Tangled hearts in love

Chapter 16 - Cold coffee

Riddhima's anxiety was uncontrollable. On one hand, she was relieved that a couple had escaped, on the other, Vansh's rage. She was watching how rapidly he was driving the car like a madman to his home in front of her eyes.

Angre and Reyansh were looking for the pair around Mumbai. Riddhima noticed security guards moving from one location to another in search of the couple in the mansion as Vansh's car arrived. Vansh smirked when he received a notice on his phone.

“Stop fools, enough of searching them. The couple has been found and coming to the mansion. Go back to your work.” Shouted Vansh with his tremendous voice and left to his room.

Riddhima sensed his rage was at an all-time peak. She was looking for a solution to spare the couple from his rage. After an hour, the couple was returned to jail. Riddhima was terrified when she entered the prison, but she kept her cool. Looking at the couple's state, the couple was sobbing and looking at the floor. Riddhima's heart was melting.

Vansh walked inside the jail with arrogance, she noted. Looking at the couple, she gulped hard. She had five months to find a method to free the pair from Vansh's captivity, but instead of doing so, she was growing close to Vansh. She blamed herself for their situation.

He looked at them, and the punishment for the pair began. The security guards thrashed Ajay, while Angre shocked Uma with an electric shock. Riddhima couldn't take it any longer.

“Mr. Firestorm, please stop it. Forgive them.” Riddhima pleaded for the couple.

“Don’t interfere in my matters, Shut up or else you will also get the same punishment.” Warned Vansh in rage.

Riddhima saw that appealing to him was useless, so she devised her second strategy. She messaged Aryan to carry out her strategy. Vansh only gave her a glimpse as she was typing on her phone.

Vansh signaled Angre to administer the next punishment, and Angre grasped Ajay's thumb. Riddhima was anxious since she had no idea what was going to happen. Angre got a cutter with his other hand and began to cut Ajay's thumb finger. Ajay yelled in agony, and Riddhima burst into tears, feeling embarrassed of herself for not assisting them.

“No…Stop it,” yelled Sia at the entrance of the cell.

Viewing at her, Vansh signaled Angre to stop it. Vansh was astonished for a moment, Sia doesn’t know this place. He understood Aryan who standing behind Sia must have brought her. Sia instructed Riddhima to perform the treatment for Ajay’s finger.

“Mr. Vansh, What do you think of yourself? How could you treat my father like this? ” thundered Sia.

Vansh didn’t speak up anything against his sister, he remained calm and silent.

“So, Mr. Vansh Raisinghania, I know you won’t speak with me. you are a cruel person in our family. Riddhima, come to my room after completing your work. ” Concluded Sia.

“Sia, I have already explained to you. I can’t explain to you every time.” Vansh's reply annoyed Sia.

She couldn't even rush to see her father and mother after all these years. She felt horrible for herself after so many years of not being able to use her legs. She moved her wheelchair to get to them, but Vansh halted her.

Her eyes welled up with tears, but they did not affect Vansh. Riddhima wrapped the bandage around Ajay's wrist, while Ajay placed a bit of paper in her palm. No one noticed since everyone was focused on Vansh and Sia's activities. Riddhima couldn't respond, but she signaled with her eyes that she would observe what was going on. She tucks the paper away in the first-aid kit. The wound was not deep since Sia arrived at the right moment, and Riddhima also finished her treatment. So she chose to stand next to Sia.

“Mr. Ajay, I give you a last chance by accepting Sia’s request. Accept your mistake and ask sorry to Mrs. Gayathri Raisinghania for the mistake you did before 13 years and throw Uma from your life completely.” Denoted Vansh.

“I am ready to die but I won’t do whatever you said.” Confessed Ajay with confidence.

Vansh raised his gun and pointed it directly at his head. Riddhima begged Sia to faint and whispered in her ear. Sia blinked and rejected her proposal. Finally, she consented and pretended to faint.

“Sia, What happened to you? Why did you faint?” Shuddered Aryan.

Vansh’s focus came towards his sister, Riddhima checked her pulse and told, “ Your sister is scared by your activities, she needs some rest. I will check her body completely in her room.”

Vansh nodded his head, Everyone was waiting outside Sia’s room. While Sia looked at the painting she has drawn before her in disappointment. Reyansh alone came inside carrying a plate of food and a tablet for her. She refused to have the food. Riddhima got the plate from Reyansh and started to feed her. Reyansh left the place while Sia had tears in her eyes.

“Sia, You should fight, don’t cry. Now, please have these tablets.” Consoled Riddhima.

“No, I don’t want tablets. It gives me a lot of sleep. I sleep almost 18 hours in a day.” Cried, Sia.

Riddhima looked at the tablet nothing was written on the tablet. She felt something very doubtful so she opened her first aid box and placed the tablet inside the box.

“Ok, You don’t need to have the tablet. Stop crying my cute friend and tell me what is your problem?” asked Riddhima.

“Riddhima, My entire day is spent inside these four walls. I hate my life. I don’t even have a degree in my life. I wanted to do my higher studies but my family didn’t allow me. These paintings are my only relief.” Sia conveyed by drinking the water.

“Did you draw these paintings? I thought your brother have imported it from a foreign. It is superb.” Riddhima told by touching the drawings on canvas.

“Don’t call him my brother. He didn’t even buy these things, Rudra's uncle brought me. He gifted me the painting equipment for my

birthday.” Sia declared with a frown on her face.

“Sia, these paintings are awesome. Don’t stop it. With the help of Aryan, we will try to post these drawings on social media, and about your higher studies, I will talk with the boss and he will agree.” Denoted Riddhima giving some hope in Sia’s life.

Sia gave a hug to Riddhima while sitting on the bed. Riddhima hugged her back. Vansh came by opening the door as he was too

desperate to know Sia’s condition and to scold Riddhima. But the scene he was viewing made him dumbstruck. His sister was smiling, he was happy to see the grin on her face. Noticing Vansh, Riddhima broke her hug.

“Is my sister fine? Or should I call the doctor?” interrogated Vansh with care.

“Boss, No need. Sia is absolutely fine. Sia, Everything will be fine. Don’t stress by overthinking. Be happy my queen.” Riddhima expressed cupping her cheeks in her palms.

Sia smiled back at her. Riddhima wrapped a blanket around her and signaled her to sleep peacefully. Riddhima and Vansh exited the room. Riddhima saw Vansh's distress and chose to leave the scene as soon as possible. She noticed Vansh clutching her wrist. She took a deep breath and determined to pay attention to his scolding.

“Why did you ask Aryan to bring Sia to the prison where Ajay and Uma are residing?” Vansh yelled pinning her to the wall by holding her shoulders.

Riddhima understood Aryan must have told to Vansh in fear.

“She is your sister, she should know the way how you are treating your parents.” Uttered Riddhima without fear.

He started to crush her arms with his tight hold. She tried to struggle from in his hold. But she couldn’t in front of his mighty well-developed body. He pulled her close to him.

“Don’t interfere in my family things. Don’t even try to come in front of me. I will kill you. Get out of my mansion.” Growled Vansh leaving her from the hold and walking to his building.

She speculated at her arms which were crimson with his fingerprints. She didn’t expect him to behave like this. She decides to stay away from him.

---

Two days passed, and She didn’t visit the mansion or his office. She was very clear after the words came from his mouth. So she decided to focus on her studies.

During these two days, She was busy with her investigation also. First, the bit of paper she got from Ajay.

You can escape from the VR mansion when the current gets off. By your well-wisher.

She asked her Shankar uncle about it, but he too doesn't know who is assisting them in escaping from the prison. She reasoned that Ajay's uncle had probably requested her to put the paper out of Vansh's sight. The medications Sia was taking were the second thing that worried her. Sejal, as a medical student, assisted her in determining what the tablet was by doing experiments on it.

Riddhima's friendly medical team verified the conclusion after several hours of study, which was shocking for her. She dialed Dr. Bose's number and spoke with him for an hour.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the bus conductor called out her bus stop name. She got off the bus and walked about contemplating while fiddling with the chain around her neck. She checked her watch, which showed 10 p.m. She resolved to face her aunt's fury. She knocked on the door, but there was no response. She knocked it again.

Mayuri opened the door cautiously, her head dripping wet. Riddhima was weary, so she didn't have the energy to converse with her or resist her.

She walked in and saw Vansh standing with dark blue blazars, his hands inside his pant pockets. She blinked her eyes shut and realized it wasn't a dream. She thought to herself, he looked good in these blazars. He attempted to approach her, but she refused.

“Don’t come near me. As I am a medical student it is necessary to take a bath. Give me five minutes.” Warned Riddhima.

He nodded his head, she went took a bath, and came back wearing a t-shirt and loose track pants, she wiped the wet on her face in the towel. She saw biscuits and a cup of hot coffee near the sofa.

On the sofa, Vansh was sitting like a lion waiting for the prey. Angre and Reyansh were standing behind the sofa. But She didn’t care about it. She was hungry so she had an idea of eating first.

When she took the biscuit in her hand, it didn’t reach her mouth. Vansh halted her action and tugged her hand as result she was sitting near him on the sofa. She was aware of their closeness but attempted to relocate and sit a bit further away. But she couldn't move as Vansh drew her closer to him.

Now, she noticed Mayuri and Rishab standing in fear in the corner of the room. Vansh signaled them to go out of the house as he wanted to talk with her. After the couple went, Riddhima’s gaze went to the hot coffee. She wanted to take a sip of that hot coffee. While her right hand was busy in Vansh’s hold, she decided to use her left hand to grab the coffee. But Vansh pulled her left hand also.

She made a pout, looking at him. She licked her lips with her tongue viewing at the plate. But her admiring the food plate came to an end. When Vansh started his interrogation section.

“For the past two days, You didn’t come to the office. What do you think of yourself? Why are you so irresponsible? Did you join your hands with Kabir or Pranav?” asked Vansh clenching her wrist.

“Boss, I will die instead of working for Kabir or Pranav.” Struggled Riddhima coming out of this hold.

“Then, Why didn’t you show up?“ he asked in a serious tone.

“Boss, I was obeying your command,” Riddhima started again trying to take the biscuits.

“It’s a lie. “ Vansh said tugging her wrist again which had the biscuits in her hand.

“You told me not to come in front of you. So I did that,” yelled Riddhima losing her calmness.

“Then you should have come to the office and stood behind me.” Vansh played with words and took a bite from the biscuits in Riddhima’s hand.

Angre and Reyansh chuckled at the conversation and earned a glare from Riddhima.

“Bad Joke! Better luck next time.” Told Riddhima pouting and turning her face.

Vansh held her chin softly and pulled it towards his face. Riddhima’s heartbeat was beating fast, she was trying to control but she couldn’t.

“I don’t know what magic spell did you give to my sister. She came and talked with me, because of you. She asked about you to me and the reason why you didn’t come for the past two days. She is feeling enthusiastic after meeting you. She is happy and the reason is you.” Vansh announced making Riddhima feel happy.

“I had a hectic schedule for the past two days. So only I couldn’t able to come up. Tell her, that I will come soon and I didn’t use any magic spell on your sister. I interacted with your sister and assured her that you will fulfill her dreams.” Stated Riddhima.

Vansh lifted his right eyebrow at Riddhima, doubting Sia's dreams. She shared Sia's ambitions for higher education and her artistic abilities.

“Riddhima, I can’t allow her outside. You know about her situation. What if society teases her? What if people look at her with sympathy? I don’t want that situation to be faced my sister. She should be safe. The doctor had assured me that only complete rest and tablets can make her legs work properly.” Explained Vansh.

“Show me, that Doctor. I want to slap him.” Scoffed Riddhima by handing over the report paper in Vansh’s hand.

Vansh was busy reading the documents, While Riddhima stood up, he stopped reading and noticed her action. She pulled Reyansh’s collar and was about to punch him in the face. Vansh held her hands and prevented her from doing that.

“Riddhima, What are you doing? Why are you behaving crazy?” protested Vansh.

“Reyansh was the one daily giving foods and tablets to Sia. The report in your hands is the tablet taken by Sia. It is not a medicine

for curing Sia’s health. Just a sleeping dose.” Complained Riddhima.

“Boss, Anupriya mam gave me the tablets. I just gave it to Sia. I don’t know anything.” Reyansh raised his hands.

Riddhima left the hold and apologized for her behavior toward Reyansh. She realized that Reyansh was just an arrow, the real person who is throwing the arrow is Anupriya.

“Boss, I am sorry for interrupting in your family matters but Sia was my childhood friend. I like her a lot. So I had an idea of testing the tablets. I interacted with your family doctor Bose. He told me that he will meet you up tomorrow.” Elaborated Riddhima, Vansh was busy reading the reports.

He couldn’t believe what was happening in his life. His life was traveling with lots of confusion.

“I need to talk with the doctor immediately, now, today.“ Vansh mentioned gazing at Riddhima.

Riddhima understood his emotion and made a video call to Dr. Bose. The doctor picked up the call and agreed to speak with him.

“Mr. Vansh, I told you indirectly before your grandmother and Anupriya about Sia’s health condition. The duo told me that I was cheating on Sia’s treatment. Now, I warn you, the more you delay the more Sia is going to suffer. Riddhima told me about the tablet issue. I was hugely disappointed. The one thing I wanted to tell you from the beginning. Now, I am telling it you openly. Don’t believe your grandmother and Anupriya.” Fumed Dr. Bose and disconnected the call.

He placed his hand on his head in frustration. He was a careless brother, he hated himself for his behavior. Riddhima placed her soft hands on his shoulder and rubbed it. He felt a little comfortable.

“Sia’s treatment is more important. I and Dr. Bose will arrange for the treatment. If you give permission, we will start it soon.” Riddhima told a quick reply came from him as yes.

Vansh came out of Riddhima’s house, he was about to get into the car.

“Boss, Why you didn’t attend the masquerade party today? Ragini must be sad. “ teased Riddhima.

“The party has postponed two day after. I will be happy if I attend the party alone.” Revealed Vansh by getting inside the car.

Riddhima waved her hands to car and came back to the living area to have her coffee. The coffee has become cold. She had no other choice, she took that in a gulp with a biscuit and went to sleep.

---

Next day, After completing her classes, At 4 P.M. She went to the mansion. Angre has messaged her to come to the mansion. She entered and witness Anupriya crying in the hall. Remaining members were holding an emotionless face. Anupriya’s face turned into anger viewing Riddhima’s face.

Anupriya marched towards her and tried to pushed her out of the mansion, She stumbled and was about to fall but an biceps arm held her waist by supporting her not to fall. She looked up, it was Vansh. She noticed her hands on his chest.

For the first time, She heard his heartbeat which was beating fast. When her gaze met with his, butterflies are flying around her.

“Perfect.” A huge sound came from the family members. Sia, Rudra, Chanchal and Aryan, Reyansh and Angre were saying it together. Riddhima’s cheeks turned red while Anupriya looked at everyone in rage. But today no one didn’t considered her anger.

“She is cunning…” started Anupriya but she couldn’t ended when Vansh showed his blood shot eyes.

Riddhima didn’t bother about her words, she was breathing fast as if she had run 10 kilometers in an hour. The breathing effect was because of Vansh’s arms on her waist. Finally, she managed to get away from him but he pulled her closer.

“Sia wants to talk with you.” He whispered in her ears, she nodded and went to meet Sia.

Sia and the entire family told what had happened from the morning. Anupriya and Gayathri was caught red-handed but Anupriya managed to summarize a fake story and put the blame on the doctor who was giving treatment to Sia. Gayathri played a drama by fainting, Dr.Bose was giving treatment to her.

Dr. Bose returned from gayathri’s room. He told that Gayathri wanted to meet Vansh.While Riddhima entered the room noticed Ragini seating beside her. The entire family was inside Gayathri’s room, the old lady held Vansh’s hand and asked him to sit near her.

“Vansh, I can’t believe Anupriya from now on. The family responsibility should be changed to someone soon. I need a grand daughter-in-law one who cares for my family. Promise that you will marry Ragini soon.” Gayathri’s words bombed in everyone head’s especially Vansh.

“Grandma, first take care of…” Vansh started but he noticed his granny crying.

“Vansh, I want an answer immediately or else I won’t take medicine.” Cried granny.

He glanced everyone’s face, Riddhima couldn’t understand what was this lady up to. Vansh stood by adjusting his blazers and told

his decision.

What was the decision taken by Vansh?