White Tempest: The Forbidden Journey

Confluence part - 2

In the elevator, Ravika listed the post-meeting agenda.

“Weapons department briefing, new project discussion, revenue updates, company future plans, and finally the NGO and charity review.”

Ansh chuckled. “Looks like you’re not letting bhaiya go home early today.”

Ravika’s lips curved into a playful smile. “What can I do? Your brother isn’t easy to meet.”

As the doors opened, an elderly voice rang out.

“It’s good to see you. Even better to see how well you’ve taken your father’s place. In just two years, you’ve grown the company tenfold.”

It was Mr. Bhatia, Ravika’s father.

Ravika smiled politely. “You’re giving him too much credit.”

Vansh bent to touch his feet respectfully.

Mr. Bhatia blessed him. “Keep rising.”

Vansh straightened. “I don’t do anything, uncle. It’s all Ravika didi’s magic.”

Inside, Ravika fumed at the “didi.”

Mr. Bhatia turned to Ansh, who also touched his feet.

“You surpass your brother one day,” he said warmly.

The meeting began. Everyone was pleased with Vansh’s progress—especially Ravika and Ansh.

Then the three senior members spoke.

Mr. Bhatia, Mr. Raijada, and Mr. Geloth announced their retirement from the board and share transfers.

Mr. Raijada gave his shares to his daughter Palak.

Mr. Geloth divided his equally between Vansh and Ansh.

Finally Mr. Bhatia, the second-largest shareholder after Vansh, spoke.

“I transfer 50% to Vansh, 25% to Ansh, and 25% to Ravika.”

The room fell silent in shock. Everyone had expected Ravika to receive the majority.

Formality completed, the meeting ended.

Vansh leaned toward Ravika quietly. “If you want to talk to your father, I won’t stop you.”

Ravika stood and left with Mr. Bhatia to her cabin.

Unseen, Vansh watched the live feed from her cabin camera on his phone.

Ravika: “Why did you do this?”

Mr. Bhatia slapped her hard.

His voice turned cold, switching to Punjabi. “I’m only returning what was taken from them. I gave you 25% so you don’t starve, but you’re not worthy of a single penny more. The sin you committed thirteen years ago made me ashamed and helpless. A prostitute could do no worse.”

He stormed out.

Ravika stood frozen, then went to the bathroom. Seeing the red marks on her cheek, she covered them with her hair.

Vansh quietly deleted the recording.

Outside the meeting room, Ravika approached him.

Vansh: “Not here. My cabin.”

They entered Vansh’s private cabin together.

Ravika took the guest chair.

Vansh settled into his own.

She called her driver. “Ramlal ji, you can leave. I’ll be late tonight. Give the keys to the peon for Shelly.”

Then on the intercom to Shelly: “Send the top heads of the hospital project team to Vansh sir’s cabin. When the peon brings the car keys, keep them on my table.”

It was already eight. By 8:05, all three general managers arrived.

Ravika stood quietly in one corner.

Vansh: “Where are we on progress?”

GM1 (40): “The hospital land is finalized.”

GM2 (45): “Spoke to the CM about legal papers. He said no problem—for the state’s progress, he’ll handle everything.”

GM3 (36, female): “Design and interior work is ongoing. Sorry for the delay.”

Vansh: “Let’s buy the land first.” To GM1: “If it’s finalized, what’s the hold-up?”

Ravika softly: “It would have been better if you’d overseen it.”

Vansh: “Open Google Earth. Show me now—we’ll finalize it together.”

GM1 connected the laptop to the screen and explained the location in detail.

Vansh: “Ms. Ravika, finish all legal formalities tomorrow. I want that land this week.”

To GM3: “You have one more week.”

“You may leave now.”

The three GMs exited. Ravika called Shelly: “Send the weapons department team.”

She glanced at the clock—nine already.

At 9:10, the next team arrived.

GM4: “Sir, bullet exports have risen steadily for two years.”

GM5: “Sir, we should speak to the defense ministry. We might even secure Israel’s order.”

Vansh: “Do it tomorrow. Fix a final meeting with the minister next week. Ravika, you and I will attend too.”

Ravika’s heart lifted at his words, but she lowered her gaze to hide her smile.

Vansh: “If there’s nothing else, you’re free to go.”

The two GMs left. Ravika told Shelly: “You can head home.”

As soon as Shelly departed, Vansh rose and walked to Ravika. He reached to brush her hair aside. She pushed his hand away. He gently but firmly cupped her chin, tilting her face. The hair fell back, revealing fresh finger marks on her cheek.

Before he could speak, Shelly burst in and landed a solid punch on Vansh, pulling Ravika protectively away.

Ravika stood, slipped off her coat, and moved to the side in just her shirt and skirt, keeping the mark hidden from Shelly.

A brief scuffle followed. In under two minutes, Vansh had Shelly pinned to the floor.

“Only a few disciples ever defeat their guru,” he said with a smile.

Shelly’s eyes filled with tears. She threw her arms around him in a tight hug, held for a moment, then pulled back.

She signed rapidly. Ravika translated: “I missed you so much, bhaiya. I didn’t even recognize you. I asked didi about you every day.”

Vansh kissed her forehead. “Welcome to the company. When did you join?”

Shelly signed: “Yesterday. College finished ten days ago—I traveled a bit with friends. Then didi called me here.”

Vansh: “Good. You’re okay, right? Ravika doesn’t work you too hard?”

Shelly grinned and signed: “I’m great. Just tell didi—she works too much.”

Ravika’s eyes widened. She stopped translating and snapped, “Quiet, you little devil. Vansh is tired too. Come meet him tomorrow. And yes—if you punch him again, I’ll drag you by the hair and toss you out the window. Go home and sleep. I still have work with Vansh.”

Shelly waved goodbye and left.

Vansh sank onto the sofa. Ravika took his chair, exhausted. She undid two shirt buttons, removed her bra, and set it on the desk.

“There’s so much pain in life.”

Vansh: “Maybe I should have stopped it.”

Ravika switched to Punjabi, voice low. “Bhen phakkar—you called me sister in front of my father.”

Vansh: “I didn’t say stepmother. But if you think about it… you’ve become exactly that.”

Ravika: “True. Something only you, me, and my father know.”

Vansh: “You forgot Shelly?”

Ravika tore off her stockings. “Yes. First time I’ve seen her that close to any boy.”

Vansh: “Jealous?”

Ravika: “Whoever enters your life, I’ll only feel happiness—no jealousy. And I know you see Shelly as a sister.”

Vansh: “Does she know about us?”

Ravika: “No. Neither her nor Ammu.”

Vansh: “So my little sister is thirteen now, by my count.”

Ravika placed her feet on the table, slipped off her panty beneath her skirt, and tossed it onto Vansh’s face.

“Yes. And her youth is awakening too. She tells me everything—which boy she likes, what happened.”

Vansh inhaled her scent and lay back on the sofa.

Ravika: “Why lie here? Come inside.”

Vansh: “Not in the mood tonight.”

“Wine or champagne?”

Heavy rain pounded outside.

Ravika: “You know how uncomfortable these clothes are all day. A saree is better—air flows. This coat just traps heat. Anyway… coffee later.”

She rose, walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a specific volume, and pressed her finger to a hidden scanner. The shelf slid aside, revealing a door.

Vansh: “Why open the gate to hell?”

Ravika took his hand. “I’m the queen of this hell now. Once I was its servant—a demon’s daughter, treated like trash by a stronger demon. Then the king of hell arrived—a kind little devil. He saved me, gave me worth, and treated me like a queen. That little devil has grown into the true king. I just want my king tonight.”

She led him inside.

The room was vast, bathed only in red light. One glass wall revealed a bathroom. Nearby wardrobes held their clothes. Three rifles—Vansh’s favorites—hung on display beside katanas. A large bed on the right, a low sofa in front. Everything is sectioned by partitions.

In the center: a pool table and table tennis setup.

Ravika: “This is the gate from which my king first saved me.”

She pulled him onto the low sofa and began unbuttoning his shirt.

Vansh remained still, letting her.

Ravika: “This room holds as many painful memories as joyful ones.”

As the shirt fell away, their eyes locked with raw intensity. Ravika settled into his lap. Their breaths mingled. Lips met in a deep, hungry kiss.

That night, they surrendered to waves of long-suppressed desire—an intense, passionate union that belonged only to them.

To be continued...