#27 B&B

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Nivin.

"Neev?" She called me again. "Don't tell me you are still worried about Mehra, look at all that she did to you" she said now, looking straight to my eyes and that did it, I snapped out of it.

"Nirosha," I said, slowly trying to untangle myself from her and moving away.

"Do you know where she's gone?" I said looking around, her bag is gone.

"Nivin! we are engaged and the first thing you want to talk to me is about her?" she sounded angry.

"Nirosha, I am sorry but it was a business deal," I told her truthfully. I don't want to complicate things more.

"What!?"

"It's nothing more than a business deal to me, there was no other way for me to be in the company, so I had to agree to the proposal," I said.

"I don't believe it, It might be a business deal, but are you saying you don't love me?" her eyes started to fill.

"I am sorry," I said slowly.

"Tell me! tell me what you are thinking instead of saying you are sorry" she shouted.

"Nirosha-"

"I don't believe it, we were together for five years Neev, five years! don't you remember?"

"You are my childhood friend, but not more than that," I said firmly.

"Are you angry at me because I didn't fight for us first? are you mad at me for that" she started crying.

"No," I said. "I know what happened back then, I even know you agreed to the engagement with Rohan even when we were dating, I know everything now"

"Oh God, Neev, I am so sorry, I had no other-" she looked horrified.

"Let me talk, Nirosha, It's all past now, I no longer live there and I am not angry because I know grandpa and your dad would've forced you to do it," I said.

Yes, I am no longer concerned about the past, I have more things to worry about now.

"I don't know what's worse! you are not angry!? that's as good as telling me you don't care anymore!" Nirosha said.

I sighed. I looked at her now.

"I was trying to understand you all these time Nirosha, but we are over now, we were over two years ago-"

"Neev pleas-"

"No, I no longer care about what you did to me back then" I looked at her. "But I am really angry about what you did to Naina" I added.

"Naina?" she looked startled now.

"You met her as Rohan's fiancee, Rohan's going crazy searching for her, Tell him everything, It's the last chance I am giving you as my friend," I said firmly.

"But grandpa made me do it-"

"Nirosha, don't disappoint more!" I said sternly. "you interfered in something that was not your business and you need to take responsibility now," I said.

"I think you are blinded now! you are not at all behaving normally! since when did you start to care about others? you are not like that! I think that wench has changed yo-"

"Stop right there Nirosha! I don't want to ruin our friendship, so stop right there" I warned her.

I am getting irritated with her now.

She looked at me strangely.

"Okay! fine...but I know you can't just stop loving me like this, okay, you care about me as friends, that's good enough for me now, we will-"

"Nirosha," I said firmly. "we can't be together anymore, I can't do it, we are over," I said patiently.

"You bastard, why did you even agree to the marriage if that's what you really think?" she shouted now.

"I told you, I had no choice," I said. "I am sorry for doing it to you, but your dad and grandpa forced me to do it"

"What am I supposed to do now?" she looked up at me.

"You know everything now, It's your decision if you want to marry me or not, my feelings are not going to change, Nirosha"

"Are you telling me to convince my dad this marriage is a bad idea!?" she asked me sharply.

"I can't be ever the same to you and you are not going to be happy with me, the decision is yours to make"

She wiped her eyes and walked to the door, she opened the door. "Let me ask you," she said, still not turning around. "Is it because of Riya Mehra? are you rejecting me for her, do you like her?"

I didn't have a reply to that. I was still processing it on my own.

"That's really a personal question to ask someone"

Nirosha turned back in fury. "Let me tell you, Nivin Rosh James Aldrick, If it is, you better stop dreaming because you and she can't ever be together, It's worse than trying to catch the moon, wake up," she said.

I didn't move or even attempt to respond.

"Well...that's good, you are not going to find her ever again, Nivin"

She slammed the door in my face and walked out. I slumped down on Riya's bed and took a deep breath.

What happened to Riya?

Suddenly the door opened with force. "Where's Riyechi? Is she really gone?" Danny looked out of breath.

"Is she gone?" Rohan was right behind Danny, he looked furious for some reason.

"I can't allow this anymore," he said before slamming the door shut again.

"What's wrong with him?" Danny asked worriedly.

"Leave him," I said.

I know what he's thinking. he is thinking about Naina, he thinks grandpa has done something to Riya just like her.

No, don't think about it, even Auntie Alice said she left saying she will be back.

What if -

No, she's safe somewhere, grandpa can't just disappear people like that.

And Riya, she heard about my marriage, what if she gets upset because of it and left on her own as grandpa said?

Why would she even feel upset about my marriage? we are not even together! she must have been upset because she thought I will be using her as a scapegoat to escape the crisis!

"You didn't even give me a chance to explain Riya," I said slowly. "Do you really think I am like my grandpa?"

Did she really think I will use her to get out of my crisis?

I started to get mad. her voice echoed in my mind.

"Whatever is the plan, go ahead Neev, I understand the situation, I am with you"

Hell, she was practically telling me to use her, I have never in my life met someone as selfless as her!

Fine Riya, I will do it, you didn't even try to hear what I have to say, what my plan was, okay, since you understand the situation well, I am doing it!

I have never felt like this too. A mixture of fear, worry, anger and caring.

I am feared about her safety, worried if she's having a difficult time because of me, anger for not waiting for me when I obviously told her to wait and the caring I can't seem to explain, I have never felt this towards anyone else.

Riya.

"I missed you so much!" Priya hugged me tightly. I laughed.

"Me too," I said, now supporting her carefully. "look at you! you are so much better now! I am so glad!" I said.

"Yes! I started to walk" she showed me the walking stick proudly. "I am no longer bored out of my mind sitting in the wheelchair all day"

"I am so proud of you," I said, my eyes filled, I meant what  I said.

When Uncle Ananth left her with me, I really didn't know what I should do. then, seeing the poor helpless girl struggling to survive, I know I have to help her.

I can't even imagine her condition as she was both injured and had lost her memory too.

"Are you spacing out now?" Priya asked. "Look at this, I find a couple of places for us, I was waiting for you to come and decide" she showed me a paper.

"Yea," I said slowly, taking the paper from her.

"You are worried about him?" Priya guessed. "About what grandpa is going to do to him?"

I looked up at her in surprise.

"Don't worry, everything will be over soon" she said. she still knows only half of it.

She thinks grandpa has trapped us, she didn't know that they are going to put the blame on me...not yet.

"Yea, you are right, nothing will go wrong," I said slowly.

"What about Sachin Dixit?" she asked excitedly. "And the love triangle?" she winked.

I sighed, I swear, I didn't tell her anything inappropriate, but you see, she's this hopeless romantic who sees the world through my life and for every little story I tell her, she will make it to a fairy tale.

"There's no love triangle, Disney girl, so snap out of it"

"But-"

"Shhh...let's not talk about them now, I want to know how you are doing!"

*  *  *   *   *

Neev.

I barged inside for the second time.

"Where's she gone?" I looked at grandpa.

"I told you, she left-"

"I am asking you where you left her, she doesn't have a place to go, she's not back at her orphanage either!" I said.

And anywhere around, my private detectives are still looking for her.

"Is it important now? It's better-"

"It is important!" I said. "Where did you leave her?"

"She asked Manoj to drop her in town, I don't know where she is" grandpa shrugged.

Manoj also said the same thing, but where could she go!?

"It's time for you to prepare for the press conference tomorrow and you better convince the board," he said.

I looked up, he really wants me for that project!

I walked out of the room.

Just wait Riya, I will find you...and when I do, you are going to suffer for causing me all these troubles!

I dialled Sachin.

"Neev? any progress?"

"No, grandpa seemed to be saying the truth, nobody knows where she is now"

"Same here, no progress, what do you think happened Neev?" he sounded worried.

"I think she's hiding and not planning to come back," I said slowly.

"what are we going to do now?" he asked again.

"Of course we will bring her back, she doesn't know the truth, I didn't get a chance to explain things," I said coolly.

"What if she's better now? she doesn't have to deal with the Aldricks now"

I can't accept it, I can't even think of not seeing her.

"I want to make sure she's okay too," I said slowly. "and she left because she thought the board is going to make her a scapegoat, I want to find her"

And I intend to find her too! That girl!she knows how to make people worried, switching off her phone and all!

* * *

Riya.

"No"

"Yes," Priya said stubbornly. now taking ingredients for the cake.

"It's been long since I tasted your homemade yummy cakes," she said, pushing the trolley.

Yes, we are in the supermarket.

Her walking sticks were put away as she was able to support on the trolley.

"Tada!" I flashed her favourite chocolate box in front before putting it in the basket and she laughed.

"What else is there in the lis..." she trailed off. I was too busy searching for the ingredients.

"What about this?" I turned around, but she was no longer there.

"Priya?" I looked around.

"Priy-" I too stopped dead in my track.

In the big flat monitor, business news was going on.

Priya along with other few were looking at the news, I was frozen too, as Nivin Rosh Aldrick in his suit and the polished look was around me, In all of the monitors.

God! It's the press conference, I have to get out of here!

I tried to call Priya, only, I couldn't seem to, I wanted to know too.

"So about the scandal, what would you like to say Mr.Aldrick?" The reporters started their questions.

Nivin looked calm and confident, not at all affected by the questions, similar questions were asked and at last, he touched the mic.

"I don't understand, Is there a scandal I am involved with? oh...you mean the party footage" he said.

Here it comes, brace yourself Riya!

"Anyone who saw that footage can clearly see what's happening there, I was merely protecting the girl I love," he said and there was a collective gasp, even his lawyer and others beside him looked shocked at his statement.

I touched my heart that's racing out of my control.

What's happening!?

"Would you mind explaining your statement, sir? we heard she's a stalker and-"

"What more should I say? That's Riya Mehra, the girl I love, I was merely protecting her" he said firmly, confidently.

"It's been so difficult for her all these days because of me, that's why I decided to be open about it, I don't want to hurt her anymore and I don't think loving someone is a crime," he said again.

I am having difficulty in breathing now, Neev looked so serious and concerned.

"So, Nivin Rosh Aldrick, you are saying you are seriously in love with this waitress?"

"I don't like to discriminate people based on their job or financial status, she's someone very important to me"

"What about her? does she love you back?"

There was a silence before Neev leaned to the mic, again. "As I said, it was always hard on her, I have asked her but I didn't yet get a clear answer and the last news yesterday made her run away from me, " Neev said emotionally, then looked straight to me, or rather the camera.

"Riya, If you are watching this, please pick up your phone, or reply to my messages, I can't go on another day like this, I need you by my side, come back, don't forget, I love you"

I slumped down on the sofa. I can't understand it.

What's Neev doing? he's practically killing his reputation getting involved with me.

"Riya, are you alright" Priya was suddenly beside me. I touched my heart.

"Riya, I am searching for you everywhere, but I can't find you, please stop it and come back, I will protect you, I promise" Nivin was still talking.

"Are you okay now? here drink this" Priya opened a cool drink for me, unfortunately, my shaky fingers did not function well and it tipped.

"Hey, watch it yo-" the lady beside me stopped. then looked back at the TV and back to me again.

Shit!

"IT'S HER!!" She shouted.

I flinched at her voice, trying to jump up.

"Get away from me" I whispered to Priya who nodded and immediately moved away. I don't want her to get involved in any manner.

"Oh my God! it's really her!"

"Look at the photo, It's sure"

I started to walk away as soon as I can, some of them were already starting to take pictures on their phone.

"Excuse me" I kept on walking to the exit, but stopped when I saw a group of reporters coming my way.

Jeez! I am screwed!

I changed the direction and walked the opposite way.

Nivin Rosh James Aldrick, I am going to skin you alive for this!

Nivin.

The ED and my lawyer still looked stressed and displeased as I was telling the reporters my supposed love story.

They had no choice but give a tight-lipped smile and occasional warning looks directed at me since this was a live programme.

The reporters found my love story to be more interesting than the scandal before.

"Mr.Aldrick" one of my bodyguards walked to me hurriedly and leaned to whisper.

"I have to go now," I said pleasantly. "I think I found my girl" I smiled.

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1/06/2018

Guys,

I am travelling and will not be in place for the next 20 or so days, I will update when I am back 😊

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Guys!

Hope you are happy to read this! enjoyed writing it;) I hope the press conference came as a surprise!

So do tell me what you think, I am eagerly waiting to hear from you!

Love you all...

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