Aaaaannnd... she was right.

The fact that she had spoken to Abhimanyu to discuss the issue of the kids really displeased Jai. He was just not ready to talk further about the subject. Ritu could guess why he was so angry about it. Jai was a man of honor. He had been working hard and looking after the kids since his grandfather's death. It was a huge responsibility. And as a proud, self-sufficient man, it certainly was difficult for him to accept help from anyone. Furthermore, when that person was his opponent. It was definitely a complicated situation. So, it took her another round of persuasion to get him to at least listen to her.

"Jai, you guys do accept donations!" she said in an inducing tone. "Don't you? What's so wrong with accepting donations for a group of orphans? There are a lot of people who would be willing to do these charitable contributions for the orphanage. And I don't see anything wrong in it."

"No, there isn't anything wrong with it," Jai responded crossly. "Yes, we do receive donations. But I cannot take it from your brother! Ritusha, how can you even suggest that? He and I are on opposite sides! Even if I start seeing him as innocent, believing in your words, I'd still see him as a cause of Dadu's death! If he hadn't purchased the building in the first place, this whole..." He trailed off suddenly. Then, after a momentary pause, he exhaled deeply and said, "Look, I know you mean good. But this can't happen! I can't..."

Ritu interrupted, "So, your problem is just because the money is coming from Dadabhai, you cannot take it? But you're forgetting. My father is still a working man. As much as Dadabhai has his shares in the company, my father has even more. Plus, I'll make sure the money you receive comes anonymously. So that you won't have to answer to anyone." She definitely meant the ruling and opposition party workers. His friend Aakash. She never liked that arrogant hoodlum.

He tsked. "Ritusha..."

"Jai," she interrupted before he could say another word. "Dadabhai just wants to meet you for now. I know nothing more. What he has in his mind or even... whether he's decided to help you or not! I know nothing! So, just come, talk to him, and see it for yourself. I am telling you over and over again, and I'll keep doing it until you start believing Abhimanyu Roy isn't the person you think he is!" Her voice rose in the end that she regretted instantly. She hoped no one was awake at this hour. Otherwise, she'd be caught red handed.

In the end, he agreed begrudgingly when she promised she'd be there the whole time during the meeting.

15thMay

The meeting was fixed five days later, on a Sunday afternoon.

Ritu kept walking in and out of her room and kept glancing at the entrance. Her anxiety was at its peak since morning that even Shreya noticed it and told her to have a meditation session to calm down.

To hell with meditation! She was dying here anticipating what the next few hours would unfold, and her stupid sister-in-law was suggesting meditation. How could she calm down when she knew this meeting could be an important foundation of her future?

She cringed internally. She was definitely thinking of her future, and it was so out of her character. She used to be that cool and classy chick. But how did she become this puny little piece of restlessness personified?

Around 7:25 pm, her phone suddenly buzzed. She was trying to concentrate in reading a book to distract her mind. So, when her phone sang suddenly, 'together through the storms', she flinched and grabbed it hurriedly. It read a text from Jai.

'I'm standing outside the villa.'

Oh my God! Her hands trembled as she almost dropped the phone. Damn it! Why was she acting so out of character tonight? Was it because she was going to see him after almost three weeks? Or was it the fear of how her family would react when they met him for an entirely different reason?

Since the day Jai and she talked over the phone, they had been doing so every single night, and not a single soul knew about this. Part of her consciousness was enjoying the forbiddenness of their situation. But there was also this rational part that was screaming at her, warning her to act responsibly. Subconsciously, she knew she might get into trouble for what she had in her heart, but the temptation she was currently feeling was outpowering her sensibleness. It was like she was sinking into the quicksand while enjoying a delicious sundae blindly.

She sprang to her feet and hastily typed, 'Come inside. Irfan is probably waiting for you there.'

He didn't respond.

So, she got out of her room and walked along the balcony, eyes never leaving the entrance.

A painful minute later, Irfan entered through the door, and behind him, she saw him. He was dressed in a white t-shirt underneath a baby blue full-sleeve shirt, which he paired with white sneakers and classic straight-denim pants. The sleeves of the shirt were folded up to his elbows, and the buttons were left open.

Damn!

He looked serene... and hot. Confident... and droolworthy.

Get a hold!

Ritu blinked as her ears started feeling hot. Her fingers instinctively wrapped around the railing as she scolded herself internally. This was not the time for her to gawk at him. This was serious. She should focus!

Damn it!

She couldn't tell how he sensed her presence there again, but when he raised his eyes and looked at her, her heart started beating fast. His eyes softened as he nodded once at her with a soft smile playing on his lips. She smiled back. The inside of her stomach was troubling her to keep a calm stance. Something was running round and round in her stomach, urging her to run downstairs right away. But she had to maintain a cool.

Irfan led Jai toward the seating area and gestured for him to sit down. Once he took a seat, Irfan asked him to wait for a few minutes before walking toward the left wing. As soon as Irfan left, Jai shifted his focus back on her and flashed a smile.

Ah! She could die rather peacefully now. How sweet was he! Even when he had come here with a lot of reluctance, he was open to keeping their interaction away from the gravity of the situation. She grinned at him and leaned on the railing as a stupid response. Ritu couldn't believe she was acting in such a sappy way. Jai raised his eyebrows and pointed toward the railing, shaking his head, signaling her not to lean too much on the railing. At this rate, she could melt into a puddle right now for all she cared.

As soon as she obeyed him and straightened, stepping away from the railing, Jai glanced down with that same tender smile and shook his head slightly. Ritu realized she liked seeing him smile. His smile was bright, without being marred by any cruel or selfish intention. She had rarely seen such a pure smile in her life. Every person she had in her life knew not how to smile from the heart, openly, without holding back. But Jai's smile was different. It was... unadulterated. Even that day when she met the kids, he laughed with them like they weren't currently going through the cruelest struggle of life. The struggle of survival.

Ritu's eyes never strayed from him when she realized he had shifted his gaze on her again. His handsome face was adorned with that soft gaze and made her feel all funny inside. For a long moment, their eyes remained glued to each other until Ritu felt the warmth of her cheeks and blushed. How could his gaze have its own language, which was definitely putting that giddy feeling in her stomach?

Ritu gestured at his clothes and made an impressed face by raising one of her brows.

Jai's lips quirked into a smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He tilted his head as an acceptance of her compliment. Then he did the same gesture at her as a response. He leaned back slightly and licked his lower lip, trying to hide his blush.

Ritu's lips twitched, a knowing smirk pulling at the corners. She looked down at her clothes, and for the first time she noticed she was actually wearing a light blue floral chiffon maxi skirt with a white silk crop top. The hell! She frowned deeply, then looked up. Jai was grinning now. Her eyes narrowed, and she gave him a half-shake of her head. She definitely had no idea they would be matching their outfits! The hell was going wrong!

Jai shook his head and turned his head away, amusement dancing in his eyes. Ritu could sense he was trying so hard to restrain himself from chuckling. Ritu bit her bottom lip as her own blush deepened, her heart fluttering at the simplicity of the moment-no words needed. The way they were communicating was something she had seen in the movies only. What the hell were they doing? She grinned and cringed at the thought at the same time.

She had no objection in continuing these silent exchanges. But her smile vanished as soon as she saw Irfan coming back from the corner of her eyes. Abhimanyu's face came into her vision soon after that. To her surprise, Abhiraj and Vijay also accompanied Abhimanyu.

Ritu's gaze swiftly averted toward Jai as she saw him standing up in greeting the men. He conjoined his hands and inclined his head slightly at Abhiraj and Vijay and straightened up as soon as his eyes fell on Abhimanyu. The elderly men nodded, acknowledging his greeting, while Abhimanyu took a seat opposite Jai. His stoic face expressed no emotions whatsoever.

Abhiraj broke the silence, "Please take a seat, Jai."

Jai nodded politely and sat down. His eyes soon shifted toward Abhimanyu, who was already looking at Jai with his infamous cold stare.

After settling down, Abhiraj suddenly said, "Ritu, come down. You don't have to stand up there like that."

Ritu flinched as soon as her father called her name so suddenly. Jai and Vijay's eyes moved toward the balcony where she was standing as they were sitting facing the right wing. Vijay raised his hand and gestured for her to come down quickly. She felt trapped suddenly. She blinked several times, then took a shaky breath before turning toward the stairs.

Oh Krishna! How was she going to face her father? Abhimanyu was still better. At least she could talk freely to her brother. But her father? That old man still got the same authority he had, which she had been seeing since her childhood. Her heart started palpitating suddenly as she descended the stairs and walked toward the men.

When she reached there and made quick eye contact with Jai, Abhiraj asked her to sit down. The only two places left were beside her father and the single seat beside Abhimanyu. She chose the safe option and took the single seat. Now she was exactly opposite to Vijay and across Jai. Her eyes scanned her father and uncle's faces before they stealthily glanced at Jai. He was looking at Abhiraj. Abhiraj was looking straight ahead at the entrance. Vijay was checking his phone.

Ritu felt like crying.

Why was everyone so serious? She couldn't do serious!

For instance, she thought of breaking the silence but then thought better of it. And it was her immense fortune that she didn't, because when her father opened his mouth, she understood staying silent was her only option.

~~~

Author's note: I was really laughing a lot while writing that silent scene. Ritu is so funny I swear! XD And, I must remind you once again, anything disturbing you read in my story is reality, anything cute and romantic you read is my imagination. So, enjoy! AND...PLEASE VOTE ON THE CHAPTERS! It really makes me happy when you vote or leave a comment or two. So, please do!