• Apanaa hi saayaa dekh ke tum jaane jahaa sharamaa gayi
Abhi to ye pehali manzil hai, tum to abhi se ghabaraa gae
Meraa kyaa hogaa, socho to jaraa•

Aaryan's POV :-

"Guddiyan, kuch khaa le puttar. Subah se bhuki baithi hai"

Mamiji said taking the chair near Riddhima who was sitting on the stage alone wheareas Vansh bhaiyaa was standing in the corner of the living hall discussing something with his first wife Aangre. The way this Aangre sticks with Vansh Bhai na, I'm sure he is going to do the work of third wheel in between my newly wedded Bhai-Bhabhi.

Well, we have just returned home from Gurudwara. Since few relatives couldn't attend the gurudwara wedding, Naniji called them at her home to bless the new couple. Also the baratis were very hungry, thus Mamaji made arrangements for the Buffay dinner. So, here am I doing what I'm best at -- That is, eating "Shaadi ka Khana". I just love the chhapan- bhogs of Indian weddings.

Picking the bowl from my plate, I put  the softest and Tastiest gulaabjamun in my mouth and closed my eyes as the gulaabjamun melted on my tongue revealing its subtle raisin taste and delightful aroma.

After filling my mouth with another gulaab jamun, I looked at Riddhima who was refusing to eat. How could someone say No to such a tasty and delicious food? I mean look at these perfectly round Gulab Jamuns. Even the sight of them is so mouth watering... 

"Nahi mamijii mujhe bhook nahi hai"

She replied looking at mamiji who was standing in front of her. I scrunched my eyebrows. What did she mean by "bhook nahi hai.." How could you not feel hungry when you haven't eaten anything since morning Riddhima?

"Riddhima, kya hua beta... Why aren't you eating anything?"

On hearing Riddhima's reply, Ginni Maasi asked wheeling her wheel chair towards us.

Mixing a spoonful of daal fry in jeera-rice, I looked at Mom as she came and stood besides Masi...

"Jii kuch nahi"

Riddhima replied looking away. Mom and Maasi were insisting her to eat, but she kept refusing saying that isn't feeling hungry.
Just eat one gulaab jaamun from my plate Riddhima, even your mouth will start salivating and you wouldn't be able to  stop yourself from asking for more.....

"Yelo.. Yaha toh apne hi shadi ka khana khane se dulhan mana karrhi hai. Chhodo Ginni didi, hum hi khaa lete hai..."

Mom joked, making Masi roll her eyes.
Putting a spoonful of jeera rice mixed with taal fry in my mouth, I observed Riddhima. She was fidgeting with her fingers.... It is something that she does only when she is nervous or scared.

Picking up the plate in one hand, I stood up and dragged my chair. Placing it in front of Riddhima, I sat on it....

"Sharbat piyegi?"

I asked offering a glass of red sharbat to her when she looked at me.

"Nahi"

She answered and looked away. Why do I feel something is going on in her mind? She isn't feeling hungry, OK. But at least she could have drank this sherbat.

"Mat pii. Mai pileta hun"

I said and took a sip of the sherbat. She glared at me and puffed her nose. Now what?

"Accha chal ye puri thoos le. "

I said, keeping my plate on her lap. Riddhima loves Puri... Chole bhature is her favorite dish. I'm sure she can't say no to this....

"Aaryan maine kaha na nahi"

She replied pushing the plate and got up. What's wrong with her? My food plate was just about to fall down because of the sudden push yaar....

"Itna chidd kyu rahi hai?"

I asked placing the plate on my lap and taking spoonful of kadhi from the bowl... I just love kadhi Bro. And Punjabi kadhi is my favorite.... This food is so tasty, I'm sure Riddhima will regret not eating it.

"Kyuki tum chida rahe ho.... Mujhe na...do minute shanti se baithne nahi desakte tum"

She miffed and started walking after covering her head with the dupatta properly. I called her few times from behind, but she didn't stop or even cared to look back.... Chhaddo...Saanu Ki?

Putting spoonful of kadhi in my mouth, I concentrated on the delicacies in my plate.
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Anupriya's POV :-

"Khana khaake jaiyega...."

Joining my hands, I requested to the neighbors who came to bless Riddhima and Vansh for their new life. I still can't believe my son got married to Riddhima..my Riddhima... Now I'm not just her Anu Maa but her mother-in- law as well... Isn't it great?

I looked at Riddhima who was sitting with Aryan on the stage, But where is Vansh? I looked around and found him talking on a call in the corner of the living hall... Oh God, Not today Vansh. He should have atleast kept his work aside for a day. God knows how embarrassing Riddhu must be feeling standing alone on the stage... How is she going to deal with her workaholic husband?

I have raised Riddhima, I know her inside out. She is the best my son could ever get... I'm sure she'll bring good luck to the family amd proove to be the best daughter in law of our house and a perfect life partner for Vansh... But I can't say same about Vansh... Honestly speaking, Riddhima could have got someone much better than him... At a point, even I had doubts about this marriage and I still do.....

My Both kids are completely different from each other. Talk to her nicely, give her some love and my Riddhima will be happiest. She won't ever ask for anything more.

But Vansh is different.. He is calculative. Someone's feelings, emotions dont affect him much. His brain is his biggest strength and greatest Enemy. Unlike Riddhima who blindly trust people, He takes time to put his faith in others. But once you earn his trust, he won't doubt you even if you stab him right in his back. With her innocence and kindness, I just hope my Riddhu makes a special place in Vansh's heart.

I crossed my finger and prayed to universe to make this marriage work. I just don't want Vansh to make me regret my decision of trusting him with my Riddhu.

"Riddhima kaha jaarhi hai Beta...."

I startled after hearing Mummyji's voice. I looked at Riddhima who was going towards the backdoor which leads to garden...

"Dadi thodi der akeli rehna chahti hun please"

She replied without turning back and walked away... Why do I feel like something is not right? I hope Riddhima is not feeling unwell. Even during the wedding in gurudwara, her face was appearing pale.

"Yeh aapki Riddhima ko kya hogya behenjii .. Bahu bante hi iske tevar badle badle se nahi lagrhe hai....? Aapke bulaane par bhi Nahi ruki. Kamaal hai...."

Sharmila aunty who lives in neighbourhood said coming near mummyjii. I rolled my eyes. This aunty also na...Never thinks before opening her mouth. Her own daughter-in-law misbehaves with her, but she still want to comment on my daughter.  From morning Riddhima is performing some or the other ritual. She must be feeling tired. What is wrong is asking some time for yourself?

"Shayad ghabra gyi hogi. Hum humari bacchii ko jante hai Sharmila jii, woh ghabra jaati hai. Aur phir ye sab itne jaldi me bhi toh hua hai.."

Mummyjii replied making Sharmila aunty's mouth shut. It made me smile. They say that your biggest earning is your family's love. And This is what my Riddhu has earned.... A family that defends her even in her absense. I couldn't feel more proud of her. 

"Ye lo...Anu Didi, aapke bhaiyaa bhabhi aapko kabse dhund rahe hai aur aap yaha hai"

I turned back as chanchal tapped on my shoulder.

"Kuch kaam tha Chanchal? "

I asked. Mummyji excused Sharmila aunty and came near us....

"Baaratiyo ne khana khaa liya hai, aap dono bhi chalke khaa lijiye...."

Chanchal said looking at us. I glared at mummyjii. Doctors have clearly instructed her to take her meal at time. But she doesn't listen anyone.

"Chal Anupriya. Kuch khaa lete hai. Waise bhi meri dawaiyo ka waqt hogya hai..."

She said, I was about to refuse....

"Mummyji Lekin Riddhima...."

She cutt me off.

"Ab woh humse jyada Vansh ki jimmedaari hai. Woh le aayega use. Tu chal...."

Catching my hand, she took me to the food counter. I served her food in a plate and made her sit on a chair. Keeping the plate on the table, I opened my handbag and took out her medicine from it. Sometimes I feel like I have five kids... Vansh, Siya, Ishaani, Riddhima and Mummyjii...
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Vansh's POV :-

"Do whatever you want, I don't care.  Just give me the results"

I was snapping my lawyer on the call, when Mom appeared in front of me. She was waiting for me to finish the call. I pressed the button on Bluetooth and took it off from my ears.. Keeping it in my pant pocket, I looked at mom.

" Vansh....Riddhima was standing there alone on stage Beta. And here you are busy attending calls one after another.  Do you understand how embrassing it must have been for her?..."

Mom said, I turned back and looked at the stage. My eyes were searching for Riddhima? Where is she?

"She is in the garden area.... "

Mom answered as if she knew my next question.

"Sorry, it was an important call...."

I apologized. If it wasn't important I wouldn't even have attended it. I do have Aangre and my team to handle less important or unimportant things for me. Only the matters which require my immediate attention, are passed on to me.

"I know you are workaholic, which is a good thing... But now your wife Riddhima should be equally important for you. And right now most important thing for you should be to feed her...."

Mom said. I raised my eyebrow in question. Feed her? I thought she must have eaten by now... I did see her sitting with Aaryan. I thought they were eating together. As if understanding my confusion, Mom facepalmed...

"Don't tell me that you don't know.    She hasn't eaten anything since morning. And even now she is refusing to eat. Just Go and check her once...."

Mom said glaring at me. How would I know if Riddhima has eaten anything or not? Whole day, the ladies were around her. I didn't even get a glimpse of her properly...

I nodded my head and was about to go, when  Mom held my elbow.

"I don't know why but just felt like saying this....Don't ever hurt her Vansh. It will hurt me."

Mom said. I could see film of tear forming in her eyes... God, whose mother is she? Mine or Riddhima's.

I smiled and nodded my head. Mom side hugged me happily. I won't ever hurt your Riddhima Mom, if she lives on my condition.
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Riddhima's POV :-

"Guddiyan Rani, Bitiyaa Rani.... Pariyon ki nagri se ek din...
Raj kuvar jii aayenge
Mahalon me le jaayenge....
Raj kuvar jii aayenge....."

I heard the recording again. Again and then again.... The more I hear, the more it infuriated me. I wiped my tears, and hurriedly took out the cassette from the recorder. Throwing it in the farthest corner of the garden, I cried my heart out. I don't know why but I wanted to break everything around me. I got up from the bench and strode towards the light pole in the garden. Standing in front of the rose plant beside of the light pole, I plucked the buds off from the plant. Separating the pink petals from the unbloomed rose, I threw it down on the ground. Nothing was enough to calm my inner turmoil... I just felt like uprooting the plant. I feel like uprooting this light pole... I don't know how I'm exactly feeling right now....

Taking support of the light pole, I sat down on the grassy ground  and looked at the cassette that I threw few seconds ago. It was now lying in pieces in front of me on the ground. I shut my eyes and let few tears roll out of it.

What did I just do? Maa will never forgive me. I... I broke her cassette....

Resting my head on my knees, I hugged my legs and sobbed profusely. All my life, I kept believing that whatever good I do, would come back to me. But No. I was wrong.

All my life, I kept walking blindly believing that God will always lead me to right path...But See where I'm standing today. On a road that is full of obstacles, hurdles and darkness.... And you know the most interesting thing is, I chose this road for myself. 

What am I doing? And why? I looked above in the sky, and smiled sadly... I miss you Maa

After my mother's death in accident, I didn't sleep for days in a row as I wasn't used to sleeping without listening to my mother's lullabies and bedtime stories. When Anupriya Maa found out this, she recorded her voice in a tape recorder and kept the cassette near my bed.

Every night, I would put the cassette and turn on the tape recorder and sleep listening to the lullaby. Every month the casette use to change. Sometimes it would be lullaby, sometimes bed stories and songs. The cassette kept changing, but my favorite  remained the same....

"Guddiyan Rani, Bitiya Rani...
Pariyon ki nagri se ek din...
Raj kuvar jii aayenge...
Mehelon me jaayenge...."

The voice would sing and Like a foolish I believed in each and everyline of of that song. Till now, I kept this cassette safe with me. How naive I was to actually believe that a soft hearted prince charming exists not only in Maa's bedtime stories but in real world too... No Riddhima, Prince charming does not exist. But yes, Devils like Vansh RaiSinghania does. You chose one devil for yourself. This is your reality and you have to accept it....

"Eat"

I startled hearing the voice. Talk of devil and devil is here... I looked straight and saw Vansh standing with a plate of food in front of me. When did he come?

I didn't consider it important to respond him. Instead I got up from the ground and sat on the bench.... He followed me.

"Riddhima, eat...."

He again said, this time strictly. I turned my face  not wanting to answer him. Whether I eat or starve till death, shouldn't matter to him.

"Not even a day have passed since our marriage, and you already want to create a scene here"

I flinched at my place as Vansh's voice reached octave. He was fuming in anger. I should be the one reacting this way because he fucking ruined my life.

Keeping the plate of food on the bench, He took the bowl from it. Picking a gulaabjamun from the bowl, He brought it near my lip...

"Dadi kehti hai, nayi shurwaat kuch mitha khaa kar karni chahiye... It brings good luck, you know. "

He said in his husky voice pressing the gulaab jamun to my lips. I glared at him and shoved his hand....

"I'm not famish"

I replied and tried to get up but he pushed my shoulder down. I could feel a lump forming in my throat as he glared angrily at me. His red eyes were scaring me now.

"Fine... Don't blame me now"

He said, and before I could understand anything He caught the back of my neck in his one hand. While with other hand, He stuffed the gulaab jamun forcefully in my mouth even after my resistance....

My eyes watered, as I swallowed down the gulaabjamun. No one has ever treated with me this way.

He left my neck and wiped his fingers with a tissue paper.

"So Are you going to eat or you want me to feed you again sweetheart? "

He asked throwing the tissue which correctly landed in the "use me" dustbin that was placed in the garden. I fisted my cloth angrily.

"Fine...."

I said and picked up the plate from the bench... If this is what he wants,  I'll do it.

Tearing the quarter of chapati, I dipped it in the gravy and put it in my mouth... Without even biting properly, I swallowed the food. Taking as large piece of chapati as I could, I stuffed it in my mouth. Picking the spoon from the bowl of daal, I put it in curd, thereby ruining the entire white of the curd.

"Don't eat like an animal sweetheart. You won't be able to ruminate your food"

I heard his comment but ignored. Now he is going to tell me how to eat also... Bloody... No, No cursing Riddhima. No cursing.

After finishing the food in minutes like animals, I looked around for water as I started feeling nauseous. My eyes widened and I covered my mouth with my hand as I felt the food regurgitating into my food pipe...

"That's why I was asking you not to eat like animal."

Vansh commented throwing his hands in air. I closed my eyes and rubbed my chest so that I could feel little better... Taking deep breath, I opened my eyes and looked around for water....

"Paani?...."

I asked slowly. Oh God, why am I even asking him?

"Come...."

Pulling me up, Vansh made me stand and dragged with him don't know where. Inspite of my resistance, he kept walking dragging me along. I looked at him as we stood towards the fence of the garden area. There was a small tap standing in the corner to water the plants in the garden... Turning on the tap, He washed his  hands and bending down, he collected the running water from the tap in his upturned hand....

"Drink fast...."

I looked at him as he said bringing His hand near my lips.... I just stared at him not knowing what to do... What does he even want me to do?

"Are you deaf? Here I'm asking you to do something and you are just staring at my face..."

He said miffed as the water from his hand leaked. Seeing the water droplets seeping in the ground, he muttered something under his breath, which I'm sure were not good words. ...

Collecting the water from the tap in his upturned hands again, He brought his hand near my lips and pressed them harder on my lip this time.  Not having any option other than giving in, I parted my lips over his thumb and sipped the water from his hand while my eyes were locked with him...
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After all the guests left, Riddhima was taken to Vansh's room by Jasleen.... Though every groom's room is decorated on his wedding night, but Vansh's room was as it was before.. No decoration was done, no changes were made,  Because he didn't let anyone to enter his room in his absence.

"Guddiya tu rest kar thodi der. Gattu bhaiyaa aate hi honge. Kuch chahiye to bata, Mai baccho ko sulaane jaati hun. Warna wo bhi tumhare saath aane ki jid karenge. "

Jasleen Dii said making me confuse... Tumhare saath aane ki did karenge? But kaha? To Vansh's Room? I'm sure No, because Arman Pihu don't seem to be fond of him. I have never seen the kids talking to him nicely.

"Aur haan... Teri packing kardi hai Dolly ne. Kuch chut gya ho to ekbaar dekhliyo"

Jasleen Dii said, picking up the matchstick from the adjacent table and lighting but the candles of the candle holders placed in the room..

"Packing kyu didi... Hum kahi jaarhe hai kya..."

I asked innocently... Where are we going? And why didn't anyone tell me about this? Wait, I hope they aren't planning to send us to honey......... No no, don't complete that word even in your mind Riddhima. By chance, what if universe manifests it... 

"Hum nahi tum... Tu jaarhi haina Gattu bhaiyaa ke sath wapas Dilli".

Jasleen Dii replied face palming. Delhi? Me? And that to with Vansh? Hain? When did this happen? Who is even spreading such headless rumors? Delhi kya, Patiala ke Lahori Gate Market naa jaau Mai uske sath....

"Haainnnn Delhi? Kab didi?"

I asked totally unaware. I'm going to Delhi with that Devil-recently- turned- husband and when were they exactly planning to tell me this?

"Tujhe nahi bataya Gattu bhaiyaa ne? Tum dono kal savere hi Delhi ke liye nikal rahe ho. Niche Gattu bhaiyaa Anu bua ko bata rahe the savere paanch babe nikalna hai"

Jasleen Dii said keeping the match box in the drawer and coming towards me. That means Vansh knew. Why am I not surprised that he didn't find it important to inform me once? When did he even tell me anything before taking decisions on my behalf, that he'll today..... And is he out of mind? Who the hell even wakes up before 5 am? At least not me.

"Aur baki sab...I mean Maa, dadi, siya...."

I asked looking up. Jasleen Dii made me sit on the bed properly.

"Anu bua aur baaki sab bhi do chaar din me aajayenge....."

She replied, and took out a lipstick from her sling handbag.

"To itne jaldi jake mai akeli kya karungi... Mai bhi maa ke saath jaungi."

I said firmly, while Jasleen Dii asked me to close my lips as she darkened my lip color with her brownish red lip gloss...

"Kalli kaha hai tu Kamli? . Vansh bhaiyaa haina sathme... Aur kya karungi Matlab? Ab vyaah ke baad dulha dulhan kalle kya karte hai ye bhi tujhe maine hi samjhaana padega?"

Dii said slapping my temples. I made faces as I realized what she was talking about. That is never going to happen.... At least never with Vansh.

"Didi mujhe nahi jaana. Maasi...maasi ki tabiyat thik nhi huyi hai abhitak... Mai kuch din yahi maasi ki dekhbhaal karne ke liye rukh jaati hun"

I reasoned. I don't want to go anywhere with that Devil... In presence of family, he humiliated me several times. God knows, how badly he will treat me when there won't be anyone to watch us.

"Gudiya, Ginni bua ke paas hum sab hai na. Aur Anu bua bhi to hai yaha.... Waha Delhi me gattu bhaiyaa ke paas bhi to koi chahiye na? "

Jasleen dii answered closing the lipstick and put it in her bag. Why does he need someone to stay with him? He is nursery going kid or what? Didn't he use to stay alone and away from the family in London?

"Uske paas kyu? Woh to London me bhi akela rehta tha... Mai nhi jaana chahti Didi..."

I said making a sad face. I don't want to go anywhere with him... At least not till Maa or the other family members aren't coming along. Jahannum jaana pasand karungi, but us shaitan-cum-pati ke sath kahi nhi jaungi....

"Sacchi bolu to bhejna hum bhi nahi chahte tujhe Gudiya....Wo to gattu bhaiyaa ka koi jaruri kaam hai Delhi me, warna unhe biji itne jaldi nahi jaane deti yahase"

Jasleen Dii replied sadly.

"Vansh ka kaam haina... To use jaane do. Didi Mai ruk jaati hun na yaha"

I was quick to answer. And tell me, what wrong did I say? If he has work, he should go naa... Why tagging me along?

"Rokna to chahdi hun tenu guddiya, lekin main ki kara...Gattu bhaiyaa ne khud Anu bua aur Bijii se tujhe sath lejane ki baat ki hai...."

She informed me, My eyes widened realizing such a scumbag that he is. I'm sure he wants me to come along so that he can torture me more there.... Why don't he take his revenge at once only? What is the need to create different different circumstances just to harass me mentally?

"Vansh ne bola?."

I asked, to make sure I was hearing right.

"Tu Gattu bhaiyaa se hi baat kyu nahi karti. Bol unhe ki kuch din yahi humare sath rehna chahti hai..."

Jasleen Dii suggested getting up from the bed. Huh. As if I'll say and he is going to listen. In fact, he will enjoy that I am asking him for something. I clearly remember the smirk on his face, when I asked him for his permission to meet Kabir in the hospital last time. How coldly he refused me, and in addition put me in a condition where I had to choose between my family and my friend.

"Wo meri baat manega?"

I asked her, though I myself knew the answer very well..

"Kyu nahi? Accha ye sab chhod, menu bata tujhe pata toh haina...."

Jasleen Dii said... I waited for her to continue. She leaned little close to me...

"Ki suhagraat pe ki hota hai... Kya karna hai, kaise karna hai tune Sab dekh to liya naa.... "

She whispered slowly. My eyes widened in horror. What the fuck was she talking about? I do have slight idea about intimacy between husband and wife, but the way Jasleen Dii said was making me doubt my knowledge. She was making it sound more scandalous. I don't know why, but my palms started turning moist....

"Chee Dii kya bolrhe ho aap. Mai aisa waisa kuch nahi dekhti hun"

I immediately replied. The most intimate thing I ever watched was a lip kiss that too in an english movie "A walk to remember". It is the only English movie I have ever watched..

"Hainnnn..... Lagta hai saara gyaan menu Hi de dena hai tujhe. Eithhe aa"

Jasleen Dii face palmed and whispered the most horrendous thing I have heard in my ears.
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Vansh's POV :-

I walked in the room and saw Riddhima sitting on the bed and saying something to Jasleen.

As soon as I entered, both of them stopped talking at looked at me... I glared at them suspiciously. Jasleen gave me a smile while Riddhima lowered her gaze. Covering Riddhima's head with a duppatta, she pulled down the dupatta till her nose.

As Jasleen was about to go, Riddhima held her hand tight and nodded her head negatively.... Now What?

Jasleen looked at me awkwardly, and pulled out her Hand from Riddhima's grip. As she walked out of the room, I latched the door from inside. Taking dangerously slower steps towards Riddhima, I checked her out.

From morning I was waiting for this moment to have a closer view of her. And that too, without any interruption. With every step that I took towards her, My heart skipped a bit I swear.

Unlike other brides, Riddhima wasn't dressed up in a lehenga, but the traditional Patiala style red salwar kameez that she was wearing was still making her look beautiful. Indeed, she is the most beautiful thing my eyes ever fell upon. How did I get so lucky?

I could see her lowered eyes through the translucent material of the heavily embroidered veil that covered her
face till her nose. Did she know how edible is she looking right now?

I noticed her fisting and unfisting the bedsheets repeatedly as I approached near her. As I sat on the bed, she got up from it. I raised my brows looking at her. She look around, as if searching something.. What?
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Riddhima's POV :-

Jasleen Dii and Me were talking when we heard the crack sound of the door. Breath hitched in my throat as the door opened fully revealing Vansh. All of sudden, I started feeling butterflies in my stomach.. Closing my eyes tight, I lowered my head and prayed my Bappa ..

My eyes opened as I felt someone pulling my dressed... It was Jasleen Dii who was standing beside me, and covering my head with duppata. She pulled it down till it's embroidered border ended above my nose, thus forming a veil....

Through the translucent material of the duppatta, I saw Vansh still standing outside the door looking at me . His intense gaze was making me feel uneasy...

As Jasleen Dii was about to leave, I clutched her arm tightly in my grip and pleaded her through my eyes. I just didn't want to stay alone even for a minute with this Devil. Caught between two, Jasleen Dii looked at him awkwardly and then removed my grip from her arm... She left the room as quickly as she could, leaving me all alone to deal with this Devil....

My heart almost came in my mouth, as I saw him latching the door. Staying with him in a room that too behind a close door.... This thought is itself very terrifying. I gaped as I saw him walking towards me... My fingers fisted the bedsheet unknowingly. I don't know why I was feeling intimidated by him... Jasleen Dii's words were ringing in my ears... Noooooooooo.....

My mind started working in different direction, and with every step that he took towards me, I started thinking about ways to escape from here...

Should I jump from the window and flee from here? But what if he caught me.... Should I scream and call Maa for help? But what to tell her? No no...think of something else Riddhima...
I looked around and saw a vase placed on the table adjacent to be bed.. Yes perfect. If he comes near me, I'll hit him with this Vase and utilizing the opportunity I'll open the door and escape from this room...

No Riddhima what are you even thinking? How would you hurt a living Man, when you haven't hurt a single fly all your life?

I lifted my gaze and saw Vansh approaching towards me. Be quick Riddhima....

Yes, before he reaches near the bed, I'll run and lock myself inside the bathroom and won't come out unless he leaves the room.... Perfect idea... My happiness was short lived as I realized it was practically impossible as the distance between Me and Bathroom was much more than me and Vansh.... Shitt...shitt.. Shitt

I looked around and saw the wooden almirah placed in the room. Should I climb and sit on the top of this almirah? But what if he brings ladder and gets me down?

I felt like crying...Naah dimaag me idea aarha hai, Naah aakho se aansu ... What has happened to me?

Breath hitched in my throat as I felt the other half of mattress sinked in. I lifted my gaze and saw Vansh sitting just in front of me. My god, how fast did he reached here...

I quickly got up from the bed ... He raised his eyebrow to question my behaviour, But i ignored him and turned my face to the other side..... Looking around, I searched for something....anything that could help me to escape from here....

A smile crept on my face as I saw something similar to what I was searching for....

Taking long steps, I reached the vanity and picked up a spray from it.

"Riddhima, you...."

I felt Vansh's hand on my shoulder...Opening the cap of the can quickly, I turned around and sprayed it aiming at his face.

"What the....."

He barked and held my wrist tightly and titled his neck. I struggled in his hold as he pulled the spray bottle from my hand and threw it on the floor.... I looked at him scared as his eyes were now shooting daggers at me....

"What the hell do you think this was? Care to explain..."

He asked in a calm yet dangerous tone. I tried to pull my wrist from his grip but he tightened his hold looking at me intensely.. If he continues to stare at me like a creep, I'm going to take out his eyes from the sockets I swear.
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Vansh's POV :-

What the fuck is wrong with this girl? Who the fuck sprays on someone's face? What was she even trying to do? Thankfully, I caught her wrist in time and threw the bottle on the floor otherwise this crack head would have emptied the entire container on my face....

"What the hell do you think this was? Care to explain..."

I asked in a calm yet dangerous tone. No matter how much I decide to control my rage, but everytimes she manages to angry me more and more...

I waited for her to speak, instead of answering, she looked everywhere but me.

"Don't you ever dare pull such childish stunts on me. Do you even know how costly this perfume is..... "

My voice boomed in the room as I shouted on her... By her surprised expression, I'm sure that she might have thought this perfume as some local pepper spray.

Mahn, it was one of the world's costliest perfume. And Riddhima just wasted it by spraying it on my face.

She looked at me liked a scared cat. God, I donno what I'm going to do of this girl. First she pulls such stupids stunts, and then she looks at me like I'm the only one at fault. All of world's badness and evilness resides inside me only. And upon that, this veil of her ending on her nose and bringing my entire attention on her strawberry like lips painted in red. I just feel like punishing those berries by chewing them till they naturally turn red. .

She struggled to release her wrist from my hold, but couldn't succeed. Using her other hand, She tried to remove my fingers from her wrist. Why is she always in so much hurry to go away from me?

I pulled her close to me with my other hand. Due to the sudden force, Her veil slipped from her head revealing her beautiful face. I stared at her as her dupatta slowly slipped off from her body and fell down.

For a moment I felt like time froze. Pushing my chest with her other hand, she tried to free her wrist from my grasp. Due to the sudden force, I stumbled and fell on the bed pulling Riddhima along.

"Aah ....."

I heard her wince as she landed on the top of my hard chest. As the wind entered into the room through the window, Her hairstrands hitted my face. I could feel her breaths on the skin of my neck.  Watching her from this close, felt like a dream.... I could die thousand times to see this sight in front of me, I swear.

Her big doe eyes locked at me as I removed those silky strands from my face. Locking my arms behind her back, I turned quickly such that now she was lying under me and I was on top of her.  She clutched my biceps digging her nail into it, giving me all dirty ideas that I could practice with her now.

"Riddhima...."

Her name escaped from my mouth like a prayer. My eyes roamed on her plumpy lips shamelessly and then down to her swan like neck.. My throat went dry as my eyes stopped on the deep valley between her round bossoms, visible due to the loose V- neck of her salwaar. All I wanted to do at this moment was to put my one hand inside her top, and squeeze these round assets till she writhes under me moaning my name.

As if sensing my gaze, She averted her eyes.... And the next thing I knew was I was pinched on my bicep so badly that  i myself didn't realise when I got up from the bed in reflex and checked my arm..... God... Why didnt i think of this before? I should have cut her nails before marriage. Better late than never... I'd have these sharp nails chop off so that she won't ever think about misusing them like this...

Utilizing the opportunity, Riddhima stood up and ran towards the window.... Clutching the curtains in her hand, she looked outside the window gasping for air...
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Riddhima's POV :-

What were you doing Riddhima? How could you allow him to come close to you? Don't forget he is the same person who kept humiliating you all his life. He is nothing more than a stranger for you.....

I scolded myself as I stood near the window gasping for air. His presence itself was making me feel breathless.... I turned back and saw him inspecting his arm.... Who the hell told him to get on top of me? I wouldn't have pinched him if he didn't eye me like a roadside goon. Pervert....Huh.

I turned around and closed the window. Breath hitched in my throat as I felt him wrap his hands around my waist locking in front of my abdomen, and his chin placed on my shoulder. I clutched the curtains tightly when I felt his hot breaths fanning on my neck , and thus erecting the small hairs of my skin giving me goosebumps.

"Tum...."

I opened my mouth to say, but he cut me midway....

"Kyu, Kisi aur ko expect karrhi thi?...."

He mocked in a disrespectful way. I removed his arms from my waist. This man doesn't deserve to touch even a inch of me. Treatments are available for everything, but there is no treatment for someone's filthy mind and low thinking..

"Tum ...tum yaha kyu aaye ho? ...."

Turning around, I asked him. Because a respectable man like his majesty, shouldn't stand in the closed confined of the walls with a girl like me, who is nothing more than a characterless person in his eyes....

"What do you mean kyu aaye ho? Shadi ke baad ek pati apni patni ke paas kyu aata hai?"

He counter questioned making me open my mouth in horror. Don't tell me, he is standing in front of me right now for all the pukeworthy reasons that Jasleen dii gave idea about.

"Kya...kya matlab..."

I stammered..... But instead of answering me, He stepped closer to me and before I knew, he placed his arm behind my thigh and other hand behind my back.... Before I could open my mouth to say something, he bent, and the next thing I knew was that I was lifted off my feets.

"Vansh...Vansh... Ye kya karrhe ho. Chhodo...."

I hitted my fist on his chest, but he kept walking carrying me in his arms. I took a sigh of relief, when he placed me back on my foot... Turning me around by shoulder, he made me stand in front of the mirror of the closet.

I looked at our reflection in the mirror. That's when I realized my dupatta was missing.... Shitt mahn, till now I was standing like this in front of him...  My eyes closed in disgust thinking about all the wrong places his eyes might have landed....

I startled feeling something on my ear lobe. Opening my eyes, I saw him standing just behind me while his hands were near my ear... My ears felt light as he opened the hook of the heavy earring I was wearing and removed them from my earlobes. His eyes were focused on my ears but my eyes were roaming here and there as butterflies started jittering in my stomach and I had no idea how to stop them.... Why do I get this feeling only when he is near me?

"Tum...tum rehne do. Mai karlungi...."

I said removing his hand from my other ear. But he gave me a death glare as if warning me not to interfere in between...

Removing the other earring from my ear lobe, he opened a drawer and put them inside it.
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Vansh's POV :-

After placing her earring in the drawer, I kept it open so that I could place her other jwellaries in the same drawer itself.

"Stop"

I ordered seeing Riddhima trying to get away from me slowly. You can't go anywhere unless I'm done with you sweetheart.

I held the end of her long hairs that were pleated and tied with a rubber band. Gently Pulling her closer by her hairs, I made her stand in front of the mirror again. She looked at me scared..

Pulling out the rubber from her pleated hair, I untangled the pleates one by one.... In between I kept stealing glance of her through the mirror as she kept staring at me.... Opening her hairs, I removed them from her right shoulder to make place for my chin...

" Khule baalo me jyada sundar lagti ho..."

I whispered in her ears looking at her reflection in the mirror. Open Hairs, Closed eyes, Moist lips, crimsome cheeks.... Such an Epitome of Beauty of she is...

My eyes fell on her hands attorney in dark reddish- brown mehendi and red- white bangles... What do you call them? Oh yes, choodah. I don't know how her fragile hands are still bearing the weight of these huge umbrella shaped hangings that was tied to her chooda. 
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Riddhima's POV :-

"Khule baalo me jyada sundar lagti ho"

My heart fluttered when I heard this. This was for the first time he was actually complimenting me. He never appreciated me for anything before this, not even in our childhood.

"Mai..mai karlungi..."

I said when I saw him touch the maangtika. This time, instead of scaring or threatening me, he withdrew his hand. What is wrong with him? From when did he started listening to me? Wait a second, why are you even thinking about him Riddhima? By now, you should have banned this man from entering your mind...

"You can get into my bed Riddhima. But not into my head"

I remembered this line which he told me months backs when he returned from London. Wish I could say the same for him, but in a different way... He can't ever get into my head and Bed. Because I have banned him from both these places.

Taking few back step, he turned back and opened another wardrobe in the closet..
Removing the pins from my hair, I took out the maangtika and put it in the drawer. I looked in the mirror and saw Vansh taking out his sherwaani in the background.

Taking a tissue, I wiped my lipstick and dumped it in the dustbin after use. Removing the kaleerein from my bangles, I placed them safely in the drawer. I was about to remove the choodah, but stopped remembering that in Sikhs, Choodahs are worn by new bride for the period of 40 days after marriage.

Taking another tissue, I looked in the mirror....

My hand stopped in the air as I saw Vansh through the mirror. He was standing shirtless and his back was facing the mirror. Wiping my skin with the tissue, I looked at him as he opened the wardrobe and searched for his clothes. Removing the hanger from the wardrobe, he took out a full sleeved Tee.

"If you are done checking me out, then please come out fast. It's already too late. We have to leave for Delhi early morning tomorrow"

He said before putting his neck in the T-shirt and left the closet. Shitt Shitt Shitt... What was I doing? Checking his half naked self?
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Precap--- Suhagraat continues

Rubbing her eyes, she looked around. As if sensing her question, he answered.
          
"Gaadi me ho...."

"Kyu... Kaha Le jaarhe ho mujhe"

"Delhi jaa rhe hai hum.."

"No need to stress your pea sized brain. I didn't want to disturb your sleep, so neend me hi car me daal diya"

"Tum pagal hokya?"

She gasped in horror. What is this Mann???

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Author's note :-

Mai toh thak gyi bhaisaab likhte likhte. Long update... I didn't end their first night in this chapter itself because I wanted to see if you liked whatever I wrote in this chapter. For agar kuch pasand nhi aaya kya koi scene daalna ho to next chapter me us hisaab se likhsakti hun...

So yeah, as usual ur ideas are welcomed. :)

Those who wanted only RiAnshlicious scenes, well....from next chapter onwards no family drama. Delhi me to No family allowed for few days..

Also answering one of your frequently asked question...

Is Vansh in love with Riddhima? I think No. As far as I could understand his character in this story, he is territorial about his people. I feel he is just attracted to her. And usiko pyaar samjhke udd raha hai.

If you love some love, you couldn't even think about hurting that person. Not physically, not emotionally.... The day when Vansh reaches this phase in my story, samaj jana pyaar hogya.

Chalo, Goodnight to me, good morning to you. Don't worry, I had a nap in between writing.

And one more thing.... I'm not a Rrahul fan but yes if you are Rra's fan girl then, then Please watch Rrahul's new short film Ishqiyaat's trailor on YouTube. Remember to sign in before streaming so that views increase..... Sharing the link below.