Riya was tired after the tour. Plus continuously wearing high heels made her wobble. She sat on a chair eating a light lunch. Lettuce sanswiches and green gram salad. She drank a lemonade.
Vicky joined her. She sighed.
" You again", she said. " Where is Zoya"?
" With Numaan", he said.
They looked at them.Zoya was trying to hit him as he dodged and ran.
" If he is not careful she will eat him like a chicken", he said chuckling.
" He provokes", she said.
" Yes, tired", he asked.
" I, no", she said but her legs ached.
She removed her pumps and winced.
" Here", he picked one leg up and massaged softly.
" You don't need to do this..aah ohhh..Vicky", she moaned.
" Was it necessary to hurt yourself to spite me? So red", he said looking at the red marks.He took out a soothing gel and applied on both legs.
" Ohhhh", she really was tired. He let her lean on him. The slow movements of his hands were soothing.
He opened her ponytail. And slowly massaged her scalp.
" Vicky", she moaned. She closed her eyes in pleasure. His scent lulled her senses.
He moved to her neck and shoulders.
In few minutes she slept.
He picked her up. Manav came to him.
" I am taking her with me. Sorry about yesterday", he said. " Inform your folks".
" Clear the matter between you two fast. She barely talks or eats. Sleep is almost absent.", saod Manav.
" Its my fault. I am sorry", he said.
" She is happy with you man", said Manav. " But she is angry. And don't force her. Or I will beat you up again".
Vikram nodded.
" Take care", said Manav.
They both arranged Riya on passenger seat as Vicky drove off with his little doe.
An energetic Vikram entered the Oberoi mansion with Riya sleeping in his arms.
" Vicky baba", Vitthal halted in his tracks.
The servants looked at their master who just a week ago was lying lifeless attached to machines and drips. They were shocked.
" Is she...", even Ramcharan was at a loss of words.
" She is a bit under the weather", said Vicky.
" Lack of sleep and food, break up trauma and over exhaustion after today's work. She needs rest."
Then he saw e everyone gaping at them.
His aura chilled.
" I don't pay people to do no work and ogle my girl here", he said in a dangerous tone.
The servants all scurried away.
" Damyanti follow me", he said. She did. He took her to his room and opened a wardrobe. He gave Damyanti an aqua nightie.
" Change her clothes and give her a sponge bath", he said. " I will call the doctor."
Damyanti gave Riya a sponge bath. She relaxed. Then she dressed her in the nightie.
Mrs. Shetty arrived promptly.
" No need to worry. Mild fever. I injected medicines", she said. " Let her rest".
Vikram nodded.
As everyone left he lovingly caressed her hair.
" Sahib don't leave", she moaned.
He held her hand for a long time. She sighed and nuzzled to him.
IT TOOK EVERYTHING IN HIM TO RESIST THAT.
Finally he got up and came outside.
" I informed Vikas that she will sleep the night here", his father said.
" I need to tell you about myself", said Vicky. He decided to come clean to Ramcharan. He owed his dad that much.
" If you are fine talking about it", said Ram.
" As fine as I shall ever be", shrugged Vicky.
They moved to the study.
" Who are you", asked Ramcharan.
" I was born Srikant Pundit", said Vicky ; "About four centuries ago. I lived with a step mother and siblings. I married at 16. Gunjan was my wife".
Ramcharan nodded quietly.
Vicky narrated his life story. About his association with Baldev and their fsllout.
" And so I kiled him and ascended the throne as Maharaj Ranjeet Singh. I killed all his sons. The youngest was three".
" That was wrong son", said his father.
Vicky shrugged. " I was the devil. Gunjan refused to be the queen. She thought same as you. So I denounce her."
Then he narrated all the events that led upto her death.
There was a silence.
" What's the curse", asked Ramcharan.
" I am cursed by Shiva to mourn my wife for eternity. To suffer the pain of her death. To..to." .his voice faltered.
" Vicky", said Ramcharan.
" I dteam of her d.death..s.she died shielding me from m.my own soldiers.".
" How"?
" The youngest of my wife rebelled. I was leaving them all and the kingdom to elope with Gunjan and start anew".
" I am sorry", said Ramcharan.
" I suffer the pains I gave her. I see in m.my dreams h.her humiliation, the loss of h.her will to l.live and her death", he stammered.
" Vicky", Ram hugged his son. " You have suffered enough son".
Vicky started sobbing.
" I had no one to take care of me ever. I was the eldest. I never even was a child. My father died when I was 12. I.I...only you and Maa.. I mean Mrs Oberoi sir", he said.
" Vicky you are my son", said Ramcharan.
" Mine and Janaki's . Always were, still are and always will be."
The father and son cried in each other's arm for some time.
" Is there a way to end this curse", asked Ramcharan.
" I need to be killed by a weapon coated in my blood".
" Vicky ", Ramcharan exclaimed. " I want you to live son. To marry Riya and have kids. Live happily".
" And then she will die again leaving me all alone", he said.
" Die again", Ram was confused.
" She is my Gunjan", he said.
" Does she know", Ram asked.
" The day she found out my truth she broke up with me", he said.
" I am sorry", said Ram. " So how are you planning on winning her back"?
" I have no clue", said Vicky. " I may try shameless begging".
" Let me think about that" , said Ram. " You definitely are getting your girl back.
" You bet I am", he said.
" Pundit Agnisharma told me your curse will end when she forgives you", said Ram.
Vikram shrugged. " Working on it".
Ramcharan started thinking. Riya was a tough nut to crack. His son needed help.
Meanwhile
In an under construction building basement of Oberoi construction.
Two men stood wearing black hoodies and slacks. A snake mask covered their faces.
" Are we safe operating from here", said one of them.
" We are", assured the other.
" If Oberoi finds out", said the first.
" No he won't", his boss assured. " Where are you with that ancient sword? It costs milluons".
" We are searching", he said. " Increase your efforts".
" Yes boss".
Then he left.
The boss went iside a private room. It was well furnished and equipped. He opened a wardrobe.
A LIFE SIZE POTRAIT OF RIYA WAS THERE
" I missed you completely.Him and you", he said." You walked with him right under my nose. ISN'T IT GUNJAN"?
Srikant Pundit. Vikram Oberoi. HE WAS THE ONE CAUSING EVERYTHING.
" But now I know its you. And you don't know who I am", he laughed. " You bet I am going to own you Srikant. And Gunjan shall be mine. He laughed maniacally.