Ruhanna's POV :

It was quiet late by the time I reached home.

These days work has been rough which is actually the most expected scene when the demon named Jaaiz is bossing over you.

The good news was that after a month of bed rest, Drishti was finally doing good. Lately, she has been busy with her school classes and I, being the super busy mother could hardly give her the required time later on feeling distorted for being a workaholic. After all, she deserved my little time.

I locked the garage and walked to the door and before I could ring the doorbell, Drishti already slammed the door open right to my face.

"I heard your car Maa." She grinned and frantically moved in keeping my bag on the table.

"How was your school museum trip sweety?" I asked as I laid back my head on the couch untying my hair.

She dodged near me and started,
"Bore as usual. But I got an A in the Algebra test. Teacher didn't expect that after the long leave I took. She actually thought I would fail Maa.." She pouted her lips repulsively.

"Oh sweetheart...that's okay. You did it right..that's what matters. I am so proud of you.." I embraced her in my arms and she planted a kiss on my cheek.

"You know whom I met today?" Drishti asked excitedly almost giving a jump on the couch.

"Aahh-ha."

"Siddhant." Her eyes were the size of watermelon as she pronounced his name.

"Okay...." I took a couple of seconds to register that and came back on the track, "Where did you meet him?"
I raised my brow suspiciously.

"Actually he saw me on the museum road while I was getting down from the bus. I never knew about him being a police officer. He has body guards Maa, you know that?" She gasped terrified, "And he even passes orders to them like those powerful rich brats. Geez, That's such a cool job!!! I too want a job like him."

She spoke with so much excitement that I gave a short laugh looking at her facial expressions. She was really so cute.

"That's not a cool job, darling. He has to deal with the criminals and convicts."

"Whatever Maa!" She rolled her eyes dismissively, "I swear he looks so dominating in his uniform. I didn't even recognise him in his uniform. He asked me about my health and everything. And honestly, I felt so much flattered in front of my friends when he got down from the car just to say me a hello."

Well, I could imagine him in his uniform although I never got the chance to witness it in reality. And I could bet that he must look really powerful.

"So you felt like a goddess?"

"Not exactly. I just felt so happy. At least he cared to ask about me and you." She passed a happy smile.

"About me?"
Okay I didn't expect that to be coming

"Yes."

The curiosity at the back of my mind wanted to know what he asked about me but I was too tired to ask or do anything. I felt lazy to even cook the dinner. Curse that Jaaiz!!!

"So my daughter is happy today right? And I guess pizza can add some more happiness in her bag?"
I winked as I opened the Dominos App on my cell phone and before I could place the order she threw her arms around me screaming in joy, "Yaayyy Pizza for dinner...I love you Maa."

"I love you too...Now come on, go and complete your studies till the pizza arrives."

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Mornings sucked. Especially when I had to get up terrorized by the fact that another horrendous day was about to start with a handsome looking monster lurking around me. I know you are getting me, right?

It has been over a week that I have been arguing with Jaaiz over this new construction site over which he has chosen to build a line of luxurious flats. The land is nothing but hollow on the inside. Not even his statue can stand on that land without being demolished into pieces within a month.

And this red horned devil was planning an entire society on that land just for his own profit and welfare. Assam lies on the earthquake prone Himalayan zone, even a kid knew that! Now, I was in a mess, I don't know whether I have to teach this guy Geography or just vanish him from the world map. Sincerely, I prayed for some thunderbolt to strike him hard, not even leaving his DNA on earth.

"This can't be happening. I talked with the engineer this morning. This is completely illegal you know that. And if you start the work, this entire company's future will be in danger."
I clarified, placing the study files on his table.

Jaaiz kept playing with his pen, making me feel like a ghost babbling to a deaf person. The whole time I spoke, he didn't even lift his eyes.
How can someone be such a dick?

Finally, he stopped rotating that pen and glanced at the files, like for a nano second.

"I don't need this. I don't need your engineer. I don't need you."
His deep throated voice sucked all the oxygen around me.

I glared at him horrified. What did he even mean?

"Scared?" He raised his one eyebrow, "Well, you should be...so listen Ruhanna, I know how much this job means to you. You are a single mother and I wonder what will happen if you lose your job for not complying with my orders?"

I blinked.
I almost wanting to strangle him with his tie. He blackmailed me, that was all I could say.

"This is against the law. I shall complain to the Board of Directors." I said gathering all the courage in my heart.

He gave a wicked smirk.
"And you think they will believe you? My hands are longer than you honey. Don't be so stupid."

"Jaaiz come on. You got this land at a cheaper rate that doesn't mean you will risk the future of this company. If the company sinks, you will sink along with it."

"I know how to swim. So you really should not be worrying about me."

Yea! I forgot! He knew how to swim, sinking others in his mess.

I glanced at him bitterly. For once and all, I felt like leaving my job and walking out of his damn cabin not forgetting to throw my sharp heels on his face. I was done tolerating this man everyday. But then, I was hit hard by the reality that I couldn't surrender on my job. I needed it more than anything. And I wasn't even sure if I had the strength left to search for a new job after leaving this one. In the middle of all my troubles, this man made sure to make my life a hell whenever he was around me.

"Let's make a deal."

"What deal?" I queried, hoping it wasn't any crossroad demon's deal.

He slouched on his armchair and looked into my eyes.
"We cannot stop what is meant to happen. This company will either collapse or will be caught in a scam after 5-6 years or so. You and I both know that. And there is 99.9% possibility of you losing your job. But you will still need your job, won't you?"

"Yes I will. Why is that of your concern now?"

"Because after this project is done, I will anyways resign this job and start my own line of business which I have been planning for years. I have got all the good contacts with the ministers. If you don't cause any trouble in this project, I can assure you that your name won't come in the apocalyptic future of the company. I can make you swim."

I narrowed my eyes at him. This was unbelievable. How could he be so selfish?

"Give me one good reason I should help you in this?"

"Because I have got the power to fire you right now."
He said those bitter words, every word tearing my heart and mind into shreds.

I clenched my fist tight and got up from the chair, not responding to him. He had the power to fire me now. Nothing could be worse than this.

"Have a good day." I walked out of his cabin completely devastated.
I couldn't let this happen. On the other hand, I also couldn't afford to lose my job.

My phone started vibrating. I looked at it and it was Shibani. There emerged this strong intention to cut the call, but I answered the call in a huff. She started throwing all the swearing words at me as soon as I picked up her call. She still behaved like a teenager. Wait, she had absolutely no reason to behave like a adult. She got everything she wanted from life, her husband was the bread earner, after all she didn't need to worry about paying the electricity bill, school fees or the lump sum taxes, LIC premiums or loans.

What are you doing? Stop comparing your life with others!!!

"I'm sorry Shibani. I am really occupied with my office stuff these days. You guys please enjoy. I am not a party material, you know that."
I was adjusting the files on my desk, holding the phone with the other hand.

"Ruhi! This is not a party, you idiot!! I am just inviting you over at my place for dinner. What the heck are you even thinking? That am gonna dance to the beats of I'm sexy and I know it with you, Meera, Anuraag and Siddhant in my house? For God's sake I am married now!!!"
She screamed at me like a psycho.

"Siddhant?" I repeated.

"Yes Siddhant Qureshi. Stop acting like you don't know him."

"Who the hell told you to invite him?" I started yelling at her. "Now, I am surely not coming Shibani. Go write it down."

"What's your problem with him?"

"Nothing. I just don't get it why you have invited him and why on earth has he agreed to come?"

"Listen carefully, Siddhant was your past. Stop running from your past like a coward. I have invited him because after the demise of his wife, he deserves our support. We used to be best friends in college. How can you forget that Ruhi? Yea, there was a thing between both of you but now nobody gives a fvck about that. He has his own life. You have your own life. Stop acting like a coward Ruhi."

She was harsh. Her words were harsh. It was like a verbal slap to my face. But she wasn't even wrong. Was she?

I was searching for words to explain myself to her.

"Okay, sorry. I didn't want to sound so mean. I just want that old Ruhi back, that's it. I miss her." She confessed.

Even I miss myself. Nonetheless, there was no use missing myself. My every dream was turned upside down right in front of my eyes. My dream to marry Siddhant, my dream to live a happily ever after life with him, my dream to love him forever, everything was an illusion. And then dawned upon me the dream to at least make my marriage a success with Gitarth. Everything was just a deceive. How could I go back to my old self after every disappointment I faced in life?

I took a deep breath and finally spoke, "You are right. Maybe, I think too much."

"Yes you do because Siddhant hasn't confirmed whether he will be able to come or not. You assumed it on your own Ruhi. Please remember I am always there when you need to talk about anything. Just anything."

Her words gave me the feeling my Maa's words gave me everytime. I felt safe, after a long time.

"Thanks. I will be there."

"That's like my girl. See you tomorrow."

I cut the call and took a heavy breath. Okay, so this is it. After all these years, nothing is to be named between Siddhant and I. He is the beholder of a firm and amazing personality. I am a strong independent woman who is the force of her own life. Seriously, I need to get over the past and start it afresh. The way my retarded mode gets switched on every time he is around him me, even after all these years, I can bet I never saw him behave so silly like I do. How could I be so blind even after seeing everything?

We can still start it like normal friends. Or at least I can try!!

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Hey beautiful people!!
I won't be able to update till the end of this month. So, I quickly wrote this chapter for now. Next month, I shall be back with a new and fresh update. Till then, stay happy, spread happiness and keep reading!!

Love,
Hiya.