Away from the usual buzz of city life, this calm serene place was giving peace to Chandini. After her mom's death she never visited this Devi ma temple on hills. Well, there was no one to take her to favorite places. It was always, she huddled up in Dhore's mansion except for every day visit to her school. Nothing much changed in the temple premises except for the well-developed roads.

Sitting in temple, gazing the surrounding all she found was happy people, not that they are free of troubles or crisis but everyone had someone to accompany them, share their griefs with, unlike her. Her focus landed on a pretty lady who was all alone just like her but she seemed happy unlike her. Talking with someone on her mobile, she walked towards parking to get into the car that entered the premises. Seeing the airport guy walkout of car and hug this lady she felt a tinge of disappointment. She laughed at her own petty state, may be disappointments was only written in her entire life. With no reasons, she was thinking about his eyes for past 2 days seemed like a big mistake of hers. Not liking the fact of her thoughts wandering around him, she diverted her mind process.

Kavya started early in morning to meet her parents place early morning, without her by side and nothing much to do Chandini decided to gatecrash her favorite places all alone. She hated this solitary, but somewhere she knew, there is no escape for her from this.At times like this when she was all alone, things that bothered Chandini were her past , thoughts on future made her sick with fear. She remembered the last time when she was alone, without Kavya by her side.

Before 3 years, Sydney

"I am going to miss you Kavya. Come back soon" it was the time that chandini came to facts that though Kavya was her BG as per her buaji,she is the only person she could communicate her feelings without any fear or hesitation.Though Kavya was elder to her they had this inseparable bond,more like soul sisters,more like friends.

"Sure Chandu .I'll be back even before you realize am gone" Kavya said making Chandini chuckle. After a brief hug Kavya left for Airport.

By Night, she was munching on popcorn and watching her favorite movie when Buaji entered her room.

"Chandini, you will be getting married to Pradeep on your 21st birthday" without waiting for any reaction of hers Buaji, exited the room.

All Chandini could do was stare at the wall, in front of which Buaji stood a few minutes before. Coming out of shock, Chandini rushed behind Buaji.

"Buaji, have you gone insane? How could you come to such a disturbing idea? What happened to you? I know he is your favorite, but don't you know what relation we share? OMG from where did these thoughts occur? I just thought you wanted to keep me away from him after knowing the truth so that's why you made me come here with you. But but..." Chandini wasn't able to complete anything sanely, tears were blurring her eyes and she sensed a strong head ache developing.

"Chandini, I don't mind whatever you say, or whatever you are bothered about. You are going to marry him and that is final." Buaji said in a stern tone

"But I don't want to marry him, not only him but anyone at all. After what I have gone through I don't have anything in me to get married. I am living my life as per yours and his rules. He doesn't want me to get graduated fearing his position in his business empire so you didn't even let me do my graduation. I accepted even that decision leading my life as per your say.I have never been out of this house for these past years except for my schoolings, and that too has happened in supervision of Kavya; I never lived my life and I have blindly accepted all these decision of yours. But not this, not at all. I thought you cared for me, you loved me but no it was always Pradeep for you right. I would rather die marrying him." Chandini let out what she has been burying inside her for years together. Tears were pouring and she wasn't able to maintain the usual calm, docile posture of hers.

"Chandini, this certainly will happen and whatever happens is for your good and for our business. I am giving 3 years of time to make up your mind." Buaji said in a no nonsense tone making clear there is no further talks on this matter and entered her room.
Still not able to digest the idea Chandini rushed to her room and hid herself in the duvet. At nights like these where sleeps are far away, she remembered the cold night's she spent in Dhore mansion.

Those nights were spent hidden under her sheets, hoping against hope that he should not come today.That hope of hers never came true.That evil loathsome cockroach would creep beside her on bed, hold her inappropriately, touch, nibble and kiss her, leaving marks all over her body, which made her hate herself.

Marrying him means giving herself to that selfish B@$tard , who ruined her childhood,with whom she fought back to save her virtue.She doesn't want that to happen, when 3 years back Buaji took her to Sydney, after she came to know the truth, Chandini was relived at least form now on she will be kept away from his touches and his creepy behavior. Now not knowing what else to do she opted out for one thing that she never in her 17 years of life wanted to do. She wanted to breathe freely without being forced, she wanted to enjoy the freedom of her life, and she wanted to feel like she is living at least once, so she slit her wrist to get away from all these tortures she is enduring.

(A/N: I don't support homicide,its the way of coward.But I just wanted to portray Chandini's thoughts n a crisis,where she s forced to do something she loath,where she thinks the happenings r not morally right but yet she don't have any other go..When the story progresses you will understand where she comes from)

******
She jerked back from the numbness and cold past of hers to realise she is front of a restaurant the car has stopped for her meal. One other day, where she is going to eat all alone.

Arjun deciding to meet Chandini somehow today started from home to the place she was staying, but a call from Anu made his plan failure. Anu wanted him to pick her from temple, since his Jeej was held up in an early counselling, he decided to pick her up thus missing his victim Chandini. He almost covered all places he stalked her the previous day to check if Chandini was there but he wasn't able to locate her. He returned back to their main restaurant, which is also A2 group of hotels headquarters. On the parking, he dashed into his customer's car. Cussing at his bad day, Arjun got down to apologize for his mistake. He felt happy seeing Chandini getting down from the dashed car.

Arjun's POV

Dressed in a simple red floral skirt and a white top, bangles adoring her entire left hand, she was giving a concerned look to her driver.

"Sorry bitiya, I was careful but" before her driver could complete she butt in.

"Kaka, nothing happened to you right? Be careful from next time" She questioned her driver in a calm tome ignoring the fact they have a listener.

"Nothing happened to me, but see headlights are all damaged" the old man said inspecting the damage that happened to their car.

"Leave nah, I will go home by Cab, you get to the mechanic shop and get the car ready" she entirely ignored me and made her way to the exit.
Amused by her calmness and polite nature of dealing with a driver who made into an accident, I was standing transfixed. The thought she was leaving the place struck me and I called out to her.

"Excuse me miss"

She turned around hearing a voice and stood still for a moment. I understood from the recognition that crossed her face that she remembered me. Those eyes😍,before I could swim across the puddle of brown ocean, her enquiring stare caught me

On having her attention I said "sorry, it wasn't your driver's fault, it is mine. I will get your car ready and let you know"

"No No its fine. I will ask kaka to get it repaired" replying in a gist she was again about to move but my voice stopped her.

"No that will not be required. I don't want my customer to leave my restaurant with any discomfort" she looked confused.

"Arjun Desai, owner of A2 chain of hotels" I introduced myself. She outstretched her hand and shook mine for less than a second and said "Chandini Sawant"

"Please come with me and sit in my room until your car gets checked by a mechanic." She was contemplating on what to do and finally accepted my offer.

Ordering a juice for her, I took her to west wing of restaurant where admin panel, conference halls and our office rooms are situated.

"So, remember me?" I asked to initiate some conversations just to get into my mission.
She just nodded..

Just a nod really ?! Arjun see the high headed her,not ready to open her mouth ,my brain was sending me red signals on her nature.

"I have never seen anyone behave that composed with their driver who made into an accident, to top that without looking into the damage on car you were asking him about his safety"
She looked up from her bangles which she was staring at and said "What will you do if the person who made an accident was your wife or sister? You will obviously reach out to their Welfare. Why not a driver then? He is also a human, than giving importance to some materialistic things I wish to look upon the welfare of a person breathing beside us."

Sassiness my brain again chimed in

"Wah, great to see such people still existing. Anyways I don't have a wife, but probably will reach out to my sister first in that situation." 

Was that a shocking look that crossed her face when I said I don't have a wife? What is she thinking that I am a father of two kids, am still young and in my 20's?

"Oops sorry, I though you must be married " embarsment shaded her face and also relief crossed that pretty eyes.

Did she already like me?Am I reading too much between the lines or really she is an easy prey.Arghhh Mr.Brain please stop your over thinking session,I should have a sane conversation with her I mute screamed at my idiotic brain.

"So what do you do?"

"As of now I am not doing anything, just exploring places" a small smile crept up into her lips when she said that.

"New to Mumbai?"

"No, it was here I was born but during my teens I moved to Sydney for my studies, after long years am back."

Our conversation was interrupted by my secretary letting me know that mechanic has taken Chandini's car for further service. After exchanging our numbers, I sent her of in one of my restaurant cab back home.

The entire day I was muffled by her thoughts. If she is this kind towards some driver, how can she be Pradeep's Fiancée? He is the biggest a$$hole one can ever meet in life.No Arjun don't go soft on her, remember your plan on revenge my brain pulled me back to sanity

Chandini's POV:

Kavya can be a mother hen sometime, it's just a day she is away from me, but this is the third time she called me asking for my safety and reminding me on medicines I should take. Thinking of the day I spent today, a ghost of a smile appeared on my face.

Arjun! Oh Devi ma he is doing something to my already damaged brain. I have never felt this happy talking to a stranger. I felt relief wash over me when I heard he is not married, it must be his sister I saw on temple today. She cannot be his GF, since she was wearing Mangalsutra. I know I should not think about the stranger I met, but I cannot help myself. Well, technically he is the first man whom I spoke to after years and it's the first day of knowing him,so I cannot let my guard down and also its not like I am going to hang out with him.My fate is hitched.Let me live these left out days peacefully.

The last thought in my mind was his smile and his charcoal grey eyes before sleep eluded me.

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

A/N: Hey people 😍How was this part ?! Good/bad??What is your thought about buaji now!!?N do you all think arjun-Chandini will fall in love anytime soon ?!

Leave your votes n comments to let me know what you think😁
~Rami 💗