The Return of Passion (Complete)

Chapter 5

She retracted her path up to the terrace, leaned down from the railings and watched the extent of her ruining of public reputation.

And my...my did she got a shock! There were at least 20-25 people outside, quarreling with the watchmen as it seemed, along with all their damned equipments, cameras, microphones and whatnot.

She cowered back from the sence, if she goes down now, she would be hounded by questions that she had no answers to. Or even if she did, she could never throw it back on his face.

But then what is she supposed to do? Hide into a corner till her so called help arrives?

'Never! 'This was what he had wanted all along, to see her lose and cower back in fright, to feel humiliated as a revenge for what she did to him at her home?

'Alright then! 'She smiled bitterly stepping into the elevator this time.

'It does not affect me......it does not affect me.....It does not affect me......'

But it wasn't until she stepped right in front of the so 'humble' crowd that she understood the gravity of the situation and the utter despair and vulnerability it bought about.

There was no stepping back now. The blinding white light from the flashes of the cameras fell on her blanched face as the blows came........ one after another.

"Ms. Alisha did you hear what Aditya Singhania had said about you in an interview? "

"And how his fiancee had bad mouthed you at national television? "

"Do you want to give them a message back through us?"

"Is it true that you hurt Aditya Singhania as his fiancee Ms. Purva stated?"

"Ms. Alisha is it true that your marriage ended due to the lack-luster of your s*x life? "

Alisha cringed, this was far more humiliating. H..how Is she supposed to go through this and come out unscathed?

She could feel the adrenaline flowing through her veins, her head swirling, forcing her into a condition of complete panic as the crowd grew more rowdy.

But she would not loose like this!

***

"I am so sorry Adi...please! " she almost begged, grasping his hand with both of her's.

"I didn't mean it to come out like that....I just wanted to be beside you....and...and let the world know that you're not alone.....please say something. " she let his hands slide down from her's. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Adi I am your friend...I-I just wanted to help...." But watching no reaction from her fiance, not so much as a glance towards her, she broke down.

He was silent, not speaking, not looking....nothing but a menacing silence hung between them as they drove back from the studio to his penthouse.

And that's how the next two hours have followed too.

In complete silence as he punished her with it.

The television that hung down on the wall in front of them kept on repeating the same part of their interview like a broken record.

The part where she made the mistake of entering into wild waters unknown to the fact that she wasn't just taking a risk, she was trespassing into someone else's territory.

A territory of his that Alisha had still within her grasp.

A fact that had made her so angry....so infuriated that she had lost the last thread of sanity from her mind, making her blurt out something as bad as this.

But he had equally participated in it. Hadn't he?

By dragging in something so personal between a couple, even if they were no more together.

Hadn't he stepped lower than herself?

Then why this act of saint? like he's affected with what she said and is punishing her.

Running down the steps from his house towards the elevator she did not stop once to look back or see if he was coming. Because she already knew the answer that he wasn't!

Not trying to get demoralized with the fact she moved on, surprisingly with steady steps because somewhere she knew that he will come around if not today then tomorrow, after all, he's is left with no one now.

Just as she stepped into the elevator she heard that ever familiar deep baritone voice that had always quickened her beats.

"Purva! Listen! "

She mentally frowned, change of heart? So fast?

Or is it something else? Something much deeper?

"Listen.....Purva....I-I wasn't angry on you. I was.....angry on.....myself! For what I did. Please understand.....and you need to....see this!"

It wasn't until they entered back into the penthouse and Purva stood right in front of the television that she she saw what had caused the sudden change in heart of her finance.

And to her utter despair the reason was again her.

Finally their infamously viral interview was gone but instead there was a fresh one.

Interview of Alisha Bose!

"Well I don't know what should I actually say at a time like this when your ex-husband plays with you and your reputation in the society with his very nice comments about how you were in bed!

But then even if I try I could never ever step down to his level and say something back to him. Could I? No!

So all I could tell him is to grow up! Fight your own war Mr. Singhania, this isn't high school and you can't bully me like that! "

A few clapped in crowd.

"And Purva, I would tell you......firstly you don't know me and secondly you don't know me! So please don't judge! "

"Well said Ms. Alisha! " someone shouted from the crowd and the others joined in too.

"Is the rumors going on are true? That you are the new owner of Nihar?"Someone asked from the group of reporters and Aditya heard Purva snort as Alisha nodded.

"Congratulations...."

"Congratulations that's a great news. "

He watched as Purva with a red face switched off the Tv.

"Great...." she snickered.

"Now we are the villains! The arrogant ex-husband and his girlfriend."

"Oh I hate her so much!" She vigorously rubbed her palms on her face.

"This is not good.....This is not good....papa will be very angry........I need to meet him right now....if he sees this.....oh! God!"

Aditya subtly nodded. "I will drive you there....let's go! "

***

Next morning

"Good morning Mr. Kumar. " Alisha greeted as she saw him in the lobby again with a newspaper in his hand the only difference from last time was that they are now surrounded by numerous employees, all making their way towards their own destinations.

"You wanted to tell me something Kumar? " she subtly smiled as the man nodded.

"yes that's the reason I called you actually....it's a bad news Alisha........your.....umm.....ex-husband has claimed the right over this company.....filing a petition in the court that....you...uh...got this company by manipulating his mother, kaveri Singhania...and....stated that he is the rightful owner of Nihar! "

Raising an eyebrow at the composed and blank expression on the lady's face, he added uncertainly.

"Well we received the papers from the court last night. So I thought of letting you know. "

"I don't know when they are going to summon you but you should hire a lawyer right now. "

"Thank you for your concern Kumar. I will see to it." Cutting their conversation at the mid juncture, Alisha walked on towards the awaiting elevator.

'There's no mercy....no peace for her in this lifetime!