Aaradhya's Pov.

Next few days were exciting but equally tiring for me. Niketan Uncle (Nikita's Dad) had booked an entire hotel for the wedding ceremonies.
Meanwhile my parents were staying at my flat.

Nikita and Varun got married in a traditional hindu ceremony, a night before Diwali.

Varun throughout was behaving in his best polite manner with me. I even performed a duty like sister in one of the ritual despite being Nikita's friend.

During each and every function, Riddhant simply avoided me. He only talked when our elders were around. When I tried initiating any sort of conversation, he walked away.

What did I do to deserve this kind of cold attitude from him? Even I gave up after a lot of ignorance.

I sobbed silently at these many nights tucking my pillow close to me so that Aditi doesn't know about this as she was sleeping right next to me.

Varun planned a diwali cum wedding reception party for his staff and clients who weren't present for the wedding with families.
I was assigned with the duty of organizing it so I was doing it.

As per the plans, all kind of preparations were checked twice by me after which only
I came back home and freshened up.
Aditi forced me to wear a saree today so I chose a yellow chiffon one with a sleeveless blouse and accessorized it. I left my hair open and applied some make up to hide the dark circles that had form beneath my eyes due to lack of sleep.

I arrived at the venue again and started attending the guest. My parents were already present there with Nikita and Riddhant's families. Some of my colleagues had already arrived.
Varun and Nikita were on the stage.

While I was busy explaining the waiter to serve, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Happy diwali, Aaradhya." Kanchan wished me.

"Wish you the same." I hugged her.

"Hey you look great, I guess somebody won't be able to take his eyes of you." She giggled.

My eyes shifted to the person wearing an Armani suit. The same person who didn't even cared to look at me.

"Yeah right!" I spoke sarcastically.

"You did a fantastic job indeed." I thanked her for the compliment.

"Who is this young gentleman?" I asked her, referring to the teenager who was busy with the Ipad, standing next to her.

"Aaradhya. This is my younger brother, Girish." She introduced him.

He didn't lift his eyes from that gadget when she mentioned his name.
"He is obsessed with technology, he's a total gadget freak." She whispered clearing my doubts.

I nodded with my mouth forming an O.

"Okay, well enjoy the party." I smiled and walked away.

I was quite tired pacing around, checking the arrangements. By this time, Riddhant was no where to be found.
I instructed the bartender and turned around to collide with a hard chest.

"Hey, are you alright?" The person nudged me.

"Yes I am." I murmured.

"What happened Lalit?" I heard a very familiar voice of the person, I was least interested to hear.

"Hello, so we meet again, didn't expect to see you here. Oh right! you must be with Riddhant here afterall you're his fiancée." She spoke with disgust especially the last part.

"Hello Shalini." I politely greeted her, faking a smile.

"Lalit, Meet Ms. Gold dig, I mean Ummm?"
Now she doesn't remember my name.

Pea brain, Indeed.

"Aaradhya." I spoke completing her.

"Yeah whatever and this is my cousin Lalit." She introduced him with pride.
I felt disgusted in his presence as he eyed me from top to bottom.

"Excuse me I have some work. Please enjoy the party." I spoke and walked away from them. My parents and Aditi were seated at one end talking to Riddhant, Harsh and the others.
I didn't want to bear his hostility so I sat beside Girish who was as usual engrossed in his Ipad.

"Hey." I poked him.

He didn't reply. I guess nobody is interested in talking to me.
Do I stink?

"What are you doing?" I asked him after some time.

He looked up for the first time and adjusted his spectacle.

"I am designing a tracking device, any problem?" He spoke rudely.

"Are you serious?" I gave him an astonishing look.

He shook his head.

"You are just like others, underestimating my skills and brain." He bluntly replied.

"No. I didn't mean that but I am really interested to find what you are upto." I smiled.

"Really! you want to know." His face lighten up.

"Yep. That's why I asked." I said.

He bobbed his head.

"This is a tracking device that can track any phone number, even a private number's current location whether it's in the reach of network or switched off and can give details too about it's previous contact in just few minutes." He said with hubris.

"Did you make it?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Yes." He smirked proudly.

"Girish, here you are, I am looking for you." Kanchan approached us.

"Kanchan, your brother is a real genius." I admired him and he displayed a genuine smile for the first time.

"Are you insane? he's just a nut-case. Never believe in whatever he says." She hit him on his head. He whined in pain and frowned at her.

"Aaradhya, we must leave. It's already late. By the way, you did a splendid job. I'll see you at work." She hugged me and started dragging her brother.

"Wait, I'll escort you." I offered and walked with them till we reached the gate.

"Bye Aaradhya." Girish waved his hand.

Kanchan was startled for a second but smiled.

"Bye." I chaffed and turned around to be collide with the same man who was leaking alcohol.

"Here you are."

"Are you stalking me?" I folded my arms.

"Yes beautiful, join me at my place." He blurted out like an order.

"Excuse me." My pitch got louder.

"Yep babe, I'll give you more money than you can imagine." He spoke with the audacity and started grabbing my waist.

I tried to resist but didn't work on him

I finally recalled the shoulder throw 'Seoi nage' which Chirag had taught us this week but I had failed because it was quite hard but all of a sudden, I quickly held him the way I had learned in which only one of my hand remains gripping while the other slides under the armpit and that's how I threw him ahead.

"Don't you think even once, pervert." I yelled.

"What the crap! you whore." He started abusing me but stopped when Riddhant and Shalini approached us.

"Are you alright?" Shalini helped him to stand up.

"How dare you! bitch." She fumed in anger.

"I can't believe Riddhant, she's your fiancée. What a slapper and an uncivilized gold digger is she?" She spoke with venom, insulting me

Riddhant's eyes had turned blood shot.

"Riddhant please listen to me. I can explain." I whimpered.

"Enough!" He cut off.

Tears gushed down my cheeks. I knew he wouldn't believe me.

"Ms Shalini Sethi. The deal is off." He declared taking my hand in his.

"But Riddhant?" She tried to speak.

"I can't bear any sort of insult for her, leave with your swine cousin before you both regret." He interrupted her.

"You're making a mistake. You'll pay for this, let's go, Lalit." She threatened and started leaving with her pervert cousin.

Riddhant rolled his eyes.

"Your happiness won't last long. Mark my words." She whispered in my ears before leaving.

Once they left, I looked up at Riddhant.

"Riddhant,.... I can..... explain." I stammered.

"No need. I trust you." He smiled, looking directly in my eyes.

He wiped my face and before we could say something, Aditi intruded and dragged us inside where our families were waiting.
We had our dinner together followed by burning of fire crackers.

As I was admiring the fireworks, Riddhant pulled me to a corner.

"Aaradhya, we need to talk."

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

Did you like the chapter?

What does Riddhant wants to talk?

Why was he distant from her?

You'll find it in the next chapter.

Thank you to
hymard paushpaush PranaliTalathi Prernatolani21 ssha1kh YouBeingYou and the others incase I have missed out.
for being wonderful readers.

Please continue voting and writing your feedback.

♡♥♡.