MR. RAISINGHANIA AND MS. SHAH- 6.

6.

Riddhima’s POV:

I sighed as I folded my yoga mat. It had been two weeks since I was living with Vansh and Aahan. My room was next to Aahan’s and Vansh’s room was just across the corridor from our rooms. Aahan was very happy when he came to know that I was going to marry his father though the real reason behind this marriage was kept hidden from him. He was excited at the prospect of me becoming his new mommy. I had tears in my eyes when the first time he had called me ‘mommy’. He had not stopped since then and I was also getting used to it.

The apartment was spacious. It was a penthouse with five rooms apart from the living room and the kitchen. There were three rooms for the residents and the two other rooms were converted into an office and a gym. There was a big balcony adjacent to the living room that gave a beautiful view of the city. The kitchen was designed to incorporate all the advanced cooking technologies though neither of the residents ever stepped inside the kitchen. The house overall was cozy and warm. I loved it here.

Mr. Raisinghania had come to pay me a visit the very next day after I came to live here. He was glad that I had finally accepted their proposal. I also apologized for my rude behavior at the hospital. It was wrong of me to talk to them like that as they were just trying to help me. He brushed aside my apology and we had a great time conversing after that. He was a very jovial and kind hearted man. He was also the best nonno of the world.

I was shocked to know that the American branch of Eccellenza Company was handled by Vansh. This did explain his insights on the inner functioning of the business world. Our project together was on the brink of completion as now we got more time to spend together. Some late evenings, after the dinner, we would retire to his office and discuss the remaining project work. Vansh wanted to complete this project work before our wedding which was on next weekend.

He had also told me to resign from my jobs, both at the school and at the bookshop, as it was not safe. We had had a long argument regarding this but in the end I just caved in. He was right about the safety matter and I had a firsthand experience of the outcome of defying him. I still continued my NGO service though. He had tried to convince me otherwise but I did not deter in that matter. It was something that gave me satisfaction and contentment. He sighed and let the matter go but he did appoint guards to secretly keep a watch on me. It annoyed me at first, about the feeling of being watched, but then I got used to it.

I also told my mother about this whole arrangement. She was scared at first but after personally talking to Vansh for nearly an hour, she relaxed and now she was perfectly normal. It was like she had accepted Vansh as her son-in-law and she trusted him blindly. I was glad that at least now my mother knew about my situation and I did not have to hide anything from her.

After keeping the neatly folded Yoga mat in its place, I made my way into the kitchen. There I saw Martha, the cook and the maid, and greeted her a good morning. She smiled and got back at making the breakfast. I took out a pan and started to boil the milk to make my special tea. The recipe was unique and I had learnt it from my mother. I properly stirred it after adding all the ingredients and once it was ready, I took it in a cup and went to the small dining table adjacent to the kitchen.

As I was sipping the tea, Vansh walked into the room in his gym clothes that were fully drenched in sweat. He nodded at me and Martha and sat down on the chair opposite to me. Martha kept a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. He silently sipped his coffee. As I was drinking my tea, I got a call from my mom. She never called me, it was I who called her and we always had a video call. I cut her phone and quickly called her so that she does not get charged. She picked up in the first ring. Even before I could greet her, she broke the big news for which she had called me.

“Aradhya is getting married!”

I almost chocked on my tea and started coughing. Vansh reached me in one long stride and started to lightly pat my back. Martha rushed with a glass of water and I accepted it immediately. Once I was okay, I gave Vansh and Martha a nod and they resumed their work. Vansh though gave me a questioning look and I shook my head in return. I continued to talk to my mother in Gujarati. We talked for a few more minutes and I ended the call. I was happy that my cousin was getting married but it was also quite a shock as she was younger than me.

“Everything okay?”

Martha asked as she kept my plate in front of me. I gave her a nod and answered her question.

“Yes. My cousin is getting married.”

“Oh. Congratulations! But you sure gave me a small heart attack right there.”

She joked and I smiled sheepishly at her.

“Sorry.”

“It was a joke dear.”

She laughed and I joined along. The breakfast was completed in silence. Once we were finished, I took both our plates and kept them in the sink as Martha had gone to do the other household work. I started to wash the vessels when I felt Vansh join me. He started to wipe the counter as he spoke with me.

“We have a dinner to attend tonight.”

“Where?”

“One of my father’s friend’s home.”

“Okay.”

I turned around as I placed the dishes in the stand to let them dry. I wiped my hands on the towel and faced Vansh who was also washing his hands after wiping the counter.

“When are we leaving?”

“6 in the evening.”

I nodded and made my way to my room. Since it was a Sunday, the NGO classes were also off and I had nothing to do. I helped Martha to clean the house. She was reluctant before but then after a lot of persistence, she agreed. We prepared lunch after we finished cleaning the house and had light conversation during cooking. I learnt a new recipe and she tried to speak Hindi with me.

We were both laughing on some word she said that sounded funny, when the doorbell rang. I hurried to open the door and saw Aahan standing there covered in bruises and looking tired. I gasped as I saw him and Angre poked his head from behind Aahan. I quickly ushered them inside and Aahan straight away went to take a bath. I went to the common washroom to retrieve a first aid box. Just as I was about to make my way into Aahan’s room, Vansh held my hand and stopped me. He turned to my right where Angre was in the living room and gestured him to come close. Angre sighed once he reached us. He saw the kit in my hand and raised his eyebrows at me. Vansh speaking had him turning his head in Vansh’s direction.

“Go and check on Aahan. See if he has any deep wounds that would require a doctor. Leave the rest unattended.”

Angre nodded and disappeared behind Aahan’s door. I was left gaping at Vansh as I heard what he said. He pulled me with him in the office and shut the door behind him. I stood still in shock for a few seconds before almost shouting at him.

“He is hurt. How can you not treat his wounds?”

“He has to bear the pain. It will make him strong.”

“Are you mad? Have you seen him? He is covered in bruises!”

I exclaimed as I gave him a bewildered look. He sighed and made me sit down on the couch in the office. He sat next to me.

“You have to understand. There might be situations where he cannot treat his wounds and he has to be ready for a fight the very next moment. It is all for his benefit.”

“Don’t you think you are being a bit too hard on him? He is a just a boy.”

“No. I am being lenient.”

I gave him a weird look and he stared back at me. Our staring contest was broken when we heard a knock and Angre walked in.

“No deep wounds just superficial bruises. It will take a day or two to heal.”

Vansh nodded and made his way to Aahan’s room probably to check on him. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought about Aahan’s bruises. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to see Angre sitting down next to me.

“He is a tough boy. He will be alright. Don’t worry.”

I nodded and got up. I silently kept the box back on its place and went to Aahan’s room. I stood near the door which was wide open and saw Vansh standing and asking questions to Aahan about today’s training. I noticed now that Aahan had taken a bath, he was looking much better but still a bit pale.

I made my way into the kitchen and made a glass of milk with crushed almonds and turmeric for him. This will give him strength and will help his body to heal faster. Martha had already left as today was a half day for her. I took the milk to him and quietly entered the room. Both the father and son looked at me at once and I smiled at Aahan. He returned my smile with his big bright one. I told him to drink the milk and he gladly accepted. After a big gulp he contorted his face in disgust and moved to keep the glass on the night stand.

“You are completing that drink.”

“But it does not taste good.”

He complained as he eyed the drink suspiciously.

“I do not want to hear any complains. You are drinking it in one breath. Common now.”

I spoke sternly and he gave me his puppy eyes with the pouty look on his face. Any other time and I would have caved in but after seeing his bruises, my resolve just got firm.

“I am not going to fall for that. Drink it.”

He sighed and drank the whole glass in one go. I nodded and proceeded to take the glass out of his hands when he held my hand and stopped me.

“I am fine mommy. Don’t worry.”

He smiled at me and I gave him a teary smile back. I then left the room. For the rest of the day I was confined in my room as Aahan was resting and Vansh was in his study. I took that opportunity to Skype my mother and we chatted for hours. After that I started reading for the final exams that were due after a month.

My alarm ticked off at 5 indicating that it was time to get ready. I freshened up and changed into a modest blue dress. It came down till my knees. I left my hairs open and let the natural curls frame my face. I did not apply much makeup, just a light compact, lipstick and eyeliner. I also tied a small chain with a heart shaped pendant in the middle, around my neck. My ears were left bare as my hairs covered them and a delicate bracelet adored my right wrist. My outfit was complete with nude colored heels.

Just as I was checking my final appearance, I heard a knock and soon after Vansh opened the door. He quietly closed the door behind him. He made his way to me and I smiled at him. He nodded and gave me a ring box. I opened it and found a thin ring with three small diamonds on them. I raised my eyebrows at him and he cleared his throat before answering my silent question.

“We are an engaged couple. So this ring.”

I nodded in understanding and proceeded to put the ring on the ring finger of my left hand. It fit perfectly and I admired the simplicity of the ring.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

I said facing him. He nodded once again and took a look at the watch. I saw that it was 5:40. About time we left if we did not wish to make a grand entry by reaching late.

“Shall we go?”

“There are a few things that I want to tell you before we leave.”

He said and gave him a look that said to continue what he was saying.

“This dinner might not be an easy one.”

“Why?”

“You will soon find out.”

“Is that the only answer that you have to all my questions?”

He ignored my question and stepped closer to me. I took in a deep breath and his cologne filled my nostrils. It was a very strong musky smell. I looked up at him as he was obviously taller than me. He took a deep breath and exhaled. I felt the warm air on my forehead.

“I will also need to touch you. So do not be surprised if I touch you and don’t worry I won’t touch you at any inappropriate places.”

I nodded my head as I lost the ability to speak. His closeness was making it difficult for me to breath. He held my hand and pulled me along with him as the door of my room closed behind me.

*****

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the delay but I was held up in internship work. The updates will be irregular but I will try to post in between.

Thank you for reading!