Hello friends...
I am back with the next part...
I am extremely sorry for the delay and would try to be regular...
Enjoy reading the update and do give your reviews...

VOWS OF HATRED...

CHAPTER 2

Ashi got up early next morning and was ready before her usual time. She was determined to give a fresh jump and start a new chapter of her life by joining their business. She knew all this was very much new for her and difficult too, but she would learn and move ahead in her life. Distractions could wait for a while now. It was her father's dream which she was resolute to fulfil at any cost.

Anand was surprised to find his daughter all ready and sitting at the dining table, waiting for him. When she felt his presence, she turned to him, "Paa... aaiye... main aapka hi wait kar rahi thi. Jaldi se breakfast kar lete hai, warna office jaane mein hume late ho jaayega."

Anand was stunned when he heard her, "Ashi... tune kya kahaa? Tu... tu aaj se office join kar rahi hai?" She smiled, "Haa Paa... main aaj se aapke saath office chalungi. Main ab ghar mein baithkar bore nahi hona chaahti. Bohot kar liya aaram, ab sirf aur sirf kaam."

Anand wasn't sure how to react to this. He was happy that his princess was finally going to take over the reins of their ancestral empire. But something was off, he could feel it in his bones. He wanted to question her sudden decision of joining their business so soon, but he didn't want to broach this topic and spoil his daughter's mood.

Ashi could easily read her father's thoughts on his face. She knew he wanted some answers for her hasty decision to join office so soon. She only knew the actual reason behind this, but she couldn't tell all of that to her father, could she? She herself was not ready to face the reality, then how could she talk about it with her father?

Anand sat beside her, "Ashi... main khush hun ki tu aaj se office join kar rahi hai. Main chaahta tha ki tu kuch aur din thoda ghoome, aaram kare, par shaayad tu inn sab mein interested nahi hai. Chalo... mere liye accha hi hai, aakhir meri princess hamare business ko ek nayi disha mein le jaanewali hai. Ek baar tu sab seekh le, toh main chain se retire ho sakta hun."

Ashi chuckled, "Sorry... Paa... aap retirement toh bhool hi jao. Main aapko kabhi retire nahi hone dungi. Mujhe har kadam mein aap chahiye Paa. Bhale hi main aaj se yeh business join kar rahi hun, yeh business, sab kuch hamesha aap ka hi rahega Paa... Aaj hamara business jis mukaam par hai, wohhh aapki wajah se hai, aapki mehnat ki wajah se hai. Aapne sahi kahaa ki main isse ek nayi manzil tak le jaaungi, par wohh manzil tak hum saath honge. Mujhe aapke aashirwaad ke saath saath aapka saath bhi chahiye hai. Toh aap bhool jaaiye ki main aapko retire hone dungi."

Anand patted her head with a small smile, "Main meri princess ko kabhi kisi bhi kadam par akela nahi chodunga, hamesha uske saath khada rahunga. Jo bhi haalaat ho Ashi... tera yeh Paa hamesha tere saath hi hoga, teri parchaayi bannkar."

To lighten the mood, she spoke, "Chaliye... ab jaldi se breakfast kar lete hai. Main apne pehle din hi office mein late nahi jaana chaahti. Kya pataa, kahin mera boss khadoos nikla toh?" They laughed for a bit and started with their meal amongst some talks about their work. Ashi knew everything about their business and this was going to be a new start for her.

Once done with the breakfast, they left for their office in his car. As the car entered the huge tower, her heartbeats accelerated. She wasn't fully prepared to do this, but she had to start it someday. So, why not now? Her intention was to divert her attention from a certain someone and she knew this was the only way to keep that distraction away from her life for now.

When she walked inside with her father, she could see the stunned expressions of all the people around. It was obvious that no one had expected the sudden entry of the heiress of the company to show up so abruptly without any notice. On the way to the elevators, Anand greeted few people with a soft smile.

Ashi was aware of the curious gazes that were thrown her way till she reached her father's cabin on the thirtieth floor. As the door closed, she sighed in relief. Her demeanour changing from nervousness to relief. Her father chuckled, "Abhi toh tu cabin tak hi aayi ho Ashi aur tere pasine choot gaye? Yeh itna bada empire sambhaalna hai tujhe. Tu aise nahi reh sakti Princess. Agar tu hi nervous ho jaayegi toh kaise chalega?"

Before she could speak anything, Anand took her in a warm hug, "Ashi... main jaanta hun ki yeh sab tere liye aasaan nahi hai. Abhi toh tujhe bohot kuch seekhna hai, bohot kuch samajhna hai. Main teri nervousness samajhta hun, par main tujhe strong banaana chaahta hun, jisse tu iss company ko sahi se sambhaal sake, sahi decisions le sake."

Ashi's nervousness flew away as she heard her father's soft words. He was right. She had to be strong to take the reins of the company in her hands and make right decisions for its success. "Paa... haan... main nervous hun, par aap fikar mat kijiye. Main aapki Princess hun, aapko aisa koi mauka nahi dungi jisse aapko sharminda hona pade."

"Ashi... tu meri Princess hai. Aur main jaanta hun ki tu kabhi sapne mein bhi mujhe sharminda nahi kar sakti. Tu mera maan hai, abhimaan hai aur main hamesha tere saath hun. Aur main jaanta hun ki hamari company sahi haathon mein jaa rahi hai. Bas kabhi khudko akela mat samajhna, jab bhi koi mushkil hogi toh main hamesha tere saath rahunga."

There was a knock on the door and a young girl, almost the same age as Ashi walked in the cabin with her tab. "Good morning, Sir." Turning to Ashi, she greeted, "Good morning. Welcome to Singhania Empire."

Ashi watched her with interest. "Princess... yeh hai Purvi, aaj se tujhe sabhi kaamo mein assist karegi. Aur Purvi... yeh hai meri Princess aur aaj se tumhari boss, Ashi." The girls exchanged warm smiles with each other.

Anand continued, "Purvi... jaldi se ek meeting arrange karo. Sabhi heads aur executives ko ek ghante mein conference hall mein aane ko kaho. Main Ashi ko sabse milvaana chaahta hun. Meeting ke baad tum Ashi ko poora office dikha dena. Aur..." Purvi cut him midsentence, "Sir... Don't worry. Main Ashi Madam ko poora office dikha dungi aur sabse introduce bhi kar dungi. Aap tension mat lijiye, main ab se unke saath hi rahungi, unhe sabhi kaamon mein acche se assist karungi."

Ashi could feel that she was going to bond with her effortlessly. Purvi turned to her, "Aaiye madam... main aapko aapka cabin dikha deti hun." Ashi interrupted, "Purvi... please... no formalities. Call me Ashi please. Yeh 'madam' bohot bhaari bharkam sa lag raha hai. I am already feeling old hearing that tag."

Purvi chuckled and glanced at her boss. On his nod, she agreed, "Alright Ashi... Let me take you to your cabin." They walked away towards Ashi's new cabin which was at the corner of the same floor. Ashi gasped as she entered her new cabin. It was renovated according to her choices, the way she liked.

Before she could ask anything, Purvi spoke, "Sir ne abhi ek mahine pehle hi yeh cabin poori tarah se renovate karvaaya hai. Wohh chaahte the ki aapke office join karne se pehle hi yeh cabin ready ho jaaye. Aapko accha lagaa?" Ashi turned to her with a frown, "Maine abhi hi kahaa naa ki no formalities, toh yeh 'aap... aap...' kyun kar rahi ho? We are almost of same age yaar."

Purvi hesitated before asking again, "Tumhe yeh sab renovations acche lage? Maine bhi thode bohot suggestions diye the." Ashi smiled wholeheartedly, "Bohot accha lagaa... I love it..." She settled on the chair and Purvi sat across from her. While Ashi was taking in the interiors of her new cabin, Purvi sent mails to all the heads and executives informing them regarding the meeting Anand had mentioned.

After few minutes, a guy from the IT department entered her cabin with a brand-new laptop and handed it over to Purvi. While placing in front of Ashi, she spoke, "Yeh tumhara laptop hai. Iss mein tumhe hamari sab hotels se related data aur information mil jaayenge. Main tumhe kuch important mails bhejti hun, tum unhe acche se padh lena. Ek folder mein saare heads, executives, sab teams ke naam hai, unhe bhi ek baar padh lena. I know tumhe sab ke naam pehli baar mein yaad nahi rahenge. Abhi meeting mein waise bhi sabhi honge, toh introductions ho jaayenge, aur baaki sabse hum meeting ke baad mil lenge. Abhi meeting ke liye thoda time hai, toh tum fresh ho jao, tab tak main baaki sab arrangements dekh leti hun."

Ashi nodded and Purvi left her cabin. As soon as she was alone, her mind wandered to all the events that had happened last night at her house. She tried hard to stay away from his thoughts, but her heart seemed to ignore the decisions that her mind had taken. Whenever she closed her eyes, his charming face would appear in front of her and all the efforts that she was taking to stop thinking about him went in vain. The time passed quickly and her meeting started.

At the other end, Randeep had a restless sleep as always. He couldn't understand what had happened to Ashi suddenly and she had withdrawn herself. He was trying his best to follow his revenge plan, but she was making it difficult for him. He knew she was going to be a challenge for him. She was not going as per his plan which was frustrating him to no end. He had to do something and get her back in his life. He couldn't just stay away and do nothing.

His phone vibrated and he read the message. His private investigator informed him that Ashi had joined her father's office today. He was surely shocked with this piece of news. Rotating the paper weight on the table, he spoke, "Ashi... Ashi... Ashi... Jab bhi main sochta hun ki main tumhe samajhne lagaa hun, tum aisa kuch kar deti ho jisse mera wohh bhram toot jaata hai. Kya ho tum Ashi? Roz ek alag hi personality dekhne ko milti hai. Kal raat tum ekdum ek sanskaari ladki ki tarah mujhe dinner paros rahi thi aur aaj tumne office join kar liya? Maine jaise socha tha waisi tum bilkul bhi nahi ho Ashi. Maine jaise socha tha waisa kuch nahi ho raha. Tum meri har soch ko galat saabit kar rahi ho, mere plans ko chaupat kar rahi ho, par main aisa hone nahi dunga. Mujhe kuch jaldi karna hoga, mujhe Ashi Singhania ko meri zindagi mein laana hoga. Tumhe meri zindagi mein aana hoga Ashi... meri zindagi mein aana hoga." With that, he had to make few changes to his plan.

After back-to-back meetings, Randeep finally breathed freely. As he sipped his coffee, his mind wandered to HER. As an image of her smiling face popped in his mind, he smiled too. This was her effect on him. He replayed all the events in his mind minutely this time and he finally concluded the reason for her sudden withdrawal.

Though Randeep had never been with any girl till now, but he somehow could understand Ashi and her ways of thinking. He had a fair idea about her aloofness last night and he was happy to know that she was trying to keep her emotions and feelings at bay. He gulped the coffee in a single sip and stood in front of the huge glass windows and stared at the wide city in front of his eyes.

"Ashi... tum jitna marzi mera khayaal apne dil se mitaana chaaho, main yeh kabhi nahi hone dunga. Tumhe kya lagaa ki tum office mein busy ho jaaogi toh tum mujhse bachh jaaogi? Jitna chaahe utna tum apne aap se lad lo, par mujhse durr nahi reh paaogi... kyunki main tumhe mujhse durr hone nahi dunga. Tum jitna mujhse durr jaane ki koshish karogi, utna hi main tumhare paas aaunga. Miss Ashi Singhania... tum Randeep Raichand ko jaanti nahi ho, jab main kuch thaan leta hun toh main wohh poora karke hi dum leta hun. Tum mera wohhh pyaada ho jisse main apna badla poora kar paaunga. Itni aasaani se tumhe mujhse durr nahi jaane dunga Ashi. Mere khayaalon se durr jaane ke liye tumne office kiya naa? Ab dekho main kya karta hun. I am coming after you Miss Ashi Singhania... I am coming after you..."

When the meeting ended, all the heads and executives were happy with the way Ashi had taken over the meeting. Though she had seemed nervous at the start, she gradually turned confident and stunned the others with her views on the business. Everyone was in awe by the time the meeting ended. Her first impression had turned in her favour which made her father proud of her.

As Ashi got back to her cabin, her mobile pinged with a message. Without checking the sender's name, she opened WhatsApp. When she read the message, her heart raced fast. "Hey Ashi... I got to know that you have joined office today. Waise tumhe mere good wishes ki zarurat nahi hai, fir bhi wish you all the best Ashi. I know you will take your family business much higher."

Ashi sucked in a few deep breaths as she finished reading his message. How did he know that she had joined office from today? Then she sighed, he knew everything about her. It seems as if he was keeping a keen watch on her and her movements. Should she worry about it, she thought and then she closed her eyes and instantly his charming face appeared. She couldn't run away from him; she was now sure about it.

After an hour or so, Purvi walked in her cabin holding a huge bouquet. Ashi loved flowers, so she instantly held the bouquet and asked, "Yeh kisne bheja hai?" Purvi smiled widely, "Maine note nahi padha, shaayad personal ho." Saying that, Purvi left Ashi alone in the cabin with the huge bouquet.

Ashi kept the bouquet on the table and searched for the note. She found the note tucked in between the flowers which read, "WhatsApp message wasn't enough, so I have sent this bouquet of your favourite flowers. Good Luck and Keep Smiling Beautiful. Yours, RR..."

Ashi struggled to keep her emotions in check and without giving a second thought, she kissed the note where his initials were written. Despite her ignorance, he had made it clear that he wanted her. She had read his message but hadn't replied, not even a courtesy thanks. She knew she was acting arrogant and rude, but she tried reasoning with herself that she had to avoid him at all costs, so this behaviour of hers was fine.

Randeep waited for a reply from her, but nothing came as he had expected. He was now very much sure that Ashi was going out of her way to avoid him. But he wasn't going to feel disheartened by her behaviour. He had planned it all. He was just waiting for the right time to strike back. He was not going to let Ashi run away from him. He had made sure that Ashi would be with him in the upcoming days. Everything was sorted, he was just buying some more time and watching Ashi's moves. He wanted to see how far she would avoid his advances.

For the next two days, Ashi received bouquets along with her favourite chocolates. She had thought that Randeep would stop with all this after she hadn't replied to his messages. But she was so wrong. Randeep had sent her bouquets and chocolates and had also messaged her multiple times asking if she was doing fine and how was her first day in office, which she had ignored again. She was busy those days with continuous back-to-back meetings and knowing the people around her in the office. Yet whenever she was alone, she only thought about him. His smiling face, his messages, his gifts, everything reminded of him.

Anand had been observing his daughter and wasn't sure what to make of all this. He wanted to talk to her but somehow, he didn't want to interfere in her decisions, so he kept away. Purvi had informed him about the gifts Ashi was receiving, afterall she was his assistant too. She was clearly instructed to keep a watch on Ashi.

It was already a week and Randeep hadn't stopped messaging her or sending gifts. The more the silence from her side, the more he craved for her attention. He had sat quiet for almost a week, but not anymore. It was time to face her, to make her face him. She couldn't run away from him anymore. He decided to take his plan forward. "Ms Ashi Singhania... kitna bhagogi mujhse. Tum abse jahaan bhi jaaogi, sirf aur sirf mujhe paaogi. I will not let you get away from me Ashi. Be ready for the consequences for avoiding me. Be ready Ms Ashi Singhania..."

It was Monday, when she was informed about a new venture which would be her first project. As she was going through the details, she asked, "Paa... aapne bataaya nahi ki iss venture mein hamare saath kaun collaborate kar raha hai." Anand was typing something on his laptop and he stopped suddenly hearing his daughter's question.

"Well... Princess... main bohot time se iss project ke baare mein soch raha tha, par koi accha investor nahi mil raha tha. Kal mujhe Purvi ka call aaya aur usne bataaya ki koi hai jo hamare iss project mein poori investment karna chaahta hai. Mujhe bhi jyaada kuch pataa nahi hai, bas itna pataa hai ki ABC Industries ka CEO aanewala hai. Waise toh yeh company bohot choti hai, par lets see. Pehle uss investor se mil lete hai, fir aage kuch decide karenge."

Ashi listened quietly and her mind wandered, "ABC Industries... iska naam toh kabhi nahi suna. Aur aisa kaun investor hai jo poora investment karna chaahta hai?" Her thoughts broke as there was a knock on the door and Purvi walked in, "Sir... Wohh ABC Industries ke CEO aa gaye hai." Anand asked her to let the person in while Ashi settled on the chair next to his father with the other board members.

The moment the door opened; all the air whooshed out of Ashi's lungs after watching the person entering the cabin. Before she could form any words, her father stood up from the chair, "Arey Randeep... Tum... Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho?" Randeep glanced at Ashi before replying, "Main hun ABC Industries ka CEO. Kuch din pehle hi maine yeh company takeover ki hai."

Anand congratulated him while Ashi stared at the person taking in his each and every feature as she had missed him so badly throughout last week. Randeep was aware of her gaze on him but he ignored her and continued talking to her father. When they settled, Anand ordered coffees for them while Randeep took the conversation ahead with presenting his idea of investing in their next heritage hotel chains in Jaipur.

When Randeep finished speaking, Anand asked, "Randeep... tumhara business toh IT Sector ka hai, fir yeh suddenly tum hotel industries mein kyun interested ho?" Randeep smiled, "Actually Mr Anand Singhania... maine socha ki ab mujhe mere business ko diversify karna chahiye, toh bas main wohi kar raha hun. Risk lenge tabhi toh success milegi naa?"

All the while, Ashi hadn't spoken a word and was continuously looking at the man of her dreams. Anand spoke, "Randeep... maine kahaa tha naa ki tum mujhe uncle bulao toh yeh ab Mr Anand Singhania kyun?" Randeep replied with a smile, "Abhi hum hamare business se related baat kar rahe hai, toh yahaan main sirf ek professional relation rakhna pasand karunga. Aap mere uncle iss office ke baahar honge, yahaan iss cabin mein aap mere liye, Mr Anand Singhania hai."

Anand was impressed. He glanced at his daughter and saw her looking at Randeep while Randeep was looking at him with a straight face. Anand coughed loudly breaking his daughter's trance and she looked away embarrassed. Anand spoke, "Ashi... tumne jo presentation banaai thi heritage hotels ki, wohhh shuru karen? Ek baar Randeep bhi dekh le toh usse bhi sab details samajh aa jaayenge."

Ashi nodded and without looking in Randeep's direction, she started her presentation. After over an hour, she finished and finally met his gaze. She was aware of his intent gaze on her throughout the presentation, but she didn't want to distract herself and kept her gaze away from his.

Randeep had stared at Ashi without bothering about his surroundings. His eyes roamed over curvaceous body. She looked stunning in a dark maroon jumpsuit. Her hair tied in a high ponytail. Her face as always was deprived of any make-up. Just a light nude lip-gloss adorned her lips which he so desperately wished to wipe off with his own. He reprimanded himself, "Focus on your revenge Randeep, not on her, not on her curvaceous body, not on her sensuous lips."

Anand along with the other members present in the conference room clapped after her presentation ended which brought Randeep back to reality and his focus shifted towards Anand again. "I should say the presentation was quite interesting and awesome. Can you forward the details to my email, so I would look into it again."

Anand nodded to his assistant and Purvi made a note of it. Randeep continued, "Kya main jaan sakta hun ki who is going to lead this project?" Though he knew the reply still he wanted to be sure before he set his plan in motion. Anand proudly announced, "Ashi... Ashi iss project ko lead karegi." Randeep just nodded in reply and asked few more questions to Anand to which Ashi replied solely. After over half an hour, Randeep got up to leave, "It was nice meeting you Mr Anand Singhania. I will get in touch with you in a day or two."

As the door to the cabin closed behind him, Ashi was restless. He hadn't looked at her directly or had any conversation with her. Had she gone too far by avoiding him and his advances past week that he hadn't even bid her goodbye. There had been no interaction between them at all. He had asked few questions to her father, but not her. Though she had replied, he had just meekly nodded at her and moved to another question.

Anand watched his fidgety daughter and was sure that Randeep was again the reason behind her restlessness. This time Anand had to interfere. Once the other members left the cabin, he spoke, "Princess... hamesha ek baat yaad rakhna... personal aur professional life ko alag rakhna chahiye. Main nahi jaanta ki tere aur Randeep ke beech kya hua hai, par main itna jaanta hun ki main tujhe yun udaas nahi dekh sakta. Jo bhi tum dono ke beech mein problems hai, usse suljaao. Ashi... main tujhe bachpan se jaanta hun aur mujhe pataa hai ki tu ek hi pal mein kisise bhi attach ho jaati hai, aur fir ussi attachment se tujhe darr bhi lagta hai, isliye tu unhe khudse durr kar deti hai. Main Randeep ko itna acche se nahi jaanta, par abhi tum dono ke dekhkar main itna keh sakta hun ki tum dono ko ek dusre se baat karne ki zarurat hai. Jo bhi dil mein hai wohh clearly usse bataao. Tu bhi jaanti hai ki Randeep aaj yahaan kyun aaya tha. Kya main nahi jaanta ki peechle ek hafte se wohh tujhe bouquets aur chocolates bhej raha hai. Agar tujhe Randeep pasand nahi hai toh usse seedhe seedhe manaa kar do, par chup mat raho. Aur agar aage hamara aur Randeep ka business collaboration hoga toh tujhe uska roz saamna karna padega. Toh jo bhi hai tum dono ke beech usse jaldi se khatam karo." Saying that, he left his daughter alone in the cabin.

Ashi hadn't expected her father to say these things to her directly. But he was right. She had to resolve whatever they had between them soon. The way Randeep had behaved today had pricked her heart and she had felt bad. She now understood how he must have felt when she had avoided his messages and his gifts. He must have felt bad too. She got the taste of her own medicine with his cold behaviour today.

But still she wasn't ready to give in to her heart. Some sane part of her mind still won over her heart. She had known Randeep only from last ten days and she just couldn't accept her weird feelings towards him so easily. She had to confirm if he too felt the same for her. Her heart reprimanded, "Randeep ne jitni koshish ki hai, usse tu jitna chaahe utna nazar-andaaz kar le, par tu bhi jaanti hai ki Randeep bhi tujhe pasand karta hai. Tujhe dekhte hi uski aankhen chamak uthti hai." Another part of her replied, "Par aaj usne ek baar bhi meri taraf nahi dekha, mujhse baat bhi nahi ki."

The battle between her heart and mind continued till she heard her mobile ding with a message. When she opened the message, her heart finally jumped reading, "Meet me for dinner tonight Ashi..."

She wanted to reply in positive and go on this much awaited dinner date with him but something stopped her again. No... she couldn't go on a date with him. She replied this time, "I am sorry... I am busy tonight. I can't come..." and she hit send. Another message popped up in next few seconds, "I will wait for you at Hotel Taj at sharp 8. Don't be late."

Ashi thought, "Main nahi aaungi Randeep... Jab tak main apne papa ka sapna poora nahi karti, tab tak main tumhare saath koi rishta nahi banaaungi. My first priority is my father and our business. I can't let you into my life so soon Randeep. I am sorry, Randeep..."

Randeep had received her message and he had smiled. He knew she won't come for dinner after the way he had totally ignored her in her office. But he knew what he was doing. He had taken over ABC Industries last week and had planned to use it deliberately to expand his business with the Singhanias. He was sure Ashi won't come for dinner, so he had the next plan ready too. "Ashi... aaj tum agar dinner par nahi bhi aayi fir bhi hum aaj raat milenge zaroor. Tum jitna chaahe mujhse durr rehne ki koshish karo, main tumhe durr rehne nahi dunga. We are going to meet tonight Ashi... Just wait and watch..."

It was already eight when Ashi sat for dinner with her father. She continued having conversation with him while her eyes moved towards the clock several times. Anand asked, "Yeh baar baar tu ghadi ki taraf kya dekh rahi hai? Kahin jaana hai kya? Kuch kaam hai?"

Ashi gulped before replying. She didn't want to lie but she had no choice. "Paa... mujhe kahin nahi jaana hai. Wohhh bas main Abhi ke phone ka wait kar rahi hun. Aap toh jaante hain naa usse? Abhishek Kapoor... jo mere saath hi University mein tha, mera best friend..."

Anand smiled, "Haannn... Abhi ko kaise bhool sakta hun. Wohi toh hai jisne meri Princess ka khayaal rakha tha New York mein." Her mobile rang at that precise moment and she rushed to her bedroom bidding her father goodnight.

Anand sighed, "Pataa nahi Ashi kab apne dil ke darwaaze Randeep ke liye kholegi." Looking at his wife's portrait, he continued, "Dekha Smriti... hamari beti humse baatein chupaane lagi hai. Uske dil mein Randeep ke liye kya chal raha hai mujhse share hi nahi karti. Bas bhagwaan se dua karta hun ki inn dono bacchon ke beech sab thik ho jaaye aur Ashi Randeep ko ek mauka de."

Ashi rushed to her room and picked up the video call on her way. "Hey Abhi... Kaise ho? Itne din baad meri yaad aayi huh? Jab bhi call karo toh Kapur sahab toh busy hi hote hai. Kahaan busy the tum itna?" When she got no reply from him, she looked at her screen keenly. "Abhi... tum... tum thik toh ho naa? Kuch... kuch hua hai kya? Kuch bol kyun nahi rahe?"

Abhishek Kapoor, Ashi's best friend since she joined the University in New York was always in love with her. But he could never bring up his feelings in front of her. He didn't want to lose her friendship because of his feelings. As he had got to know Ashi, he knew that she would never reciprocate his love. Since then, he had accepted the fact that he would always be her best friend and would stand by her side forever.

"Abhishek Kapoor... main tumse baat kar rahi hun. Kahaan kho gaye ho tum?" That broke his trance and he finally smiled, "Ashi... itne din se tumhari daant nahi suni thi naa, toh bas wait kar raha tha ki kab Ashi Devi ka prakop kamm hoga aur mujhe kuch bolne ka mauka milega."

Ashi thundered, "Tum kaam hi aisa karte ho Abhi... Main India kya aayi, tum toh mujhe bhool hi gaye huh... Mere best friend ho naa tum, toh aisa kaise kar sakte ho tum mere saath? Ek call... ek message tak nahi bheja tumne. Mere koi bhi messages ka reply bhi nahi kiya. Main... main tumse bohot gussa hun..."

Abhishek looked at her sadly. How could he tell her that he had missed her so much that he wanted to fly down to India himself and confess his feelings. But he knew the outcome too. So, he was trying to distance himself from her. But his resistance finally broke today and he had messaged her that he would video call her tonight.

"Ashi... I missed you..." This one sentence broke Ashi's heart and her eyes misted. She replied meekly, "I missed you too Abhi... Kaash tum abhi yahaan hote. Kitna kuch bataana hai tumhe. Mujhe mere friend ki zarurat hai yahaan Abhi. Kya... kya tum mujhse milne yahaan aa sakte ho?"

Though Abhi wanted to meet Ashi personally too, but he had to resist. If he ever met her in person, he knew what the consequences would be which would break their friendship and he wasn't ready to take that risk. He wanted to be in her life forever even if he had to remain as her best friend.

"Ashi... tum jaanti ho naa ki maine kuch din pehle hi mere dad ka business join kiya hai. Toh main abhi India nahi aa paaunga. But I promise ki jaise hi main free ho jaaunga, main tumhe milne zaroor aaunga." Watching Ashi's face, he knew that something was off. So, he asked, "Ashi... kya hua hai? Tumhara chehra itna utra hua kyun hai? Sab thik hai naa wahaan?" Now, he was worried.

Ashi was never good at lying and she desperately wanted to talk to someone and share her feelings and who could be better than her best friend. Taking few deep breaths, she told him everything about Randeep and what battles her mind and heart were fighting since then.

Abhishek heard her each and every word quietly which broke his heart into pieces. He noticed the way Ashi animatedly talked about Randeep. He could clearly see that she had fallen for that guy, but she wasn't accepting it.

With a heavy heart and fake smile on his face, Abhi replied, "Ashi... tumne kabhi kisi ladke ke baare mein aisa feel nahi kiya hai. Aaj pehli baar tumhare mooh se main kisi ladke ka naam sunn raha hun. Ashi... maan lo naa ki tumhe Randeep pasand hai. Aur jo tumhare papa ne tumse kahaa, wohh bhi sahi hi hai. Tum naa jitna jaldi logon se attach ho jaati ho, utna hi jaldi tum unse wohh attachment tod deti ho. Aur jahaan tak tum abhi Randeep ke baare mein bataa rahi ho, I am sure Randeep bhi tum mein interested hai. Ashi... ek chance toh do usse. Main maanta hun ki tumhare liye papa ka sapna important hai, par pyaar life mein baar baar nahi aata. Give him a chance Ashi... See where it leads you both."

Ashi promised him that she would think about it. They mumbled 'I miss you' to each other and disconnected the video call. As Ashi turned towards her bed after locking the door, she heard some sound from her balcony. As she walked towards the balcony, she saw someone's silhouette and stopped abruptly.

Before she could scream and alert her father, she felt someone covering her mouth with his palm. As she turned, she was shocked to see Randeep in front of her. He uncovered her mouth and looked at her.

Ashi was shocked to see Randeep in her bedroom so late at night. She whispered, "Tum... tum iss time yahaan kya kar rahe ho Randeep?" He smiled and walked inside her bedroom. Ashi followed behind him and waited for his reply.

Randeep sat on her bed and looked at her cute pink night suit. "Tum mujhse milne nahi aayi, toh maine socha main khud hi tumse milne yahaan aa jaata hun. Pehle socha ki sharif insaan ki tarah main door se aaun, par fir socha ki kyun Anand uncle ko disturb karun. Baat toh hum dono ko karni hai, toh fir kisi dusre ka kya kaam?"

Randeep got up from the bed and stood in front of Ashi, "Kisi ladke se video call par baat karna jyada important tha Ashi ki tum mujhse milne nahi aayi? Is that person more important to you that you miss him so much?" Ashi was stunned with what she heard. Had he heard everything?

He asked again, but this time he pulled her in his arms. "Bolo naa Ashi... kaun tha wohhh ladka?" She looked at him and asked, "Kyun? Jalan ho rahi hai Randeep?" He looked into her eyes and replied, "Haan... ho rahi hai jalan. Jab tumhe mere saath dinner par hona chahiye, tab tum yahaan baithkar apne boyfriend se video call par baat kar rahi thi."

Palming her cheek, he said, "I don't share Ashi. When someone is mine, they are only mine... And You Are Mine Ashi... You Are Mine..."

Ashi shuddered hearing his words and she replied, "Abhi mera boyfriend nahi hai Randeep, bas mera best friend hai." Unable to resist further, Randeep asked, "Sacchi..." When she nodded affirmatively, he replied, "Good..."

And before she could understand what was happening, Randeep dipped his head and kissed her softly on her lips.

How was the update?

How will Ashi react after Randeep kissed her?

Will Ashi give Randeep a chance or will she still stay away from him?

I will update next part of Sassy Girl Has My Heart om Sunday.

Till then take care and stay safe.

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️