"What are you doing my baby"-Niharika asked her son and took him in her lap.

"Pwaying withh thoysh(Playing with toys) Maa"-Saksham replied in his cute baby voice and she kissed his chubby cheeks which he immediately wiped with his hands.

His action made both Niharika and Lata smile.

"You are looking very happy. What's the matter"- Lata asked her noticing the slow smile which was adorning her face from the time she came from outside.

"You know whom I met today"- Lata could sense the excitement in her voice when she spoke.

"Who"- Lata looked at her in confusion.

"My best friend. I met her in the book store"-The gleam in niharika eyes grew brighter when she mentioned  Samidha.

"You know we have known each since childhood"- she said while passing Saksham to a servant who took him away from there.

"Why didn't you invited her here??"

"I did but she seemed to be in a hurry. So I didn't force her"- Lata nodded her head at her answer.

Niharika was reading one of the books she brought from the store sitting in the bed when Ranveer entered the room.

Lowering her book to get a view of him, she was that his blazer was missing, the white shirt he was wearing was crumpled and slightly untucked and his sleeves folded up. His perfectly coiffed hair was now in messy state.

"looks like he had a hard day at work"- she thought and once again focused on the book.

"One of our prominent business associates has invited us to his party tomorrow night and By "us" I mean you have to come too"-his voice brought her attention . Her eyes immediately looked at him who was busy in loosening his tie knots.

"Mr Singhaniya, you very well know that I don't feel comfortable at these high society parties"- She closed the book which was still in her hands and kept it aside . Her tone clearly showed her disinterest.

"It's purely for the business purpose Niharika. You don't have do anything. Just stand by my side in the party and pretend to be a good wife"- He said . She felt  a sudden urge to deny his demand at that moment only.

But Before she could utter next sentence, he went to the bathroom leaving her with tensed thoughts about tomorrow party.

Party Night

Niharika looked flawless as she took a final look of herself in full length mirror. Dressed in a satin saree with no jewellery, she let her hair curls fall on her shoulder. Her innocence and beauty were perfectly coming out through the simple look.

No matter how her mood was about the party , she had to look her best to accompany Ranveer.

"This color looks good on you"- turned her back to see Ranveer intensely staring at her. His sudden compliment took her by surprise. It's not like that he  did it for first time  but every time he would praise her beauty, she would feel butterflies in her stomach. That was the effect of him on her.

Controlling her oblivious blush, she noticed that he was looking dapper in formals as always. The black and white combination really suited him very much. His look was perfect.

"Shall we go??"

She came out of the car and was looking at the entrance of venue which was beautifully decorated with some flowers and lights when Ranveer came and entwined his hand with hers and they proceeded to move inside.

The classic glass chandeliers were illuminating the hall.
It was screaming about the status and wealth of the party host.

Niharika stood at a corner all by herself as Ranveer was talking to some people at some distance. She looked at people who were socialising with each other and enjoying the night. she had just arrived at the party but now her heart wants to go back to her home. She just came here for him.

"so the seductress girlfriend is now playing the role of a dutiful wife" - Niharika raised her eyes at the words . She turned around and looked at the source of voice.

"How are you Niharika Sharma ....oops ..... I mean Niharika Ranveer Singhaniya??"- It was of a lady who was dressed in her finest attire. She has added a small flower to her hair to give her look a dash of flair. She was not alone. Two more ladies of her age were giving her company and they were equally elegantly dressed. All the three ladies were smirking at her.

"I am fine"- she too gave them a  smile but it wasn't showing in her eyes. It was purely fake one.

" Hope he is still splashing money on you"- The lady once again spoke while simultaneously caressing the big diamond ring on her smooth finger.  Niharika wasn't shock at the lady demeaning words for she clearly knew her nature.

"Kamini , don't be snob. Even if he is doing that , he is only spending  on your daughter- in - law only"- The other lady standing besides her said in a fake angry manner and suppressed her laugh.

"only God knows how this middle class girl became my daughter - in- law"-Kamini didn't try to hide her loathing tone for niharika.

"It looks like you don't have control over your big mouth. Don't you kamini"- Niharika raised her face to see her husband standing behind them having a murderous expression on his face. His deadly stare and cold voice was enough to tell that something was not happening right.

"Here comes the doting husband"- Kamini muttered under her breath while both the ladies looked at each other.

Ranveer came from behind and stood besides niharika. He kept his right hand on her waist. His action made her look upto him who was angrily staring at the ladies.

"Glad to see you step son after so long time"-  Kamini stressing on "step son" word didn't go unnoticed by niharika who felt that his grip on her became more tighter. She could feel that he was getting more irritated with her each word.

"Stop with these pleasantries , kamini. You know our relationship is beyond that"- his mouth curved into a ironic smile.

"How can I forget that"- she said while looking at him like they were talking in some secret language of theirs own.

Niharika was  standing still as a mute spectator not understanding what to say between these two. Moreover she felt perplexed at their words.

"Anyways , give some company to your lovely wife. I saw her alone in the party and I am sure she must be feeling bore without you in this upper class party."- He clenched his fist to control himself and glared at her.

"You don't have to worry about her. I am here for her"-Something twisted in her heart at his choice of words.
"Make sure you don't feel lonely  in this party without....."- He didn't complete his sentence and gave a humourless smile to her.

It was clear from the expression of Kamini face that she didn't like his reply so she turned on her heels to go away from there with her companions.

"Have a great evening dearest Kamini"- Her steps halted when she heard his voice.

"You too step son"- she replied without turning back  and finally went from there.

He left her waist and looked softly at her which was quite unexpected from what she had imagined after this awkward encounter with Kamini.

"You want to go home??"- She blinked her eyes at his sudden unexpected question.

She badly wanted to say yes and was about to open her mouth when someone again disturbed them.

"Hey Ranveer come here , I want you to meet someone"-  A middle aged man impeccably dressed in formals and holding a wine in his hand asked him.

"You go Mr Singhaniya. I can wait for you"- Her voice was low and she smiled weakly at him not showing her disappointment  at the gone prospect of not returning home early.

He disappeared back into the crowd while she looked helplessly at him.

"You want something Madam"- Niharika looked at the waiter who was standing with a tray full of drinks.

"No Thanks"- she politely refused and the waiter stepped back to leave.

Niharika was immediately startled when she felt someone heavy hand on her right shoulder. Her eyes grew widened after listening the voice.

"Missing me sweetheart............."

****************************

The past revelations will be most probably start from next chapter or after that one.

Thanks for reading.