Diminutives

Desperado - Part 4

"Congratulations on your promotion", Vihaan felicitated her. "Thank you. I really appreciate that you considered me for the position", Ridhima replied politely. He brushed it off, "don't be so humble. You deserved it". She was happy that Vihaan is back and nothing changed from his side. "So today's lunch is on you. What's say?", he tried to lighten the mood. "Sure", she smiled agreeing to him and picked up her coffee mug, "A sumptuous meal will do good for me. Else I was living on coffee", she sipped from her cup. 

"Are you okay? You look pale", Vihaan asked with concern. "Am I?", Ridhima was surprised and touched her cheek, "Perhaps. I have been really busy with this project". He nodded since he was aware of her dedication, "you need to take care of herself. Health is Wealth". They both smiled. Ridhima wanted to address the elephant in the room but Vihaan seemed to least bothered. May be it is best to let it slide. She was in double mind but he concluded their talk with decision to book table for lunch at his friend's restaurant.

"Are you okay, Ridhima?", Siya was concerned while Ridhima was feeling nauseous. They had a nice lunch with their boss and others in their team to celebrate her promotion. Vihaan had even allowed them all to take remaining day off. Both ladies had decided to spend the day shopping but soon Ridhima was feeling sick. "Please take me home, Siya", she begged while she was unable to handle herself. Once they reached home, Siya gave her some medicines and made her rest.

"Heard that you suffered food poisoning?", Angrey asked Ridhima who joined office after taking a day off. "I guess so", she answered while checking her presentation, "I feel like suing the restaurant", she was still not completely well since she was throwing up in the morning also. "Are you sure it is their food? Because other than you, none were affected", his point made her think but he added, "perhaps stress or change in weather". Ridhima has to agree. She tried to grab her coffee mug but he stopped her. "Abstain from caffeine until you are stable", he suggested and offered his drink, "Fresh juice, a healthier option". She mouthed a thank you while he gave a welcome smile.

As usual, Ridhima was giving an excellent presentation. She was almost done but then she started to feel dizzy. She grabbed onto the side of the table and cleared her throat. Vihaan noticed her change and quickly rose to her side. He concluded the presentation while allowing her to take a seat. Clients were happy and gave their approval. Angrey and Siya led them outside while Vihaan stayed back with Ridhima. "Are you okay?', his concern warmed her heart but she knew he was being polite. "I am fine. Just bit under the weather", she tried ignore her sickness.  She grabbed her phone and tried to get up from her seat. But soon it all went dark for her. She could perceive Vihaan quickly rushing to her side.

When Ridhima gained conscious, she was on a sofa in Vihaan's office. She groaned holding her forehead but squealed when she found Vihaan sitting near her. His usual calm nature was missing and tension was evident on his face. She gave him an awkward smile but he didn't return. "You were sick for few days and today you fainted. What does all these point to Ridhima?", he asked uprightly. "May be I am not as healthy as before", she replied uncertainly. He sighed and shook his head in disapproval. 

"Take the test", Vihaan held out a stick to her. Her eyes widened in shock when realised that he was holding a pregnancy test stick. "Are you crazy? I don't need this", she was exasperated, "besides how come you got this?". "This is not an illegal drug that is so difficult to procure. Any medical shop sells it over the counter", he spat at her, "And this situation is driving me crazy. You need to take the test right now so that I will be at peace".

Ridhima was still not feeling comfortable so Vihaan tried to explain her, "That night...when we..", both felt uncomfortable to breech the topic, "I am not sure whether I took precautions. It's all hazy. I was completely drunk". She fidgeted her fingers so he grabbed her hands, " we decided to forget and never bring it up. But let's be sure that there is no unplanned consequences", he held the pregnancy stick towards her, "Please". She took it from him and agreed to take the test.

"Two lines", Vihaan spoke as they both gazed at the stick kept on the table. She knew what it meant. She is pregnant. A good news that she wanted to hear desperately. But getting pregnant with her boss's baby was not part of the plan. She was now getting afraid of Vihaan reaction. Will he ask her to abort the baby? If so, she will not agree. She always wanted to have her baby. The father's support was never expected and she didn't care whether he agreed to take responsibility. She was  determined to even quit her job and move away, if Vihaan is concerned. 

Yet Ridhima feared the worst. Vihaan is so powerful and proud. What if he decided to eliminate her to save his good name?  While she was contemplating words to assure him that she will never cause any trouble for him or his family name, Vihaan was pacing across the room. He looked at his watch and then checked the calendar. Is he trying to get an appointment to terminate her baby? She was moving from to fright to flight mode. "There no other way", his voice boomed across the room while she gulped hard in anticipation. But his words blew her away, "We are getting married next week". Her jaw dropped in shock.

"Wait", Ridhima raised her voice in panic, "Why marriage? Can't we try another options?". Vihaan's eye narrowed, "Are you planning to abort my Baby?". Although she felt happy as he used the term my baby, it angered that he suggested she will harm her child. "Ofcourse not. I want to keep my baby", she retorted. "Then let's agree that my proposal is the best option for OUR baby", he spoke firmly. 

"Vihaan, please listen", she tried to converse reasonably, "I can take care of my child. I don't need a husband's support". "But my child needs a father. Until I am alive, I won't let my child feel abandoned", he was agitated. "Fine", she was able to see his point. He was acting like a gentleman who wanted to take his responsibility. But she didn't want to impose on him. "Why do we have to get married? We can be good parents without being husband & wife. Baby will be with me and you can visit whenever you prefer", she tried to reason. "Why don't we reverse the condition? Let the child be with me and you will have visitation rights?", he countered. "How dare you?", she yelled at him, "How could even think of separating my child from me? My child is my only family.". "The same for me too", he fumed. She realised that despite being rich and influential, Vishaan was as lonely as her.  She sat down unable to come to a decision.

"Don't you want to give the best to our child?", Vihaan asked her softly. Ridhima nodded since there was no room for doubt. "Although we are in a modern world, it will not be easy for an illegitimate child. I don't want my son or daughter to suffer any humiliation", he explained his concerns. "Society will brand me as a scheming Gold digger who trapped you with her pregnancy", she sighed. "Perhaps. They will also be rumours that my office tryst went wayward and I knocked up my employee", he gave her true picture. True words but they didn't pacify her.

Vihaan held her shoulders, "People will talk Ridhima but it will depends on us whether we give them the power to rule over us". She saw his point. He lifted her face by his chin, "I thought you were above all these hypocrisy. Where is my bold and strong Ridhima?". In spite of their situation, she laughed softly. He too looked happy as she relaxed a bit. So he asked her softly, "Will you marry me, Ridhima?". They both knew it wasn't a dream proposal but she could only reply one word to him, "Yes".