Chapter - 5
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Shivanya ~
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, the screen flashing Taran's name. For a few seconds, I was tempted not to answer, but when you know your brain is right, you often choose to ignore it.
"Hey, Taran," I sighed, leaning against my car for support. My heart was already heavy with a burden I couldn't share.
"Shivanya, Mom called our Panditji and he has fixed the date for next month on the 7th. The next date is six months away but since I lost my grandfather in January, we don't conduct any family functions or religious processes then. So it's up to Radhika and you. Next month or post seven months," he said, his voice as steady and unflinching as ever. Taran always had a way of reducing everything to practicalities, even matters of the heart.
"Did you talk to Radhika? What does she want?" I asked, my voice strained as I fought to keep the bitterness at bay. This was supposed to be a joyous time for her, but all I could feel was a growing emptiness.
"No. I wanted to talk to you first. You should be the one asking her, not me," he admitted, and I let out a heavy sigh.
He agreed, and we hung up. The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. I sat at the police station, my mind miles away. When I finally met the IO, his answers barely registered. I was too consumed.
"Thank you, officer, for your time," I said, turning my phone back on and seeing two missed calls from Radhika. I called her back immediately, my heart pounding.
"Are you okay, Radhika?" I asked as she picked up.
"Of course, Di! Just wanted to ask if we could go out for dinner tonight?" Her voice was a beacon of light in my darkening world. I could almost see her smile, the one that had the power to make everything seem better, if only for a moment.
"Done! I'll try to be home by seven, okay?" I said, forcing a smile myself.
The entire drive back to work, my mind was a tempest of thoughts and emotions. My little sister might be getting married to my best friend in a month, and then there was Vihaan Raichand. Why did my stomach flutter every time he called my name or looked at me that way? Vihaan was known to be a player, a man who loved breaking hearts. Was I just another name on his list, or was my brain playing cruel tricks on me?
"Shivanya, stop giving yourself so much importance. The man is a walking-talking woman magnet. There's no chance in this lifetime that he even thinks about you the way you think he does. Stop being so desperate for someone's attention and don't let your brain trick you into saying something you might regret later," I muttered to myself, parking the car and heading to the lift.
The whole floor was Vihaan's, a constant reminder of the power and influence he wielded. His PA told me to walk in, and I threw a polite smile before stepping inside, hearing his faint "come in."
"Sir, the murder weapon is under the court's custody and..." I started to speak, but he gestured for me to take a seat.
"Did you get the rest of the witness statements recorded by the police?" he asked, taking the file from me.
"Yes, sir," I nodded, feeling the weight of his gaze on me, as if he could see right through the professional façade I was struggling to maintain.
"Go through them and find any inconsistencies with the statements recorded by the court during the cross-examination," he instructed, his tone brisk and businesslike.
"Okay, sir. On it," I said, picking up my bag and standing to leave.
"Vihaan. It's Vihaan for you," he corrected me, his eyes locking onto mine. Once again, I felt that flutter, the one that made me feel both alive and terrified.
"Yes, sir," I stuttered, and he gave me a hint of a smile, amusement dancing in his eyes. It was a small, fleeting moment, but it felt like an eternity. Before I could dwell on it, I left to calm myself down.
Geez, Shivanya, you are going crazy, absolutely crazy.
I managed to get home just in time, and Radhika and I went out for dinner. As we settled in, I knew I had to break the news about the wedding date.
"Di, I don't want to wait for seven months. I don't want a grand wedding either. If that's okay with you, I want to get married next month," she said, her eyes shining with certainty and love.
"Are you sure, Radhika? What's the hurry, really? One month is too little time to get everything sorted," I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Inside, my heart was breaking. How could I hold onto her for just a bit longer?
"Doesn't matter, Di. I love him," she said simply, and I nodded slowly, feeling the world tilt beneath me.
"I'll talk to Taran's parents then," I said, trying to keep the pain out of my voice. The waiter arrived with our order, and Radhika dove straight in, while I lost my appetite. I excused myself, needing a moment to collect myself.
In the restroom, I leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection. The woman looking back at me seemed like a stranger—her eyes dull, her face pale, her composure cracking at the edges. I gripped the sink tightly, my knuckles turning white.
"What are you doing, Shivanya?" I whispered to myself, the words choked with emotion. "Their happiness shouldn't cause you this much pain. She's your little sister. She's all you have left. Mumma and Papa would be so disappointed in you for feeling this way. You have to stop, Shivanya. You have to be strong for her."
But the more I tried to convince myself, the deeper the sadness settled in my bones. Memories of Mumma and Papa flooded my mind—how they would have been so happy to see Radhika getting married, how they would have loved to be part of all the preparations. And now, I was supposed to fill their shoes, to be the pillar of strength for Radhika. But I felt like I was crumbling under the weight of it all.
I took deep breaths, trying to steady my nerves, but my reflection blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I wiped them away hastily, not wanting Radhika to see. She was so happy, so in love. She deserved all the joy in the world, and I had to support her, no matter how much it hurt.
"Pull yourself together," I whispered fiercely. "This is her moment, not yours. She needs you to be strong. You can do this."
I took one final deep breath and straightened my shoulders.
I walked out of the restroom, my mind still reeling, and almost bumped into a middle-aged woman with the sweetest smile.
"I am so sorry, aunty. I wasn't looking," I apologized immediately, bending down to pick up her clutch, my hands trembling slightly as I handed it back to her.
"It's okay, beta. Are you okay?" she asked, her hand resting gently on my upper arm.
Her concern and kindness were like a balm to my frayed nerves and there was just something so real about her that I could barely keep my emotions at bay.
"Absolutely. I apologize again and hope you have a beautiful evening ahead," I replied, blinking back the tears that were dangerously close to spilling over. My voice sounded hollow to my own ears.
"I will. It's not every day I get to have dinner with the two loves of my life," she said, her smile broadening as she turned to look at the table just behind Radhika's.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath when I saw my boss, Vihaan, sitting there, sipping wine and deep in conversation with Aman Raichand, his father, and one of the greatest lawyers of the past decade. A cold wave of panic washed over me.
"Lovely, ma'am. Well, if you could excuse me, my sister is waiting for me," I said hastily, trying to make my escape before Vihaan noticed me. My pulse quickened as I calculated my chances of slipping back to my table unnoticed.
"Before I let you go, give me your name, beta," she asked kindly, her eyes full of genuine interest. It was impossible to refuse her.
"Shivanya," I replied softly, and she complimented my name with a warm smile before letting me go.
The real challenge began then. How was I supposed to get back to my table without Vihaan noticing me? Every step felt like walking on a tightrope. I prayed silently, my heart pounding in my chest, as I took baby steps, trying to avoid drawing any attention to myself.
"Di! Took you long enough," Radhika said, serving some pasta to me as I made it back without getting noticed by Mr. Birdbrain.
"I accidentally banged into a woman," I told her, not explaining further, and she nodded.
"Taran was calling you," she indicated towards my phone.
"Didn't you take the call?" I asked, and she shook her head.
I called him back and informed him that we were okay with the wedding next month before hanging up, not allowing myself to let the words sink in.
"Radhika, let's get the bill and leave. We'll go and get ice cream," I suggested, eager to escape without being noticed by Vihaan.
"Okay, Di. I think I am craving butterscotch," Radhika said with a cheerful smile, oblivious to my anxiety.
"I'm get coffee," I replied, hoping my voice sounded steady.
"Of course you are," she teased, rolling her eyes playfully as I signalled for the bill.
"Okay, Rads, let's go!" I tried to inject enthusiasm into my voice, but it came out strained. I just wanted to get out of there, away from Mr Birdbrain and the potential embarrassment of being seen outside the office.
I picked up my phone and wallet, stepping away from the table with Radhika in tow. Just then, a waiter carrying a tumbler of water walked by and tripped, sending the contents splashing all over my white shirt. The cold water soaked through instantly, making my black bra glaringly visible beneath the wet fabric.
"Oh God, Di!" Radhika rushed over to me, her eyes wide with concern as she saw my predicament. I looked down at myself, mortified.
"Perfect," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest in a futile attempt to cover up. Eyes from around the restaurant turned towards me, adding to my humiliation.
"Shivanya?" Vihaan's voice cut through the noise of the restaurant, making my heart sink. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying this was just a nightmare.
"No?" I responded weakly, my back still turned to him. I couldn't bear to face him, not like this.
Radhika chuckled despite the situation, trying to drape her dupatta over me, but it was too thin to provide any real cover. In a moment, I felt the weight of a suit jacket being placed over my shoulders. Vihaan's hands brushed my upper arm, sending an involuntary shiver through me.
"Beta, are you okay?" His mother's concerned voice reached me, and I managed a tiny nod, clutching the jacket tightly around me. It was too much, too overwhelming.
"Thank you for the jacket, sir. I'll get it back to you..." I began, my voice trembling. But Vihaan interrupted me, his tone firm and assertive.
"That's the last thing on my mind, Shivanya. Come on now," he said, his words leaving no room for argument.
" Come where? I'm taking my sister home." I narrowed my eyes at him. If he thinks I'm going to work again right now, that was clearly not happening.
"I am taking you home." he stated.
"No, please sir. I am fine. We'll manage." I said, putting my foot down.
"Shivanya, that's right?" Aman sir asked, coming forward and all I could do was nod my head in a yes.
"I've heard the buzz about you in the office and if you are half as talented as they say, you are one of our best then. Besides, we have raised our son better than to let him leave his employee when they need help." He offered me a small, reassuring smile as he shifted to his wife.
There was no way I could tell him a no and that's why I nodded my head a little at him, agreeing.
"Come with me, please." Sir said, already walking ahead, leaving me no choice but to follow. His confidence and authority were both infuriating and reassuring.
Radhika held my hand we followed him, I felt a mixture of anger and gratitude. His help was necessary, but it also made me feel vulnerable and exposed.
"I can manage from here, sir," I said, once again, trying not to take anymore favours from him.
"Vihaan," he corrected me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. "And no, you can't. You're not in a state to drive right now."
I bit my lip, feeling the fight drain out of me. He was right; I was a mess. The whole day had been overwhelming, and now this. I glanced at Radhika, who was looking at me.
"Get in, Shivanya," he said softly, holding the door after he already had made sure that Radhika was seated in the backseat. I slipped into the passenger seat, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and confusion. In these three years that I had been working for him, there was not once where I had a chance to interact with Vihaan Raichand and now, all of a sudden in these past twenty-four hours, this man is everywhere around me and currently, somehow playing the role of a damn driver for me!
What was happening?
He dropped us home and Radhika thanked him while I gave him a thankful nod, not really having anything to say. As he parked my car, his own was just waiting for him right outside my apartment. He ensured that we got to the lift before leaving.
As we stepped inside our home, I went to change while Radhika walked straight to the kitchen, probably making us some coffee, which I was extremely thankful for, before we called it a day.
Vihaan ~
It was my parents' thirty-seventh wedding anniversary, and we were out to celebrate at my mother's favorite restaurant. This place held countless memories for us, as we had come here every year for their anniversary dinner, making it an annual tradition.
As my mother returned to our table, my father looked at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "What took you so long, Sangeeta?" he asked gently.
Mom, ever the social butterfly, gave him a reassuring smile. "Aman, you know I always go and greet the chef. But I accidentally bumped into a young lady," she explained, pointing discreetly at a woman seated at the table directly ahead of ours. A sense of awareness stirred within me, reasons unknown, drawing my gaze toward the back of her head.
"You okay?" my father asked, his voice filled with quiet concern.
Mom nodded, her smile softening.
As I turned my attention back to my parents, I couldn't shake the feeling that she is Shivanya. I took a sip of my wine, trying to focus on the conversation at our table, but my thoughts and eyes kept drifting back to the woman, to her.
As she stood up and turned towards her side, just a little bit, my intuition grew stronger about being correct and when I heard her voice, there was no denying that she was indeed, Miss Chopra.
The waiter tripped, and the water splashed all over Shivanya. The cold liquid soaked her white shirt instantly and surge of anger swept through me. She shouldn't be exposed like this, not to anyone.
Without a second thought, I was on my feet, striding toward her as my heart pounded with a mix of concern and a fierce need to shield her. "Shivanya?" I called out, my voice cutting through the restaurant. She turned her back to me, clearly mortified, crossing her arms over her chest in a desperate attempt to cover up.
"No?" she responded weakly, still not facing me. Seeing her so vulnerable ignited a primal urge within me to protect her. The girl with her was trying to help, draping her dupatta over Shivanya, but it was too thin to provide any real cover.
I shrugged off my suit jacket and placed it over Shivanya's shoulders. My hands brushed her upper arm, and I felt her shiver.
As I drove Shivanya and her sister back to their house, I could sense her discomfort, her embarrassment. She sat beside me, clutching my jacket tightly around her, her gaze fixed out the window. I couldn't help but steal glances at her, the way the dim streetlights cast a soft glow on her profile, highlighting the tension in her jaw and the furrow in her brow.
I kept quiet. Providing comfort wasn't a skill I possessed, a truth that had never truly stung until tonight. Because at this moment, I wanted to say something, anything, to ease her discomfort, but words felt inadequate. Ironically, words felt inadequate for me, despite being my strongest pursuit until tonight.
Shivanya's fingers tightened around the fabric of my jacket, and I felt a pang of protectiveness all over again.
I could only tighten my hold on the steering wheel, dropping her home.
Hey guys! This is the next chapter. I hope you all like it. Do tell me what you feel about it through the comments section. I love you all. Until next time. Byee!!
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