and once again he retreated his fingers back. But a minute later something struck him and he grabbed his phone. Few taps here and there on the screen and he had his phone pressed to his ear. A second later a feminine voice said 'Hello'. And following that he cuts the call. He throws his head back, breathing a sigh of relief. Perhaps for tonight this was enough. Although in future he was afraid that this won't be enough.
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