Dedicated to Vidyathri, Thank you, dear :)

Sachin.

"I know how much you like her Sachin, if you are going to try harder, you are not betraying him, they are not together," my mom said again, probably sensing my pain.

yes, she's the only girl I have ever been seriously interested in...but Neev's my best friend for life and I can read him, I also know that Riya is the only thing that he cares about. in this entire world now.

And I can't do it to him. I know I cant.

"Yes, I.. I like her," I said, aware of my voice shaking, "But I don't want to see her hurt, we...we have to protect her now, everything else can wait," I said.

"I am so proud of you, Sachin," my mom said, her eyes filled, probably figuring out my decision.

"Me too" both of us turned around to see my dad coming towards me, he enveloped me in a tight hug. "I am so very proud of you son, Nivin is lucky to get a friend like you," he said.

"Thank you, dad," I said, wiping my eyes and sounding cheerful, I want to lighten the mood.

"I have the most loving parents in the world, I can manage," I said and they laughed.

"And why are you here at this time?" I looked at my dad. "What's that board meeting about?'

"They might probably try to fire Neev again," Dev sighed.

"But grandpa knows how important the project is,"

"Yea, that's what I thought too, or at least so until I find out who leaked the video," my dad said.

"Don't tell me it's that man again-" I started.

"It is, I don't know what's he playing at now."

"I think that old man has gone nuts," I said angrily.

"It's Joseph Aldrick, for every dirty trick he is playing, there's something behind." my dad reminded me.

"What are you going to do now, dad?" I asked.

"No matter what happens, no matter whoever is the chairman, I am going to stand with the company, I owe at least that to James, I want to protect what he had built up so passionately," he said.

"It would've been good if someone else was the chairman, grandpa is just manipulating everyone in it, I don't agree with your dad," I said firmly

"I am not thinking about the chairperson, I am thinking about the company, the people who are depended on it, I have been the legal adviser ever since James was there"

Even though my dad has his own firm, He is one of the major director and legal adviser of Aldricks.

I know my dad won't change it now, It's his way of paying back Nivin's dad, James.

"Okay, I respect your decision, but I am going to stand with Neev in this, I want you to know it," I said.

"I don't want you two in opposite groups," Nandini said, worried.

"Dad is going to stick with his best friend, so am I, I can no longer sit back and ignore whatever it is that old man is doing to him, he had had enough already"

"It could even get you fired, Sachin," Dev said.

"For the first time dad, I want to be a good friend, just like you were all these years, I learnt it from you"

"Okay, I just want to make sure business is outside this house," Nandini said.

"Of course dear," Dev said.

"Sure mom" I hugged her playfully and she laughed, the worry in her eyes fading.

* * *

Riya.

I had no idea things could be like this! I am the hot topic of discussion on the internet too.

Even the little orphanage, my nursery, the school I went to was all there.

They didn't get anything on Uncle Ananth!

I sighed in relief, as I was living in the orphanage, everyone must've guessed that I am an orphan! The last thing I wanted was to drag my guardian through all of these!

Suddenly my phone started to ring. I don't know if I should pick it up or not.

"Hello?" I asked cautiously.

"Riya!" I heard the unmistakable angry voice of Priya.

"What the hell is going on? your name is splashed across the newspapers! and what's this thing about Nivin Rosh Aldrick?" she asked.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it, It will be solved soo-"

"I don't think so, you have to get out of there, Riya, I think it's high time you walk out of there"

"But-" I started.

"Listen to me, I don't trust Joseph Aldrick, he will keep on doing things like this-"

"Where will I go Priya?" I said, my voice trembling. "I don't have a place to-"

"You have me! you were protecting me all these time, It's time for me to protect you now"

"You are living with your uncle and auntie, I can't just come there!"

"They are not here most of the time, their workplace is far away so-"

"I still feel uncomfortable," I said slowly.

"We are shifting to somewhere else temporarily then; until this is solved,"

"What about your uncle and-"

"They will understand, of course! you were protecting me all these time, they will be glad to help you"

I sighed.

"There's still Joseph Aldrick," I said. "Okay Priya, I will think about it, you know I can't just move out now, I will have to get permission first," I said.

Mamma is still under him, grandpa.

Neev.

"You ready?" Sachin asked, sitting on my left side and I nodded.

We all were in the conference room. the board meeting was about to start.

"It's a crisis this time, some of the newspapers even pictured you as a filthy rich playboy who sleeps around with poor unsuspecting girls and drinks and wastes away your life" Rohan pushed his phone towards me, showing some news article about me.

"We will start the meeting now" The announcement came and we all turned back, Rohan took his phone away.

There was a brief discussion on the ongoing crisis.

"So if we don't manage the problem somehow, It's going to affect us" they concluded.

"The only thing we could've done was to deny any news, but it's already leaked so the second step is to show them Nivin Rosh Aldrick has nothing to do with the company"

"But the Asian project goes along with him, we all know how important the project is" Rohan spoke up.

"That's true, so what do you think Mr.Dev? you are the legal advisor" Mr.Ram turned to him.

"Nivin is not officially a director now, so we can just show it, but if he ever gets the managing rights, like he plans to get, the three conditions should be fulfilled for the CEO position" Sachin's dad raised one finger.

"One-the share which Neev already have, two-graduated with enough qualification, which he will have no problems and three and the most crucial point relevant to this incident, married," Dev said.

I can't believe this! I was aware of the three conditions, but I never took the third one seriously, always thought I could skip it somehow.

"Why the marriage thing?" I spoke up atlas. "Just give me some time, I will clear everything up," I said firmly.

"It doesn't work that way, boy," Mr.Moorthy said "They kept this rule so that incidents like yours wouldn't happen, a married and settled man always represent a responsible person, they couldn't accuse you of the filthy rich playboy whose hobby is to do illegal racing and womanising"

Silence filled the room.

Wow! I am trapped.

"There's only one way to solve this" grandpa spoke up, at last, I looked over at him, worried about what he's going to say.

"We will announce the engagement of Nivin and Nirosha, It's the only way to save the company"

My heart literally stopped! my whole world seemed to be shaking now.

"But she was supposed to be Rohan's fiancee," someone said.

"It was my wish, but apparently they don't want it, you know the youngsters these days, I think she likes Nivin" grandpa said cheerfully.

Seriously?

I looked over at grandpa with fury.

Who does he think he's to play with other people's lives?

"That's right, Nirosha likes Nivin, I think we should go ahead with this engagement," Sebastian said.

I saw Sachin and Rohan looking at each other, apparently, they are as shocked as I am.

"Then what about the girl in the news?" Sachin's dad asked. "Riya?"

"We will modify the news and picture her as a stalker or a gold digger, people love to hear those kinds of things," grandpa said.

"Yea, It's not difficult with the background of her" Sebastian said.

That is it, I think I am going to explode.

I tightened my fist

"Neev, relax," Rohan said beside me.

"So he was planning this!" Sachin said, shaking his head. "he knows you care about Riya!"

"So what do you think, Nivin?" Moorthy looked at me.

"No! I don't agree, I don't want to place blame on an innocent person" I said instantly.

"It's for a good reason, think of the company and how many people are depended on it, It's a pity she's dragged to this, but we don't have a way now," one of the seniors said.

Of course! the cursed company!

"So what do you think, Nivin, are you ready to marry Nirosha? because it's the only way you can get into the company" grandpa turned to me.

And I sat there, suddenly feeling like the world is revolving around me. I looked at the satisfied look on grandpa's face.

He knows it that no matter what, I want to get into the company.

I am trapped now, I can't do anything else!

"Neev?" Rohan said, Sachin was looking too, everyone was waiting for a reply from me.

Riya...

My heart is reacting in a strange way. I can't give up on her. I can't bear it if something bad happens to her.

I am going to protect you, I promise you Riya so I have to do this.

"Yes," I looked directly at grandpa's eyes. challenging him. "I accept the condition"

"Excellent" Moorthy said and everyone settled down.

"Are you okay?" Rohan turned to me.

No! I have to get out of here or I will destroy the whole room.

"Okay, then we will conduct a press conference tomorrow, we will announce the engagement date then," grandpa said.

So as soon as it was over, I walked out of the room.

"Neev" Sachin walked along. "so are you going to marry her?" he asked in a negative tone.

"Of course not," I said.

"Then what did you do! They are going to announce the date tomorrow!"

"I want some time to fix this," I said. "and whatever is that grandpa's planning, I am not going to do it anymore," I said

"Then Riya?" he asked again.

"Yea, I want her help, I have to tell her everything that happened too," I said.

* * *

Riya.

"With Nirosha," Auntie Alice said happily. "I can breathe freely now, grandpa suggested it, can you believe it? grandpa wanted them to be together, so there's nothing more to worry" Auntie Alice said.

I nodded stiffly, my heart is feeling like it's been crushed. I am feeling the pain now.

"And Neev?" I asked.

"He will be happy, of course, he agreed, I was really upset about it earlier but everything turned out to be just fine, " Auntie Alice said.

"He was so broken last time, I couldn't even do anything to help him, but everything seemed to come back to normal now," she said.

She's a little more free towards me since she let out that secret.

"Um...are you alright dear? you look a little pale?" she asked me, now taking a closer look at me.

"I am okay" I replied robotically.

"Just wait, I will bring you something to drink" she hurried to the kitchen and I walked to my room.

I was still in shock.

Of course, he will accept her, she's his first and only love!

Even if Nivin is not engaged to her, I can't even confess my love to him, I know it already, still my heart seems not to understand it.

"Riya, grandpa wishes to see you in his study" someone, probably JP talked to me and I walked there.

"Riya, come in" Grandpa looked strangely pleasant.

"I take it that you already heard the news, since Nivin always wanted it and I don't want to risk the family reputation, I thought it's a good idea," he said.

I nodded slowly, not even understanding why he should bother telling me all that.

"So I called to ask you a favour," he said, that got my attention, I looked up.

"I am sorry to say this, but this will also affect you Riya, Nivin can only stay at the company if he was proved innocent," he said again.

I kept looking at him.

"I mean, they want someone to blame and I am afraid it's going to be you" he stopped.

Understanding dawned, they want to falsify the news against Neev as a playboy to some other story.

Like they accused Rohan's girlfriend as a stalker.

The tiny voice in my head whispered.

You can't complain since it's partly your fault, Riya.

"It will only be a couple of weeks, so it will be better if you move somewhere else for the time being," grandpa said.

I nodded again. "I understand," I said robotically again.

I think I will need some time too.

"Good, Manoj will drop you then, It will be easier if you leave quietly," he said.

I nodded again and walked out. The whirlwind of emotions threatened to break out, but I controlled it.

It's not Nivin, It's grandpa's fault that Nivin had to select her.

Still, he selected Nirosha, knowing full well you are going to be hurt, Riya...

I know how much he wants to stay in that company, It must've been the only way.

Don't kid yourself Riya, he loves her, you know it.

That's why I decided to leave the Aldricks...

I reached my room and started to pack. I didn't have anything much to take with me, I came here empty-handed.

I turned back before closing the door.

Okay Riya, It's a good thing for you to get out of the Aldrick's house. You can lead your normal life now.

My phone started to ring.

Neev!

A flash went through my heart.

Don't pick it up..don't...

"Hello?"

"Riya? I have something important to tell you, besides, I want your help" Neev said through the phone.

"Yea, I heard about it Neev," I said, trying to sound normal. "just go on with your plan"

"What did you hear? no, I am on my way, I will explain-"

"It's okay Neev, I understand the situation, It's the only way, listen, I am kind of busy now, I will call y-"

"Riya, I need to ask you a favour," he said hurriedly.

My heart couldn't take it anymore. My eyes started to fill and flow down, I couldn't bear to think of hearing it from him again.

"I heard about Nirosha, congra-"

"Riya Mehra, you listen to me carefully, I have a plan and it's only going to work with your help, I am on my way there and I am not-" now he sounded angry.

"Neev, whatever is that plan, go ahead, I understand it, I am with you"
I cut the phone.

I walked downstairs, only to be met with Nirosha.

"Packed your stuff already?" she asked me smugly.

"You ready?" Uncle Manoj, the driver asked me and I nodded, following him out.

"I told you, you don't belong here from the start, I warned you many times, Mehra," she said.

I was not in my right mind to have a chat with her so I just walked out.

"Riya"

Auntie Alice was coming out with a cup, looking worried.

"Where are you going?"

"Let her go, Alice," grandpa said from behind. "She will be back" and she looked truly alarmed now.

"I will be back, Auntie, don't worry about me, I am just taking a couple of days break," I said, trying to smile so as to reassure her, I know what she is thinking, she's thinking of sending off Neev's mom all those years ago.

If I am not coming back, I don't want her to get worried about me.

"Just drink this and take care of your health, Riya" She gave me the juice and my eyes filled.

This is it, the love, family.

I took a sip from it, I couldn't even swallow it. I placed it down on the table and hugged her tightly.

It suddenly hit me, I am leaving the Aldricks!

I am leaving Auntie Alice, Danny, Rohan and...Neev!

I didn't know I would get attached to them like this, it's paining me so much.

"Thank you...for everything, please tell others my goodbye"

I am sorry Neev...I can't even say my goodbye directly.

Neev.

"What do you mean she's gone?" I snapped at grandpa and walked out of his study.

"Riya?" I shouted, running upstairs, I pushed open the door to her room and went inside.

"Riy-"

"She's gone" I whipped around at the voice.

"Nirosha?" I said. "what are you doing here?"

She was standing at the doorway, She smiled and came inside.

"I heard the good news, grandpa invited me to celebrate," she said happily.

"I couldn't believe it first! I never thought grandpa would allow us to be together" she came near me. "I missed you, Neev, so much" she hugged me.

I was stupefied, I couldn't even move. Nirosha's familiar perfume engulfed me, It seemed less dangerous, It felt familiar, but I couldn't bring my hands around her like old times.

"I am so happy Neev, I am so very happy, Imagine how I felt when you said you want to really marry me! I almost cried" she tightened her hands around me.

"I know you love me, Neev, I know you can't just forget about me, If you like someone, you will never let go of that person, I knew it"

I was still frozen in shock as she looked up at me. "I love you Neev," she told me.

I couldn't even move now. Everything felt too fast for me to catch up.

"Neev?" She said, now noticing my eyes for the first time. "Don't you have anything to tell me too?" she asked me desperately.

--------------------------

So guys,

What do you think? Nivin is trapped, Riya is gone and Nirosha's back.