•Suno kisi shaayar ne ye kaha bahot khub
Mana kare duniya lekin mere mehabub
Wo chhalak jaata hai jo paimaana hota hai•

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Aaryan's POV :-

"Ye chunari maine Apne Vansh ki dulhan ke liye li hai."

Dadi dropped the bomb. I looked at Vansh Bhai's face who was glaring at Riddhima with wide eyes...

"Vansh, Show your gift to everyone..."

Ordered Dadi. Vansh Bhai took out something from the packet. Wait, What is it? Red and blue colour Safa? Oh my god. Dadi is surely going to give us a heart attack today...

I looked at everyone's shocked face as Dadi took the chunari from Riddhima's hand and opened it. Covering Riddhima's head with the Chunari, She grinned and applied a kala tika behind Riddhima's ear.

"Mummyji, what is this?"

Badi Maa asked coming forward. Dadi smiled and turned to face Badi Maa...

"This is my decision Anupriya. Mai Riddhima ko is ghar ki bahu aur Vansh ki patni ke roop me dekhna Chahti hu".

Dadi said giving us another shock. I didn't ever expect her to do something like this...Vansh Bhai and Riddhima? Like seriously? They don't even talk with each other mahn, leave about that marriage thing....

"Dadi what are you saying? How....."

Vansh bhai stopped when She showed him her extended palm...

"Beta, I won't imforce my decision on both of you. It's your life and it's you who gets to decide what you want. So the final decision will be yours. "

She spoke looking at both Riddhima and Vansh bhai.

"So Dadi I have decided. I....."

Bhai spoke in his husky baritone, but Dadi once again cut him off...

"No Vansh. Not now. Jald baazi me dil ke rishto ko na hi jodna chahiye aur na hi todna chahiye. You both have two days to decide what do you want. I'll wait for your answer. And I hope you both won't disappoint me"

She said looking at both of them.

"What the hell..."

We turned to look in Ishani's direction after hearing her loud voice...
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Ishani's POV :-

After recieving my gift which was a beautiful platinum pendant, I handed it to Siya and went upstairs to use the washroom....

When I came back, I saw Dadi covering that behenji Riddhima's head with a red chunari.

Bloody Charity case, who has nothing of her own...Huh.

"This is my decision Anupriya. Mai Riddhima ko is ghar ki bahu aur Vansh ki patni ke roop me dekhna Chahti hu"

Dadi's words shocked me to the core. Like what the hell... How could she even think about marrying this gutter with my Vansh Bhai?

Mom tried to explain Dadi but she wasn't ready to listen anything. I don't understand what Magic this 2 Rs girl has done on my family....

Vansh bhai tried to speak but Dadi cut him off.The water is reaching above my head now.

I was quiet when Maa brought this charity case from slums in our VR mansion.

I was quite when my toys, my dresses ,even my room was given to her.

I was quite when Maa started giving her more love and care as compared to me and siya.

I was quite when Vansh Bhai was sent to abroad just because of this girl...

I was quite when this girl started considering herself as a part of our family.

I was quite when our relatives would appreciate her and taunt me for not learning anything from her..

But no... I can't stay quiet anymore. I can't let this Golddigger marry my Vansh Bhai and rule the VR mansion. I cant let her dance on my head. Marriage my foot... I won't hesistate in throwing this girl back to the slums If I ever see her anywhere near my Vansh Bhai.

"What the hell...."

I shouted. All heads turned in my direction as I walked angrily towards Riddhima and removed that chunari from her head...

"Ishaaaaani....."

Dadi scolded catching my arm... Wow Riddhima. Thank you for making my Dadi shout on me for the first time. I'll return this favour of yours to you soon and with interest. Mark my words.

"Dadi, What is wrong with you? How could you even think about making this slum queen our Vansh Bhai's wife... Do you hate Vansh bhai so much that you want to ruin his life?"

My voice reached octave. Riddhima trapped everyone in her love and now Bhai is her next target. No Riddhima I won't ever let this happen. I'll gladly strangle your neck before you cast your spell on my Brother.

"Enough Ishani. Have you forgotten your manners? "

Mom shouted standing in front of me... Well, I'm not surprised. She has always kept that 2 Rupees girl above her children. And this time also she is doing the same....

"Oh please Mom. I'm not interested in listening to your lecture. So save it for some other time...."

I said with a monotonous expression. I'm fed up of listening to her "Behave this way, behave that way" bullshit. Instead of lecturing me, what don't she teach her so called daughter Riddhima to keep her hormones in control..

I looked at Riddhima from the corner of my eyes. She was sitting on the sofa lowering her head and shedding few crocodile tears. Omg, what a dramaqueen. But you know what darling, this tears won't make you queen of this house. Atleast not till I'm alive. Once a servant... Always a servant.

"And you Riddhima, Kaha tha na tumse apni aukaad me rehna..."

Pointing my index finger towards her, I yelled.

"Baaz nahi aayi naa tum? You have shown your true colors today... I just can't believe you could stoop this low. Tumne hi daadi ke dimaag me ye baat daali haina ki wo tumhari shaadi Vansh Bhai se karwaade? Chiii. Kuch to sharam karo  "

I gritted my teeth. She flinched after hearing my venemous words. I don't understand what strange obsession she has with my family. She became Aaryan and Siya's sister, Dadi's grand daughter , Mom and Chachi's daughter and now she is dreaming of becoming Vansh Bhai's wife... Wow just wow... Hatts off to her pea sized brain which does nothing except planning and plotting.

And this time, she played a masterstroke.

"Ishani, Ye tu kya bole jaa rahi hai. Riddhima is not like what you think. Wo to is ghar ki bacchi hai. Hum sab jante hai humari Ridhhima ko...You please calm down..."

Chanchal chachi said keeping hand on my shoulder..I shoved her hand and turned to face her....

"Agar ye sadakchaap ladki aapko itni hi acchi lagti hai to aap iski shadi apne nikkame bete Aaryan se hi kyu nahi karwadeti hai? Why do you want to ruin my Vansh Bhai's life?"

I shouted glaring at Chachi angrily. Though Aaryan is dear to me, but Vansh Bhai is Vansh bhai. 

Chachi shushed hearing my words and looked everywhere but me.

"Enough is Enough Ishani. Do you even know what you are saying? Riddhima is like a sister to me.... "

Unbelievable. I rolled my eyes at Aaryan.. If i knew this was coming, I would have forced this charity case to tie Rakhi to my Vansh Bhai 15 years back itself...

"Oh really. Then Dadi..."

I turned towards Dadi who was glaring at me....

"If your laadli Riddhima can't control her hormones and is getting so desparate to marry, then I would suggest you to give her biodata to a matrimony site. They would find a good match for Riddhima, and even I'll get rid of her...."

I said with disgust... I hate Riddhima and I hate the day when she entered our lives... I felt at peace when I saw Riddhima getting up from the sofa. She threw the chunari on the floor and ran towards her room crying hysterically.

Dadi approached me and caught me by arms...

"Just shup up Ishani. You said whatever you wanted to. Now if I hear one more word, I swear you'll see the worst side of me. "

She warned. What has happened to my Dadi who would always protect me from Mom's and Dad's scolding? This is not my Dadi. I don't know her..... Firstly she is hell bent on ruining Vansh Bhai's life and now she is behaving like personal lawyer of that charity case.

"I can't believe you are shouting on me just because of that dirt...No. It's Ok. I'm used to it...."

I blinked my eyes to stop the tears that were threatening to fall...

"But you'll listen to Vansh Bhai, right?"

I questioned looking at Vansh Bhai. Striding towards him, I took his hand in mine and looked into his eyes...

"My Vansh Bhai don't need two days to decide. I'm sure he has already taken his decision... Bhai, Tell everyone you don't want to marry that good for nothing girl. Leave about marrying, you don't even like to see her face. Tell them that you want to see someone as a life partner who can match your standard, and not a selfish, golddigger, desparate and characterless girl like Riddhi....."

I couldn't complete my sentence due to the sting that i felt on my left cheek. Keeping my hand my cheek, I looked at him with teary eyes to confirm if he really did it...

"Bha ....Bhai?..."

I stammered looking at him with teary eyes. My Vansh Bhai slapped me....For...For that Riddhima..

"Never...I said Never dare to insult Dadi or any other family member in front of me . Do you understand?"

His voice boomed in the hall of VR mansion. Wiping my tears, I nodded my head and ran in my room...

My hate for Riddhima multiplied manyfold today. You'll pay for all this Riddhima... This is Ishani RaiSinghania's promise.
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Anupriya's POV:-

"Didi... Didi.."

My reverie broke when I felt Chanchal's hand on my shoulder...

I turned and looked at her perplexed...

"Where are you lost Anu Didi? Mai kabse aapko awaj laga rahi thi. "

She asked looking at me suspiciously. Taking a chopping board from the rack, she positioned it on the kitchen counter and mopped the wet fruits with a napkin.

"Aur ye kya... What are you doing?"

She questioned placing the apple on the chopping board. I took a deep breath to calm myself and faked a smile...

"I was making black coffee for Vansh. He takes black coffee at this time...So. "

I replied adding something in the boiling water...

"Wo sab to thik hai didi.. But chai me mirchi powder kyu dal rahi ho..."

I gasped looking at the container i was holding. Pepper? Oh my god...

"Pata nahi. Shayad galti se..... "

I replied hastly switching off the gas. Keeping the pepper container back in its place , I drained the apparent red tea in the washing basin.

"Anu didi, Are you Okay?"

Asked Chanchal while cutting the Apple into small small pieces for making custard..

"Yes, I'm."

I replied with a fake smile.

"You know what Anu didi, I'm very happy with Mummyji's decision. I feel Riddhima is the right choice for our Vansh. What do you think?"

She asked nonchalantly while chopping the fruits...

"Hmm..."

I said wiping the wet coffee mug with a napkin. Keeping that mug in the kitchen counter, I looked at Chachal..

"Chanchal do one thing. Make another tea for Vansh. I'll cut these fruits..."

She nodded keeping the apple back in the bowl.

I took the knife from her hand and started chopping the fruits. I didn't realized when i again lost in the same thoughts which had occupied my mind since morning....

"Didi.... Careful.... "

I heard Chanchal's scared voice and then felt slight pain in my finger...

"Aapko phal kaatne bola tha. Aapne to ungli hi kaat dii..."

Chanchal gasped looking at my finger which was now bleeding due to the cut that i accidently made while chopping the apple.

"Maaaaaa..... "

We turned hearing Riddhima's scream who was standing near the kitchen door....

She quickly came towards me and took my finger in her hands...

"Khoon....."

Her lips quivered looking at the blood droplet that was forming on my fingertip... Remembering her phobia, I pulled my hand back.

"Nothing happened to me Riddhima. It's just a minor cut. And what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to take rest? How's your leg? Did the swelling subside? ....."

I tried to divert the topic while wiping the blood droplet with a tissue paper.

"Haan Riddhima. It's just a small cut. You don't worry. I'll bandage her finger."

Chanchal said filtering the black coffee in a cup...

"Chachi it's not a minor cut... Oh my god.. It's bleeding "

Riddhima gasped looking at my finger that was bleeding. I wiped it with a tissue but the blood started oozing again....

"It's bleeding so much... Call...Call the ambulance. Nothing will happen to you Maa. I'm here. Your Riddhu won't let anything happen to you. You'll survive... Chachi don't look at my face.. Call the ambulance please...."

She started panicking. Mummyji rushed in kitchen hearing Riddhima's voice..

"Riddhima... What happened my child?"

She stroke Riddhima's hair and tried to calm her down...

"Dadi...Maa is hurt. Please call the ambulance before..... "

She cried closing her eyes thinking about the possibilities. My heart ached for this innocent soul whom I tried to provide all the happiness of this world, yet failed miserably. I was wrong to believe that our love and care would heal the wounds of her past someday. They are still fresh. I hope someday, somewhere she meets someone who will take away all her pain and fulfill her life with happiness.....

"Riddhima. Stop freaking. Ok, Look here. See, bleeding has stopped"

I spoke showing her my hand...She examined my fingers and then hugged me tightly...

"Maa, Please don't hurt yourself. I can't lose you".

I patted her back while she cried hugging me. I wish i could take her pain away.

After this, Mummyji scolded me for being so careless and then asked me to take rest.

I went in my room and took out a old album from drawer ...

Sitting on the bed, I opened the album and looked at the first pic. It was the pic of 5 year old Vansh with sulken face. A smile came on my lips remembering that day... My Vansh was angry because photographer clicked his pic at last.

The next photo was of a sand castle on the beach. When Vansh was 6 years old, We went for a Goa trip. Ajay wanted to teach his son how to build sand castle. But my Vansh wasn't interested in learning it..Instead of playing with his father in the sand, he kept looking at the sea weaves hitting the land and then going back to the sea.

Vansh was always like this. When the kids of his age use to play videogames, he would lock himself in a room and spend the entire time looking at the colourful photos in the newspapers or magazines.

He was different. And we didn't realize this untill his school teacher told us the same. When the kids in his playgroup use to cry for their mothers, Vansh would sit quietly looking at his classmates crying faces.... He would never initiate a conversation or answer anything asked by them. Instead of making friends, He would prefer to sit alone on bench, eat his tiffin alone and stay aloof.

Ajay was equally concerned about Vansh. Initially, We felt that this might be due to the loneliness he feels when we both go to work leaving him with Mummyjii. So, I decided to stop working and started spending most of my time taking care of Vansh, helping him in his homework, knowing about his likes and dislikes.... I started understanding my Son in a better way...

Then Ishani happened and our lives changed. Vansh started developing an emotional connect with Ishani. Ajay was happy seeing his son acting like a normal child, laughing and playing with his baby sister... Ishani brought happiness in our life. Rudra Bhaiya and Chanchal also shifted with us along with their 2 year old son Aaryan.

And after Siya's birth, our family completed. Vansh who had never even made a single friend use to spend most of his time looking after his siblings and taking care of their every need. Though he loved everyone equally, But Siya was his favourite. Even Ishani ,Aaryan and Siya grew closer to Vansh. He looked after them just like a mother, that's when I realized my mistake. Maybe I failed to provide him the love, tenderness and care that he provided to his sibblings.

Whatever time Vansh got apart from studies and taking care of his siblings, he started investing it in playing basketball. And then their was no looking back.

Untill one day, when I recieved a call from his school asking me to meet the principle. I met the principle next day who complained me how my son was more interested in making foes than friends and how he bited the forearm of a teacher who was going to punish him....

And this did not stop here. I would recieve call from his school atleast once in month. I had to face the wrath of principle so many times who was fed up of warning me. I was told that they are tolerating Vansh just because RaiSinghania's are the trustees of the school.

I tried talking to Vansh, explaining him to keep his anger under control. But as his age increased, so did his anger issues...

He would not tolerate something as simple as teasing by his friends. When he hitted his classmate's head with his basket ball just because that classmate snatched his bag from him, We took him to Psychiatrist who advised us not to trigger Vansh as his anger issues are beyond his control. And no therapy would show its effect untill and unless he himself is ready to work on it.

The next pic was of Vansh's 14th birthday party. Vansh was grinning hugging his dad. I can't ever forget that day because it was the last time I saw my son's smile. After that day, he did smile on few occasions but his smile never reached his eyes...

I turned the album and took out mine and Ajay's wedding pic from it. I miss him so much. Ajay's death had a huge impact on our lives. Vansh couldn't take this news. We all were shattered, but atleast we let out our grief by crying in front of his dead body. But my Vansh... He was dangerously silent. Instead of mourning, he kept staring between his father's photograph and dead body blankly.

Wiping my tears, I turned the photo. The next photo was of 8 years old Riddhima who was standing on the sofa wearing a white colour frock. I still remember how much she use to love this frock... She would roam in the entire house asking everyone how is she looking..

She was a butterfly who wouldn't sit at one place. Servants and I would run behind her in the entire house just to make her eat..One thing that i always liked about her was her innocence that would reflect on her face.

Contrary to Vansh, Riddhima was someone who loved to mingle with new people and new surroundings. She would consider everyone as her own. That was the reason she use to be always surrounded by friends,family members and even our househelps.

Riddhima and Vansh both are my two eyes. I love them equally. Nothing matters to me more than their happiness... From the time Mummyji announced her decision in the morning, I don't know why but I'm not able to concentrate on anything else.

Vansh and Riddhima? As a husband and wife? I have never thought about this... I don't understand how I'm suppose to react to this news.

As a mother, I am concerned about both of them... Vansh is impulsive, agressive, possessive, strong headed, egoist and someone who uses his brain more than his heart. He needs a partner who can stand strong in front of him, and knows how to give him back. I'm not sure if a shy and timid girl like Riddhima would be able to handle him.

I have always considered Riddhima as my daughter, and this is why I don't want to make her a scapegoat. Though she never told me, but i know she wants a life partner who would respect her, love her and treat her as his equal.

No doubt Vansh will love her with all that he has, but what about the other things she wants in her soulmate ? Vansh never listens to anyone. What if he hurts Riddhima? What if his anger ruin the peace of this family?

No, I'll have to talk to Mummy jii regarding this. When I brought Riddhima in this mansion 15 years back, I promised myself to give her the best. And I'll do whatever is best for her and Vansh.
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Vansh's POV :-

Picking up the mug from table, I took a sip of black coffee. Coffee works like a stressbuster for me. It calms my nerves. Darker the coffee, more is the clearity I get.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply.. My mind drifted in the thought of that one person who has always been a pain in my as*.

I hate her yet I want to hold her close to me...

I don't want to look in her doe eyes, yet I always find myself staring at her for hours unknowingly.

I don't want to see the sight of her, yet my heart becomes restless when she is out of my sight....

I shouldn't be affected by her, then why do i feel pain here in my heart everytime i see her crying....

Didn't I call her gold digger, charity case, servant and even pointed finger on her character? When Ishani was doing the same, why couldn't I control my anger? Why did I slap her?

Is that something that I feel for Riddhima greater than my love for my sister?

Where Am I heading? What is it that I feel for her? Does she feels the same? Wait, Do I even feel anything for her? What if this is just an attraction?

Afterall, She is naturally beautiful unlike the supermodels I have previously dated who were immersed into makeup from head to toe, Riddhima is naturally beautiful... What if she is just an infatuation?

Taking another sip of the coffee, I closed my eyes again. I can't let this stupid desire of mine overpower my mind. It's a trap.. A bloody trap to get into my pants and then into my property.

My mind is saying that Ishani is right.

Otherwise why would Dadi bring the marriage topic all of sudden? Even after knowing that Riddhima is yet to complete her studies....

My grip around the cup tightened as my mind started working in right direction. So this is her game plan. To marry me and rule this entire property....

My heart was screaming the opposite.. It wanted to believe Riddhima... It wanted to believe that she didn't put this entire marriage thing in dadi's head...

But what if even the 1% percent of what Ishani told is right?

I took a big sip of hot coffee burning my tongue in this process...

If she is really innocent, if she didn't want to marry me, then why was she quiet? Why would she even think about marrying me knowing very well what I had done with her 15 years back....

How the f*ck could she not react when Dadi dropped this bomb? Wait, She did react. But that was because Ishani was insulting her.... Ahhh...This girl is confusing me...

Whatever and However she is... She is mine...

Mine to hurt, mine to play and mine to punish.. And Vansh RaiSinghania knows how to control his things.

Even if this marriage proposal is her masterplan, I'm ready to trap her in her own web...

"Vansh RaiSinghania dominate hota nahi, karta hai...."

I gulped the rest of coffee in a go, kept the mug on the table in front of me and stood with a new determination on my face while pocketing my hands....

"You want to play with fire na, Riddhima. Only time will tell us who burns whom..."

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A/N :- I was suppose to update on friday but got last minute work from college. So instead of typing the remaining update, I had to sit quietly and complete my journals.

Anyways, how was this update? Boring? I know re😂. That too Without a single RiAnsh scene. But what to do. This was demand of the story. Consider this as a filler update. Next part will be full of Riansh moments. So forgive me for this one...

Before you ask, next update is on friday..😂

Please do let me know your views about this story.