Tangled hearts in love

Chapter 17 - Three statements?

His decision made everyone confused and puzzled, Riddhima didn’t know why he said those words to his grandma. His grandma asked him to again tell what he told her with a grin on her face. His grandma didn’t believe that his grandson could immediately agree with her decision.

“I agree for marrying Ragini but if I find anything bad about her. Then this marriage will never happen.” Vansh concluded and stormed out in anger.

Grandma ordered Chanchal to call the priest and ask him for an auspicious date for the young couple's engagement date. Suddenly Riddhima’s heart became heavy, while other family members didn’t even care about it.

She ran to the washroom and faced the mirror. She closed her eyes and placed her palm near her heart which was beating fast.

“Do you love him?” a voice came in the washroom.

She looked around and observed the mirror clearly, it was her mirror image that queried her.

“I don’t know about that but I like him a lot.” Confessed Riddhima

“You love him, but you are refusing to agree on it. Because your goal in life is more important to you. The only reason that you are refusing to confess your love to him is that he belongs to the mafia. If he doesn’t belong to the mafia, you would have proposed to him.“ Uttered the mirror image of Riddhima.

“You know about my past. Because of the mafia, I lost my family. I don’t want whatever happened to me to my future generation. Coming to Mr. Firestorm, in the upcoming days, I think so I won’t able to share a friendly relationship with him. I need to even fight with him to save the couple from the prison.” Riddhima ended the statement by closing her eyes.

Her heart was still beating fast, she opened the tap and splashed some water on her face. She heard some noise outside, she wiped her face with the towel and speculated Aryan and Ishani quarreled with each other while Sia was trying to stop it.

“What is the reason for buying this 2.5 lakh worth bracelet and 50,000 worth branded smartwatch using my bank account?” Aryan interrogated Ishani who was standing like a statue.

“I like it and brought it in online. Don’t shout at me, I just helped you.” Ishani said casually.

“Oh, You didn’t help me but landed me in huge trouble,” Aryan shouted knowing Vansh’s anger.

Both left the place after having a huge quarrel, Riddhima didn’t recognize what was the problem between the both. She inquired Sia about it.

“Riddhima, Before few days Aryan decided to buy a branded smart watch for him. Ishani told that she will buy it for him. So he gave his net banking password to her. She purchased the branded smartwatch for Aryan and a bracelet for his boyfriend using Aryan’s money. Now, Aryan needs to explain to Mr. Vansh Raisinghania about the missing 3 lakhs in his bank account. So only he is saying that he is landed in trouble. Ishani had escaped from Vansh's anger.” Explained Sia.

When Sia’s last words echoed in Riddhima’s mind continuously, which made her think about Vansh’s anger in prison against his parents. Someone is helping to escape the couple from prison but who is that? She decided to ask Aryan as Sia was looking tired. She ran to Aryan’s room and observed Aryan who was disturbed. Chanchal, his mother was sitting beside him and consoling him.

“I didn’t ask her to help me but She made me land in huge trouble.” Aryan wailed in his mother’s lap.

Riddhima decided not to disturb him and walked out of the room. Her mind went to the thoughts of the couple and Aryan’s words. Especially, the two words in Aryan’s statement, Help, and trouble.

She cleared her mind by speaking to herself, “Why am I thinking from a single perspective? What if a person belonging to this mansion is not helping the couple but landing them in trouble each time to increase Vansh’s anger for the couple?”

She walked towards Vansh’s building, She heard Reyansh talking to someone over the phone.

“Niya madam, I gave you much information regarding the fire clan and Riddhima. But you didn’t even transfer a single penny to my account. I don’t want to mess with my boss. I don’t need any money for my higher studies.” Reyansh completed his statement without even giving a reply.

He was sad thinking about his uncompleted dream of pursuing higher studies but his face turned into shock noticing Riddhima looking at him suspiciously.

“So, Are you a spy? Riddhima inquired with confidence.

“No, I am not. Boss knows everything about me.” Reyansh told with courage.

“Then why did you give a shocking look when you saw me? Who is Niya?” Riddhima questioned him raising her eyebrow.

“Niya is the head of Panchamahabhutas, we need to report our activities daily to her. It is our duty. She is ordering me so many things to do against the fire clan. Even, she asked me to have an eye on you. I don’t even like my life. I hate my life.” Reyansh uttered in a flow.

“Don’t worry, I will help you in your higher studies. But on one condition…” Riddhima pronounced.

“You are talking exactly like Niya. Now, I should work as a spy for you that is the condition right.” Grumbled Reyansh in disbelief.

“No, The condition is that I can help you in your higher studies if you have scored high marks in your college then only I can apply for a scholarship and ask help from my uncle.” Confirmed Riddhima.

“Sorry, I misunderstood you.” Told Reyansh in guilt.

“No need to ask sorry. But you could have asked for money from Boss. He would have given it.” uttered Riddhima.

“It is against our mafia rule. We shouldn’t ask them anything for us.” Reyansh conveyed in low voice.

Both noticed Angre walking towards them. From Angre, they got the information that Vansh was playing basketball in the Sports area near the garden area. The trio reached there while Vansh was playing alone with the ball violently. He dribbled the ball in one hand and went near the basket to make a goal. He made a perfect goal, his gaze went towards Riddhima who was watching it with astonishment.

“Boss, It is a perfect shot. Will you teach me?” asked Riddhima playfully.

“Come on Riddhima, I will teach you.” Said Vansh in his usual tone.

Angre and Reyansh pushed her into the basketball court, while Riddhima took the ball in her hands. She tried to dribble the ball in Vansh’s style. But it didn’t come out well. The security men's chuckled at her.

Vansh sighed and came near her, he told her how to dribble the ball. Riddhima was a quick learner, she did it perfectly after Vansh’s instruction.

“Enough for today, I am tired,” Riddhima told in defeat.

She tried to give the ball to Vansh, but that time only she noticed Vansh’s right shoulder area. It was bulky.

“Mr. Firestorm, Did you go for a checkup?” She asked it pointing her fingers towards his right shoulder.

“No, I didn’t. what is the need for it? I am perfectly alright. I have even stopped eating the tablets.” Vansh denoted by swirling the ball in his hand.

“Have you become Doctor? Who permitted you to stop eating the tablets? Sit on that bench and remove your shirt. I need to check it.” Riddhima told him and took her first aid box.

“I won’t listen to you. Why do you always take your first aid box first out?” he asked still swirling the ball.

“Because I am going to become a doctor,” she told tugging the ball from him and throwing it towards Reyansh.

She started to unbutton his shirt while Ragini arrived at that place. She decided to scold Riddhima but Vansh’s glare made her stand still in that place. Riddhima finished her checkup and turned to notice Ragini standing in anger.

“Eat your tablets regularly. The injury outside is cured, but not the injury inside is completely cured. Take care of yourself.” Riddhima behaved like a doctor.

She moved towards the Angre and Reyansh. Riddhima understood that Ragini was envious. She decided to stay away from Vansh.

“I wanted to talk with you alone.” Stated Ragini glancing at the trio to move from that place.

“No need for that. You can tell me whatever you want to convey to me.” Vansh said as he was not ready to talk with her alone.

“Chanchal aunt told me that next month will be perfect to have our engagement. I had the idea of going on a date with you. Shall we?” She asked in her composed voice.

“Ok, we shall go,” Vansh told by opening the water bottle nearby him.

Ragini was happy but not Vansh. He agreed because he was concerned about his grandma’s health. He drank the entire water bottle and threw that to the floor in anger. Riddhima noticed some sadness on his face, so she decided to boost him up.

“Boss, I know that you are excited to go dating her. I can see that it's in your face.” Riddhima teased him.

He didn’t answer, he remained silent for a few minutes. He decided to talk with Riddhima, and Vansh's sign language made Angre and Reyansh leave that place.

“Riddhima, What do you think about love? How do we know that a lovable person has come into our life?” Vansh questioned Riddhima making her blank out.

Riddhima couldn’t speak up, words refused to come out of her mouth. The person who makes her heart beat fast is asking her about love, She trembled to even reply. Finally, She managed to interact with him.

“According to me, Love is the purest thing. It will occur only one time in anyone’s life. We can find the lovable person in our life when they show us their caring and protection towards us. We will always feel comfortable when we interact with them.” Riddhima couldn’t complete her statement as Vansh frowned at her speech.

“Riddhima, You are filmi. It will happen only in the 1980s come back to the 21st century.” Vansh hesitated her speech.

“Okay, I can understand your problem. Your problem is that you don’t have any feelings toward Ragini. Don’t worry, I will help you in developing an interest in her.” Riddhima guessed Vansh’s thoughts.

“How did you find my feelings?” Vansh asked her holding her wrist.

“I am going to become a doctor. So I know everything about you.” Riddhima winked at him playfully.

“You are mad. Look, I will tell you directly. I didn’t have any feelings for Ragini. How to develop feelings towards her?” interrogated Vansh.

“First, Whenever you meet her, look at her eyes. When we look at the person’s eyes, it will tell us lots of emotion. Sometimes we can understand their emotion through their eyes. It makes you connect to them. Second, When the person whom we love sits near us, always admire them from top to bottom. It is crazy but we will forget whatever happening around us in this world When that lovable person is around us. Third, talk to her gently and politely when the person needed you the most. Your speech should make the loveable person's heart melt. That person should trust your love blindly. If these three things happen to you, then you love that person.” Completed Riddhima.

Vansh blinked his eyes in disbelief and left her wrist. Interaction with her made his heart light.

“Riddhima, I don’t know that your three statements about love will happen in my life. What type of husband do you want in your life?” Vansh enquired to know about her dream husband.

“He should not be in the mafia, He should always make me blush. He should be caring, protective, and comfortable sharing my feeling. We should have silly fights and hug each other after five minutes of our fights. I have some more condition but it is personal. I can’t tell to you.” Riddhima revealed her thoughts.

“Vihaan will be perfect husband material.” Vansh's statement made Riddhima gasp.

“He also belongs to the mafia. He will not be perfect.” Riddhima replied to him and decide to change the topic as he started to talk about Vihaan.

“Boss, Go and get ready for your date with Ragini. It is getting late. Shall I go to the prison and meet the couple as Sia told me to change the bandage of Mr.Ajay?” asked Riddhima pleading to him.

He agreed and left the place, Riddhima entered the prison and noticed the couple sitting on the floor. She noticed a security guard standing in the prison. So she decided to do her work first.

“Ajay uncle, on that day you gave a bit of paper to me. How did it come to you? Who is trying to help you?” Riddhima whispered in her voice.

“Riddhima, I don’t know who is helping us. The piece of bit paper used to be placed inside our food provided to us.” Assured Ajay.

“I need water.” Riddhima requested the security guard.

In the time gap of the security guard left to bring water, Riddhima whispered something in Ajay’s ears. Ajay agreed to it.

---

The car ride was silent, as Vansh and Ragini were sitting back together. Angre driving the car, and Riddhima was sitting in the front seat. Ragini was busy scrolling her phone while Vansh was gazing outside at the street.

Suddenly, he noticed in the rearview mirror, Riddhima’s beautiful eyes which were trying to say something. He understood that she was asking him to talk with Ragini about their life. But he decided not to start the conversation.

He couldn’t believe, that he could understand whatever Riddhima is trying to speak through her eyes. He decided to stare at the rearview mirror. It was not boring for him. Looking at her eyes, gave his eyes a refreshing treat. He winked at her, which made her blush. Now, Riddhima understood what was he up to.

She adjusted the rearview mirror with the help of Angre such the way Vansh couldn’t view her. Again, the ride became silent. Vansh smiled inwardly thinking that her statement about love his happening in his life.

After reaching the restaurant, Ragini and Vansh went and sat in the corner area of the restaurant. Ragini was busy taking photos of her food on her plate and posting it on social media, She didn’t even gaze at Vansh. Vansh was happy that she didn’t try to talk while his gaze went towards Riddhima who was nonstop talking with Angre.

The duo was sitting a little far away from Vansh. Angre seemed to like the way, Riddhima ordered the food while Vansh’s eyes widen.

“Two plates of chicken noodles and fried rice, Two falooda jelly milkshake,... I will order the remaining food if I am still hungry.” Riddhima told her order earning a grin from Angre.

“Riddhima, Are you going to pay the bill?” asked Angre in a teasing way.

“Boss will pay for us. Don’t worry. Eat till your tummy gets full.” Beamed Riddhima with a smile

.

Food came on both tables, and Riddhima was hungry. She ate her food by enjoying it, which was noticed by Vansh. Vansh was admiring her from top to bottom. Suddenly it seems to him the entire world had stopped for him, he was staring at her, she took a morsel of food in a spoon to her mouth while she was eating falooda, her upper lip covered with pink color.

For a moment, he imagined himself wiping her lips which he covered by falooda with his thumb fingers. But his imagination came to an end when Ragini tapped his finger.

Again, Vansh smirked thinking that the second statement about love his also happening to him. Some notifications came on Ragini’s phone.

“I need to use the washroom. Will you come and stand outside for a few minutes?” requested Ragini, and he agreed.

While standing out of the washroom, he was restless. His eyes wanted to watch Riddhima. Finally, Ragini came out. Both walked out of the restaurant, and Angre told them that Riddhima left early itself. But he decided to go to her house. Ragini left the place quickly, she made some excuse that she had some urgent work. Vansh couldn’t understand Ragini, he is tolerating her because of his grandma.

Suddenly, he sensed something was wrong in the parking lot area. He rotated his head and noticed in a corner, Riddhima was arguing with Pranav. Pranav raised his hand to slap her but Vansh held his arm and came as a defense for Riddhima. Pranav left the place glaring at Riddhima. Riddhima broke down into tears, he held her wrist and brought her to the car.

Riddhima sat in the back seat beside Vansh, while Angre drove the vehicle. Vansh couldn't stand it when she cried. Vansh cleaned her face with a tissue. She, nevertheless, did not stop sobbing.

“You are not looking beautiful when you cry.” Vansh’s words made her stop crying.

“Pranav told me that I wanted to come together with him to the masquerade party. I refused him. So only he came to slap me. I won’t come to the party.” Riddhima worried but her worries flew away when she noticed Vansh caressed her hand, her heart melted when he said those words,

“You are coming to the party. I will protect you. Do you trust me?” he asked in a calm tone, she nodded her head.

Butterflies were still flying in her stomach when the car reached her house. She immediately ran into her house. Before closing the door, Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed the car. Vansh was gazing at her through the car window. Vansh smirked to him that her three statements about love have been fulfilled.

---

The next day, It was evening time, and the party was held at Mr. Pratap’s farmhouse which was inside the jungle area. Grandma strictly ordered Vansh that her soon-to-be fiancée should wear only the dress given by them. Vansh knew that Ragini had only chosen this dress and planned this drama. Angre placed the dress in a car trunk and Reyansh started to drive the car. Vansh was busy thinking about Riddhima, he was disappointed after noticing Riddhima’s absence from the party. He wore his mask.

Angre and Reyansh went towards Ragini’s room to give away the dress, and on the way the duo noticed Riddhima. The trio went together to Ragini's room and knocked on the door. The door was open already, and the trio entered.

After half an hour, Angre and Reyansh came up with the lady wearing the blue color sequin dress without sleeveless and a mask over her face to the party hall. Vansh didn’t have any other option to escape has Mr. Pratap forced him to stand near her. His eyes were busy searching for Riddhima. It was difficult for him as everyone had worn a mask on their face. He decided to search for Riddhima so he clenched her wrist tightly showing his frustration with Ragini. The voice came from the lady who gave him astonishment.

“Mr. Firestorm, It is paining!”

Who was that lady?