HIM
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'Mr D'Cruz...this is a fabulous offer. Look...All we are saying is...we offer you the land and it's the finest location. It's a beach facing one. You guys build the hotel as and how you like. If you want we will do that too. We are here because Abdullah Sir loved your hospitality and warmth that we have seen in the last one week. As per Abudullah Sir, we are ready to compromise the way you like, but we need you and your team along our side... that's it!!!' said Mr Abudullah Sheikh's assistant who was a rich businessman from Dubai who visited and stayed with us for last one week. I was pleasantly surprised but I had to be honest with him. He is a good man.

I smiled and said 'Sir...I am thankful for your trust and belief in me and my team. But I have to be honest with you Sir. I'm overwhelmed by your offer but I certainly can't take it!!! I'm sorry' I said politely. His assistant who was also his translator looked shocked and he conveyed my message to Abudullah Sir who said something and the man translated it back to me.

'Is it money? Partnership? What is it? Is what Sir is asking and not just Sir...Mr D'Cruz even I'm curious. You are running a chain of resorts which has an excellent team, fantastic management and a wonderful owner like you. The hospitality here is better than any international seven star hotels. My boss is extremely judgemental and I have never seen him make this kind of an offer to anyone in last 12 years that I'm working for him. He's a big business magnet Mr D'Cruz. You will flourish!!!' he said and I smiled saying

'Thank you Sir. Thank you Abudullah Sir but...I still can't take it up. Somethings are beyond money and status. Few things money can never buy!!!' I said and they discussed again while the man asked

'It might be personal...but if we could help...I mean Abdullah Sir insists' to which I smiled saying

'I heard Abudullah Sir also has 3 daughters. I am sure he would...It's my 7 year old daughter. Lydia. She is all that matters!!!' saying I stood up buttoning my blazer.

'Mr D'Cruz if it's about your daughter and her education...I mean you can take her there too...We will get your daughter admitted to the finest in Dubai!' they offered a counter again and I smiled saying

'Thank you Sir but I can't seperate a child from her mother. And her mother wouldn't want to travel with me because she has her own life. So I'm sorry Sir but it cannot work out. Please enjoy your stay here and do let me know if you need anything...Ray D'Cruz always at your service!!!' I said politely and although they looked disappointed they smiled and nodded.

Just then my phone began ringing and I smiled and picked the call

'Ray??? Where are you huh??? We asked you to join us for lunch today. Why didn't you come along.. your uncle is fuming here!!!' Fari Di said and I chuckled when I heard phone shuffling and I heard Uncle Al

'Where are you Mister Busiest of all D'Cruz? It's the Christmas week and you are supposed to visit us. Are you really okay to miss the chocolate cake made by your mum?' he asked and I chuckled saying

'Sorry uncle but was stuck up with a few VIP guests. I will come soon!!!' I said and he said

'My darling nephew...we hardly stay 4 kms away from each other. And you still behave like we stay in different countries. I don't care. You are coming down for Christmas and so is Riya and Lydia. Get it? Even your mother is not with us for Christmas this time. I don't know why she went to meet your brother to London instead of asking him to join us here. Especially during Christmas. You know I want my family together during Christmas. Even Neha's family is joining tomorrow. Kids are going to have so much fun.' he sounded super excited. And I chuckled. I couldn't believe this was the same heartless ABD who ran away from family functions, hated the Christmas season and stayed all alone on the holy night. Look at him now. He is a complete family man.

'Uncle Al...We will come home by Friday!!!' I assured him to which I heard phone shuffling and I heard Fari Di yelling

'And tell that busy bee Riya to pick my phone call and I'm warning you both. If any laptops open in my house I'm going to hang both of you to the Christmas tree!!! Mind you!!!' she threatened and I chuckled saying 'Aye Aye Captain!!!' and she giggled saying 'Send my Lydia home. Kids are missing her so much and we miss her too!!!'

'Riya said she will drop her at your place tonight.' and she sounded happy and I disconnected the call. The big christmas season was here. Family reunion time. It was that time of the year when there were only smiles and happiness everywhere specially on my daughter's face. I looked at my watch and noticed it was ticking 7pm. I had skipped my lunch and my evening coffee as well. I was thinking that I must catch upon some snacks is when I got a call from Cyril my bestie. He is the owner of some of the best pubs in Goa. I smiled and picked up

'Heyyyy Dukor(pig) where the F are you?' and I didn't understand why he was so irritated but then I suddenly recalled and bit my tongue.

Freak!!! I had to meet him. Crap!!!
annoyed
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'What are you man? Some robot? How much do you work?' Cyril asked and I carelessly sipped my scotch and listened to his lectures. I was at fault. I made the great Cyril Noronha wait for the last two hours that too at his rival's pub.

'Aaahhhh if you are done can we order something? I'm really hungry dude!!! I didn't even eat a lunch!!!' I said to which he rolled his eyes saying

'Instead of eating at Alfonso's I'd rather starve!!!' he said rolling his eyes when we heard a voice that said

'Then why are you at Alfonso's you looser!!!' and Cyril clenched his fist.

'Well that's because some idiots like my bestie love the shitty pizza at your lame pub Freddy!!!' he said standing up and pushing hands into his pockets and I was alerted when Freddy took a step closer to Cyril, it was a heated moment. Freddy and Cyril hated each other since our college days. And I knew I had to interrupt.

'Ahhhhemmm..Guys please...Cyril it's Freddy's dad's club and Freddy we are your guests...We can leave if you want!' I said and Freddy looked at me saying

'Then go!!! I didn't ask you to come here!!!' said Freddy sarcastically. He never liked me.

'Oh you gotta own the place Freddy so you own the rights to ask us to leave!!! You just got this because you are the next heir of Alfonso Group. If not you aren't even worth a box full of Alfonso mangoes!!!' and that's it, the next second Freddy held onto Cyril's collar and Cyril grabbed Freddy's shoulder. I quickly interfered trying to seperate them. I was worried if the bouncers would arrive but thankfully we heard her voice.

'Ummm excuse me Sir!!!' and suddenly both stopped.

Wearing a black business suit, glasses and a high bun holding a tab in her hand she walked towards both the men who took a step aside and I smiled. Thankfully she was here.

'Ummm Mr Cyril... here's your drink!!! And Mr D'Cruz your pizza would arrive shortly.' saying she served Cyril his drink when Freddy said

'Riya...you don't need to do this babe! You are the manager and not a waiter. Where the heck are all the waiters!!! I'm going to kick them off their jobs tonight!!!' saying Freddy yelled but she calmly turned around and said

'Sir that's ok!!! This is my workplace and I don't think any job is big or small. We are short of waiters tonight because looks like the guys at the reception have allowed people almost double our capacity!!! The reason why I thought of coming and letting you know' she said softly and Freddy slapped his forehead saying 'Ahhh this Lloyd is an idiot!!! How many times did I tell them quality is always important...not the quantity!!! Don't worry Riya... I'll talk to Lloyd!!! But I mean is it manageable??? I mean you know that friends of our France delegates are also coming here tonight and we don't seem to have a table!!!' Freddy looked worried is when I said

'Ummm guys!!! They can take my table. I can take my pizza as a parcel!!!' when Freddy interrupted saying

'No D'Cruz!!! Stay...you are a customer and that's so wrong in the hospitality business!!!'.... But this time Cyril said 'Are you a dumb Alfonso...you have foreigners visiting our country and Goa is famous for welcoming foreign nationals. Their visit must be pleasant!!! We are leaving!!!' saying Cyril got up and I smiled. These are times when I still see that although our college gang is broken down, we still stand by each other. Freddy nodded and left from there.

When Riya looked at Cyril and said

'Ummm Mr Cyril...We are aware you don't like the pizzas we make here but you must know that we are still your bestie's favorite and next time you call our food with ugly names I'm going to not even see that you are a customer or a friend. No one disrespects food infront of me. I don't spare my daughter...you are just another customer.' she said shooting him an angry look and Cyril nodded looking elsewhere.

I couldn't stop laughing. She was no longer that sweet innocent Riya from our college days. Being a mother had made her more strict and fierce and at times Cyril felt the heat. Although I don't complain. I loved to see the fierce businessman Cyril Noronha turn into a rat infront of her.

She was leaving when I said
'Ummm Riya...We are waiting outside.'

'Ummm I don't think I can leave early. The crowd-' she said and I smiled saying

'There's no hurry!!! I have already asked Silvia to make her eat and don't worry she will put her to sleep too!!!' I said and she looked guilty.

'Riya...it's fine!!! You can drop her tomorrow at Uncle Al's place. Anyways you know how picky she is when it comes to food. It's not that she's gonna enjoy the feast and she had a long day at school due to her cultural day practice. It's best if she sleeps with us tonight.' I said and I noticed a slight relief on Riya's face. But she quickly said 'Umm..I will take the cab!!!' and I rolled my eyes saying 'You know you'll have a headache getting a cab and anyways you can see both Lloyd and I are drunk and you know it's never safe to drink and drive!!!Right?' I asked and she smiled and nodded.

I smiled too.

✨

'Thank you Silvia!!! I was worried for her!!!' I said and she chuckled saying

'Please don't mention it Sir! I am just doing my job! But Lydia baby was very upset. She wanted you both to see her cultural performance.' and I felt guilty. Offlate I was getting very busy with my new hotel venture that I had begun in Anjuna beach and it really needed enough attention but I couldn't ignore my little Lydia for that. She was my utmost priority. She is my only daughter.

I dropped the phone call when I noticed Cyril smiling and looking at me while sipping onto his beer can.

'Whatttt???' I asked and he chuckled saying 'Leave it!!! Ill say it again and you'll again dodge the question!' saying he bent down to pick another beer from the tray when I shot him a look and asked 'Tell me you idiot! I'm the only person you have when it comes to friends or family remember? So if not today then tomorrow you'll tell me! So go on!!! Bark!!!' saying I punched his tummy but he didn't say it and we continued drinking. After a few drinks we noticed Riya who was standing outside the car. She had removed her blazer, her hair tied up high in a bun was now lazying around her shoulders. She threw her blazer onto the backseat and asked me to shift to the back seat. I was high but with a lot difficulty I managed to move when I tripped and suddenly she grabbed my shoulders and a strong whiff of her lavender fragrance hits my nose.

It's been nine big years that I know her now and she still smells so good! Damn!!!

'I wanna pee!!!' I said and started walking to the side of the road when she scowled shouting 'Rayyyy wait!!!' and then she slowly took me alongside to the backdoor of the pub and took me near the gents washroom. I was finding it too difficult to unzip myself as I looked at her and said 'Riya...help!!!' and she was shocked.

'Ray...you can help yourself...try!!!' she looked skeptical when I was still struggling saying 'Riyaaaa looks like the zip is on a strike!!!' and she slapped her forehead. Seeing me struggle she said
'Wait let me call Cyril!!!' but I urgently wanted to pee so in one go I grabbed onto her waist feeling her curves against my body and pulled her closer. She crashed into my chest and her eyes widened. She was indeed shocked.

Her brownish black eyes...a tint of brown...a tint of black still looked breathtakingly attractive. Her lips so plump quivering at our proximity was taking me back to our good old days.

'Riyaaaaahhhh....do me!!! Please....' I whispered leaving her stumped.

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'Damnnn it!!! that's the last thing I remember last night and now I'm here in my bedroom. Riya isn't picking my call dude!!! Cyril I'm never drinking again. Whiskey and Beer in a combo does something to me dude!!! Damn I don't recall a word after that and my head feels like Everest right now. I hope I didn't misbehave with her dude!!!' I said catching hold of my head as Cyril was on the speaker.

'Ray!!! First calm down and make yourself some lemon juice. You know you need it first after a bad hangover and pop some asprin. And then relax okay!!! You were drunk and it's not like Riya is a stranger. She's the mother of your daughter.' Cyril tried to calm me down but I grabbed my hair saying

'Exactly Cyril!!! She's only the mother of my daughter... She's no longer my wife!!! How could I say something like that to her!!! Damnnn!!!' I said hitting my head

'Calm down Ray...you were drunk!!! Okay...tell me do you still feel something for Riya? I mean...you have still some-'

'Are you crazy??? I don't expect you to say this out of all Cyril. You know we both ended it within months of our marriage. It was a terrible mistake. I'm just worried because Riya isn't just the mother of my daughter but is also a good friend. She's family beyond family Cyril and I don't want to make her uncomfortable. It's just that I'm regretting this so much...Fuckkkk... I just hope I didn't cross my lines last night!!!' I said when I heard a voice that said

'You didn't!!!' andI turned around and saw Riya was standing at the door all dressed up in a jumpsuit, hair tied into a high pony, a handbag and a paper bag in her hand.

Thank god she's here! Phewww!!!

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Dearest Readers,

Yes we begin early. That's your first chapter of Ray n Riya. Hope you enjoyed it.

Couldn't stop myself from publishing this today after seeing the love you poured upon FILWAV...7k jump in mere 32 hours...Woahhh you guys are electric!!!
I'm speechless.

So this is like a little thank you gift ❤️

Hope you shower Ray n Riya with all the love just like you loved and adored Adi n Luv❤️✨❤️

Advanced Merry Christmas to all those who are celebrating ❤️God bless us all.

Cheers ✨❤️✨

Hope you enjoyed your author turned Santa's gift🎅 😉

Love Love ❤️
Srinidhi.