Rainfall has turned heavy now. With lightning and storm. Vikram sat on the ground as others left. Rainfall drenched him completely. HE LOST IT AGAIN. The kiss.the bliss he felt.
And now after everything he felt EMPTY again. She was crying. She did not look at him. Did he over step? Did she feel forced by him? He thought that...but he always thinks it worng. DID SHE SEE HIM AGAIN? That monster. He felt suffocated. He lost the power to think as his legs carried him to a bar.
On the other hand
" Riya speak something", said Zoya shaking her. They were in Salman's car going to Qureshi house.
" She is in no condition to return to her house", said Zoya. " She stays the night with me", she declared.
" Zoya leave her alone", said Numaan. " Her emotions are all haphazard. She will panic".
FOR ONCE SHE LISTENED TO HIM.
They reached the house. The men lived next door as they were cousins.
Mr. Qureshi welcomed everyone in.
" Abba Riya is not well. She was on a work trip. We met her at Gateway. So I brought her home".
Mr. Qureshi was around 60 years of age. Zoya was his most pampered child.
" Its fine. Take her to your room".
The men took their leave.
At Oberoi's
As weather darkened Ramcharan was worried. The yought crew informed him that they had docked by 6 P.M. So where are Riya and Vicky? He was worried. He tried calling Vicky but he received no reply.
" WHAT MESS HAS THIS BOY PUT HIMSELF INTO NOW"?
He was about to leave with a worried Vitthal and Veer to search him when his BlackBerry rang. It was his son calling.
" Vicky,, Where the hell are you? How is Riya? Is everything alright? Come home right away", he ordered.
" Nothing is alright dad", vame Vicky's pathetic voice. " I lost everything . She left me dad. I feel like dying.."
" Vicky", he was alarmed. " Where are you"?
" I don't know", he said.
" Hand your mobile to someone nearby", he said.
" Hello sir", said a voice.
" Which place is he"?
" This is Beach bar", said the person. " Near Gateway".
" Take care of that man. I will pay you well. Give address. I am coming", said Ramcharan.
He was a waiter in that bar. He gave the address. Ramcharan thanked him and started off. Vikram was passed out on a table by the tome they reached. Ramcharan handsomely compensated the waiter. Veer asked him sternly to be discreet about it. They picked Vicky up and left.
Needless to say Vicky relived Gunjan's death whole night. Bouts of vomitting and breathing problem dominated his outbursts.
" Gunjan I suffer my love..come back my love..I can't go on anymore..Give me death please".
Vitthal wiped his tears.
" Vicky baba was so happy in the morning", said Vitthal.
" What happened ", asked Damyanti.
" They left the boat happily", said Ramcharan. " I wonder what happened "?
Even the doctors and nurses were exhausted by morning.
" Strictly prohibit his alcohol", warned doctor Shetty. " He gets an episode when he is drunk. Or I am putting him in rehabilitation again".
Ramcharan just nodded. Janaki's death has spiralled Vicky into alcohol again. RIYA NOW WAS HIS ONLY HOPE.
But..
" She left me dad".
He needed answers. He waited to have a talk with his son now.
Meanwhile
Early next morning Salman and Numaan joined Zoya, Ibrahim, Aasma, Zaid( Zoya's siblings) for tea and breakfast. Their father left early for office.
" The b*stard crossed line", fumed Zoya. " I informed Suhasini auntie that he is targeting Riya. She is innocent. We all must save her".
" YOU F*CKING WHAT", screamed Numaan.
Aasma shrunk. She was a gentle girl.
" Numaan. Mind your language and tone", chided Salman.
" Actually brother", said Numan relaxing like a king, " The only one who should mind her business is your precipus fiancee. She is so bored that she starts writing others' life for them."
Then he turned to Zoya and said, " You should write a daily soap. Drama Queen".
" Did you eat a bitter gourd in the morning ", she returned the insult. " Ohh no its your mouth that is permanently bitter".
" I see you lack kisses", he whispered. " That made you jealous. But then brother is a little backward in that department", he smirked
" You", she picked up a fork.
The others knew if possible Zoya and Numaan would kill each other. So they just shook their heads and continued to eat.
" Keep it down", said Salman.
Numaan started reading aayats(hymns of Quran.
" What are you doing", asked Salman.
" Keeping evil spirits away", he said as he smirked at Zoya.
Splash
She threw a glass of water on him...
" Ohh no no witch what did you do"?
Zoya smirked
" Taught you a lesson", she said casually munching an omellete.
Ibrahim chuckled.
" Numaan come. I'll offer you a new set of clothes", he said.
" Disappear witch", he said to Zoya as he left.
At Oberoi house
Vikram as usual was fine in the morning.
At the breakfast Ramcharan asked him,
" Speak about what happened with Riya".
Vikram took a deep breath. Dodging his father was impossible and he saw no point in stalling it.
" I lost my control and smooched her. I guess I frightened her. She ran away and has ghosted me again", he said with a hard expression on his face. His fingers were clenched.
Ramcharan bit an apple and asked casually,
" Did she enjoy the kiss"?
Vicky looked at him as if he has grown two heads.
" Did you miss the point where I said she left me? All other arguments are pointless."
" You let me decide that boy", said Ramcharan.
" I held her hand in her house and she snuggled to me. As I tried to kiss her she panicked. And then at beach I could not control", he said in frustation.
" Did she push you back", asked his father.
" No but"
" Was she resisting you or ever said no"?
" She did not". Vikram now raced his mind back.
" Was she as involved as you?"
He thought for some time. She had felt him, hugged him. She was flirting.
" Yes dad she hugged me. She wanted it. I did not force it. We moved towards each other together". Vikram was relieved.
" Until...", said Vicky.
" Until her friend Zoya interrupted. Oh my God", he said suddenly.
" What", his father asked.
" She panicked tthat day after her aunt interrupted. We were in each others arms before that".
" So she feels insecure when she is seperated from you. Because she is not sure of your love", said Ramcharan.
" But dad".
" Your reputation does not help either."
" Then what shall I do", he asked like a teenager.
" You need to assure her of your love. Propose forever to her not a time pass."
" So shall we both go to Deshmukh's ", asked Vicky.
" Calm down boy", said Ramcharan. " First let her realise her own love then you act".
" Strange that is what he said".
" Who"?
" Numaan Qureshi", answered Vicky. " Riya's friend".
" Then that is the young man I would like to meet", said Ramcharan.
" I have his card", said Vicky.
" Brilliant ", said his father.
" But first come in the garden. Lets talk what you did yesterday. Sounds good".
Vicky blushed.
" Yeah", he said as they walked to the garden.