The following morning, Vansh dragged himself out of bed feeling like utter rubbish. He didn't know why it was that he had to endure Riddhima's ungodly and weird behaviour. Why can't he just escape the hell out of this trash? Or why he had to be involved at all? Lord! He knew he can't. Oh, logically he memorized it was important that she be closed to his presence, not for him only but because of her also. None of that, however he also believed that her presence would surely fuck his head out.
Hell, Why she had to be so bloody involved to him physically drawing such horrid times for him? It would have made much more sense to Vansh that Riddhima have been scared of him and strive to find new new ways to circumvent the damn of out of him. Needless to say, it would more delight him than this.
Vansh couldn't explain the way he felt about Riddhima.
He didn't love her. He knew that. He certainly admired her, to an extent, though he would never let on about that fact. He also found that he compared most other girls he met to her. Her brilliance. Her humor. Her keen mind. Her power. She didn't seem to realise how powerful she was, she seemed downright oblivious to the way most blokes eyed her hungrily when she walked by. She could command attention simply by entering a room, even when she did so with the intent of being unobtrusive. He beamed but that faded away when suddenly remember "Aurelian's" words which made him furious soon.
Grumbling to himself, he dragged his tired body into the shower and tried to revive himself. He needed to take Riddhima to their to that morning after 9 days more. He shook his head, he needed to get ready for work and the last thing he felt like doing was combing through presentations and researching something, more importantly, to think less of her. Because, the fact crystal clear that he might be incapable of restraining his evil and keen mind for long, but even he needed the same, possibly even more, anyway this is impossible, but then also. Still he couldn't deny the truth with two consecutive nights of interrupted rest, he felt very much like sleepy and weary as well.
Using hair dryer to scorch his hair to remove the tinge of moisture, Vansh dragged it all up neatly, securing the strands carefully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror with some annoyance when he'd finished on his hair. Like always, he didn't wear any make-up to look attractive. Why would he? He look handsome after all. However the dark circles under his eyes and the bloodshot colouring of his orbs made it so he was going to have to if he didn't want to get caught by his mother or someone either, especially from that little wench Riddhima. Reaching for tea-extract moisturiser, he smeared a healthy coating of it over the bags under his eyes, pleased when the skin began to tighten and return to its usual colour. It was he only he who know how weird he had been feeling after applying them, dammit.
"Woahhh" Riddhima screamed suddenly, opening her eyes from good snooze. He realised with a jolt that she'd noticed him applying that!!
Daammmitttt!!
The pit of dread inside him opened a little wider and he frowned slightly at her enthusiasm she seemed to be having within her eyes.
And in the next moment, he heard her saying within unstoppable laughter.
"Tum..tum..makeup..ohh god vansh..ha..ha"
He closed his eyes embarrassingly. The moment was awkward. It sounded so ridiculous to him to have emollient, moisturiser to look better anyway.
"Riddhima just stop it.okay." He glared, feeling terribly uncomfortable for even considering the idea of applying emollient but he did and now?. Ohh, now what?
He had made fun of himself!!
"This is so-so ludicrous and amusing Vansh. Ohh god!!"
He raged. "I assume it not to be."
"Well, I want to believe you're kidding me but no..ha..ha"
He had to hide his smile to made his frustration more realistic that seemed little preposterous as he examine her laughing face that true genuine smile over her beautiful angelic face. She killed him unknowingly most of the time she used to laugh, and he had to believe he loved those evergreen coming out of her luscious lips he wanted to ruined the hell out of her.
He wiggled his head jerking his emotions off and said grudgingly. "Go and make yourself presentable rather than commenting on others' business."
Still cracking up hard she nodded in affirmative and made her way where she was supposed to go after waking up in the morning, not to irk Vansh.
...
"You called me?" Riddhima managed to utter the words, tired of the repulsive silence, as Dadi put back box in the wardrobe, tilting head to her side, her lips forming a genuine smile.
To add her amusement, She first wandered Riddhima eyes to face and then Riddhima realised she wasn't alone in the huge bedroom as she observed the surroundings little bit more. Perchance it was she who was considerably engrossed in examining Dadi that Siya got erased from her eyes for a while.
She found herself more suspected then, as their eyes holding alienated emotions considering her but what? and why?
And the fact fumed her most was none of the two bother to throw some kind of gestures or to communicate her. Getting such a careless response from them, which was nothing more than constant ignorance, she decided to leave the place but before she could, Dadi addressed her in hurry.
"Wait, Ginelle"
Riddhima, who was stunned for a minute listening her words thinking who had been she calling her or someone other, twitched her lips. For moment she got clueless what to say...feeling loss of words though manged to utter "Ginelle?"
"Didn't you like the name?" This time Riddhima heard Siya speaking.
"No..no..it's not like that." She smiled embarrassingly. "Astonishing"
"Come here" Dadi hold her hand and dragged in way of bed and gestures her to have sear on bed, so she does.
"Dadi you." Riddhima murmured protesting with another shock and she instantly pulled her feet back when she felt her warm hands near her ankle and she noticed anklets in her wrinkle hand.
Dadi looked at her. "What happened?"
"Don't touch my legs, you're.."
She cut him saying."It's something important Ginelle, you keep quiet and let me do my work"
She opened up to protest again but siya nudged her elbow, stopping her through glaring eyes that was enough to keep her mum.
"Never remove it. I said never. Hm," Dadi said.
She gave a slight nod. "But why Dadi and this for what?
"Ohh my my, How many questions you have to ask Ginelle?" Taunted Siya with fits of laughter.
Riddhima smiled simply, again having loss of words but her mind kept swiveling numerous of thoughts and unanswered questions which needed to be retort as soon as soon possible with no traces of delay.
"This whole house and the people both are weird. Too many suspicion to their doing." Riddhima thought.
She braced herself as she moved again towards the door to escape out from these mysterious conditions, her soft anklets echoing in the room.
Meanwhile, in the journey towards her room, she encountered a hoarse familiar voice coming along the hallway that enticed and raised her curiosity though. On the prowl she went there letting herself hide behind the wall, hearing ear to ear.
"It's terrible to heard someone talk"
Her heart skipped a bit as she received a tap on her shoulder. Taking a good breathe she turned gingerly, twitching her dry lips and saw Angre standing opposite to her, having nothing but thin smirk on his face. Till then Vansh also seen approaching them putting the call off.
"What happened to you both?"
She bit her lip nervously though she held his gaze steadily, while Angre opened up his mouth.
"Boss, Ma'am"
Riddhima interrupted him. "Nothing Jaanu I was searching for you."
Angre chuckled a little while Vansh found himself hardly believing that there was something fishy but hadn't reckon it appropriate to ask infront of Riddhima, so questioned her. "Any specific reason?"
She gleamed, blanketing her nervousness. "Shopping"
He suggested calmly, not realising the new storm waiting for him "Then go"
"Not alone, with you darling"
"Sorry, I'm busy, besides taking you shopping, I have a lot of work to do. Anyway, if you want someone then Angre will"
"No..no. I have to go with you, can't you do this much for your love?" She cut him off, adding her adamant laced words.
"Riddhima, look" He began only to get cut off by her.
"Please, please, please"
He sighed. "Okay fine, but don't you dare to waste my time. Get that?"
She nodded sweetly smiling toothly at him as he accepted her urge.
...
While coming back to their journey, Vansh's car stopped with the jerk, creating an electrifying jolt in their body.
"What was that?"
"I guess, the car deteriorated" He exhaled deep breath as he replied her, guessing his words.
"Please god no" She cupped her face, screaming disheartened, truly tired with shopping and all.
"Don't gimmick too much" Murmuring he jumped out of the car and came near the engine to check the damage.
"Ahhh!!"
The ground shook, the earth seemed cracked, and then the whole world appeared to stop. Hell itself had frozen over because his heard two different though linking voice himself. One of Riddhima's and another the firing of bullet. He peeped his eyea inside only to saw her struggling with her bound, thankfully the bullet hurt her left arm not in other sensitive part, but does it matter? Obviously no. He forget everything except that they tried to harm her.
Vansh gritted his teeth, his frustration and anger overwhelming him. Threatening to over take him. His heart was pounding in his ears and his blood was boiling like lava. He stormed towards the attacker, not bothering to stay calm any longer and pulled out his firearm and fired against them blindly, sometimes to protect himself and sometimes to led them in way of hell, simply to kill them. In no time, dozens of assailants touched the lap of casualty.
Vansh's fists clenched at his sides, trying to stay in control; ignoring the desire to kill everyone in his path. Although it had done nothing to obliterate the resentment, Vansh was craving the taste for more blood, for more suffering, for more death. It had been too long since he had quenched his thirst and it was only getting worse. That fact made Vansh question his decision about not killing these bastard that tried to harm his Riddhima around him. How dare they?
After all, presently she was his damn responsibility, he had to protect her in any circumstance, no matter if he had to kill hundreds, thousands or even millions of man to recoup her. He could and he would.
Groaning in frustration, he ran inside the car, his baby girl was still crying dur to pain and it fiercely pinched his heart. Immediately, he took out the clothe and wrapped it around her arm to suppress the non stop blood flow. He could witness the fear enduring her large eyes, everything was just new to her, infact he doubt whether she had ever seen guns or not.
"Vansh"
"Shh, I know, this wound is hurting but please Riddhima be brave and come with me."
"Where?"
"Inside Forest"
"What?"
"But wait, how do you get guns? Huh?"
"For self protection" He responded, eyes never meeting her. She hummed and he quickly added."Yes, now if done with this questioning session then please come quick, I believe this place is harmful. I can't risk your life. Especially we can't call mechanic here at such night"
"Then how would we escape?" She questioned ignoring his warning.
"Angre will search us" He answered.
"How?
"Tracker" He replied simply.
She wriggled head. "Ohh, I hope he would but then why we're headed into forest?"
"Protection girl, for protection."
"But"
"Silence. Not a word, just come with me" Vansh quieted her, sounding very much like a previous Vansh who she met first time, his voice firm and strong, his bitterness getting the better of his.
The beclouded knolls of the woodland thrived with untamed wilderness. It was dark everywhere, pitch twilight. However, a pale, fickle moon furnished seemingly deficient strays of light that projected moonlight paths throughout the realm. Vansh and Riddhima were moving slowly and cautiously as the earth switched to dark mode, thoroughly gloomy and shady.
The sounds they could fathom were the crispy and weird though, distant hooting and howling sounds that overwhelming their heart causing the pounding of her heart not because of pain but suspicion of being caught, even if changes are rare or say simply null but still. His heart beat at an irregular pace. The anticipation creeping through his veins hadn't been neglected by him, though as he flutter of motion. He couldn't take her life hazard, couldn't fail. They kept strolling, with the lurking fear of being pounced upon by an animal or goons. Vansh had been good strong enough to not let them harm the little princess until he's alive but even so he mistrusted and his skepticism only fuelled his pusillanimity. First of all the wilderness was melancholy dark with a potentially hungry creature, to begin with danger can come in disguise in any means or any manner.
All of a sudden. "Do you know where we are?" Riddhima asked brusquely when she winced and clutched at her head lightly observing the surroundings.
"I'm afraid you lost your sight. Didn't you see where we're?" Vansh glared at her naive-less idiotic question, asking a qualm in return of his retort, being furious upon her.
Riddhima sighed, nodding and closing her eyes against the pain throbbing through her entire body with every beat of her heart."Indeed, I can see" She drawled. "Do you remember where should we're supposed to go?"
"Please stop it, Riddhima." Vansh answered thickly, unsure what else to say.
"Vansh"
"Do you want me to use something disastrous terms to mention you? I presume you don't. So please shut up" He raised that damned eyebrow at her scornfully, looking at her like she was an imbecile, and Riddhima coloured in annoyance.
"My hand aches and stings at the same time" She said stymieing.
"Throbbing?" He guessed.
She nodded and instructed flinching in intolerable anguish. "Do something"
"Just a moment." He wishpered and in swift motion, he picked up her in his arms, brandishing her protectively and carefully that her eyes widened in shock. But she said nothing and cuddled his chest, wrapping hands around his neck, settling her head in chest before closing her eyes against his heavenly fragrance that her eyes dripping down to in perfect needed solace. He went on and on with no idea of demanding destination,not even knowing where this cranky moist path are taking him go. After stepping some more steps, his eyes sparkling and lips curling up in genuine smile.
"Look, there." He waved his finger pointing in way towards a small damaged cottage. He lightly patted her cheeks as she was lost in pretty good slumber so thus she opened up her eyes as he repeated his words once more.
Riddhima was blinking at him in return, clearly shocked beyond words, seeing the horrendous cottage. It didn't seem less than haunted house of Hollywood movie. Her mouth was open the slightest bit on a silent exclamation of surprise and she looked like she wasn't sure what to make of what had just happened. But then after gaining her conscious form she do nothing but groaned in irritation.
"We're going to spend our whole night there? Argh!"
He rolled his eyes. "Are we left with other options?"
She squeezed her eyes in irritation and snuggled in his neck as she was aware what he was speaking and what does it mean.
He smirked. "Say, something baby."
She softly bit his neck to make him flinch a little, murmuring. "Idiot."
He laughed instead. "Kitten. Feral kitten"
"I hate you"
"I konsa love you?" He giggled.
"Of all the irresponsible, thick-headed, dim-witted, bloody ridiculous." She went on and on, insulting him and cursing him for a fool.
"Hold on baby girl. If you would use everything now, then nothing will be left for later"
"Vansh" She eventually responded, her face conveying her displeasure.
"Shhh! Keep shut your mouth."
Riddhima sighed resignedly, shaking her head to herself and imitating his habit, running her hand through her hair in frustration which get him to smile further.
"Vo log kon the or mujhe marna kyu chahte the?"
There spread a great silence. The kind of silence that drove some to insanity. The kind of silence that came just after the final bomb had been dropped in battle, or after the final solider fell to his extinction or perhaps, it was the dread silence before flooding. Riddhima stared in him amusement, not getting what she asked for. His silence approximately intensified the possibilities that he know something. Something horrible that could bring sequel of shock surges in her existence like catastrophe. And she couldn't deny it was almost as of death. Almost like new life perchance!!
On the other hand, Vansh bit his bottom lip anxiously no one could contradict the reality that he had been knowing the truth from past. But what can he do? He couldn't tell her right in the moment whereas lying would increase the problem more.
"Mujhe nhi pta, ye bat to tumhe pta hona chahiye..aisa konsa kaam kar diya jo gunde pichhe lag gye tumhare"
"Aisa bhi ho sakta hai na ki unka nishana mai nhi tum the." She answered, not attempting to hide her surprise as she rose an eyebrow at his in questioning.
"Maybe or maybe not." Vansh replied, stating his usual response while trying to dispute the air between them.
"I don't know anyway, but let me remind you Mr. Vansh Rai Singhania, I hate lies and liars as well. I hate them." She stated clearly, the fact clearly on her mind.
Vansh smiled widely, overlaying a fake one into his nervous, intimidated face. "Never"
Her lips too curled upward, breaking her eyes off before a cute eyes lock frozen between the two gorgeous pair of eyes, but the crucial discrepancy existed: One holds truth and enthusiasm while Another panic fears only.
"Ao goli nikal du, warna jahar fail jayega.
She gasped in horror as he hold her left hand, and traced his finger along on her tender arm, reminding himself she is soft and fragile, his roughness could harm her.
"Vansh, no. You're not specialist" Riddhima snarled, her eyes moving towards the direction of the entrance.
"The doctor is called God, but the reality is far different. They are also human beings and I'm too, so I can see no harm in this, let me do it, Riddhima."
"But Vansh" She opposed coldly, not speaking her thoughts on the matter. She knew it was useless to give him lecture when he would do the things of his own. Personally, Riddhima wanted to do him so, after all the pain is unbearable, but one second thoughts, she knew it would hurt million times more if he removed the bullet off than a specialist.
"Trust me" The word flew out of his perfect lips reassuring her. Riddhima sighed, giving in to him and eventually coming upon her eyes as he touched her skin little far away her wound with his naked finger.
Thankfully, he had a knife in his pocket. Riddhima throbbed in anguish and her hands gradually reach its way near his neck, as he dipped inside her flesh, deliberately yet slowly.
Vansh gritted his teeth as he held her arms tighter over his, transferring some of the promising convenience to her that had been building within her but tears and pain won't dare to terminate or decrease but even boost either.
"Ahh..no..va..vansh..stop it" She growled again, her cheeks, eyes and nose turning red hue as he went on engrossed in his work, not bothering to drop single glance at her, he knew surely it'd hurt him.
Paying no heed to her pleading he shoved the tool little deep, titling sideways crushing it a bit against her skin and in no seconds, the bullet came out her flesh, making both worried soul relax. She sobbed softly, tears overwhelming her eyes. He cupped her face as he brushed her tears away and planted a careful kiss on her forehead, just to make himself sure it was probably a kiss, a warm and reassuring kiss ever, nothing more than that and tied his handkerchief on her hand after cleaning the bloody mess from the previous one.
As his work was done, Riddhima thanked him, opening her eyes after the pain subsided with small grin twirling her lips bringing the more beauty in her face.
.
.
.
To be continued...
